Chapter 2: My Head is a Jungle
The sound of sizzling bacon filled the air as Melody cooked us breakfast. Today we were going to have bacon and eggs; my father's favorite morning meal. Breakfast was ready and Melody had sat down to eat with us, when there was a knock on the door.
"I'll take care of it," Sarah assured us, as she stood up.
Sarah went to the door and, with her dagger ready, opened it but was surprised to find nobody there. Looking around, Sarah noticed a turquoise envelope pinned to the door with a bone. She pulled the letter down and began to examine it but I already knew who it was from. As I began to get up, Sarah's heightened senses alerted her to my movements and she gave me a smirk.
"Ahhh… I know who this is from now. This must be from the Jungle Princess to you," Sarah said in a mocking voice. "Let see what's inside."
With that, Sarah began to tear open the rim of the envelope with her dagger. I didn't know what was inside but I wouldn't let her be the first one to read it. I jumped out of the chair and charged at her, but she kept avoiding my grasp. I finally was able to catch her but, being of equal heights, she kept the letter an arms length away as she began to read.
"To my great hero," she began in an imitation voice of JP.
"That must mean you, Jules.
To my great hero,
You and your two companions –glad to know we are mentioned- are hereby invited to my forest palace party, in honor of your heroic deeds for my kingdom. The party will start at seven, so don't be late. Please wear your formal attire as this will be a black tie event.
With love, -Ooh… she loves you Julie… -
Princess Olivia
Ooh, aren't you special." Sarah said mockingly.
"Shush. That letter was for all of us." I said, trying to cover my blush.
"Oh yeah, even the love part?"
"Yes…"
"Well you heard JP's letter, let's get ready," Melody said, finally standing. "You know what time it is?"
PARTY TIME
…
Since the Jungle Kingdom was fairly far away and would take forever to walk to, we decided to take one of Melody's inventions. For our long distance journeys, Melody came up with an idea to build a ship that she could power with her fire magic. One night we all worked late to build a large balloon that would lift up when flames were launched into it. We fastened the balloon with a large basket underneath for us to sit in and from then on, we were mobile. We decided to call it the Airship SITU or the Sailing into the Unknown, because now could we explore the lands normally not accessible by foot.
The journey was made quickly with SITU and we were soon flying over the kingdom. The city walls were made of large trees growing side by side and the city within consisting of treetop houses. Nestled at the center of the city is the stone temple Jungle Princess uses as a palace. As we neared the edge of the city, Melody stopped her flames, allowing the balloon to slowly deflate and lower us to the ground. As we disembarked the ship Jungle Princess was there to meet us.
"You came, I knew you would," JP said happily as I stepped off.
"Of course we did Princess. We wouldn't miss this." I replied walking to her.
"Of course I did Princess. I wouldn't miss anything you did Princess. Oh I-"
"Hush back there Sarah" I shouted behind me, interrupting her mockery.
"Hmm? What was she saying?" JP asked.
"I was explaining-"
"She wasn't saying anything," I interrupted again "so how is the party going Olivia?"
"Well, we were waiting for you to arrive for your surprise." JP answered.
With that, Olivia grabbed my hand and lead the way her palace. As we climbed the steps to the top of the temple the citizens, mostly people made of plants or men and women like JP, cheered for us. As we reached the top, three plant people lined up behind the Princess, holding fancy pillows. Looking closer, I could tell that the pillows held elegantly crafted capes. The three of us stood side bide side as JP took the first cape from the cushion.
"Sarah Lillyvien, for saving my kingdom on many occasions and always answering our calls for help, I present to you," JP announced as she pulled the green cape around Sarah, "the cape of True Courage."
JP then grabbed Sarah by the arms and kissed her on each cheek. This caused Sarah to blush and turn her head. JP then grabbed the next cape.
"Melody Tempist, for saving my kingdom on many occasions and always answering our calls for help, I present to you-" JP repeated as she pulled the red cape around Melody. It was clear that Melody had doubts that the cape would survive.
"-the heat resistant," JP added with a wink, "cape of Righteous Fighting."
Jungle Princess then grabbed Melody by the arms and kissed her on the cheeks as well. When JP pulled back, her lips looked singed and it was obvious that she was ignoring the pain of kissing a fire elemental. Now it was my turn and JP turned around to grab the cape for me. Before she turned to me, I glanced at Melody and could see the happiness on her face; mixed with a hint of surprise at what JP had just done.
"And for you, Jules the Human, for saving my kingdom on many occasions and always answering our calls for help –no matter the level of urgency- I present to you," JP paused to slip the cape around my neck. "the cape of True Heroism!"
Then the princess grabbed my arms and I could have guessed what would have happened next. The Princess leaned in and I was sure the kiss wouldn't be on my cheeks, but I happily got ready for it anyway and closed my eyes. As the Princess kissed my lips, I was surprised to find out how cold her lips were. I pulled back and opened my eyes; when I saw that who I just kissed wasn't the Princess, I leapt back.
"Oh was that kiss meant for Olivia?" She said with a dark but sarcastic tone. "Don't worry Jules; you'll get to kiss her plenty more in the future. Your daddy knew what that felt like."
"What! Who are you, how do you know father?" I shouted in surprise, trying for the second time today to hide a blush.
"Your daddy used to blush just like you. Ooh but your different from him, just look at the way you wear his hat."
It was true that I am very different from my father; I never really knew him. He used to be away for months and years on end with Uncle Jake, off on some adventure; then one day he just didn't come home. This left me spending most of my time in the Candy Castle with my mother, who would tell me many things about my father, the King. She constantly told me about how he always wore his hat no matter what, so I made sure to do the same but open. I had to force myself back to reality because when I think of my father, I get all soul searchy and weird.
"Who are you? Why did you kiss me?" I shouted at her.
"Aw did daddy never talk about me? The only girl that he'd take on adventures? His lady of the night." She said with a mocking tone.
Thinking about it, Mother had mentioned a friend of Father's who only appeared at night. A woman dressed in black, with hair the color of a raven's feather and as long as she was tall. She must have read my mind because she began to smile in the most mischievous way.
"Can you figure it out now? Your father was always the same way: clueless," She mocked.
"I know who you are!" I had figured it out.
"Yup, I am… I am Marceline the Vampire Queen!" She shouted in delight, floating higher into the sky.
Fin
(Finn)
A/N: Please comment and leave your feedback. I would love to hear how I'm doing and if there is anything I can do better. Thanks for reading!
~Jules