(A Balan Wonderworld drabble)
Serendipity glanced around, nervously fiddling with their too-long sweater sleeves. Their father had something important to attend to, and left them in charge of things while he was gone. The Negati around them didn't seem to mind too much, knowing the Princex was every bit as capable as the King himself. Serendipity's only concern was where their father had gone, and when he would be back.
After a while, they felt they had waited long enough, and were quickly growing bored. The Kosokoso on their shoulder, Noir, let out a silent sigh and tapped their cheek gently with a paw; giving Serendipity a look that essentially said "Go, I'll hold down the fort." The Negati Princex gave a gentle hug to their companion in thanks, setting them down before seeming to meld with the shadows, wanting to explore Wonderworld for themself.
Peeking their head out of the shadows just enough to look around after having traveled for a bit, Serendipity found themself growing curious, and perhaps even a bit confused. This place was so bright and colorful and warm; so much different from what they were used to. Those little creatures bounding around; what were they? They were too colorful to be Negati, and lacked the ivory mask-face anyways.
Glancing around the area, Serendipity saw nobody around that could spot them, and slinked the rest of the way out of the shadows. Immediately the small creatures' attention had turned towards them, most shivering or letting out frightened chirps and trying to run. Serendipity almost panicked, growing worried that the commotion would get them caught. It wasn't until a few actually leapt at them, bumping into them harshly, that they let out a shriek.
They suddenly found themselves being held in a protective grasp, and upon cracking an eye open, looked up to find a young woman with bicolored blonde and brunette hair, a stern look in her teal-grey eyes as she stared down the little red fuzzballs that had just been full-body tackling poor Serendipity. Her tone as she began to lecture the little round critters could only be accurately described as motherly.
Once the small creatures had enough of her scolding, they turned and hopped away. She let out a sigh, turning back to look at Serendipity and gently releasing them from her arms. "I'm sorry about the Tims. From what I was told, the red ones practically live to fight. Are you okay?" She asked.
Serendipity squinted a little, their eyes scanning over every detail of the young woman that had just saved them from the aggressive Tims. Coming to a mental conclusion based on her appearance, they opened their mouth to speak, and said probably the last thing the poor human was expecting.
Francine blinked, confused by this question. Their mother? How could she be their mother? "I'm sorry, you may have me confused with someone el-" Serendipity's voice cut her off. "Francine Stone. That's your name, right?" They asked. "How did you...?" Francine trailed off.
Serendipity gave a soft smile. "Father told me about you. He said you were essentially my mother, because he partially modeled my appearance after yours. He says he did it out of love." The slightly shorter being replied. "Well, if you know my name, then what's yours?" Francine asked, a small smile making its way back to her face as well.
The two talked for a short while, until Serendipity received a signal from Noir that Lance had returned and was searching for them. "I hope I'll see you again... mother." They smiled, before melding into the shadows once more. Francine waved goodbye as they left, and once they had gone, she sat down in the grass amongst the Tims, many of which happily hopped over to the young woman and snuggled up against her.
The experience she'd just had was different... but it was a good different. She didn't mind that Lance had partially modeled Serendipity after her. In fact, she was flattered. But it brought to mind a question. Why did Lance love her? What about her caught his eye? She was just another broken heart wandering through Wonderworld searching for the piece she lost. Love had been the last thing on her mind, until now.
Things were different now. But it was a different she could get used to.