"You hang out...here? Like didn't you say you don't hang out with people and stay in your room all day?"
"Quiet, or i'll head right back...".
The girls and landed found themselves outside of what seemed like some kinda hangout spot, and the girls found themselves staying close as the prince was given easy access to the front of the line and to the Vip room of the dark and calming area. It almost reminded them of a coffee house, expect way fancier with candle-lit tables and a game room in another area. Though as landon leads them to their vip room, a room on the second floor that gave them full view of a brightly lit stage, that's when it clicked why landon came here.
"I only come here once in a blue moon, never talk to anyone...it's quite mostly...except for the lovely music...", he removed his violin and plopped down on a nice couch before inviting the girls to join, "Do me a favor, don't let my brothers know, I don't need judas to get on my case about it and i don't need mason trying to find me here.". They plopped down in their own seats and took in the place and it's dim lighting and calming atmosphere. One that didn't seem fitting for someone like Landon, who wore boots, ripped up shirts and wore biker gloves.
"You hang out at a place like this?", celeste still look genuinely shocked by this bit of news, but landon kicked back in his seat, not really caring much about how surprised she sounded. "I come here to listen to music, it might sound lame to YOU, but all my family seems to listen to is cheesy boyband songs and i happen to think it's kinda cool here. ". He huffed, "You know like how kids in movies escape to some secret hideaway they have? Yeah, this is my lame version of that...my family doesn't really come here themselves so i use the Vip section instead.".
"and you only come here rarely...?"
"Only to see certain shows, since i'm forced to watch you i guess i might as well let you come, as long as you don't fib on me.", his eyes directing themselves mostly towards celeste, "Plus you guys didn't seem to mind my music so maybe you'll like it or something, i dunno...". Sunny looked happy and kinda thankful, "That's really nice of you landon, you didn't have to do that...". But he blew it off, putting himself down, "No it's whatever, i just think this place is cool...part of me is tempted to get a drink here but my parents might kinda kill me if i'm not careful with some of this..".
"Wait, didn't you say people pick our pockets in this kinda place?", landon looked towards the questioning brunette and shrugged, "yeah, they do, not everyone in the underworld is a saint y'know? Especially to the royal family of all things , though i don't keep my money in my pockets anyway so...". He started to move his leg and the faintest sound of change could be heard from his boot, "I've learned my lesson before and i'm not falling for any more tricks again..".
"What kinda show did you drag us into?", landon snapped his fingers for a paper to speak in front of her lap, showing a couple of demons playing the electric cello. Her face just kinda made landon want to laugh more then anything. "What? We'll make in back in time for dinner, you're so picky...just sit back and enjoy the show...". To his surprise, celeste said nothing, indeed sitting back as they watched demons prepare to get the show ready. "Granted this show wasn't one i planned on going...but...whatever..".
"You dragged us to a show you weren't even originally planning on going to?".
"Do you wanna fuss or do you wanna watch something other then the underworld walls?", Celeste crossed her arms and sunny found herself examining every inch of the place, "My parents never took me or my brother to anywhere like this before, looks like fun...do people sign up to perform?". The boy bit his lip, "Kinda? More people pay though, it's just kinda a joint for new talent to start making a name for themselves...and i swear if you say anything about me playing my violin...".
"No, i was thinking more...you think i could sing up there?".
He blinked at her, "Uh...why would you wanna sing up there? You're supposed to stay undercover y'know? Performing in public will only make things worse...". She shrugged, "It's just, well, since i don't get to really perform outside of my house back home...it just kinda seems fun y'know?". She nervously pressed her fingers together, "Sorry for bringing it up...it just kinda seemed fun. y'know?". They gave her strange looks when the lights started going down.
"Oh, i guess they're starting...", landon took note of the speakers and cellos already up as people filled up tables . Some ordering drinks or eating strange pastries, chatting as a couple of twin demons took on the stage, landon watched them with slight enthusiasm. Though Sunny's face was the most interesting, she looked in wonder and to landon's surprise her tail slinked out of her dress and started wagging. Expressing her excitement, and landon's attention was suddenly diverting from the music to the swishing extension.
Celeste looked to landon, "Hey, what are you looking at?". Landon immediately stopped staring before shuffling uncomfortably in his seat, "Nothing...don't worry about it...". Celeste gave him another look as their attention diverted back to the music playing. Strangely, it was actually pretty good, like a blend between rock and classical music. And landon could easily be seen tapping his foot or closing his eyes to listen to the music, as though he was in his own little world.
At one point he even got them some drinks to sip on as the concert went on, hot chocolate.
Mugs that were empty by the time the show ended, the audience in applause and clapping. Especially sunny, who looked more then delighted, even whistling at one point as the twins bowed and started talking about their next show. Landon weakly clapped, a smile on his face and sunny took note of her tail as it slinked back under her dress. "That was really fun landon, thanks for taking us here!", she looked towards celeste, who grumbled before saying "Thanks", under her breath.
Landon kicked his feet off the coffee table in front of him, and shut himself down, "It's fine, i'm glad you liked it...". He took hold of his violin, placing it back onto his back, "I guess we better go though, dinner y'know? I'm sure everyone will be waiting for us...". He was about to leave when he felt the smaller demon tug at his sleeve, "Landon...are you ok?". Landon looked at her and shook her head, "No it's...nothing...don't worry about me, we better go...".
"Are you sure you're ok?", the small girl looked really concerned, as if perhaps she had done something wrong of landon wasn't feeling good. But as expected he dismissed her and threw a cover over himself, "Yes, i'm sure, look, i'm not that important, just stay behind me ok?".
The girls were about to say something when landon bumped into someone, making him stumble back into the girls a bit.
The demon he bumped into turned around, and though sunny had expected him to apologize at the sight of his prince to her surprise the bigger demon growled at landon. "Watch where you're walking buddy...", landon rubbed his head and got himself back on his feet, "Fine, whatever...". But that apology didn't seem to slide with the bigger demon, who pushed him, "Don't "Whatever" me kid...watch it...". And much to landon's displease, sunny stepped forward.
"He's your prince, you should show him some more respect...".
