They had gotten the invitation over a week ago but had no definite plan as to what they were going to do. Eridan stood in front of the ablution block mirror watching himself as he buttoned up his white formal shirt. "Do you think we need a grub sitter though?" he asked anxiously. He turned to look over at Sollux who was frowning at his own reflection and pulling a finger against the bow tie around his neck.
"I mean, no?" the yellow blood answered. "Thiion'th been in her cocoon for a few dayth now. It'th not like she'th going to be getting into thingth while we're gone. Besideth, who would we even athk? Everyone is going to be at FF'th party with uth. Do I have to wear thith? Fuck!" Sollux grabbed at the bowtie again, unintentionally pulling it undone.
"Yes you have to," Eridan rolled his eyes and turned to his matesprit to fix the bowtie that hung limply around his neck. "Or we could just not go and stay here with Psi."
"Ath much ath I would love to not go, it would look odd for the Empreth'th former quadrant mateth to not show up at her inaugural ball. She thpethifically wanth for all of uth to be there," Sollux grabbed Eridan's cold hands after he finished fixing his clothing. "I hate leaving her too, but I doubt she will come out of that cocoon while we're away tonight," he brought Eridan's hands up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the chilled skin.
"Can't you rig up some sort of monitorin' device that we can take with us?" Eridan asked in irritation. He reclaimed his hands and turned back to the mirror to do up his own bow tie. "Fuckin' hell, what if she does emerge from the cocoon and we aren't here an' she gets scared an' -"
"Eridan!" Sollux grabbed onto the highblood's shoulders and shook him lightly. "Thtop getting tho worked up. We're going to FF'th ball, we'll mingle for a few hourth, then we'll come back home to Thiion and she'll thtill be in her cocoon." Eridan took deep breaths to calm his nerves, his fins flared and he still looked frustrated. "I'll thee if I can figure out a portable monitoring devithe," he sighed.
"Thank you," Eridan said and leaned over to give the yellow blood a peck on the lips. "I suppose I'll finish getting' ready while you do that." Eridan turned back to the mirror and Sollux left to go dig through his spare computer parts to see what would take the least amount of work to produce the results he needed. He quickly pieced something together and when he entered Psiion's room to place the camera near her cocoon he found Eridan there already. The violet blood stood beside the cocoon in his white tuxedo with his fingertips resting on it. "We need to get going or we'll be more than fathionably late. You know how much you hate not being fathionable," Sollux snickered.
"I miss her, Sol," Eridan whispered. "It feels wrong without her around."
"It'th not like she really went anywhere. She'll be back in her new form and will be able to do all thorth of thtuff with uth," Sollux said. "You ready to go thee FF?"
"Yeah," Eridan reluctantly withdrew from the cocoon. "You probably can't call her that at the ball. She is the Empress now after all."
"I don't give a shit. We go way back, if I want to call her FF then I will." Sollux replied stubbornly. The lowblood grabbed his black tuxedo jacket from the couch as they passed through the living room and shrugged it on. Eridan busied himself with straightening out Sollux's tux until the yellow blood swatted his hands away.
The entire way to the party Eridan kept his eyes glued to the tiny screen of the grub monitor. He reluctantly slid it into his pocket as they approached the castle. The entire structure was lit up and teeming with activity. The castle had been built into the edge of a sea cliff and while most of the floors were accessible to a majority of the troll population, the lower levels were submerged in the ocean. Sollux immediately felt uncomfortable being around so many people at such an upscale event. He glanced over at his matesprit and was once again struck with the realization that Eridan was much higher on the hemospectrum than him. He looked around at the other high bloods present at the palace and couldn't stop himself from thinking that Eridan could have done so much better than him.
"What's wrong?" Sollux heard Eridan's voice ask. He hadn't even noticed they had stopped walking.
"Nothing," the Gemini responded automatically.
"You sure?" Eridan asked skeptically. "You had that look on your face that you get when you're thinkin' too hard." Sollux shook his head.
"It'th nothing, really," he assured. Eridan reached out and straightened Sollux's bow tie that had been lopsided from his constant fidgeting with it.
"You don't look half bad dressed up like this you know. I might just have to keep an eye on you to make sure no one tries to steal you away," the violet blood gave a crooked grin.
"Yeah like anyone elthe would want to come near thith," Sollux rolled his eyes and motioned to himself. He felt his insecurities vanish and took Eridan's ringed hand in his own. The sea troll gave him a quick peck on the forehead then led the way into the massive ballroom where the festivities were being held.
For those who grew up with Feferi Peixes the decorations did not come as much of a surprise. Banners done up in pastel pinks and lace were scattered throughout the hall. Bouquets of flowers ranging from pinks to blues were the centerpieces on every table. It was overall a much brighter and more inviting tone than anything seen during Her Imperious Condescension's reign. All the guests chattered amongst themselves and Eridan stole another glance at the grub monitor before Feferi herself entered the room. She was followed by a few security guards and what appeared to be an assistant. She wore a flowing white dress and was glittering with gold jewelry and accessories. Her long dark hair cascaded down her back with various braided parts worked into the mass. The room quieted down when she entered and remained silent as she took her place at the head of the hall.
