Mal: "Well, go on, introduce yourself"
Richard: "My name is Richard, son of Prince John. I'm pretty popular on the Isle" he winked at Mal, who chuckled "And I throw the best parties"
Mal and Evie: "Definitely"
Richard: "And I offer many services"
Mal: "Ok, let's stop you there"
Richard laughed
Chad: "Why? What services?"
Jay: "You all are not ready yet"
The aks frowned up
Audrey: "I think we are"
All the vks shared a look, they all knew what services Richard was talking about, some more than the others... but to share it with the aks..
Doug: "Come on, we aren't so innocent as you may think"
Evie looked at him while Mal looked at Ben, then shared a look
Evie: What do you think?
Mal: They will know about it sooner or later...
Carlos stepped in the conversation: Why not?
Jay simply shrugged, he was ok with it
Mal sighed and nodded at Richard
Richard: "Ok, then. Let's say that the services I offer... well they are about pleasure"
Jane frowned like the others aks: "Pleasure?"
Azura: "You mean like massages?"
Celia rolled her eyes: "Sex. He means sex"
All the aks were shocked
Chad: "Oh"
Lonnie: "You sold your body?"
Mal snapped: "No, he didn't. But some of us may have done it. To survive. Wanna say something about that?"
Lonnie blushed, embarrassed
Ben: "Some of you?" he was looking at Mal
Evie: "Mary, your turn"
Mary nodded: "I'm Mary, Gothel's oldest daughter" she looked at James and winked "I like having fun too"
James blushed to everyone's surprise
Gil: "I'm Gil, the last son of Gaston"
Liang: "Liang, brother of Jian" he pointed at his brother who smiled
Jay: "Well, that was fun and dandy but I think we should move the party to our room, then dinner, and then bedtime"
The vks nodded
Ben: "Wait. Party?"
Mal: "Don't worry, we'll keep it... normal"
Audrey: "Wait Mal" Mal turned to look at her "Can't we like... join you?"
Mal smiled: "Princess, I think that for this party it's better if we Isle kids stay alone. Maybe the next one, all right?"
Carlos: "You can throw a party of your own"
Ben: "Sure, you guys need some time to stay together" he smiled at Mal to reassure her it was ok "We can have a sleepover like when we were kids" he kissed Mal on her cheek "Go on and have fun"
Mal: "Thank you"
Dinner time
The vks were already there, they had moved the tables so that they all could stay close
What Ben noticed immediately though wasn't that, he was searching for Mal and he found her, near Richard who had an arm around her
Ben growled a little, he wasn't the only one who had seen something he didn't like
Doug was watching Evie, Liang had his arm around her
Lonnie and James glared at Jay and Mary that were really close (too close in Lonnie's opinion)
Jane was watching with a smile Carlos that was talking with the little twins, he seem to notice her gaze and looked where she was, he waved at her
Ben: "Well, you have already started"
The vks looked at him
Richard smirked and got up: "Your Highness, please forgive us. But we were famished"
Ben got more irritated, but smiled anyway, he was trained to keep his emotion in check when he was in public: "Of course, don't worry" he looked at Mal that was watching Richard and chuckling
Evie got up and went to hug Doug
Jay smiled at Lonnie while Mary turned to look at Mal and whispered something to her
The younger kids were focused on the food
The aks went to grab food and sat at the table with the vks
Richard: "So, Ben. I was told you are particularly close to my princess Mal"
Ben looked at Richard: "Yeah, I'm her boyfriend" he looked at Mal to see what would be her reaction
Richard: "Boyfriend?" he looked at Mal "You used to hate labels when we were on the Isle"
Ben frowned: "What is that suppose to mean?"
Richard: "Oh, just that Mal here used to be a lot more fun once, isn't that right Mary?"
Mary nodded: "Definitely"
Mal chuckled: "All right guys, that is in the past. I'm taken now"
Richard: "Wait, for real?"
Mal: "Yes"
Richard sighed in disappointment: "Not even sleeping?"
Mal: "Not with you" she looked at Mary "With Mary probably yes"
Ben: "Sleeping?"
Mal rolled her eyes: "Yes, sleeping. You know, when you are really tired and you go to bed and close your eyes?"
Lonnie: "So, you are good friend with Mary, huh?"