The demon looked more annoyed being talk down to by the little girl as landon suddenly felt the urge to drag sunny out of here. But the large demon eyed landon again, "Our prince huh? Which one?". Landon eyed off as sunny kept speaking, "Second youngest, landon!". The demon huffed, "Oh? The extra one? Yeah right...", then a pink hand grabbed sunny's shoulder, "C'mon, let's just leave...". He urged her to move and sunny compromised, Celeste following behind as to leave and stop from starting some kind of fight.
Though behind him he could hear the demon mumbling to his friends.
"Pft, figures the weakest prince would be the one hanging around girls anywa-"
Then, before he could speak anymore, a cloud formed above his head, indoors. It was small, and dark, and before the demon could react, drops of water rained down on him, followed by a strike of lightning, zapping him right in front of his friends and making him collapse on the floor under him. Landon looked freaked as he looked between the girls in front of him, mouthing to them "D-did you?". Whoever was responisible sure didn't seem ashamed however and landon only looked MORE unhappy.
"We gotta go..", he mumbled under his breath to both girls as the demons watched the cloud continue to zap the confused demon.
As he dragged them out the littlest girl still seemed unhappy, "Landon, i'm so sorry about back there, i don't know what happened! I-".
Now out of earshot, he zipped around, still angry, "Ok, WHO did that?! I could've gotten kicked outta that place! Like, sure, he was being a jerk but i didn't want to FIGHT him!". Sunny's eyes wandered to celeste, who looked off to the distance, "He'll be fine, that spell only lasts 20 minutes...". Sunny looked surprised, and celeste gave her a look, " what? You didn't think it was you right? Of course it was me, what a total jerk that guy was! Like i could woop his sorry butt in ten seconds!".
Landon was in awe, "So you...you summoned a cloud on him?!". She only shrugged, "i like weather spells, is there a problem? When some ass acts like that in front of royalty he shouldn't get a free pass, you're still above him y'know.". Landon was about to interject but she kept going, "Look, we haven't known each other that long but it doesn't mean i want dirt talking to you like that. I'm not heartless y'know, plus it's not like that guy can frame it on you anyway.".
Landon looked both thankful and both adjitated, "Ok fine, at least we're not in anymore trouble i guess...but...let me tell you...starting fights in the underworld is not a good idea. I dunno what it's like in your universe, but around here being violent can get bad fast.". Celeste snorted, "Well when a jerk talks to you like that, you should stand up for yourself! Like c'mon, you can't just walk away like that. You're royalty, you outta put that guy in his place for talking to you like that!."
"I'm not doing anything, c'mon...we got dinner...".
"Landon-".
"I said enough, c'mon..".
"Sky you need to focus!"
"Mom, it's not my fault, it's just not working today!".
Sky muttered narwhal blast under her breath again as a couple of disfigured minnows popped out instead of narwhals, flopping on the floor in between them. "Sure, it worked yesterday but i told you...my wand works when it wants at the end of the day...", she could feel her own words stabbing her in the heart. It tended to do that alot, one day she feels confident in her magic the other she feels entirely useless, shaking the device like a toddler with their raddle.
She spotted melaine recording the whole thing while bernard, next to her, was checking his phone, tying rope, and playing with cards all by himself. He was probably dragged out here again, though perhaps he didn't have anything better to do with him time anyway. Guess that was what happened when you where the new kid, though her mom always made it sound a lot more fun. "Mom, we've been doing this awhile...maybe we should call it quits...i mean, i summoned my own cloudy and well...i got fireskull frenzy on point...so...that's something right?".
Star sighed, "I just wanted you to learn some new spells...i don't...i don't understand what's going on but...maybe i should confiscate the wand? Just to be sure?", the blunette clutched in tighter in her hands, "I'm sure it's nothing mom, maybe it's out of juice? Or something...i dunno...". Star didn't seem so sure though, the queen crossing her arms, "Hmm, maybe...". Sky put it in her back pocker, makign a face, "Mom, it's cool, it's nothing to freak out about...".
"I'm just worried, we don't...well we don't need anymore issues with the wand then we've had before", she rubbed her chin, "Perhaps we should call it a break till tomorrow, though i still-". Just then the queen's compact started buzzing, she pulled it out and checked it's number fast, "It's marco, er...excuse me...i better take this...". She held the phone up to her face and left the room, leaving the kids by themselves. Melanie stopped her recording to take notes but Bernard was still as distracted as before.
After she was out of earshot sky turned her attention towards them, slightly relieved at the sudden interruption.
"I think you did great sky!", Melaine smiled at the girl, giving her a thumbs up as the princess took a seat on the banister. "Yeah yeah, c'mon you don't need to go easy on me, i know i suck...". She rested her head on her hands, "I'm kinda distracted enough as is anyway...". She pulled out her compact, waving it around, "Judas i guess is busy, he hasn't replied back yet...hope everything is fine...". She eyes at bernard, "Told him about landon missing your calls, i'm sure he'll sort it out...eventually..".
"Maybe you were right about the compacts not connecting with real phones..."., he mumbled, "I mean, mel only got everything she did to you by transferring data, and i dunno...but it was a nice thought to talk with your friends again.". He sounded kinda upset, maybe worried he was the one at fault in this situation. Sky bit her lip when she got a text back, "Oh, judas left to get food, says landon did get get your calls...and that...". She then paused and read over judas's texts, telling her landon was too embarrassed to pick up and on the spot came out with the first lie she could.
"-he didn't have his compact with him", telling the boy the truth would probably embarrass landon more and she suddenly thought maybe associating herself with a friend's crush was a bad idea. But Bernard didn't seem bothered, "Oh cool.". And Sky almost wanted to slap herself across the face for making melaine go through an entire process to send her the audio she needed when she could've sent it in a few clicks. She awkwardly turned to melaine, who was much too focused on whatever she was doing in her notebook.