"I would like to take a moment to thank you all for coming to such a special event," Feferi addressed the guests as they all watched her expectantly. "I realize that not all of you know who I am. My name is Feferi Peixes and I am you new Empress. Under my rule there are going to be some big changes. Unlike my predecessor this will be an empire ruled with care, compassion, and understanding." Feferi paused for a moment to assess the crowd and found that they appeared enthralled with her speech.
"I have been acting as Empress for nearly a perigee while I have been healing from my battle with the Condesce. Traditionally this ball would have been held first as a formal coronation but I wasn't fully able to get around until now. In the meantime, matters still had to be dealt with. I have called off the drones that collect genetic material for the mother grub. I intend to rework the entire system that is used to contribute to the mother grub. Culling from here on out no longer means death. Under my rule, to cull means to care for. I also have diplomats working with all the planets we are at war with and they are working out peace treaties as we speak. One final note and then we can resume the party," she smiled brightly and earned a few chuckles from her guests. "If anyone is interested in a position within the palace let me know. I am completely re staffing with trolls who will support my ideas and beliefs and who want to see this empire grow spectacularly. A few positions have already been filled. For example, my new subjugglator is Gamzee Makara. If you ever break the law you will be meeting him." She motioned off to the side of the room and sure enough there Gamzee stood lazily watching the new empress give her speech. Eridan stared at him in horror and Sollux instinctively moved closer to the shocked sea troll.
"Whale, let's get this party started," Feferi smiled sounding more like her usual self as opposed to the serious tone she used while addressing important business. She nodded to her guards who then walked with her further into the ballroom to mingle while music began to play and everyone resumed their conversations.
"Why the fuck would she hire GZ?" Sollux asked worriedly as soon as it was appropriate to speak again.
"I don't gave a clue," Eridan said as he pulled out the grub monitor yet again. "You don't suppose he's told her anythin' do you?"
"I mean, if he did FF would probably thay thomething to uth right?" Sollux thought out loud. Eridan was relieved to see that Psiion's cocoon was exactly the same as it had been the last time he had checked the screen. He put the monitor away and noticed that Feferi was speaking with Karkat.
"What do you suppose they could be talkin' about?" Eridan asked. He noted how uncomfortable Karkat looked while he stood and listened to Feferi speak.
"Who knowth…" Sollux trailed off and Karkat looked over in their direction. He waved and Feferi looked over to see whom he was waving to. Her grin widened and she motioned for the two to come over. They shared a look before steeling themselves and approaching.
"I'm so glad you two made it!" Feferi told them happily. She gave them both a tight hug and when she pulled away her eyes appeared more watery than usual. "I had wanted to say goodbye to you guys before I left to fight her. Just in case- you know?"
"It's alright Fef we understand," Eridan said feeling himself get emotional as well. After all, she was his moirail once upon a time. She was also Sollux's matesprit long before Eridan was. The Empress smiled at them again and wiped at her eyes.
"I was just hearing the details of how horribubble it was while the drones were out collecting. Karkat said he and Terezi had to abandon their hive," she told them. Sollux looked over at Karkat and silently tried to determine whether the shorter troll had mentioned anything about his own situation as well.
"Sollux actually helped me with that. We doused the place in his blood too to make it look like a teal and a gold were living there," Karkat explained.
"It wath the leatht I could do to help. I couldn't let the planeth shittietht programmer die like that," Sollux smirked.
"Fuck you! Just because I'm not some sort of fucking prodigy like you doesn't mean I'm not at least decent at it," Karkat growled.
"I'm with Sol on this one. You're pretty terrible at it," Eridan agreed.
"Fuck you both with something hard and sand papery," Karkat spat.
"But what about your hive now?" Feferi chimed in. "Where are you and Terezi living?"
"We've been staying with Kanaya still. At her hive though, not in the caves," the Cancer admitted. Feferi puffed her cheeks out in thought for a moment before suddenly lighting up like a Twelfth Perigee's Eve tree.
"I will send a crew to clean up your hive and restore it to as good as new. Then you can move back in," she grinned excitedly.
"Well I mean- you really don't have to. We could probably just-," Karkat suddenly felt awkward for imposing and wasn't sure what to say.
"Nonsense!" Feferi insisted. "It is my duty as your frond to kelp out, but also as Her Honorable Benevolancy I have sworn to kelp the lower blooded trolls of the empire."
"Yeah but, a whole team just to come clean up my shitty hive? It just seems-"
"Shoosh! Not another word. I'll get you and Terezi back in your own hive in no time," Feferi said with finality.
"Thanks," he said in his gravely voice. He did look appreciative and like a weight had been lifted from his mind. "I'll go tell Terezi the news. See you guys around," he said to Eridan and Sollux then left to go find his matesprit.
"What about you guys? From the looks of that group message you weren't faring well either when the drones were on their way," Feferi said.
"We would've been culled because we could only fill one pail," Sollux answered.
"Oh my!" Feferi gasped in surprise. "Neither of you has a kismesis?"
