28/5/12 - AN: Hi, Rain here,

I've been unbelievably busy as half-term is when pretty much the entire school piles on the work. In the last week i've had one research paper, two reports, a speech, a book review, and four videos due in, in addition to the work cracking down on the Environmental Council due to our efforts being analyzed, the end of the debating year, painting sets for the school production and library duty in my schools library. So understandably, i've got a lot on my plate. However, i've already handed in everything but my last report, my speech and my reading log, so by the end of this week I will again have spare time and I PROMISE that I will update with not one, but TWO chapters this weekend. So, until then!

- Rai. xoxo

Finn waited by the door, his knock still echoing in his ears. Looking around, he noticed a few plants hiding around the cave Marceline's house sat in. The cave was mostly dark, the water lapping quietly at the edges of the shoreline. Hearing a click, Finn turned in time to see Marceline open the door. She nodded at him, turning to go back inside, Finn following behind her.

He blinked a couple of times as his eyes adjusted to the light in the room, noticing that a table was set up in the same spot as last time. The tablecloth was a new one - and this time it was black rather than white. Apart from that, the set up was really the same. A candle, plates and cutlery, glasses, and a jug of tomato juice. Marceline appeared from the kitchen with a bowl, which she set on the edge of the table. Going over to her, Finn looked into the bowl with surprise.

"You cooked?"

Marceline laughed, one side of her mouth curling higher than the other as the laugh faded into a small grin.

"How else are we going to practice your eating skills? I don't know if you've noticed, but you eat like a toddler."

Finn frowned, and was about to deny the fact when he realized that she was right. And besides, he thought, I think I should be more careful with what I say around her after yesterday. Marceline's smile stiffened a little as she sat in her chair, almost as if she'd heard his thought.

Sitting down, Finn commented on the colour of the tablecloth.

"Well", Marcie said as she began to serve them the spaghetti, "I figured after yesterday it was safer not to use white. I had to throw that one out because it was stained." Seeing him frown, she smiled gently. "Don't worry about it weenie, I barely ever use tablecloths anyway. Bonnibelle gave to me ages ago. Said my house could use a little more decoration.

Shaking her head, she poured herself a glass of tomato juice and drank deeply. Finn watched her as she wiped the back of her mouth, pushing away the niggling suspicion that there was more to that story than the vampire was letting on.

"So, first things first. Your table manners. Elbows off."

Finn looked down at his elbows, blushing as he took them off the table. Marceline grinned wolfishly, and he suddenly had the feeling this was going to be a long day. Scooping some of the spaghetti up with his fork, he shovelled it into his mouth, then noticed that Marceline was looking at him with her eyebrow raised. Finn stared at her for a second before spitting it back onto the plate.

Marceline's only response was to cross one arm while half-smacking her face with the other. "What have I got myself into?" She mumbled, only just loud enough for Finn to hear.

Three hours later Finn buried his face in his stone cold spaghetti. "Marceline," he mumbled through the pasta sauce, "can we please stop now?"

Silence followed. After about ten seconds, Finn lifted his head to see an empty chair. Sitting up, he frowned.

"Marceline?"

"What?"

Finn turned to see her come down the stairs with a wet towel. Handing it to him, she began clearing the table, draining the last of his tomato juice with a gulp. Apparently, Marceline wasn't as repulsed by sharing food and drink like Princess Bubblegum. Finn sighed as he began to clean his face with the towel. Three hours and all he felt that he'd accomplished was a wish to never see a plate or cutlery again. Maybe Jake would make burritos for dinner if he asked nicely.

Going over to the sink, Finn began to wash the towel, watching the red pasta sauce drain down into the hole. Reaching for the detergent, he filled the sink with hot water and started doing the dishes. He scrubbed the plates mechanically, not noticing the scalding water as it seared his hands a bright pink. Setting the last glass on the metal bench, he got a tea towel from the cupboard, drying the dishes and putting them away. Absent-mindedly, he wondered why Marceline had cutlery and washing detergent if she never ate. I mean, she drains shades of red, but that doesn't necessarily involve food. Does it? Does Marceline even need food?

Giving up, he put the dishes away and went back into the lounge. The table and chairs had been folded and set against the wall, obviously waiting until tomorrow. Groaning inwardly at the thought of spending another three hours with Marceline constantly interrupting him and correcting his eating habits, he sat down on the couch.

Marceline floated over in the corner, her legs bent beneath her slightly as she fiddled with the dials on her axe guitar, her eyes closed in concentration. Faint screeching noises reached his ears as she tuned it gently, somehow knowing the exact pitch each one had to be at.

They were both silent for a while, Finn just watching as she tuned her guitar.

After about ten minutes, Marceline moved, putting the guitar against the wall. Finn blinked, surprised to find that he'd nearly fallen asleep. The vampire floated over to him, 'sitting' next to him with her arms crossed.

"How did I do?" Finn asked nervously, knowing that she'd be completely honest.

He could see her signature half-smile tug at the corner of her lips. "When is your date again?"

Finn groaned, sinking back with his eyes closed. "Who am I kidding, this is never going to work. Not in time for my date with Bonni-" He froze, eyes snapping open.

Finn and Marceline were silent for a moment before she burst into laughter. Finn grinned, watching her as she floated off the couch, clutching her ribs.

"You've been around me too much, weenie." She barked, her fangs clearly visible as she laughed loudly. Finn chuckled quietly, mostly because he'd never seen Marceline laugh so much before.

Slowly she began to calm down, wiping at the corner of her eye as she stopped laughing. Sighing with a smile, she shook her head at the adventurer. "You did pretty well, actually, especially considering your manners when we started. We've still got a week and a half. I'll beat you into shape by then. Metaphorically, of course."

Finn's eyes widened slightly with surprise. "You seriously think i'll be ready by then?"

Marceline set a hand on his shoulder. "Totes."

There was a small pause before she grinned, chuckling to herself as she drifted into her kitchen. "Bonnibelle."

AN: I enjoyed writing that chapter. From what I remember Finn's manners aren't too bad, but then again, we don't exactly see him eat much on the show - and besides, he is 13. I have a thirteen year old brother, and his manners are atrocious. He shovels food into his mouth like he hasn't eaten for a month!

Remind me not to make that comparison again for the rest of the fan fiction. XD

Anyway, I was surprised to log on today and find that I had 13 reviews! Several people have subscribed to my story, and one person even added me to their author alert! I feel so honoured!

Thank you so much for your kind words, and feel free to make any suggestions - I actually got a couple of ideas just reading some of your reviews.

I said I was going to wait until the weekend for the update, but I ended up staying home from school today, so I though I'd get it done now. If you're lucky, I might just update again this weekend as well. It really depends on whether we go up to my grandparents or not, which my parents are considering due to it being a long weekend. I might just update anyway! ;)

Until next time, bright blessings!

Rai. xoxo