Jay looked at her and laughed: "Lon, don't worry. We are family, our mothers are cuisines"
Lonnie: "Oh"
James heard that too and glanced at Mary
Mary: "So, James... you are the child of the enemy of my mother, right?"
James: "Uhm.. yeah I guess..."
Mary tilted her head: "You got a girlfriend?"
James blushed: "No"
Mary smiled: "Boyfriend?"
James shook his head
Mary: "Interesting" she looked at Mal "Is he good?"
Mal: "Luv, he is perfect" she winked
Mary turned to look at James, she leaned toward him: "So, would you like to be my personal tour guide of Auradon?"
James: "Sure"
Mary smiled and she shared a knowing look with Mal
Richard: "You know Ben, I really care about Mal. You hurt her, you die" he put his arm around Mal again "She is like my soulmate, did you understand?"
Ben raised an eyebrow: "She is my everything, I would die and kill for her"
Mal smiled sweetly at him
Richard was surprised but nodded
The kids started yawning
Evie: "All right, let's go to bed"
Evie kissed Doug deeply, then pulled back: "Goodnight, my prince"
Doug was red like a tomato: "Goodnight, my princess"
Jay: "Still mad?"
Lonnie crossed her arms: "I don't know what you are talking about"
Jay laughed, he took her chin in his hand and kissed her: "You are the only one I want"
Lonnie smiled
Carlos: "You look beautiful tonight"
Jane blushed: "Thank you. You are too sweet"
Carlos shrugged: "I'm trying to be the boyfriend you deserve"
Jane took his face in her hands and kissed him, then she pulled back: "You are perfect"
Carlos was surprised but smiled happily: "Goodnight luv"
Jane: "Goodnight"
Mal had her arms crossed, Ben was avoiding her eyes, she shook her head: "I can't believe you"
Ben looked at her: "What?"
Mal: "Are you seriously jealous?"
Ben: "Of course not" he crossed his arms too
Mal raised an eyebrow, she turned to look at Evie who joined them: "Evie, you go ahead. I have to talk with Ben" Evie nodded and everyone but Mal and Ben left the cafeteria
Mal: "What's the problem?"
Ben huffed: "Like you don't know"
Mal was bewildered: "I actually don't"
Ben looked at her in the eyes: "Can we go take a walk outside?"
They went outside and started walking in silence, the sky was clear and the stars were bright, Mal was looking at it while Ben tried to find the right words
They sat in the Tourney field, Mal was still silent waiting for Ben to start the conversation
Ben: "Listen, I'm happy that you have your friends here... but the way Richard acts around you... it's like you are his... and it bothers me..."
Mal smiled: "Ben, he acts like that because he knows me since I was born... I spent a lot of time with him...and you know that on the Isle we have different kind of boundaries. It's not like here, we don't need labels..."
Ben: "You had a relationship with him?"
Mal rolled her eyes: "Relationship is a big word"
Ben looked at the sky, then at Mal: "Did you have sex with him?"
Mal was surprised by the question, he was usually very embarrassed by that topic: "No, not really"
Ben: "What is that supposed to mean?"
Mal looked at him: "It means that I didn't have sex with him. We had a bit of fun, but never... you know"
Ben: "I don't"
Mal was tired: "Ben, you know what my mother did to me. Stop being such a baby, I have a past and you know it. I told you about my adventures, he was in some of them. Like Mary and others. Are you jealous of Mary? No, so cut the crap" she got up "I told you I love you, we share True Love, you know me since I was like seven. Seriously, it was kinda funny at first but now you are just annoying" she sighed "I'm tired, I'm going to sleep, and you know what? I think I'm going to share the bed with both Mary and Richard. Goodnight Benjamin" she left
Ben stayed there and sighed, he knew he had went too far. He screwed up. Again. Big time. Again.
He got up and he went home, he texted Doug to tell him that he would join them later
Ben entered the private living room: "Mommmm"
Belle chuckled: "Ben, honey, what's wrong?"
Ben went to sit next to her, he layed down and put his head on his mother's legs: "I argued with Mal"
Belle was running her fingers through her son's hair: "Tell me"
Ben: "You know she has more experience than I have... in the physical field of the relationships... Today 4 more isle kids arrived, one of them was particularly affectionate towards Mal and I got... like really jealous... Mal at first was ok with it, but then I went too far... she got upset"
Belle sighed: "Ben, I think you are under a lot of pressure, being King isn't easy. Mal knows it and she supports you and helps you... but you can't expect her to always understands your mood swings. Plus, you know for a fact that she will be with you forever. She is your True Love, this boy... he won't take her away from you"
Ben looked at her mother: "What can I do?"
