Midnight Manor - 1F - Saturday Morning

[slothbabyproductions]

When Kamala awoke this morning it took a few minutes for her to realize her surroundings was not where she had fallen asleep.

When she looked around the room and saw how it was decorated she immediately smiled. She pulled herself out of bed and picked up items she forgot she had and the bits of artwork on the walls with fond memories.

“Oh, Midnight. I’ve never had a room better than yours,” she murmured as she gazed on the old mural of her, Carol and Monica.

So many things had happened since then. Kang. The Beyonder. She placed her hand on the mural where Carol and Monica were. “I hope I lived up to your example.”

(Open)

Comments

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Well, if Arden had woken up in her old room, and Cal had woken up in his old room, it only stood to reason that perhaps Kamala had also woken up in hers! And so, after getting out of bed for the second time - and a much more suitable time, and wearing far more suitable attire, thank you - Arden went on the hunt for her bestie.

"I'm once again knocking on someone's door that I hope I actually know," she called.

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There was a cackle of laughter from the other side of the door right before it was thrown open. Kamala immediately threw her arms open for a hug. “Hello bestie!”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

From the hug, you'd think that Arden and Kamala hadn't seen each other since their graduation, not a mere...what? Half-year or so?

"Bestie!" Arden said, hugging Kamala tightly. "Oh, it's so good to see you again! It's not enough now that I'm not coming back to Earth for classes."

[slothbabyproductions]

“Oh, you have no idea how good it is to see you!” Kamala said in return. “How are Cal and Kata doing? I brought some things for you to take for Kata that I got when I was in Aladna that I know she’ll love. Oh and Abbu sent more sweet tea. Don’t worry, I’ve already poured it out.”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Thank you," Arden said. "Normally I can handle it, but this weekend..."

She nudged Kamala into the room and went to sit down on her bed, grabbing the sloth napping pillow, and looking up at Kamala with grave eyes. "Okay, so uhh. I've got some news. And I wanted to break it to you first before we started telling other people."

[slothbabyproductions]

Memories of college flooded back to Kamala. So many times one of them had flipped on that very bed in anguish or sorrow.

Kamala sat down next to her old friend. “Well, I have news too but now I’m worried. It can wait. Is everything okay?” She asked as she reached out to touch Arden on the arm.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"So, um, there's a newly discovered medical...thing that I need to tell you about," Arden said, reaching for Kamala's hands. "And, uh, I hope you're willing to stay with me while we go through it?"

She looked up into Arden's eyes. "Because if you bail on me during this whole thing, how can I make you a godmother?"

[slothbabyproductions]

“Ahhhhh! Mashallah! You scared the crap out of me!” Kamala complained and laughed at the same time. “I’m so happy for both of you! Let’s see. I’ll work with Tyesha to put together the shower. You need to go on a babymoon with Cal. I know it sounds ridiculous but Nakia did it and swears by it. I’ll take Kata on a galactic adventure while you two baby moon. She’ll love it! Oh my God! Ammi and Abbu are going to lose their minds! You know they are going to show up and attempt to baby proof whatever spaceship you’re on.”

Kamala finally stopped to take a breath and cover her chest with her hand. “I’m so happy for the two of you!”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden cackled madly, because she was literally the worst.

"You're the first person who knows," she said, clinging to Kamala's hand. "I mean, outside of Cal and Kata, obviously. But I wanted to tell you in person." In part so that she could pull that prank because she was the worst. "First, what's a babymoon, and second, are you willing to be the godmother for Little Bits in here?"

[slothbabyproductions]

“Oh a babymoon is a luxurious vacation a few weeks before the baby is born where the two of you can be pampered before the crushing obligation of parenthood hits you,” Kamala explained/teased. “And of course I’ll be the godmother if the Goddess allows it.”

Kamala squeezed Arden’s hand tight. “Look at you. You have come so far. I am unbelievably proud of you.”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden waved that off. "I've never particularly worried about what the goddess did or didn't give a fuck about. I want you. There's nothing else that matters."

"You know what? You're right," she said. "I have. We both have. You're a wholeass superhero, Kamala. I admire you so much."

[slothbabyproductions]

Kamala blushed a little. “I’m not going to lie. Being a hero is so much work but… the other day this girl came up to me in a Hijab and babbled at me how I’m her favorite and I just remember how I was her. And now I’m on a poster on her wall. It’s a lot to live up to. I wonder if Carol and Monica are proud of what I do. I wonder at every step if I’m making the right one or screwing it up. But I know I’ve made the world a little better. And I’m ok with that.”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"They are," Arden said firmly. "There's no way they couldn't be. You are an actual inspiration. And, like, I feel like if you weren't asking yourself whether or not you're making the wrong choices, you wouldn't be the heroine you are."

[slothbabyproductions]

Kamala grimaced a little at her words. “Ok. So. Speaking of choices.”

