A Terrifying Awakening
Persimmon rocked lightly in her bed, happily bathing in the sunlight. A gentle touch woke her from her beauty rest. She opened her eyes to find Crescent laying next to her, skiing glowing beautifully. Those same teal and green eyes peered through silky black bangs. She wore a set of navy pajamas, ones that hugged her torso and hips snuggly. The moon girl had her hand in Persimmon’s curls, tolling with them in a relaxed way. The brunette relaxed into the touch with a purr. Crescent noticed and giggled a bit.
“Morning sunshine, did you enjoy your rest?” The rogue asked, rubbing her thumb against the monkey’s cheek.
“Yes…” Persimmon purred as a kiss was pecked on her forehead.
“You’ve been asleep for a while now, it's 11:45.” Crescent stated.
Persimmon turned wide awake and sat up, confusing the moon maiden.
“Oh no! I’ve overslept!” The flora lady panicked.
“No you didn’t.” Crescent groaned, pulling Persimmon back down, “Now come back to bed, you don’t need to rush.”
“But Baba and Mama expect me awake at 8:30 each morning.” The brunette stated, letting Crescent pull her back down.
The rogue gave a displeased sign before pulling herself out of bed.
“You’re not 5. You’re a grown woman dammit.” Crescent said, “Now, let me get you breakfast.”
“Oh, O-okay?” The flora maiden stuttered, perplexed beyond belief.
The moon rogue nodded and walked to the bedroom door, swinging it open with a wide grin.
“See you soon then, Princess!” The rogue waved cheerfully.
With that, she vanished into the living room. The door behind her fell shut as she walked out. A silence fell over a lone Persimmon, thoughts swirling in her head.
This was crazy, crazy in all the senses of the word. She found herself inside another woman’s home after a heartbreak for god’s sake! And she already has her swoon! Baba and Mama are going to certainly kill her. But they barely even noticed her anymore, so why would they care? Baba’s too busy being a king to cuddle with her and Mama’s been cold recently. What gives? Is she not enough… No, NO. Baba and Mama wouldn't forget her.
“Oh my…” Persimmon breathed aloud, A wave of guilt crashing over her, “I can’t worry Mama and Baba like this!”
They’ve always loved her, so there’s no reason for her to have run away. She HAD to come back home and apologize. They’ll hate her if she didn’t.
With that, she got out of bed. Her feet rushed her into the living room after nearly throwing the door open. It was a bright space filled with cottage decor. But something felt off. Even though it seemed bright, all the colors were on the darker side. Like the couch was white, but the carpet was midnight blue. More odd colors poked out at her the more she stared at the living room; dark oak shelves, royal blue lampshades, midnight blue and ivory curtains. It freaked her out a lot until a pair of footsteps shook her aware. Crescent stood in the doorway of the dining room, now wearing a white bodice and dark sliver skirt.
“Persimmon, why’d you get up so early?” The moon rogue asked, staring at her bewildered.
“I need to go home, I’ve worried my parents enough.” The brunette stated, a firm plead for home.
Crescent’s eye widen before taking on a weird royal blue hue. Her face darken with a cat-like smile forming, eerie and distressing. A tint of anger loomed in Crescent’s voice as she responded.
“But why? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to be royalty?” She questioned.
“My parent’s have ought to be worried by now! They’ll think I’ve run away or worse!” Persimmon pleaded.
“Well you’ve slept in my house, you should probably stay.”
“I can’t! I want my parents to know I-”
“You can’t leave my daring.” The moon maiden snarled, clearly grown agitated with the princess, “Take one look outside this cottage and there’s nothing but forest. You’d die without me.”
The plant princess does as told to find the rogue correct. They looked to be in a clearing similar to where Rapunzel was held captive, woods surrounded the cottage. A shiver ran up Persimmon’s spine as she turned back to the moon rogue. Her smile turned more calculated along with her eyes.
“See? Nothing but woods.” Crescent grinned, “Wanna try your luck?”
The brunette monkey’s heart dropped to her gut. Her breath turned baited and her legs weak. Oh gods… she’d been kidnapped. This was bad. Really bad. She was at Crescent’s mercy now, and it’s clearly running short. Rebelling would be dangerous if not fatal. But what would happen to her here? With a shaky breath, the monkey tried to speak.
“N-no.” She stammered, terrified.