Belle: "You go back and apologise. Ask Chip for a ride"
Ben nodded
They were all laughing
Carlos raised his bottle: "Oh thank you alcohol!"
Mal already had her own bottle (she had already drank 4), Mary was kissing her neck
It wasn't like Mal was cheating on Ben, she needed some comfort. Mary and her were really close friends and that was something close friends would do for one another, at least on the Isle
The vks were having fun, some of the kids were sleeping
A knock interrupted them
Evie got up: "Coming!" she opened the door and found Ben there, she frowned "What are you doing here?"
Ben: "Is Mal here?"
Evie: "Give me a second" she closed the door and looked at Mal "Hey, Ben is here"
Mal huffed: "So?"
Evie: "So, get up and come talk to your boyfriend"
Mal got up and went to open the door: "Only because it's you, E" she opened the door, bottle still in her hands, she bowed "Hello Your Highness, how may I help you?" she was slurring her words
Ben looked at her, she was clearly drunk: "Are you drunk?"
Mal deadpanned: "You came over here to tell me something I already know?"
Ben: "No, I came to apologise... I shouldn't have said those things I'm sorry and..." he noticed something on her neck "What's that?"
Mal: "Mary"
Ben: "What.. what do you mean?" She didn't want to be with him anymore?
Mal huffed: "Ben, it's a thing we girls on the Isle do. It's not cheating. It's just kissing, not on the lips. If it really bothers you, it won't happen again, all right?" she was getting angry again
Ben sighed, she was ready to change everything about her life for him, she had already made big steps, she had chose good, she gave up a lot of things... and if it was really that simple...
Ben: "I'm not here to fight. You are having fun, it's a party. Just.. don't do it outside your room? It would be difficult to explain to the press"
Mal was surprised: "You.. are letting me do this?"
Ben: "Well, if you and Mary are really just friends and it's just something for fun... who am I to judge?"
Mal raised an eyebrow
Ben: "It's not like I'm super excited about it, but you already gave up so much for me... Besides, it's not why I'm here."
Mal leaned back on the closed door: "Why are you here?"
Ben: "To apologise. I'm sorry, I was stupid. I was really nervous... and there is a lot going on.. But it was wrong of me to act like that. Again"
Mal smiled, she took a step forward and kissed him: "I forgive you"
Ben smiled: "So fast?"
Mal: "Yeah, I'm drunk. I don't wanna think. And I love you very much"
Ben smiled even more: "I love you very much too"
Mal: "And I'll stop doing that thing with Mary after tonight, you don't have to worry about it. It's like when you play truth or dare and you have to kiss one of your friends, you know?"
Ben chuckled: "Not really, no. But it's ok"
Mal kissed him again: "Besides, I prefer kissing you"
Ben: "Yeah?"
Mal hummed and kissed him again: "Why don't we go to your room and I show how much I like it?"
Ben chuckled again: "I don't think it's a good idea" he was caressing her back "You should go back to your party, have fun" he kissed her again "I'll see you tomorrow"
Mal: "Fine. See you tomorrow"
Mal got back in the room, she sat near Mary again and they started their game again
It was almost dawn when they went to bed
Mary and Mal shared a bed, Carlos and the twins shared another, Liang slept with his brother, Francine shared the bed with Queenie and Martina, Richard was sleeping with Francesco and Celia, Gil shared it with Jay, Dizzy was sleeping with Evie.
They were all sleeping peacefully, happy to be together
At 10 a.m. the aks woke up and went to the cafeteria expecting to see the vks already there
But there was nobody
Azura: "Maybe they are outside?"
Jane: "I don't think so... I think they are still in their room" her eyes glowed, she was trying to find Mal's magic track "Their room"
The aks didn't know what to do: wait for the vks or eat breakfast?
There was nobody else in the school, they had stayed because they wanted to meet the others vks, but they would go home the next day. They were still in pyjamas
FG arrived in the room with the former Rulers, they were talking but when they noticed the teens they stopped
Adam: "Ben? What's going on?"
Ben: "We were hoping to have breakfast with the vks, but they are still in their room"
Belle looked at her watch: "But it's 10-30 a.m."
