#velze

Amalgamation Fusion, Alix

Here she is a combination of tiger, snake, ladybug, fox, and mouse

And...

Amalgamation Fusion, Adrien

"I just... I don't like my reflection."

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            Luka sat along the wall in the meeting room of the snake assembly. He half-listened to the desperate pleas of the other snake family members and Anarka’s stubbornness. They had been in a vicious cycle since the Winter Solstice. All the snakes praised Juleka and Sass’s methods of celebrations and begged for Juleka to be elevated to heir. Anarka refused to hear their sound reasonings and dismissed them all. Anarka still believed Luka to be the best fit.

            Luka sighed as Anarka continued to back him, having long forgotten he was in the room. Frustration gnawed at him as he watched the roundabout before him. Juleka was the better choice. He knew it, the other snake members did, but only Anarka refused to relent. She tried to paint him as this perfect figure that he never was. A figure he was often admonished for not being before.

            Luka shook his head and slipped out of the room. He headed to the teleportation pads and jumped on a random one. He didn’t care where he went, but anywhere was better than here. The pad hummed to life and transported him to the swan district. He paused as he took in the elegance of the white and black buildings accented all the more by the constant rainbows that reflected in the sky. He passed through the misty streets to the lake everything was built around. Its iridescent waters shimmered and shined in the afternoon sun. Swan birds and swan family members gleefully swam in the ethereal waters. In the center of all of them was Ondine, who stood out with her blazing red hair. A little girl pointed him out to Ondine, who swam over to the shore to greet him.

            “Luka! What a surprise! What brings you to my humble district?” Ondine chirped.

            Luka looked away. “Oh, you know, just getting away from my mom. And the other snakes too, I suppose.”

            “Oh dear. What happened?”

            “The same thing I imagine you all were summoned for, without me. To discuss the Winter Solstice.”

            “Oh, yes. Would you care to hear how it went?”

            Luka shook his head. “I honestly don’t see the big fuss. Juleka was right. We should be celebrating the way she did. The way Sass wanted. It was quiet, peaceful, and delightful. Even their dance was haunting, but perfect. It was everything that the snakes and season should be. Instead of considering her for so much more, they want to keep me as heir.”

            Ondine tilted her head. “That troubles your soul deeply. Sit, tell me way.”

            Luka considered, then sat on the ground. “Where do I even start? I guess, the biggest thing, I’ve never been good at maintaining my duties. The greenhouse is a big example. When Sass was explaining to me everything I had to do and the sheer amount of work it’d take, all I could think of is how much I didn’t want to do it. I just wanted to slither off and bask in the sun or anything that wasn’t working. And I hear how effortlessly Juleka has taken over, and there is already a perfect example of her being better than me.”

            “Fair. We do have our duties that we need to attend to. If we can’t, then another heir should be considered. That’s understandable,” Ondine commented.

            “Exactly! But they want to keep me. The same person that they berate and deride for having a relationship with a peacock. The same relationship that they dismiss, label as fake, and just ignore. They all say a snake could never be with a peacock. You’re just her little toy. You mean nothing to her. All these things and she’s the only one that makes me feel… normal.”

            Ondine hummed. “Well, how does Adrienne treat you?”

            “She’s… she’s kind to me. She worries about me and my needs. She’s there for me when I’m upset and need to be comforted. She never brings me down or reminds me of my failures. Or rather, what I fail to be. I love being with her. She makes me feel like I’m worth something.”

            “I see. I see. A thought. Maybe another reason you feel worth something to Adrienne is because she doesn’t treat you like a snake?”

            Luka furrowed his brow. “That… you’re right. I mean, aside from the pet names, she rarely calls to attention that I’m a snake.”

            “And would you say that makes you happy?”

            Luka considered and nodded.

            “Well, if I may be honest with you, I never saw you as a snake. You fit the bill in a few places, but you just… you’re too different.”

            “What do you mean?”

