'No Soul'??? *No HEART*?? *FEH* To That!!

If somebody had told Jiminy H. ('Hadrian') Cricket that he would be in a deep sleep for SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS alongside his elder and younger triplet brothers, being separated from their young charge/ward Pinocchio Belmagio-Tommaso in the process, he would have laughed and said '*GOOD joke*! *Very funny*...'

-*YEAH*. NOBODY, much less Jiminy, Sebastian, or Gemini were even so much as chuckling or cracking the faintest smile right now- because that 'joke' had just been played on them.

They had suddenly woken up as well as *Figaro* in a brand-new entirely strange place that *was NOT* Italy by any stretch of the imagination- Figaro at the foot of a very princessy girly bed (very comfy, though), and young Pinocchio's 'outer conscience' and his siblings on a delicate yet sturdy white nightstand. -Oh. And did I mention that Figaro was *still a kitten*??! *MAGIC*- gotta love it...

The dapperly-yet-casually-dressed 'insect instinct' trio knew that *QUITE some time* had passed because when they frentically looked around and then over to where 'Pinoke(s)' was thankfully sweetly and soundly *and SAFELY* sleeping, they noticed with a shock that their sweet innocent brave truthful unselfish former little puppet-girl had seemingly blossomed overnight into a lovely young lady who looked like either Snow White's or Dorothy Gale's twin if not cousin- her nose, face, and freckles still the same, though...

-But WHO *the FLIPPIN' HECK* was the other 'donna' of Fae-esque beauty with short artfully-messy dark hair, a pixie face, and tiny dancer's build holding Pinocchio so protective yet sweet, safe, and warm in both their sleep???? And *just HOW* EXACTLY had 'Nocchi' come to know her, and how long???! Was she a good friend?? *BEST friend* like a sister or cousin??? - Possibly even (*gulp, gasp, sniffle/sob*) *GIRL-friend*???!

Note to selves: *ask her* when both 'raggazae' woke u-

Long dark tassels of eyelashes fluttered and delicate porcelain eyelids crinkled as their owner squirmed, shifted, and groaned sleepily under nice warm cozy covers, which disturbed her sleeping partner into awakeness herself. By contrast, dark brown eyes *tinged with GOLD/TOPAZ/BUTTERSCOTCH* just POPPED open in an achingiy-beautiful face as smooth and white as ivory framed by silken-soft shortish deep black hair, the sleepy haze vanishing and clearing up to make room for concern, sympathy, and warm tender fondness, causing *THEIR owner's* full plush lips to tug and curve themselves into a matching smile at the other raven-haired girl cradled in her arms against her slight-yet-full breast as the elder yawned rather cutely- like little Figaro stretching and waking up from a kip in the sun.

Sebastian chuckled quietly to himself and Jiminy smiled softly alongside Gemini at the wonderfully-familiar sight of Pinocchio now stretching as she rubbed her eyes with fisted hands.

"*Awww*...! You still do that? That's *so CUTE*!" the other girl with much shorter more messy hair giggled fondly with sparkling eyes, the sound like a silver wind-chime being blown about in a gentle yet 'playful' breeze or a tiny crystal bell merrily ringing. "Note to self- one day, draw or take a picture of it...!"

Pinocchio's already-rosy cheeks flushed even pinker/redder at that comment, her own large sky-blue orbs for eyes shining shyly from her once-literal dollface as a small sweet smile danced over her lips. Was that *a CRUSH*- and a MUTUAL one, at that???!

*Nooooo*....!! It *COULDN'T be*! Their sweet innocent cute 'Little Woodenhead' was MUCH TOO YOUNG for that! *NOT* *THEIR baby girl*! Ohhhhh, HOW time had flown and gotten away from them... *Thanks a fuckin' lot*, Miss Ilaria- *NOT*!!!

This other 'pretty young thang' had BETTER *watch herself*, *or ELSE*-!! (She had *better NOT* be the cause of Pinokes' bandaged arm that the three gentleman nymphs had just seen...!!!)

"G-Good mornin', Miss Alice," 'Nocchi murmured shyly yet happily in her feather-light honey-sweet voice, brushing her adorable flop of jet-black bangs out of her pretty baby-blues and tucking one longer lock of hair behind her small white seashell of an ear.

'Jimi', 'Bastian', and 'Gem' clenched their teeth and fists while biting back the mutual fitful agonized scream of %'TOO. *YOUNG*!!! *You're still just a baby*!!'% watching 'Miss Alice' (*ohhhhh-ho-ho-ho*, the flipping irony!!!) both press a soft sweet kiss into and gently nuzzle Pinocchio's hair, also brushing her perfect tiny little nose against the younger girl's rosy 'fairy-kissed' cheek. "'Buongiorno', Pinocchio honey!" she chirruped as though she were a cricket herself if not a chipper cheery songbird or frisky little kitten. "Sleep well?"

"Uh- Uh-huh," Pinocchio nodded. "I slept- I slept pretty good."

'Miss Alice' smiled soft, fond, and sunshine-warm yet *strangely sad*, her own big pretty eyes glimmering as she gently hugged the still-living doll close. "I'm glad, 'Nocchi- I'm *REALLY glad*, given last night... How's your arm, sweetie?"

"-*Pretty much BURNING*," Pinocchio had to admit with a shift and wince. "'Least my head doesn't hurt anymore."

"Well, that's good, on the latter... Mum Carlie'll check on your stitches and change the dressing when we go downstairs for breakfast, concerning the former. For now, though- why don't you take a couple more pain pills while washing up, m'kay?"

"O-Okay, Miss Alice."

*STITCHES*???!! ''Least my head doesn't hurt anymore'??!! *What the fuck*-?!??

