"Why hello again, prince of White." I greet Pip as I take his hand and help him step out of the train and onto the platform. It's two in the morning – he must be exhausted, "How are you? Tired?" He nods in confirmation, beginning to whisper.
"People will be suspicious if you're too nice to me." He glances around worriedly. I dismiss his words, watching Kyle and Eric's family greeting each other politely. I stare, puzzled. I know the kingdoms have decided to be more peaceful, but those people smiling at each other is something I wouldn't have imagined happening so soon. I'd best tell my father. But honestly, if their families can openly get along, Pio and I have a right to. "Damien?"
My head turns back to Pip, "I don't think people will ever suspect us. We're friends, right? And aren't you supposed to be the optimist here?" Pip nods, his lips twitching upwards ever-so-slightly. We catch sight of Kenny McCormick emerging from the train, not seeming pleased, "Why is Mr McCormick here? Is Tweek alright?"
"Tweek's in there somewhere. Kenny's just attending the party." Pip explains quickly as the latter comes over, a sour expression adorning his face.
"Hello." He changes, smiling politely when I greet him, "Say, didn't I spend New Year's with you in Brown when we were smaller?" I recollect the years I have celebrated there, remembering Butters was accompanied by a quiet blond boy whom Cartman and Kyle frequently played with. They knew him well.
"Yes. That was quite fun. Good of you to remember." Kenny nods and steps away to speak with the latter boy. Pip whispers something surprising to me, and I exclaim, "Wow, I didn't know Kyle was engaged. Cartman is, though. It's common for people around your age to be getting engaged. One of my close friends is."
Pip suddenly asks, "Are you?" I pause at the question, hesitating about how to answer, "Actually?"
"Well, not really. They're recommending my adopted sister and I marry when we're older. You know, inbreeding being quite traditional in my culture." Pip doesn't properly listen upon seeing Ruby wheel Kyle and his parents' luggage past, putting her feet on and riding the device she's using, as if with one of those shopping carts. He scoffs in aggravation.
"Where is that Tweek?" He wonders to himself, beginning to storm back towards the train. He stops upon seeing said person struggling to wheel all the Whites' luggage out of the train. I turn around and yell.
"Ike, Kevin, Craig!" They attentively look up at me, "Go and help him." Ike and Kevin immediately begin sprinting over to aid Tweek with the swaying pile of luggage, but Craig gives me a look, "Now, Craig!" He reluctantly begins to stalk over towards his co-workers. "Idiot."
"Does he hate Tweek that much?"
"No, of course not. He made a fool of himself when I came to visit you. Oh shit, that reminds me, does Kenny suspect it was me he saw?" Pip shakes his head, "…Anyway, he was a little upset after we left White. And besides, Tweek looks really nice in that trench coat, and Craig can't handle that."
"It took half an hour to convince him to wear Black-type clothes." Pip states, poking at this own coat, "If you'd made us have Black coloured clothes too, then he probably would be sacked by now."
"You look very nice too, Pip. A bit too nice."
"Too nice?"
"Pft, it's not like I want someone to steal you from me." Pip huffs, beginning to storm towards Eric, who is smoking some kind of herb.
"Steal me from you? You shouldn't flatter yourself." I was joking, but he seems to assume I was serious. That's a good sign.
I prepare myself to look civil, smiling falsely and grabbing my brother, "Mr Kenny, I believe you have met my younger brother Stan. He was a bit rude the last time you saw him." Kenny shrugs, not disturbed by Stan's manner last time at all, "He still has a lot of maturing to do, so I'm sorry."
Kenny waves the apology off, "Don't worry about it." I hiss for Stan to be polite and shake Kenny's hand, which he silently does. I notice him sneaking glances at Kyle, who is a distance away, but decide it isn't the right time to tell him that the latter's engaged. Kenny notices as well, and speaks up with a new kind of smile. He seems very smug since Tweek is clinging onto him for dear life, obviously not used to such crowded parties.
"Say, Mr Damien, you wouldn't happen to know who Kyle is engaged to, would you?" Damn. Stan, Cartman, and Wendy's heads snap up in surprise. Kenny is such a sneaky know-it-all, to have such gall.
"No," I answer honestly, though having my suspicions about the identity, "I only found out about this myself from Prince of White an hour ago."
"Wow, I should congratulate him!" Wendy says chirpily, beginning to leave the group. Eric and Stan stop her, glaring at each other. I catch sight of Pip being chatted up by the infamous Clyde and Token. Craig is next to them, staring in my general direction.
"Tweek, come with me. Excuse us, everyone." I take Tweek's hand, to his shock, and pull him towards where Pip is. He holds his hand out to Kenny for help, but the latter only smiles at him. It actually seems genuine. Craig watches the two of us as we get closer and closer, or more, watches our touching hands. The look he gives me when we reach them says it all. "Token. Clyde." My childhood friends turn their attention from Pip to me, studying Tweek whilst they're at it, "This is Tweek Tweak, a servant from White. I think you'd all get along really well." I receive another threatening look from Craig – it's more of his friendship group than mine.
