Heat. It was everywhere.
On her skin, in her lungs, molesting her eyes and making them water. Everywhere. It was hard to breathe, hard to move, hard to live.
Which, by the looks of it, perhaps wouldn't be for much longer.
The fires licked at her boots, at her skin, and caught the edge of her dress, turning the soft satin to crispy, black matter. Sweat was not allowed to form on her brow, the heat stomped its formation with quick evaporation. Not that she would find any relief here.
Only misery awaited her here… misery and the giant, angry, and red figure looming over her.
She could not scream, she could not move, all she could do was stare up at the beast's giant bulk hovering over her, threatening to crush her if it so desired by merely setting its hand down to squash her like an insignificant insect.
But she was not insignificant, and neither was the beast, so when it did extend a hand down towards her it was not to inflict death and pain. Rather, long fingers, as thick as tree branches, reached for her.
Even now she could not move, could not escape… could not scream.
The light of the fires of Hell were not enough to keep the darkness away: the darkness created by the great hand that grabbed her, enclosing around her… consuming her.
Bean was being consumed by heat, darkness, and the Devil's hand…
That is, until she woke up.
With a start, she sat up in her bed, drenched in sweat, blankets tangled around her legs, and her breaths were nothing more than shaky gasps that barely inflated her lungs.
Bean was shaking, she was… terrified, and barely contained herself from crying.
She looked around, she opened her mouth to call out, for anyone… Luci? Elfo? Wait, no… they weren't there… Elfo had been kidnapped by ogres and Luci had still yet to appear after being resurrected as Pendergast had.
She… she was alone, alone to mull over her traumatic experience, to bring her knees up to her chin and wrap her arms around her legs and rock gently. The images of her nightmare were still fresh in her mind and, quite possibly, she could almost still feel the fires of heat still licking across her exposed skin.
"Oh, boy…" she muttered, frowning as she hid her mouth behind her knees, as her worried eyes looked up to see the sun beginning to peek up over the horizon.
Morning already… so much for getting a fews hours of sleep, huh? She had wanted to have an exhausted night's rest after staying up for nearly the entire night (what with the ogres' invasion, her trip down to Hell, her rescue, her conversation with Pendergast, and then finally Bean oversaw the start of her project that was making sure that Hell's express elevator could never be used again), but nope. She'll have to check on that first thing this morning...
"Oh my God- listen to myself? I sound like… ugh, a responsible adult…" she bemoaned, laying back down on her pillow with a flop.
Bean desperately wanted to fall back asleep, but even closing her eyes for a few moments brought the flash of the Devil's sneer glaring down at her and eyes snapped back open.
She jumped again and groaned when her bedroom door swung open and Bunty's smiling, round face appeared.
"Rise 'nd shine, Y'Majesty! Tis' anothuh beautiful day!"
Bean just groaned and covered her face with a pillow.
Thankfully, Bean managed to get through the morning without too many yawns and only a couple sips from her flask. Much to the surprise of Bunty, and Bean herself, was the queen's declaration to her handmaid that she was going to try to not drink as much during the day. That by itself was enough to make the matronly woman gasp, but then Bunty really had to sit down when Bean asked Bunty to dress her in, well, a dress.
Bean… willingly asked Bunty… for a dress. Let that just sink in for a moment.
Bunty, with tears in her eyes, could barely contain herself as she selected a lovely, though simple, yellow dress for her lady to wear. When asked if Bean would like her hair done up as well, Bean actually did think about it for a moment before yawing and declining, saying that the day wasn't that special.
When asked why the day was special at all, Bean only stared at her reflection as she adjusted her dress's sleeves and muttered, "Yesterday was just my coronation, Bunts, but today is the first day that I'm the Queen of Dreamland. That's why it's special. Gotta look the part, at least."
Bean already had plans for the day… it was going to be a long one, which was not helped by her short and nightmare-filled sleep.
Oh, well.. No rest for the ruler.
Beans declined Bunty's offer of breakfast, her stomach was still feeling a bit twisted from her nightmare, and instead headed out for her first planned stop of the day. Before she left, however, she did inform Bunty to spread the word that she wanted the Royal Council to meet her in the throne room in a half hour: no arguments. After that, Bean made her way to the Orb room and even as she neared it, she began to pass people and workers and the volume of people talking and working rose as she drew nearer. As she passed people, they bowed their heads or quickly greeted her, which was weird because as a princess she definitely did not receive this level of recognition.
Being a queen has its perks, apparently… if they were even perks.
She was pleased to see that when she entered the Orb room, that the giant stone slab she had requested had been placed in between the doors of the elevator, which had been carefully kept open until the rock was set within. Bean had also ordered a sharpened spear to be stabbed into the elevator's buttons, which had happened, and had caused quite the reaction as sparks and alike sputtered from the interface, but with another spear the thing stopped sparking altogether. By now, Bean was pleased to see that the new stone wall to close in the elevator was nearly finished and strewn around the room were books, vials, and other instruments that had been pulled from Dagmar's hidden library upstairs, again on Bean's orders. She wanted not a trace to be left of the secret tower and she had left it up to Sorcerio to take responsibility for all of Dagmar's occult items and materials, much to his delight.
Even now from the doorway, Bean could see the court wizard in the corner angrily flipping one of the many books. Well, since she was here, she might as well let him know that she wanted him to meet her in the throne room.
Or… she could tell one of the guards standing beside the door to then tell Sorcerio because, well, Bean didn't want to talk to anyone quite yet. She just wanted to see for herself that her command was being headed and with crossed arms and a slight frown, she watched a few more stones being placed on the new wall and the elevator was nearly entirely gone from sight.
"Good riddance…" Bean muttered, before turning her back on the work in progress and exited the room.
Quietly Bean made her way down the staircase, heading in the general direction of the throne room, but she paused and leaned against the cool, stone wall and sighed. Closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath, she let it out slowly.
"You can do this, Bean," she whispered to herself, opening her eyes with hopefully newfound resolve.
She thought of her dad, wailing and honking, before he went completely silent as they loaded him off to head to Twinkletown's Insane Asylum. She thought of the Arch-Druidess pointing the gun at her, before Odval intervened and the shot went wild rather than landing in Bean's chest. Then, she thought of Pendergast, poor, poor Pendergast, and the anger he had shown a few hours earlier against Odval. She thought about what he had said, about her dad, about what he had heard the Arch-Druidess and Odval say…
Bean's hands balled into fists and she set his expression in one of her tell-tale looks of fierce determination. She knew what she had to do and that Princess Bean could do it, but now she was Queen Bean, who actually had the power to be able to do what she had planned.