            “Well, I mean no offense at all, but you seem more like Jagged, a goat.”

            “What? How?”

            “Let’s see. There’s the lack of a desire to do any hard work like the greenhouse you mentioned. Whenever I do see you, you’re often relaxing or just taking it easy. You know, hardly working. You never seemed to take to any of the snake stuff. Except being a therapist of sorts, but even then you didn’t care for all that stuff either. I’d wager you’d like the more relaxing, self-indulging stuff that Jagged does.”

            “But how would I now?” Luka asked.

            “Look into the waters.”

            “Waters?”

            “Yes. The waters of swan districts are blessed and will show whoever gazes into them what I and Psyche see. The soul, bare and true. Gaze upon the waters and lay your soul bare for yourself to see. Witness what I’ve always seen you as.”

            Luka crawled over and peered into the water. He expected to see a weak snake, but saw a goat in place of reflection. His eyes widened as he fell back. His eyes misted over as Ondine’s words and his own realizations sank in.

            “Well?”

            “I… I see. I’m… I’m wrong. I was never supposed to be this, was I? And now I’m stuck like this.”

            “Not exactly.”

            “What do you mean?”

            Ondine motioned Luka closer. “This has all happened before.”

            Luka’s eyes widened as he scooted within earshot of Ondine. “What has?”

            “Children of mixed families. Hybrids, kinda. Ones that carry the blood of both. Most hybrids are ignored and just live their lives unhappily, unless they are made heir, like yourself. In your chance, you can request a change from mighty Velze.”

            “What? I can?”

            “Yes. You need only tell him to look into your soul. When he asks if that is truly what you want, you agree. On your word, he’ll turn you into what you’re meant to be. A lot of heirs usually just suffer in silence, resigned to their fates, but Psyche told me of a few that turned out to be Highborns for the other. Perhaps you being a snake Lowborn means you’re actually a goat Highborn?”

            Luka’s jaw dropped. “I… I need to speak with Velze. Where’s Psyche?”

            Ondine grinned. “If you hurry, you can catch him. He’s talking with Marc as we speak now. Council room.”

            “I… I need to go! Thank you, Ondine! Thank you!” Luka yelled as he took off running.

            Luka hopped onto the main teleportation pad that brought him to the balcony of the main station tower. He ran in, pushed people aside, and rushed up the stairs to the council room. He burst into the room, startling Marc, Nathaniel, and Velze. Marc stood as Luka staggered up to the table and leaned over it to catch his breath.

            “Luka? What’s the meaning of this? This is a private counsel. You can’t-!” Marc started.

            “Velze, mighty Velze, I beseech you. Look into my soul,” Luka begged.

            Velze’s eyes flashed with recognition and approached Luka. Luka looked up as Velze stared into his eyes right to his soul.

            “I see. Is this truly what you want?” Velze asked.

            “More than anything,” Luka said.

            “Wait! What’s going on?” Marc yelled as he joined Luka and Velze.

            “A goat is trapped in a snake’s cage. I will be setting it free,” Velze answered.

            “That’s… that’s something that is allowed? I thought we were as we are, and nothing could change that.”

            “None but me.”

            “O-oh, right. Um, Luka, are you sure you want to do this?” Marc asked.

            “Yes. It’s for the best.”

            “Best for who though?”

            “The snakes, Juleka, and myself. The snakes deserve an heir that better upholds their everything. Even if it’s not Juleka, they deserve anyone other than me. And maybe, just maybe, not being a snake means I have a better chance of making amends with my twin. But more than that, I want to be happy with myself.”

            Marc’s eyes widened as he bowed his head. “I respect your decision. Velze, with your permission, may we watch? I would like to greet Luka again, but as his true self.”

            Velze nodded and placed a hand on Luka’s forehead.

