MCYT RANDOMNESS 2

Princess Cub pt. 2

cubfan135: decided to Princess. Scar’s got free reign

Skizzleman: RUBBADUB CUB YOU’RE AMAZING

impulseSV: ohhh gl mate

Grian: you do remember the parrot ‘dress’, right Cub?

ZombieCleo: NOT THAT

ZombieCleo: ANYTHING BUT THAT

GoodTimeWithScar: I MADE YOU A LOVELY PARROT DRESS, GRIAN!

GoodTimeWithScar: THERE WAS NO FURRY BUSINESS

Grian: SCAR

ZombieCleo: NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Falsesymmetry: will be bringing my camera. Can’t wait to bribe you after.

My worry only grows as I read the initial responses, unable to focus on checking shops. Thoughts of chaotic dresses. Crazy ideas. Reminders of past princess dresses.

Grian showing up, bright red with embarrassment, in a feathery parrot costume that I know Scar didn’t mean to be a joke.

What if, with all the heart and love and unawareness in the world, Scar does the same with my outfit? He gives me something that reveals the scars running up my arms and across my back. Or something tight that reminds me of sculk? Or something inappropriate? I know this is Scar, who’d never intentionally make me uncomfortable, but the possibilities for chaos I’m giving him? The idea that I’m giving him the perfect opportunity to prank me? He can do anything he wants. And I can’t stop him.

‘Cub! Mr Princessification himself! Hi!’

I turn to see Tango, barely keeping in a giggle of excitement.

‘Hey, hey!’ I manage a genuine enough smile back. ‘How are you doing?’

‘I’m doing amazing, Cub… I cannot wait to see what Scar makes for you… are you nervous at all? Excited?’

‘Definitely a bit apprehensive, but it’ll be fine, it’ll be fine. I trust Scar.’

‘Oh, Noth… ‘I trust Scar’: 3 words you should never say together…’

‘Nah, it’ll be fine.’ As I speak, my worries rise up again. ‘I don’t have any mortifying memories I don’t want brought back.’

‘Scar will find something… you know he will. He’ll search through his memories of all the crazy stuff you’ve done… I mean, come on, Cubby, he’s Scar. He knows everything there is to know about you.’ Tango gives a small, chaotic laugh. ‘I can’t wait. This is going to be amazing… Jev! Jev! How amazing is it that Cub’s gonna Princess?’ As Tango turns attention to where Jevin’s landing in the shopping district next to us, I have a moment to breathe, stop myself panicking about everything Scar could do.

‘Dude, I was cackling like a witch when I saw. No-Poe is going to be getting the greatest propaganda in the world. We’ll win immediately with the blackmail of putting pictures of Princess Cub everywhere.’

‘Oh yeah, you’ve got your little No-Poe thing going on. Is that more poster action I see right now?’

‘Nah, nah, we can’t be having this here…’ I step over to intervene. ‘This is a no No-Poe zone, Jevin. Get those terrible posters away from here.’

‘Oh, don’t worry, man. We’ll have even better ones after the party… I can’t wait for this. I literally can’t wait, I’m so excited to see what Scar comes up with.’

‘Maybe, y’know, a bit of bribery… skadoodle your way into his good books… convince him to make it even more crazy and silly than… I mean, uhh… nothing! No scheming going on here, wonderful Permit-leader, Cub.’ Tango backtracks with a laugh as I give a joking glare.

‘The Permit Office will remember this, Tango.’

‘Oh no! I flee in terror!’ Tango gives another laugh. ‘Not the Permit Office!’

‘What are you gonna do? Flail netherite hoes in his face?’ Jevin cuts in. I glare at him too as Tango bursts out laughing.

‘You gonna hoe my face, permit boy? I’ve seen your little reaper get up and it is adorable… Did Scar make those too? Your cute little angry reaper masks and your little cloaks? That feels like a Scar thing to make.’

‘Dude, Imagine if Scar does the dress based on Cub’s Permit-Manager get up!’ Jevin says. Tango gasps.

‘With the little clip on tie, and the name badge of awesomeness?’

‘Absolutely! Cub, you should’ve gotten me to make you something. I would’ve gone all-in with the comical elements… fake vex wings… bright pink bows…’

‘Oh, yeah, 100%. I’m gonna suggest that to Scar myself. All the pink bowification.’

‘And, I’d do frilly pink short sleeves.’

‘And, of course, a little something something with the sculky bits…’ Tango and Jevin continue laughing and shooting ideas off of each other. I back away, unable to stop myself imagining wearing everything they’re saying. If even the custom elytras Xisuma designed specifically with me and Scar’s injuries in mind are uncomfortable, fake wings would be unbearable. Bows and frills that would feel like sculk? Short sleeves that reveal all the scars down my arms? I struggle to control my breathing as I think of being stuck in something like that.

‘...and of course, we can’t forget to make it all extra tight so he can’t just take it off like Bdubs did.’

I flee.

Every thought is too much as I shoot into the sky and towards my base. I can almost feel the itchy, tight material, hear the laughter of everyone except me…  Scar wouldn’t do that. Scar wouldn’t do that. Scar wouldn’t do that. He couldn’t. Surely he wouldn’t do something like that… but Scott’s also involved. Scott doesn’t know me. I struggle for breath against the outfit I’m not even wearing, hands fumbling to loosen my tie, undo buttons, stop the crushing weight of terror…

A building ahead. Etho’s base.

I barely swerve in time, landing roughly on hands and knees outside. I gasp for breath as I lie there.

‘He won’t make you wear that. He won’t make you wear that…’ I mutter to myself. ‘He won’t…’

‘Cub?’

I turn, standing quick at the sight of Joel and Etho staring at me.

‘Oh, hey, yeah… I wasn’t looking where I was flying.’ I try to laugh it off. Etho frowns.

‘Are you alright, Cub?’

‘I’m fine,’ I lie.

‘You were muttering… is this about princessing?’ Etho guesses. ‘I was wondering if you’d be alright with it, because I’ve seen you get pretty stressed by certain clothes before…’

‘I’m fine with Princessing. Scar will make me something good.’

Joel snorts, barely hiding his disbelief.

‘Cub, Scar’s going to make the most ridiculous, stupid, dress in the world. That’s how Princessing works. You wear something stupid that everyone will laugh at you about until the end of time.’ he says, serious. ‘You’ll hate it, and hate yourself for having to wear it. Now, I was about to show Etho how great I am at frogger so… bye nerd.’

Joel flies away. And, with only a brief pause, Etho follows.