Last time on Green Canter... Maiden. Green Maiden.
Blossom/Bell/Bubbles - OI, FIGHT MEH, MATE!
Butch - (singing) Is it over yet? Can I open my eyes? Is this as hard as it gets? Is this what it feels like to really cry?
BC - Oh God, I'm Catching Feelings!
Brick/Boomer/Blare - LOL get rekt.
And now back to Green Maiden.
Breach of the Barrier
The village pressed on as per usual, as if the world hadn't shattered for one family. But it had. Where there was once laughter, there was now tears and grief and anger. When once, the house was full and loud with girlish bickering and shrieks, now silence prevailed with an empty room that no one dared go into besides her. Rose sat in this room, day in and out, weeping bitter tears as she clung to an old, weathered green blanket that once brought comfort to a miserable younger cousin.
A beloved younger cousin who suffered greater than any girl should. A cousin who was ostracized for reasons so superficial. Rose used to believe some of the reasons had merit and that, one day, Buttercup would acknowledge them.
What young lady enjoyed sword fighting to needlework?
What good did it do to come home covered in dirt from fights?
What beautiful girl worried more about being a samurai than finding a good husband?
Now, Rose simply wished that she had Buttercup's strength. The mere idea that her cousin, more selfless and brave than anyone she had ever known, had died a death so cruelly... It made her stomach rot.
She hated this place.
She hated the people, who looked at her family with a pitying gaze when Buttercup's blood was on their hands.
She hated this place.
She hated the fact that her father had to work, pounding and folding steel for the swords meant for these human monsters who killed his beloved niece. His daughter. Her sister.
She hated this place.
She hated walking the paths with a baby sister, who still wailed and moaned at night for their sister to chase away the monsters of her dreams. The monsters inspired by the evil in this village.
She.
Hated.
Her.
The harlot that held herself like royalty. The demon girl who looked upon their family with soft, sympathetic words while her eyes convayed laughter and taunting messages.
"It was I who was meant to die, but your sister took my place! Lucky me, don't you think?"
"If she hadn't wailed, my body would be nothing but dragon scat!"
"Doesn't it sting, that I get to live while Buttercup had to die?"
Oh, Rose hated Himeko. She hated her with the passion of a bloodthirsty wolf. She wished only for Himeko to wail and scream again while that dragon stood before her, ready to clamp it's massive jaws around her rotten, little neck.
"...ose? Rose!" Her head snapped up, as her eyes, once a beautiful and bright brown, now dim like mud, stared at Lily. Lily stood there, worry across her face as she took in the sight of her bitter older sister. Rose had changed drastically.
Once she was demure and elegant, now she was sour and surly. She snarled at all who crossed her path, a feature most were shocked by. Her face was continually in a state of negativity. She either glared or wailed or had the most deathly look. She was like a snake, eyes dull until she struck, sinking venomously into the ears of the village. Their father did nothing to correct her, having lost all strength after Buttercup was ripped away from them. So Rose was free to hiss and bite as she pleased.
Oh, Lily tried so hard. She begged for her to stop before hatred made her heart bitter. But to no avail, as then Rose would hiss slowly at her.
She'd remind her of the horrors Buttercup probably went through.
She told her of the heartbreak of a little seven-year-old Buttercup, newly orphaned and isolated, by a village who cared only of themselves.
And Lily felt bitterness sting her mouth like poison as it seeped into her heart.
Lily hated this place too.
She especially hated Itsuki, who had the gall to stand in front of their house and apologize to their father for doing "what had to be done".
She hated how Itsuki had the nerve to come and inquire if Rose had accepted any marriage proposals yet.
Her father hated him too. So much, in fact, he threatened to kill him, Himeko, and himself should Itsuki ever come for Rose's hand again.
"What is it, Lily?" Even though she was seething in grief fueled anger, Rose's voice remained soft.
"Rose, we have no more rice for dinner...we've run out." That was no good. Buttercup generally bought the rice because the farmer's son had feelings for her.
Little good that did her cousin.
