Bonnibel has a plethora of responsibilities. She has meetings to attend, and negotiations with other kingdoms. She's got a tailor scheduled for noon to fit a dress that will have to be finished no later than six. And then she has to dance with the other monarchs, and she has to smile at them, and she has to pretend their jokes are funny and their hand isn't too low on her back. But though she's responsible, her interest wans and she's of course late. Buried in the early morning within books again. Peppy says it'll be the death of him as he reschedules her day. And Bonni cant help but grin fondly as he gives her another of his notorious morning pep-talks. She thinks he's probably the closest thing to a father she's ever had. Even if he's honor bound to serve her.
The little short man has been a heavy influence throughout her life. Even though he has the temper of a kicked cat and he smells like peppermints – she thinks he's a great regent. And knows when she get's coronated she does not want him to fade into retirement. It is Peppy's lessons that have stuck through, and the peppermint man's image she lives in. The picture of her two parents, strangers lost, serve as nothing more than shadows of his influence. Though she hears countless tales of her father's bravery, and her mother's generosity. Bonnibel cannot help but wonder if it amounts anything to the immortal wisdom and loyalty the little man holds. She thinks that she wants to be like him one day too. Maybe a little bit.
And so she is.
And Peppy would never shrink responsibility. No matter how crass it might be.
It is night by the time the party starts and her dress fits perfectly. Complimenting her form enough that she receives praise from the first few guest. Including the king of ice who has always had quite the eye trained on her since she came of age. He slides away and she turns her attention to a much more welcome faced. "It is nice to see you again Larissa." She says as she shakes the hand of the "lumpy space" Princess. A girl who hates politics almost as much as she does. She'd much rather spend her time gossiping in her kingdom far off in the clouds whereas Bonnibel might much rather spend her freedom in philosophy. "Oh my glob!" The princess says. Crosses the distance to take Bonni into a tight hug and squeeze entirely too tightly. "Larissa,'' She laughs and plants a hand awkwardly at the small of the woman's back and presses. "It's only been three months." But of course three month's is a long time for friends to not keep in touch and sending birds are entirely too frivolous these days. Well, that and Larissa insisted on absolutely secrecy and the idea of her juicy gossip in the wrong hand was terrifying to her. As frightening as any ghoul.
"Three months is too long! Like, I have sooo much to tell you! You know Brad? Let me tell you what he totallyyy did!" And before LSP can fall off into a tangent about Brad, Bonni smiles politely and set's a hand on her shoulder. Pulls back. "Later. I promise. Don't you want to hear of Lady? She's gotten bigger again." LSP considers her for a moment through narrowed eyes, but makes a sound in her throat before glancing around the afternoon party excitedly. "Where is she?" She says. But Bonni merely hooks their arms together and walks towards the table. "You know Lady cant be in here." The guest weren't to fond of the monarchs pet unicorn. Maybe even unnerved by her fierceness and magic ability. She'd been given as a gift to the princess when she was but a babe and they'd grown up together, everyone said it was expected that such a rare creature become nothing short of scarily intelligent under the nurse of the Princess. And everyone avoided her as they might have avoided a private council with Bonnibel. Well, besides a handful of the girls Bonni had grown up with.
"God she's your flipping friend!" Larissa argues but the pink haired girl says nothing. Shows her robust friend to her seat politely and smiles. "She understands. It was her suggestion actually." She argues. And LSP quiets and get's comfortable. Leaving the princess to go back to the entrance and meet all of the other's personally.
It's a drone routine. Shaking hands and smiling. Greeting and saluting. And she's glad by the time she's done, eager to sit down and get the conference over and done with. She's just turned around from, what she thought the last of her guest coming in. But when everyone looks up and gapes, the princess of the candy kingdom spins on her heels. And there, leaning on the podium with a grin. Is a fairy tale sprung from the pages. She hears the wail of LSP far off. And she stupidly asks a second later
"Who might you be?"
And watches the strangers eyes narrow as she takes Bonni's hand, reaches down and lays a kiss on the pale white knuckle. Blowing hot air a moment later as she says "Queen Marceline." There's more gasp across the table, and she thinks that maybe one of the monarchs faints. But Bonnibel makes no move to see as she stares, unwavering, into Marceline's red tinted eyes, some shred of familiarity clicking. "Have we met..?" She says in quiet suspicion. And the vampire smirks at her sharply, "I wouldn't imagine so." Then licks her lips and dances around the princess and strides to her seat confidently like she's floating.
And suddenly, she doesn't want the meeting to end. Because though this woman looks normal at first glance Bonni cannot get the image of that one fang hanging just past red lips, glowing bright.
And she cannot forget the image hidden in a dusty book, hanging crookedly from her book case. Of a woman, hair as dark as night and smile as thick as molasses with bat wings and milky fang. And the old crinkled bind of leather that has carved into it – "Vampire" that marks the page.