Princess and Mitch went over to Kamari's to better break down the choreography for Wildfire until they got something substantial to present to the squad. The dance was hot, requiring a lot of floorwork and a good use of space. The trio recorded themselves and collaborated with the squad on any adjustments. The vision was that some of the squad would be on stage, and the others would be scattered around the party. Kamari would have her solo, and Princess would be flanked by Adriana and Opal. A good time to get close to her allies. Oak's Kingdom recorded the practice, and Princess sent it off to BC for the okay. Buttercup didn't reveal the party location but promised to let Princess know on Friday.
Friday. Her final detention with the puffs. She couldn't believe a month flew by so quickly between them. With detention out of the way, she could dedicate more time to other pressing matters and keep the interactions between the two of them to a minimum. She enjoyed BC's presence and input when it came down to their agreement, but it was those moments completely alone with her after detention that put her on edge. The empty halls would crackle with energy and the unspoken attraction she felt. It was insupportable. She craved and despised the buffer.
She sat and minded the clock from her corner desk in the now familiar classroom. Blossom was quiet, once again, and BC tapped her foot to whatever beat was in her headphones. Miss Keane stayed to oversee the classroom. Not risking a potential last-day blowout between Blossom and Princess. She was grateful for the peace. When the bell rang, Princess was quick to gather her belongings, ready for BC to tell her where the party would be.
"Blossom, Princess, a moment please?" Miss Keane requested.
Princess bit her teeth and fought back a grown while Blossom blatantly eyerolled in her direction. "I hope this time together has bloomed some sense of understanding between one another." Keane began. "There is chatter among the halls of this school about a rivalry between the two of you."
Her stern gaze chilled Princess's core, but she held firm on every word. Keane's eyes bounced between the two of them. "I don't condone any violence, but it's an honor to have a worthy opponent that you may not have expected to best you, and as a woman, it doesn't have to be a competition. There is a grace to whatever is going on between you two, treat it as such."
"Yes Miss Keane," The two girls unceremoniously mumbled. Did Keane just sign off on a cold war between the two? Only time will tell.
"I hope I won't have to see you both in here again. Enjoy your Friday!" She dismissed the girls.
Princess caught up to BC, who had lingered just a few paces outside of the classroom door. Keane exited and gave the two a small wave before Blossom followed her, looking the pair up and down before coming to a stop.
"What? I don't get to know the top secret location of Kamari's party?" She chided more to her sister than Princess for once.
"You don't." BC instantly defended, eyes flashing green.
Blossom pursed her lips, then sneered with a miff. "Fine, all secrets circle back to me eventually. Enjoy your alone time Demi and Kehlani." She flipped her hair and sent the pair a "toodles" before strutting down the hall.
"Damn, even the Pink Puta is buying it?" Princess smirked at BC.
"Guess so," She chuckled. "Demi and Kehlani is a good one; I like that more than Pete and Mikey."
"Think a bed will fit in whatever venue you have planned? The fans would go crazy if we recreated that performance." Princess chewed her lip trying not to let the idea run away with her thoughts.
"For sure, but we don't wanna steal Kamari's moment." She ran her tongue over her teeth. "Speaking of venue, I've got to take you to the spot."
"Take me?" Princess reeled back. She never liked surprises. "Why not just tell me?"
"Well," BC rubbed the back of her neck. "We still have to set up and you need to get the vision. Plus you may not like it…"
Princess thought for a moment about what she could be talking about. There were only a handful of places that she didn't enjoy going to, none of which could be used as a venue. BC never failed to pique her curiosity.
"We take my driver." She said.
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She and BC got out of the car, and before she stood the imposing volcano with an observatory attached to the top. Mojo Jojo's lair. The last time she was here, she was five and had hired the monkey to make her a Powerpuff Girl and the toxic antidote x. Because of her need to beat the Powerpuff Girls, the dangerous antidote was created, and her ego landed her a few hours in jail. That was the beginning of Princess's turning point. It took a minute for the lesson to stick, but she was a stubborn, spoiled child. Too young to heed the burdens of her actions and status.