"Oh, is that so?"
"Nice to meet you, then!" Clyde smiles giddily and sticks his hand out. Tweek shakes it, surprised.
"You too…"
The conversation flows relatively lightly, with even Pip throwing in a few sentences now and then. It's because I've given him a few glasses of wine. Not that it matters, the booze makes all of us in a sociable mood. With the exception of Craig, whom isn't drinking and has gotten in a terrible mood. We watch as Ruby approaches, pulling on his sleeve. As a Red, she's dressed impeccably. Craig speedily reads the piece of paper she passes him.
"Dance with you?" She nods, emotionless. I nudge him, "Uh…" Upon seeing Tweek watching intently, and obviously not wanting to be seen as the complete asshole he is, Craig grabs her hand and they trudge towards the tiled dance floor in the middle of the lawn. Clyde laughs, making all of us look at him.
"Wow Tweek. Craig really doesn't like you. Like Jesus, h– Ow!"
Token elbows him in the side, but Tweek merely shrugs. "It's ok. I don't like him either." They shrug and begin to chat to him again, being quite friendly. Even Token. But they're all wrong. Craig doesn't dislike Tweek. I concentrate on Pip and smirk at him. He shyly smiles back at me. Nobody else has seemed to notice, but his appearance is absolutely stunning, attractive, pretty. I know there's no one that likes him as much as I do.
Clyde spots a particular person and gasps. "My God. It's Bebe Stevens of White." We turn and indeed see a White girl speaking with Nichole, Token's fiancé. They seem to be getting along. Though I know Nichole never felt anything ill towards the Whites, even though she was taught to. That's just the type of person she is, "You would know her, wouldn't you, Pip?" Clyde asks the person next to me.
"She makes my clothes. I can call her if you'd like," The shine in Clyde's eyes gives Pip the answer, "Bebe! Oh, Bebe!" The young woman grinned at the sound of her prince's voice, but the expression died upon seeing Clyde, Token and I, "Come over here!" Nichole pointed to Token and began ushering Bebe, to her dismay, towards our crowd. Readjusting her detailed scarf, she smiles weakly at Pip.
"Good evening, prince," She then averts her attention towards Tweek, kissing him on both cheeks in greeting, "Are you alright?" He nods, returning her unsure smile. He sees Clyde's expression and explains.
"I've known Bebe since we were infants. She's a very close friend of mine."
After ten more minutes of light conversation and watching Clyde's failed attempts to woo Bebe, I decide to check on Craig. Pip, with a head gesture to Tweek to accompany us, follows me shortly. I greet many people on the way – they all stare a bit when they see two Whites are walking with me. I suppose it wasn't expected that the Black prince would adapt to changes so quickly.
If I wasn't seventeen years old, I would die laughing akin to a little kid when I see Craig dancing with his sister. I settle for just a little snicker. She's standing on his feet because she obviously doesn't know how to waltz. And judging by Craig's expression, he isn't enjoying it. But the Cheshire smile on Ruby's face is something I've never seen, and I can't help but be slightly proud that he's pulling through for her.
"Prince of White, would you care to dance with me?" A girl from Brown that I'm acquainted with, Heidi, approaches Pip. She obviously sees this as a chance to impress people. Dancing with a prince isn't exactly common. Pip nods and takes her hand, going onto the tiles with her.
"Dance with me, too, Tweek. Might as well not stand here." I decide, grabbing the boy's arm and following them. Though he protests, he has no right to refuse me and falters, letting me pull him around. I use my skills to chat, though, and soon he is comfortable enough. I see what Craig doesn't. I see a kind, honest young man who happens to have a pretty face. He sees a bitchy brat who happens to be cute.
"Pip? I know you're here somewhere." I call out, pacing around the gardens, "Come out, come out wherever you are!" I nearly slap myself, seeing him sitting on the ground barely six feet away. I lose my temper, "Why the fuck didn't you answer me?" I instantly feel guilty upon seeing his appalled face, "Sorry. You just disappeared all of a sudden."
"I'm not used to crowds."
"Could have told me." Pip takes a sip of his wine.
"…Why did you dance with Tweek?" I decide to make this a joke.
"Jealous, are we?"
"Yes." I flush since he took me seriously, not to mention confirmed it. "So why?"
"To piss Craig off. He's stubborn."
"Stubborn? About what exactly?"
"He told me," I hesitate. This is Craig's business, "After we left from sneaking in, he told me he had wanted to marry Tweek because he'd met his match, but couldn't."
"But he can. It's not illegal anymore." Pip stands up, "Come, let's go and tell him." I pull him back down irritably.
"Don't bother. Craig knows that already. The problem is who Tweek is, not the law. It comes down to the fact that he hates Whites more than he likes Tweek. Simple. But stupid."