Funny thing about that… being queen now. Bean could do whatever she wanted, she guessed anyways, but now she felt this new sense of trepidation and hesitance that she wasn't used to or comfortable with. If only she had her dad here to ask. He'd know what to do… right? But, Zøg wasn't there.
Bean was on her own for this one and while she knew what she had to do, it still twisted her stomach even more.
"You can trust me. I shall never let you down again, Bean. I promise."
Okay… Well, maybe she wasn't as alone as she thought she was. She had Pendergast on her side, he was there, after all, in the castle and would be in the throne room with the others. He had come back to life, for her, the same as Luci… whenever he turned up, which she hoped was sooner rather than later.
"You can do this, Beanie…" she whispered once more and continued walking.
The throne room was abuzz with the low murmurings of the summoned Royal Council when Bean entered. All went silent when they saw her, their queen, in her yellow dress and wavering determined expression.
"ANNOUNCING! QUEEN TIABEANIE, WHO IS LOOKING NICE IS A YELLOW DRESS THIS MORNING!"
Bean tried hard not to roll her eyes. She passed them all as she walked towards her new throne and she kept her head held high as she did, keeping her eyes forward and focused. Those she passed inclined their head to her out of respect, or obligation, she couldn't be sure.
There was Odval with Sorcerio and Stan the Executioner, who was the only one of the bunch who gave her a fleeting smile. She saw it, from her peripheral vision, but maintained her resolve and did not return it. There was also the Herald, the Scribe, and the Jester, who all had names but no one ever used them (or at least Zøg never had so Bean admitted silently to herself that she wasn't 100% sure as to their names either). There was also Sirs Stryker and Bolt present, who she just realized had returned from being lost and she hadn't even noticed, as well as Turbish, but Bean just assumed that he had just followed Sir Pendergast to the meeting. This seemed to be the case. Pendergast was clearly trying to coax the other to vacate the throne room, but the simpleton wasn't quite getting the picture.
As Bean approached her throne and turned to take her seat, her gaze wandered over to the two knights and her eyes caught the glance of Pendergast. The knight, much to her surprise, was not wearing the standard issue attire of a Dreamland knight. Instead, he was still wearing the white shirt and black leggings combo she'd seen him wearing a few hours earlier. She quickly looked away and cleared her throat as she sat. Everyone was now looking at her and she felt the weight of their stares.
"Good morning, Your Majesty!" Odval greeted with the warmth he had always afforded her father: fake, forced, and dry.
"Ah, hi," she said, before clearing her throat again and readjusting her seat. "I have called you here this morning because, as queen, it is my job, er, duty- no, responsibility to address concerns that affect the, ah, entire kingdom."
"And what, pray tell, Queen, are your concerns?" Odval inquired, though there was a slight hitch in his voice.
"I, ah…" Bean began, her eyes floating around the room until, once again, she glanced at Pendergast.
The knight had managed to shoo away Turbish and was standing slightly apart from the others, arms crossed, and watching her. When he saw her glance he didn't react and neither did she.
"Well, first of all, I do wish to say how proud I am of the entire kingdom for rallying together against the "green smoke" mystery, even if it turned out to be nothing," Bean admitted. "And with the ogres… I admit that I did not act the best that I could have. I was irrational and selfish and… I was scared and I put Elfo before the safety of so many others. I…" Bean took a deep breath, "Elfo made the choice that I could not and he sacrificed himself so that the ogres left Dreamland alone. The sacrifices that others have made for the sake of our kingdom cannot be ignored and that is why I have called you all here this morning."
Bean's words seemed to be having an effect, as the men of her advisory council glanced at one another and seemed to be at least interested in what she was saying. This limited interest seemed to increase greatly when Bean turned back to Pendergast.
"Sir Pendergast, come here, please."
The man glanced around him and slowly uncrossed his arms before obediently stepping forward, stepping up to the throne, before bowing before Bean.
Bean waved this off.
"I am sure that everyone here is at least a little bit surprised to see Sir Pendergast here, alive, and walking around, yeah?"
Judging from the nervous eyes and how many of the individuals present looked at each other or shifted in their stances, then the answer was yes.
"Long story short, like Elfo did, Pendergast is alive and so is-" Bean paused when she realized that the only people who knew that Luci had died was her and Pendergast "- I mean, he's alive, which is great for the kingdom. I think there are few who could argue that there is a more braver knight in Dreamland than Sir Pendergast here."
Pendergast, upon hearing this, blinked and looked at Bean, but she was pointedly not looking at him.
"And it is because of Sir Pendergast's bravery…" Bean continued, thinking briefly of a winged Pendergast swooping in to catch her mid-hair from being dropped by the Devil's hand, though, again, the only ones who knew about that were Pendergast and Luci, "that my father is alive. True, that my dad might be a bit worse for wear these days, what with the honking and ventriloquism, but he's still alive and that is largely due to Sir Pendergast's commitment to protecting him."
It was around this point that Odval and Sorcerio glanced nervously at one another.
Bean sat straighter in her throne and took another steadying breath: it was now or never.
"Gentlemen. I have gathered you here today because there has been a murder in this castle, along with treason and conspiracy to kill the king of Dreamland. As queen: I want justice, for Pendergast, for my father, and for entire kingdom."
Bean's Royal Council stirred nervously and everyone seemed to be waiting for someone else to speak. Odval had begun to shake and sweat and Sorcerio now stared very adamantly at the floor.
It was Stan who broke the silence.
"And who did these heinous crimes, Your Majesty? Do you know?"
"And who died?" Sir Stryker added, to which Bolt nodded.
"Isn't it obvious who died? The humour in this room!" joked the Jester, and suddenly Bean understood why her father had the trapdoor and used it so proficiently.
"I died," Pendergast spoke up suddenly, which got everyone's attention. "Murdered by the Arch-Druidess who was conspiring with the Prime Minister to kill King Zøg-"
"B-b-but I-!"
"- and I heard everything!" Pendergast continued, his one-eye staring hard at Odval's terrified three, even if one of them was currently hidden by his hat.
From where Bean sat, she had a good line of view of Pendergast's balled fist and she could see him shaking with anger, the same he'd been hours before. She was glad that he had caught on to what she had been setting up, why she had convened her Royal Council in the first place. She'd been pretty messed up emotionally all last night so Bean hadn't reacted as strongly as she would have, but hearing that Odval had stood over her father and casually discussed killing him really had pissed her off to the core.