            Luka gasped as cold struck his body as he felt a part of himself was ripped away, sundering his soul. He felt alone and scared as he staggered back, taking sharp, shallow breaths. The loneliness was chased away by a moment of warmth before pain tore through him. He took a sharp breath as his entire body felt on fire. He fell to his knees as his bones broke and moved, muscle slithered under skin, and foreign powers swarm his mind. He let out a breath as he collapsed, and his vision faded to black.

            Marc screeched. “Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Nathaniel! Help!”

            Nathaniel looked up from his sketches and glanced around. “What happened?”

            “Nathaniel! Pay attention! We have an issue!” Marc cried.

            Nathaniel stood and walked around to Marc. He paused when he saw Luka, now with a toned, muscular body, goat horns, short black and purple hair, and goat legs.

            “When did we get a goat shifter?” Nathaniel asked.

            “Nathaniel, it’s Luka! He wanted to change and now he’s a shifter! Velze, is this your doing? Did you make him a shifter?”

            “No. I merely allowed the goat out.”

            “Shit! What do we do? Oh, what do we do? What do we do!” Marc panicked.

            “Maybe we should get a snake to-,” Nathaniel started.

            “What? No! We can’t let this out yet. We need… we need to call for the court. Yes. The court. We’ll just… we’ll just add it to the news, right? Hey, everyone, here’s Velze’s verdict. Oh, and by the way, no big deal, Luka is now a goat shifter. How? Oh, we don’t know. Guess they’re the oh so lucky ones.”

            “Uh, should we tell the Elders?” Nathaniel asked.

            Marc tensed up and grabbed Nathaniel’s shirt. “No! I got this. There’s no need to involve them at all. I can do this. I have everything under control. I promise. Please, just don’t tell them!”

            “Easy, I won’t say anything, but if we do it your way, we can’t just leave Luka here. We should move him to another room.”

            “Yes, good idea. Move him to-,” Marc started.

            “Hold up. I’m not moving him. You think I can pick him or even move him? Look at him!”

            Marc’s face turned deep red that spread to his ears. “I’m not trying not to.”

            “Hold up. Are you attracted to him?”

            “Well, obviously. Do you see that fucking body? He’s too fucking sexy.”

            “Marc, you’re one of few cicadas with powers. You need to find a wo-,” Nathaniel started.

            “The Elders already know what I am! As does half the court, if not all of them. That’s why the Elders arranged you and my sister. Now, drop this and just create something to move him while I go die in a corner.”

            Nathaniel raised a brow as Marc covered his face and ran to a corner of the room and sat with his back to them. He shook his head and used his powers to create phantoms with a stretcher to move Luka. He set Luka in Marc’s office and closed the door. He glanced at Marc before he sighed and left.

            Marc glanced back and waited for Nathaniel to leave before he stood and stepped into his office. He collapsed onto a chair and looked at Luka on the floor. Dread and nerves tore through him. Velze phased through the wall and looked down at Luka.

            “What is your will, Velze?” Marc whispered.

            “Luka will be Jagged Stone’s heir.”

            “And the snakes?”

            “Sass has made his choice, and he will not waver. I will trust him.”

            “Does that mean-?”

            “Juleka will be the snake heir.”

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            Sass stood with Gimmi in the Unseen. They watched the Elders gather in the council room. Felix had informed Colt, the Black Cat Elder, of what transpired at the party. The Elders asked for the kwamis to be present to hear their counsel, but the Elders seldom took it. If the Elders would have it their way, something would be done. However, the kwamis had their own plans.

            “I call to order this meeting of Elders!” Colt yowled.

            Sass narrowed his glare at the Elders that had gathered with Colt at the head. He ignored the rest of Colt’s rambling before Colt called on the kwamis. Gimmi nudged his arm.

            “Are you ready?” Gimmi asked.

            “Not particularly.”

            “Where’s all that confidence gone, Sass?”

            “Bite me, Gimmi.”

            “I’ll have Longg take care of that. Come along.”

            Gimmi led the kwamis out of the Unseen as they gathered around the council table. Colt opened his mouth when Gimmi held up her hand.