Okay- ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. *On THREE* (literally). One- two-

Three-fold, a soft yet shrill sharp whistle sounded through the air in tandem with a strident insistent yet happy meow, Figaro having also seen and smelled his young 'pet' and the strange-scented dark-haired dark-eyed *NOT-human* holding and treating her like *a MATE*. Of course, it instantly grabbed both girls' attention, as did the little black-and-white Norwegian Forest kitten making a leap for it and landing right on Pinocchio's lap.

Those big eyes as blue and bright as stars blew even wider- an apple-blossom mouth dropped open and was covered by a small usually-gloved hand with very faint wood-grain-esque 'scars' gracing the back ...and then the former *sparkled and glowed* with happiness while the latter was akin to a beautiful colorful shimmering rainbow appearing after a rather long vicious rainstorm, her face shining like the sun.

"-*Jiminy!! Sebastian! Gemini*! Oh, gosh- *oh GEE*, I'm awful glad t' see ya!!" she cried happily, her eyes glittering with happy tears. "And- And- *FIGARO*! *YOU'RE here*, too! Aww, Figgy..."

Figaro purred and meowed his furry little head off while rubbing it against Pinocchio's stomach and affectionately giving her other hand prickly little kisses, then butting and rubbing his head against her cheek and licking it at the same time once he was instantly scooped up for a good cuddle while his young 'pet' (who was RESPECTFUL even if eager with her little-girl hugs and kisses) smiled sweet and bright over at her 'conscience' and his triplet brothers- all with semi-thin sandy-brown hair and dressed in dapper-yet-casual suits with Jiminy's Trademark red umbrella and Gemini's trusty cane clasped in their tiny gloved hands and Sebastian's signature beloved violin strapped over his small blue shoulder, their own tear-glinting deep violet, near-glowing aquamarine-blue, and indigo eyes grinning from their pale green, sapphire, or reddish-brown faces as much as their smiling mouths underneath the brim of a greyish-blue top hat, green fedora, or dark beige newsboy cap.

It was Gemini who spoke first. "H-Hi, 'bambolotta'! Miss us?"

"*'F course* I missed you all *somethin' AWFUL* even if I didn't remember ya for th' longest time, Mr. Gem! You're- You're my *best friends* 's well as my pseudo faerie godfathers 'r uncle-figures- or pet, in Figgy's case!" Pinocchio sniffled, blinking her eyes against the tears wanting to fall.

THAT stopped Jiminy plus his sibs *SHORT*. "Didn't- *DIDN'T remember* us??" he chirped worriedly, his warm dark purple optics grown wide as teacup saucers. He hardly felt Gemini supportively clasping his shoulder or Sebastian gently tapping his ankle with his foot, both other 'crustaceans' holding tight onto the other's hand as well while LOOKING at the lovable little 'burattinaia' they'd all adored on first sight before and after she Woke Up, 'giovane' Pinocchio instantly wrapping their hearts around her little finger once she'd opened both her eyes and her mouth. "Wh-What d' ya mean, Pinoke honey? I mean- I know we've been trapped in a Rip Van Wrinkle/Sleeping Beauty slumber for at least *seven or eight years* an' all, but..."

"What's *happened t' ye* all this time, our bonny wee 'boidheach' lass???" Sebastian queried almost in a quaver. "LAST NIGHT included?"

The triplets flinched as a dark cloud seemed to pass over Pinocchio and put out the shining light in her eyes and being, the tears in her eyes brimming *even MORE* until they almost spilled over as her lips and small thin body trembled and she clutched tighter at Figaro. The heartwrenching worrisome sight caused their own eyes to sting, water, and heat up, their throats to tighten, and their souls to *HURT*. They knew *all too well* *the HELL* and back she'd previously been through- and not just at the Fox and Cat's, Stromboli's, the Coachman's, or a certain angry horny just-as-pedophiliac farmer's greedy graspy grubby hands or paws, either...
But *WHAT*, in the name of 'Madre Maria', had happened to her NOW- while they had been trapped in spelled sleep alongside little Figaro??!? Why did their 'dolce piccola' former puppet-girl seem ...*ASHAMED* and ABASHED as well as upset???

"'M ashamed- 'm *so ASHAMED* 'n MORTIFIED at myself!!" she finally choked out with a hiccuping sob. "Even- Even 'f it wasn't *ME-me*... I'm- *I'm sorry, Jiminy*! 'M a-*AWFUL sorry*!"

"Pinokes- 'neonata', what've you got t' be 'awful sorry' for??" Jiminy murmured soothingly. "You're *the SWEETEST* little thing my 'fratelloe' an' I have ever known- I'm fairly sure THAT hasn't changed...!"

"N-No. Been- Been a *BAD girl*!" 'Pinokes' sniffled miserably as a couple of tears broke free and leaked down her face- one dripping off of her cheek, and the other off the tip of her nose. "Head- *Headstrong stubborn reckless spoiled little brat*..."

"'Stellina'," Gemini crooned as his eyes melted. "From the sounds of it, and given what Jimi, Bas, and I just barely got the *HORRID* gist of before we breathed in the sleepy pollen of the Deadly Poppy Field, you were *CURSED* t' act differently than you usually would, Pinny. Like you said- it wasn't *YOU-you*, sugar-drop. We can certainly understand bein' mighty ashamed and embarrassed, though..."

"N-N-*No*- you- *you DON'T* really understand, Mr. Gem!" Pinocchio cried softly, her big tear-stained baby-blues *SCREAMING* her past and present misery louder than mere words could. "You don't- N-*None 'f you get it*!"

