Chapter Text
Juleka followed Sass as they toured the greenhouse. She marveled at the different wings and the countless herbs contained within. She wondered how she was meant to maintain such a building on her own, if she was going to in the first place. The anxiety built up and downed away her excitement, allowing for other thoughts to come in.
Juleka wondered now that she was some Naga shifter descended from some eldritch god, was she stuck in this realm? It was beautiful and everything the real world wasn’t, but it felt weird to her. She liked the idea and certain aspects, but not that this was kept from her. She didn’t like learning about it now. She didn’t like having her entire world turned inside out and upside down. To realize everything about her life had been a lie.
“Any questions before we move on?” Sass asked Juleka.
Juleka snapped out of her thoughts as she looked around. She took several deep breaths as anger gnawed at her.
“Uh, will I have to take over maintenance of this?”
“I suppose not. Luka is still technically in charge of it, but it is still your sanctuary as a snake, heir or no. The care of it will remain with the dragon heir until a proper decision is made by Velze.”
“When will that be?”
“I’m not sure. It could be days, weeks, months, or perhaps mere moments from now.”
“You don’t really think he’d make me the snake heir, do you? I just discovered all this and it’s… I don’t know.”
“What don’t you know?”
“Everything! This whole magic bloodline bullshit, the fact that I never knew, all the shit I do know now, and how could we forget the whole crazy naga transformation, making me some Highborn in this crazy world. I just… I don’t know. It’s just… too much.”
Juleka huffed and plopped down on the ground. Sass moved and sat beside her.
“Tell me how you’re feeling, Juleka, please.”
“I just… I’m overwhelmed. My entire life was spent in a little houseboat on the Seine, living an average life. Well, aside from being treated like I had the plague.”
“How so?”
“Well, Anarka was very distant and never showed any outward affection towards me like she did Luka. And Luka was the damn golden child. He could do no wrong as she showered him with all the praise in the world. I tried to reach out to him when we were kids, but he grew cold and distant to me too. Made all the better as he was sent to special, privileged schools while I got the bare bottom of the barrel. Why did they do that to me? Why did they treat me like that if I was supposed to be like them? Some magic heir.”
“Because your powers didn’t show at the proper age. Typically, in your species, we see powers develop young. For them to develop later in life like with you is the rare exception. Very rare. Because of that, they had to push you away.”
Juleka hissed and shot to her feet. “Are you fucking serious? Just because my powers didn’t show, they had to treat me like that? They had to make me feel fucking worthless? That I was a mistake that they should have gotten rid of long ago? All because I didn’t have these stupid powers until now? How is that fair?”
“Never said it was, but each family reacts differently. Usually with an outsider in the snakes, they push them to be an outcast. It is regrettable, but this sort of situation doesn’t happen too often.”
“That still doesn’t make it right! And now what? Now they expect me to fall into line? To just accept this life and this change? To ignore the past like it never happened? To just pretend that nothing ever happened because I have powers now? Is that what’s expected of me?”
“You’d have to ask Anarka about that. Far as I see it, you’re free to do as you please. However, I would ask you to remain long enough to train you. As you are, you are a risk of exposing the court as an untrained shifter. I know it may be tempting to head back out and expose us, but I ask you don’t as the consequences can be… extreme.”
“What? Like death?”
“Death would be a kindness. You know what they say, right? There are fates worse than death. You are free to discover what they are, but I do discourage such a course.”
Juleka’s face softened as she sighed. “Well, ok. I’ll at least see how things go, yeah? But I don’t want anything to do with my family, especially Luka. If I stay here, I’d rather just your company, please.”
Sass chuckled as he stood. “Then get used to seeing this place. It is probably the only place you can hide aside from your room, but even that’s not as safe as here.”
“There are certainly worse prisons out there.”
“There’s more truth there than you realize. Now, come along. There’re a few other vital areas I wish to show you before we break for dinner.”
Juleka followed Sass back to the main area with the teleportation pad. Her eyes wandered as she was lost again to the grandeur and beauty of the greenhouse when she ran into a small branch of blue leaves with a pink shimmer. She swatted at them and paused when she felt fine, silky fabric. A girl’s giggle startled her as she jumped forward. She whirled around as she gasped, and her jaw dropped.