            “Thank you, Colt, for the stirring introductions, but we have something to announce.”

            “Will all due respect, Gimmi, we must settle the matter of this shifter girl. If she went as far as to kill two people, she must be taken care of. We cannot allow a murderer in our midst.”

            “Perhaps if your son wasn’t foolishly playing the hero, the death counter would have been at one. Even then, Sass stepped in and reversed the damage. It did not help matters that Felix had instigated an inebriated shifter. Perhaps you should have spent as much time on his intelligence as you did his gains,” Gimmi admonished.

            “Now, Felix is smarter than you give him credit for,” Colt countered.

            “I suppose you’re right. He’s at least smarter than you.”

            Colt took a deep breath as he faked a laugh. “Oh, Gimmi, ever the comedian. Well, oh Kwami of Reality, what would you do?”

            Gimmi hummed. “An interesting question. I would say, brothers, sisters, to me.”

            Colt’s eyes widened as the kwamis turned into balls of light and merged with Gimmi. Her body morphed into Velze. He floated to the center of the table and stared down at Colt.

            Colt bowed. “Almighty, Velze. We were not expecting your council today. To what do we owe this honor?”

            “My youngest told you, Colt. She had an announcement, but you refused to listen to her. Since when did any of you have dominion over my children?” Velze challenged.

            Colt pursed his lips. “Ah, well, a… a simple misunderstanding. What would this announcement be, Velze?”

            “My children are unhappy with the present state of the court. A state that they had grown complacent with while living with everyone. That was until one of their brothers opened their eyes.”

            “Velze, if this is about the snake shifter, then I assure you we’re going to take care of her.”

            “And how will you take care of her?”

            Colt hesitated. “Well, she will be put under arrest and tried by us here. From there, she’ll receive punishment. Though, according to your law, if any of us drew blood, it warranted death. You yourself did not wish to see us fighting after all. This girl did draw blood. Shifter or no, she cannot escape your divine law. And we must abide by the rules. What are we if we just throw away the laws?”

            Velze looked down. “Rules that are made, can be unmade. I see what you mean now.”

            “Velze?”

            “My children had reached out to me. They confronted me about how unhappy they were with the state of things. How they missed things from the old days. They yearn for connections again. They yearn for more. And you have all failed them.”

            “What? How have we failed? We’ve done everything as you said. We’ve followed your rule and your code. How is it our fault?” Colt challenged.

            “You promised. You and every Elder before you all. You all promised you would return the court to form. You all promised you would bring back those connections and the Highborns with them. But you all failed.”

            “Well, what did you want of us? How are we supposed to bring more Highborns when what they are is set at birth? It’s not like they have a chance to become more without divine intervention on your part.”

            Velze looked away again. “Just as you said as well. Have I truly been so unfair? I’m so sorry.”

            “Velze?”

            Velze looked back at Colt. “Perhaps it is time. Time for something new.”

            “What kind of new?”

            “My children would put the blame at your feet for the lack of form in the court. For failing to live up to the promises made by you and all other Elders before you. But that is unfair to you all. You did what you could, have you not? You pushed the heirs to embody their concepts, pushed them to be close to their kwamis, btu what more can be done if they are not given the opportunity to grow?”

            “What are you suggesting?”

            “It’s time for a new age to begin.”

            “What are you-?”

            Velze turned away from Colt. His black eyes faded to white and burned bright. His mind splintered as he connected with each of the heirs.

            “Young heirs, I summon you all to the council room immediately. You have ten minutes to present yourselves before I forcibly bring you here. Timer starts now.”

            Velze cut his connection with the heirs and watched the door. Juleka was the first of the heirs to show up. His eyes widened seeing the tear and makeup-stained face. Pity and sorrow struck him as his mane and tail shifted between shades of dark blue. He flew down and into her arms. She collapsed as she held him tightly. He nuzzled her and purred while he kept an eye on the door.