"*'Nocchi*- oh, sweetheart..." 'Miss Alice' cooed, gently rubbing Pinocchio's small thin shaking shoulder and stroking her hair. "Shhhh. It's alright now, Pinocchio- it's okay. Everything's going to be alright, one way or another. I know that you're not happy with yourself right now, and *WHY*- but like one of your little friends and 'pseudo faerie godfathers' said, you were CURSED to act the way you did. I'm not going to hold a grudge *over THAT*, and neither are any of the rest of my family! Not even Rose..."

"'M still sorry, Signorina Alice. 'Specially about last night-!"

Alice tenderly shushed her while rocking her back-and-forth a little, both cupping and caressing her wet freckle-dusted cheek with one hand and softly rubbing her back with the other. "*It's ALRIGHT*, 'Nocchi poppet. *I forgive you*. And so will Carlie, Esme, Ed- Cedric, Emmett, and even Rosalie. *CHARLIE forgives you*, and still will; he proved that last night, remember?"

"Uh- Uh-huh," 'Nocchi conceded with a whimper while blinking hard.

"Then *YOU remember*- *you yourself* are not at fault or were at fault. Okay? That was all *BELLA'S doing*. LACEY'S, not Belle's, so to speak."

This was sweet and touching and reassuring and all- but again, *enough was enough*. Sebastian coughed pointedly yet politely in order to catch 'Miss Alice's' attention. "Ehm- pardon me, 'signorina'?"

Now that brilliant flash of a genuine smile was directed towards himself, Jiminy, and Gemini plus Figaro, who'd apprehensively given the elder girl's fingers one good sniff, wrinkled his little black nose a bit and sneezed, then nuzzled and licked them, purring and melting a bit under a nice gentle petting and scritching. "*Oh*- sorry! Hello, there!"

"'Buongiorno', lass," Sebastian chirruped, bowing and tipping his hat almost in unison with Jiminy and Gemini. "Th' name's 'Sebastian'- 'Sebastian J. Cricket'. An' these are my brothers 'Jiminy H. Cricket' and 'Gemini P. Cricket'. We're triplets s' well as brothers, ye see... Jimi's young 'Nocchi's 'conscience' (her *OUTER conscience*, that is)- an' Gem and I?? Well- s'pose ye could say we're his assistants/secretaries."

"We're also *Pinny's BESTIES*!" Gemini chipped in. "*Just plain good friends* as well as mentors!"

"-What 'fratelloe mio' (my brothers) pretty much just said," Jiminy chortled. "Nothin' else t' add here, really! And *YOU are*...?"

Alice mock-curtsied with warm twinkling eyes and a matching smile. "'Ciao', Signors Sebastian J., Jiminy H., and Gemini P. Cricket! Not just nice to meet you- I'm *CHARMED to make your acquaintance*! My name's 'Alice', though my LAST name *isn't* 'Liddell'. It's 'Cullen', rather."

%"How-do, Signorina Alice *NOT-Liddell*?"%

"'Tis nice t' *meet YE*, lass."

"Yeah- *VERY*. Thankfully..."

"*Gemini*!! Really?!"

"Well, I *MEAN it*, Jimi- Bas!"

'*Och*- BROTHERS... *LITTLE brothers*, in particular!'

Jiminy mentally facepalmed in agreement.

"And *hel-LO* to you too, cutie! What a *HANDSOME little gentleman* you are! Quite the cuddler too, I see..."

Figaro mewled up at Alice politely, clearly REVELING in being petted and cuddled again after being asleep too long even for *HIS liking*. He pouted when Pinocchio had to put him down so she could wash up and get dressed, immediately beelining for her and leaping up and perching himself on one of her shoulders the moment her newly-clean hair was brushed and pulled half-back and her shoes were slipped on and tied- Jiminy and Sebastian meanwhile sitting on her opposite one while Gemini was nestled into her hair.

"That's a *LOVELY dress* ye have on, 'dolcezza'- but... Isn't it a bit- *fancy* for a school-day?"

Pinocchio's cheeks flushed the color of ripe apples as she ducked her head. "'S all I've got t' wear right now," she mumbled. "Wasn't exactly plannin' on spendin' the night, even if there was a party goin' on."

"-DETAILS *pretty please*, Pinny."

"*Later*, Gem," Jiminy jumped in, speaking for both himself and 'Pinoke' plus his brothers. "We'll get down t' brass tacks LATER. Pinoke needs to get to school after havin' breakfast right now."

Gemini huffed, but nodded in reluctant assessment before fondly patting their young charge's soft sweet-smelling dark locks where he sat. Jimi *WAS right*, after all... Okay, then- 'later' it was.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************

*FURTHER shock*- a certain green-eyed, bespectacled, small-framed and skinny, knobbly-kneed 'Boy-Who-Lived' with longish naturally-messy black hair and a lightning-bolt scar on the left side of his forehead, pretty dark-haired and dark-eyed Asian-featured Ravenclaw witch, and whimsically-lovely other Raven wiccan with long platinum dirty-blonde hair, translucent porcelain skin, and large dreamy misty grey eyes wearing radish earrings, Spectra-Specs, and a butter-beer cork necklace came down with an *alive and well Cedric Diggory*!!! And they seemed pretty close, too- laughing and talking with happy tears in their eyes. As in, *close-ER* than just good friends or fairly friendly classmates, much less a bond akin to brothers, sisters, or cousins...

-Well, *HA*!!!! *Eat your jealous fan-girl little heart out*, Ginny Weasley!! Seems like it WASN'T a re-do reversal of James Potter and Lily Evans-Potter after all, eh? (It had always been '*BLEH*' to Jiminy, anyway- Ginny's eyes being bright brown akin to HAZEL as well as her hair being fiery red whereas Harry had messy black hair and *GREEN eyes*; like they were *siblings* separated at birth... 'Which, by the way, *GROSS*!!')