Everyone was now staring at Odval with severe disapproval; Stan crossed his arms and was most likely already imagining how much downward swing he'll need to chop Odval's thick neck in half.
"Y-your Majesty! B-Bean! I-I beg you!" Odval stammered, falling to his knees and was now sweating profusely; the man knew that he was begging for his life.
However, both Bean and Pendergast looked down on him without any sign of empathy.
"Odval, Prime Minister of Dreamland, you stand accused of treason against the crown and conspiracy to commit regicide, how do you plead?" Bean said evenly, surprising even herself that she remembered her studies on royal legal prosecution considering that she hadn't been allowed too since she had been a princess.
While Odval had forgotten how to speak momentarily, it was Sorcerio who spoke up on his behalf.
"But isn't Oddy allowed due process? A fair trial?"
"Consider this to be his fair trial," Bean countered, slightly narrowing her eyes. "Considering the Prime Minister's crucial position within the kingdom, the royal secrets he knows, and the sensitivity of the charges I thought it best if we just keep this amongst friends."
"Your Majesty-! I only ever wanted what was best for the kingdom! Always! Please, you must believe me!" begged Odval. "I did not know that the Arch-Druidess was going to kill Pendergast! I only-"
"You what? You only thought she was going to kill the king?" asked Pendergast accusingly, who stepped aside when Bean reached out to touch his arm: the knight turned his back on everyone and ran his fingers through his hair, but remained next to the throne and Bean.
"I don't care what you were thinking or why you did the things you did," Bean continued, leaning forward and peering down at the anguished minister. "What I do care about is what has been done. Yesterday at my coronation- oh my God that was yesterday… -ah, you asked me "where do you stand?" and I told you that your advice and knowledge is important, even if I don't like you. I told you that you were my enemy. So I must ask you, Prime Minister Odval: are you an enemy of the crown?"
"NO! All I only ever wanted was what was best for the kingdom! I-! I'm… sorry! I..."
No one spoke and the only sound in the throne room was Odval's sobbing.
Pendergast, from his stance of staring out the colour-panes of the window, looked over at Bean. From what he saw from the angle, she was thinking, but she also wore that stubborn yet determined expression that he loved about her.
"Odval, I hope you understand that given the severity of these accusations against you, there really is only one punishment befitting the crime of treason."
Odval wailed louder and Sorcerio did his best to comfort him, though he was looking pretty pale.
"However…"
Everyone looked up, including a snotty-nosed Odval, and Pendergast watched Bean's face closely.
"However, you did save my life. If you had not intervened during Derek's wedding, I would have joined my father with a shot in my chest… or worse, my face," Bean admitted. "I also know that I believe you."
"What?"
"What?!"
"What?"
Odval, Pendergast, and perhaps everyone else all spoke at the same time.
"I believe…" Bean continued, taking an unsteady breath, "that Zøg was a crappy king. I get it, he was a crappy dad, and I also know that Dreamland needs better leadership. I hope that I can be a better leader. In fact, I'm pledging myself to do that, and ordering the execution of the kingdom's Prime Minister on my second day on the job does not give the people the best vote of confidence. Or maybe it would… that's the thing: I don't know. I… don't know how to be a good queen, only in principle. That's why I need you, all of you, to help me help Dreamland. That's why, Odval, I won't be sentencing you to death, or the dungeon, or anything."
"But, Bean-!"
"Pendergast," Bean interrupted softly, finally looking at him, "trust me, okay?"
The man gave her a hard look before he nodded.
Turning back to look down at Odval, Bean considered him for a moment longer before saying, "I need you around, Odval, but I cannot just let you off Scot-free. You did, after all, plan or conspire, or were an accomplice or whatever to killing my dad! That does have consequences… for starters, I'm stripping you of your title and your privileges: no more cushy office, no more... whatever other perks you get. You will remain as an advisor to me and only with time and a clean record that you are truly committed to Dreamland… that perhaps your title will be reinstated."
"So, that's it? That sounds more like a slap on the wrist than a punishment if y'ask me," Stan commented with a scoff.
"I unfortunately must agree…" Odval agreed, sniffling.
"There is more?" Sorcerio asked.
"Yes," Bean agreed, "there is."
Bean looked up at Pendergast, who had a hand to his chin to subtly rub his stubble, before she turned back to her awaiting council.
"You're going to be kept on a short leash, Odval. If not, if there's even one tiny thing amiss with your behaviour or alike, then you will be thrown into the dungeons indefinitely."
"Not executed?" Stan inquired, sounding vaguely disappointed.
"No," Bean stated bluntly, still looking at Odval: making him feel tiny… it was a nice turn of events compared to how Odval looked at everyone. "No, you see… because you endangered a person that I love, it seems only fitting that your punishment matches the crime. Odval, should you fail in my reassessment of your character and usefulness to the kingdom, you will be punished through someone you love. You will be thrown in the dungeons and kept alive, until you die of old age or whatever. However, Sorcerio on the other hand-"
Everyone looked at Sorcerio, who truly paled when Bean spoke his name so… bluntly.
"- Sorcerio will be put to death and you, Odval, will be forced to watch and then live for many, many years with his death imprinted in your memory."
Bean sat back in her throne, her expression empty and stern, while inside her heart hammered from contained anger and other complex emotions. Her calm demeanour was contrasted by the men in the room.
Odval and Sorcerio held each other, both crying and both stunned.
"B-But, Your Majesty! S-Sorcerio was not involved!" Odval pleaded.
"It's true!" defended Sorcerio. "I was not privy to how deep Odval was in with the Arch-Druidess! In fact it has really strained our relationship and things have been pretty rocky between us…"
"I cannot trust that," Bean admitted, "and frankly I totally understand the broken relationship thing, I guess. But, anyways, the both of you aren't too trustworthy, especially with your whole sexy, orgy cult thing going on. Yeah… that's also, like, never going to happen again, within this castle at least. If I hear that you're having secret society meetings again, that'll probably mean an automatic execution for all, which would suck because I'm fairly sure there's a lot of you involved. You know, since Oona and I were there, then my dad showed up, because of you, and then he went even more crazy… Yeah, that's all stopping now."
