Oh boy, 6k words. But I liked how it turned out. (Hopefully yall think so too)
Marco stood at a ceremony for his own graduation and farewell event. One year and a month ahead of time. He could wait and take the exam with the seniors, but another month didn't sound appealing. There were some obstacles, however, it wasn't anything a bribe of 650 bucks couldn't grease up.
He even made money by selling the exam to Janna for a grand who then sold it to the seniors. So what if he betrayed the principal of the school? He certainly didn't like the greedy man. Besides not like he would ever know, Janna had promised his animosity. And she was nothing if not tough.
"Marco my man you are an adult now that you're done with your high school."
"Sensei, I'm pretty sure 17 is still very much a kid, but I definitely get what you're saying."
"Bro your body might be, but in here?" Sensei placed a gentle fist on Marco's heart. "You're grown up."
If only he knew that mentally Marco was 33 even if the majority of his memories were foggy due to stress and constant danger during the time. But it also did some good. He almost had twice the experience a 17-year-old had any right to have. Pity that hormones didn't care about that.
"Again sorry I've kinda been a dick to you."
"Water under the bridge my friend." Sensei bowed which was reciprocated with an appreciated smile and a respectable bow followed by a fist bump. Sensei didn't have his cape and that served to enhance his annoyance toward himself.
Next up were his two oldest friends Ferguson and Alfonso. Janna doesn't count she's been nothing short of a tormenter of his, but after getting his scissors he wasn't left to her mercy anymore.
"So... sry-" He braced himself at the last second as they tackled him, but it wasn't followed by pain. It turned out to be a hug.
"Forget that, we are going to miss you."
"I love you guys."
Sensei moved closer and placed a hand on each side of the hug shedding a manly tear on the display of friendship.
"That's so fucking gay." Janna laughed.
"Jealous much?"
"As if," earning him an annoyed eye roll.
Breaking up the hug Ferguson fished an old dice up, that he realized was their lucky dice. "We thought that you should have it for where you're going."
"Thanks, I could definitely use it."
"You got this."
"what?"
Caught by surprise as Janna uncharacteristic hugged him in a tight grasp. She had a hand in a place it had no business being at. Letting him go she had a familiar smirk as she held his wallet, in return he held her wallet.
"Draw?" A smirk that almost matched hers was proudly on display. He wouldn't be at her mercy this-
"Nah, it ain't even close," He looked into the wallet and it was empty. A decoy and he fell for it... He was indeed at her mercy.
Groaning in annoyance at being played so easily he almost didn't catch his wallet when she threw it. It was simply followed by a teasing wink.
"God I never thought I would ever say this, but I'm going to miss you. Somehow."
"Drama queen," a smile that Marco knew all too well as an inner warning, however, he had no time to prepare. "You can "come" whenever you want. You have the snips-snips to get into my "privates"." With no shame and only amusement did she sway her hips as she walked back to the others. She took one last look to enjoy the uneasy Latino who stared anywhere else but her.
Turning to his parents who were crying from the start (and not at all bothered by the technical sexual harassment.) "Mijo, don't forget to write and visit when you can, I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to really miss you too mom."
It didn't take long for them to embrace him in their arms. After a minute or so he would leave but not without a last word and gesture.
He placed a hand softly on his mother's stomach, "I can't wait to meet you, little brother." Which lead to another hug from his parents and newfound tears to be shed.
Marco looked up upon the castle of mewni. Anticipating the exciting future he tightens his hold on his bag. Having used his dimensional scissors to get as close as possible he went ahead. Seeing the townsfolk living their lives the best they could with what remained was disheartening. There were families crying for their destroyed homes, some were simply glad that they survived and most were grieving for a loved one.
It smelled worse than what it normally did. People clearing bunt down houses for any kind of possession that hopefully survived. Seeing a mother struggle to lift a part of a burnt rooftop while her kids passively watched.
"Want some help?"
The mother dropped what she held and it fell an inch or two. Sweating as she skeptically looked at the approaching stranger, "Gods knows I need it, but I'm afraid I have nothing to give."