Up in the branches of a small tree, a woman sat. She wore a long, flowy gown with pink leaves at the top hem and shoulders, dark purple wisteria flowers at her hips, and blue brush with a pink shimmer along the bottom hem of the gown. The main body of it was a purple-pink gradient with the outer skirt a mesmerizing mix of light blue and sea greens. Juleka looked up at the woman’s mesmerizing sea green eyes and wild blonde mane of hair. She smiled and waved at Juleka.
“Hello.”
“Holy fuck, you’re beautiful,” Juleka blurted.
“Thank you. It’s the dress, isn’t it? I find my garments the prettiest in the realm. See, they shift depending on my environment. It can be fun, until you’re in a snowy wasteland or a desert. But here? An enchanted forest. Pretty, right?”
Juleka blushed and looked away. “Y-yeah, the dress is gorgeous. I’ve… never seen such beautiful clothing.”
“I could say the same. I’ve never seen such dark, sinister clothes like yours. Where did you get the idea?”
“Oh, just, y’know, my dark, depressing fashion sense. It, uh, fills the void where my will to live used to be,” Juleka added with a nervous chuckle.
The woman’s eyes widened as she jumped down. “Are you ok? Why do you lack the will to live? Did something happen?”
“What? No. No! I just… bad joke. Very bad joke. Sorry.”
“I don’t understand. Why would you joke about that?”
“Just… really dark humor. Never mind that. I’m Juleka. What’s your name?”
“Oh, yes! I’m Mylene, Heir of the Dragon, and Guardian of Nature. Pleased to meet you.”
“In other words, one of the Paradise set with you and who has been maintaining the greenhouse,” Sass added.
“O-oh? Uh, you know, I’m still new at all this and wouldn’t mind the help. If you don’t mind that is, of course,” Juleka commented.
“I’d love to. I was a little worried you’d kick me out after that display in the courtroom.”
“What? No! I, uh, have a mutual respect for a fellow nature lover. I, uh, would have said wicca or witch before, but, uh, yeah.”
Mylene giggled. “You’re a strange one. Is this what the outside world does to you?”
Juleka forced a smile. “Yup. It, uh, it sure does. We’re all just a, uh, bunch of weirdos other there.”
“Oh, you’ll have to tell me all about it! Like what are the cities like? What are the people like? I’ve only ever had glimpses into all that, but it all looks fascinating.”
Juleka opened her mouth when a peacock screech echoed. Sass groaned while Mylene rubbed the side of her head.
“Was that… a bird. Wait. Paradise set, peacock… was that a peacock?” Juleka asked.
“Finally! There you are!” a shrill man’s voice shrieked.
Sass, Mylene, and Juleka turned to see Adrien with a tall, lanky man dressed in the finest nobleman attire. Beside Adrien was a thin woman with fair skin, long blonde hair, and dressed in a plain brown dress with a moth on the bodice.
“Hello, Duusu. What a pleasure to see you,” Sass said dryly.
“Why are you hiding this far in this wretched place? Do you have any idea how long I’ve treaded on this dirty, awful floor? Oh, and the humidity! Do you have any consideration for my heir’s appearance?” Duus squawked.
Sass pinched the bridge of his nose. “You didn’t have to come along, Duusu. I’m sure Adrien was more than capable of finding his way here.”
“That may be so, but I needed to see the shifter for myself. I hope this one takes far better care than that lesser one. I still shutter at how little personal care that creature puts into his appearance. Honestly, why do you waste your time on that one, dear boy?” Duusu remarked to Adrien.
Adrien snorted and looked away.
Duusu hummed and approached Juleka. “Let’s see, minimal obstruction in your pores. I see a few blackheads, but well maintained otherwise. Hair is well-kept. No split ends either, good job. I can’t see your nails, but I hope those are well manicured. I just don’t like… all of that.”
Duusu motioned to Juleka’s clothes.
“I could say the same for you,” Juleka shot back.
Duusu cooed. “Oh, sassy. Just like dear Sass. Finally, an heir that truly embodies their kwami. You could learn a thing or two from this one, Adrikins.”