The teens shrugged
Belle: "Why don't you sit down and start getting the food? I'll go find them" she smile
The teens grabbed their food and sat at the table, FG and Adam sat at another and kept talking
Belle arrived at the door of the vks room and knocked lightly, she heard a thud and someone mumble, then the door opened
There she was, Mal. Her hair was messy, she was a little more pale than usual, her eyes were puffy and red, she was wearing a blue and yellow hoodie that was clearly big for her (that Belle recognized, it was Ben's hoodie), and a pair of black sweatpants
Mal recognized Belle through her semi-closed eyes: "Belle? What are you doing here so early?" she wasn't really steady
Belle smiled: "Mal, sweetie, it's 10 a.m."
Mal squinted her eyes a little: "Shhhh. Why are you talking so loud?"
Belle frowned, she was actually trying to keep her voice the lower possible
Mal: "And 10 a.m. is too early. It's Saturday"
Belle: "Mal? Are you all right?"
Mal: "Yeah, of course" she grabbed Belle's arm "Amazing actually" then she took a step forward and hugged the former Queen "Belle, I want to tell you a secret. I care about you a lot... like I think love you"
Belle smiled and hugged the girl back, the girl was just sleepy but she enjoyed hearing Mal saying those things: "I love you too Mal, you are like the daughter I never had"
Mal had closed her eyes in the meantime and she mumbled: "I love you like the mother I never had"
Adam arrived in that moment and saw that Belle was a little emotional, hugging Mal
Adam: "Hey"
Belle looked at him and smiled: "They went to bed late, so they are still sleeping. At least that is what I'm guessing" she looked at Mal "Can you help me get her back to bed? I think she fell asleep in my arms?"
Adam chuckled and took Mal in his arms, then he put her near Mary on her purple bed, he got out of the room and closed the door
Belle: "She told me she loves me like the mother she never had" a tear escaped her eyes
Adam hugged his wife, he knew she had always wanted a daughter: "Let's go back to the cafeteria"
It was 14 p.m. the aks were in the common room watching a movie
Ben: "I wonder what they are doing"
Mal: "Who?"
The aks all jumped, they hadn't heard the vks coming, the vks laughed at their surprise faces
Audrey: "Not funny"
Richard: "Oh it was hilarious"
Evie went to sit next to Doug and kissed him on the cheek: "Last night.."
Mal, Carlos, and Jay laughed and said at the same time: "You mean morning"
Evie rolled her eyes while all the vks laughed
Evie: "As I was saying, last night we started a party that ended at dawn so we slept till 12"
Doug: "But that was 2 hours ago. What took you so long?"
The others, but Richard and Dizzy, groaned
Mal: "Evie insisted to make us take a shower and dress up" she leaned on Mary "I just wish we could go back to bed"
Mary laughed: "You are not used to it anymore"
Chad raised an eyebrow and looked at Ben, it seem like he had noticed the closeness between the two girls too: "It?"
Carlos simply nodded and almost fell down but Jay caught him before he could hit the ground, Jane was worried
Jane: "Carlos, are you all right?"
Carlos smiled and went near her, he kissed her on the forehead: "I'm fine, beautiful. Just tired"
Richard: "Plus hangover"
Mal, Carlos, Jay, and Evie glared at him
Richard: "What?"
Jay: "That was supposed to stay between us, idiot"
Richard smirked and glanced at Ben: "Ops" he had done it on purpose
Ben rolled his eyes and smiled at Mal: "You ok?"
Mal smiled a little: "I would very much like to punch someone" she gave Richard a glare and Ben smiled more "But ok overall"
Ben actually could feel a little of the hangover of Mal, he turned off the tv, the noise was beginning to get too loud for him
Liang: "They don't drink?"
Jay: "No, here it's illegal for them to drink because they aren't 21"
Every vks aside the core four was surprised
Celia: "Wanna try?"
Evie scolded: "Celia!"
Celia: "What? We won't tell anyone"
Everyone looked at Richard who huffed
Doug: "I don't think that is a good idea, alcohol can be very dangerous"
Carlos and Mal rolled their eyes, Richard huffed again
Richard: "I drink it since I'm 10. You got nothing to worry about... unless" he smirked again "You scared?"
