ACT II: Jeshica, The Uncalculated Chapter 1: Family Issues

"Hmmm…" Jeshica Dragonfly, the firstborn child of King Skywind, tapped the piece of chalk against her chin. She and her best friend stared at the blackboard littered with calculations and formulas. For the past three hours, the duo had been struggling to solve a nearly impossible problem that was plaguing the princess.

"We must be getting close to an answer." Alonso rubbed his fingers through his hair. "Maybe we should go through the math one more time."

"Good idea." Jeshica agreed. "Okay. We agreed that the black and red cardigan was a perfect blend of colors for the cold weather, but the horizontal stripes make me look… large. And the silk dress was comfortable and stylish, but the feathers on the left shoulder keep hitting my face and tickling my nose, negating all comfort factors. The sunhat would be a nice replacement from the crown, and I like the color, but the bow is way too much. And lastly, the boots. They're the right size, they're comfortable, and they go up to my thighs, adding an abundant degree of sexiness, but… the pink laces make me gag."

"I don't get it." Alonso sighed. "After fifteen years, how has your mom not figured out what you like?"

"I know, right? But all I need is to pick one thing she got me for my birthday or she will cry. But it's all so terrible!" Jeshica slammed her forehead against the blackboard out of frustration. "I don't wanna hurt my mom's feelings, but at the same time I don't wanna look ridiculous!"

"Wait! I have an idea!" The Duke of the Spiderbite kingdom took the chalk and scribbled on the blackboard. "If we were to subtract negative aspects of each article of clothing via alteration, your clothes would be much more fashionable and function, and you'd still be using the gifts your mother gave you!"

"That's brilliant!" Jeshica beamed. "And I know just the man to pull off such an operation." The former wielder of the scepter rushed to her dresser and pulled out her magic mirror. "Mirror, mirror, in my hand; call Grandpa Hymnal, across the land!" The reflective surface of the beauty mirror magically altered to window, bringing Jeshica face-to-face with her favorite relative. "Hi, grandpa! Quick question; how fast can you get to the castle?"

"Is this fast enough?" Hymnal chortled as he walked through her bedroom door.

"Grandpa!" Jeshica dropped her mirror and happily threw herself at her grandfather. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, since I missed your actual birthday, I wanted to at least give you my gift in person!" The old man reached into his satchel and handed her a beautiful set of ten rings for each finger. "So, what do you think? Be honest. Be brutal."

"Oh… my… Stump!" Jeshica gingerly slipped each ring over her fingers, admiring the sparkling jewelry. "This is perfect! I've always wanted bling like this!"

"Well, I'm glad you like-gah!" The former king recoiled in terror at the sight of the clothing. "What in the name of Indexia is that?!"

"That's what I called you for!" Jeshica suddenly remembered. "Mom bought me all this really tacky stuff that has good and bad qualities! And if I don't wear them, it'll make her sad! Can you whip out some scissors and a sewing kit and fixing all of this?"

Hymnal's expression was one of confusion and indignance. "Jeshica, it is not that easy to just - wait a minute, I'm a genius." He said as he held up a pair of scissors and a sewing kit, glaring the gaudy clothing articles with a hungry look in his eyes. Jeshica and Alonso watched in amazement as the old ruler skillfully altered the clothing at a frightening pace. "There! All done!"

Jeshica was delighted at the sight of her improved clothing. The cardigan had been cut apart and stitched back together so that the stripes were vertical, the boots' pink laces had been dyed black, the feathers had been carefully removed from the dress and placed into the hat to replace the bow. "Oh, my… this is amazing, grandpa! Thank you so much!" Jeshica praised her grandfather as she took the clothes behind her room's panel divider to change.

At last, she stepped out from behind the board, did a spin, and struck an impressive pose for her small audience. The Duke of Spiderbite was lovestruck at the sight of his crush. "This is great! Now, I can make mom happy and look fabulous! I owe you one, grandpa!"

"Oh, think nothing of it, darling." Hymnal brushed a piece of fabric off of his shoulder, proud of his latest achievement. "So, speaking of your mother, where is she? I haven't seen her or your father since I entered the castle."

"Oh, that's probably because they're in their master bedroom." Jeshica explained, admiring herself in the mirror. "Mom went into labor this morning and they've been with the royal doctor ever since."

"Oh, that makes sense." Hymnal nodded. "Wait, WHAT?! Your little brother is about to come into this world, and you're in here worrying about your clothes?!"

"Yeah. Pretty much." She shrugged. "I mean mom's been screaming all day. I'm surprised you didn't hear it."

"Oh, is that what that was? I thought that was the harvest horn." Hymnal shook his head. "Well, let's go! We need to support your parents! This is a magical moment!"

"Well, I wouldn't know." Jeshica pouted. "Dad took my magic. Just so he could give it to a brother I don't even want."

"... well, this is awkward." Alonso quietly made his way out the door.

"Oh, Jeshica, darling." Hymnal sat down next to his granddaughter. "I know it was hard for you to give up the scepter, but I'm sure your father still loves you." The girl rolled her eyes and focused on her makeup. The former king sighed, sadly. "Alright. I'm gonna go check on your parents. Please consider following me."

