Siren Song

Tiana's Palace

Soleil

"So who exactly is going to be at dinner tonight?" I asked as Tati and I ran out of the dorm. "Well, Madi and Nani are meeting us so them obviously. Nate and Chris, and Madi's little boo Elio are probably going to be there as well. I'd assume Nick and Matt, Chris' older brothers, will be there as well. Melody, Elio's sister is also supposed to be making an appearance. Matt can't go anywhere without melody anyway."

"What's the whole deal with Melody and Matt anyway? This is the second time today I've heard of them. He looks like a dweeb to me." Tatianna giggles and doubles over in laughter. "I can't argue with you there. Matthew is pretty nerdy. He likes video games, and sleeping and reading and gets really good grades. Melody is almost like the complete opposite. She and Madi are really good friends. I don't think Matt and Melody are gonna last long anyway. Matt doesn't even really like Melody. He told me at Cotillion for Mal and Ben. He's just... Well he feels trapped into liking her. He feels like there's someone else out there for him, someone better." 

"Someone better? Who could possibly be better than Ariel and Eric's daughter? Their love story is one of the most popularly known." Tati shrugs and hums. "I can think of a few people much better than Melody." Tati nudges my shoulder. "Me? What? How?"

"Ever since Matt's been showing Melody an inkling of attention, she thinks she's gonna become some big queen."

"I don't think I caught who their parents are." Tati pauses for a moment. "It's Rapunzel and Eugene..."

"Oh my." Tati nudges me again, and it seems as if we've arrived. The sun was finally setting into golden hour as we walked up to the girls who were waiting for us. "Who's this?" Madi asks giving me a once over. She's dressed as beautifully as I imagined. "Hi Nani," I greeted her first. Nani smiled back sweetly. "Hi, I'm Soleil, or Sunny if you want. It's nice to meet you Madi." I stick my hand out. Madi smiles bitterly. "You both took such a long time." Madi remarked. 

"Yeah we're sorry about that-"

"And who invited her anyway?"

"Madi! Stop, I did. We took so long because I had to get an outfit for her." I felt so out of place here while they talked about me. Madi, all out in the open, and Tati talking mutedly, trying not to hurt my feelings. I think this is one of those moments mother warned me about. That as scary as spells and evil witches are, the people who are supposed to be nice to you, are even crueler. "Don't worry about Madi. She was like that when Tati introduced me to them. She'll warm up to you too." I shrugged. "It's not Madi i'm worried about impressing."

"Why? Do you have your eye on someone? Because I can say, that mostly everyone is taken." I shook my head. "Not in a romantic way... It's just that I just found out that the triplets parents are Rapunzel and Eugene."

"Why's that so bad?"

"Mother Gothel is my mom." Nani mounts an 'oh'. "Right... I forgot, Matt and Chris and Nick, they don't judge people like Melody and Audrey and even Madi. They're open minded. Like how Ben was when he invited your friends to Auradon." Nani gives me a reassuring smile (the people here smile a lot, and talk too). "Our carriage is here." 

Tiana's Palace was the most beautiful building I had ever seen. Which wasn't saying much since all I've ever seen in my life is my tower and the Auradon school. It sounds sad. The village surrounding Tiana's Palace was also beautiful. Tati guides us through the palace and upstairs. "We have our own private room for the evening."