Recontinuing her effort to recover anything an extra pair of hands took hold and soon after did the rubble rise. Flipping the fallen roof to the side most of the debris is gone with it.
"Well, I hope a simple thank you isn't asking for too much."
Completely awestruck at the act of power, the kids could only stare dumbfounded. The mother's grateful smile showed, "thank you, thank you, kind nobleman."
"wha- I'm not a noble. Just a future knight."
"Apologizes, I assumed with how clean you were along cape you were one. Again I apologize that you got dirty for my sake"
Flattered he couldn't help but show a sheepish smile, "haha, don't worry. Take care all of you."
"Wha-what's your name?"
Marco turns to see the eldest son with a glint in his eye and he can't help but smile even wider, "Marco Ubaldo Diaz."
In high spirits, he walked to the gate of the butterfly castle and was stopped by the two guards.
"Halt! What's your purpose and who are you?"
Straightening his posture he said with utmost confidence, "Marco Diaz and I'm here to meet Star."
"Who the hell are you?"
Confused and taken aback, "but- I'm Marco-"
"Get outta here ye shit," the other guard pushed him.
This confused him more than angered him. Surely they would have heard of a Marco Diaz. He was present when Toffee died, he opposed Ludo and his rat army, and was the leader of the 4 men's revolution... Maybe not that one, still, how could they not know Marco Diaz? Sure he wasn't the one to deal the final blow or do the impossible, but he had been there to help in every conceivable way.
"Is this the thanks I get for being one of the few to liberate your kingdom?"
"Little shit! There's a limit to what you can say."
Dodging a right hook his confusion rapidly turned to anger, "At least you must know what this cape means, right?"
Holding his cape he turned as he proudly displayed the cape with an M symbol. Marco hears a heavy footstep and was ready to intervene in the attempted attack, "Halt! This?" Relief washed over him as he could finally proceed. "Isn't it the king's meat blanket?"
"Say what now? " Marco asked appalled. Surely they were mistaken? No way River would do that to him. He wouldn't just take any fabric and lie like that. They must be wrong he resolved they were only guards after all.
Hearing the cling of a weapon being drawn he saw the two guards approach him. "You are under arrest for stealing the king's possession, surrender now!"
"Hold on. This can easily-" Slipping under a wide swing he jumped and gained distance. His mind raced for a solution as the breathing distance ended when the two continued with their assault.
He couldn't fight them, just thinking of the complications that would arise sent shudders down his spine. "If you're scared stop resisting!"
"If I could get an audience with River we could-"
"It's king River and he doesn't have time for a pest like you."
What could he do? They wouldn't give him a chance. Looking up at the hopelessness of the situation he saw an out-of-place tower that was pinkish in color. A smile of relief sneaked on his face, if they wouldn't give him an audience with one of the rulers he would simply make one.
"Burito, burito, buriiiiitooooo-"
"Hey Star- uff"
With a scream, a burito launched into the face of an intruder. Realized it wasn't just any intruder, but her best friend. Annoyed by his jumpscare did she scold him, "Marco, what did I-" With a gasp did she suddenly realize, "Marco? What are you doing here? I mean it's good to see you... here... on Mewni."
"Heh, sorry about- Is something wrong?" His happy demeanor turned worried when Star looked slightly weird and uncomfortable.
There was a weird silence and she could hardly blame it. Marco was here. She had thought the last time would be goodbye for... definitely not for good but for a long long time. 2 months just wasn't that long especially when she got over Marco and started dating Tom two weeks ago. She didn't know what to say at the moment. Was something wrong? Yes and no, she's happy but also not.
"Wait? Is that a sugar burito? Don't you remember what happened last time?"
Rolling her eyes with a huff. For a few moments, she was back on Earth and a small smile forced itself forth despite her protest.
Most would be uncomfortable or justifiably scared if a magical princess was annoyed at you, but it was nostalgic for their old dynamic before she moved back to Mewni, before Toffee. She would be her awesome self by being weird and wild all the while Marco would be enthusiastic about it and tone it down when it became too much.
Taking her gesture as an answer he continued"Well um I kinda missed it here, so I thought I could just stay permanently."