"Oh, fuck no!" She spun on the green puff walking towards the keypad to enter the volcano. "Mojo's crib? Are you crazy?"
"Listen this place has memories for me too," She crossed her arms. "But he and the boys are gone to God knows where, and Mojo softened up over the years. I used to be here all the time."
"Isn't this trespassing? He's got all that dangerous shi—"
"I've spent the week clearing out any of his questionable items, and it's only trespassing if we're caught." BC deadpanned.
Princess stared at her, bewildered. Yes, Buttercup was the reckless one of the three superpowers, but this was blatant law-breaking for the sake of a party. Getting involved with Mojo's shit could call for a different kind of trouble. Though retired, Mojo was one of the respected Kings of Crime in Townsville. Princess Morbucks in his shit could add new targets, but if she could spin it to look like she had his blessing… BC said he had gotten softer. Maybe the party would get a pass in the eyes of the Monkey King with her involvement. Maybe it could help send a message.
"Fine," Princess conceded. "But it's a tight guest list, and we keep the lights dim enough in this bitch as if it's damn near empty. No outside photos."
BC smiled her I-just-won-against-Princess smile and punched in the code. "Way ahead of you, Prin. We've got smoke machines and deep red lighting for the mood. Might want to tell Mitch to change the theme to Bedroom Inferno."
The two finished the ride up the elevator and stepped off to reveal the space of Mojo's lair. The cold and drafty observatory had the glass ceiling uncovered to reveal the sky. The stairs that spiraled up to the telescope platform took up the majority of the room but made for a great stage. The issue was that his lab desks and control panels along the walls looked too enticing for a room full of teenagers. One wrong button and they could set off a missile. BC must've caught her gaze on the tables because she quickly stepped away.
"One sec," she said, flying to a control panel hidden in the wall. With a few touches of a button, the table surfaces flipped along the walls leaving them perfectly flat and ready to use for food and beverages. "The only thing missing now is the party."
Princess agreed. Coming to see it in person was the right decision. The platform at the top would be good for Kamari's solo, Mojo's lab was littered with electrical outlets, so BC and the band could easily set up on the spiral stairs if they wanted to. The lighting would be perfect as red to help cancel out the blue hue of the lab, and there were still speakers throughout so that the band could enjoy the party instead of playing all night.
"I'm thinking lights low at all times, smoke machines on the platform, stairs, and ground. Food on this table and drinks over there…" Princess rambled. "How do you feel about performing on the stairs? I know they're kind of narrow."
She spun back towards BC, who was giving her a look of amusement from the control panel. She shifted the lights to a deep crimson that complemented the evening sky and pressed a button to extend the stairs for more space. Another press of the button started the smoke machines. Mojo sure knew how to set a mood. "This what you want, Princess?" She asked, strolling over, her eyes downcast on her and appearing deeper and more muted in the red lighting. For a moment, she got to see a glimpse of BC if she was not a Powerpuff. Her green eyes shone brown in the red lighting, camouflaging the tell of her identity. In the smoke, she may not be as much of a Morbucks either. This party could work for her in more ways than one.
"I think," she drawled, spinning Princess in front of her, facing the stairs. "You and I should be on those steps there, flank your littles three higher or lower with Leslie and let Mitch take up the bottom with Al." BC's leaning right against her ear, pointing over her shoulder, pressing Princess against her. "Let Mari have the top where everyone can see her, but if she performs with a special someone, they won't be able to see them too clearly…"
Her nerves between BC's close proximity and her suspicion spiked. How did she know about Dom Louis? Another reason to keep the Puff at arm's length. She attempted to step out of her grasp, but BC just tightened her grip.
"The bouncer was Al's cousin, remember," she began. "Wouldn't say who gave him the black eye, though. I figured she had a secret guy she'd want here tonight."
