Bubblegum woke up to sunlight streaming through her window and tickling her face. Oh no! She thought, shooting up in bed, Peppermint must have forgotten to wake me up! I'll be late for breakfast! She was accustomed to rising before the Sun had begun its journey across the sky, having one of her handmaids dress her in finery, preparing for another day of royal duties. Today she had to…oh, that was right, she didn't have royal duties anymore. However, she still rose out of bed, she planned to scope out the village today. Every single one of her limbs seemed to ache as she padded across the cold wood floors. If she had slept in her own bed she'd have spent the night swaddled in down comforters and velvet blankets…no, that was a silly fantasy, one she didn't have time for. Circumstances had changed and she would have to learn how to adapt.
Bubblegum found her leather sack by her bed. Peppermint had found some 'peasant' clothes for her since the very idea of bringing along one of her silk gowns was ridiculous. And indeed, the first dress she pulled out was devoid of all baubles. Instead it was a dreary grey with a dark blue vest that laced up the front. "This is a God-awful color on me," Bubblegum whispered to herself as she shimmied into the dress, not used to dressing herself. That was true, the grey washed her out completely, making her look lifeless. After she was fully clothed she slipped out of her room to try to scrounge up a meal. The hallway was as miserable as she remembered it, dark even in the daylight, a simple hallway lined with doors. She started towards the steps, her shoes not making a sound. It was a skill she had taught herself when she was younger since she had no playmates of her own age and the nobles were far too boring. She'd sneak down to the kitchens where she'd steal snacks and hide in cupboards, playing with the staff. She had since stopped hiding around but the skill remained as a remnant of her more frivolous days, when she had time to play.
Bubblegum was descending the steps when she heard snippets of conversation coming from downstairs. "But Marcie, he's not coming back!" The first voice was high but also masculine, most likely belonging to a prepubescent boy.
"Finn, he'd never abandon us, you know that." This was the voice of the innkeeper from last night but now instead of sounding mocking her voice hinted at sadness. Bubblegum knew listening in on a conversation was very rude but her curiosity got the better of her so she positioned herself at a location on the stairs where she'd not be seen by the two downstairs.
"You place too much trust in him!" That was Finn's voice. "You're being so naïve Marcie, you knew about his habits, you knew someday they would bring him down!"
"He LOVED us, that's more powerful than any drug!"
"He didn't act like it when he was under its influence," Finn snorted. Bubblegum decided to venture downstairs before the argument between the two got out of hand, The girl was furiously scrubbing the counter, wiping up the stains left by beer mugs and greasy plates. Finn sat on one of the many wooden tables, swinging his legs as if no conflict had ever occurred between the two.
"Hey!" he cheered, noticing Bubblegum. "You must be one of the guests!"
"Yes, I am." Bubblegum replied matter-of-factly.
"What's your name? How long are you staying? Have you been here before? Are you from another kingdom?" Evidently newcomers were a rare gift here.
"I'm Bonnibel," Bubblegum cringed as soon as she said her first name. However, revealing her last name would blow her entire cover for sure. "I come from far away. I don't know how long I'll be staying, but if I find a job I suppose it will be quite a while.
"There's a brothel a few streets over," Marceline muttered. Finn bit his lower lip in an attempt to hold back his laughter while Bubblegum flushed pink with anger.
"How dare you suggest such a thing!" She huffed, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Hey, they bring good business to the tavern, so I'm not complaining."
"I would never stop that low, how disgusting!" Marceline merely grinned, having achieved her goal of irritating the other girl.
"Well do what you want. Breakfast'll be ready soon once Finn gets me the eggs." Marceline hinted, glaring at Finn who quickly jumped down from his perch on the table, fearing Marceline's wrath. Once Finn slipped out the door Marceline turned to Bubblegum. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. Marceline." Marceline offered out her hand which Bubblegum grudgingly shook. She almost recoiled with the shocking cold of the other girls' hand but didn't comment, that would be beyond impolite. "So Bonnie," Marceline began, stepping out from behind the counter, "What brings you to this very distant land?" For a second Bubblegum felt a wild urge to spill everything- he ruined kingdom, her cowardly flight, her endless journey but she simply replied stiffly with
"Family matters. I've been forced to leave for an indefinite amount of time. Silly stuff really, I'd rather not get into it." Marceline noted the girls' too-proper way of talking, how she annunciated every word just so. She didn't comment on it though, simply nodding.
"So you came here. Awful odd place to hole up."
"Well peppermint, my butl- er family friend thought this may be a peaceful place to rest up. Perhaps I'll go explore the village later."
"It's one hell of a place, that's for sure" Marceline snorted
"Whatever do you mean?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Marceline laughed. This girl had clearly not been in a village before; she couldn't wait to see her reaction to the dirt and muck that covered every surface. As if he had been summoned, in busted Finn, boots coated in grime.
"I got the eggs!" He cried, triumphantly waving a straw basket over his head while Bubblegum cringed at the mud that was being tracked on the just-washed floors.
This was just a short chapter, but it established the relationships between several of the characters. The next chapter will introduce PB to the village. Thanks for the follows and as always, read and review please!