She didn't have time to think about what he said as a third soul entered her room singing, "Buritooo, buritooooo I'll never-"
"Tom?"
"Marco?"
With a smile he stepped forward, "Tom-" He didn't get far as a guard tackled him from the back through the window. Struggling on the ground he managed to escape with an elbow to the gut, but a knight apprehended him before he even could organize his feet and securely held him down.
"Apologises princess, we allowed an intruder to your quarters."
"Whoa, stop guys. It's just Marco, he's my friend."
"Still he broke in when the castle was closed and injured two footmen. He'll be judged by the queen and king."
"Please, that's all I wanted." The hold tightened as he was taken like luggage.
Like heavy baggage was Marco thrown on the ground in the throne room by the giant lady knight. The only silver lining was that he landed on the carpet. Two knights and Marco were before the royals while Star was to the side.
"I could've just walked." The knight ignores his complaining in favor of bowing before the queen and king. "Damn brutes," he whispered under his breath.
"My queen we have caught an intruder who broke into the princess's room as well as injured two footmen."
"They did that to themselves when they climbed after me beside it wouldn't even have to happen if they would just listen to reason. I even got a knight's cape as proof "
The knights in the room broke out laughing much to Marco's confusion "That's the king's meat blanket."
The other knight takes on a much more serious tone, "You don't even know what it is could only mean you stole it. My queen and king, we will dispose of this thief right away."
"That won't be necessary. It's a misunderstanding, he's a good friend of my daughter. The two of you can leave."
Skeptically eyeing Marco they left after paying their respect to the queen and king.
Taking his "cape" off he eyed River, "so meat blanket?" An apologetic look and a guilt-written smile were all he got. "I guess me becoming a knight..." not really feeling saying it out loud as he had looked forward to it for a long time and the three present didn't need it spelled out for them.
"Really River?" One look was all the confirmation she needed, "I'm sorry but you can't become a knight, it takes years of hard work."
"Honey Bun, couldn't he become a squire?"
"Do any of our knights need squireing?"
"I do remember Hack-and-slash needing a squire. He's quite an impressive fighter. I'm sure he would love one."
"I'm afraid Hack-and-slash got hack and slashed... Why don't you spend time with Star while we figure out what to do?"
He smiles her way. He couldn't become a knight as he wanted, but he could spend time with Star which was half the reason for him coming. The adventures and fun they would have as like before. But first, they would have lots of things to catch up on. It's been over a month since they defeated Toffee.
The smile quickly depowered as Star looked downright bothered and it completely vanished when her following words left her mouth.
"Don't worry I know a knight he could squire for."
He was in a weird daze when following Star. Walking down the basement in silence was dreadful, but he didn't know how to break it. He tried a few times but they were met with dead-end answers or perhaps he just sucks at starting a conversation. When he came he had thought it would be a win-win situation. He had full faith that it would be great and not be a problem.
With what happened in the throne room did he realize how conflicted she was with him. Many thoughts ran through his head. The most prominent was the one where she still had a crush on him. However, that didn't make sense. It looked to him that Tom and her weren't exes anymore and so she couldn't have a crush on him. Unless... No way would Tom, a literal price of hell reduce himself to a mere rebound.
Was he selfish? It could very well be that he was too self-centered and the reason had nothing to do with him. It was a hard time after Ludo/toffee conquered the kingdom, which then was liberated with lots of collateral damage. He saw that with his own eyes on his way.
"What does Jackie think about all this?" Star asked as casually as possible. Marco was mentally lagging at the sudden wake-up from his thoughts. Her question confirmed one thing: She is not into the idea of him spending time here.
"Uh, yeah she wasn't so into it... but you know me, there is nobody telling me what to do, haha," He tried his hardest not to cringe as Star looked at him in disbelief.
There was silence again until Marco broke it after a few seconds. "So are you and-"
"Yep," Star cut off with a sharp reply shutting him up. Again the loud silence dominated.
Reaching the floor made him blink in disbelief, "The knight of the wash?"
Ignoring his low mumbling she kicked the door open and was greeted with an unholy amount of piles of clothes. In the biggest pile in probably the world was an old knight with yellow rubber gloves. He holds a fist containing a single sock with a delighted smile.