Chad: "We are not scared"
Jane: "I am" the aks looked at her "What? If our parents find out we are in trouble"
Mary: "And what would happen?" she looked at Mal "Do they hit their children here?" Mal shook her head
Jane: "No but they will scold us"
Francine: "Wait. You are scared of some words?"
Mal: "Words can be dangerous"
Francine scoffed: "They won't get cursed, will they?"
James: "No, but alcohol is stupid. You don't need it to have fun"
Every vks looked at him, offended clearly
Richard: "Are you trying to say we are stupid?" he took a step forward
James: "I'm saying that drinking alcohol is stupid"
The vks weren't buying it
James sighed and raised his hands in surrender
Chad had a determined look, he got up: "I'll try it"
Ben was surprised: "Chad!"
Chad: "What? We don't have to get drunk. A glass of alcohol won't kill us"
Martina: "Unless it's poisoned"
Queenie: "Or from Gothel in her bad days"
Mary and Francine nodded
Mal: "Or the one from Prince John"
Richard: "Damn... we really almost die that night" Mal and Carlos nodded
Azura got up: "What did you bring?"
Audrey looked at her: "Are you insane?"
Azura: "I can't believe I'm saying it but Chad is right. A glass of it or even just a sip won't kill us. And they wouldn't do anything to harm us" she looked at Mal, Carlos, Evie, and Jay "They are our friends and I trust them. Plus, I'm curious about their traditions. I want to know them better. Don't you? We are judging them for something they thought was normal for their whole lives. And when they came here, they had nobody, but they were forced to adapt to our rules. Nobody even asked them if they wanted be here"
Every vks was surprised and taken aback
Evie got up and went to hug her: "Thank you. Thank you so much"
Ben: "Well... when you put it like that... we will try it" he got up too "But, we won't get too drunk"
Mal smiled and approached, she put her arms around his neck: "Woah Ben"
Ben chuckled: "Surprised?"
Mal hummed: "Definitely"
Carlos: "This is gonna be fun. But, don't feel like you have to drink" he looked at Jane
Jane: "I'm not going to drink" Carlos nodded and smiled to reassure her it was ok
James: "Me neither"
Doug: "I already tried it" everyone looked at him
Evie: "What?"
Doug: "It's a tradition of us dwarves. When we hit 15 years old there is this kind of party. You know, I work in the caves with my father and uncles in the summer. Midsummer we do this party where all those who are 15 years old drink a whole cup of beer" he shrugged
Evie chuckled
Richard: "Nice"
Audrey: "I won't either"
Chad: "I will"
Lonnie: "I'll try it too"
Mary: "Let's go then. We will initiate you to a true vks life"
They entered the vks room, the kids went to sit on their beds. They didn't really care, Dizzy and Queenie were reading a book about fashion Evie gave them, Francine and Celia were playing with Francesco and Jian, the twins went back to sleep.
The elders sat on the floor in a circle, apart from Jane and Carlos who sat on his bed
Mal took the bottles and paper glasses and sat between Ben (right) and Mary (left)
From the left there was James, Audrey, Chad, Richard, Evie, Doug, Jay, Lonnie, Azura, Liang, Ben, Mal, Mary
Mal: "All right newbies, I'll give you the glass with a sip of this delicious liqueur. You taste it, if you like you can have more. Then we'll see how it goes, all ready?"
Chad: "Go on, little dragon"
Mal smiled and shook her head, she prepared the drinks and passed them to the circle
Jay: "Go on then"
Ben, Chad, Azura, Lonnie, and Doug shared a look and then tried the liqueur, when they took their first taste they coughed gaining the laughs of the vks
Carlos: "So? How is it?"
Lonnie: "It's actually good"
Jay: "You like it?" he was surprised
Lonnie: "Yeah"
Chad nodded
Azura: "More"
Audrey: "Azura"
Azura: "What? I'm not drunk. I want to have some fun. Here everything is so boring, everyone is the same. Sometimes breaking the rules is fun. And besides, it's not like from now on I'll drink everyday or something"
Mal: "Audrey, what's the real problem?"
Audrey looked at her: "I like following the rules"
Mal smiled: "I think that you are just afraid of changes" she raised her cup "This? It won't change her, she'll stay with you even if she drinks a sip of alcohol"
Azura: "You are worried I'll dump you for this?"
Audrey shrugged
Azura got up and went to sit next to her: "I love you"
Richard: "Wait! Being gay here is legal?"
