Work Text:
“I’m sorry, Milady. Sen left the palace grounds earlier this morning at Queen Sindel’s request.”
The renown Edenian General frowned as the words left her assistant’s mouth, her arms quickly crossing over her armored chest in response. “Of course. Thank you, Lira.”
Right when I need him to cover me, he vanishes, Jade thought bitterly as her assistant returned to her post. The remaining warriors on the training grounds were sharpening their blades, with a few others chatting quietly amongst themselves as they trained together in smaller groups, fully aware of their General’s eye on them. When it came to them having Jade as their main overseer, they knew that she wouldn’t accept anything less than their very best.
Security measures had recently been amplified on palace grounds following the release of Edenia from Shao Kahn’s evil clutches in recent years. With the nefarious emperor now deposed and banished to the Netherrealm, all who knew and worked with Jade were very well aware of how important it was that Edenia remain safe and sound. They also knew that she seldom ever took time off from her job involving the rigorous training of the various warriors that defended Queen Sindel, the Princess, and their sacred realm. Protecting Edenia and its newly revived denizens was of paramount importance to her.
The primary reason for Jade’s ambition when it came to her warriors had more to do with the fact that she knew all too well that there was absolutely no room for any mistakes on her end, especially when it came to ensuring the protection of both the Queen and her daughter, Princess Kitana. Though she currently worked as Kitana’s guard, the Royals were like family to Jade. After all, the Queen raised her as if she were her own daughter. For these reasons, Jade had made a Blood Oath to the realm, promising that she would never fail Edenia ever again. To her very last breath, she would do whatever it took to protect her home.
Edenia was her heart and soul, after all. She couldn’t bear to lose her homeland again. Not after all that it had taken to free Her from darker forces.
Unbeknownst to Jade, however, it was Princess Kitana who had been the one to ask Sen to leave on a mission. She watched on from the nearest gate as her best friend watched over the small group of warriors, a knowing smile on her face. My plan might just work this time around, thought the princess with a knowing smile.
Jade’s penchant toward overworking herself without any breaks was what ultimately worried Kitana, however. For all of her ferocity and loyalty to the Edenian Crown, her best friend was also known for being stubborn. Every single time Kitana suggested that she take some time away from training to relax, she refused.
“I have to ensure that our warriors remain strong and able, Kitana,” Jade would always say, a weary frown on her otherwise flawless face. “You know how bad things got last time. We cannot go through that again.”
And, every time, Kitana would sigh deeply, wishing that her best friend could just learn to live a little. After their last fight regarding this issue, the princess had decided to let it go.
…until today, that is.
Knowing fully well by now that Jade would once again turn down her offer, Kitana had already ordered her servants to prepare the most hidden section of the Eternal Gardens – her own private garden, which she often used for meditation purposes – with a lovely wrought iron table and a set of matching, elaborate chairs, all painted in a glorious white. The servants had also added a wondrous bouquet of orange hydrangeas and white and purple dusted lilies as a centerpiece, with intricately carved Edenian crystal teacups and an accompanying crystal teapot set to the side.
She’d also sent a messenger dove to Outworld weeks in advance to humbly request that Kotal Kahn come by for a visit. During this visit, she’d explained to Kotal that Jade was overworking herself, and that her numerous attempts to get her to relax were not working. Suffice to say, he agreed that he should step in for Jade, as even the Edenian warriors had come to respect him over time.
Besides, it wasn’t like Outworld would be left unprotected, for he would only be gone a short amount of time. Time also happened to work a lot differently in Outworld than it did in Edenia, which worked in everyone’s favor. Plus, with the dragons protecting the Kahn’s palace, it wasn’t as if anything horrible would take place. This new era of peace was one that all people across the realms had wished for, and received as a gift from the Elder Gods.
As Kitana waited near the gate for the right moment to approach her best friend, she wondered about what her reaction would be this time. True, she’d done a lot of things differently this time around, but when it all came down to it, she felt that it was the least she could do for Jade after all of the sacrifices she’d made. Not just for her, but for all of Edenia. Kitana hoped in her heart of hearts that Jade would not be angry with her this time, for she still felt a bit sore over their last fight, which had resulted in weeks of the two women not speaking to one another.
More than anything, all Kitana wanted was for Jade to see this as a gesture of compassion and goodwill. All that remained now was to talk to her.
“Jade!” Kitana finally exclaimed, now rounding the gate and slowly approaching. She saw the Edenian General turn toward her, eyebrow cocked in barely contained confusion. Oh, dear… Kitana thought, slight panic coloring her features, though she did her best to maintain a neutral expression. I hope she doesn’t snap at me again. I’m just trying to make her happy.
Please don’t tell me she’s going to ask me to take time off again, Jade thought.
Not wanting to disrespect her best friend, for she was still the princess (and therefore had authority over her), the General walked toward her and gave a small bow of her head.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” she finally said, earning an amused smile from Kitana. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Kitana smiled again, bowing her head in turn. “I couldn’t help but notice that our men have been working hard all morning,” she started. Good, let’s go with small talk, and work our way up to the big reveal. This is my only chance to make this right between us…
Jade was no fool, however. Years of friendship and sisterhood with the princess had already made her privy to the tactics she used when trying to gain favor. Uh-huh, nice try, Princess.
“In fact,” Kitana continued, holding out a hand and gesturing toward the palace gardens, “I was hoping that we could sit down and talk.”
“Aren’t we technically talking right now?”
Kitana kept walking, a silent request for Jade to follow. “True, but I would prefer for this discussion to not be overheard by your curious warriors,” she replied, glancing at her best friend from the corner of her eye. “You and I both know how easily gossip can spread.”