Rose got to her feet and shuffled to the door, dropping the blanket as Lily waited. "Stay here and watch the house. I'll be back soon." She walked along to fetch the horse, than rode it to the market. The sky was darkening a vibrant orange and red hue, with dark blue following to present the night. Stars had begun to fully show off their glow, one at a time. The horse lumbered along, Rose grumbling internally as more and more villagers passed.
All moved out of her way.
Finally, she reached the market where the booth that sold her father's favorite rice was being sold. The farmer's son - she didn't bother learning his name - gave her a wary smile as he produced a ready made sack of rice. "...You...always ran out sooner..."
"We had four people to feed... Now that demons have killed one of us, it lasts longer... I would rather go hungry, though." He nodded.
"That dragon is pure evil...My uncle lives on a sea side coast and he says that there lives a dragon that swims faster than any ship, but it almost never attacks their town. Only ships that get too close to its lair. I wonder why this one is different."
"I wasn't talking about the dragon." He fell quiet, knowing that if he tried to comfort her or defend the village's actions, Rose would attack him with spiteful words.
Before this whole ordeal, many thought Buttercup was the most vengeful of the Tennoji family. She never allowed herself to truly be bullied, she did not take disrespect quietly, and she had no qualms fighting with her fists. Rose was the quiet girl, the perfect wife. She stayed mainly at home, only leaving with Buttercup or her father. She enjoyed tea ceremonies and writing haikus.
But after Buttercup's death, Rose revealed her thorns.
All sharp and dripping with poison.
"You've finally come out, I wondered if you would see anyone today," a voice that made her heart clench in disgust rang shrilly in her ears. Rose slowly turned, eyes dark, as Himeko approached. Her kimono was made of silk and it... Was...
Light green.
With yellow buttercups embroidered into it.
Rose felt bile crawl up her throat as she took in the sight of her.
"I wore this in memory of your cousin's sacrifice. It is thanks to her that we lived through that night."
She hated her.
"I know you are angry, Rose, but let's not let her death divide our village. Instead, it should strengthen us," a crowd was listening to this... This... Harlot speak. "We've lived in fear of this monster for too long. For generations, it has plagued us. Now, no more!"
She hated her.
"My father, Shirogane Itsuki-"
She hated her.
"-is gathering forces to end this. Tennoji Buttercup will be the last senseless death! He is sending out requests to other shogun and lords! His hand is even stretching outside of Japan! Once his forces are complete, he will end that dragon and we shall be freed!" The village cheered, some wept. Rose felt her hands tighten into fists.
She hated her.
Himeko turned to her, "so, Rose, know that we - your village - will avenge your family's loss. Don't let that dragon make your heart bitter. We will avenge-"
She hated her.
"-your sister."
CRACK!
With a scream, Himeko fell to the ground, her nose and mouth spewed blood. Teeth lay on the ground. Men rushed forward, holding Rose back as she screamed in wrath. "AVENGE HER, SHE SAYS! THIS HARLOT, THIS DEMON, THIS BEAST! THIS MONSTER CLAIMS THAT SHE'LL AVENGE MY SISTER WHEN IT WAS HER FAMILY AND ALL OF YOU WHO SENT HER TO THE GRAVE!"
Himeko stared with wide eyes. No one had ever hit her before. Rose had a savage look in her eyes.
"YOU ALL DID THIS TO HER! SHE DIED BECAUSE OF HIMEKO WHEN SHE ONCE SAVED YOUR LIFE! DEMON! MONSTER! BEAST! HARLOT! MY FAMILY WILL NEVER BE AVENGED, NOT UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD!" They began to drag her away. "SO GO! BOW TO HER SHRINE AND BEG FOR HER TO WELCOME YOU, BECAUSE I SWEAR ON BUTTERCUP'S GRAVE, I WILL AVENGE HER BY KILLING YOU!" Himeko stared at her with eyes the size of saucers. She had never seen such hatred before. It shook her core.
They dragged Rose back home. Her father had her locked in her room.
She hated this village. She hated Shirogane Himeko the most.
"Hey, give that back!"
"No way, I wanna see it!"
"Black, that isn't yours."
"But Big Sister, Lady Bell was hogging it!"
"Well, it's mine! Now hand it over before I bite your tail!"
