Notes: This was written for the 30 Forbidden Livejournal challenge (though there's thirty-one total because one of the bonuses—this first part—struck me as particularly fitting), partly an expansion of an extended history for Yubel I wrote for part of an
Notes: This is for the 30 Forbidden Livejournal challenge (though there's thirty-one total because I wanted to use one of the bonuses, this first part), and is partly an expansion of an extended history for Yubel I wrote for part of an RP application sitting on a Word document somewhere. Yubel and Judai's ages here are guesses on my part, based on screencaps of the flashback in episode 155.
Disclaimer: GX, its characters, and everything else it encompasses do not belong to me.
Bloom
The hyacinths in the castle gardens were Yubel's favorite. Most of them grew in a corner of the gardens that casual visitors out for a leisurely stroll rarely passed by, though Yubel frequented it often. Red and pink varieties were scattered here and there among purple and yellow, with plenty of blue all throughout the area; it wasn't strict and uniform like the order maintained in other parts of the garden, but that didn't make the medley of colors any less bright in Yubel's eyes.
It was near a cluster of red hyacinths that she first happened upon the prince. Yubel took a moment to recognize him—he wore a plain tunic instead of the formal wear he usually donned in public, and this was the first time she'd ever seen him so closely—but when she did Yubel jumped back, startled. "P-Prince! How did you get here? Why? It's getting late, and you should be inside by now!"
The prince laughed nervously, rubbing his head sheepishly. "I came out by myself. I wanted to get some flowers," he admitted. "I needed something to finish off my gift for Mother's birthday tomorrow and I thought she would enjoy some flowers, so I came out to search for something she might like." He studied the hyacinths. "Do you think she'd like these?"
Yubel hadn't imagined meeting the prince like this. The adults always whispered about him and spoke as if he was a hero, though they kept the reason for all the fuss a secret from anyone outside the castle or anyone too young to remember the prince's birth (including her). Yubel had been expecting more dignity of somebody who was cause for so much talk, even if he was only a year younger than her at thirteen. He seemed nice, though, and of course it wouldn't do to speak ill of the prince.
She smiled and leaned over to examine one of the hyacinths. "Yes, I think the queen would like one of these very much. These flowers are beautiful."
The prince smiled, and he reached out to touch the one she was giving her attention to. "What's your name?"
The request surprised Yubel again, and she stuttered for a second. "Y-Yubel. My name is Yubel. My prince," she added respectfully at the last second, not wanting to give off any impression of rudeness.
The prince beamed at her. "Thank you, Yubel!" He turned to leave, but paused and glanced back at her. "Are you going to be here tomorrow?"
This time Yubel expected the question. "I will, if it pleases you. There should be an hour or so between the end of the morning meal and the beginning of my lessons." She looked at him questioningly. She didn't want to make hasty assumptions in case she offended him for some reason, but did he mean…
"Would you like to come out here with me to take some flowers, then?" the prince asked. "It's only if you want to. I don't want to make you do anything."
"Of course I will come!" Yubel said hurriedly. "It would be an honor, my prince." And as she said it she could hardly believe it. The prince wanted to meet her again tomorrow, even if it was only for a short time? She doubted he'd known her at all until a few minutes ago!
The prince, on the other hand, didn't seem to share her reservations. "I'll see you in the morning, then!" He began running off in the direction of the castle. "Goodbye, Yubel!"
Yubel watched him go before starting towards the castle herself (it was nearing dusk, and going in soon was wisest), wondering what she'd just gotten herself into.
The next morning Yubel returned to the garden as she'd said, where the prince was already waiting for her. He now sported the traditional outfit Yubel was accustomed to seeing him in, presumably for his mother. When Yubel tried to apologize for making him wait, he waved her off. "I made sure to come early in case you were busy this morning. Do you think this is a good one?" He pointed at one hyacinth; this one was white, like Yubel remembered the queen was partial to.
"I think that's a very good one, my prince."
"You don't have to call me that!" The prince faced her and shook his head, reaching out to put a hand on Yubel's shoulder. "You're almost my age, and we're friends, right?"
"Friends? You, with me?" Yubel hadn't considered the thought. All last night she'd been worrying over the impression she'd made on the prince, not thinking about friendship. The idea of a friendship between her and the prince seemed grand, though she supposed if that was what he wanted then it would be all right. "If that's what you wish, my prince."
"Don't you want to be friends?"
"To be honest, my—er, that is, I never really thought you would…" It was remarkable how this boy, not even quite her age, could turn Yubel into such a mess. She didn't usually act like this! Finally she gave up and blurted out the first thing she could find to say: "Yes, yes I do!"
"Then call me Judai." The prince bent down and eyed the hyacinth he'd picked out. "Yubel, do you know how to cut these? I'm not very knowledgeable with flowers."
Yubel was silent for a moment, stunned by his nonchalance, but she quickly recovered and began explaining what she'd learned from the gardeners in the past.
Later that day Yubel found that a note had been delivered to her room, along with a vibrant red hyacinth in full bloom. The note had no signature, simply reading "Thank you," but it needed none.
Yubel smiled to herself, wondering if she could get a vase of some sort for the flower. "You're welcome, Judai," she murmured to the note.