Grabbing her arm and pulling her to the side out of view. "Are you seriously putting me on laundry duty?"
Words he never could have imagined he would have to say those words to Star, his shaken imagination was instantly re-shaken by her words, "Yes, isn't that cool? Having a duty. I remember you once said that a true man has duties to attend and now you have one. Yay!"
"Did you just say that laundry is cool?" He held his breath as she looked dead serious.
"What's so funny?"
"C'mon Star it's kinda funny when you're the one saying it. I mean what's next? Warnicorns are lame or perhaps that my cooking sucks?"
Offended she gasped completely missing the point, "I would never. I love your nachos and you better take back what you said about the always forever always awesome warnicorns!"
"Alright, alright I take it back," Star nods to herself satisfied and Marco smiles to himself at her reaction "If you like my food so much then why not make me a private cook? Or perhaps just princess me up to something else that's IN the castle."
"Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I can do whatever I want."
Lifting a single eyebrow to challenge her statement but when she didn't take it back, "It wouldn't be "whatever you want." Moon said word for word: Why don't you spend time with Star while we figure out what to do?"
"Marco I just have totally a few seconds ago given you that something to do."
"But that something wouldn't allow us to spend time together."
Looking at her conflicted face it spoke pretty loudly that was the point. A depressed laugh was rumbling in his stomach, but he didn't let it escape. It wasn't even... it wasn't the main attribute that she didn't want him there that stung. She was sweeping him under the rug like an unimportant problem that could be tackled later.
"But that's... It's... Why can't you just appreciate what I do?!" He stood as she ran not sure of what to do or even feel.
About to give chase a strong grip held him in place by the shoulder, "Squire it's time for a lightning course and then your first quest."
He didn't fight and just allowed himself to be dragged. If he caught up to her then what? Perhaps he should just leave during the first night and leave a note. If she didn't want him there then what was the point?
Anger which she couldn't quite place... That's a lie. It would be fairer to say that she didn't know why it angered her so. She wasn't completely mad at Marco she doubt if she ever could be. Yet that doesn't stop the irritation that nothing is good enough for him.
He came outta nowhere and declares he will live with her. "No heads up whatsoever. Here's a job but noooooo, not that one. So ungrateful-"
"Need an ear?"
Confused and slightly startled she looked around to find the source. The only way it could come from was through the door toward the forbidden tower. Curiously she poked her head out and saw a pale lady in a violet dress.
"Was I thinking out loud?"
"Yes quite loud, but don't worry we're very secluded here."
Looking around she sees an overgrown garden dominated by roses and their thorns. It was quite a shame, however, the stone path left the decent room to move in the garden without getting harmed by the thorny roses and gave a semblance of hope to tame the roses. "Weird, it's quite pretty, bummer it's not taken care of."
"Yeah it is, but maybe I could remedy that. Anyway, what's his name?"
"Who's?"
The pale lady rolled her eyes, "The boy who got you all bothered and not the good kind."
"There's a good kind of bothered?"
The lady lifted an eyebrow and soon Star broke her sad attempt to stagnate the conversation even if she was honestly confused about the good kind. "It's just Marco. He wanna stay here."
"I see and you don't want him to?"
"No... Yes... I don't know." Rubbing her face in frustration. The lady wisely moved a step back as she has personal experience like that only it wasn't as trivial as a boy.
"He comes into my life and thinks I can just give him whatever job he wants just because I'm a princess!" Her arms were as explosive as her words and the single step saved the pale lady from a few arm slaps.
"But can't you?"
Offended she scuffs, "pfff no... Yes, but that isn't- it doesn't matter anyway. I made him a squire for the wash."
"Squire for the wash? Well, Love, your problem will take care of itself."
"How?" Focusing on the lady with a confused and concerned look.
"You don't know? Being squire for the wash is the most dangerous position in the whole kingdom. But I guess if he's... Never mind," Looking at Star's face she got her answer before even asking her question. So sad that a boy will die for dangerous thoughtlessness or ignorance.