"Moooooou..." Black handed Bell the mirror she had been looking into when Black had stolen it. Buttercup was still on bedrest, but had been pleasantly surprised when Butch came and announced that, once Bubbles let her out of bed, she wouldn't be confined to the room.
"I had reacted a bit hastily. Let's just agree to not repeat the incident, okay?" But, until then, Buttercup was confined to the bed. Bubbles chuckled from the other side while she played a game of Go* with Blossom. The dragon empress sighed.
"Black, don't be naughty. My, it's like Butch's punishment for her is mostly affecting us." She rolled her eyes humorlessly.
"Oh, Blossom, don't be so sour," in the short time they'd known each other, Buttercup and Blossom's had become almost like the best of friends. It was already to the point where they bickered endlessly. Buttercup smiled as Black bothered Bell by pulling on her kimono until the white dragoness snapped lightly at her. "You're not young forever, you know. I'm going to miss the days when she's like this."
"Oh, don't worry. You'll get fifty more years to have her like this." Buttercup nodded, then froze as she processed Bubbles' words.
"Ummm... Fifty years? She'll be sixty by then." They looked at her before Blossom groaned.
"I suppose it's right to assume that Butch didn't explain how dragons age?"
"I assumed it was like everything else, but I get the distinct feeling that I am wrong." Bell giggled.
"Well, ten years by a human's standard is the equivalent to one dragon year. So, in dragon years, Black is ten. In human years, she is one hundred years old." Buttercup stared at the youngest dragoness in shock. She nodded happily.
"Wait... Then how old are all of-"
"In dragon years? I'm twenty-two. In human years, I am two hundred and twenty years old." Bell flicked her hair, "And we're all still considered young." Blossom sighed.
"It's not polite to ask, but I am two hundred and fifty in human years."
"And I'm actually eighty-five." Buttercup stared at Bubbles, who seriously looked no older than fifteen.
"Okay, those two I get, but... Bubbles, I thought you were human."
"I am."
"Then how!?" The blonde girl's face broke into a bright red shade while Bell snickered.
"Ummmm... Well... I... "
"I'll tell you. It's because -MMPH!" Blossom, cheeks flaming, had pounced on Bell and covered her mouth. She looked at Buttercup while the white dragon struggled against her, muffled protests filling the room.
"This conversation took a scandalous turn. Let's change the subject."
"But-"
"Perhaps," Bubbles interrupted as her cheeks burned, "you should ask Butch! He can explain it much better than we can."
"...Fine, I'll drop it... For now."
"Thank you," Blossom glared at Bell, "and not one word from you."
Once allowed to speak again, Bell grumbled. "Fine... What a pair of killjoys." She shuffled over to Buttercup, "but I'm much more interested in your story, Buttercup. Butch never really went into specifics on how he met you."
"Eh, it's a long story."
"Please, Buttercup, my cheeks hurt. Maybe a story will help me calm down." A soft knock on the door revealed Brick. All, save for Buttercup, stood and bowed.
"Hello, ladies. Sorry to interrupt, but I have important matters that involve you, My love. Then we have to get ready to leave. Pressing engagements," Blossom smiled softly and went to him, looping a hand around his outstretched arm. She looked back at Buttercup's, smiling wryly.
"Looks like I'll have to hear that story some other time. Perhaps when you come for tea." The way she said it made Buttercup realize that it was no request, but a polite order. She sighed and nodded.
"I look forward to seeing you again." Brick nodded respectfully at her before leaving with his wife. Bell and Bubbles sat back down at turned to Buttercup, who groaned. "Well...one night, when I was younger..."
"And what was so important that you dragged me away. Not that I'm not used to you taking me as you see fit," her cheeky tone made Brick chuckle. Many saw Blossom as a pristine example of poise, grace, and dignity.
In reality, she was just as savage and wild as he was, often going to to toe with him in all aspects of life. She was not his subordinate, but his complete equal. Without Blossom, Brick was incomplete. His quick temper made him bloodthirsty, his lust for battle overpowered his thoughts, he became the monster most of the world and his subjects knew he could be. Blossom was like his anchor, reminding him to think calmly, act rationally, and realize that millions relied on him to lead them in a way that led to prosperity... Not pain.
