Pumpkin's Rein

The Council

Vanilla's POV:
Why do I always find myself in situations like these, the last thing i expected a year ago was to be sat in a royal council meeting, i didn't even know Pumpkin had a whole council, she'd clearly forgot herself by the look on her face, she looked extremely jittery. I don't want to be dragged into this. A whole band of poshies are gathered around, all high and mighty on their raised benches, that they were probably imagining as thrones instead, what a bunch of snobs, they all looked ridiculous wearing the same tuxes and their pointy black glasses, no way all these animals needed glasses, it didn't make them look smart, it just made me think of those teacher pets who were proper math nerds. How was I supposed to take this seriously, it's not my fault Pumpkin had decided to announce me as second in command with no warning or preparation. She had clearly forgot she couldn't just decide that on the spot and expect it to happen, not even Queens can do whatever they please, as a new guard who had never even preformed any duties proving myself obviously this had to be took to a huge, snobby meeting so they could look down on me and snigger at my vulnerability. Here we go. Pumpkin had seated herself in the centre, like a naughty school girl who was waiting to be humiliated rather than a regal Queen who was in charge and sat with her chest puffed out and her tail curled around her paws. I sat besides her, trying to copy her position and power her confidence to look at all these judgemental nerds with no fear. Fear was bad. "We may start now." A raspy voice announced, I looked around and saw one of them had stood, a deer with alarmingly pointy antlers, he stood high and actually looked intimidating compared to all his colleagues. "Yes we may Darlington." Pumpkin agreed, motioning for him to carry on. He gave her a curt nod and gestured towards me. "You have declared Vanilla to replace Emeralds position, a position of importance, skill and experience. You must have forgot we all approved of Emerald due to her impressive strength, intelligence and guts. She had proved multiple times to be the best of the best and had been serving you since she came of age." I gulp, he's got a serious point there, surely Pumpkin should be picking a guard like Rupert but she shook her head violently in disagreement. "You seem to have missed the part though where I didn't have a say on it, being so young, you all basically appointed her to me with no warning and look how that turned out. She let jealousy cloud her judgment and only cared about her high rank, I need someone who actually cares about my safety and what's best for the kingdom rather than her own needs, someone kind and yes, strong of course who has proved their hearts in it." Dang.
"You agreed in the end though your highness, surely there is another soldier who can take the position soon before word spreads. Emerald was a good companion until you started taking in random, unsuited guards."
"No, she had been sneaking behind my back, blackmailing guards and sending them away for her own benefit when she knew I needed new recruits, you never gave me another choice, that's not my fault."
"Still don't you think trusting someone you've only known for two singular weeks is irrational of you."
"Name me another guard who could take the role, I'm down to 10 guards, I need to bring back the last recruits that Emerald sent away and even then, none of them would be any better." Pumpkin had always came across as having anger issues but she was handling this in a polite, collected manner. Another stood up, besides Darlington, a silver husky with a face as cold as stone. "May I add, this is another tiger, specifically a snow tiger that would be ruling by your side practically, one much larger, bulkier that towers over you and overpowers you, a rarer breed, people might not take your role as queen seriously." No way he just suggested I'm here to take her position and take the throne, my intentions were pure. "Excuse me? Emerald was much larger and bulkier then me, many assumed she was queen for a while but it didn't bother me, all that matters is I have the right abilities to be on that throne, are you saying my size affects this in any way?"
"One tiger ruling makes you seem powerful, not to be messed with, but two in such high positions will make your subjects take you less seriously and doubt your abilities." Pumpkin snorted at him and slitted her eyes. "Your saying you wouldn't take me seriously with another tiger in power." Darlington whispered something into this other blokes ear, making the husky roll his eyes and sit back down. "Your highness, you are the best leader we could put on that throne, we are just worried, I think what's for the best to settle this is to let this Vanilla fulfil her regular guard duties and we will monitor her progress, we will have a meeting when the moon is next at its fullest again to discuss this further. I apologise for this inconvenience, it will not happen again, two tigers ruling would be peculiar but maybe a good change." He looked genuinely worried, the husky looking unbothered, clearly proud about challenging the Queen. I mean it wasn't Pumpkins fault she was on the small side of life. "You are forgiven, if anyone argues that again I will not sit here and accept it politely, you are all dismissed, we will meet again when the moons at its highest." What was the point of the huge circle of creatures if only two of them spoke? Maybe they would discuss without us what further action to take. Pumpkin nodded at me to follow her and then again at Rupert who I didn't even notice enter. We all waited till we were a good while away from the councils ears till we spoke. "Excuse me Vanilla, may I speak to her highness alone?"
"Sure, only because you asked so nicely." What on earth did Rupert have to say that I couldn't hear. I wasn't one to eavesdrop so I decided to explore the castle.

Pumpkin's POV:
That's four creatures now to say out loud their concerns about having another tiger in the palace and how tiny I am, like seriously! Not that big of a deal. I know everyone was thinking it was a bad idea though but I don't care, I know what's best for me, right now in this moment. Rupert was probably also about to tell me how bad of an idea it is for Vanilla to have such a high ranking so early in her role. "Your highness, I feel this is a bit personal but I have picked up on yours and Vanillas friendship, you can't let friendship cloud your judgment, but ahem, then again, I can tell from miles away what's going on, as your loyal guard and your friend if you may, this situationship is only going to get messy." What? Situationship? Like a crush? I cock my brow up and squint my eyes at him, he smiles kindly. He genuinely thinks I like Vanilla. "Well Rupert I appreciate you voicing your concerns and worries but I assure you me and Vanilla have bonded yes but we share a professional relationship. My feelings will not get in my way, my platonic feelings." I couldn't have him spreading false ideas, one, Vanilla is a girl, two, she is my friend and three, it's illegal. "I understand, I apologise for my wrong judgment." He bowed his head and began to trot towards the gardens. It occurs to me that he's probably not the only guard thinking that, fine, apparently two females can't even have a platonic relationship nowadays without it being seen as a lesbian couple, how silly, maybe it was time for Vanilla to be appointed to her own room. We had plenty spare, I will handle getting the previous applicants back whilst I arrange for another guard to sort a room to be set up for her. Personally sending them handwritten letters, asking for them to re apply would show I care and show I put effort in and the apology will be more heart warming. Perfect! Get my mind off that ridiculous meeting with the council. "Sylvia, may you please prepare a room for Vanilla, maybe room 13, it's been untouched for ages and could do with a good clean and new decor. Make it feel cosy and homey, if that is alright." Somehow I could tell Sylvia and Sylver apart unlike everyone else. "Of course, your highness, I will get to it straight away." Time to start on my letters and get security back to a suitable amount.