...*Hmm*. Speaking of 'siblings'- Miss Alice, Cedric, and this Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper plus Carlie and Esme rather *looked A LOT ALIKE*, come to think of it. The same smooth clear skin as flawless and pale as porcelain- the same fluid graceful movements whatever one was doing (even from stocky brawny bear-like Emmett)- the same achingly-beautiful Fae or Elvish features- the very same golden tinge to their eyes...
*Hold up*. The very same SHARP GLISTENING TEETH...

-*VAMPIRES*. Oh 'santo cielo'!!! Pinocchio had one way or another as this 'Bella Swan' *stumbled into a NEST OF VAMPIRES*!! *'Nosferatu'*! Jiminy felt himself go sickly-white, his heart thundering in his tiny chest while he clutched tight onto the handle of his umbrella.

And from the audible gulp from above and sharp gasp beside him, Gem and 'Bastian had just caught onto that not-so-little fact as well.

'*"Vampiri"*!!! *What THE HELL* is that girl doin' hangin' around *DAMN BLOODSUCKERS*, I'd like to know??!!'

'...*Oh "Dio" have mercy*. Pinocchio lass, ye'd BETTER know wha' exactly ye're doin' an' *WHOM* ye're dealin' with!'

*No flippin' wonder* Figaro had wrinkled his nose *and SNEEZED* while sniffing Alice Cullen's fingers earlier...!!

"-Ah, Luna??"

"Yes, Just Harry-love?"

"Am- Am I still dreaming, or- or am I ...*seeing PINOCCHIO, JIMINY CRICKET, AND FIGARO* plus two other 'consciences' before me beside Alice???"

"-*Ouch*! Nope- sorry, 'mo chreade'. *NOT dreaming* any more than I."

"As I said before- 'you're not going mad. I can see them, too'. 'Tis no ghostly dagger of the mind, Macbeth. -Or *Mac-DUFF*, rather; you're much sweeter and nicer."

"Emmett, I WILL *SMACK you* if you dare to call her 'Loony Lovegood'- that is, if either Cedric, Harry, or Cho don't get there first with a *punch*."

"*Shutting up*, Rosie."

The Cricket Triplets groaned and sank their suddenly pounding aching heads into their hands, rubbing at their faces. *Vampires- live Harry Potter characters*... *What NEXT*??! *That girl*... NOT *HER fault*, but still- it was *A LOT* to take in and process.

Well- they seemed polite and friendly enough, at least...

The blonde angel known as Dr. Carlie Cullen smiled warmly over at her youngest children and their companions. "Good morning, Cedric- Alice- young Pinocchio. Did you sleep well?"

Pinocchio nodded shyly while Alice and Cedric mumbled 'Well enough, after a bit of tossing and turning'.

'Huh- funny. Vampires *can SLEEP*??? And NOT in a coffin, given Miss Cullen's comfy cozy little girl's-dream-come-true bed?? -Oh, AND *eat and drink* too, apparently, since I can smell and see food bein' cooked and either coffee or tea brewin'. Just *add THAT* to the pile as well, I guess...!'

"How's your arm, Pinocchio dear?" Dr. Carlie's Snow White-in-the-flesh save for *CARAMEL-colored* hair wife named 'Esme' queried in sweet concern.

"-Not that great, Mrs. Esme."

"Hmm- I didn't think so. What about your head?"

"That's- *THAT'S better*, at least."

"No dizziness? No aches?"

"N-No, Mrs. Esme."

"Well, that's good, sweetheart. You really were a very good brave girl last night while having to be stitched up, you know; whether Carlie numbed it or no."

"Th-Thank you, Mrs. Esme..."

"You're welcome- more than. -Who are yours' and Cedric's friends, little one?"

Since Cedric was part of the Cullen clan, Pinocchio let him go first.

"Mum Carlie and Esme- sisters Rosalie and Alice- brothers Emmett and Jasper- dear young friend Pinocchio, ...pray allow me to introduce my lovely inside-and-out Mates. Cho Kathryn Chang, Luna Pandora Malfoy-Lovegood, and 'Just' Harry James Evans-Potter. They arrived just last night..."

"Mrs.- M-Mrs. Doctor Carlie- Mrs. Nurse Esme- Signora Rosalie and Signors Jasper, Emmett, 'n Cedric... Th-This is Figaro, my pet kitten, my conscience and first best friend Jiminy Cricket- and- and th-these are Jiminy's brothers Mr. Sebastian and Mr. Gemini Cricket."

Again, Figaro meowed politely (after another nose-wrinkle and a sneeze or two) and the triplet cricket brothers tipped their hats just as courteously for all their trepidation.

In response?? Not even so much as a faint hiss or slight *UN-friendly* baring of fangs. Just kind smiles, warm waves, and polite friendly 'Hellos' in Italian or English. The only *ODD thing* was Luna Lovegood blinking slowly akin to a cat and then inquiring with an eagerness in her dream-like Irish-British accent, "...May I pretty please with a cherry-flavored Bertie Botts' Every-Flavor Bean on top have your autographs, Sir Jiminy Cricket, little Figaro, and Signorino Pinocchio? Yours' too as well, of course, Signors Sebastian Not-a-Crab-Criminal Meerkat-or-One-With-Cruel Intentions and Gemini Yet-Triplet-Rather-Than-Twin!"

Emmett snickered and Harry coughed a laugh and groan combined while Pinocchio squeaked, Figaro mewled, and Jiminy chirruped in startled surprise before former puppet-girl and quasi-cricket flushed red in the face.

"I g- I guess so, M-Miss Luna."

"When- *When in Rome*, as they say! Want a picture, too?"

"Oooohhh- *yes, please*! That would be lovely! *AFTER breakfast*, of course, Mrs. Carlie and Esme Cullen; be rather rude not to make the acquaintance of these delicious dishes, wouldn't you say?"