Jade couldn’t help but chuckle at this. Kitana, for all her political wisdom and finesse, had not lost her witty nature. It was one of the main qualities that had bonded them, for Jade had also become known across Edenia and Outworld for her sharp tongue.
“Fair enough, Princess,” she replied, still walking beside her. “Lead the way.”
The two women walked silently for about fifteen minutes, passing through the long corridors of the lavish Edenian palace. Many guards and servants still at work for the day acknowledged them with respectful inclinations of their heads, and the occasional curtsey. Jade was almost certain that she’d seen Sindel hovering nearby, a knowing grin on her face, but when she turned to double-check, the Queen had already vanished into thin air.
She had to admit it to herself… She missed these moments, and was happy to have them back again. Of course, Jade was too proud. Uttering such things was beneath her.
“Seems the Queen never stopped with her pranks even after all these years,” Jade finally commented. It was true that Sindel often found humor in playing small tricks on the women she perceived as her daughters; a habit that was revived alongside her.
Kitana snickered in response, tossing her long ponytail over her shoulder. “Who could blame Mother? After millennia of being undead, she’s happy to be back. Think I’d do the same, if I were in her position.”
“Of course you would,” said Jade, sarcastically rolling her eyes. Kitana merely chuckled, playfully nudging her best friend in the arm.
By now, they’d already left the back doors of the palace and had gained access to the courtyard. A long, windy cobblestone trail at the end of it made way toward the Hidden Groves, which was another private garden. Only accessible during the summer months, it was this very place that housed the gates that led to the Eternal Gardens.
“How long are we going to be walking for?” Jade asked suspiciously, aware of how long they’d been walking together. She also had not been to these parts of the palace grounds, so it went without saying that Kitana surely had something up her sleeve.
Kitana hummed, turning to look at a butterfly that flew past them with a smile. She plucked a red rose from its stem and casually placed it in Jade’s hair. “Not for much longer. We’re going to the Eternal Gardens.”
“Couldn’t we have spoken in your quarters instead?” Jade questioned, reaching up to pat the rose in her hair. A small smile played on her lips as she imagined her reflection. The red rose, after all, was her favorite flower.
“Indeed we could have, but it wouldn’t be fitting for the topic I wanted to discuss with you,” Kitana replied, grinning widely at her best friend’s confusion. “Besides, you know I enjoy creating suspense.”
“Oh, how I hate that!” Jade groaned.
“Ah, there’s the gate. Fortunately, it’s already open,” Kitana said, ignoring Jade’s remark. She walked through and gestured for Jade to follow, adding with a pointed stare, “Just promise me you won’t make a shish kebob out of me when you see what I’m about to show you.”
Before Jade could say anything else, a kaleidoscope of butterflies flew past them both. This particular species of Edenian butterfly was said to guide visitors to their destination, and they happened to be Kitana’s favorite creature. A marvelous sight, the butterflies gave way to the well-prepared chairs and table. It was then when Jade took notice of the intricate tea kettle already awaiting them both.
…However, it was the lilies and the hydrangeas that ultimately caught Jade's attention.
“Kitana, I–” Jade started to say, but she found that she was too stunned to complete her sentence. Did she do this? For me!?
“No need to thank me, Jade,” Kitana said, interrupting her. “You deserve this.”
Jade was aghast, but by now she had to concede that Kitana had thoroughly won her over. It wasn’t often that she got to enjoy these types of moments, but even she had to admit that Kitana had been right all along. She had been working herself too hard, and stressing herself out further as a result. For all the bickering and chastising Jade had engaged in with Kitana every time she’d tried to convince her to relax and take a break, she now found that she felt bad.
“Still, Kitana,” Jade started again, “You’ve outdone yourself.” She looked around at the plush setting and smiled thoughtfully. “But you didn’t have to.”
“Actually, I wanted to. There is a difference,” Kitana corrected, now taking a seat across from Jade. She smiled as she watched Jade marveling at the flower arrangement on the table. “For the longest time, I’ve watched you in duress, trying your hardest to not show even the slightest hint of strain. Figured I’d help make things easier.”
Jade nodded, watching in awe as Kitana began pouring the tea into the cups. It had already been steeped and ready for consumption, and it was still warm! “I definitely owe you an apology for being a bitch, as the Earthrealmers would say,” she muttered, only for Kitana to burst into laughter as she handed her a teacup.
“Hey, if you’re a bitch, then what does that make me?” Kitana asked, grinning as she reached out and clinked her teacup against Jade’s.
“'Princess Bitch?'” Jade offered a smile of her own. “Or would that be too bold?”
The princess cackled now, pleased to see that her plan had worked after all. Alas, the stern facade has officially cracked! “Bold would be the fact that Kotal Kahn is overseeing the progress of your warriors as we speak.”
Jade nearly dropped her teacup. “Wait, so it wasn’t the Queen that had sent Sen on that mission this morning?”
Kitana merely smiled into her teacup as she sipped, winking in response.
Eyes widening in surprise, Jade lightly kicked Kitana from beneath the table. “Ugh, you are clever!”
Lowering her teacup and taking care not to spill its contents as she recoiled from the kick, the princess snorted. “I know. That’s why you love me.”
“I do not!”
“Uh-huh. You can't even hide it anymore."
Jade simply took another swig of her tea and smirked. "I suppose not. Either way, thank you."
"Well, what can I say?” Kitana chided, now pouring herself another cup of tea as Jade held her own empty cup out. “That’s what best friends are for.”