The other council members looked at one another and their expressions towards Bean ranged from being impressed to shock; Stryker, Bolt, and the Jester especially looked very uncomfortable about the secret orgy meetings because they were all very much aware that Bean knew that they had been a part of that. Pendergast was really the only one who wasn't looking at Bean anymore, and had instead returned to looking out of the window.
Bean noted this, but pushed it to the back of her mind for later.
"Furthermore," Bean continued, earning everyone's eyes once more, "I expect that the both of you, Odval and Sorcerio, will be staying pretty close to the castle these days. Wouldn't want you to try and disappear now, if you know what I mean."
The white-haired woman smiled, a cold, tired smile, and stood, earning a half-nod from everyone. Well that was new… What would you call this? Oh, yes! Respect! Must be the dress.
Or was it fear? Was there a difference?
"Well, gentlemen, I am hungry and I am tired. How about we meet up later in the regular council room and start figuring out how to improve the kingdom, huh? Cool. Now, umm, you're dismissed, I guess. Thanks for coming."
Everyone bowed their heads once more and began to file out. No one addressed or tried to help Odval and Sorcerio off of the floor, as the pair were still a weeping mess.
Bean was stepping down from her throne when Odval caught her attention and she met his red, puffy eyes.
"I thank you, Your Majesty, for this second chance."
"Yeah, well, like I said. You have valuable advice, and I'm sure that if I killed you that you'd be going to Hell. Having been there- I mean, I can imagine what Hell would be like and… I wouldn't want that for anyone, even for you."
Her words trailed off at the end and Odval barely heard them over his own sniffling, but Pendergast did. The knight half turned back to watch the exchange of the former-prime minister and the court wizard grovel at their queen's feet, before pathetically making their way out of the throne room. Soon enough it was just Bean and Pendergast left in the room with the normal guards stationed at the entrance.
"Did you… sleep well? Bean?"
He saw her sigh and she slowly turned to face him. Only when she did that Bean drop the bravado and revealed her worry, her tiredness, and her doubt.
"No. You?"
"I haven't gone to sleep, I'm afraid. Felt like I've been asleep for a month, which, I suppose if you think about it, I kind of was."
"Lucky," Bean groaned and sat on her throne's armrest. "I feel like I didn't sleep at all. Nightmare."
"Nightmare?" Pendergast repeated, before nodding. "Understandable."
The pair remained silent for a moment before Bean glanced over at Pendergast.
"Why… aren't you, like, you know, all dressed up as a knight?"
"Oh, right," Pendergast replied, looking down at himself. "I, er, went to go and visit my mother. You know, give her the happy news that I'm not dead, you know…"
"Your mom? How was she?"
"She…" Pendergast paused, thinking of the best way to put it, "took it well enough, for her I mean."
"Oh," Bean replied lamely, taking a hint from Pendergast's tone that perhaps his relationship with his mother was a bit strained.
"I do intend on returning to my duties soon," Pendergast continued, subtly changing the subject.
"Well, I guess you don't have to," Bean pointed out, crossing her arms and looking at him. "You died, you know? You technically fulfilled your duty. I'd understand if you wanted to do something else."
Pendergast ran his hand through his hair and slightly frowning, looking aside, clearly uncomfortable.
"Yeah, I know, but… being a knight is all I know, all I ever wanted to do. Eventually the men will adjust with me being back. Until then, I volunteered to take up tower guard. It's lonely, but it'll set everyone at ease. That's where I'll be all afternoon."
"Will you be coming to the meeting?"
"I don't think so, Bean. That is, of course, unless you want me-"
"No, it's fine, Pendergast. You need some you time. I get it."
"Thanks, Bean, and I'll be in the high tower today, just so you know."
"Are you telling me that so I know where I can find you?" Bean asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Well-"
"WHAT'S UP BITCHES!?"
The pair jumped when the loud voice suddenly filled the throne room and both looked towards the entrance; Bean had jumped to her feet and was already running when she instantly recognized the voice.
"Luci!"
The former demon stood like a champion until Bean's stomping boots arrived and she scooped him up into a tight hug. As much as he struggled to escape her grasp, his efforts were fairly weak and there was a look of care on his face that didn't match his words of protest.
"Okay, okay, yes! I'm here! Jeez, Bean! Take it easy!"
"Oh, Luci! Where the hell have you been? I was so worried!"
"Yeah, well…" Luci began, being held aloft by Bean. "I woke up in the Trøg zone, I guess that's where my body fell. I considered popping up here immediately, butttttttt… the Trøgs made me dinner and then they gave me a massage, then I fell asleep. Oh hey! Pendergast! So you're alive too, huh? Well isn't that just dandy. You, here, together with Bean, eh? How quaint."
The former-demon's smug tone was not missed by the two humans, and while Pendergast shifted uncomfortably back by the throne, Bean just rolled her eyes; once again she was smiling, which was the most important thing.
"You should've come up as soon as you woke up, you jerk," Bean continued, changing the subject and letting Luci jump down to the ground.
"Yeah, well… It's not like I missed anything… I gotta say, Bean. I was very impressed there, what with you threatening death to Odval and all. Very queen-like. I think even Zøg would have taken notes. You really put the fear of death into him and Sorcerio, not that they didn't deserve it."
"Wait… you were listening?" Bean asked as Pendergast came down from the throne to stand by Bean.
"Well, duh! Don't forget that the Trøgs have holes and tunnels like everywhere, man. I was gunna show up earlier like a boss, but then I figured that something interesting was going down so I decided to watch instead. Was not disappointed. For the record, you totally would have made a fantastic Queen of Hell, but… Queen of Dreamland suits you way better."
At the mention of Hell, Bean fought back a flinch and only rubbed the side of her arm instead.
"Yeah, well… Thanks for that, for saving me I mean. I already thanked Pendergast here, but I don't feel like it's enough to just express through words."
"No problemo, Beanereeno!" Luci mused, chuckling gleefully. "You have no idea how good it felt to give Old Nick a few good smacks in the face. For the record, he was a terrible boss."
"Yeah, about that…" Bean began, glancing around them before lowering her voice. "I think it'd be best if we just kept that between the three of us, okay? I don't think me being kidnapped by my psycho mom and forced down to Hell to marry the Devil will go over well for most. It'll be our little secret, huh?"
"Of course!" Pendergast replied dutifully, flashing Bean a loyal smile.
"Yeah, sure. Why not?" Luci conceded, though his eyes noticeably looked between them and another smug smile appeared on his face before chuckling wickedly.
"What?" Bean asked, though she regretted asking the instant she did.