"Ah- just so, Luna dear."

"-She asked for *MY autograph and picture* when we first met, too," Harry whispered sotto voce with a slight flush of his own yet a faint silly 'soppy' smile dancing over his lips. "Unlike with Ron, though, she *asked IN PRIVATE*, and I already knew what she was actually like..."

'Bet she also *beat Rita Skeeter to the punch* and *interviewed you FIRST* The Whole True Story just because and she's a sweetie-sweetie...' Gemini mused with a small smile and semi-knowing twinkle in his eye.

Breakfast consisting of Eggs Benedict, Canadian bacon, grilled tomatoes, chopped-up herbed potatoes, pancakes, bananas or fresh peaches, tea, coffee, and orange juice- a round of Autographs and Photos with Luna Lovegood (one 'prim and proper', one silly, one 'sweet'- three is a magic number, after all!)- some serious questions and answers including a *semi-major* apology on 'Nocchi's part for 'Bella's' behavior but mainly sticking to polite small talk- a check-up on Pinocchio's arm that had been *SO injured* the night before she'd had to have STITCHES (!!!!)- and then, before Jiminy knew it, it was once again time for 'Little Woodenhead' to start off to school. And ohhhhh, *'Mamma Mia*'- HIGH SCHOOL!!! His, 'Bastian's, and Gem's little 'burattinaia' was now *in HIGH SCHOOL*, heaven help them...!! They'd FLIPPIN' MISSED Pinoke attending *elementary and middle* no thanks to *HER*.

Figaro, the naughty determined little scamp, snuck into Pinocchio's backpack while an invisible Jiminy, Sebastian, and Gemini perched on her shoulder, in her hair, or in her cardigan pocket. Thankfully, the very former behaved himself and stayed quiet as a mouse all throughout the day as much as the latter three (Pinocchio's 'Bella Swan' Glamour once more again in place, of course; this was a family and *INTIMATE friends* *ONLY* secret. *Ssshhh*!!! Anyone else was just way too risky). The triplets were very happy to see their sweet girl both making friends and doing well in her classes, though ground their teeth and clenched their fists at the admiring Looks and flirty smiles sent her way by just about every male her age in the area. *Back off, buddy*!! Keep your paws to yourself, pleaseandthankyouverymuch!

(Besides, she wouldn't have been even remotely romantically interested anyway, they *WELL knew*. She was *bent and lavender* i. e. *a LESBIAN* as much as Sebastian was gay, Jiminy was bi, and Gemini was panromantic/asexual. *Sorry-not-sorry*, boys; you're plumb outta luck, 'sheer dumb' or no!)

Another shocker- Pinocchio -or rather, 'Bella Swan'- now had *a JOB* at a sports-goods store! A fairly good one, at least; and in a small town like Forks, Washington, one was LUCKY to have a job. Nice to have one of her schoolmates there, too, whether his mom owned the store or not.

"Hi, Bella! How was your birthday?"

Inwardly: '-You wouldn't b'lieve me if *I* told you, Mr. Mike. B'sides, 's not my REAL *ACTUAL birthday* yet- not 'til November ninth.' Outwardly: "*UGH*. I'm glad it's over."

Wh-??? Ohhhh. That must be how BELLA was expected to react, from what Jiminy could tell.

"Okay- that's just *NUTS*!" Gem whisper-hissed to his sibs with a furrowed brow and WTF eyes. "WHO *DOESN'T enjoy one's birthday*, huh??!"

"Well, bein' raised on a kindergarten teacher's salary plus bummed tha' ye're turnin' one year older than yer b'loved vampire boyfriend will probably do that t' ye, 'fratellino'," 'Bastian murmured back.

"*Still nuts* t' my mind, big bro!"

Another thing to note about Forks: along with being as *GREEN* and woodsy as either the famed Black Forest in Germany or the Fairy-Tale Forest in 'Once Upon a Time', Pinokes' new home was under a constant sky of CLOUDS and *rain* with rare sunny days. Huh- no wonder a vampire would settle here even if the sun *DIDN'T harm them*! Plus, there WAS the spooky small-town mystery and urban fantasy factor... Pretty far cry from Pariva, Esperia, Italy, or her other former home in Phoenix, Arizona.

'Bella' had loved the blistering heat, shining sun, and vigorous sprawling city. *Pinocchio*, however, much preferred the cooler temperature, fairy-tale greenery, and smaller town in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, and didn't mind the damp drizzle or 'omnipresent gloom' that accompanied it. Renee Dwyer 'nee Swan had escaped from there when 'Bella' was supposedly a few months old- and it was in Forks that 'Bella' had been compelled to spend a month every summer until 'she' was fourteen, the year she'd finally put her foot down. Every three summers after that, Chief Charlie Swan had vacationed with 'Bella' for two weeks in California instead...
In reality, Pinocchio had been seven years old. She would be turning fifteen this November.

The reason why 'Bella' had moved to Forks?? Renee had gotten remarried last year. Her husband Phil was a pretty nice guy- but the thing was, he played baseball for a living.
Renee had stayed home with 'Bella' at first- however, it made her unhappy. She missed him *a LOT*. So 'Bella' had therefore exiled herself to live with her dad instead so that her mom and stepdad would be able to go out on the road during baseball season...

Pinocchio had had to grow up and become responsible very quickly, it turned out. Renee was loving, yes- but erratic, hare-brained, impractical, absent-minded, and liked to shift from one interest to the next. As a result, 'Bella' had taken over most of the household responsibilities, more often than not feeling like *Renee* was the child and *SHE was the parent*, despite considering 'her' mother her best friend (which Gemini had comically pouted at while Jiminy mock-whined "*OUCH*! *That hurts*, Pinoke!").