            Velze watched the rest of the heirs pour into the room. They shared bewildered glances as they gawked at him in Juleka’s arms. He waited until everyone had arrived before he phased out of her arms. She turned and reached out to him when she saw Luka and Mylene. She sneered and looked away as more tears fell. He saw and moved so his tail obstructed her view of the others.

            Marc stepped out of the crowd and knelt. “Velze, you honor us. What news do you have for us.”

            “Take notes, Colt. This is how you show respect.”

            Colt flinched and forced a nod.

            “Rise, young cicada, and listen well, all of you. Since the young snake arrived in our court, everything had been turned upside down. Unrest and chaos had been sowed and sprouted across the court. I know for some it is unnerving, that you may be uncomfortable, but a solution has been discovered.”

            Marc rose. “What is your will, Velze?”

            Velze swung his arms out as small vials appeared before each heir. They each looked at the vial in front of them, then at Velze.

            “Velze, what are these?” Marc asked.

            “My divine will. From here on, you and each generation moving forward will have a luxury I have denied you all: growth. I failed to remember that it is your place to grow and invent who you are. It was in this blinded failure I tasked your Elders to return the court to form without hope of any real change. So, change has been presented. Embrace my will and embrace your concepts. Become more for yourselves and the generations to come.”

            Marc’s eyes widened. “Wait. Are you saying, if we drink these, we have a chance to rise? We have the chance the become Midborns and even Highborns?”

            “And more beyond that. You have a chance to become Shifters as Juleka and the other boy.”

            Gasps tore through the heirs as they buzzed with excitement.

            “But be warned. This is not an easy path. If you wish to rise, to become more, you must fully embrace your concepts. You must embody all that it is and not have a shred of hesitation or doubt in your heart. Should there be even a sliver of it, you will not rise further than what you are now. And if you wish to become a Shifter, it will mean abandoning that which makes you human.”

            Juleka sniffled. “Is that why I’m such a monster? Is it because I’m not even human?”

            Velze turned and hovered in front of Juleka. “Far from. You are a goddess among men. The first in a long time. And it is because of you that many more may be ushered in.”

            “Yeah, right. What’s so special about me that’s worth all this?”

            “You are life itself personified in all its mysterious glory. All rise and bow before you as you usher in new, guide it through the cycles, and to its peaceful end. Everything starts and ends with you. You are life. Never forget that. Because I won’t.”

            Juleka furrowed her brow as Sass’s voice came through Velze. She looked up as Sass separated from Velze. Her eyes widened as he knelt and hugged her.

            “Never let these fools knock you down. When you walk, you have every right to hold it high. You are a true goddess amongst a sea of mundane. You are what they all wish they could be, and never truly will because none of them have the guts to take the plunge. None of them have the will to become what you are. You are no monster. You are a god. As you should be. As is your right by birth. Never forget that.”

            A tear fell from Juleka’s eyes as she sighed. She relaxed against Sass and hugged him. He scooped her up and pushed past the other heirs.

            “Wait! Where are you going?” Velze yelled out in fragmented voices.

            “With all due respect, Father, but I’ve had my fill of people for the day. That and I have a broken heart to mend.”

            “Broken heart? Who broke your heart, Juleka?” Mylene asked.

            Juleka flinched and buried her face in Sass’s shoulder.

            “Juleka?”

            Juleka glanced up and flipped off Mylene. Mylene’s jaw dropped as she furrowed her brows.

            “You. You’re the one that broke her heart,” Ondine said.

            “Wait, me? Juleka, what did I do? Did I say something?”

            Juleka balled her hands into fists and gritted her teeth. “You fucked my brother down by the fucking creek.”

            “I… yeah? I don’t understand what the issue is. I wanted to toss that ass like a salad, so I did,” Mylene remarked.

            “I mean, I can’t blame her,” Marc remarked.

            “Aww, you slept with those two and didn’t invite me? Rude!” Adrienne scolded.