Princess relaxed against her again, the two swaying to non-existent music, eyeing the top of the platform now flooded with smoke. If Dom wanted to make an appearance, he'd be undetected in this environment. It'd be a nice surprise for Mari…
Princess's phone vibrated in her pocket, and she pulled out the undeniable icons of Mari and Mitch. She answered without hesitation. Their faces appeared on the screen without warning. BC's head was perched over her shoulder intimately, she didn't realize it was a FaceTime call. If the room wasn't already red, she was sure her blush would've been noticeable.
"I take it y'all got the venue?" Mitch mused with a knowing arch of his brow. BC smirked but didn't make a motion to respond or move. Princess successfully stepped out of her bubble and flipped the camera to show the space.
"Yup, and this is what we're working with. You cool with dancing all the way up there Mari?" Princess quickly shifted Mitch's attention elsewhere.
"Hang on, let me tilt my head up. Ma's refreshing my braids and making them longer." Ma's protest to Mari's movement could be heard through the phone. "Yeah, that's perfect. Enough space for a small audience."
Small audience. Code for someone to put in the chair for her solo. "I can look into making that happen," aka I'll ask Dom if he'll come. "And longer braids? Mari, that's a long way down if you trip!"
"They're going from back length to knee length," she giggled. "I want these braids to swanggg," she sang.
"Ya'll will come to her family birthday dinner, right?" Ma's voice hollered through the phone.
"Yes, Ma!" Mitch and Princess instantly answered. There was no way either of them would miss out on Ma's cooking.
"And Prinny, bring dat girl who was lurking over ya shoulder on the phone!" Ma added.
Mitch's audible "OOP" filled the tense silence. "Can do!" Princess replied after a beat. No one denies a direct invitation from Ma, and there was no way she could convince BC not to come. So much for creating space between the Puff, but she was failing at that already. She caught BC's cheeky grin by the control panel shutting everything off and returning the lab to its original state of stasis. Moment over, time to go home.
Or, in Princess's case, to Mari's, where she already had their PJs sent and everything else needed in order to be ready for her party. She spent the car ride finalizing details and shooting off texts to OK and Mitch, making sure everyone had their PJs sent, the theme and flier finalized, and the close-friends invitee list on IG airtight. That was how the location and the time of the party would be sent, along with the agreed-upon rules. Each invitee would get a plus one. All that was left was for Princess to pick up Mari's gift and to make sure her surprise showed up.
TO: DL Tail: You're coming to Mari's party tomorrow. — she attached the digital flier with the location.
DL Tail: Parties are not the best idea with what's going on Prin…
TO: DL Tail: You only gotta be there for five min. We sneak you in, hide you, then sneak you out.
DL Tail: Why only five min?
TO: DL Tail: ;) be there at 9:30p
The driver stuffed Mari's gift in their pocket, then set off for the Martin's. Of course, Princess would be spending the night.
8888
Princess was up before Mari and quietly ran downstairs to secure her gift. Pulled up in front of Mari's house with a bow on it was a sleek, dark grey Toyota Camry. Looking at the vehicle, Princess was a bundle of nerves. Kamari had always felt funny about her extravagant gifts, but this was something she and her father wanted to do for the Martins. Kamari was 18 and soon to graduate; this was something she needed, and those around her felt like she deserved it. Her scholarships were secured with no assistance from the Morbucks needed. Since she was 18, the title could sit securely in her name with no interference from her family. At the end of the day, she was Princess's best friend, and with everything going on, she needed to display that Kamari and the Martins were under the Morbucks' protection. Everyone in the family was on board, she just hoped Kamari wouldn't freak.
She padded back inside and creaked the front door closed. She could smell Ma's cajun grits from the kitchen.
"Lord, Prin, she's a beaut," Ma said over the stove. "My heart can't thank you enough for what you do for her, send your daddy that love, too!"
"Kamari is a sister to me," Princess smiled at the woman she had come to know as a mother figure. "There's nothing I wouldn't give to her, even if all of this was gone in a heartbeat, and all I had to offer was my time."
