"Marshall? Marshall Lee?" Marshall glanced over the hanging clock and cussed. 4 pm. Still night in his skewed view of time. He swore angrily under his breath, slouching off the couch and flinging the door open to stand in the open doorway in nothing but his dark denim jeans.
His chest lurched as he saw it was Fionna. Five years had passed since the night of the ball, and the young heroine had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. She held herself well, none of this prissy princess junk, and she didn't slouch like a troll either. She just… was. And Marshall was painfully aware of this fact.
At the moment though, she looked rather disheveled. Her hat was listing to the side, covering her face with an ear, skirt and shirt torn in multiple places and a shoe was missing. There were dirt and grass stains on clothes and skin alike and he couldn't help the grey flush on his cheeks at the sight of some particular tears.
His eyes flashed up to hers. "Hello, Fionna. Need of some assistance?"
Fionna's heart made a strange little tip ta tip at Marshall's predatory smile. She pulled her bangs nervously and glared at him. "I just need to wash up Marshall, you were the closest here, if I could, I would've gone somewhere else. Can I borrow a towel?" His only reply was a quick smirk.
Then he turned around and gestured that she should follow. Glancing back at her, he saw Fionna hesitate, on the brink of darkness. Caught between the light of day and the grim shadows of his home. It stirred something deep inside him, but Marshall simply shook it off as she followed quickly.
"So where's your protective friend?" Marshall's voice was muffled by the stack of towels he just grabbed from a closet. The thick plush towels rose above his face, hiding the intense blush that had covered his face ever since she decided it would be a good idea to pull off her shirt in his Glob darned living room.
"Cake? Oh, she's out with Lord Mocro." Fionna was staring at a painting on the wall when he entered, bunny hat on the floor next to her shirt. Tossing her a towel, Marshall retreated back to his room, looking for something she could wear.
"Interesting. And Gumball?" he handed her a plaid shirt, keeping his eyes focused on the wall behind her head.
She looked at him, and for a quick second time froze, like it did five years ago for Marshall.
His black hair, fine as spider silk fell carelessly into his eyes. Coal black, deep as the pits of the Night-o-Sphere, framed by thick eyelashes. Thin lips pressed into an even thinner line. His jaw curved up under his ear and his neck disappeared past the collar of his shirt to the land beyond the four corners of the map. Here there be dragons…
Her eyes almost continued traveling downwards when a cold breeze sifted through the window and chilled her to the bone.
"Heeey baby cakes…"
A woman soared through the open window to land behind Fionna. She then proceeded to shove Fionna to the side and walked over to Marshall. "So cutey, what're we doin' tonight?" She rested her small hands on his lower back and he stiffened. A scowl arched over his face quickly and he whirled around, grabbing the woman's wrists. Fionna made as if to shank the sorceress in the side but Marshall acted first, a roar filling the small space.
"I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF HERE ASHLEY."
Marshall's figure grew, darkening, long black tendrils of smoke wafting from his body. Enormous fangs ripped through his gums, each one as big as Peppermint Maid. Marshall's eyes glowed bright green, hungry and merciless. Huge bat wings flared out across the room, which grew black with the Vampire King's angry aura.
Fionna fell back against the wall, crouching away from him. Terror seeped from the air and into her heart. She'd never seen him like this. Sure he had gone monster before, but never like this.
As for Ashley, she had been terrified at first, but quickly got a grip on herself, scoffing at his anger.
"Oh, puh-lease¬ Marshall, I've seen goldfish scarier than that." She crossed her arms over his claws, puffing her hair out of her eyes.
He glared at her for a few more seconds, and then glanced at Fionna, his chest aching at her terrified form. Sighing he morphed back down, shoving Ashley away. "Just get out, Ashley." Marshall went over to Fionna ignoring a fuming Ashley.
He carefully picked her up, lips brushing her forehead tenderly. Her eyes were glazed over with the Terror, her whole body shaking.
He frowned gently. This was bad. Very bad. And Ashley still stood behind him. "I said leave, Ashley."
She stomped her foot angrily and gestured a hex in Marshall's direction, but he was preoccupied with something…
Fionna blinked the sleep out of her eyes blearily. The picture she saw made no sense. This wasn't the tree house…
She propped herself up on one arm, suddenly aware of a breeze caressing her bare skin. "Oh shizzle fizzle," Wrapping the sheet around her shoulders she surveyed the room, raking her foggy memories of what happened.
A soft knock interrupted her ponderings. A small bat-girl peeked around the opened door. "Ex-excuse me, my Lady." She stepped in and bowed quickly, holding folded fabric out to Fionna. The human girl took it from the small figure and shook it out briskly.
The bat girl and Fionna shared a soft gasp as the crystal blue silk wafted gently out, undulating and shimmering like a spring river. The dress settled with a whisper, its hem fluttering to the floor. The dim light of the room reflected on the fabric, setting off shades of green and purple.
The little girl's mouth opened in an O of wonder. "His Majesty has never bought so fine a dress for anyone…" Fionna looked at her.
"His Majesty?"
"Well, yes mistress!" The girl looked surprised; Fionna wandered over to a window and looked out. "Don't you know? You're in the castle of the Vampire King!"
"Excuse me?" Fionna turned to the little girl, a horrified expression on her face, but her attention was preoccupied with someone who had just entered the room.
Marshall Lee stood in the doorway, in full regalia, a long grey cloak hanging from his shoulders and a stiff black shirt with silver buttons. Black pants ended in knee high leather boots that clicked on the stone with an important beat. He looked like a king.
Fionna was speechless. There she was, almost butt naked except for a sheet wrapped around her, which she tightened nervously around herself.
The Vampire King grinned impishly. "'Sup, blue. Get dressed. Milinda will escort you downstairs when you are ready." Milinda bowed and he left, smiling at Fionna's still horrified expression.
"Come, miss, let's get you dressed."
In a vaulted throne room, the vampire king sat, or rather slumped in his throne, his eyes raking over the subjects lined up to plea supplication. He was a fair ruler, considering the size and inhabitants of his kingdom. He would listen to each, pass judgment or fulfill their wish if it was within his means.
Finally, with the last one bowing obsequiously as he left, Marshall Lee motioned to the guards to close the doors. He launched himself out of his throne, snapping his fingers. The snap summoned his assistant and Consul, Lord Feyerick the Wise. The tall, thin man stepped from the shadows, his horns catching the candle light. He bowed, slowly and grandly, and then rose with a smirk that Marshall returned happily. "My King,"
Marshall's smile was genuine now. "Feyerick, while we are out of court, you are my friend. And you shall address me as such." The demon grinned. They had had this argument many times before.
The vampire became serious. "I am need of your help." Feyerick inclined his head, listening. "I have brought a… friend here. A human friend. And I wish to entertain her while she heals." He paused waiting for Feyerick to berate him, but the demon gazed at him impassively, eyebrows high on his forehead. "It was a… foolish mistake. But I…frightened her, by accident, and the only view she has on my realm is a very negative one. I wish to change that view."
"Is this girl the one you spoke of before? The adventuress?" Marshall nodded. Feyerick closed his eye, pondering. Sighing, he looked at the King. "The question , Marshall, is how far you are willing to go." Marshall's eyes glowed.
"As far as I can…without mother knowing, of course."
The two men sat, laughing and planning the coming days.