"Oh, nothing…" Luci mused, before climbing up to stand on Pendergast's shoulder and leaned against the side of his head. "Just glad to have my ol' buddy Pendergast here back again in the world of the living! Let me tell you, Bean. This guy was such a bummer in Heaven. It was glorious to see. But! We're all back down here in the land of the living, which as it turns out is a lot better than Heaven ever could be, eh Pendergast? For starters, the girls down here are a lot better."
Pendergast laughed awkwardly and picked up Luci and handed him to Bean.
"Yes, well, if you'd excuse me. I have tower duty. My queen," he said, inclining his head to her, before rushing off.
Bean and Luci watched him leave, before Bean turned to frown at Luci when he chuckled again.
"You could be a little nicer to him. He's been through a lot," Bean offered.
"Yeah, you know, I could…" Luci began, crossing his arms and rocking on his heels on her shoulder, "but, that wouldn't be as fun. Besides, I like Pendergast and he knows it. Just as I know… that he likes you, obviously, and I think… that you like him."
"Stop," Bean chided, frowning and rolling her eyes at him, before heading out of the room. "I'm glad to have you back, Luci."
"Me too, Bean," Luci admitted. "Now, let's get drunk."
Much to the disappointment and surprise of Luci, Bean declined his suggestion of getting drunk. She told him that she hadn't eaten anything in like a day and was going to be meeting her advisors in the council room soon. This only earned a guffaw and accusation from Luci that she was not Bean and that he and Pendergast had saved a much lamer and dress-wearing version of her instead. Bean argued that she was trying to act like a queen, and getting drunk before noon wasn't very queenly.
This only made Luci laugh harder as they descended to the kitchen to get some breakfast.
Eating was indeed followed by a very long and very boring meeting with Bean's advisors. Luci quickly peaced out to go check on his bar or something, leaving Bean to learn about the status of her kingdom. Odval seemed to have gotten over his despair and was performing as his normal, wise, administerial self, but with so much more ass-kissing and effort. Bean quickly learned that the kingdom was broke, the people were unhappy and hungry, and their list of allies was nonexistent at this point. Bean admitted that that was largely her fault and as queen, it was now her responsibility to fix it. At one point Bean did bring up that she wanted to go and save Elfo, but this was discouraged on the likelihood that Elfo was probably already dead and the fact that the kingdom did not have the manpower to spare to commence war upon the ogres. There was, of course, also the point made that as queen Bean just couldn't abandon the rest of the kingdom for the sake of one elf. It was a hard truth to swallow and Bean didn't find much support and eventually accepted that she couldn't save Elfo herself.
The hours ticked by and Bean's head slowly but surely dropped closer to the table as the pile of documents and book recommendations for her to read to catch up on the kingdom's laws and policies grew around her. When her forehead banged against the wood and she jumped up with a start, that's about when Bean waved off any further talk and that she thought she'd had enough for one day and that they could continue tomorrow. After asking for a guardsman to take up her pile of books and papers up to her room, Bean exited the room and rubbed her face.
"Jeez.. how did my dad do this?" she muttered to herself.
"Admittedly, Queen, your father didn't do a lot of this stuff. King Zøg was a very hands-off type of ruler, which is why the kingdom is the way it is," Odval pointed out.
"Yeah, I get it, and I get why you planned on killing him," Bean replied dryly before yawning.
Odval, very uncomfortable, cleared his throat and avoided Stan's narrowed look as he passed, before he replied, "Yes, well, you have my complete faith that you'll do what's best for the kingdom. Until later, my queen-"
"Bean."
"Y-yes, Queen Bean. Until later."
Odval bowed out before taking his leave and Bean was left alone with her fatigue. She desperately wanted to head up to her room and pass out, maybe drink first and then pass out, but sleep nonetheless. However, she recalled her previous night's nightmare and the tangible image of the Devil's hand reaching for her was enough to convince her that sleep wasn't the best thing for her right now.
Much to her surprise, Bean's mindless walking brought her to the hall that led to the entrance of the castle's high tower. She recalled what Pendergast had said and she reasoned that maybe that's why her tired feet had taken her this way. She also recalled how she had told Pendergast the previous night that they'd have a nice conversation about Heaven, Hell, death, and the Devil… and everything else in between.
But was Bean ready for that kind of conversation? She was tired, she was moody, and she didn't really want to be around people, but… did that include Pendergast? He had saved her, after all…
Well, before she could argue with herself any further, Bean realized that she had already climbed the stairs and was stepping outside of the upper bailey of the tower.
And there was Pendergast, halberd in hand, staring off at the evening sky, before he turned to see her.
"Oh! Bean! I, uh, didn't expect you to-"
"Yeah, don't think too much into it," Bean said dryly, cutting him off, before going over and setting her arms and chin down on the battlement. "I just wanted somewhere quiet to go, but I also didn't want to be alone."
"Oh, well, in that case," Pendergast replied, clearing his throat and returning to look out over the ocean, "I won't bother you."
Bean seemed to accept this and the tower returned to peaceful silence, save for the whisper of the ocean winds and the call of the gulls above. At some point, Bean even closed her eyes in her position of resting her head upon her arms, and Pendergast only noticed this when he dared to look her way. She wasn't sleeping, obviously because she was still standing, but she looked so tired. He felt bad for her, but he did not motion to speak or come closer or anything.
Bean surprised him, however, when she suddenly spoke his name with her eyes still closed.
"Pendergast?"
"Y-yes?"
"You want some?"
At first the man wasn't sure what she meant, until she shifted her arms and reached into her boot and withdrew one of her flasks.
"Oh! R-right, umm, no thanks."
"Suit yourself," she muttered before straightening and taking a swig.
Bean sighed and opened her eyes, looking out over the watery horizon and the nearing sunset. If Luci was there, she was sure he'd make some comment about how romantic the whole setting was and even thinking about that made her eyes roll as she took another swig.
"If you're tired, Bean, why don't you head to your-"
"Don't want to sleep," she said bluntly, staring at her flask.
"Okay," Pendergast began, tapping his finger against his halberd. "So… did you come here to talk or…?"
"Yeah, sure, why not?"
Pendergast hit his lip and rocked on his heels. "Bean. We don't need-"
"How old are you?"
That sudden and blunt question seemed to catch the knight off guard and he stammered to respond. "I-I umm… well…?"
"What? Don't know how old you are?" Bean asked, a joke in her tired words.