            “You were resting from the, uh, prior afternoon and evening,” Luka admitted.

            Adrienne smirked and fanned herself. “Oh, yeah. I see what the adults always meant by that ‘revelry loving.’”

            Luka blushed while the other court members stared at Luka.

            “Eww, gross. Sass, let’s get out of here,” Juleka whimpered.

            Sass took a step when there was a bright light and a chorus of yelps. He flinched as he turned around to see a mix of kwamis and humans thrown around the floor. He looked towards the table where smoke rose from it. He jumped back as a clawed hand hooked onto the table and Longg pulled herself up.

            “What have we fucking told you about that shit, fucking snake?” Longg roared.

            “Time to go!” Sass yelled.

            Longg roared and lunged as Sass ducked and weaved between Longg’s attacks. Everyone watched until disappeared into the main terminal.

            “So, uh, what now?” Mylene asked.

            “I guess we drink these?” Marc suggested.

            Everyone nodded and drank their vials. A moment of nothing passed before light enveloped Mylene. It shifted between every color before it faded away. She looked herself over but didn’t appear any different. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by an ear-piercing scream from Adrienne.

            “Adrienne!” Luka screeched.

            Luka took Adrienne into his arms as she took shallow, uneven breaths.

            “It hurts! Everything hurts!”

            Luka’s eyes widened. “Deep breaths, Adrienne. Deep breaths. It’ll be over soon.”

            Adrienne gripped Luka as she screeched again before her body transformed into a human peacock hybrid. He held her close while Duusu jumped up and celebrated.

            “Ha! In all your faces! I knew all the years of pampering, etiquette, everything would pay off! You all doubted me. You all tried to discourage me. Well, how do you like that all now? I’m looking at you Gabriel!”

            Gabriel tsked and looked away.

            Duusu laughed as he danced over to Adrienne and Luka. “Come! We celebrate. Just the three of us. Fuck you all! Beauty conquers all! Ha! Oh, that feels good. Come now, Luka. And be careful with the merchandise. She’s far more valuable than you.”

            Luka sighed as he scooped Adrienne up into his arms and followed Duusu out. Duusu chirped to himself while Luka hung back.

            “Hey, are you doing alright?” Luka asked.

            Adrienne gave a weak nod. “That was… painful. Was it like that for you too?”

            “It was. Not exactly an experience I want to feel again. Thankfully, that’s been the only time.”

            Adrienne sighed. “Good. Good.”

            “Rest easy. You’re in good hands.”

            Adrienne smiled and nuzzled up to Luka. “I know. I always am when I’m with you.

            Luka smiled and kissed Adrienne. “Love you, fancy feathers.”

            “And I love you, handlebars.”

            Luka snorted and laughed. “Alright, rest now.”

            “Then later can it be just us?”

            “If Duusu will allow it. He may just throw an impromptu parade to show you off.”

            Duusu paused and looked back. “You’re damn right I will be.”

            Adrienne groaned. “Duusu, why?”

            “Because you are a goddess now too and your subjects deserve to see what true beauty is. It is your right by birth and all that nonsense Sass was spouting. Now, come, pampering awaits!”

This is where it all starts, people! Also, side note, I'll be putting this as a table of contents like Reawakening!

Table of Contents

            Velze woke from his rest. He stretched and rubbed his eyes when he heard something call his name. He phased through his star and gazed upon his universe. It was still young, but far older than when he had fallen asleep. He marveled at it when he heard his name called again. He crossed the fabric of his universe to the edge. He gazed out into the void where he still heard his name.

            Velze tilted his head and reached out his hand. His eyes widened as it disappeared into the void. He hummed and flew through. He gasped as he found himself in a corridor of ethereal curtains that billowed in a nonexistent wind. He gawked as he flew down to a circle room with white walls and floors. A set of couches with prismatic cushions and white wood were set up around a white round coffee table in the middle of the room. Strange machines and appliances lined the walls that he had never seen before, but had.

