#cossover

So I‘m rewatching Ducktales 2017 rn

Specifically the episode „Terror of the Terra-firmians!“ made me think of our favourite cave creatures. I mean the gang exploring abandoned subway facilities and getting scared of the dark? How could I resist?

IT'S a B.A.D.4 TADC!

One day this suddenly came to my head and now I can finally show it. It was really hard to complete because of my artblok and I think it's time to have some rest

It had been quite the scandal a few months back. Duke Araceli and his barren wife had adopted a child off the streets. A young girl with the duchess’s complexion, the duke’s hair and the most beautiful eyes and unnerving stare.

The duke’s oldest nephew was still set to inherit the duchy, but for the Araceli’s only child to be an adopted, foreign street rat?

Well, for once Penelope wasn’t the center of everyone’s disparaging gossip.

It was not long after that when the Araceli duchy hosted a ball to celebrate the newest addition to their family. And despite the nasty rumors, everyone was buzzing with excitement.

It wasn’t often the Araceli’s hosted events, and no one in their right minds would miss the chance to attend one.

On Penelope’s part, she just wanted a moment to breathe. A moment away from chattering guests and their searching gazes. Searching for someone cruel or nasty to say about her. Again.

She hadn’t expected to find a bird with an injured wing.

The bird was black, so maybe a crow or raven? Penelope didn’t know, but she could tell from its painful little croaks that it was injured. Even if its black feathers hid any sign of blood.

She picked up the squirming thing from the floor, unsure of what to do. She obviously couldn’t leave it there, but she couldn’t bring it into the ball. Derrick would kill her.

And god knows what everyone else would say if the mad dog of Eckhart walked in with an injured animal.

“Are you alright?” A smooth voice asked and Penelope turned to find a young lady a few feet away.

The young lady couldn't be anyone but young Lady Araceli. She had the duchess's darker complexion and the duke's pitch black curls and stunning honey gold eyes.

She was beautiful, even with her hair cropped shorter than any lady's should be.

(Penelope had thought the rumors of the girl having the duke's hair just referred to the colors and curls, not the length. Well, it was a bit longer than the Duke's own curls. Perhaps the young lady was growing her hair out now that she no longer lived on the streets?)

"I'm fine," Penelope narrowed her eyes.

No doubt the young lady had already heard all the nasty rumors swirling about her.

The young lady tilted her head before coming to a relazation.

"I am Altair Araceli of the Araceli Dukedom," She curtsied, the movement awkward in a very familiar way. "And you are?"

Oh. The lady, Altair, did not know who she was.

"Penelope Eckhart of the Eckhart Dukedom," She nodded her head. She would curtsy as well but her dress did not have the proper skirt for it and her hands were a bit full. "Pleasure to meet you."

Altair gave an awkward little half smile, warm eyes crinkling at the sides. It was a kind look. One Penelope wasn't very familiar with.

"Oh," Altair's expression went blank as she saw the bird cradled in Penleope's hands.

Penelope bristled, preparing for the acusation.

Just because Altair didn't recognize her at first glance didn't mean she wouldn't have heard the rumors.

"Poor thing," Altair cooed softly, moving closer. "Did you find her out here?"

"I- yes," Penelope nodded as the bird made soft, pained sounds in her palms.

"It's alright little one," Altair whispered, voice soft than silk as she ran a finger along the bird's head. "Come on. We should get the poor thing some help."

Penelope wanted to be suspicious, but when she looked into honey gold eyes she found no ill intent.

Altair is like me, she reasoned. She's the fake daughter of a duke as well. Perhaps she simply won't care in the same way others do.

"Alright," She sniffed. "But I don't want to go through the ball."

She didn't need Derrick seeing her carrying around an injured animal. He'd never let her hear the end of it. He'd probably use it as another reason to lock her up in her room.

"Of course," Altair nodded, gently grabbing her arm and pulling her towards a side door. "Going through such a loud room with so many people would scare the poor thing. We'll use this entrance."

The entrance in question was half hidden by plants, the type of door servants would use when they weren't to be seen.

"Faye?" She called as she peaked through the door.

Penelope could hear servants mulling about beyond the enterance.