Ma sniffed over the stove shutting it off briefly before she turned and wrapped her arms around Princess. "You have a home here, Prinny, if that day ever comes to pass, ya hear me!" She shook her lightly. "You found a sister in my Mari, and I found a daughter in you. Don't ever forget that." She gently wiped a tear off Princess's cheek she hadn't realized fell.
"I won't," she vowed as the thundering of the boy's footsteps sounded down the stairs.
"Is she up yet?" "Has she seen it?" "Can I sit in it?" The simultaneous and loud questions came from Kamari's younger brothers. Lorenzo (Lenny), Mathias (Matty), and Nykhil (Nykki). Lenny was five years younger than Kamari, and the rest were all two years apart. The boy's names and ages followed hers in order, giving the trio the perfect acronym: The Lemons. (LMNs)
"LMNs, please," Ma exasperated from the kitchen. "Not so much, so early for once! Breakfast is almost ready though. Prinny, do you mind?"
Princess was already halfway up the stairs before she hollered back, "My pleasure!"
Princess creaked open the door to Mari's bedroom and stalked to the bed where her back was turned. Princess took in a deep breath.
"Don't even think about it," Mari grumbled under the blanket. "I'm up."
Princess let the puff of her chest fall and opted to jump on the bed, bouncing the birthday girl with her. "Happy happy birthday, hope all your dreams come true, I hope you like your special gift, it cost an arm and leg or two!" Princess sang.
Kamari turned over in bed yanking her eye mask off with a confused look on her face. "That is not how that goes!"
Princess just shrugged. "Eh, that's how the Morbucks do it."
"An arm and leg or two?" She laughed and sat up stretching. "Y'all gifts are really that expensive?"
Princess thought back to how excited some family members got when they received the body part of an enemy for a present. "Something like that. C'mon, breakfast is ready!"
The family sat down, ate, and sang a more sane version of Happy Birthday to Kamari. The boys presented her with various gifts. A gift card, chore coupon books, and some handmade art/jewelry/apparel. The LMNs were rowdy, but each one had talent. Ma had gifted her some of her great-grandmother's beads she found in storage. Best worn when a woman came of age, and the two teared up at the memory of their lost relative. Then it was Princess's turn.
She blindfolded her friend and walked her around the neighborhood for a bit before telling her to get in. She expertly eased her into the driver seat, careful not to bump the steering wheel, then got into the passenger next to her. "Prin, if we're traveling to my gift, why isn't the car moving?" She leaned in and whispered.
"We're not in the Suburban, Mari," she chuckled.
Kamari froze and then, with shaky hands, began to place them on the wheel in front of her. She felt the leather seats while Princess Remote started the car with the key. "It's a hybrid," Princess said, and that's all it took for Kamari to start sobbing into her blindfold.
After a good cry, the two finished gushing their love for each other and allowed the LMNs to sit in the backseat. It took 20 minutes to pry the boys out. After that, the girls got ready and dressed to set up Mojo's Lair for the party. PJs packed to not alert Ma of their sexy theme.
"Damn, Prin," Mari began sliding into the driver's seat. "these windows are about as dark and thick as me!"
Princess couldn't help but fight back an eye roll and a snort. The girl barely weighed 135lbs, but no picking at the birthday girl. "Tint and bullet-proof windows. Nonnegotiable." She strapped in.
It was nice the bit of freedom gifting Kamari a car brought her. She didn't realize how different it felt for it to be just them without Marcus. He was a great driver, but these were the experiences she strived for. To sit passenger in her best friend's car with the music rupturing their eardrums, and bass thumping in their backs. This was the gift that kept on giving.
"Got a name for it yet?" Princess asked.
Kamari peeled out of the parking spot with a lurch. "Tuh, the first car in Oaks Kingdom?" She did a rolling stop at a stop sign. License she had. Practice, she didn't. "Honey, this is The Chariot!" She exclaimed.