The opposite was the same. Without Brick, Blossom found no passion. After years of being forced to withhold her anger, to put others above her own happiness, to always agree to the often male perspective, Blossom had lost her own passion for life. Like a doll, she spoke when spoken to, stepped where she was told, and liked what was proper. Brick took her dying flames and ignited him with his own. He angered her, irked her, and drew out her lust for competition. He reminded her that she was no doll to be owned, proved to her that she was a queen that conquered lands, and gave her the realization that she would not be satisfied sitting in a dragon's territory as a living part of his horde.
Her parents hated him and he had never spoken of his own family, but Blossom would never stray from Brick's side. And he would never treat her as anything less than his Queen. His Empress.
His Goddess.
"Butch has called an emergency meeting, he requested you specifically."
"It must be important for him to brave the chance of your jealousy by asking for me by name." Brick scoffed.
"That fool is so taken with his new maiden, I'm not threatened in the slightest."
"And I believe Buttercup is exactly what he needs. Butch has been alone too long, Brick, he has gone on unchallenged for too long a while."
"Are you suggesting that I challenge my best general?"
"No, he'd sooner back down than fight you on a duel. But she poses such a challenge to him, one that he has lusted after ever since that swine of a girl, Reina."
"It's not good to speak ill of the dead, My Love," they turned a corridor, "especially if they are our host's late wife."
"Does that mean you speak well of my father late friend?"
"He was a senile fool to think you'd choose him over me... Alright, I concede."
"Reina was selfish girl who thought herself above us. Buttercup is not, I can see it. She says she wants to return home, but I see it in her eyes. I see the same loneliness I see in Butch's eyes." Blossom smiled, "I approve the union wholeheartedly. And you?"
"Of course. The yokai clans will be much more satisfied when Butch takes a wife permanently. I've grown tired of receiving so many offers for him, as if I could sway him." They stopped a little ways away from the door.
"Let me guess... Brute?"
"Your deduction skills never cease to amaze."
"That fox and her sisters will never wed any of you, I have worked too hard to ensure that."
"Boomer thanks you for that."
"Speak to Butch, the wedding must go on. I will handle Buttercup, once she realizes that Butch is her soulmate, she will thank me." Blossom grinned before putting on a neutral expression, matching Brick's as they entered the room. Butch, Boomer, and Blare sat in a semi circle. The two rulers sat side by side, Blossom tucked her feet beneath her legs.
"Sorry to speak about business on an occasion where I offered pleasure." Blare quirked up a grin before it disappeared.
"Well, if you hadn't done something inhospitable, I would have thought you were replaced by a changeling." Boomer snickered while Butch threw Blare an playful scowl from across the circle.
"I suppose there's a reason you requested Blossom as well? I hated to get her. Your new maiden seemed to getting along fine with her." Butch smiled at Blossom, who returned it, before he produced a large map.
The map showed the entire Eastern and Northern Hemisphere Hemispheres, with sections divided with coloued ink. The largest section was divided by crimson in Japan, with smaller sections dotting areas in China and Russia. The red ink also accompanied ink that was coloured pink, curling around it like a protective barrier. These pink-red sections dotted various forests in Japan, as well as wooded areas in the Celtic regions. The second largest section was located in India, circled by dark green ink. Matching sections were located in Japan and Australia. After that, a section of black ink circled various spots in Australia and Austria, as well as Japan. Next, dark blue section dotted the coasts between the mainland of Japan and Okinawa. There were numerous dark blue sections alongside the Australian coastline, the South African coastline, and a select few in the North African coast. Lastly, silvery ink separated sections dotting in Saudi Arabia, India, Madagascar, and a select few in Northern America. These silvery lines, much like the pink ones, were accompanied by black ink.
A dotted black line separated the hemispheres and bright red dots were scattered across the Northern Hemisphere while only a scant few were in the Eastern. All of the dragons' irises became slits as they all stared at the map that indicated each of their territories. They were not the only dragons in the world, far from it, but they were the ones with the most territory. Other dragons had to protect one or two territories or pay homage to them to live within their territory. They ruled their world as fairly as they could, but this map showed the true extent of their reach.