Mal nodded
Richard: "Oh, nice more clients" he smiled and Mal and Carlos laughed
Mary was drinking her cup, James was watching her and she knew it but didn't say anything
Mal: "What do you think?" she was looking at Ben
Ben: "It's not bad. Can I have more?"
Mal took their glasses and refilled them
Richard: "There is more. And there is one stronger"
Evie: "Richard. It's enough"
Richard: "What?"
Evie: "You need to stop"
Richard got serious now: "I don't know what you are talking about"
Evie: "You know exactly what I'm talking about"
Richard: "If it bothers her, she has to be the one to tell me"
Evie: "She won't and you know it, she really cares about you. But it isn't the same anymore, and it never will be"
Richard: "You don't know that"
Evie sighed softly: "They.."
Richard: "Don't start with the 'love' thing. She doesn't believe that crap"
Evie looked at him and shook her head, Richard looked at her surprised
Richard: "No" he shook his head, he looked at Mal "No"
Evie: "I'm sorry" she grabbed his hand but he moved away
Richard: "Mal" she looked at him "I need to talk to you"
Mal smiled: "Now?"
Richard growled: "Yes Mal now"
Mal was surprised, she looked at Evie who nodded and then got up: "Ok, let's go take a walk"
Ben: "Mal?"
Mal: "It's okay"
Mal knew what was coming: "Richard, listen..."
Richard: "No, you listen! Damn Mal! You leave for a few months and you suddenly believe in love? You want to be his Queen? Be good and all that crap?" he took her by the shoulders and shook her violently "You weren't like that"
Mal: "Richard please" she touched his cheek "Listen to me"
Richard took a step back, he had hoped to make her angry, her calmness wasn't expected
Mal: "I'm not suddenly in love. I fell in love in the span of 8 years... I just didn't realize it.."
Richard: "8 years.. what? You know him since September"
Mal: "No.. Richard.. I never told anybody but.. we.. We share True Love, we have this like telephatic relationship and we started to share dreams when we were kids..."
Richard: "And you hook up with all those people, with me, while you were with him?"
Mal: "No wait! We weren't a thing, I didn't... we weren't in a relationship at the time. We started it like.. a month after I came here"
Richard: "Ok, so what?"
Mal: "Richard, on the Isle the relationship we shared... it wasn't serious. I care about you, a lot. I've know you my whole life and I share with you a strong connection but not like the one I share with Ben... I'm sorry, I thought we were on the same page..."
Richard shook his head: "No, you always knew I care about you more than anyone else, I was with you through everything!" his voice kept getting louder "That guy is the son of the man who tortured us! Who killed you so many times"
Mal: "I know but I love him!" she was yelling too "I love him and I don't love you! I never did! And you don't love me! Richard damn! For Hades's sake, you don't love me, you never did!"
Richard: "Love doesn't exist" he went closer to her "He doesn't love you, he is just using you like some kind of campaign, he wants show you like an experiment!" he grabbed her by the shoulders "He can't give you what I can, what I already gave you"
Mal scoffed: "So it's about sex?" she rolled her eyes
Richard shook his head: "No, it's about the fact that I understand everything about you. Does he?"
Mal didn't answer
Richard smiled: "Can you even have a normal relationship? With the press and everything? And the rules?"
Mal looked down then looked at the ceiling: "No, we can't have a normal relationship. Because he is the King, the press will probably be everywhere we go. They will probably even follow me. But honestly? I don't care. At first I tried to make myself see that this life was like a nightmare... but I've changed." she looked at him, her eyes glowing in warning but he didn't move
Richard: "And with Mary yesterday?"
Mal: "I told Ben and he said it was ok"
Richard: "Well, why can't I have that too?"
Mal: "I talked with Mary and told her that last night was the last time it would happen. I don't want anyone else but Ben"
Richard: "If your mother could hear you..."
Mal scoffed: "I don't care about it"
Richard: "What can I do to make you see the mistake you are making?"
Mal: "This isn't a mistake. Just because you don't like it I should stop doing what? Love Ben? I can't. We share True Love"
Richard: "It's FG's fault... maybe she put a spell on you"
Mal: "You know she can't"
Richard: "How do you know it's True Love?"
Mal: "I'll show you" she closed her eyes and thought: Ben come here
Ben Coming
She felt him got up and got out of the room, she could feel his surprise and anger at seeing Richard holding her
Ben: "Mal? You called me?"
