The Night of Pretenses
I shook my head; my chest rising and falling fast as I pushed futilely against the banana guards' holds. "No Gumball, I need to go to him right now! Let me go!" He sighed and stroked my cheek in what I assumed he thought was a calming gesture.
"Shh... It's alright Fionna, you never need to go anywhere near him ever again. He wasn't being your friend earlier, can't you see? He's finally shown you what you really are to him. All this time he's spent in your 'friendship' has only ever served one purpose to him; which is to use you for his own sick pleasure. Now, you're free from that." He didn't let me get another word in before he ordered the guards at my side to drag me; kicking and screaming into one of the hundreds of guest rooms in the castle.
XXX
The banana guards pushed me into a room and shut the door behind me; apologising for having to do so. I looked around; breathing a sigh of relief as I took in the pink-less room around me. The whole space was painted in shades of blue and aquamarine; at least making my new prison pleasing to my eyes. I took my sword from my bag and began to hack at the door; making clanking noises as metal hit metal.
I growled in frustration and threw myself onto the bed; yanking my headband off as I went through my backpack to find something else to try and damage the door with. When I came up with nothing, I began to grab pieces of furniture; flinging them pointlessly at the candy steel door that stood between me and my freedom; not to mention Marshall's.
After I'd tossed the one piece of furniture I hadn't tried; an unreasonably heavy armchair, I slumped down on the ground by my bed. My blonde hair clung to my forehead; matted down by all my sweat. I felt warmth spill from my eyes as my helplessness in the situation attacked me; my mind conjuring up unspeakable scenarios for what Cake was doing to the man I cared for deeply in retaliation to his 'tainting' my innocence.
XXX
It had been about an hour before the door opened again; Cinnamon Bun appearing between a pair of banana guards. She nodded to them; both responding by leaving us. She made her way towards me with something in her arms. "Hello Fionna, the prince has instructed me to help you get ready for the dinner you will be having tonight with His Highness, Miss Cake and Lord Monochromicorn." She explained; tugging at my arm.
I ripped my sleeve away from her. "I don't want to go."
She shook her head. "I'm afraid it's not your choice Fionna. The prince says you have to." She placed the thing she was holding on the bed and began pulling on my arms again. "Don't make this hard, if you won't come willingly; I will have to bathe and prep you with the help of the banana guards." She threatened. "Either way, you're going to get ready for dinner."
I slapped her away and stood up; sending her a glare before I stomped into the bathroom. "Fine!"
XXX
I was forced to bathe in water that stinked of vanilla and roses; the smell clinging to my hair and skin. When I was clean; Cinnamon Bun forced me down in front of a vanity mirror in nothing but underwear; saying that my outfit was a surprise. She pulled half of my hair up into an intricate bun and left the rest in natural waves down my back; brushing it until it shined.
She ran some weird, sticky, sweet-smelling gunk onto my lips and lined my eyelids with a black pencil; brushing my eyelashes with some kind of black ink before pinching my cheeks to make them pink. She made me step into the strapless dress she had brought in for me. It was aquamarine; the neckline low enough to allow some of the black lace on my strapless bra, that she had also brought in for me, to peek out.
She laced up the dress, the corset like top allowing it to cling to my body; the skirt long and flowy with a slit up to my thigh on one side. Cinnamon Bun latched a jade necklace around my neck before forcing me into a pair of black shoes that resembled my usual ones except with heels. "You look beautiful Miss Fionna." She complimented.
I didn't respond as the door opened to reveal the guards that would 'escort' me to the dining hall; which basically meant that they were there to keep me from running to Marshall. They didn't try to make any conversation as we walked into a different dining hall than the Royals of Aaa dinner would be held in. This one was smaller but unfortunately, still completely pink. My dinner partners were already seated; chatting lightly before I had walked in.
All of their eyes were glued to me as Gumball unconsciously stood up to pull the chair beside him, out for me. I kept from giving them all glares as I moved to take my seat. The prince returned to his meal; Cake clearing her throat as she flashed me a smile. "Baby cakes, you look beautiful."
I nodded as I cut a small piece of the roast meat on my plate; chewing it manically as I did my best to behave, hoping that by appearing calm, they would listen to what I had to say. The food in my mouth might as well have been cardboard for all I cared because I was too caught up on the condition of Marshall to sense anything else, especially something as trivial as the flavour of my food. "Thank you Cake, so nice of you to say." I muttered in a monotonous voice; my face void of emotion as my gaze met those around me.