"As you know, I recently had an encounter with a basilisk. The second one in two years." Butch marked the spot in the Northern Woods were Buttercup had been attacked in red. Absentmindedly, Butch remembered that it was only miles away from the nearest village.
"I'm still amazed Lady Buttercup survived... And she's sure that she has no clue how she didn't die instantly," Blare had not believed that when he was told.
"Positive."
"If anything, this shouldn't be a problem. Basilisks have gotten in before, it's simply a matter of dealing with them before they weaken the barrier," Boomer said, crossing his arms as he watched the map carefully. More specifically, he focused on his own territories. This was a simple, ordinary map, so there was no way for any of them to disappear. But instinct demanded her keep an eye on the lines that indict what was his.
"That's the issue. Once Butch told me... I had believed that we had been invaded by three now." Boomer, Brick, and Blossom forcibly tore their eyes off the map and looked at Blare.
"What do you mean, Blare," Brick hissed. Blossom hissed at him. There was no need to snap at him. Blare looked at the emperor coolly.
"A few weeks ago, before Bell and I set out for Butch's palace, we stumbled upon it. It had attacked a caravan and we began to engage it." Blare pointed to the Southern end of one of his territories in Japan as Butch marked it, "However, it got away before I could land a killing blow. We continued to search and put our territory on high alert, but there was no sign of it. It had been injured, so we began to think that it had died from its wounds. But it appears that it was not the case." Blare sighed, "I apologize for not alerting you all. My mind has been on other matters."
"We understand, Blare. We're dragons, not humans. We don't expect perfection." Blossom smiled gently at the boulder dragon, who nodded appreciatively. Boomer sighed, dragging his hand down his safe.
"If that basilisk was here for weeks, that alone will mess with the barrier." Butch groaned, "and so close to my wedding too."
"And winter! I'll be so lethargic, those worms with crawl right over me," Boomer whined. Brick chuckled.
"Don't tell me you forgot the last time one got into your coasts during winter. You slaughtered it, then fell asleep next to it.".Boomer shrugged.
"And I woke up smelling like whale sh-"
"Perhaps the mirror has already repaired the damage done? After all, it does so for every infestation," Blossom tapped her chin. "I could recharge it while I'm here." Brick snarled, smoke coming from his mouth. Blossom raised an eyebrow at him, causing him to calm down.
"Out of the question, especially in your condition."
"Brick, it's only been a week."
"Regardless." The other dragons looked at them in question. "Family business, boys."
"Keeping secrets, are we, Emperor Brick?"
"Empress Blossom, do you not trust us?"
"Not in the slightest, Butch."
"Okay, ouch." They chuckled before returning to the matter at hand. "I think it's best we all return to our territories immediately. The wedding won't commence until Buttercup has recovered, that will be at least three weeks." Brick nodded.
"I agree. We'll all return tonight, and keep vigil over the designated hot spots. By the time you and Buttercup are officially married, the barrier will have naturally-" Pink eyes were rolled, "-repaired itself. Any other incidents will be reported to me immediately...if the barrier is severely weakened... We will prepare for war." The group nodded and Butch rolled the map up.
Night fell and Buttercup, once again, found herself entertaining Black alone. Blossom had stopped by before leaving to formally say goodbye and to let Bell and Bubbles know that their husbands were hoping to leave tonight.
"Oh, I had hoped to stay a little bit longer. I rarely get to see you all and I really wanted to spend more time with you, Buttercup." Bubbles had sighed.
"Ahhhhhhhhh, the long suffering of a devoted wife! To be tragically separated from my newest friend! You will come visit, right?" Bell had whined. But, in the end, the two wished her well (with a firm warning to stay in bed, from Bubbles) and departed with their husbands. Of course, Blare made sure to also bid her farewell and Boomer once again extended an invitation to his territory.
