A few hours later, Nari and Bonni had finally made it to Bubblegums' new dormitory. Despite all the delays and sideways and stalling, the day was finally coming to an end. At least that was what Bonni was thinking.
"Hey don't forget the concert tonight. You are coming right!?" Nari questioned, holding both of Bubblegum's hands in her own. Even though their time together had been short, the two girls had become fast friends.
"Oh jeez Nari I don't know, I'm pretty wiped out and I want a bath and I…I.." When she looked at the deep, sorrowful face staring back at her, looking as if on the verge of tears, Bubblegum let out a mental sigh and smiled. "Yeah ok, I'll be there although I don't know where there is?"
"Oh Jake and I will come get you. See you at eight!" And with that the blonde turned and hurried down the sidewalk, heading home presumably, waving behind her.
"Right see you!" Bubblegum called after her, then she looked at her watch. Six thirty. Awesome…just enough time for oh,Nothing! Sigh…
She turned back toward the massive building. Her new dormitory. The Apple Blossom. Here we go. I wonder what I will see inside… Bubblegum mentally prepared herself to see any manner of thing from the bizarre to the outright ridiculous when she pressed down upon the giant door handle and entered. She closed her eyes, put on a brave face and stepped through the doorway. With a pause she waited for the inevitable jumpscare or sudden sound of some strange creature milling about nearby.
Instead she was met with a pleasant silence and the smell of apples baking. She opened her eyes to see a rather quaint foyer with white paint on the walls and old fashioned photos in nice, elaborate frames. There was a large staircase directly ahead of her, a parlor to her right and a small hallway that possibly linked to the kitchen to her left with a small closet right near the door, an umbrella holder, and a hat and coat stand. It was everything like some old grandparents home, down to the long, floral patterned rug that laid over the hardwood floors.
"Hellooooo?" Called a voice from further within. It was definitely a grandma Bubblegum concluded and she walked towards the caller, herself answering with her own "Hello? I'm coming in."
As she rounded a corner she indeed found the kitchen and within was a rather short.. elephant? Bubblegum blinked as a small pygmy elephant paced around with an oven mitt over the end of its trunk, a kind smile and a quiet humming coming from her throat.
"O-oh my company. Hello and welcome to the Apple Blossom. Are you new here deary? My name is Mrs. Treetrunks, I'm the dorm matron." The elephant placed the oven mitt upon the low cut kitchen island and waddled her way closer to Bubblegum, getting a good look at the young lady. "And by the look of you, you must be Princess Bubblegum. I hope you were able to find our nice lil ole dorm alright."
Bubblegum beamed a smile and curtseyed. "Yes I am Princess Bubblegum but please call me Bonni. I am trying to be a normal college student and not so much royal princess, if you please."
"Ahh I see. Well then as you wish Prin-oh Bonni. A rather nice man that smelled of peppermint stopped by hours ago and took your things up to your room. He said you would be able to reach him with the uhm 'youknowwhat' and said you would know what that meant?" The elephant didn't mean it to become a question, but she was so very curious, at least by pygmy elephant standards.
"Oh uhm its nothing. I know what he meant and thank you for the relay. Uhm, my room?" Bubblegum smiled, enjoying the victory of successfully deflecting the question.
"Yes of course, this way young lady." The elephant escorted Bubblegum up two flights of stairs and into a hallway. There seemed to be only three rooms on this floor and possibly the forth door belonging to the bathroom she noted and the two moved down the hall to the last room at the end.
"Here you are the nice corner suite. Across the hall is the bathroom. You will be sharing it with just one other person this year. A special request it seems from the occupant who wanted to utilize the two remaining rooms herself. The floor below is at full occupancy so there are five of you nice girls here total this year." Using her trunk the elephant opened the door latch and moved to one side allowing Bubblegum to head inside first. "Here is the key to both the front door and one for your own door. Please try not to lose them or lend them out to anyone. On the desk are the dorm rules. I do not mind the occasional mishap but I do adhere to the curfew rules strictly. Now I'll let you get comfortable. Enjoy your stay sweetie and goodnight." The elephant bowed her head politely and exited, closing the door behind her.
