Chapter Text
Of all the things to be least expected from a group of reincarnated queens of england, this is the strangest. Also perhaps the most infuriating, or entertaining, depending on who you are. It’s unexpected, inaccurate, and also quite ironic.
Upon reincarnation, the queens had a general sense of what age they were in their new bodies. For example, Anne felt about twenty nine, and Kitty felt about fifteen. There seemed to have been some kind of order, though it didn’t make much sense. Kitty’s the youngest, and she was the youngest when she died. They had expected Jane to be the second youngest, so that first day when they woke up Anna had addressed the seemingly second youngest of the bunch.
Only to be made aware that it is Catalina.
Catalina de Aragon reincarnated as a sixteen year old.
And she was very offended by this.
The teasing is relentless. From both sides. Catalina will be intentionally bossy and tell the others to respect their elders, nevermind being half their heights and body weight. And the others will tell her she’s on ‘time out’ for behaving that way, or tell her she’s grounded. (They never do this to Kitty, mind.)
Every time it’s brought up, Catalina acts as if the universe has personally slighted her. When questioned as to why, her answer is this:
“Because the universe has very well personally slighted me! I am a grown woman! I went through menopause! Now I’m supposed to be still growing? Are you kidding me?”
The rant that follows always brings quite a bit of laughter to the bunch, making Catalina even more angry. Eventually though, she tires herself out, and the others encourage her to sleep. This only starts her back up again, telling them not to tell her when to sleep. Which is only appreciated by everyone being told off; they had been enjoying the show.
The thing about their reincarnate ages, is that they all feel like they are exactly that age. Of course they have the memories of living to be whatever age they died. But the age they are now accurately represents their mental states as they are. Kitty is content being fifteen even though she died at nineteen. (She secretly thinks it would have been hilarious if she came back as actually nineteen and then everyone was older than Catalina.) Anna is perfectly okay with her age of twenty seven. Cathy had no issue with being twenty two, and neither does Jane. Catalina tries to act as old as she was in her old life, but she can’t help the teenager tendencies that come with the body and brain.
-
“No.”
“Catalina, please. It’s not that bad. Kitty will be there too.” Anne pleads.
It's bad enough Anne, being the oldest, has legal custody over the two minors. But now she wants Catalina to join a youth group.
“Kitty is an actual kid though. I’m not doing this.”
“It’s the social worker that wants you to! I would never ask, you know that.”
Catalina knows, she does. Anne at the very least has never used her legal power over Catalina to make her do anything she doesn’t want to. It’s really more for homeschool, something they’ve signed up for with Anne’s permission. Or just to make sure the city’s government can’t declare them orphans. Still doesn’t mean she’s going to agree.
“Anne, I really don’t want to.”
“I need to prove that you’re adjusting well and making friends your own age.-Something Sam said, not me!” She’s quick to correct her wording at Catalina’s glare.
Sam, their social worker is, to put it simply, a piece of work. They have no regard for what Catalina or Kitty feel. Only wanting to prove Anne’s competence and ‘raising’ two teenagers after having to adjust to the times herself. None of the queens like Sam’s presence much. Especially not after the early days when Catalina and Kitty were almost removed from their shared home. That was scary, not that Catalina would admit to being attached to those assholes. They make fun of her height. Screw them.
“If you do this for me I’ll buy you a phone.”
Catalina is a little intrigued by the offer. Kitty and Catalina are the only queens who don’t have one. ( It’s an injustice. Ageism.) Sam’s idea once again. The social worker had said it was ‘hard enough on young minds to adjust to all this, and maybe they should wait on getting cell phones’, said it rots teens brains regardless. Kitty says she thinks it’s a load of shit, but not to Sam’s face. Catalina agreed with Kitty, and expressed herself enthusiastically. (She’d gotten an earful from all of the other queens, bar Kitty, for that. Worth it.)
“I’m listening.”
“A phone, with a plan and everything. All you have to do is join this club and talk to some other teenagers. Then tell Sam you had a good time. Deal?”
She puts her hand out to shake. Catalina thinks about this, then adds to the deal.
“Kitty gets one too.”
“Fine.”
Catalina shakes Anne’s hand, and thus begins her experience with other teenagers.