All in all, Buttercup liked Butch's friends. They were quirky and lively and distracted her from the loneliness she felt. Bell was bratty and over confident, but she was cheerful and kind. Bubbles was a bit of a crybaby, but also gentle and sweet. Blossom was bossy and a know-it-all, but she was loyal and benevolent. Blare was socially distant, but also a good listener and opened up the longer she spoke to him. Boomer was shy and a bit of an airhead, but he was so friendly and always smiling. And Brick was cocky and demanding, but Buttercup could see why he was the emperor. He was intelligent and truly cared for his friends and subjects.
She was sad to see them go.
Black smiled up at her sadly, "it's always so quiet when they leave, huh?"
"It is... I forgot what it's like being surrounded by so many people... Hey, Black, why doesn't Butch have more people around?" Black shrugged.
"Fear. Big Brother is known for being a brutal opponent in battle. I guess people expect him to be that way personally too..." Black smiled sadly, "but he's actually really lonely... Ever since Big Sister Reina died..."
"Reina...?" Black blinked.
"Promise you won't tell?"
"Promise," the little dragoness stayed quiet before speaking in a hushed whisper.
"I don't know what happened, really. Just that, one day Big Brother let her go home to visit her family. When he went to pick her up, he didn't come back until late the next evening... Covered in blood. She never came back and he refused to see anyone. I wasn't allowed to enter his room, but one day I crept down the corridor..." Black looked down, tears threatening to fall, "...I... I just wanted to see him... But... I heard him crying... He sounded like he was dying... And he kept asking... Why didn't she love me...?" Butch's face flashed in Buttercup's memory. His eyes when she told him that she'd rather die than marry him. His face when he held her after she collapsed. The look he gave her when he saw her lying in a puddle of her own blood.
Even the way he held her hand yesterday felt different.
Like someone trying so hard not to break down.
"Big Sister Reina was mean. She acted all cheerful and kind, but she couldn't even give Big Brother the time of day. She acted like... Like we were monsters... Even though Big Brother loves her and did everything she asked... I hate her... But that's why I like you, Big Sister... At least you don't pretend to love Big Brother."
"Black, I-"
"I know you don't. Big Brother was an idiot and stole you away. But there's nothing worse than pretending to care about someone who truly loves you. At least you're nice enough to make sure Big Brother knows you don't want to marry him, instead of letting him think you love him." Black sat up straighter, "Big Brother's coming! Remember, I didn't say anything." Buttercup could only nod as she thought about what Black said.
Is she really being kind to Butch by not loving him?
The aforementioned dragon came in with a tray of ramen and some tea. "Again? Black, it's late."
"Oh, but I wanted to play more!"
"No, you've been skipping out on your lessons too much lately. Bed. Now."
"But what if Big Sister needs me?"
"She'll be fine." Buttercup watched as Butch and Black argued. They were less like brother and sister and more like... Her eyes widened.
Is... Butch her father?
"I just had a good idea!"
"Bedtime is a good idea."
"Big Brother should give us a puppet show!" Buttercup looked at her, stuffing ramen in her mouth. Butch's face turned bright red.
"T-that's only for when you're sick, Black!" Tar trotted inside, dragging a box full of clothe puppets. Where has she been? "Tar, I have told you to stay out of my study!"
"Tar doesn't like Emperor Brick."
"Still! And again, that's only for when you are sick!" Buttercup smirked slyly.
"I'm sick."
"You're injured, there's a difference."
"Not a big one."
"Buttercup, this is just a plot for her to stay u-"
"PUPPET SHOW! PUPPET SHOW!"
"Puppet show! Puppet show!"
"Nyar! Nyaow! Nyar! Nyaow!" With all three of them chanting, Butch groaned and grabbed the puppets.
"Fine! Only one, though," the girls cheered as Butch folded his legs and put on two of the puppets. One looked like it was a colorful farmer while the other was a pretty maiden with a red ball. Black snuggled next to Buttercup and Tar laid on her feet, all six eyes watching him. "...Once upon a time, there lived a poor farmer who loved a pretty milk maid..." The show turned from one to two and then three as Butch told the story of a farmer's quest for the perfect gift to give to a pretty maid after she had lost her ball. Then he told a silly story about a mouse who went all around the kingdom, searching for a magical button. After that, he told a story about a gorgeous princess who discovered silk. Black fell asleep during that one, but Buttercup watched as he acted out voices and told jokes. "She's finally asleep. Ugh, I spoil her."
