Chapter 4
The new V.K.s were… interesting. Not that bad, really. Just interesting. Ben still didn’t understand Mal and Fairy Godmother’s hesitance towards them. So what if they were from Wonderland? Mal and the others were from the Isle. It couldn’t be that much different. Or- well- maybe it could. Hannah didn’t pay much attention to Maurice and the other Wonderland kid, and Garrett just seemed uncomfortable around everyone. Maurice, on the other hand, was… an energy. They were doing one of three things at any given moment: sending flirty winks at random people who stared, holding the unnamed kid close and whispering to her, or both. Ben decided to just chock it up to the culture in Wonderland. The place was supposed to be, well, ‘mad.’ So the strange behavior displayed by the two wasn’t that surprising.
Which brought him to the other kid. The unnamed one. She spent all her time looking around curiously, often having Maurice hold her back from running off. The Auradon kids seemed intrigued by this, some even trying to approach her… before being scared off by Maurice. The two should have an easy time staying in Auradon.
Hannah truly reminded him more and more of Mal as they talked, from her cocky remarks to her dark leather clothes. She was Mal, if Mal had been raised by a King.
“So. How the Hades do you all not immediately burn when you step in the sun? I mean- it’s really freaking hot. Can you all swear here? Also, nerd over here,” She gestured back to Garrett, “says you can burn from the sun. Is that true?” She asked rapid-fire. Hannah was like many other V.K.s: trying hard to not be like her parent(s), but still holding on to their name with pride. She had Hans’ charm and regality, but still defied him by being cocky and rather spunky. She’d ask any question that came to mind, and refused to acknowledge any silent disrespect. In all honesty: Auradon Prep could use more people like her.
Garrett, on the other hand, was hard to get anything on. He only ever talked when asked something directly, posture reminiscent of someone who constantly had a sack of bricks on his back. He had been playing with the frayed edges of his sleeves- apple-colored sweater obviously not as kempt as the slightly duller red vest. He was wary of everyone, it was clear. His olive green eyes darted from person to person, no doubt planning the best escape route.
Ben sighed quietly. Maybe- well, hopefully- Garrett would be able to come out of his shell after a while. From what he’d heard, Garrett had been treated the same way as Rapunzel. So it would take some trying… but, if all went well, Garrett would at least find a social group to be a part of.
Finishing up with the school tour, Ben brought them down to the beach/dock area. It was the appointed “pirate territory,” but with any luck, they’d be able to avoid Uma and her crew- who usually didn’t bother anyone unless they went fishing or boating.
But, it seemed that this was the exact moment that Ben’s string of bad luck began, because wouldn’t you know it? Uma, Harry, and Gil decided to make an entrance.
“Decided to walk through our territory without telling us, princey?” Uma stepped onto the dock and approached them.
Mal gave a little scoff. “Uma, we’re trying to give them a tour. Could you please let us continue in peace? This is what you wanted, anyway.
To this, Uma almost laughed. “I’m not tryn’a start anything! Just wanted to greet the new kids.” She lazily sauntered over to the four new V.K.s, ignoring Ben.
As Uma introduced herself, Harry decided it was a good time to elbow Ben in the side. Hard.
“How’s a’goin’, princey? Decided t’ah not invite us t’ah the party?” Harry’s eyes curled in what was meant to be a grin.
Ben just nodded, clutching the place he was elbowed. “Yeah- yeah. Sorry, Harry. Sorry, Gil!” He called to the son of Gaston, who came running over when he heard his name being said.
“Hey! What’d I miss?” He grinned brightly. Naively.
Harry held out his arms, legs almost buckling each time he took a step due to the laziness of his gait. “I was just seein’ why princey over here decided it was a good idea t’ah bring the V.K.s over in our territory- without askin’!” He grinned wildly.
Gil tilted his head to the side curiously. “But- isn’t it open territory?”
“Yeh! It is, but it’s still ours, and t’ah prince still didn’t tell us ‘bout t’em passin’ through herre!” Harry’s voice remained steady. He knew that raising his voice would just upset Gil: which was, in Harry’s opinion, worse than upsetting Uma.
“Look, I know- there just was no time, and-”
He was cut off by Jane running towards him, bumping into Ben on her way to Mal.
“Woah, Jane-! What’s-”
Jane lifted her face: tears running down, makeup smeared all over the place.
“I- I’m sorry. I need to talk to Mal.”