Unlike before, she'd never really been bullied ...yet she'd never once fit in with her peers in California or Phoenix either, always having had the feeling of being a little out of sync with everyone (more than likely due to her Cursed Glamour that shielded her looks and messed with her personality and interests plus sexuality). Hence, during her free time, she'd preferred to sit at home and read a good book- in part because 'Bella' was *EXTRAORDINARILY clumsy*. She'd briefly taken piano and ballet lessons, but had quit them after some time because 'Bella' found them too difficult; and singing, other kinds of dancing, and acting had been a solid flat-out *NO* given her shy modesty and constantly-tripping-whenever-she-walked.
Her plan for the future?? To get a degree in education and teach like 'her' mother. (Though 'Bella' had intended to teach at the *HIGH SCHOOL level* rather than kindergarten or elementary.) -It was a plan that 'Bella' had no longer wanted the moment she set eyes on and got to know 'Edward Cullen', who was *a VAMPIRE* as well as drop-dead (ha-ha) gorgeous ...but it was also a plan that *Pinocchio* no longer cared for, no offense to teachers anywhere and everywhere that weren't Schuesters (or just about anybody else in McKinley High on 'Glee' save for Shannon Beiste, to be honest), Umbridges, disguised!Crouches, Quirrels, Lockharts, or stereotypical *MEAN grumpy* principals.

Fashion had never really interested 'Bella', and she'd thought make-up *a BIG PAIN*. -Again, her tune had changed and then some upon meeting 'Edward Cullen'. Pinocchio didn't hate or dislike either one anymore than jewelry, but she wasn't a FASHIONISTA by any means. She was pretty much just a fairly simple girl who liked to look and feel pretty every now and then, when it came down to it...

"Papa Charlie 'n Mr. Billy Black are best friends, so they threw me and *HIS daughters* Rachel and Rebecca together a lot durin' my visits as 'Bella' t' keep us busy while they fished. -Thing was, we all were kinda too shy t' make much progress as friends. ...And I'd- um, well- 'Bella'kickedupenoughtantrumstoendthefishingtripswhenshewassupposedlyeleven."

*MASSIVE* MAJOR stinging red blush rapidly coloring her much-shamed face complete with lowered upset eyes and major 'stimming'. Had her 'Pleasure Island' features been present, her long gray donkey ears would have been lowered flat to her head and she'd be clutching at and twisting her tufted tail alongside. *Her WINGS* would have been pretty droopy, too.

"-Just apologize sincerely an' say you're sorry, lass. He sounds like a rather nice 'uomo' (man), from what little we've heard of him. I'm sure he'll forgive ye fairly quickly... After all, he wasna at all angry or disgusted wit' ye concernin' *NOT bein'* HIS daughter 'Bella', aye?"

"N-No," Pinocchio mumbled in response to Sebastian's kindly suggestion and query, alternately rubbing or clutching at her near-scrawny arm while biting her lower lip.

"It'll be alright, Pinoke. Just- come clean, honey. That's all."

'Jimi', 'Gem', and 'Bastian' immediately shushed and Figaro still kept quiet when they came to the small two-bedroom house of Chief Swan. If SHE was watching and smirking, best to keep the disguise up or one's head down whenever in 'public', or else *DISASTER* lay ahead.

"Dad?? Edward?"

Distinctive theme music from ESPN's SportsCenter. Gemini couldn't help rolling his eyes or letting out a small scoff.

"In here!" Chief Swan called back.

Pinocchio hung her raincoat on its peg by the door and hurried around the corner into the den/living-room. Cedric was in an armchair- Chief Swan on the sofa. Both had their eyes trained on the TV. The focus was Normal for 'Bella's' father ...*not so much* for 'Edward', though. (Not unless it was baseball or Quidditch, probably.)

"-Hi."

"Hey, Bella! We just had cold pizza. I think it's still on the table."

"Okay."

Of course, clearly the pizza held no interest for 'Bella', who waited in the doorway until 'Edward' finally looked over at her with a polite smile and quiet promise of "I'll be right behind you" before he made his eyes stray back to the TV.

Some internal turmoil and drama- sudden 'light' picture-taking that even the Triplets got a chuckle out of during half-time- stomach-hurting hands-shaking fright and nervousness for the rest of the show...

"Will you stay?"

"-Not tonight."

Neither 'Bella' nor Pinocchio asked for a reason why. -Raining, now. No storm- just a fairly heavy drizzle with little rumbles of thunder now and again. *Thank. God*. Flashbacks were going to be bad enough without howling winds, crackling flashing lightning, booming thunder, and pouring rain in the background...

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

*HER eyes* were off- 'CUT' had been called for now. Pinocchio dropped the Glamour while drying herself off, careful not to jostle her outer conscience and his brothers. Figaro snuck out of her backpack and into the living-room, actually jumping up onto Charlie's lap and making biscuits and mini-muffins right then and there. Jiminy hoped that the quietly-handsome brown-eyed pale-skinned man with a mustache and curly brown hair wasn't allergic to cats or *DIS-liked* them.

"Huh?? *What the*-?! -Oh. Well, hey there, little guy. Should've figured that YOU'D turn up sooner or later, given who your 'pet' is!"

His voice was soft- fond- warm. Just *a little bit* higher-pitched like some folks' tended to when it came to cute furry animals. He was giving 'Figgy' some nice strokes, scritches, and chin-rubs, too. Quasi-crickets and 'burattinaia' breathed a collective sigh of relief, Figaro's trills and purrs soothing Pinocchio somewhat.

"If you've met Alice already, I bet she was *all over you* as much as your mistress, huh? Bet that PINOCCHIO was *REALLY happy* to see you either last night or this morning, after the night she'd had... Speaking of- honey?"