I took a sip of the apple juice in my glass; feeling a hand touch mine. "Really Fionna, you look absolutely stunning." Gumball piped up; flashing me a grin. I immediately longed for the sight of Marshall's smirk. I just nodded again; shoveling some mashed potatoes into my mouth. Lord Monochromicorn tapped something to me but I didn't take notice as I continued to swallow my food.
After moments of just staring at me in awkward silence, the others finally realised that I wasn't going to say anything else for the time being; deciding to chat amongst themselves instead. I caught my reflection in my knife halfway through my plate of food; studying the girl in the reflection. She looked calm and pretty in a beautiful dress and jewels who looked like she had no voice to speak her mind.
That's not me, I wouldn't just sit here and do nothing when someone as special to me as Marshall could be glob-knows-where. I wouldn't allow myself to appear so pathetic and helpless as that girl in the reflection. But I am Fionna, so it's about time that girl in my reflection start to act like the me! I concluded; stabbing the knife deep into the table; my frustration fuelling my anger.
The eyes of the others around me snapped to my face the moment the knife sliced through the wood. "I've had enough of this stupid charade. It's pretty obvious none of this is normal right now so stop pretending like we can have an ordinary dinner as friends." I snapped; glaring at all of them for trying to put up such a pretentious image. "I've played along in your stupid little fantasy built by even dumber notions but I've just realised that I've had enough of this bullshit!" I grabbed a plate and threw it at the wall; smashing the china to bits. "Now tell me where the fuck Marshall is!"
Cake looked outright astonished at my outburst. "Fionna! Language!" She scolded.
I was incredulous at what she'd just said to me. "Don't think for one second that you are in any place to be advising me on anything, Cake!" I spat; giving her a warning look. "Especially considering you're the one responsible for keeping Marshall away from me!"
"He hurt you!" She argued; making me want to rip my hair out as I realised that she still didn't comprehend what was going on.
"For the last time, he didn't hurt me! Just listen!" I screeched. Before I could even get a sentence out, the banana guards appeared to take me back to my room. I kept screaming for Cake but she didn't even glance at me as Gumball pulled her aside to talk to her. The last thing I saw was my sister nodding before I was dragged from the room.
XXX
I was still in my dress when the prince appeared in my room a few hours later. "Fionna?"
"Leave me alone!" I demanded; grabbing my sword.
He held his hands up. "Please, I just came in to talk to you about something." When I didn't put the weapon away; he stepped closer. "Please Fionna."
I sighed and begrudgingly nodded; dropping the sword and throwing my butt onto the bed. "Hurry up."
He took a seat beside me and took my hand despite my protests. "Fionna, I know you think Marshall has feelings for you, but believe me when I say that his emotions are as dead as he is. He only want to use you, nothing more. He wants to kiss you, play with you and when he's done, he'll throw you away like a used candy wrapper. And just like a candy wrapper, you'll look the same but everything inside of you will be taken by him; leaving you empty on the inside."
"You don't know what you're talking about Gumball."
He nodded. "Yes I do." He squeezed my hand. "That's why I'm hoping that you will choose me instead." My eyes widened.
"Gumball, you're not saying what I think you're saying, are you?"
"I want to go to the Royals dinner with you as my girlfriend Fionna, what do you say? During these past few days, I finally realised how I feel about you and I know it took me way too long to figure it out but I want this, I want us." He said excitedly.
I ripped my hand away. "No."
His happy expression fell. "What?"
"I say no to your offer."
"But Cake told me that you like me." He argued feebly.
"I did when I was thirteen, but not anymore." I muttered firmly.
"You can't mean that."
"I do. Now, if you're not going to bring me to Marshall, I suggest you leave." I snapped; motioning towards the door.
"No, you're meant for me." He whispered; right before I tasted bubblegum on my lips. He pushed me onto my back; my body burying into the mattress of the bed. I pushed at his chest but he didn't move away; my hand scrambling to grab my sword. My fingers closed around the hilt of my trusty weapon and I ran the blade across Gumball's cheek; the prince rearing back and away from me.
"Get out!" I screamed; pointing the sword at him. "And don't you ever try that again!"
"You cut me!" He accused.
"You attacked me!" I said in response; using the handkerchief in my bag to wipe my mouth.
"You let Marshall defile your lips and then get angry at me when I kiss you? What is wrong with you Fionna?!"
"I care about him that way! But not you!" I snapped.
He seemed shocked at my confession; but his expression soon turned to one of anger. "Well its too bad you're never going to see him again." He sneered coldly; walking out and slamming the door behind him. I collapsed onto the bed as the adrenaline ran out of my system; the prince's harsh words cutting into my heart.