"Young Mistress?" A feminine voice replied. "What are you doing here? The ball is being held in your honor. Did something happen?"

Such a kind tone. So different from the tone used by the servants employed by the Eckharts.

"Lady Penelope Eckhart has found an injured bird," Altair explained. "We are trying to help the poor thing. Please inform my parents and Duke Eckhart that the two of us will be in my room for the time being. And send a box and cloth to my room."

"Of course, Young Mistress," They voice replied, shakier than before.

No doubt because of the mention of the mad dog of Eckhart.

"This way Lady Penelope," Altair continued to guide her through a set of doors and corridors until they ended up in an extravagant room that could only belong to Young Lady Araceli. "I'll likely have to call for a specialist, but that can wait until tomorrow."

"...Young Lady Araceli," Penelope said after a moment.

The girl was a whirlwind of movement, however soft spoken and blank faced she was.

The whirlwind in question blinked, "'Young Lady Araceli?'"

Oh. She'd only been in the duchy for a scant few months with only her new family and servants for company.

"It is how I am supposed to refer to you," Penelope replied.

She remembered how many times she had blundered her way through conversations and titles when she had been brought in.

"Oh," Altair blinked again. "Oh, have I been referring to you wrong? Should I have been calling you Young Lady Eckhart?"

Penelope couldn't help her bark of laughter, "No. No one refers to me as Young Lady Eckhart."

They'd have to consider her an Eckhart to do so. Not just the fake daughter of the duke. Not just the replacement for a dead girl.

"...I see," Altair said in a soft, monotone voice with a blank face. Penelope got the feeling she didn't see at all. "Then you can refer to me as Altair. I'm not one for formalities."

No, a street rat turned duke's daughter wouldn't be. Penelope certainly wasn't.

"Lady Altair then," Penelope noetheless obliged.

"Young Mistress," There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Altair called.

A servant dropped off the box and cloth Altair had requested.

"Thank you," Altair grabbed the items as the servant left.

"Why did you request a box and cloth?" Penelope asked as she watched the other girl assemble a nest of cloth in the box.

"When you find an injured bird you should keep it in someplace warm, dark and safe," Altair answered holding out the box for Penelope to place the bird in. "It's a temporary measure to keep the injuries from getting worse before a professional can take over."

"I see," Penelope delicately placed the bird in the box. "Should we try and feed it? Or give it some water?"

"Not yet," Altair shook her head. "You have to be extremely careful when feeding birds, lest you kill them. It's probably best to leave the box here until the guests leave."

Penelope was silent for a moment, "Should we head back then?"

She didn't really want to. She did not want to deal with the whispers and comments. And she did not want to have to deal with someone pulling Altair aside and telling her every rumor there was swirling around about Penelope.

She couldn't remember the last time someone actually had a conversation with her like Altair did.

"We should," Altair secured the box and made her way out the room, holding the door open for Penelope. "I'll make sure the bird gets proper care..."

The chatted for a while about the bird before a sharp 'Penelope!' broke the conversation.

Shit. Derrick had found her andhe did not seem happy.

"Brother," She smiled in the face of his ire. Not like she had any other choice. "Did you need something?"

"You have been on probation for a month," Derrick glared. "You just get off it, and then you run away. In another duke's manor no less! Do you have no shame?"

Derrick made to grab her wrist, but a delicate hand grasped his before I could.

"I would appreciate you not insulting my guest," Altair's voice was ever soft and ever flat, yet it echoed in the silent hall leading up to the ballroom. "She did not 'run away in another duke's manor,' she was assisting me with something."

Derrick turned to look at the short haired girl next to her with that same mean look in his eyes. And to Penelope's amazement, Altair didn't even flinch.

"My apologies," Derrick took in a deep breath. "I do not believe we have met before."

"That is because we haven't," Altair sniffed. "And you are making a terrible first impression."

Penelope had to fight back a laugh at the look on Derrick's face.

Altair finally let go of his wrist to curtsy, "I am Altair Araceli of the Araceli Dukedom. And you are?"

Derrick, ever bound by his desire to not stain the family's name, bowed in return, "Derrick Eckhart, heir of the Eckhart Dukedom."