“Nonsense. I’m perfect the way that I am,” Adrien countered.
“Ah yes, the fuckboy that can’t see his own flaws. I knew a lot of people like you,” Juleka hissed.
Adrien smirked as he sauntered over towards Juleka. “I see my reputation proceeds me. I must say, it’s been too long since I’ve been in the company of such another splendid beauty such as myself. We simply must have a little get together. Preferably somewhere that isn’t a jungle.”
Juleka raised a brow as she saw Adrien move to reach his arm around her shoulders. “Touch me and I’ll rearrange every bone in your ugly ass mug.”
Adrien cooed as he wrapped an arm around Juleka’s shoulders. “Adorable! You make threats like my dear cousin, Felix. Though he only threatens me if I dare get close to his precious bugaboo. Or if he’s in a bad mood, which, when isn’t he?”
Juleka rolled her eyes when she caught sight of a mischievous smile on Mylene’s lips.
Mylene sighed as she perched back on the branch. “Marinette is such a lucky girl. What guy or girl in this court wouldn’t want a man like him. Oh, the nights they steal away into the forest and the moon is at its apex. Oh boy is there nothing like seeing that beast in the full moon’s light.”
Adrien’s head snapped towards Mylene with a frightful scowl. “Puh-lease! Felix is nothing more than a boorish brute with no real personality to speak of other than his daddy issues. A better question is why wouldn’t any girl or guy want someone as fabulous as me?”
“Because not everyone wants a bottom ass twink.”
Juleka snorted and covered her mouth while Adrien’s jaw dropped. Juleka moved next to Sass and Duusu while ethereal peacock feathers fanned out behind Adrien.
“I have never been more insulted in all my life! How dare you! I am beauty personified! I can be whatever I damn well please, unlike Mr. Daddy-Issues-are-the-Only-Thing-That-Makes-Me-Attractive. So sorry if I don’t just want to be walking around like a hulking brute all the time.”
“I don’t know. I just hear excuses.”
“Excuses? Excuses! How dare you accuse me of lying in such an abhorrent manner.”
“Please, Adrien. We all know you’re a little twink for your pet toy.”
Adrien’s scowl deepened, his nostrils flared, and his ethereal feathers solidified behind him. Mylene’s face dropped as he summoned a pair of bladed fans. She slid off the branch and summoned an elegant sword. They held their weapons at the ready when Sass slithered between them.
“Enough! There will be no fighting here! Take this mindless dispute out to the training grounds or rooms. Now!” Sass ordered.
The woman in the plain dress joined Sass. “I agree! You’re making us look bad in front of our newest member!”
“No, no. Keep going. I want to see who wins,” Juleka remarked.
“What? No! We can’t encourage this. It’s wrong. We must present ourselves as civilized and as a perfect group. If we’re seen fighting, what will the other members of court think?”
Juleka narrowed her eyes. “I’m going to hate you.”
“What? Why? I didn’t-!”
“Can it, Zoe. No one cares!” Adrien snapped.
“I will not. You’re over here acting a fool. You’re the reason we’re the butt of all the gossip. You and your toy. If you cared at all for our image, you’d finally act like the heir you’re supposed to be instead of a whiny playboy.”
Adrien’s vision went red as he lunged for Zoe. Sass caught Adrien by the throat and tossed him into Duusu.
“Escort your heir out of here and see to it that whatever his issues are taken care of,” Sass commanded.
“I agree. This is very unbecoming, Adrikins. Honestly, I don’t know what’s gotten into you. Let’s go.”
Duusu dragged Adrien away. Mylene relaxed and unsummoned her sword. Zoe sighed as Sass grumbled and moved beside Juleka. Juleka knotted her brows as she stared at the floor. A strange feeling overcame her seeing Adrien’s outburst that she couldn’t place and it disturbed her.
“Zoe, Mylene, we’ll see you later. We have business to finish before dinner,” Sass announced.
“Oh, ok! I’ll see you two tomorrow then, right?” Mylene asked.
“Huh? Oh. Oh! Yes! We’ll be back. Promise!” Juleka blurted out.
Mylene smiled and clapped excitedly.
Juleka smiled and glanced back at Mylene while Sass dragged her away.