Richard took a step back: "No... it's impossible... you didn't talk"
Mal opened her eyes and took a step back too, Ben was at her side immediately
Richard: "Impossible"
Mal raised an eyebrow: "You have seen me come back from death and you decide that this is impossible?"
Ben: "What is going on?"
Mal: "He doesn't believe we share True Love"
Ben: "Ah. Well, we do so yeah... stop flirting with her, thanks"
Mal chuckled and kissed him on the cheek
Richard: "You know what? Ben should know what kind of person you are, Mallie"
Mal: "Fine. Tell him whatever you want"
Richard: "Oh no. Let's go back inside and I'll tell all your friends" he went in the room
Mal and Ben followed him and sat down
Richard: "To initiate you all to our life I think you should know who Mal is"
Mary: "Richard stop..."
Mal: "No, let him"
Richard: "She is known as the best killer on the Isle. Her first real kill was a 20 years old man, she was 12. That same night she got drunk at a bar. Once I saw her kill someone. It was a cold blooded murderer, in the middle of the day. When she entered the bars of the Evil Part people used to move away" he looked at Mal "She is a murderer. A thief. And also, a slut"
At that the others vks winced, they knew what he was talking about, and glared at him. They got up as one
The aks moved away and went to stand on the beds
Audrey: "You think they will fight?"
Chad: "Don't know. But what he said... not cool"
James: "Maybe we should do something?"
Doug looked at him with his eyes wide open: "You wanna stand between them?"
Azura: "It wouldn't be a smart move"
Jane and Lonnie shook their head
Ben: "Maybe we should like... call FG?"
Lonnie: "Let's see what happens and then decide"
Jay: "What did you call her?"
Richard: "Slut"
Mary: "You are gonna regret that"
Queenie pulled out of her pockets two knives
Even Squearky and Squirmy were ready to fight and looked somewhat threatening
Richard: "And what are you gonna do about that? Beat me? You would be punished"
Carlos: "I wouldn't be so sure"
Evie: "Who would testify to defend you?"
Richard: "What about them?" he pointed at the aks
Liang looked at the aks and smiled: "I'm sure they wouldn't tell tales on their friends"
Richard: "What happened Mal? You have gone soft? You can't defend your honor?"
Mal: "Move"
The others moved around the room, forming a circle around Mal and Richard
Mal's eyes were glowing, she took a knife: "You know what I love the most about my magic?" she smiled "It's almost impossible to trace it unless I want to..." she moved the knife so fast nobody saw it
A cut appeared on Richard's face, near his left eye
Richard: "You stupid witch" the cut closed
Mal: "I could almost kill you" she pointed the knife at his throat "And magically heal you. So. Many. Times. Over and over again" she was almost whispering now "But it would be boring" she took a step forward and moved her hand, she touched his forehead
Richard fell down, moaning in pain: "Stop it!"
Mal: "Nope"
Ben got up: "Mal?"
Mal turned to Ben: "Since he described me as a slut, I'm letting him feel what I've felt" she looked at Richard "He deserves it"
Ben went to stand at her side: "What you have felt?"
Mal through gritted teeth although others aks couldn't hear: "When they raped me"
Richard: "Stop it!"
Mal crunched: "Not so funny, huh?"
Ben: "Mal, come on. Stop it"
Mal sighed and Richard stopped thrashing around
Ben turned to look at her: "You can't do that now. You know it"
Mal looked at him like a baby girl would when being scolded by the mother: "But he called me.."
Ben: "I know what he did. And he will be punished, but not like this. I'll talk to FG and she will know what to do"
Mal sighed: "Fine. But I'm not going to apologise"
Ben smiled: "I didn't ask you to" he looked at the others: "Why don't you go outside. It's a sunny day. We'll take care of this and then come find you"
FG's office
Ben knocked, behind him Richard and Mal were throwing glares at eachother
Richard: "You are in so much trouble"
Mal: "As if I care. You deserve it. Plus, I only tried to make you feel my pain, you have no physical damage. Unlike me"
Richard: "Don't play the victim with me"
Mal growled
Ben turned: "Enough!"
Mal and Richard looked at the ground
FG opened the door: "Ben? What's going on?"