That was her cue. At least nobody save five were watching this time... She coughed, then near-whispered, "'M over here, P-Papa."

A gentle pat on the empty side of the sofa, a warm assuring smile that she could FEEL even if she couldn't currently see it-

Pinocchio swallowed hard, dashed at her suddenly-damp eyes, and edged into the living-room again. Her shattered-all-over-again half-empty heart *ACHED* and soul HURT at the genuine warm fatherly love and tenderness he exuded even though she was not his daughter by birth/blood and he'd basically been DECEIVED along with his ex-wife. He was *SMILING at her*- GRINNING. Not scowling, sneering, shouting, or moving as though to hit her or shove her away...

"*THERE you are*. There's my beautiful girl! -My beautiful girl with *THREE OTHER fine handsome gentlemen*, I see. Let me guess... Disney's Jiminy Cricket, Sebastian J. from Guillermo del Toro's stop-motion adaptation, and Gemini of the Lamp from the video-game 'Lies of P'?? You must all be BROTHERS- or cousins!
"Name's 'Charlie Cesare Swan'. I'm the chief of police here in Forks plus apparently 'Nocchi's guardian and foster parent if not Bella Swan's birth-father. How do you do?"

The Triplets were non-plussed at this non-show of affection and warm welcome. He'd even RECOGNIZED 'Bastian and Gem where most people wouldn't unless they were del Toro fans or video-game nerds, or just lump them in with Jiminy AKA 'the Talking Cricket' either way!! Still, their parents had preached politeness, and so they bowed their heads and tipped their hats once more.

"Ah- um... Quite well more-or-less, thank ye, Chief Swan. 'Si'; we're brothers. *TRIPLETS, actually*. I'm th' eldest, Jimi's in th' middle, an' Gemini is th' wee barrin of th' family. (Dinna look at me like that, 'fratellino'- *it's TRUE*, after all!)
"-Nice weather we're havin', isna it? *WET*, 'si'- but good for th' grass and all. An' better *rain* than a DROUGHT, aye?"

"I've always thought so, on the latter. And please- just call me 'Charlie'. You're 'Nocchi's *friends and family* after all- and that means *NO formalities*, in my book! -You don't mind if I call you that sometimes, do you, baby? No offense or anything, but your name is *a MOUTHFUL*; no wonder that kid on Pleasure Island Lampwick mostly stuck with 'Slats'..."

Another hard swallow- a rapid blink. "N-No. I- I don't mind either 'Nocchi' or 'Pinny'- just *NOT EVER* 'Pinokie', 'per favore' and 'grazie'! And- And 'Pinoke' is pretty much Jiminy's own special name for me."

"Duly noted, 'mon capitan'! -Come on over and sit down, 'Nocchi honey. You look like you've had a long day as well as a pretty eventful night."

Pinocchio weakly obeyed, smiling just a bit when Figaro switched from Charlie's lap to hers' once a soft red, blue, and green blanket had been laid over it. Petting his soft sleek black and white fur and both hearing and feeling his purr helped, too.

There was no prompt- no push. Not even from her 'conscience' or either of his brothers, much less her adopted/foster father. All four plus Figaro waited until a tear-choked Pinocchio began to quietly talk.

"...Father's wish was for me t' be a Real Boy. That wish *NEVER* came true- but not b'cause I didn't prove myself 'brave, truthful, and unselfish' enough before or after Monstro. It was b'cause I was after all a *REAL-real* *live livin'* GIRL deep in my heart 'n soul- a soul and heart that I *DID have* *from the beginnin'*, never mind what SHE thought!"

"'She'???"

"My- *My mother*. The woman whom- HE was in love with, semi-courtin', and vice-versa despite his loving children and her not wanting to have any of her own. *Th' Blue Faerie Chiara Belmagio's YOUNGER SISTER* Ilaria- the Scarlet Faerie, though SHE was never meant t' have magic like my 'zia' was since she was chosen for a particularly brave selfless deed. She made a deal with an evil faerie called a 'Heartless' one night after both flunking her audition (she'd always wanted t' be a famous opera singer, you see- a star) and being saved from a couple 'f drunk lowlifes- and then *SHE became a Heartless*. She never destroyed HER heart like the others, though. She was *about to*, but Zia Chiara stopped her- accidentally bringing her little carved wooden dove to life in the process. They didn't see each other again for forty years...

"Wishin' Faeries have three main rules then and often now: one can *NEVER* grant wishes from their hometown. You *must NOT* bring actual life to an inanimate object. And NEVER grant a wish without discussing it with your fellow faeries. -Zia Chiara broke all three in one fell swoop, and Ilaria both blackmailed and sweet-talked her into a not-so-little wager: that I prove myself worthy enough of b'comin' a Real Boy despite *MY lack of heart* (and never mind my chirpin' conscience) in a fortnights' time. If Chiara won, she'd take back her heart and help her sister turn me into a Real Boy. If *ILARIA won*... she'd take CHIARA'S heart and make her like 'Ily'."

"'-*The apple*. *It was YOU*??' I always thought there was something FISHY about your burning your finger on that candle during the first celebration scene; like Princess Aurora being lured to a spinning-wheel by Maleficent... *Those CROOKS* were these 'Heartless's' henchmen, weren't they?? -And why do I have a NASTY *SICKENING* feeling that *something MORE* happened to you while you were in their clutches whether they knew you were really truly *FE-male* or not?"

A fresh coat of hot salty tears welled up around the rims of Pinocchio's big blue orbs for eyes, brimming over and trickling down her gone-pale cheeks as she trembled, whimpered, and nodded shamefully. Charlie felt as though a whip had been lashed across his face while being kicked in the stomach and kneed in the groin while Gemini bit his lip, Sebastian shuddered, and Jiminy buried his face in his hands. "Did- Did Lady Chiara know??" he rasped, the color draining from his own face.