Crescent chuckled a bit before her demeanor went back to charming.
“Already then! Now come into the kitchen, I want to show you something.” The moon maiden chirped.
She waved the anxious princess into the richly colored dining room. The brunette followed her as they walked pass a dark cherry oak table and midnight purple table cloth. Two chairs sat across from each other at that table, plates and glasses already placed down. A lamp hung above the table and glowed with a golden light. Persimmon felt a hand take hers when she stared too much at the dining table.
“Come on now dear…” Crescent whispered, slightly menacing.
Persimmon froze before immediately started walking again. They went towards a large maple door decorated with vines. With a firm push the door opened, revealing a beautiful kitchen. It had a mostly woodlike color palette and was thrived with fruit vines. Grapes hung from their vines and raspberries dangled over the stove. Blackberries tangled with the raspberries, bending into one mass of berries. A kiwi fell into Crescent’s hand with a plop. She chuckled at the awe on Persimmon’s face, admiring the twinkle in her eyes.
“This is all yours.” The moon maiden said, breaking the silence between them.
“Really?!” Persimmon cried out, excitement clear in her voice.
“Sure am,” Crescent chuckled a little, “Since it's yours, can you make breakfast?”
Persimmon couldn’t help but to feel scared. She already knew the potential consequence of refusing a “request” from the moon rogue, but the gamble hovered over her shoulders like heavy smoke. Crescent’s stare burned her back as she stammered a response.
“Ok, I-i guess.” The brunette murmured.
Almost instantly the burn on her back ceased and Crescent was starting to walk over to the door.
“Nice sweetheart. See you soon!” The moon girl hummed as she left, leaving Persimmon all alone.
The brunette monkey stared down at the floor, tears forming in her honey brown eyes. A strawberry vine came down next to her. Ripe strawberries hung from it, red and plump. It rubbed against the princess’s hand as though trying to hold it. Persimmon let the vine take her hand, relishing the feeling of its smooth skin. A light tug pulled the flora lady towards a counter next to the stove. It held all the ingredients to make pancakes, all waiting to be used. A big glass bowl laid in front of the ingredients along with a whisk and ladle. The princess whimpered as she walked over the counter, trying to hold back her tears.
“Oh…” Persimmon whimpered in despair, staring at her new role, “What have I done?”
The vine went into an upper cabinet and pulled out a frying pan. It set the pan down on the first burner, turning on the stove for the princess. The girl herself started ripping open the bag of flour and pouring the milk. The eggs came next, then the butter, then the sugar. The baking soda was last but not least. Mixing the batter, The brunette glanced out the window in front of the sink. The dense forest stared back at her, but something else caught her eye. A small path was made going into the woods. The grass there was a tint lower than the rest of the grass, a dark green. It carved into the dense brush like cutting with a knife.
“Hmm?” Persimmon murmured, lower enough to where only she could hear, “Maybe there’s hope after all.”
“You okay in there?” Crescent yelled from the dining room.
The brunette froze, trying to come up with a good excuse. The vine from before poked her arm then pointed to the batter in her arms.
“Yes! Almost done!” The captive maiden yelled back, going off the vine’s word.
“Ok, be careful there my daring!” The clueless rogue chirped.
Footsteps could be heard heading into the living room as Persimmon sighed in relief.
“Thank you.” She whispered to the vine.
It nodded before plucking off a few of its strawberries. This confused the princess to why until it started dropping them into the pancake batter.
“Ooh, that’s brilliant!” The flora maiden hummed and began to mix in the strawberries into the batter.
A few moments later, a fat sack of pancakes was piled onto two plates. Each pancake was smothered in a rich bath of berry syrup. Persimmon held the plates on a sliver tray, using her fluffy tail for balance as she walked into the dining room. Crescent was already sat at the table. Her eyes instantly lit up staring at the tray, a genuine smile blessing her face.
“Oh my god, you’re an angel!” The moon rogue panted as the plates were set on the table.
“Thanks, I added strawberries too.” The brunette smiled.
Utensils were already placed down next to each plate. Crescent set out 1 fork and knife for each plate, not bothering to add the spoon. She dug into the pancakes almost immediately, bliss washing over her face. Persimmon barely touched her food really as her mind raced with ideas of escape. One thing was clear; there was a chance of parole. And Persimmon was going to take that chance, even with the risk.