Chapter Text
Veneer and Gloss only brought FJ and Sparkles along to Rageous for whatever the reason they didn’t wish they received in their faces.
They would rather leave both children under the care of Celeste and Twisty, who are their capable protégés. Griselda the Grinchilla could even keep the twins entertained for a while.
They would’ve only gone for a shorter trip, checking the prison’s community garden, and discussing policies with Marvel and Cerise. And then they would come back and play with the two kids and the two teen girls for the rest of the day.
But just as the two husbands were packing up minor baggage, a courier delivered a laced, polished letter with a red ribbon stamp.
That stamp was evidence of how an important figure had specifically identified and requested them something the couple couldn’t turn down. Particularly when both of them are part of the Rageous royal family…
“Dear Princes!
It’s quite an honor to contact you both! I saw your children’s performance online! It would be a shame if I couldn't meet them in person!
Your Regards,
Lucifer Magne
PS: I can be a sponsor for your business if you have one!”
Lucifer Magne… that was the venerated name of one of the most influential tycoons at Mount Rageous. He was responsible for mass entertainment, from the singing business, TV broadcasting, to cinema productions. It would be imprudent if both Veneer and Gloss declined his offer…
“He referred to me as a prince when I’m just a consort…” Ven mumbled, “But with him being so nice… let’s just wing it…”
“Fair… and we really are in need of a sponsor…” Gloss agreed, “Kinda wish he didn’t find us through the pictures that got leaked from the karaoke less than a few nights ago…”
“I can tag along to see what’s the deal with this…Lucifer person if you don’t mind.” Floyd requested, which was quickly approved by both Rageons.
As for FJ and Sparkles? They chirped nonstop, the moment they learned they would be meeting a celebrity!
And when talking nonstop… they legitimately enthused from the motorcycle ride, the palace visit, to Lulu’s mansion.
“Bro, they’re that enthusiastic about Mr. Magne…?” Marvel was disbelieved by his nephew and niece’s energy. He could discern how Gloss was struggling to contain FJ, who was wriggling with excitement and talking about how he liked the name Lulu even without knowing the person.
“I know right… it’s just a celebrity… but whatever, gotta please the kids sometimes…” Ven sighed while picking Sparkles up, before he and Gloss were taking both kids to Lulu’s mansion.
Needless to say, Ven, Gloss and Floyd weren’t really comforted by Lulu’s presence, even though Lulu was acting hospitable.
“Welcome, Your Majesties! Welcome to my humble residence!”
The luxurious Magne mansion was gleaming with reflective lights from the high-class marbles it was constructed on. Faceted gem-like furniture decorated the abode, and chandeliers were hanging from above the ceilings to brag how rich Lulu was.
It was kinda off-putting, though, that Lulu kept scrutinizing FJ and Sparkles, who were bedazzled by the crystal decorations or any other ornaments adorned in this vast mansion.
“I like your blonde hair!” FJ said.
“And I like your hat.” Sparkles commented.
“Ohhhh thank you!” Lulu whimsically thanked both children, then picked up and swerved the staff that had his perching Owlbot, “Gotta thank my parents for bestowing me such handsome genes! Hohoho~ Your parents really have gifted you beautiful hair and eyes too~”
“Yeah! Our mommy looks like one of our daddies-” FJ was gonna spill more beans, until Gloss hoisted him up.
“Daddy G, put me down!” The little boy was frustrated with being interrupted.
“S-sorry, he can be a bit… rambunctious…” Gloss apologized, which Lulu chuckled at.
“Ah yes, kids. It’s normal for them to get out of control.” Lulu replied. However, Ven could detect a veer of nonchalance in Lulu’s tone regarding kids, while he scanned the perimeter within the living room. There was a teenage boy phubbing on his phone, who briefly raised his head to greet his father - Lulu, absolutely, only for Lulu to roll eyes disdainfully when both FJ and Sparkles weren’t noticing.
“Dad, you didn’t tell us we would have guests-” The boy complained, before Lulu interrupted him.
“Charles, go play with your younger brother. Keep him occupied!” Lulu proceeded to scold his teenage son, who sighed and got off the couch reluctantly. It was obvious to Ven that Lulu had no intention of spending time with either of his own children…
As for Floyd, he glanced at the Owlbot, who was becoming dizzy with each swerve Lulu inflicted on the staff in hand. Oddly familiar to the magenta haired Troll, who remembered overhearing the noises of an owl during that karaoke. If it wasn’t John dissuading him, he would’ve kept investigating the source… Then again, Lulu was disregarding the robot, treating it like a disposable toy with each frivolous swerving.
“Mr. Magne, your owl looks uncomfortable…” Sparkles vocalized her concern for the owl. However, Lulu dismissed her concern, “Oh silly child. It’s only a robot. He'll be fine. I built him as my current most resilient model!”