"Well, not… I-I mean yes! Of course I know how old I am, it's just… I can't recall the last time anyone has asked me that…"
"...and?" Bean prompted, still waiting.
"Well I'm… twenty-four, but I'll be twenty-five soon."
"Huh…"
"Huh?"
"Yeah…" Bean mused, shrugging. "For some reason I thought you were older."
"I get that a lot, I guess," Pendergast admitted, also shrugging. "I mean, by the way I'm treated and such, that's what I mean."
"Speaking of how you're being treated… how is that?"
"Oh you know," the man sighed, slightly shaking his head, "people talk. I hear the words 'ghost' and 'dead' a lot, whispered obviously, but Turbish treats me the same so there's that. It'll take the men a while, but things will get better. They'll get over it."
"Huh… does that… you know, bother you?"
Pendergast shrugged. "Not really… maybe before I died it would have, but not now."
"Why? What's changed?"
"I died," he replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh, yeah, right," Bean muttered lamely, before taking another swig from her flask.
Pendergast half-grinned.
"I know I shouldn't, being on-duty and whatnot, but maybe I will have a taste."
To that, Bean smiled back and handed him the flask. She watched him take a sip and when he handed it back she shook her head.
"Keep it, you'll need it. Besides! I got my own." True to her word, Bean revealed yet another flask from her other boot and twisted off the cap to take a sip.
"Cheers, Bean."
"Cheers!" she responded with a bit more of her usual energy, clinking her flask against his before the pair each took a sip.
Pendergast coughed a bit while Bean took a much larger drink, before cocking a brow at him as he wiped his mouth.
"What? Can't hold your liquor?"
"Well, yes? I mean, usually I can, but I guess I still got that whole 'pure, angelic feel' about me. Admittedly, it does feel weird to be… breathing again."
"Do you… want to talk about it? Heaven, I mean?"
"Sure, I mean… if you're okay hearing about it."
"Why do you think I asked, Pendergast?" Bean relented, sighing, before hopping up to sit on the battlement, her dress shifting with the wind.
Pendergast saw this and Bean saw him looking at her dress, so she cocked her head to the side and sighed loudly.
"Fine, you can ask."
"I-I... don't know-"
"Ask why I'm wearing a dress."
Frowning, Pendergast took a sip from his flask and cleared his throat.
"Umm… why are you wearing a dress, my queen?"
"Well you said it just there. I'm a queen. Queens… are expected to wear dresses."
"That doesn't sound like you."
"Yeah, well…" Bean admitted, shrugging. "I've never been against dresses, I actually don't mind them. I just refused to wear them for so long because I knew it pissed Zøg off."
"Makes sense. So… you're wearing dresses now to… meet expectations?"
"Something like that. I'm surrounded by men and men usually look at women in dresses more than those who wear pants. If wearing a dress is something I can do that'll help men listen to me, then it's a small price to pay."
"Huh…" Pendergast mused, nodding slightly.
"But, anyways, Heaven. Tell me about it?"
"Elfo never told you?"
"I don't think I really listened if he did," Bean admitted, kicking her legs lightly.
"Well, where to begin?" Pendergast hummed, leaning against the battlement next to her and staring out at the ocean. "Heaven is… well, Heaven is Paradise for those who want it to be. You don't have to do anything, everything is catered to you, and you're always filled by this sense of satisfaction. People just… lounge on clouds all day without a care in the world."
"If it's so great, then why did you want to leave?"
"Because I wasn't happy," Pendergast admitted bluntly. "I… felt like I didn't deserve to be there. For an entire month I sat there, miserable. Trying to convince God that They made a mistake but to no avail."
"Wait, God is a-?"
"Yeah," Pendergast said simply.
"Hm," Bean uttered thoroughly, sipping from her flask and shifting in her position so that her legs hung over the other side and she could watch the sun set along with it.
"Yeah."
Bean remained silent for a moment, listening to the birds and the ocean far below, before glancing over at Pendergast. How deep did she want to get today? She could see that the man was uncomfortable, but there also seemed to be an acceptance about him, that if she asked he would answer honestly like he had said he would.
Pendergast beat her to it, however.
"When Luci and I were descending from Heaven towards Hell to save you, Luci told me a bit about Hell."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. He told me how many people are tortured by reliving their worst moment."
"Yeah… that's true," Bean replied, thinking about her own experience in Hell with Elfo.
"I know what my worst moment would be."
Bean looked over at him, slightly taken aback by how serious he sounded, but found Pendergast to be still staring over at the horizon, taking a sip from his own flask. She waited a moment or two more to see if he was going to continue, but when he didn't she decided not to press.
"My worst day was when I chose my mom over saving Elfo."
Pendergast looked over when Bean said that.
"You mean that you really had gone to Hell before?"
"Yeah," Bean replied, looking back at him. "With Luci, to save Elfo. He left Heaven to meet us in Hell and together, we all escaped."
"Oh," Pendergast noted simply, not knowing how else to respond to that.
That is, until he figured that he had better share his worst moment since she had.
"For me, by far, the worst moment of my life, the one that I regret the most anyways, was when your father lay on his deathbed and you were being burned at the stake. Just me, standing there, outside of his door."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I chose to not oversee your execution because I wanted to stay by your father's side. But… as I stood at my post I could smell the smoke and hear the crowd, while Zøg moaned in his room behind me. That was my worst day."
"And… you felt guilty because I shot my dad and I was being executed?" Bean asked, slightly guarded.
"Yes," Pendergast admitted, "and no. I now know that you didn't mean to shoot the king, but in the moment after it happened I let you take the full blame."
"Why did you? You honestly thought I could shoot my dad like that?"
Pendergast took a big gulp from his flask.
"Maybe? I was… confused, I guess. You had just returned from helping the Dragon Man-"
"Skybert Gunderson."
"- whatever. Anyways, it didn't look good. You had helped him escape and then you fled with him, only to return saying that your father was to be assassinated by the very magic whistle-"
"Gun."
"- whatever! That you had in your hand when it wounded him! When that happened, I didn't know what to believe anymore, so I… did what I was told, like I always do. I took you to the dungeon and locked you up."
"Yeah…" Bean said dryly, frowning at that. "Thanks for that."
"I did it for you!"
Pendergast looked hard at her a moment, before turning to look over the wall and tapped his halberd absentmindedly.
"For me?" Bean asked, a brow cocked in disbelief.
