It began, as any good story should, with rain. Buckets and Buckets of rain, storming down endlessly, cursing anyone who dared to go outside with instantly soaked clothing. Such was the luck of two particular travelers who had been forced to brave the muddy roads lest they slept under the merciless skies that night. "Oh this is just my luck," The girl muttered to herself. Although she couldn't have been older than seventeen she was clearly the leader of the two, evident in the way she held herself high and regally. She was shrouded in a dark pink cloak that was doing little to protect her from the downpour,

"Do not worry princess, we will be there soon." Said the male traveler, a short man with a stocky build who rode just behind her.

"I told you, you are not to call me that anymore." The girl, who was evidently a princess hissed. "I am simply another commoner." However, her impeccable grammar and the stiff tone to her voice easily betrayed her façade, revealing her as one of noble upbringing.

"Hmmm, perhaps it would be best if I did most of the talking." The man suggested. The girl accepted with a nod, realizing she'll never pass as a peasant. Besides, the man had grown up as a street urchin and although most of this rough accent had been forced out of him he could easily adopt it at will. Again the girl simply nodded, but noted that the buildings are growing steadily closer together, a sign that they were approaching a town. The two travelers slowed their horses to a steady trot and looked at the rows of darkened windows for a candle, a sign of an open bed. There are none,

"There's most likely a tavern nearby in small towns like this it usually often serves as an inn." The man offered up.

He turned out to be correct; up ahead they could see the glow of an eatery of some kind. Well, they heard it first, the noise of merriment like the first rays of morning Sun. They reached the front door, passing under a swinging sign with the name 'The Midnight Queen' emblazoned on it. They then tied their horses to the poles designated for animals. The girl felt a pang of guilt about leaving her horse out in the rain but there were no stables and it would be awfully indecent to bring a horse into a tavern

The two travelers were greeted with a flurry of light and warmth when they entered the tavern. Men were clustered around worm wooden tables, chugging every type of alcohol imaginable. The bar was filled with the slightly intoxicated, fulfilling their late night cravings. And manning the bar was a fierce looking girl with wild black hair and a toothy grin.

"She's most likely the innkeeper" the man whispered, not yet having taken on his old accent. His female companion was quite clearly horrified at the idea of running such a rowdy establishment. "I'll go talk to her." The man stated, nudging the girl with his elbow.

Marceline was exhausted. Since she had taken the Tavern over after Simon's disappearance she'd barely had any time to sleep, let alone rest. Still, she grinned cheerfully at each of the usuals and heaped their plates with food. "Ahem, excuse me." Marceline looked up to see a man with shockingly white hair looking at her expectantly. "You're the innkeeper, I'm betting. We need two rooms."

"There's only one of you" Marceline stated matter-of-factly, causing the man to chuckle.

"Oh, but my lady- er companion also needs a separate room." He tilted his head to a sopping wet girl who was attempting to avoid conversation with a drunken man. Her long hair was tied back in a bun, revealing her delicate facial features. Although she was undeniably lovely she had an air of superiority about her and Marceline could already tell they wouldn't get on.

"Alright." She grumbled, turning back to face the man. "That'll be one bronze coin per day." The man rummaged around in his pack and pulled out a sack of coins. He opened it, revealing a small fortune in gold coins. It was all Marceline could do not to gasp. Unfortunately, several other men noticed the pouch and studied the man with interest. Marceline leaned in close to the man "What the hell do you think you're doing? You'll get robbed for sure!" The man simply smiled.

"I'd like our rooms, please." Marceline raised an eyebrow questioningly but obliged.

"Grab the girl and I'll take you upstairs." She then proceeded to holler out the name 'Finn' and a adolescent boy scrambled out form seemingly nowhere. "Yes Marceline?" He asked, eager for responsibility.

"Watch the bar while I show these guests to their room." Finn grinned widely and slipped behind the bar.

Marceline led the pair down a dimly lit hallway. When she reached the first door on her left she swung it open violently, revealing and even dimmer room with a small bed, a burnt down candle and a rickety dresser. "For the gentleman," She said mockingly, bowing overdramatically." At her theatrics the other girl's nose wrinkled up in a most unpleasant way, distorting her fine features. Marceline decided to continue with her little act. "Now if the lovely lady will come right this way," she motioned down the hall, "We have the best suite saved for you."

It was not the best suite. It was cramped, with a slanted celling, tissue paper thin curtains and not furniture besides the bed. Cobwebs occupied every available corner and the girl could practically hear the mice chattering in the walls. Marceline smiled to herself. "Only the best for you, my highness," She had no idea how right she was.

Well, if you haven't guessed, the travelers just so happen to be Peppermint Butler and Princess Bubblegum! Please, constructive criticism, read and review, it helps me grow as a writer!