De Fragee Prutia

t e n

 Ben and Mal were sat at their meeting, sans Nami.

"Would you like a hot hors d'œuvres?" Mal asked.

"Yes, please. I can't believe you made all this for the meeting. You didn't have to."

"Well, they informed me at the palace that it was something past advisors did for certain meetings."

"I mean, yeah, my dad and some of the other kingdoms did that. We'll probably just switch to catering soon, seems kind of trivial, all this."

Ben sat down his food and clasped his hands together. It was time to get serious about the meeting.

"Are you okay Mal? With the job and all. I feel like we pushed a lot on you. We sort of forgot you aren't an Auradon girl by birth, it's not like you know all the rules."

"Oh, no, it's fine. I'm good, really. It's mainly the Cotillion planning. I've never had to plan a party in my life. I once tried to throw one on the Isle, I mean it was to pull a trick on Evie, I totally regret that now but Carlos planned that I... just dictated."

"Well, it means a lot to us that you took this on. And took time out for this meeting. This food is amazing, I wish Nami was here to enjoy it."

"You know we can pack some up. I have Tupperware somewhere, let me just..."

"Oh, I'll look for it."

Ben went to go look for Tupperware in the picnic basket. Before Mal could even object, Ben pulled out her spellbook.

"I thought you donated this."

"That's why it's in there, I'm on my way later."

Ben began to flip through the bookmarked pages of the spellbook. Every title he read was a spell Mal used to be a better royal advisor.

"Mal, I thought we all talked about this? We can't just use our magic for everything. I've got to take your spellbook to the museum. We thought you were able to adapt so well, doing your best..."

Ben went to put the spellbook in his backpack. Mal felt like she seriously messed up when she heard the disappointment in his voice. She'd find a way to be a better advisor; but right now, she needed Ben to forget what just happened.

"Take back this moment that has passed. Return it...reverse it, dammit." Mal stopped, trying to think of the rest of the spell.

"Are you trying to spell me right now?!"

"Ben it's been so hard for me right now."

"Yes! Some things are hard, you don't think Nami and I feel that too?! It's our job."

"It's your job! I don't know how to do this Auradon thing. I can't be what everyone wants." Mal reversed her cooking spell to reveal a simple sandwich and a glass of milk. "This is what I can do."

Mal stormed off. Ben grabbed the sandwich and waved it in the air.

"For the record, PB&J would've been perfect for the meeting!"

Mal felt like she couldn't be in Auradon anymore, she knew what she had to do.

"Give her a few days. Mal and her magic is like chicken and rice."

"You're right. I shouldn't have pushed it. You keep telling me she's not an Auradon girl."

"It's cause she's not."