Buttercup chuckled, "I was wondering...you act more like her father than her brother... Is she...?"
"No... To be honest, Black is an orphan herself. I found her wondering the woods when she was one. Her parents...they stumbled across hunters in India..." Buttercup gasped, staring down at the slumbering girl who was, by dragon standards, a child. "She was so weak and scared, she almost died. I couldn't leave her, so I adopted her as my sister. When she's old enough, she'll gain one of my territories and I'll pass along a bit of my horde to her. But right now, I just want her to enjoy being a child."
"...She adores you, so I guess you're doing a good job." Butch snorted.
"Not really. She's seen every one of my marriages fail. She's been promised a big sister, only to be let down. Her and Tar... Before I met you... I considered giving up."
"What...?" Butch nodded, leaning back on his hands. A dazed look was in his eyes as he thought back to that time.
"I get lonely, so that's a big part of why I want a wife... But it's also... Black will be a teenager soon... I assume you were told how we age?"
"More or less... Though no one elaborated on how Bubbles looks so good at eighty-five." Butch chuckled, grinning at her mischievously.
"That's a conversation for our wedding night, Joji."
"What are... Do not tell me it has something to do with...THAT." He smirked, "you pervert. No wonder Bubbles And Blossom looked ready to die."
"Yes. You'll be happy to know Blossom chewed me out for not explaining... But back to Black, she'll be one hundred and fifty in human years... To most dragons, she'll be available to mate."
"...Dear God, no."
"I'll kill them if they get too close, of course."
"Please do."
"But she's going to need a mother figure then."
"And you think I'm a mother figure? Butch, I broke a man's arm just for grabbing mine." He chuckled before standing, collecting the puppets and Black, alongside Tar, before responding.
"Well, Joji. That just tells me you're the woman for the job."
"...Goodnight, Pervert." He paused in the doorway.
"Good night, Harpy."
Go* - A traditional Japanese board game. Also known as the Japanese version of chess.
Okay, so we are getting a little deeper here. We got to see what's up in the village and it looks like it is getting bad there. The Shiroganes are planning something and Rose is losing her mind. However, if you thought I liked having Prin-I mean-spirited Himeko knocked the fudge out, I will let you know right now that violence is never the answer.
It is, however, an option.
Oh, it felt kinda good writing that part. I was so tempted to use stronger language because that would better portray Rose's thoughts, but this is Rated T. Any who, we will be seeing more of the Shiroganes. Also we'll probably get two more baddies in one this because bad things come in threes. We also got to see Buttercup interact with the girls and we got to see Brick and Blossom be cute with each other. There's going to be a change in their relationship than what I had before. I'm just gonna say it.
Before their relationship was a train wreck.
I alluded to the idea that Blossom cheated on Brick and that was their major problem. And I seriously planned on making them have a baby to fix it. I was so young and naïve. Now that I have actually witnessed the damage that happens when someone is unfaithful to their partner, I understand how unrealistic that is. Even with a baby, an act of betrayal like that is like a nuclear bomb. Is it possible to rebuild the relationship?
Yes.
Is it easy?
No.
Will a baby make it easier?
NOPE.
And plus, looking back at it... That's really out of Blossom's character. I could see Brick doing it (not in this story, but canon-wise), but Blossom is nothing if not loyal. In the show, she gets up, no matter the time, to save Townsville. She risks her neck for those she loves. And is driven by her sense of duty, even if she doesn't like it. Personally, I cannot see her cheating on someone, even if she doesn't want to be in the relationship. So, there's going to be a different obstacle. I'm not sure what it is yet, but it's going to be much more realistic.
Besides, who would want to cheat on Brick? He's awesome.
Brick- Truer words have never been spoken.
Black - Next time, Big Brother and Big Sister bond and we meet a really creepy guy who likes much girls younger than he is!
BC-... What!?
Jinnoya. The dude who had your family killed.
BC-THAT'S NOT ANY BETTER.
Boomer - See you next time. And no, Black, finish the tacos you have.
Black- Awwwwww...