"Do you hate the Whites more than you like me?" Pip asks, hugging his knees to his chest.
"…I don't hate nor like anyone more than I feel for you. I care about my family, but I would elope with you if there was a need."
"There is a need. Heirs of different Colours can't marry. Right?"
"I don't think it's been considered before. But if you're so unsure, then let's go." We both laugh at such a stupid suggestion. A loud explosion sudden erupts in the air, and we look up to see a flare spelling 'HELP'. I recognise that it's the type that Blacks use, "Fucking hell. It better not be Craig, Stan, or Wendy."
Kenny finds us as we venture back into the main gardens. "Prince, Tweek is missing." I yell for Craig, but he doesn't come. Ike runs over and informs me he isn't around either.
I sigh, "Of course he isn't. What has that idiot done now? Ike, fetch some beaker tokens and go find them. The flare came from the direction of the maze, so they probably got lost in there."
"You go too, Kenny. Your tracker could help." Pip tells the blond. The latter obeys without a word, stalking after Ike. As the party starts to liven up again, I murmur that we can wait at the maze's entrance for them to return. Pip complies, and we use a measely ten minutes to walk there. By that time, Craig is storming out.
"Hey, hey, hey," I clamp my hand on his shoulder, halting him, "What's going on?"
"That fucking idiot freaked out and ran in there. I try to warn him it's a maze, and what happens? We get lost. What a moron." I frown, now seizing him by both shoulders.
"Liar. You wouldn't be upset over something so accidental. What's made you so sad?"
"Not now. Just leave me alone, Damien." Ike and Kevin give me unsure looks as they pass us. Pip notices something on the ground. A packet of ground up pills? We watch as Kenny exits the maze with Tweek in tow.
"Forgive him, prince. I think Craig was harassing him, so he ran into the maze." He apologizes on Tweek's behalf. I notice the other boy is a bit out of it, but decide not to comment.
"Why weren't you watching out for him? Was he here to take pills?" Pip holds up the packet, "You're his friend. If he's acting up and needs medicine, you should be there. What the hell happened?"
"Craig crushed the pills." I raise an eyebrow. No salary for him this month, then.
"I don't want more shit, Kenny. Keep an eye on Tweek for the rest of the party."
"Have fun." I tell Pip as he heads towards the men's toilets. He flips me off without looking, "Hurry, so we can get some food!" I sit back at our table with Clyde, almost smiling.
"You're in a good mood."
"You're drunk."
"So what?" I shrug, beginning to sip my cocktail faster than I should, "Huh? Look," Clyde points to another table, "Are they dating?" I watch in surprise as Kenny leans forward to kiss a dazed Tweek. Everyone at the party hears a loud crash – Craig's knocked over a drink cart as a ruckus. I now understand Kenny did it on purpose. As Craig disappears with my siblings, I hurry over to their table and sit across from them.
"What the heck was that?" I demand, "You just pissed off Craig – probably for life!" A smug smile makes it's way across Kenny's face.
"I wanted to see what would happen. But why does he think we have a relationship in the first place, your highness?" I reminisce the moment I told Craig in Purple that Tweek may like Kenny. That was a mistake.
"Er, Pip and I may have made some silly assumptions, and we mentioned them to Craig. I'm sorry for that."
"Mhm," Kenny nods, unamused, "I'm going to be frank. I don't like how you have feelings for prince." Though alarmed and panicked on the inside, I cackle at such an 'accusation'.
"I don't have-
"You do have feelings for him. I'm not blind nor stupid. If you pursue him, then there will be trouble for both of our countries, even though we have made peace. Not to mention, your friend is being so possessive of this dear thing," He gestures to Tweek, "For no apparent reason! Listen to me; do something about it. It makes poor Tweek feel stressed. He's my precious childhood friend, and I won't forgive you if you allow this bullshit to continue." I consider his words. He's right. I'm responsible in keeping Craig's actions at bay, and at the moment I've been too wound up with Pip to think about it.
"I suppose you're right. Craig is being a bit strange. Tweek, you're going to need to help me with this, though. Craig wants to get a reaction out of you; he loves it. If you ignore or seem unaffected by everything he says, then he'll probably leave you alone. Ok?" The boy isn't the same as he was when I danced with him earlier. He seems to have grown colder, more distant. A word makes it's way into my system: rivalry.
"If you say so, sir." He manages to reply. Feeling uncomfortable under his stare, I nod at them both and head back to my table. Pip has returned – he gives me a hint of a smile as I sit down. I can feel Tweek's eyes on me, though. It irks me, makes me feel guilty, that I have the power to speak to Pip in a way he doesn't. I thought I was the only one unable to marry Pip, but wanted it so, so badly. But Tweek's in the same boat as me. Might as well throw Craig in there too. And Clyde.
We all can't be with the person we want to be with. And why? Laws that are so old, no one can remember where they even came from.