Altair hummed softly, "Lady Penelope was helping me with a task and we were just on our way to return to the ball. There was no need to yell. And there was certainly no need to run around an estate that does not belong to you with no company in sight."

Holy shit.

Penelope thought the politics of it all would fly right over Altair's head given her recent entrance to the noble life. But she supposed that the duke and duchess wouldn't have hosted a ball if she wasn't prepared to deal with people like Derrick.

"Is something the matter?" A feminine voice asked, and Penelope turned to see her father with a vaguely familiar couple.

The Duke and Duchess Araceli.

"I heard yelling," The duchess continued.

"Not at all, Mother," Altair bowed her head slightly. "I was just on my way back to the ball with Lady Penelope when Young Lord Eckhart stopped us. The yelling was him. He was quite cross about something or another."

"I was simply worried about Penelope wandering off without a word," Derrick scoffed and Penelope wanted to roll her eyes. Sure, blame the yelling on her. "She shouldn't leave without informing someone."

"I sent a servant to inform both my parents and Duke Eckhart of our brief departure," Altair lifted her head.

"Indeed," Duke Araceli hummed. "Something about a bird?"

"Ah, yes," Altair smiled, a lopsided awkward thing. Penelope couldn't help but find it charming. "Lady Penelope found an injure bird, so we took it to my room to keep it safe until a professional could look at the poor thing. Which, I would like a professional called please. Ah, but we were on our way back to the ball when Young Lord Eckhart yelled Lady Penelope's name and started ranting at her."

"I see," The duchess hummed. "Well, I'll make sure a professional is here to look at the bird by morning, my dear."

"Then that matter is settled," Her father nodded. "Come then you two. We've trouble this family enough."

Penelope sighed, but moved towards her father and Derrick. As nice as this brief break was, it was over now...

"Ah, one more thing," Altair interrupted. "I was wondering if Lady Penelope would like to visit again when it is time to set the bird free. She was the one to find it after all."

The request was phrased in a way that it was a question to everyone in the hall, but Altair was looking directly at her.

It was an invitation just for her.

"That is a lovely idea," The duchess clapped. "Wouldn't you say so Lord Eckhart?"

"Quite," Penelope's father agreed, much to her surprise.

"Father," Derrick protested.

"It would do for Penelope to make some friends," Her father raised a hand.

"And it would do for Altair to make some as well," Duke Araceli responded. "We'll work something out."

Penelope couldn't help but smile.

Visiting Altair again sounded quite nice.

-

Covey (or Altair now, they'd have to get used to it) sighed as their back hit the bed.

A little pop up opened in front of their eyes.

Event Cleared!

[Birds of a Feather]

You have unlocked HARD MODE PROTAGONIST: PENELOPE ECKHART

You have unlocked LOVE INTEREST: DERRICK ECKHART

You have unlocked SIDE CHARACTER: DUKE ECKHART

Would you like to open CHARACTER PROFILES?

They hit 'No.'

They could do that in the morning. They'd spent an entire day running around and watching their words and being a good little ducal princess.

It was exhausting.

When they had agreed to go on this quest for their father, being transported to another world and picked off the street and adopted by royalty was not what they expected.

From what they'd gleaned, the world Covey, no Altair, currently resided in was a branch world from their own, making it so it still fell under the gods purview. And apparently there had been some death based problems.

Lord Hades wanted to let the situation resolve itself, but Lady Hecate had a blessed here that was affected by it so she asked Lady Persephone to deal with it, who asked Lord Hades, who asked their father who asked them.

What a long game of telephone.

Something about gods not being able to go to branch worlds for large amounts of time.

They hadn't even gotten a prophecy! Because the world was apparently caught in some time loop? Altair didn't really get it.

Instead they got some blessings for Lady Hecate (as the person who started this quest in the first place) and a system to guide them. A system that seemed weirdly reminiscent of an otome game.

Like 'love interest?' 'Hard mode protagonist?'

Yeesh.

Well, at least they had something to go off now.

If Penelope Eckhart was the protagonist, then she'd be the key to figuring everything out.

Good Old-Fashioned Criminals written by Poetry | @featherquillpen

A Sense8/Leverage Podfic read by mistbornhero for VoiceTeam filling the challenge Happy Anniversary