She let out a long sigh. “I’m going to need your help on something.”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Oh?" Arden asked. "What? Anything. You know that."

[slothbabyproductions]

Kamala took a heavy breath. "Okay. Don't freak out because it's not what you think it is when I say it."

She grimaced. "I'm getting married," she said flatly.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"You are?" Arden asked, immediately breaking into smile. "Oh, Kamala, I can't--I didn't even know you were--"

Wait. This was not the reaction that Kamala should be having.

"Who are you getting married to? And why?"

[slothbabyproductions]

"It's fine. It's a marriage of convenience," Kamala sighed. "A long time ago the planet of Aladna became a matriarchal society. And... okay it's a long story but essentially I'm marrying a prince. It's a political thing. By doing this I'm keeping the region politically stable which is needed because of a whole thing with the Kree/Skull negotiations."

Kamala sighed again. "Anyway. Want to be my space maid of honor?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Isn't that what happened with Carol?" Arden asked. "So, like, are you the next generation of that...?"

She shook her head. "You were my space maid of honor," she said. "Whether a marriage of convenience or a marriage of your whole heart, I'm with you."

[slothbabyproductions]

"Yes, that's exactly what happened with Carol," Kamala said with a small smile. "This is Prince Yan's son that I'm marrying. And I'm so glad you said yes. We have time as it's about two years off. They haven't started writing the wedding opera yet. So you can have the baby and then get in shape for the bridal war party."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"...Literal or figurative war party?"

Her answer would not change, she just wanted to know.

[slothbabyproductions]

"It's... ceremonial. How do you feel about wrestling in pudding?"

Kamala was doing her best not to crack up.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Do you not remember Shenanigans?" Arden scoffed. "I've wrestled in pudding a truly ridiculous number of times for worse reasons that this."

Such was their lives that Arden didn't even pause to consider that Kamala might be fucking with her.

[slothbabyproductions]

Kamala was now laughing out loud and gasping. "Arden, I love you," Kamala replied. "But I'm pulling your leg on the pudding. Not the wedding but the pudding, yes."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden started laughing with her, even while she was trying to whap Kamala with the sloth nap pillow. "Wow. Just wow. Here I am, trying to be a supportive bestie and you gotta sass."

A few more thwaps, and then Arden tossed the pillow to the side. "Hey. Is that gonna...mess with anything else you've got going on?" You know, like...anyone in particular...?

[slothbabyproductions]

Kamala smiled. "No. I'm not obligated to anything other than maybe showing up at certain ceremonies every once and a while. I'm free to be with whomever I want. And I have my family. And my friends. And my nieces and nephew. Plus whatever this Little Bit turns out to be. Plus by doing this a bunch of refugees get to live in peace on Aladna. I think it's a good trade off."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"And you know Kata thinks you hang the moon," Arden said. "You're doing what you've gotta. Can I ask why it's important if it's just ceremonial? Like...how does it help?"

[slothbabyproductions]

"Aladna is a matriarchal society and isn't supposed to be led by a man," Kamala tried to explain. "So with a hero like me I can give the prince a way to rule without offending society or something. I don't get it. But it makes life easier for others. Oh. And technically I have the title of princess now," Kamala said looking at Arden. "So. Yeah. I'm a space princess."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Dammit, I'm not even a space princess," Arden said, pretending to pout. "But, actually, that makes sense. It's not that he's ruling. He's just your regent while you're off superheroing. But he's definitely, 100% not in charge."

[slothbabyproductions]

"Oh, and this is the place we went to when we did our galactic bachelorette party," Kamala reminded her. "The planet where the only language is singing. So your toast at the reception will have to be sung."

She had that same grin but this time she wasn't bullshitting you.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden scoffed. "You think that I won't sing at the drop of a hat? I'm a vocal mimic, babygirl. I'll sing you a wholeass four part harmony, if I need to."

[slothbabyproductions]

A smile came across her face for the first time since Kamala mentioned getting married. She leaned over to give Arden a hug. “I love you so much. As usual you always got my back.”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"I love you too," Arden said, clinging to her back. "And I will always, always have your back. I swear it."

She paused. "Wait, are you going to have to have his baby?"

[slothbabyproductions]

“No.”

There was a firmness there that was not to be questioned.

“That was made very clear in this whole process. Plus I’m not really the prince’s type. Nope. Only kids in my future are the potential tiny ones that showed up the day after prom. Maybe. We’ll see. I’m happy just to be part of the Illumin-aunties right now.”

Auntie Ruby would be so proud.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"You just mentioned that you were marrying Prince Yan's son, and I wasn't sure how that would happen since Yan was married to Carol, so...But good."

She paused. "What are the odds your Aunt Ruby already knows I'm pregnant?"

[slothbabyproductions]

“Are you kidding? Ruby probably has already picked out the outfits for the next three birthdays,” Kamala joked.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"She started buying them three months before I got pregnant," Arden snorted.