It suited her. And the reference to tarot didn't go unnoticed. "Yeah," Princess yelled above the music, "Let's make sure it's not a wrecked one!"
88888
They scooped Mitch and met Rotten Flowers and the rest of the company early to set up. There wasn't much to do, but they wanted to run through one quick rehearsal before the party started. They played Wildfire through the speakers to allow BC's voice to rest until the show. Princess paid close attention to Adriana and Opal. The two were dynamic together. Captivating the audience in the way She and Kamari taught them to. At the top of the platform, Mari was doing her solo, periodically shaking off the nerves she'd undoubtedly feel once Dom Louis took his seat.
"Everything look good, Princess?" BC floated next to her on the stairs.
"I'm trying to think of ways this could go wrong," she admitted.
She adjusted herself in the air, floating on her back. "Can't think that way, it's self-sabotage. When you see a good thing, you gotta think of all the ways it can go right."
Princess locked eyes on the green puff looking at her intently. "Your optimism never fails to amaze me."
"Happy muse, happy music." She winked at Princess, before flying back to the ground to prep the band.
Happy Muse.
A familiar flutter took place in her chest. Were the partners, yes. Were they friends? Sure. But was Princess the source of Buttercup's inspiration? Well, that's what she said, wasn't it? Her Muse. She thought of Love Heist, Freak Fantasy, and now Wildfire. Songs that told stories of a crazy romance, songs that evolved as the two of them did. The story they were telling together was exciting, but she couldn't help but feel that Buttercup was getting too close for comfort.
The song ended abruptly, pulling Princess out of her thoughts. She checked the clock on the wall. "Alright, OK, we've got two hours until this party gets started. Go home and get ready if you need to. This one will be one for the books!" She leaned over the railing to get a good look at Mitch flirting with Al. "YOU DID INVITE SOMEONE FROM THE YEARBOOK CLUB, RIGHT MITCH?!"
"GODDAMNIT WOMAN ALL THAT YELLIN', YOU'RE NOT THAT HIGH UP!" He fired back. "OF COURSE I DID, WE DIDN'T DO ALL THIS WORK FOR NO PROOF!"
"Thanks!" She responded with a smug grin, happy to interrupt his and Al's moment. No one said she wasn't a villain.
She stalked up the platform to check in on Mari. There was no question that she had the moves down. She was a show stopper, but when it comes to her heart, that's where she tends to get in her own way. Princess knew Kamari's crush on Dom Louis was deeper than a passing thing. Sometimes, two people come in contact with each other, and from that moment on, they both know. It's all that time in between now, and happily ever after that makes the brain crazy.
"Don't overthink it," Princess caught her pacing in front of the chair. "It'll be smoky, and the mood will be right. You might even have a few drinks in by then, too. You've got sexy down, Mari."
"But am I sexy enough for him?" She whirled. "Prin, I know I'm extra with the whole my man, my man, my man, thing but I'm 18 now… this is my chance to show him I'm his woman." She chewed her bottom lip.
Princess linked an arm around her friend and leaned her head on her shoulder. "First of all, ew. You're literally a brand new adult, and we have so much time before worrying about being someone's woman. Second, Dom's not like that. He sees the value in someone based on their character. Who he's willing to fight for… what you guys have is a natural attraction. You don't have to prove anything to him."
"Not to him, Prin," she sighed. "To me. I don't need the gaze of those bums in the halls of our school; I'm past that, I know I turn heads. But to get that look from the one I want and know that I brought it out of him intentionally…" She shot Princess a wicked grin. "Oh, you won't be able to tell my ego a goddamn thing."
Princess was somewhere in between giddy and nauseous for her best friend and cousin, but she would support them nonetheless. "Well, it will be just the two of you up here, he won't be looking at anyone else."
Kamari pulled away with a smile. "Okay, enough of that. Let's get ready and pregame. I'll feel better once I'm in character."
Princess looked over the platform and watched BC's form disappear down the hall with her bag and bass guitar. "Same."
Party time next!