Her embarrassment must've been obvious because she felt Bernard quickly try to cheer her up, "You didn't actually test to see if those things connected before huh? Hey, you didn't know, nothing to be ashamed of...and now you do know. So now you don't gotta complicate your phone system anymore". She nodded, "Sure, uh...sorry, that's very embarrassing. uh...hows moving in been? Weird question, it's just...". He started shuffling the cards in his hand as he spoke, "Need a change of subject? Oh I've been fine, the diazes have been so kind in helping us move in, also they have A LOT of dogs might i add. Are they supposed to shoot lasers?".
"Er...yes...long story..."., sky said, and he continued on as if unfazed by this news.
"My family has moved a lot to be honest, it's not my first time adjusting. I just hope this is my last time moving...", he finished shuffling his cards and placed them on his lap. The princess looked up at him in curiosity, "Leave a lot of friends back home?". He sighed, "Yes and no, i had a lot of people hang out with me but i don't know if they counted as friends...though I never stayed in places very long so It doesn't matter much anyway.". He stared down at the pack of cards, "I'm kinda hoping to get perhaps more of a fresh start here? Since my folks says it might be permanent this time around but so far Landon and mel here are the only ones who have approached me...".
"Landon isn't very social...",sky started, "I mean, being social isn't much my thing but i'm surprised you got him to talk to you at all...". Bernard snorted, "We were bringing in more boxes when their carriage showed up in front of our house, and then the diazes immediately had me shake hands with all their grandkids. Those two are the most chipper and hyper elders i have ever met you know that? I mostly just talked to landon to apologize and we ended up talking about his violin...also does he carry that everywhere?".
Melaine then turned around and spoke up, "Bernie, You carry a pack or cards and some bit of rope everywhere.".
"Touche".
"You're into music?", the human turned back towards the princess and smiled, "I used to be apart of the glee club in our last move before we left, i'm told i can sing well though i have other talents...". Sky smirked, "Like wearing sweaters and a vest in California without sweating? Because i'll tell ya that's pure talent right there". The boy snickered, "No, but i do appreciate the jest. Anyways landon was really fun, he's a funny guy to be honest, i appreciate the number cause i could use some other friends while i'm here and he seems cool...I mean, being friends with a demon wasn't on my bucket list but i think i can mark it off anyway".
"Landon...funny?", the way she said it seemed surprising to bernard, based on the expression of his face. "Is he not normally funny?", sky and mel exchanged looks, "Landon's not normally even smiling, what did he even say to you?". Bernard shrugged, "We started talking about love sentence and he started talking about the name and i couldn't help but laugh...". The boy put his hands on his hips and twisted his face into a pouty one, as he imitated the prince.
"What's a love sentence anyway? Is it a sentence about love? Like, who in the heck woke up one day and said THAT was a good band title? Like my dad showed me some poster of them dressed as criminals and it's...are they being sentenced for LOVE? Who sentences people for being in love? Well actually there are people like that but...STILL. ". Bernard then started to laugh like it was the funniest thing he'd heard as the girls just smiled awkwardly. "Oh don't give me that look, just a few minutes ago you were upset because you forgot to actually test the limits of your strange mobile devices and had fish flop on the floor...let me enjoy this", the girls quit their looks and he shook his head at them.
After he finished he smiled fondly, "Anyways, Yeah, he seems like a grump, but i thought he was fun to talk to. We were mostly stuck together for a few hours and i honestly just think he wanted a reason not to be crushed by his grandparents with their hugs." He took at look at the wand in her back pocket and his frown vanished, "You know if that thing is busted you outta fix it or find a replacement...hard to practice anything with a broken tool that's for sure...I may not have owned a real wand but having one that doesn't work sounds like recipe for disaster.".
"It's a family wand, we can't replace it...".
"So you're stuck with a tool you can't use? That's not fair. What are you supposed to do if you can't use it? What if it gets lost!?", His friendly look had shifted to be more annoyed, brows furrowed. Bernard seemed to get ticked when other people were mistreated it seemed. "If it gets lost...well we're kinda screwed, i mean, unless the high commission finds it or something. I kinda wish my wand was like a bag or something so it was easier to carry around...".
"Magic seems kinda unfair where you come from...", he stood up and stepped down the stairs onto the floor, "Mel tells me you go on some crazy adventures, and get into danger, and you have to do it with a broken wand?". The princess groaned, "Well of COURSE i went on some weird adventures, it's just like...i mean...it sounds more fun when you're not he one whose almost died!". She took her wand out and flicked it, "It's like, it's magic...but even magic sorta has rules to it...".
Her eyebrow pricked up, "You know, i'm sure all of this is nonsense to you, you don't have to worry about my wand or anything...". Bernard blinked and crossed his arms, "Fairness matters to me, i'm sorry. I just don't like when parents don't treat their kids...like how they should...like...who puts their kids in danger like that with something they can't control..". He got quieter at the end but retained himself, "anyways, take it from me, using a faulty tool will bite you someday. If there's way to fix it or replace it, you better do it, especially when it's a weapon that might save your life...".
"Trust me, we're...I'm working on it...", he nodded, "I'm sorry for worrying, but that honestly kinda sucks.". He might've kept talking but mel stepped in, an arm around sky, "Trust me bernie, sky will be FINE, she's taken out bad guys left and right and when the robots take over she'd totally kick their butts.". Sky snickered and then star stepped in, compact back in her pocket, "ah sorry kids, ponyhead apparently lost loki and she needs help finding him, so we better get a move on..".
She made finger guns to mel who copied her back, "See you soon, honestly mel you should come over when you have the chance! I know how much you love exploring and sky could really benefit from teaching you more about mewni!". Melaine turned to sky, face full of hope, and sky made an awkward smile before answering. "Well, yeah i'm sure we could have her come over again...let's just uh...not repeat the incident last time when we do it alright?"
Bernard looked between the knowing faces as mel squealed, "YES! AHHH, it's been such a long WHILE since I've been to mewni! My mom gets so freaked! I'm totally gonna ask her and maybe we can have a sleepover and you can teach me about monsters and-". She paused before looking to bernard, "Wait can i bring him too?". Star blinked before shrugging, "If his parents are ok with it, we're fine having more guests in the castle, sky hasn't had a sleepover since FOREVER-".