“But he looks sad…” Sparkles still felt immense pity for the owl. She wanted to halt the swinging staff, only for Lulu to annoyedly block her way with his spare hand.
“Nuh uh! Be a good girl and stay in your place.” He chided Sparkles passive-aggressively, and ignored Sparkles’ upset pout.
“Sorry about Lulu, he’s always so cranky due to his work…” An older female Rageon who shared Lulu’s pale blonde hair approached Floyd and the two Rageon dads. This elderly lady, who seemed to be in her 60s, was very gentle, and was holding a tray of freshly brewed chamomile tea in the porcelain teapot.
“Whoa whoa whoa, careful…” Ven quickly helped the lady balance the tray, “I’m worried that the pot will spill…”
“It’s okay. I always have my ways, young man.” The lady was grateful, though insisting she was fine.
“My mom is a capable woman. Let her be.” Lulu dismissively ‘acknowledged’ his mom.
Gloss wasn’t buying that the woman was alright. “Are you sure? She clearly needs help. She could’ve scalded herself!”
“She should've asked one of my servants. But if she wants to be so stubborn, then whatever.” Lulu completely ignored the point Gloss was addressing, much to Gloss’s ire. How could somebody be this rude to their mother?!
“It’s okay, boys… let’s have some snacks from Mariposa. Her tea cakes are delicacies!” Old Mrs. Magne suggested, hoping to take the Rageon dads and Floyd’s troubled minds off.
“Mariposa is my wife. But seriously, she needs to diversify her baking a little more. I am getting so dull with her earl gray chocolate muffins! Ughhhh…” Lulu still had the gall to complain about his own wife in front of his guests, causing the trio of male adults to raise their eyebrows.
Now both Rageon dads were hesitant to even let him sponsor their tailoring business… He seemed very passive-aggressive, and that wouldn’t be a good influence on their kids…
Right after tasting the delicious tea cakes - which felt tasteless for the Rageon dads and Floyd -, the three adult males decided it would be best to depart early.
“Thanks for the tour! But we don’t want to loiter in your home for too long…” Ven tried to fabricate an excuse, “Maybe we can leave-”
“What about our deal regarding your kids?” Lulu wasn’t convinced, instead going for the offer he initiated.
“Wait… the deal is mandatory?” Gloss was just as shocked as Ven. Neither husbands knew the tycoon’s offer was this restrictive.
“Yeah. I want to train your kids to become stars. They’re really talented performers, and I hope to utilize their untapped potential.” Lulu became more proactive, his grin becoming threatening with those visibly sharp teeth.
Not giving any space for the Rageon husbands to reach the entrance, Lulu loomed over both of them, and had the malicious intent to flick Floyd off Ven’s shoulder with his two big fingers.
“You gotta make a choice here, Veneer~” Lulu mocked, his grin widening maliciously, like the slithering, sly snake crawling at the Eden. “Who’s the more vulnerable one? Your kids or your Troll?”
That threat was enough to scare Veneer into submission.
“Look! Don’t do anything to Floyd! Or my business!” Ven was frightened, despite trying to remain assertive, “Just be transparent with me and my husband about the kids!”
“Oh, sign this contract and I’ll look after them.” Lulu held up a pen and a contract. Before Ven could retort or go through the terms and regulations, Lulu had already dominantly grabbed Ven’s hand to sign it.
“OUCH! What gives?!” Shouted the green haired Rageon. But Lulu wouldn’t let him have any chance to say anything more, forcefully shoving him, Gloss and of course that included Floyd out of the doors.
“Huh? We’re not leaving with our daddies?” Sparkles was perplexed, as she thought of returning home at the Pop Village’s outskirts with some tea cakes.
“FJ! Sparkles!” Ven was yelling, but he and the other two adults’ shouts faded away right after Lulu flicked his fingers to summon two humanoid robots to shove them out of the exit.
“Oh no, kiddos. I’ll be looking after you for a while~” Lulu sweet-talked his way into the kids’ good graces. “I’ll ensure you’ll have so much fun during your stay here!”
“Oooh, and we’ll have a lot more tea cakes!” FJ piped up, already immersed in the luscious cakes’ flavors.
“Yes, more cakes my dear! You’re a clever little one!” Lulu grinned, feigning a veer of friendliness further.
Perched on his staff, however, Owlbot Model 0105 knew Lulu was just upkeeping a fad. Lulu had never thanked him. Let alone cared about him like the little girl did.
His/Its master… had orders for it/him related to these cute kids, sadly.
It had to obey the one and only Lucifer Magne… on monitoring these two kids.
It was saddening to think about, even for a robot.
It was just growing fond of them both too…