Hyperventilating she jumps about, "OMG what have I done?! I need to..." Continuing her rant despite the pale lady's attempts to end it a new group came breaching into the overgrown rose garden.
Stuck in her trance she was caught off guard when Omnitraxus Prime tackled and pined the pale lady to a nearby wall stomping down any rosebeds in the way. The force is strong enough to create spider web cracks on the walls. The victim grimacing from the impact gives a weak smile, "seems like you still have trouble with self-control, or has your paranoia finally grown bigger than your body?"
"What the hell?! What are you guys doing?!" Shocking would be an understatement. Out of nowhere did they attack a nice lady. Before she could jump into action a pair of hands grabbed her.
Looking back, she saw her mother of all people and she was just the person she needed, "Mom you gotta stop them, they are attacking the nice lady."
" Nice lady? Star that's Eclipsa the queen of darkness."
"That's Eclipsa?! But she doesn't seem that bad."
"Alright, she needs to be tested straight away for corruption. C'mon Star." Hekapoo fished a book of instruction for tests from a portal she just made.
"Hold on a moment. I don't need a test for corruption or whatever. I need to get to Marco."
"Star please understand it's for your own good," her mother agreeing caught her off guard.
"You can't be serious?"
She was.
"Great job Marco. I just knew you had it in you." Lavabo stood already proud of his squire's achievement, " This is a historic day for only one other squire has survived the first day this century," pausing for dramatic effect he locked eyes with the incredibly tired but also content squire, "ME!"
Marco stood not hearing a single thing or paying attention. His ears were only hearing the pumping of his heart that slowly geared down and his brain was only thinking of air, some water, and definitely a bed.
The fight with the lint monster... He definitely needs to give it a cooler name if he ever was to tell a soul of this. Either way, this was one of the reasons why he left Earth. Where else could he fight like this? A magical giant fucking creature.
Honestly, he should just leave. Star doesn't want him here and there were much more interesting dimensions to explore and experience than Mewni. Ironically, the win-win situation would be for him to leave.
Lavabo finally dismissed him after a long and energetic speech that went in one ear and out the other as Marco decided his future to leave Mewni. Only as soon he left to find and tell Star he forgot his just decided decision even as impacting and important it was. It was gone like the breeze of the wind only this wasn't natural.
Running up the stairs his bruised legs burned from exhaustion, and he fell forward. Dusting himself off he walked at a more leisurely pace. Clearing the unholy amount of stairs something catches his attention. Hearing a pair of footsteps up ahead he soon faced a knight.
"Finally. Princess Star sent me to check up on you." Looking down upon him the knight lifted a brow and grinned, "Look at ya, hahah, getting all beat up doing laundry."
Three interactions have been nothing if not horrible. Where does this hostility come from? But it doesn't matter because... Why? There was a reason, but he couldn't remember for the life of him. Anyway, if he were to be living here he needed to get along with them.
"Can you show me the way to Star?"
The knight's good mood turned sour quickly, "Who are you to command me, parasite."
"Parasite?"
Getting closer the knight pushed Marco and if he didn't catch his footing, he would be tumbling down the many stairs. "We don't need you exploiting our royal family hospitably. Just go back to your own damn dimension, we have enough with everything that's happening. We don't need burdens."
The thought of de-escalating or getting to a compromise was nowhere to be seen. "Exploiting? I was a major part of the liberation. Where the hell were you when the king was stuck in a dungeon? Did you fight when Moon and Star were faces to face with the immortal Toffee?"
The anger steamed off the knight, but Marco cared not for it, "You sorry lot got overwhelmed by rats and lost YOUR kingdom. After a week of occupation, I fought and helped liberate YOUR kingdom."
In his outburst, he almost didn't dodge a right hook from the angry knight. "How dare you claim the participation when our monarchs defeated the vile Toffee singlehandedly."
What a load of bullshit. Marco got in his fighting stance. Seeing this the knight assaulted "You're so fucking dead."
Dodging the knight wasn't difficult he fought like a drunken brawler, but he was wearing the full armor of metal. The only way to defend himself was to stick close to the walls and slam the knight into them. After the third slam, it was clear he lacked the impact to end the fight. Ducking under a vicious right hook he used a front kick to create space.