"MOM!", sky's face was red with embarrassment, "Like you know we stopped because most of my friends were boys and it was getting awkward cause we weren't kids anymore right?". Star bit her lip, "Aw, but didn't i invite all those princess that one time? That was fun right?". Sky groaned, "No, no it wasn't...", and star let out a light laugh in response to the girl's bitter answer. "Eh, well i suppose you weren't wrong, though at least cleaning glitter out of your hair wasn't too hard..".
"At least you didn't put glitter in the pancake mix again...", sky said back, amused.
"Oh don't start with that...", She motioned to her daughter as she opened a portal, "C'mon, let's go. Good bye mel, bert was it? Don't get yourselves into too much trouble!". Sky motioned to the humans to call her as she felt herself be dragged into the bright blue swirling portal. Star immediately heading off to find pony and sky about to text judas when two figures approached her, covered in dirt and mud, It took her a few seconds and almost startled her.
Untill she realized who it was.
"Hi...", luna grumbled as galexia smiled behind her.
"We picked mushrooms!".
"Loki, hey, i gotta head to dinner with my folks in a few minutes but i brought you some-"., judas closed his bedroom door behind him and entered his room, only to find the place empty. He placed a bag of chips and a soda on the bed before walking over to his desk to find a poorly scribbled note on his desk. His three eyes squinting as he attempted to read it before folding it up and throwing it in the trash. "Ugh, i told him not to get involved and of course he...ugh..."., he made his way out of his room, texting sky on the way.
Her response was immediate.
Sky: Nice one jude.
Judas: Hey, for the record, he's just trying to call him out for the compact, which you said had nothing to do with anything anyway...so...
Judas: Should I go after him?
Sky : Don't bother, it's not worth it...
Judas: But it's partially my fault, maybe I should find him before he does something.
Sky: Loki's gonna be fine, and you don't wanna get caught next to him when his mom finds him.
Sky: I'm sure he'll bail anyway, you got dinner jude, you've run around enough lately..
He thought for a moment before texting back
Jude: Ok
Sky: We'll talk later
Judas: I'll see you soon sky...
He shoved his compact back in his pocket, despite his mixed feelings he outta go to dinner anyway, his parents would be worried about him. Hopefully whatever loki was doing, he'd be fine. Though if angel didn't kill him no doubt the pony's mom would. Granted, maybe not "Kill" considering him and his family, more or less..."lightly annoy". When he arrived to dinner it seemed everything was normal, his parents were discussing pony's raid with his grandfolks, the girls were eating and his brothers were being their normal selves. As in mason was being cheery and going on a long discussion about his plants and landon was being quiet and angry.
He could only hope nothing went wrong when he was with the girls this time.
Though the only thing of note from dinner was when a note was passed into his lap, making sure the adults weren't watching, he opened it up to find a note from landon himself. Scanning over it he looked at landon, who eyes him before returning to his food. Giving the girls compacts? What was he thinking? Though his note also stated for them to talk in his room tonight about everything. So i guess he could hear him out on this later. Maybe he could even get sky to show up.
He nodded to his younger brother as dinner resumed as usual.
Night fell, the girls were in their rooms and in bed, and judas was alone in his room, sitting on his bed when landon teleported in. The boy already in his pjs, which were typically an old shirt and sweatpants, and of course this time around he wasn't lugging his instrument as he tended to do. He bit his lip, fangs pickling the flesh as he crossed his arms, "Hey...". His older brother sighed, hands on his lap, and one of those "Really?" looks on his kind face.
And landon seemed already prepared for this reaction as he explained his reasoning. "Judas, i know we've known these girls for two days but c'mon, you know we can't tag them all the time. It's gonna look weird to everyone and we kinda both got other things going on...". Judas raised an eyebrow, "Landon, we still don't know them well, giving them something like a compact...what if we have been dooped? What if they take em and use them for something bad and it's our faults?".
"I dunno, i guess maybe...i don't think the girls are really...evil? I just...i mean they kinda do wild things, but i don't think they'd betray us exactly.", the purple boy didn't seem convinced, "I mean, they're nice girls and all, it's just kinda early for us to put so much trust in them. They've done some nice things for us landon, and i'm not saying they're bad people. I just don't want us making a mistake too early and...this is a good opportunity to make one...".
"You're overthinking things jude, c'mon, tell me, what do you think of the girls?", the boy turned his head, looking at the posters aligning his walls. "Well sunny might've attacked me but she's a sweet girl, and she wants nothing more then to see her family again...". Then his eyes closed, "And celeste is a pain in the butt, but she still healed me and still listened to me despite everything i said to her.". He sighed to himself, "Still landon, we haven't known them very long...it's a risk...".
"They defended me today...", landon admitted, much to his brother's surprise. "I mean, it was kinda stupid, but they genuinely didn't have to do anything for me...i mean, still stupid, but i also think we kinda owe them a bit. For healing you, or helping me, if you're really worried we could put locks on it or something...". Judas still didn't seem convinced and landon found himself continuing to push , he honestly should just give up in convincing his brother of anything, but maybe that "Stand up for yourself" nonsense from earlier was starting to leak in just a tad.
Only a tad though.
"C'mon dude, look, if you do this...i'll...take the fall if something happens...and...", his shoulders sagged, "And i'll answer my compact next time bernard calls...". The older demon's brows pricked up, "You must really want this don't you?". Landon's feet shuffled on the floor, his face not even looking at judas. "Look, i just think...it's nothing, i just want it to be easier for us...w-we can get some cheap ones...". Judas stood up, looking down at his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'll consider it then...ok?".
Landon looked up at him, kinda thankful.
'Ok...".
"I guess you are right about this being ineffective anyway, and well...i guess we could track the phones if we needed to...but i mean it landon. We got enough on our plate, if this all turns out to be something different, don't say i didn't warn ya...". Landon got it, "I dunno, i mean, the whole "Other universe sister" thing is weird...but honestly...if they wanted to kill us...i think they could...".. Judas smirked, "I honestly hope you're right, as weird as it is...i kinda prefer that to ALOT of other outcomes right now...".
Then a bright blue portal opened up, a girl with dark hear and a demon onsie hopping out.