Bubblegum curtsied once more and moved to collapse upon her bed. Mmm it's so soft… Her light blue eyes stared up at the ceiling and for a good long while as she fought against the urge to simply fall asleep. A gentle rapping at her window pulled her gaze. The curtains were closed and heavy, definitely not the thin type that allowed sunlight to pierce. As she drew the curtains back the light rapping happened again and this time she saw a pale hand knocking at her window. She opened up the double window and looked out to see Marceline floating just outside.
It's after dark already? How long was I laying there…
"Hey invite me in Bon-ni-bellll." The vampire smirked.
"And what if I don't?" The Princess replied, giving Marci a smirk right back.
"Hmm then I won't be able to give you a present. Too bad too, it's a pretty awesome present and I did fly all the way here to give it to you after all.." She laid it on thick, twisting around randomly in midair as she spoke. The vampire hadn't changed clothes since appearing earlier in the restaurant, seemingly oblivious to things like costume dress time and other such things that go along with putting on concerts.
"Oh? And is this one of those vampire rules were you are unable to come inside without an invitation?" The Princess tilted her head, trying to look as innocent as she could.
"Pssh as if. I can come in there anytime I want, but I'm not rude. I just thought I would be nice and all, to make up for earlier." She shifted her eyes, knowing she had been caught.
Bubblegum giggled quietly. "Hmmm…I guess it's ok. Marceline, Vampire Queen, I invite you in." She moved back inside, sitting upon her bed.
The vampire hissed quietly as she floated in through the window. She glanced around then moved to sit next to Bonni on her bed. "So hmm…nice place Treetrunks has right? I mean it has a very home-y feel you know? A place where you can get so comfortable and just chillax." The vampire leaned back on her elbows, keeping her eyes busy on the contents of the room. She noted all the large luggage trunks stacked up against one wall. "So I see you pack light for a Princess…"
"How did you know?" Blinked Bubblegum.
"Vampire. I know a lot about the Kingdoms of this world…kinda my duty and such…being Queen of Vampires and all. So yeah, I knew who you were from the moment you fell into my arms…" She side glanced at Bubblegum who had turned to face the vampire.
Bubblegum fidgeted, her fingers laced together. "Th-thank you…for not mentioning it. I'm trying to not have people treat me differently because I am royalty." She looked down at the vampire that was stretched out next to her, her fingers fidgeting even more.
"Yeah well that is something we don't have in common. People need to understand who I am and what I am. I don't hide from the adulation or fear that being a vampire queen brings. I say bring it on."
"So confident…" Bubblegum couldn't help it, she was impressed by the vampires' grip on her own life.
A comfortable silence fell between the two, both seemingly happy just to be in the others presence. Eventually Marceline folded her arms behind her head, and stared up at the ceiling. She wanted to say something, something she had practiced on the way over here but now, she found it hard to actually say what was on her mind, for once.
Bubblegum also laid down, but on her side so she could look at the vampire. There were so many things she wanted to say and ask but she was also finding it hard to simply say anything, let alone things that were on her mind. She laid there, soaking in the vampires profile, She is…really beautiful…when she isn't being a jerk…Bubblegum let her lips broaden into a smile, which caught the attention of her guest.
Marci twisted over onto her side as well, looking at the blue eyes staring back at her. Wow…Grod what is this…why can't I think straight suddenly…We were standing real close in that bathroom stall but now, here, it's like she is glowing…She took a chance and reached over, plucking at a long lock of pink hair with her fingertips. With a heavy gulp she took in a breath…"So…uhm Bonni do you lik-"
Suddenly there was another loud, and very obnoxious rapping, this time against the wall next to the window as a familiar voice called to her from below. "Hey Bonni! Bonnibel are you ready? Let's go girl!" Jake and Nari had arrived to take Bubblegum to the concert.
"Oh pleblobs I'm so late! Uhhh I'll see you at the concert ok!?" And with that Marci took flight, zipping out the window in an instant, startling Jake and Nari who were expecting Bonni to come out. Half way through her flight, the vampire remembered her original reason for coming there and flew back. As Bubblegum was making her way down a Jake stairway from her window the Queen came back into view. She flew right up to Bonni, something in her hand.
"Here. So you and I..and we can…like hang out and stuff…you know after the concert? I mean if you wanna…grrr anyway here you go K bye!" She quickly draped a backstage pass around Bonni's neck and took off again, trying to hide the lavender blush growing on her cheeks.
