feel no better to say it. With all the princess-like grace and diplomacy she had always been famous for, she changed the subject, "Oh, look, here's that door we were walking to."

In all her life, before or since, never had Star been so glad to see Lavabo's hairy old face, peering out from inside a pile of laundry. She just hoped the ancient knight would have enough sense not to bring up anything about Marco's hoodie...

----

The ungrateful ass!

"Okay, Marco, here's a job…" "No, not that job! Another job…" "Princess me up something better!" Star mumbled to herself as she finally reached the castle's first floor. She made her way through the Royal Garden, ignoring the flowers she was angrily stepping on. He didn't appreciate what she did forfront of everyone. So, go ahead, jump for my entertainment!' The princess frowned at the notion, a crown of thorns sprouting around each of the hearts on her cheeks.

Distracted by such vexing thoughts, and carried forth by the momentum of her brisk stride, Star didn't even see the person she collided with. The princess fell backwards onto the grass. She mumbled as she quickly pulled herself off the ground and dusted off her dress, assuming, at first, that it was just a tree that got in her way.

Star then looked forward to see who she had ran into. A certain someone that no few would believe to be a creature of evil, a corrupting influence on her young and malleable mind. At one point, she might have agreed.