"Hey dorks...".
Judas smiled and walked over to see his friend, sky was smirking but she was clearly still very troubled.
"So not much of a progress report today, luna and lexi are asleep, one mom is doing the same while the other is out...i dunno raising the dead or something? How about you two?", landon took a seat on judas's bed, "Of course you invited sky. Only to be met with a look from his brother who went back to talking to the princess, "Sorry about your lessons not going as great as last time, i'm sure you'll pick them up again eventually! Uh...did the girls find anything?".
"Pft, nothing i didn't know unless you count some gross mushrooms, my mom's weird, eclipsa is a creeper and everyone hates us...the usual", sky sighed and took a seat on the floor, "Also i think mel is planning on a sleepover sometime soon, so i guess expect her to show up again...". Judas was about to grumble and then sky added on, "But...she's gonna drag bernard with her...". Landon's ears twitched, "Wait, what? Why would she drag- Sky...are those two hanging out together? Wait...new kid bernard?".
"The guy with the two hair colors, piercings, and who wears sweaters in one of the hottest states ever? Yeah, that bernard...".
Landon turned more red as the smile on his brother's face spread, "Sounds like a good as time as any to hang out together". Landon's eyes only dimmed and he kept his mouth shut before he could say anything rude and get himself in more trouble. Sky shook her head, "You guys are both ridiculous...honestly...", and she laid back on the mattress, singing her feet off. "So...you sent loki off to see angel huh? Well, if queen pony shows up i guess that's two birds with one stone being grounded for life...".
"Isn't angel almost always grounded?".
"Well, Can't they ground him harder?"
"He sneaks out of his room and isn't phased by most things thrown at him...if you grounded him any harder he'd be under the underworld by now."
"hmm.."
Judas pointed a finger at her, "Hey, Don't even consider the taser next time we see him, we're not doing that again. We're lucky enough as is that didn't cause any serious problems. Only reason i'm even getting the shocker for me is cause i might need it for a real emergency if my arm comes back and i become...yeah". Which immediately sparked landon's attention, "The what now? Taser? When did you get a taser?". And sky put her hands out in front of it, "Ok, don't we got enough to talk about? I would rather...you know...we drop that one.". Landon huffed, "You tazed angel? Pft...way to go sky, that's one way of taking him down...".
"Hey, i didn't say I LIKED it! and besides...his folks didn't freak...", he eyes off to the side as judas shot her a disapproving look, "Well yeah they're nice folk but, I don't think angel DESERVES it...i kinda feel they should be a little more upset that their boy got hurt...what you did was not ok. It was too far.". Sky and Landon exchanged looks, and the pink one stepped forward "What? And risk the butterfly's bailing on them? C'mon jude, you know why they do what they do...they're too scared to do anything, you're getting paranoid again". Judas was quiet, and sky bit her lip, "Look, i'm still sorry about it ok? You don't need to bring it up...".
"No it's fine...landon's right...i'm just still tense about things, i'm sorry for fussing about it...", the room was quiet before landon spoke, breaking it. "To be honest though, angel's life probably kinda sucks, i mean...his parents think he sucks, his mom is sick, star doesn't listen to him, his people are poor, you both kinda kick him out, and does the guy even have any friends?". Sky and judas exchanged looks, "Like, not denying he kinda sucks and does stupid and bad things, it's just like...that guy has GOTTA be miserable..".
"He looked pretty upset when we saw his mom...he didn't even want to stay in the same room as her...", the girl bit her lip but still shook her head, " It's still kinda no excuse for him to be a total jerkwad though, taking your things, messing with citizens till he gets his way...thinking he can go back in time and change everything". The girl found herself pacing along the soft floor, " Like no matter what he does, he never suffers anything for it! He doesn't care about being punished and he's got his mind in the wrong place...and it's like, i can't even go outside in a dress without my mom freaking or read a spell-book without worrying and-".
"Sky?", her attention turned to judas, who looked her over curiously, "everything ok?".
That's when she fell face forward on the mattress, burying her face into it, "You guys ever get tired of sucking so much?". Judas just patted her head in amusement, "there there sky, you'll figure out these spells someday, then you can do whatever you want without your mom...". Sky simply groaned louder in response, "You really suck judas...c'mon now, i was just venting about how angel does whatever he wants and i get all punished and freaked out about..",
"Friends tease, get used to it...".
"I hate you...".
"So...anything else tonight cause we need to sleep?".
Landon yawned, "I mean, this is fun and all, but i'm gonna pass out and our parents might find out we're talking in here or something and get us in trouble...". Sky lifted up her head, "Eh, knowing your folks i'm sure they're in their room getting comfy with each other. Too busy to go sneaking around and pressing their ears against your doors...". Judas playfully lifted sky's head up more, "Ok for starters, never say that again, i would rather not think about that, and two...if you're gonna fall asleep, better it be your room...".
"Fiiinnne~", she got up and back on her feet, " It was good talking though, you better text me if anything happens...you got it?". Her friend smiled, "C'mon sky, since when do i ever not tell you anything?, only to be met with a glare. "Don't start with me Judas Lucitor-Diaz! ", Landon groaned before he took his hand out to snap and leave. "Ok losers, i'm going to bed, oh by the way sky...we're uh...we're considering getting compacts for the girls so we can all talk...K BYE!".
Landon vanished quickly and Sky's attention was drawn towards judas, "Uh...?".
He huffed at his brother before letting out a sigh, "So speaking of not always telling you everything...".
Days passed by, the long hours passing by in a breeze.
The girls were getting comfortable in their newer surroundings, getting food, sleeping in their beds, and interacting with their sudden comrades much more regularly. Well, as regular as can be when luna was not off keeping herself undercover. Kelly had seemed to take a liking to her, though finding time to talk to her was harder to come by then luna thought. As the woman would often keep her position during training or vanish off to somewhere luna couldn't know about.
No wonder janna creeps around in the place when she wasn't there, Kelly must've rarely been there in the first place.