With that, the fashionable ruler made his way to the master bedroom just as the pained screaming started to die down. As he got closer, he stopped to lovingly brush a painting of his dearly departed wife. "Oh, Sara…" He mused, happily. "If only you could be here to see this."

At last, he entered his former bedroom to find the king and queen sitting on the bed. "Hi, dad." Skywind waved, not looking up. The royal doctor passed his former king with a happy nod. By the time Hymnal made it to the bed, his son finally looked at him. "Thank you for coming, dad."

"Huh?" Hymnal held a hand to his ear.

Skywind rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I said thank you for coming, dad."

"Oh, it's just something I threw together, but thank you." Hymnal brushed off his sleeves, unaware of what his son actually said.

Skywind decided to drop it and just enjoy having his family together for this special moment. That is, until he realized there was one important member of his family missing. "Dad, where's my daughter?" Hymnal appeared to ignore the question, continuing to play with his new grandson. The king's anger flared. "Oh, for pity's sake, dad! Where is my daughter?!"

"Why are you shouting at me?!" Hymnal snapped.

"Because you need a hearing horn, old man!"

"I do not need a hearing horn! You just need to stop mumbling at me, grandpa!"

"I do not mumble! Pfft. I don't mumble. What's he talking about…?" Skywind mumbled to himself. "Just go keep Gem-ivine company while I look for Jeshica, please?"

After his father agreed, Skywind went off in search of the princess. It didn't take long for him to find her in her room, still working on her appearance. Skywind always thought it was uncanny how similar she was to his father. If it weren't for her remarkable intellect, he would have been worried. He knocked on the door frame to grab her attention, then entered the room.

"Jeshica, sweetie. Your brother is finally here." He smiled. "Would you like to meet him?"

"No thank you." She replied, coldly. "I'd rather not meet my replacement."

"Replacement?" Skywind sounded horrified. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, just give it a rest!" She snapped. "Ever since you heard mom was pregnant, you've been ecstatic. You were happy when you took the scepter from me."

"Who told you that?"

"Madame Indexia."

"... well, she's not getting any more pudding for a month." Skywind groaned. "Okay, yes, I was happy, but it was because of your brother. Not because I was taking the scepter from you."

"But she said you'd always wanted a son." Jeshica muttered. "And that you were dancing around right after you took the scepter back."

"... make it three months." The King of Hours tiredly rubbed a hand over his face. "Darling, it's not that I… I mean, I still… okay. Remember when you were five years old and you wanted a puppy? But your mother and I didn't think you were old enough to take care of one, so instead we got you a turtle?"

"Yeah?"

"And then what happened? Hmm?" He smiled. "Even though you really wanted a puppy, you really liked that turtle, huh? You used to talk to it, and carried it around with you, and paint its shell. You were happy, right?"

"Yeah. Until Aunt Rosaline ran him over with a carriage."

"I'm sure he didn't feel it." Skywind shook his head, exhausted. "My point is; you loved that turte, and you wouldn't have traded it for any puppy in the world. Right?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, sweetie, I feel the same way about you." The king wrapped his arms around her for reassurance. "I am not going to love you any less because of this boy. In fact, I guarantee that I will love you even more now that this boy has come along. You will always be my precious daughter, and nothing will ever change that. I promise."

Jeshica's lips finally curled up and she returned the embrace. "Thank you, daddy."

"Now, will you please come see your brother?" He pleaded. "I think you'll like him."

Reluctantly, Jeshica followed her father into the master bedroom, where her weary mother cradled the newborn infant. As the teenage princess got closer, she noticed the baby's bright green eyes and a curl of red hair. He was almost a spitting image of their father if it weren't for the lightning bolt birthmarks on his cheeks. "What's his name?"

"Hmm. We still haven't decided." Skywind admitted.

"Oh! Why don't we name him after your grandfather?" Gem-ivine offered.

Hymnal's nose crinkled up in disgust. "'Tiberius?' Are you kidding me, darling?"

"No…" The king's eyes lit up as an idea popped up. "Let's name him after your grandfather. Solarius."

"I like it." Jeshica admitted, trying to hide the glowing clover-shaped marks on her cheeks. "Can… can I hold him, mom?"

"Of course, sweetie!" Gem-ivine smiled brightly as she handed the newborn baby into her daughter's arms. Solarius gazed up at his sister with a gleam in his eyes. The queen smiled at the sight of her children together. "Isn't he cute?"

Not sure of what to do now, the princess gently tickled under the baby's chin, enticing a soft laugh. Jeshica was hypnotized by her new brother's giggling. Her heart throbbed as she held him closer, smashing his face against hers. "Oh, my Stump… he's perfect. I love him!" She cried. "As the princess of Mewni and older sister, I swear that I will cherish and protect this sweet little nugget for the rest of my life!"

"Aw, that's so adorable!" The queen gushed.

"And I will eviscerate anyone who dares to bring him harm!" The mathematician's voice grew significantly darker, as she squeezed the baby tighter.

"... getting a little less adorable…" Skywind muttered, sharing a nervous glance with his wife.

She was just a girl,

But she could dream,

So goes the sad tale

Of Jeshica, the Un-king.

To Be Continued!