The Note

Chapter 1

She had found a note in the forest. Written in pretty handwriting and purple ink. She knew it wasn't addressed to her and yet she wanted to find out who had written it.

After all, the note said "Meet me in the forest this evening. 8:00"

It's not like whoever wrote it would kill her. Besides someone obviously dropped the note so whoever wrote it is probably going to be stood up tonight. So, why not?

She walked throught the forest, slightly regretting her decision, which may or may not have been a bit irrational to begin with. But their was no going home now she had to kill at least 2 hours because her parents thought she was at an opera. So, she came into the clearing just as a male figure did. They both stared at each other with slight surprise for a few moments before he spoke up.

"Excuse me, milady... What are you doing in the forest late at night? Especially in such formal attire!"

He definitely wrote the note. There was no doubt. She had to hide it. "Um, I was just... going out for a stroll...?"

"Though I don't exactly believe you, I won't question it. Have you seen a blonde adventuress? She's about... 5 feet tall and has beautiful blue eyes, a green beckpack, some tall socks with mary-janes-"

So this was a date he was attending. "No, I haven't, sir." She cut him off, not wanting to hear him ramble about some love of his. She was too busy thinking about how she didn't have one... Also that she was conveniently holding the not intended for said love of his, and she had no real explaination as to why she was here... She needed to make the piece of paper in her left hand behind her back disappear. She could simply drop it... when he wasn't looking. Aha! Now's my chance!

Paper met grass, and she made sure to step on it so it would appear it had been stuck to her shoe or simply there all along.

"Oh, well... I shall be off then..."

"Ah, yes, me as well," Engagement Ring Princess stepped back to turn around and head home, feeling increasingly awkward around the young prince. However, the paper she was standing on didn't seem to want to come with her.

"Oh? What's this?" Prince Gumball moved to pick it up, Engagement Ring Princess flinched as if to stop him but she halted herself. Prince Gumball held the note in his hand, and his gaze went hard and he frowned as he scanned his own fancy handwriting. "I wrote this for... How did you get it?"

"I never picked it up... It must've been stuck to my shoe..." She swallowed hard. The prince rose and held the note out to her, his gaze blank and distant. She took the note cautiously, being unable to predict his motions. She read over his writing and traced her fingers along the words. "Why did you hand this to me?"

"You don't think I saw this in your hand earlier? Though I must say it was clever to slip it under your shoe. Thanks for coming, Madame, at least someone bothered to show..." He looked away, and she could see he was quite upset. He must be heartbroken. She thought. I couldn't imagine someone doing that to me... I'm an idiot for coming here too... poor prince.

"I-I'm sorry..." She handed the note back to him. "I found this earlier, when I was on my way home, and I was just... curious so I decided to see who wrote it and I totally gronked up your date!" Engagement Ring Princess covered her face with her hands.

"Well my... date as you put it didn't show anyways. Whether she dropped that note on purpose or not I may never know. But, I had the pleasure of meeting a peculiar girl who is very curious and seemingly oblivious to danger and practicality." Prince Gumball gave a somewhat teasing smile, raising an eyebrow to add to the effect.

"Excuse me!" ERP exclaimed. "I am very aware of danger and very practical if I say so myself!"

"You are wearing a bridesmaid dress in the middle of the woods-and you aren't even attending a wedding."

"Not like you're dressed any better Mr. Fancypants!" The princess retorted. "Dare I point out that is no way to speak to a princess either!"

"You're a princess?" His expression read 'oops' and he looked a bit shocked.

"Yes." She crossed her arms matter of factly.

"My apologies, I should have known better being a prince myself. Ahem." Prince Gumball fixed his collar and straightened himself. "Shall we try this again?"

"...Okay."

"My name is Prince Gumball," He bowed graciously. "And you are?"

"I am Engaement Ring Princess, of the Jewelry Kingdom," She curtsied politely. "Nice to have made your aquaintance, Prince."

"Likewise." He smiled. Her crown was a little more extravagent than most, but he should've caught on to what her status was before. He was to busy being upset about Fionna not showing up to their date to really regard her, let alone her appearance or feelings. He was kind of being a little snarkier than the norm before.

"Do you happen to have the time?" Engagement Ring Princess asked, looking around. She knew she couldn't have killed more than a half hour.

"Well," Prince Gumball pulled up the sleeve on his left hand, revealing a watch. "It's 8:32pm."

"Gloooooob..." She groaned. "I have to kill an hour and a half before my parents expect me home, unless I lie and say the opera was cancelled..."

"Well lying doesn't seem to hard for you," The prince remarked.

"I'm sorry okay! I needed something to do..."

"Other than going to an actual opera?" Prince Gumball retorted. "I mean, this feels a bit like a soap opera right now... But that's beside the point."

"I go to operas all the time!" The princess huffed. "I meant something new to do..."

"Like meeting a total stranger in the middle of the forest at night. Sounds like a well-grounded and very safe plan!"

"No one dangerous would have such nice handwriting."

"Ah... good point."

"Ha." She gave him a smug smile. "The only thing dangerous about you is the amount of pink you wear."

"HEY!" Prince Gumball cried defensively. "Hurtful!"

"Oh, I'm sorry." The princess said halfheartedly.

"Hmph." The prince crossed his arms. "That is no way to talk to a prince, milady."

"I sincerely apologize," She bowed over exaggeratedly. "Prince of the... Pink Kingdom...?"

"Prince of the Candy Kingdom, Isn't it obvious?" He raised a brow. "I mean, my name is Prince Gumball."

"Ah... Right." She looked away awkwardly. "I should've known... One of my best friends is Princess Bubblegum of the Candy Kingdom... How have I not seen you before?"

"Princess Bubblegum? I haven't heard of her."

"That's strange... Is there two Candy Kingdoms or something? How have I not heard of this!"

"...Last I checked there was only one."

Engagement Ring Princess shrugged. "Oh well. I'll ask her about it tomorrow. She's good at science and brainy stuff so she might have an answer."

"Yeah..." He decided not to mention he was probably just as good at science, if not better. Instead, he decided to part with this strange princess, who insulted his form of dress and left him feeling very confused, overall. He didn't reall understand her. She finds a note on the ground, and decided to meet with a stranger, in the middle of the woods, in a bridesmaids dress, alone. It didn't seem she had thought that through in his opinion. But other than that she seemed like she could be a nice girl, if he got to know her. Of course, it was later in the evening and he just didn't have the time.

"Well, it's been a pleasure meeting you, Engagement Ring Princess. I must bid you farewell, however, and go back to attending my duties. We shall meet again!" He paused for a moment. "Possibly..."

"Oh, well, then farewell, Prince of the Candy Kingdom! Best wishes to you and that lovely girl of yours!" She curtsied, before flashing a smile with a small wave and turning to head home.