            “Velze,” a voice said.

If you mean from the London special, that is an interesting ask. We don't exactly know what Lila would have wished for since it apparently would have caused the end of all time. Which does beg the question what the absolute fuck she wished for (though a hunch tells me she wished for Marinette to never exist)

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            Juleka and Sass walked down a long hallway. She looked around at the walls of the portraits lined along the hall. The people depicted in them were a mix of young and old with one of them being Luka.

            “What are these?” Juleka asked.

            “All the current heirs. They figured having these leading into the courtroom would be beneficial, or something like that,” Sass answered.

            “They all don’t look like much.”

            “I’d agree but watch out for the black cat heir. Though, perhaps you should watch out for the ladybug one more.”

            “Why’s that?”

            “While there are others above the Paradise set, none are quite like that pair. Try not to get on their bad side.”

            Juleka snorted. “They’ll be lucky if that’s all I do.”

            Sass hummed. They walked in silence before they stopped before another large set of doors.

            “Ready?” Sass asked.

            “Let’s get this over with.”

            Juleka stepped into a large room with an assembly of people. She glanced over the small crowd that had gathered when her eyes fell on a table further up. It was tiered that rose up with a selection of individuals. Amongst them she eyed Luka and the blonde man from the news a few days ago. Her eyes darted between the two when she felt Sass’s hand on her shoulder.

            “Pay them no mind. They’re more set dressing for this meeting,” Sass whispered.

            “Oh. No problem then,” Juleka remarked.

            Juleka trotted forward and stood before the assembly of individuals. She looked over them once more before her attention was brought to a lanky man with black hair and bright green eyes.

            “You’re Juleka Couffaine, correct?”

            Juleka raised her brow and placed a hand on her hip. “Who wants to know?”

            The man shrank back but cleared his thought. “May I present myself. I am Marc Anciel, head of the Court of Miracles. Uh, we heard of the recent discovery of your powers as a shifter and have brought you to be presented before us.”

            “Right. Can we get to the part where I need to care?”

            Marc let out a squeak in an attempt to speak.

            Juleka tsked when light caught her eye. She turned away from the assembly to a pair of lights that circled around her. She watched as a red and purple orb stopped in front of her and morphed into a pair of small creatures with tiny bodies and large heads. The red one had three black spots on its head with purple eyes and the purple one looked like a butterfly.

            “My, what a spitfire. It’s about time we got more like you in this drab court,” the red bug said.

            “Agreed. It’s quite the refreshing change of pace,” the butterfly said.

            “Well, aren’t you interesting creatures. What’re your names?”

            “Oh, you’ll find out in time, young one. For now, there’s someone else you’ll need to meet,” the butterfly said.

            “Then where are they?”

            The creatures smiled. They reverted to orbs of light as more joined them. They converged above the council into a larger version of the creature with a pure white body, three sets of platinum horns, and a flowing, magnificent prismatic mane and tail. It opened all three sets of eyes and a seventh on its forehead. It peered down at her with its seven black eyes with thin white irises that faded to black.

            Juleka’s eyes widened and trotted forward. The creature opened its mouth to speak, but she cut it off.

            “You! Eldritch creature, come here.”

            The creature tilted its head as its mane and tail shifted between shades of gray to white. It flew down and hovered in front of Juleka. She grinned as she reached out and cupped its face. Its face scrunched in bewilderment as its mane and tail erupted in a color show of purples, blues, reds, and black. She caught glances between its flowy mane at the council behind him. She smirked at their shocked and scared expressions as they all exchanged worried glances.

            “Oh, oh my gosh. You change colors depending on your mood don’t you?”

            “I-.:

            Juleka pulled the creature in for a bear hug. She pressed her face against its and nuzzled it. She cooed over how adorable it was while she ignored the terrified buzzing of the room around her. It looked at her with wide eyes before it relaxed and nuzzled her back. She smiled and held it up.

            “What’s your name?” Juleka asked.