"Yes," he said a bit quieter. "I thought you being in the dungeon was safer, especially because it became clear that something was up with Odval and the Arch-Druidess. They forced Derek onto the throne way too fast and were all-too keen to put the blame on you."
"Like you did?"
"Like I did. But, tell me, Bean," Pendergast began, shifting to lean against the battlement, looking at her, "didn't you find it odd that Stan tortured you with a spinning wheel rather than say... a thumbscrew or the rack or something?"
"Well I was too busy being spun and whacked in the head to think otherwise…" Bean replied slowly, though it was clear that she was curious as to what he was getting at.
"Because… I told Stan to go easy on you, not that I really had to, he just hadto make it convincing to Odval and the Arch-Druidess. He, Bunty… hell, everyone in this castle is crazy about you. No one wanted to see you tried and convicted as a witch, but it happened… so fast. I managed to speak to Bunty, who spoke to Stan, who broke you out of the dungeon. You were supposed to run, Bean… but you went back to your dad."
"To save him," Bean replied, a bit breathlessly, as she wrapped her head around what Pendergast was admitting. "I went back, because he was dying! He had a bullet in his chest that I had to remove and then I-"
"And then you got caught. And then you were burned at the stake…" Pendergast finished, sadness in his voice, and he turned to look out at the ocean again. "That's why… that was my worst moment. I couldn't save you, Bean, and then, I tried to save your dad, and I was killed. That's why I was sad in Heaven, why I felt like I didn't deserve to be there. I failed, plain and simple."
"Wow…"
Bean puffed out her cheeks and stared wide-eyed at the ocean, digesting everything.
"I mean, Stan said it was Bunty who convinced him to bust me, but I had no idea that you were involved…"
"And why would you?"
"Fair point," Bean acknowledged, taking another drink.
The pair stared at the setting sun, the sky and the ocean set ablaze with colours, and for a moment it was a beautiful sight: a sight shared by them together. That is, until Bean glanced over at Pendergast and took a deep breath.
"Thanks, Pendergast."
"For what?" he asked, taking a sip and looking over to meet her eye.
"For everything, I guess. For trying to save me, for actually saving me. You've done a lot and you shouldn't be so hard on yourself."
"Yeah… Luci basically told me the same thing back in Heaven, but… I can't… I can't just go back."
"Go back?"
"Yeah… go back to being… normal, to being me."
"So… don't."
Pendergast gave her a weird look, prompting her to explain.
"Don't be you, as in don't be the old you. Be the new you, the Pendergast that flew in on angel wings and saved me from marrying the Devil. The Pendergast who was ready to kill Odval if I had said the word, but you didn't. Why? Well, because the same reason why you saved me. Because you're a good man, a good knight. So good, in fact, that you earned a place in Heaven… but, I'm glad that you're here. Be that guy, that Pendergast. Besides, old Pendergast was a bit of a jerk and you're much sweeter."
Pendergast had begun to tap the end of his halberd against the ground and was staring hard at the beautiful horizon: the sun was now nearly beneath the ocean-line. Bean leaned back a bit to try and make him meet her eyes, except that she'd been drinking, hence the "sweeter" comment, and was sitting on top of a battlement, so understandably she began to topple back. However, Pendergast was quick to reach out an arm and grabbed her leg to push her back down. He did it out of reflex, and didn't even glance her way, but once he was sure that she was seated again did he return to tapping his halberd.
"Thanks…" Bean muttered, fixing her seat.
"Don't mention it."
"Pendergast-"
"A bit of a jerk, huh?" Pendergast asked, arching a brow at her but also giving a half smile.
"Yeah," Bean relented, nodding back with a smug smile.
"That's fair... I've been called many things in my life, and I've heard 'jerk' once or twice before."
"Most likely by me," Bean suggested, before laughing and then drinking more because wow, settle down.
It made Pendergast smile, though, seeing Bean laugh.
"Sounds about right," he agreed, "and some would even say handsome..." The knight's voice trailed off and his smile faded, before he started to tap his halberd again. "You know... it's funny. When I saw my mother this morning, she called me handsome but she also said something weird," Pendergast spoke distantly, staring at the sunset once more.
"Oh?" Bean asked, feeling the heat in her cheeks with having to be saved and she slowly hopped down from the battlement but was still listening.
"You see… My mom has been… off ever since my father died. I never knew my father, he, ah… died serving King Xøg and my mom became the 'village widow' if you will. She became unhinged, distant… It was hard to grow up with a mother like that, but she was always good to me. When I became a page at age seven, she was so proud of me. She's always been proud of me."
"She should be."
"Yeah… but this morning, she said something weird."
Pendergast finally looked down from the sun set, the sun was gone now, and he turned to lean back against the wall, crossing his arms. He still wouldn't look at her.
"When I walked in and she realized that I was back and alive, she was so happy, but in her state she was also a bit delirious. She said… that I was 'as handsome as the day the knights found me'."
"Found you?" Bean asked, clearly not understanding.
Pendergast shrugged.
"I don't know either. I tried asking her about it, but my mom doesn't focus on one subject for long and was soon telling me about ducks."
"Hm…" Bean muttered, thinking. "There's… always the castle records. My great-grandfather, King Wyløg, was pretty strict about keeping records after some duke or something made fun of his name. He was a stickler for records and it stuck, with my grandfather, Xøg, at least."
"Huh… records…" Pendergast replied dryly.
"I'm sure it's nothing," Bean offered, trying to make him feel better. "If you say that your mom gets confused, maybe…"
"No, no it was different. She's made these kinds of comments before. I've always brushed them aside, but… when she saw me and thought I was a ghost, she began muttering about my dad, how handsome he was, with his dark hair and whatnot."
"And?"
"My mom never talks about my father, especially what he looks like. She always said it was because it was too painful to talk about him, but when she saw me and thought I was a ghost... I guess she let it slip."
"Pendergast, I don't follow-"
"Ah... I mean... Never mind."
Bean looked at him and he looked perturbed: clearly this had been bugging him all morning.
"We can look at the records, Pendergast."
"We?"
"Ah, yeah? We. As you, you and me? Together?"
"Why would you-?"
"Listen." Bean sighed and drank down the last of her flask before moving to face him. "You might as well get it through your skull now, but I trust you, Pendergast. You have been through a lot, you saved me, a couple times now I guess, but I've also been through a lot too. So, consider me on your team." Pausing to look around, Bean leaned in closer before continuing in a lower tone. "Look. I know you said that I'm pretty popular amongst people, but I can't be sure how true that is. By not executing Odval, I may have kept his secret society from having more reason to lash out. I need allies. I trust Luci, I trust Elfo, and I trust you. We need to stick together."