Marco's body was protesting with every movement he made, however, the adrenalin forced it to comply anyway. Sluggish but determined Marco stood his ground until the next action of the knight.
The knight was thoroughly annoyed with the slippery liar. He drew his sword, "shouldn't you be evening the field by giving me your backup weapon?"
"You don't deserve shit." Pursuing as the liar was running. The outsider would be sorely mistaken if he thought he could run.
Marco needed something to protect himself or lose the deranged knight. It was easier said than done. The knight was very persistent and honestly, he didn't just wanna lose him. He wanted to beat the prick.
But there wasn't anything that could stand in the way of a sword. It wasn't until he found an opening to an overgrown garden. He hoped that there was a log or a very thick stick he could use.
"Nowhere to run you damn slippery bastard."
Marco shrugs his shoulders to the irritation of the knight, "It was a tactical retreat. I just needed to even the situation."
Marco stood with a thick arm of a tree. It wasn't straight and kinda unwieldy, but he just needed something to intercept the sword. Marco stood with his improvised weapon leaning on his shoulder. Standing still despite his heart beating 100 miles an hour he readied himself.
Marco swung first when the knight approached. Marco had a longer reach and the knight in armor was too slow to dodge and he blocked the blow. As the weapons were connected Marco charged with his shoulder first into his own weapon. Leaning his whole body he went down with the knight pinning them both.
The knight had trouble getting his hand free as the sword handle was pushed up against him. Getting a hand free he baled his hand and punched the parasite in the stomach.
Having an armored fist colliding in your stomach hurt despite flexing. But he had fished the backup dagger that was on the knight's hip. He intercepted the fist before it could hit a second time and he pushed it to the ground with his whole upper body and then stabbed his wrist.
He should properly be horrified as he just stabbed someone, but he was calm or as calm as someone with adrenalin pumping in their veins. If anything, it reminded him of an incident during his scissor trial that was much more grotesque and barbaric than this. It's weird, it's like learning something you already know.
In his heightened state, he hears two pairs of heavy footsteps. Two knights appear and soon draw their swords as they land their eyes upon Marco sitting on a screaming and cursing knight. "Now hold on now, It may look bad but there's no need to continue this. I was only defending myself."
The two knights approach cautiously. Marco could only grab the sword of the partially impaled knight and pulled the dagger out from the ground and said knight. This will definitely cause Star's parents a headache or two. His heart is not allowed to catch a break even as he waits to defend himself.
Flanking on each of his sides they attack as one. Unfortunately, he's no stranger to being outnumbered. Living with Star where a monster attack would happen almost daily they were always few vs many.
While they attack as one they aren't working as one. They aren't supporting each other in any way. Advancing was the answer as they were side by side plus it caught them off guard. They had expected him to be on the defensive, he was outnumbered and visibly hurt.
The intruder intercepted one of the knights, they both were only focusing on attacking the intruder, and therefore one was still charging as said the intruder was already past him and crossing swords with his partner. The few seconds he was behind were all the intruder needed to neutralize his partner.
Marco had struck when they had their swords raised and therefore wasn't any strength behind the blade he preemptively interfered with. Dual wielding, he had the bloody dagger free and almost instinctively he raised it directly in the small gap there was in the armpit of his armor.
Leaving the dagger in the knight Marco turned to the other knight with his sword, "Just so you know, I'm only defending myself here. I don't want a fight just to find Star."
"Really now?" The one who spoke was none other than Moon.
"Queen Moon. I don't know what happened but when..." The knight stops as the queen motion for him to be silent with a dismissive hand.
"Take them to the infirmary. I'll take care of Marco personally."
"Yes, my queen." Giving a bow he helped the injured knights to their feet. One holding his wrist with the gauntlet off and the other holding his arm close with the dagger still in him.
After a recap of not only his most recent incident but also his first. The queen said simply as a matter of fact, "It's understandable from the story told over the butterfly kingdom. The story is in short that I and Star ended Toffee as my husband kept him occupied."
"Why was I left out? I did also contribute to the liberation and it wasn't minor in any way or shape."