            “Velze. Pleasure to meet you, Juleka.”

            Juleka’s eyes lit up as she nuzzled Velze again. “Oh, you’re so cute, Velze. Yes, you are. Yes, you are.”

            Velze smiled. Its mane and tail shifted between every light shade of orange and yellow. Juleka grinned as she took it and held it in her arms like a large stuffed animal. It purred as it relaxed, its mane and tail shifting between different shades of light blues.

            “Say, Velze, you wanna ditch these guys?” Juleka asked.

            Gasps rippled through the area as it erupted in loud chatter.

            “B-b-b-but, you can’t! Velze-!” Marc started.

            “I’d love that. Let’s depart. I know the perfect place.”

            “Hell yeah. Just point me in the right direction.”

            The Court cried out as Juleka turned and ran out of the courtroom. She took a moment at the door, flipped them off, and ran off. She snickered and ran in the direction that Velze directed. She headed towards one of the large doors and slipped through. She gawked as she stepped out onto the balcony.

            Juleka breathed in the clean, refreshing air that carried along intoxicating foreign scents. Above her was a spectacular sky of pastel pink, purple, blue, and yellow. Far down below was a sprawling large village divided into several sections like a city. Beyond that was a massive forest with multicolored leaves and a misty aura surrounding it. Deep in the forest was a massive glass structure that poked out through the leafy canopy.

            “We go to the building in the forest. Step on the teleportation pad,” Velze instructed.

            Juleka looked to her left as a glowing pad appeared. She leapt onto it and was teleported into the greenhouse. She gasped at the colorful flora and fauna that filled the space. Her mind raced as she looked at the various alien plants as she recollected knowledge of them that she never had before.

            “This is incredible!” Juleka exclaimed.

            “Isn’t it? It’s where we keep the Paradise herbs. These are the ones that are imbued with true magic.”

            “True magic? So, could I say, brew them into potions and other remedies? Or even poisons?”

            “Absolutely. Typically, it falls on the Snake to oversee the greenhouse and manage the supplies of medicines. Your twin has done an applicable job but was lacking in his care of the plants. Our Dragon had to take over as he was busy being the therapist.”

            Juleka scoffed, then paused. “Wait, then what of me? After I turned into a snake creature, does this mean I’m part of your Court?”

            “No, not yet. I like you more than Luka, even the rest of the Court, but that is because you are different. However, that difference is dangerous when your heart is still wounded, and the wounds run very deep.”

            Juleka bristled. “It’s not my fault! I-.”

            “I know. You are paying for other people’s mistakes. You have been beaten down again and again. Hurt by those that were supposed to love and guide you. Hurt by those that have failed you. It’s these wounds that must heal.”

            “Yeah, well, easier said than done.”

            Velze chuckled. “It always is. However, now things will change. Your life will never be the same again and you have opportunities you hadn’t before. What you do with them is all up to you now. I both fear and look forward to what you do to this Court. You’re someone both my children and the elders have been looking for a long time.”

            “What do you mean?”

            Velze didn’t respond but smiled. Its body enveloped into light before it broke apart into countless orbs. Juleka watched them all fly away save for one. She watched the turquoise orb shift into Sass.

            “So, what now?” Juleka asked.

            “Now, we can hide away from the Court, at least until they decide to come for you. You’ll have sparked some interest amongst the heirs, so expect some visitors before long.”

            Juleka groaned. “Wonderful.”

            Sass chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry, I feel that sentiment. However, let’s take this time to familiarize yourself with the greenhouse. This will be yours now, thank goodness. Luka may not have had a black thumb, but it certainly wasn’t a green thumb.”

            Juleka snickered. “Do my ears deceive me? The golden child isn’t perfect at everything? Say it ain’t so.”

            “Oh, it’s so. Had to chase him out a few times before he eventually just stopped coming. Thankfully, the Dragon was able to pick up on the slack, until you. So, let’s see how well you fare, yes?”