She watched the blush bloom in his cheeks as he fumbled for words. Bean didn't help when she grabbed his flask and drank deeply, since she'd already finished hers.
"Bean, I-"
Pendergast paused when he saw her expression, clearly waiting for a clear answer. He smiled.
"I already told you that you can trust me. I'm here for you… no one else."
Now it was Bean's turn to faintly blush, taken aback by his sincerity. It was like when they were in the elevator…
"Y-yeah, so, anyway, tomorrow let's... meet up, at the records I mean. Find your dad."
"Ah, wow... that sounds..." Pendergast paused before nodding and looked back at her. "That sounds nice."
"Sir Pendergast?!"
Both turned when a guard emerged from the tower door and upon seeing the both of them, he straightened.
"Oh! Your Majesty! I didn't mean-"
"It's fine, Eldon."
"I, ah, came to relieve Sir Pendergast, Bean…"
"It's fine, Eldon," Pendergast said, glancing at Bean before handing off his halberd to Sir Eldon.
"Are you sure?"
All three humans looked down at Luci, who had appeared smoking a cigar.
"Miss me?"
"Luci…" Bean warned.
"Hey! You've been drinking without me? Ugh, rude."
Pendergast stepped around Luci and glanced at Bean. "We'll, er, talk more soon, Bean. Have a good night."
"Ah, yeah! Sure, you too!" she called, but he had already ducked through the door.
Luci, Eldon, and Bean looked at one another before Luci puffed out some smoke.
"So… nice night, huh?"
"Come on," Bean coaxed, rolling her eyes at Eldon who only shrugged.
Bean reached down and picked up Luci and started down the stairs.
"So…?"
"Don't even start," Bean warned.
"What?" Luci asked innocently. "All I was gunna say was that-"
"I know what you're going to say."
"Try me," Luci dared smugly.
Bean stopped on a step and sighed, looking over at him upon her shoulder. She gave him an unamused look and he chuckled.
"Oh come on, Bean! You like him! Come onnnnnn, you can tell your old pal Luci, huh?"
"I do not like him!"
"Sure you do! He's a catch! Handsome, tall-"
"He's not that tall-"
"- and! He saved your life. He gave up Heaven and existing for you. Heck! He's downright dreamy. If you don't want him, maybe I'll make him my new best friend. We been through a lot, me and him, yknow? I like his broad shoulders, lots of space to sit on."
Bean just scoffed and continued down the steps.
"Come one, Bean! You at least got to admit that he's a lot more capable than the other idiots in this kingdom, and bonus! You already know how he feels."
"Luci…" Bean warned, glancing at him.
"All I'm saying," Luci continued, holding up his hands innocently, his cigar still smouldering, "is that you wanting to spend time with him is totally understandable."
"Is that so?" Bean asked sarcastically, continuing to walk, before reaching another set of stairs.
"I mean sure! Handsome knight, saves the queen from the Devil, kisses her, tells her he loves her, stands by her side…"
"LUCI!"
Bean stopped and looked at him, but he just shrugged and hopped down to the floor, smoking his cigar again. Sighing, Bean rubbed her temples and wiped her hands across her face.
"Look, I just… I'm tired, I've had a long day, and all I want is to drink more and fall asleep. Are you going to join me or not?"
"Yeah, yeah… come on, let's get drunk," Luci said, padding forward into her room with Bean following behind. "I'll just ask you again when your drunk and get some honest answers."
And drunk they got.
Bean has stashed a lot of alcohol in her room, plus, being the queen, she can always request more. She and Luci have a good enough time, joking about life and about Heaven and Hell, they talk about Elfo and Zøg. They talk well into the night and well into intoxication. They do talk about Pendergast, or at least Luci tries to, but even drunk Bean wouldn't budge... although she did admit how cool it was when he and Luci had crashed from the window in Hell with their wings.
That night, Bean fell asleep smiling in her bed, with Luci curled up at her feet. She hadn't needed to ask him to stay with her. He could see how tired she was, she had told him about her nightmare, so they had just curled up and fell asleep together. Luci knew that Bean needed that, needed him to be near, and so he stayed with her. Bean was also looking forward to a full night's rest, because she desperately needed it.
That is… until Bean opened her eyes.
Heat. It was everywhere.
On her skin, in her lungs, molesting her eyes and making them water. Everywhere. It was hard to breathe, hard to move, hard to live.
Which, by the looks of it, perhaps wouldn't be for much longer.
The fires licked at her boots, at her skin, and caught the edge of her dress, turning the soft satin to crispy, black matter. Sweat was not allowed to form on her brow, the heat stomped its formation with quick evaporation. Not that she would find any relief here.
Only misery awaited her here… misery and the giant, angry, and red figure looming over her.
She could not scream, she could not move, all she could do was stare up at the beast's giant bulk hovering over her, threatening to crush her if it so desired by merely setting its hand down to squash her like an insignificant insect.
But she was not insignificant, and neither was the beast, so when it did extend a hand down towards her it was not to inflict death and pain. Rather, long fingers, as thick as tree branches, reached for her.
Even now she could not move, could not escape… could not scream.
The light of the fires of Hell were not enough to keep the darkness away: the darkness created by the great hand that grabbed her, enclosing around her… consuming her.
Bean was being consumed by heat, darkness, and the Devil's hand…
"Bean! BEAN!"
Bean sat up with a gasp. She was drenched in sweat, the blankets were tangled around her legs, and Luci stood there looking at her with concerned eyes. Wordlessly, Bean picked up the former-demon and held him and he hugged her back.
She felt hot to Luci: he could feel it radiating off of her… and he could smell the sulphur of Hell in her sweat.
"Oh, Beanie… it's going to be okay."
A/N:
Hello everyone!
Yay! I'm really loving how this story is coming along and how it's flowing. So quick, yet so in-depth. I am really enjoying writing the dialogue.
I considered touching upon what's happening with Elfo, but... I've chosen to just focus on Bean and Pendergast because they are the stars of this tale. Next chapter I have planned a sweet scene that I'm excited to write, though it won't be for a while because I'm about to move. I also think that I'm going to start working on my other fic's next chapter too so that I can keep chipping away at that too.
As always, I love to see comments/reviews and am always open for questions etc!
Stay tuned for more!
Cheers
~Sheik