At least on the brighter side of things she was impressing her, and no one seemed to question her too much. Which was a good sign if anything, and even lexi was under control a bit more as sunny and her seemed to spend quite a bit of time together, clearly they had hit it off. The compacts being used on a regular basis much to judas's comfort. The watch shocker he now had on his arm was making him antsy enough as is, not to mention how he hadn't heard anything on loki since he left to supposibly face angel.
As bad as loki could get at times, judas would be angry at himself if anything did happen to him on his account.
He'd probably go out and look for him, maybe ask some of the girls to help but today he found himself with his own parents, who were much more interested in talking to him about his future coronation and everything that came along with it. Which mostly consisted of decor, activities and of course...attire, but it was a big deal and judas sure wasn't going to avoid it like loki clearly wanted to. Though frankly loki was a year younger then him and at least he had more time to prepare then judas did.
His parents probably just wanted loki to have the kingdom pawned off as soon as possible so they could stop running it themselves to be honest...that or...the sooner they started preparing the less likely they'd be to forget their own son's coronation when it was time. Coronations were different for every kingdom , and how soon it was prepared mostly depended on the current royals. And no doubt those two were no "Parents of the year" with the planning skills of gods.
Though his own folks seemed more excited then anything, and judas could remember how much his father used to gush about his coronation. Talking about how beautiful it was and of course his favorite part of it, when he and marco got married shortly after. Though lucky for judas, finding a partner wasn't something he had to prioritize himself in finding for is at all. He sat in a chair as his parents started going through photo albums and shared as many ideas as they could.
The queen of the underworld, was in their prime, planning and preparation as their husband was randomly pulling out ideas every few minutes and throwing it out there. It was like marco to be prepared for everything and plan in advance, honestly they probably had been planning this day since judas was created. Judas almost wondered if the books marco was going through they made themselves in order for him to have a variety of options to choose from.
Though judas seemed more distant, and it probably wasn't because he was thinking about sky or the girls or even loki. It probably had more to do with the fact he couldn't bring himself to pay so much attention to these creative ideas when the thought of impressing the locals lingered the back of his head. When he was younger maybe he'd like some of these insane idea, like an lava filled chamber or a fancy masquerade ball, but nowadays that seemed to feel like childish fantasies that would only make him seem more unqualified as the next king.
"We could do something along the lines of mine? But maybe more retro?".
"Oh c'mon tom, i'm sure judas doesn't want to go "Retro" for his big day. Last time we tried something like that it was for one of landon's birthday parties and he looked embarrassed beyond belief.", Marco slipped another page before planting a kiss on their husband's cheek, "Don't worry, i thought it was cute...".
The human then turned to judas, "Any thoughts on what you wanna do, we gotta start planning. The sooner the better, after all no one wants to remember their coronation as some travesty.". Tom grumbled, "Ugh, no kidding, everyone in mewni is there and if you make one small mistake they never let you live it down!".
"Aw tom, but your coronation was great!", the demon grumbled though in disagreement, "Well, most of it was, but i'm still annoyed about the part where I had to enter the ancient demonic fire because everyone freaked out about how i closed my eyes! Like excuse me! I just preferred not to have the light shine in my eyes so much! But apparently if you close your eyes and squint it's the worst thing ever!". Tom grumbled again and marco hugged him, "C'mon, it was minor! And you honestly looked too good in that suit for anyone to really notice that much anyway..".
Marco's comforting touch calmed tom down fast, as per usual, and he smiled to peck his partner on the lips, "Thanks bun...". Judas coughed into his hand, his folks returning back to the process at hand, both slightly red-faced at the jist. "So yeah, well, as far as themes go...i'm not entirely sure yet...i mean, maybe i should go with something average, then i don't have to worry about people judging it or something like that..", marco frowned, "Jude, we want this event to be all about you, you should pick what you want...".
Judas shrugged, "it's just...I dunno if mine should be a ton more special, i do something traditional, less of a reason to worry about anymore issues with the kingdom right? ". His parents exchanged looks and tom bit his lip, "Jude, i mean, if you want to do something traditional we're behind you, but don't be afraid of how the world sees you ok? Your party could be dog-theme with paper plates and we'd still support it because it's you. You sure you don't have some of your own ideas?".
"Well, if i do that, i might be taking it a step too far. Don't wanna make it seem like don't appreciate tradition or anything, i want to make a good impression, don't want to go out of bounds too much you know?".
"We get it, we just don't want you to force yourself into a box just to impress these people. If you want traditional, we can do traditional, but is that what you actually want or what you think everyone else wants from you iinstead?".
Judas didn't answer and marco stepped in, walking over to their son and planting a kiss on his head, "It's ok, just tell us if you need anything with it, ok? If you want something traditional we can consider some of the ruby drapes and of course the blood bathing, those are always fan favorites..". Tom agreed, "Yeah, we can start there, for now. The basis are always a good place to stat off till we get to the bigger details after all. Er..um...maybe we can put some of your heritage in there marco? We did that for mine after all!".
Marco smiled, "That would be lovely, judas, what do you think?". Judas just nodded and his parents came to an agreement, "Judas, me and your father are gonna take care of something for a bit, you wanna pick this up later tonight? I'm sure it'll give you more time to think.". Judas seemed fine with it and he didn't protest as his folks kissed his cheeks like the embarrassing losers they were, instead smiling and slightly giggling at them as they ruffled his hair and headed out.
Maybe he needed a break, he was getting upset with himself again.
Part of him wanted to say something else to his folks but he honestly couldn't help but want to play it safe. What was the point in making your coronation perfect for "you" if the people didn't like YOU? Proving himself didn't mean going ape at parties after all, some way of proving himself if he went so far off tradition he just angered everyone. Though maybe he was pushing himself down too hard to impress these people, these people who treated him like garbage no matter what he did. Ugh, maybe he should get back on track, see if he can find loki.
It wasn't like him not to say anything for this long anyway, though angel probably wouldn't appreciate another visit by the prince.
Maybe he could send someone to check? He was a prince after all.