"Well, see, that's the thing Fef. We vacillate too frequently to be able to have someone else in that quadrant," Eridan said. Feferi seemed surprised so he attempted to lighten the mood with humor. "I blame this bipolar asshole," the violet blood stuck his thumb in Sollux's direction beside him. Sollux rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to snap back an insult but his words died in his throat. Eridan noticed the look on Sollux's face and wondered what it was that he had seen. He didn't have to wonder for long.
"Hey there my fishy sister," Gamzee drawled as he came out of seemingly nowhere. "You really know how to throw a party."
"Thanks Gamzee," Feferi smiled. "I can't really take all the credit though. It's just an inauguration ball. It's customary to have. I cod probubbly throw some even bigger ones later on." As she spoke Gamzee looked over at Sollux and Eridan and flashed them a dangerous grin.
"Did Eribro tell you all about his secret miracles he had cookin'?" Gamzee asked the Empress.
"Secret miracles?" Feferi asked in confusion. "What secret miracles?" she looked to her two former quadrant mates. Sollux was frozen in place unsure of what to say or do next. Eridan finally remembered to breathe and waved a hand dismissively.
"I have no idea what he's goin' on about. He's probably had too much sopor and is just imaginin' things," Eridan said quickly.
"I guess you haven't all up and told her about the miracles that came right outta your mother fucking belly," Gamzee shrugged. "I just thought you would've considerin' you're all friends and whatnot."
"He's fuckin' insane," Eridan insisted. "Maybe you should go lie down Gam," he fought to keep his voice calm.
"I have appointed Gamzee as a very important figure of authority in the empire," Feferi said slowly. "I would not have done so if I felt that he would be incompetent at his job. Tell me what this is about," she demanded. Sollux glared at Gamzee whose lips curled into a nefarious grin. Eridan was at a loss for words and looked back and forth between Feferi, Sollux, and Gamzee like a cornered animal for a moment.
"Sollux and I have a grub," Eridan admitted quietly.
"What?" Feferi reeled in shock. "Where did you get it?"
"We made her," Sollux spoke up. His eyes crackled faintly with psionics as his instincts prepared him to have to protect his grub.
"I don't understand," Feferi shook her head. "How did you make a grub?"
"Sol and I found out on accident that our kind can become pregnant," Eridan gestured between himself and the fuchsia blood. "I laid eggs and only one hatched. Now we have a grub."
"You're keeping the grub?" Feferi questioned.
"Of courthe we're keeping her! She'th ourth," Sollux snapped.
"We are both like a lusus to her," Eridan explained. Feferi furrowed her brow and remained silent as she let all of the information sink in.
"This is so crazy," she said still in surprise.
"What are you going to do about this little fucking miracle?" Gamzee goaded.
"Right… um," the Empress gathered her thoughts for a moment. "Did this grub's hatching get officially documented?"
"Yeah, I mean, Kan filled out the papers for her the night she hatched," Eridan explained.
"Okay, I'll let that slide since at the time there was no acting Empress to enforce that but I still should have been notified sooner of this grub's existence. How did she fare in the trials?" Feferi asked.
"Well, Fef, she wasn't hatched in the broodin' caverns. She was hatched in our hive. She never had any trials," Eridan said carefully. Feferi still seemed to be trying to process everything but she paused and blinked at the Aquarius and Gemini.
"How long has it been since she hatched?" Feferi asked.
"A- a perigee," Eridan answered hesitantly. A silence washed over the four trolls. Sollux and Eridan watched Feferi anxiously as she went over the entire situation internally. Gamzee rocked back and forth on his heels as he watched everything unfold.
"This means…" Feferi spoke quietly with uncertainty at first before taking on a more serious tone. "This means she will have to be eliminated."
"What the fuck do you mean 'eliminated'?" Sollux demanded harshly.
"Fef you can't mean-" Eridan began to plead.
"I mean that she must be killed. My reign may be completely different than that of my predecessor, but some things are in place for a reason. We have gone for millennia using the trials to ensure the future of our species. Only the strong are meant to survive. This grub of yours has not proven she is strong enough to make it into adulthood. Who is to say she isn't some frail troll who will bring nothing good to the gene pool for the future?"
"You're not killin' her," Eridan said sternly.
"You heard the lady," Gamzee sounded almost giddy.
"What if she did path the trialth?" Sollux asked. "Would you acthept her then?"
"She would need to do them as soon as possible. She's already had too much extra time as it is," Feferi decided. "Tomorrow."
"She's in a cocoon now," Eridan said.
"So it will be a newly molted young troll going through the trials instead of a grub?" Feferi raised her eyebrows. "That isn't how it's supposed to work."
"Obviouthly," Sollux rolled his eyes. "But give her a chanthe."
"How long has she been in a cocoon?" Feferi asked.
"Just since today," Eridan lied quickly to buy them some more time. Sollux noticed the wrong information but kept his mouth shut figuring Eridan knew what he was doing.
"Alright then. The moment she emerges from the cocoon you are to notify me and she is to complete the trials," Feferi stated. "Gamzee, you are in charge of putting the trials together," she told the subjugglator.
"It will be a pleasure," the clown grinned. Neither Eridan nor Sollux missed the glint that came to his eye.