Chapter 3: Insight
To her dismay, she stood in front of the Vampire King proud and confident. As for him, he leaned against the doorframe and awaited her to speak. The two of them had a tension thick enough to break the castle walls.
"Marshall Lee," She began, "I'm sorry about my tone earlier." The vampire raised a brow. He was quiet for a few seconds and then shrugged with a smirk.
"It happens." He calmly stated. "What's up now?" Bubblegum twiddled her fingers and put them behind her back. She looked at the young man with a surprised expression.
"You forgive me just like that?" She asked. He shrugged nonchalantly and frowned while staring into her eyes.
"Like I said, it happens." He stated as she relieved a calm 'oh' from her lips. Bubblegum began.
"I was wondering when exactly Marceline will be back. Also, if you knew about Jake's party?" She asked sweetly.
"Yeah, she said she will be here in Ooo tomorrow or Saturday. She wasn't sure. Also, Marcy said we should go to this party, which sounds like fun, but I wasn't planning on spending my time here at a little dog's party." He replied in a careless tone. Bubblegum pouted her lip out.
"Well, if you change your mind, you're welcome to come. Jake and Lady Rainicorn love company." Bubblegum assured him. To see his face was to think he was completely uninterested, yet there felt like a feeling of wanting in the air. She broke the tension again.
"Marshall Lee?" She cleared her throat, "I thought about what I could do today, and if you like, we can walk around my candy garden to pass the time. I don't have much to do for today anyway...like you said." She offered. He raised his brows and rubbed his chin.
"I'm not much a walking-type of guy, just because I, uh, float more. But sure, if you don't mind." He accepted indirectly.
"I'm glad to hear it." She smiled, but she was interrupted by a finger pointing at her nose.
"It's raining outside, so you should at least grab an umbrella or a raincoat or whatever candy people wear and then head out." He informed her. She answered with a kind smile and as the young man followed her from out of his room, she felt the tension lessen in a quick second.
The garden was plumped with lollipops and licorice while the rain drizzled down on the two acquaintances. Bubblegum donned a blue raincoat and a matching cap while Marshall Lee dressed with an overly-large hat and jacket hovered next to her. Her mind, of course, was else where as Marshall Lee stared at her. The raindrops raced down her hat and to the ground, missing her face entirely. She was a strange character in his eyes, but he stayed quiet for the manner. Bubblegum stopped in front of the tiny hedges that were in a row and looked at Marshall Lee.
"It's nice for a rainy day, isn't it?" She asked. He nodded.
"I guess." He answered, "It's weird to hear you say that considering you're a candy person."
"And what does that mean?" She wanted an explanation.
"That usually weather like this would make a normal person gloomy." Bubblegum frowned.
"Just because I live in a land of sweets doesn't mean I can't be gloomy too." She injected.
"Oh yeah?" He chuckled, "That sure sounds lady-like." Bubblegum rolled her eyes and looked at him. He seemed content, yet un-amused by their current activity.
"So," She started, "tomorrow is Jake and Lady's party, but I have to plan for the Fair on Saturday just to be sure I got everything right." Marshall Lee looked at the young woman, trying to conclude to her conversation-starter.
"Okay?"
"Well, I said it out loud because since you're here and everyone is preparing, I'd like some input from a different perspective." Marshall Lee's brow rose.
"Like what?"
"Oh, the usual. The decoration, the buffet, who will be there and who shouldn't be there, and what activities will be where, and..."
"Stop right there." She looked at him and cocked her head in confusion. "You're thinking too much about it. It should all come natural, shouldn't it?" Again, she sensed his carefree attitude rising again.
"Oh, what do you know?" She was skeptical, "For such a big kingdom, there is much do to." Marshall Lee yawned and felt a raindrop crawl onto his face from his hat.
"I know things change. And when things change, it's usually for the better." His explanation was enlightening, yet she felt she didn't need to absorb his information.
"You are a very carefree person, Marshall Lee." He smirked and stood on the ground facing her.
"Of course. Shouldn't everyone?" She stared at the ground while watching tiny puddles form. He was right in a way that normal person with carefree lives would understand. If only she knew what it'd be like to be carefree, she wouldn't be princess-like in her kingdom. She then heard a loud beat from the candy clock tower. It was already early evening and she didn't plan the dinner special for the night.
"I better get go. I have things to do." She looked at the man, "You may roam the kingdom if it's to your choosing." Once again, he chuckled and floated off the ground.
"You really are something, you know, Bonnibel?" He went back in the direction they came from, "I gotta do stuff to, I guess. See you whenever." He said with no excited expression or compassion. Bubblegum watched him leave while the rain poured more.
"Marshall Lee, I'll never understand you." She stated before heading to the dining hall.
Author's Note: This idea of a story came to me from nowhere. Like really, no planning, no outline, or even a true plot. But honestly, this story kind of got popular before I knew it, which makes me happy. So it's inspiring me to get to a plot/point/whatever you want to call it. See you guys in Chapter 4, where it's Friday in the Land of Ooo!