Though really, his first check, should be on his sisters and parents. They might have found him already and he had been too preoccupied to notice for all judas knew, and he sighed as he pulled out his compact to make a call. A green-blue pony with pink hair in a ponytail, gills, slitted eyes, a dark pink striped horns, a pink "x" marking, and headphones. Loki's first younger sister, Coral. Honestly judas was lucky to have even have been able to contact her, she spent so much time playing video games she rarely paid attention to anything else.
She used her tongue on some occasions with her gaming though this time around she had opted for using some magic to make herself same fake hands to control.
Guess she got tired of making the joystick all gross and slippery.
"Oh, hey jude.", the pony said, eyes clearly on an obvious game screen instead of facing towards the compact lying next to her.
"Coral."
"Been awhile since you called dude, I know we ain't super close but i haven't heard for you in awhile, you been busy?".
"Heh...", judas sighed, "Yeah, a bit busy, coronation plans and curses y'know...though...sadly i'm not here exactly for more friendly chit-chat this time around. Sorry about that, maybe we can play games another time but i actually have a question..".
"I bet you're here to ask about loki aren't you?", her eyes continued to never leave the screen, and judas was slightly taken aback. "How did you-", the pony interrupted him, "Because when he got home the last thing he remembered was talking to you apparently, so i figured you'd call..". Judas blinked at her, "Wait, he went home? I thought he well...I thought he went to...uh...do something else..he left a note...". The pony yelled at the screen for a second before speaking again to the demon as if she was paying close attention.
"Really, what did it say?".
"Erm...", now that judas thought about it, he kinda DID just assume loki left him a note saying he was going to confront angel . A note that was poorly written no mind, loki might've just written to him he was going home or something. Feeling embarrassed, judas was about to hang up when coral kept on speaking. "Whatever, don't worry about it, loki is fine anyways...mom just is grounding him like heck so he can't use his compact...". Judas let out a satisfied sigh before realizing this meant the queen knew who loki was with when he was in hiding.
"Wait...am I-?"
"Your folks vouched for you, mom's more upset with loki anyway so i don't think you gotta be worried about saving your own skin mate.", judas's look or annoyance was apparent and the pony laughed, "Oh lighten up a bit jude. No way your folks were gonna let their baby boy get punished for protecting a friend. Though tell me, was my brother being a pain while he was there? Because i'm sure he also did it to get out of taking care of our sister since babies gross him out..".
"Well my folks didn't tell me coral, about the loki thing...", she snorted, "Really? Mom hasn't stopped talking about it, she keeps shouting about them. Your folks just get on her nerves...as per usual...thankfully i choose to wear headphones to drown out some of it..pays to be a gamer...". Judas sighed, "i'm sorry about that...", but the pony didn't seem to mind. "Dude, ugh, trust me, no one is blaming you. Honestly loki has such a man-crush on you it's surprising mom didn't know where he was already!".
"Yeah, yeah i think loki shows that enough...", coral appeared to pause her game funny enough and then began to talk, rambling in a joking manner. "Like most of the time he pretends he's too good for most of us, but with you he's like a puppy! Like i think he's more like our parents then he cares to admit! That or...maybe he's just that sad that even he can't disagree with them on you at least. Sorry if he gave you a rough time though, he's like that ". She laughed to herself, "By the way, you wanna trade brothers mate? I will glady take m'grumpy or the plant child then Mr. "Everything is about me" anyday!".
"Pretty sure my folks have enough to handle with us as is.", judas joked back, before biting his lip in curiosity, "Hows twiler anyway?". Coral laid on her side and groaned at the boy, "Ugh, i put her to bed a little while ago cause my folks can't raise us for heck, though she really does like the bubble blower your folks got her..so that's cool i guess." She nodded to her game, "Anyways, practicing for inter-dimensional championship, you got anymore questions?".
"Oh no, just er...worried about your brother.".
"Well sadly he's not dead so i guess you're in luck, though mom's probably gonna ban him from hanging out with you at this rate.", the demon didn't look surprised, "What else is new? I'm not exactly the peak of a safe and stable prince am i?". Coral stuck her tongue out at him, "You're too hard on yourself dude, though honestly you could just embrace it at this rate. That's what i do. You should see the mewman faces i get when they call me bad names for being two different species and i tell them i could drag them underwater and drown them without a worry for myself".
"Er...think that would make things worse, mewmans had their reasons for being scared of monsters after all...", the pony sighed, "I'm only kidding jude, c'mon, we all know you get sick of being treated like garbage, gotta shoot em back a little.". Her eyes reverted back to the screen, "Anyways, i gotta new game to nail, call me when you wanna play, i'd love to kick your butt again.". Judas didn't even get a word out as the pony hung up on him, "Welp...".
At least he could breathe a little easier, direct his focus to other matters.
Like questioning his parents.
In truth, it was no surprise they handled this matter without him. But then again he was also 17 and about to be crowned, he honestly should've at least been informed so he could explain himself or something. At least he didn't seem to be in trouble.
But no doubt he needed to have the conversation about not babying him so much.
Maybe with the arm it was understandable why they were so protective and concerned, but when it came to everything else...being babied at his age probably should stop. He was an adult, he could explain himself, it honestly was worse knowing they knew and were simply running around as if nothing was wrong. He bit his lip and considered going after them to confront them, when a servant tapped the back of his shoulder and got his attention.
"Sorry prince lucitor, i'm just here to inform you of your crown and suit fitting sir? It starts in 10 minutes..."., the small demon said meakyl as the reminder pushed it's way back into the boy's brain, "Oh right! I'm sorry about that, i'll be right there!". The servant nodded and went on his way as judas started heading down another hallway, feelings the vibrations of an excited cerberus down below who was probably getting her dinner right about now.
His parents had to wait.
Back to business as usual.
"Has he called yet?!".
"No, i think he's worried i won't answer...or maybe he's still busy moving in or...whatever...", landon sat back on his bed, compact in hand. "Well, i was thinking when he picks up you can start with a joke! Like...sorry i hadn't picked up sooner but i was more focus on when i should pick YOU up first?". Landon's face was priceless, "Mason, do me a favor and never say that again...", he held his head in his hands, "Ugh, i really hope i didn't already blow it with the first guy to not think i'm a complete weirdo...".