"Because everyone needs to believe and trust our family. They would lose faith if they knew we had help from an outsider considering everything that has happened. They need a strong royal family to lean on."
The reason did seem wrong to Marco, but he couldn't pinpoint why. Hell, he didn't even know why he was skeptical, but it seemed like a half-truth or not the whole truth. In any case, he could only accept even if it sucked to lose the credit.
"Seems like it can't be helped then, but there's still an issue with the knights."
"Indeed, even if they are common knights it would seem that they've grown too lax."
"No I mean the hostile view they have of me. They act like I'm... I don't know but it's not right."
"You must understand that you are an outsider and the ones who invaded us were also outsiders. I will apologize in private on their behalf but that's all I can do."
"I'll be going if that's all." It may have been rude to not thank her but he was admittedly angry at being simply brushed under the rug. I will apologize in private? That would definitely 100% and perfectly improve Marco's situation... But he isn't a queen so maybe that's just how it is.
Turning to leave queen Moon had one last thing to speak, "Marco while it's fine in private you will address me in my proper title as well as River. Understand?"
Copying the bows the other knight did in the garden, "I understand, your highness." Despite his best effort the sarcasm still crept out. Thankfully Moon didn't catch it or perhaps she didn't care and he left without further conversation.
He needed to find Star and it was important... very important. He needed a place to sleep. Hopefully, he could have her conjure up a room for him. To find Star he decided to wait in her room. He remembered the path from the throne room to her bedroom. He had a great view when he was being carried like baggage.
On his way, he could almost taste the disdain other knights had for him. It would seem his incidents have spread like wildfire, but what confused him was that also the maids and other servants were also just as disgusted with his presence as the knights.
It wasn't until he heard one of them whisper that he was a fraud and a liar who was also leaching off the princess. It caused him to lower his head and powerwalk to Star's room. He had always been a little self-conscious that most were out to get him but now that could very well be true.
Sitting on Star's bed he waited. Sitting he couldn't help but feel a knot forming in his stomach. It was weird to him. There was nothing to be concerned about. She had given him a job that he could be content with and while it wasn't in the castle he could definitely get a room in the castle.
Star tiredly stepped into her room. Marco was deep in thought at his odd dilemma.
"Quit mumbling Marco. I'm tired." Free falling on her bed like a dead doll.
"Not now I'm thinking."
With her face full of a mattress she tiredly responded, "when aren't y... Marco!" Jumping from her limb position she almost crashed into him.
"What the-" An unexpected tight hug squished the air out of his lungs.
Letting go of Marco she looks him up and down with concern. "You're okay! Right?! You don't look- Any broken bones?"
"Not before but during your bear hug, I could swear I heard a few snaps," he joked.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry."
Star pulled his sleeve up and looked for any odd curves but thankfully found none when she was about to pull his hoodie along with his t-shirt he stopped her.
"I'm fine Star," she would never understand satire even if it somehow manifested and slapped her in the face. He missed this, he had missed her. The only missing thing would be an exciting adventure.
"Alright then let's talk about you being here," she looked serious and the knot appears again.
"It's alright. It was dumb of me to come here and thank you for the pretty cool position even as short it will be." He should properly be silent but the thought of hearing her say those words would be worse than saying them himself.
"Marco that wasn't where I was going," Looking at his confused face she could only lightly shake her head, "First I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shoved you into being a squire of the wash. Could we put our little fight behind us? " Looking sheepishly she lightly swayed left and right.
"What fight?"
"Awesome, we can pretend that didn't happen. Totally works," she stood giving two thumbs up and a relieved smile.
He didn't need to pretend because he didn't even know to be able to pretend in the first place so he pretended to pretend that nothing happened when nothing happened.
"So could you "room expand" a place for me?"
"Pfff. I'm a magical princess I can do whatever. "Super Marco room expand!""
Like the spell suggested an identical room to his, had appeared. "Awesome, but maybe my room shouldn't only be accessible from inside your room."
"Totally."
I took a few liberties here and there with the storyline and whatnot but I think they would be for the best. The next chapter is gonna be about Marco and his adaption to his new environment.