Ben sighed in exasperation: "I need your help"
FG was surprised but moved to let the teens enter
In the office Belle and Adam were sitting on the couch, they both looked at Mal worried
Adam: "What happened?"
Mal and Richard opened their mouth to talk but a look from Ben stopped them
Ben growled: "Sit down and shut up"
Belle, Adam, and FG were surprised by his tone. With Mal he was usually sweet and patient.
Belle: "Ben!" she didn't like that tone
Ben: "Please, let me explain. Richard used a.. bad word to insult Mal. And Mal... used magic on him"
FG sighed: "Mal"
Mal looked at Ben for permission to talk, he nodded: "He called me a slut" Adam, Belle, and FG gasped in horror, Mal's eyes started glowing again "You wanna know why? Because I don't want to have a relationship with him while I'm with Ben! He called me a slut because my mother sold me! So, I decided to make him feel my pain when they... when they.." she was about to cry, she couldn't breath, the memories were too painful
Richard huffed in annoyance and looked away
Belle went to hug Mal, who let the woman comfort her. Belle glared at Richard
Belle: "And you let him insult her?" she was looking at Ben
Ben: "No, but once he insulted her she used her magic. I stopped Mal and came here"
Belle: "You should have stopped him when he started insulting her"
Mal tried to defend Ben: "No, it's not his fault"
Ben: "It's ok Mal. I should have reacted sooner, I was just kind of shocked"
Adam: "Richard? You have something to say in your defense?"
Richard: "Yes, she was a slut. It's not an insult. It's a fact. You think she is this innocent girl perfect for your son? When we were on the Isle..."
Ben: "It doesn't matter. I know what happened on the Isle. Stop saying that word"
Richard: "Anyway, she will get tired of you"
FG: "Ok, I guess I'll have you two come to detention"
Belle was shocked: "Two? Mal only let him how she felt"
FG: "She can't use magic on other people"
Adam: "Mal, you provoke him physical damage?
Mal: "No, only mental pain. He lived my memory of that time.."
Adam: "Can't you make an exception?"
FG: "I'll make an exception only if Mal apologise"
Mal: "Never"
Belle: "Apologize? Why?"
FG sighed
Mal got up and slapped her hands on the desk: "Do you know what it feels like to be rape? I was a child! And she sold me. I won't apologise for defending myself. He had no right to call me slut" a tear rolled down her cheek, her eyes still glowing "It hurt so much... that kind of pain never leaves you" she looked at Richard "And he knew.. he knew what I've been through. He betrayed me. He deserved what I did to him"
FG didn't know what to say
Mal: "Can I let you see?" her voice was a whisper
FG nodded, she offered her right hand and Mal took it, they closed their eyes. FG had to lean on the desk
Mal was in her room, in the dark. She didn't know where her brother was, probably with Hades. She was almost 5 years old now and her mother had made sure she hated her father.
Speaking of the devil, someone knocked on the door
Maleficent: "Mal, come out"
Mal got up and opened the door, Maleficent was there with a man she didn't recognize
Mal: "Mother"
Maleficent: "To the dark room, now"
Mal understood something bad was about to happen. To her, specifically. But she couldn't do anything about, she followed her mother to the dark room
There was something on the ground, a mattress maybe, Mal turned around just in time to see the man hand over a little bag of coins to Maleficent, then her mother nodded to her and left the room
Mal looked at the man as he approached her
Man: "Hello little girl, how old are you?"
Mal: "Five years old"
The man smiled: "My name is Frederick, now we are gonna have some fun, ok? And you are going to be a good girl. If you do as I say, it won't hurt"
Then the man pushed her on the mattress and the nightmare began
She screamed, she trashed, she tried to hit him, she scratched him
Nothing stopped him, the more she moved the more he violent he became
Once he was finished, he punched her and kicked her. Then he left
Mal stayed there, curled up, moaning in pain
Maleficent came in, saw her daughter on the mattress in pain, closed the door and locked it
FG sat down, Mal let her hand go
FG hold her head between her hands, she was crying
Mal: "I'm sorry"
FG shook her head: "No, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Mal, you can go. Richard, you are in detention. I guess your friends don't want to see you, you'll sleep in another room for a while, then we'll see"
Mal got up, took Ben's hand and left the room
Hello there
2 chapters left, then the story is over!
Hope you are liking the story, if there is something you don't like or if you have a request, leave a comment
Hope you are all right
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