"Aw, landon, you're a totally COOL weirdo!", the pink demon wanted to face palm so hard but held the urge in, "Thanks mason...uh...how are the plants?". Mason's wings folded in behind him, once in awhile moving to stretch a little as he spoke. Though he had to be careful he didn't hit landon with them by mistake as it was common he broke things with them around the castle. "Oh my plants are ok, i gave some of them a good ole watering but i think i'm gonna need to go to mewni and get em some treats."
"Ugh, your plants aren't like lucy mason...", but mason smiled, "But they're growing so well! Plus they like it more when you give them treats! And a happy plant is always a healthier plant!". Landon wanted to grumble about how plants didn't have feelings but he was pretty sure if he said something mason wouldn't listen anyway so he moved on. "look mason, you REALLY don't have to help me, i'm sure you got like...mud to mess with or...something..", but the younger demon persisted, leaning against his older brother.
"Aw, but i wanna see you go on a dattteeee~", the demon whined, a wing wrapping around landon and pulling him in. "I'm your super duper WING MAN, i'm the ladybug to your garden, the bee to your flower, the-", landon coughed, "Ok, you made your point...look it's just, you guys are getting super weird about me having a crush. Like, can't i do anything on my own or something?". Mason's wing fell, "What's wrong with us being happy and excited for you?".
"Nothing! It's just...you guys are making me feel weird about it, like, when he calls...just...let me talk ok?", mason nodded, moving away from him. He swung his feet off the bed, "I like our new guests, the girls, they seem really fun!". Landon tensed up a bit as he spoke, "Yeah, they seem fine or whatever.". Mason glanced over to him before leaping off the bed, "I miss us having guests, you think the girls would play any games with us while they're here?".
"No, i'm sure they're busy...", landon said quickly, "Like, doing other things...". Mason bit his lips, "Well sunny seems like she likes to have fun! We should all play some games together! I mean, what do you think they're even gonna be busy doing..?". Landon crossed his arms, "I dunno, they're guests, they probably are...getting to know the castle or are hanging out with the skeleton horses or something.". He didn't mean to sound so rude, he just didn't want his younger brother getting close enough to them to be suspicious.
"C'mon landonnnnn..", he felt the small demon pinch his cheeks, "Don't be such a grumpy grump!".
"I'll be as grumpy as i please dude...", landon snorted when he felt his compact buzz, he almost dropped the compact. He swore under his breath for a second before staring at mason, "Pretend you didn't hear that and never say it aloud in front of anybody, got it?". Mason nodded and landon fumbled to open the compact, "Ok uh...so he's calling...ok..I..I can do this...I-". Mason immediately pressed the green button, much to landon's horror.
"MASON!"
"What? It was gonna cut to voicemail!"
"Um...hi?"
Landon froze until mason pushed him a little and urged him to speak up, "Hi? Uh...sorry, my brother is here...". The human's voice came from the other side perfectly, though there was no video, "Oh? Oh, i'm sorry, are you busy? I was told you were free around this time so i wanted to try around this time to make sure i didn't miss you and-". Landon blurted out, "What? No no no, it's fine, i'm sorry about that..uh...yeah no, it's good to hear from you again...uh...hows moving in?".
"Oh, well i'm getting pretty well adjusted, uh, i think everyone at the school is getting used to me and your grandfolks have been lovely. Er, how have you been doing?", landon shifted in his seat, his brother urging him to continue talking. "Oh it's...my life's not all that exciting, you know...just playing my violin and prince stuff." Bernard paused for a moment but spoke again, "Don't think that way, i'm sure anything is more exciting then doing as much work as i have to do.".
"School?"
"Well yes, and magic silly, i still haven't stopped practicing y'know? I think i'm getting better at slight of hand". Landon smiled as if remembering something fondly before speaking, and mason was making a happy face as he watched. "Oh? That's cool dude, Oh...I uh...sorry we didn't talk sooner, i guess maybe i thought you didn't want to talk again.", then he realized what he said and backtracked as fast as he could, "Not that you probably didn't want to! I was just sure you'd make other friends and were gonna be too busy..".
"Why be friends with a bunch of highschoolers when i can be friends with the prince who burst through fire in front of my house?", landon laughed, "Er...sorry about that still, mom tells my dad we might accidentally hit someone's car doing something like that but he's kinda flashy sometimes.". The boy on the other end laughed with him, "Hey, i'd honestly probably do the same thing if i had the option, sounds way more fun then taking the bus to school.".
Mason's wings fluttered as he clung to his brother's shirt, eyes begging as he whispered, "Ask him out...".
"SHHHHHH", the pink demon ushered to the small boy before diverting his attention back to the phone.
"Grump!"
Landon pushed him away, "So, I was thinking, maybe we could start hanging out some more...like, when you're not busy or whatever.". The human snorted, "Well as long as my folks are fine with me spending time in the fiery depths of hell that should be no issue at all.". Landon was smiling, a rare thing for most people, but seeing him happy was always a treat. He did it, he actually did it, he worked up the nerve to do something. The boys talked for a half an hour longer as mason fell asleep next to his brother.
He hadn't remembered the last time he'd been comfortable talking to someone like this, it felt so natural. Everyone complained about how quiet and distant he was all the time but talking here just felt safe, he knew the person on the other line wasn't going to judge him. Bernard seemed so strange in his own respect that landon could bond with him on it, plus he was being way too nice to someone as distant and snarky as landon could be sometimes.
Why anyone would make such an effort to be his friend was beyond him.
And yet, here they were.
Landon didn't even want to hang up, but knowing he'd speak to his new friend again seemed to have put a spring in his step for the rest of the day as he watched his younger brother sleep. Memories flooding back to them mason was still a baby and landon was only 2 years old. He was not all that liked when he was THAT young either when he thought about it. Though he and judas had been in a habit of accidentally waking their younger brother up during naptime.
How was mason still adorable 13 years later?
He mumbled in his sleep, making his older brother smile despite how frustrated he had been.
"Love you..."
Landon pulled one of his nicest covers over the boy, planting a small kiss on his forehead.
"Love you too...".