"...Ilaria blocked her from helpin' me 'n made her watch b'fore tryin' to gaslight her into believin' that I'd ONLY *been KIDNAPPED* and locked up. 'Enough with the dramatics, Chia! I wouldn't get the boy KILLED. Besides, if he died, he wouldn't exactly *be WICKED*, would he? He'd only be DEAD...' I- I escaped on my own, even though I didn't know I was doin' so at first."

"-*Oh*! Your nose grew long enough for one of your cricket friends to be able to reach the key hanging on the- ...Stromboli must've either been really drunk, stupidly over-confident, or both, to give you such an easy way out like that. -That, or he thought he was hanging a *FAKE key* on the wall in order to further taunt you. *Jerk*.
"Take it that you *DIDN'T enjoy* Pleasure Island, either?"

"At- At first. But then, ...it felt *WRONG* t' me. Tw-*Twisted*. There was somethin' MEAN and *COLD* in the Coachman's eyes that I didn't like, for all he seemed so nice. Lampwick thought I was kind 'f a goody-two-shoes, but- but he never told me to 'beat it', 'get lost', or called me any kind of mean nasty names even when I whispered in his ear that I was actually a girl. He didn't just teach me t' play cards 'n pool and how t' throw a rock or use a sling-shot- *he saved Jiminy's, Sebastian's, Gemini's, 'n my lives* by kickin' a pool table in the faces of the Coachman 'n his Shadow Goons in donkey-form when they came t' fetch us, even though he was so scared 'n frightened himself! He made us able t' escape off of Pleasure Island 'n swim for home..."

Something else- *something WORSE/JUST AS BAD* had clearly happened to her before she'd FINALLY reached hers' and Geppetto's house, from the dark horrified haunted look in her big bright eyes and shadow like a Dementor passing over her sweet dollface. But Charlie didn't push or press even though he was *BURNING* to know. Now or later, she'd tell him in HER OWN time.
Meanwhile- "*Good for him*, then. Guess he's a good kid after all, deep down. Just- mouthy and street-wise. -Meh; I'll take 'bad-ass punk' over 'bullying jerk'. ...So what happened on the beach or back home after you saved your dad??"

Now Pinocchio was SHAKING while biting back and swallowing down sadistic sobs. Not wanting to move and disturb Figaro while his ownee was *like THIS*, Charlie simply gently wrapped another soft blanket around her small thin shoulder. GOD, she was *so small*- *so TINY*. So *HEARTBREAKINGLY YOUNG* to have gone through what she had, magic or no... Fourteen-going-on-fifteen to 'Bella's' just-turned-eighteen-!

"Go ahead, Pinoke sweetheart. Tell him," Jiminy murmured while fighting back tears himself and a *FIERCE* anger. "It's okay- Gem, 'Bastian, an' I are RIGHT HERE. *We're still here*, hon- not goin' anywhere no matter what. *No, ma'am*!"

.....

"F-Fath- ...Father was ANGRY. *DISGUSTED*. H-*Hurt*. That- That I was a *Real GIRL* -*FE-male*- instead 'f either just a real-real live livin' boy or his precious dead son C-Carlo all over again once I proved m'self brave, truthful, 'n unselfish enough. He- He slapped me. *HARD*. K-Kicked at me- shoved me away while callin' me *NON-sweet* names. Yellin'- screamin- cryin'... He- He had- H-He finally *had a HEART ATTACK* brought on by stress, grief, fury, 'n heartbreak, and- and he died. R-Right in front 'f me plus Figaro, Cleo, Jiminy, Sebastian, 'n Gemini. In- In front- I-*In front 'f the Blue Faerie 'n Scarlet Faerie*...

"She- She shrieked and screamed at me while cryin' hard. '*You BITCH*!!! You *nasty rotten heartless ungrateful little whore*!! *How dare you*??!! You *KILLED him*- your own dear sweet loving father! It's *ALL* *YOUR fault*!! You HAD TO go and *be GREEDY*, didn't you?! Wanted MORE *and more*, instead of just being a *GOOD boy* like he WISHED FOR...!! You *SLUT*!!! You fucking little Lolita!!
"'You want to be *a GIRL* THAT damn bad?!? *FINE*- you'll get *YOUR wish*! You just won't *be yourself*, 'little woodenhead'...!! *NEVER*!'

"She- She slapped me- kicked me- wh-*WHIPPED me*- *BEAT* me until I was a sobbin' bleedin' torn bruised MESS on the beach after knockin' Zia Chiara out as well as Cleo, Figaro, Jiminy, Sebastian, 'n Gemini. Then- Th-Then she wiped clean, locked away, and TWISTED my memories before tuggin' on my- my- m-*my STRINGS* and 'waking me up' in Mrs. Renee's house in Phoenix, Arizona. She- She SNEERED at you- at Forks- at how you still loved Renee; call- called you a 'Geppetto 2.0'... She *HATES* th' snow, rain, cold, 'n too much green..."

Even with all that out of her system, Pinocchio didn't dare let herself fully cry while dropping limply into Charlie's arms and snuggling up to him. That would come tomorrow, she could sickeningly feel.

Charlie and Gemini just quietly stroked her hair while Jiminy and Sebastian gently rubbed or patted her shoulder or neck, Figaro still soothingly purring away while 'petting' her. The human brunet's own eyes felt hot and wet, and tears were now streaking down Pinocchio's 'grillo amicoe' (cricket friends') small faces as they dolefully remembered. Ohhhhh, HOW Sebastian still longed to give Geppetto a good hard kick while verbally ripping him to pieces for *NOT loving* his sweet loving brave, honest, unselfish little girl and *making her cry as much as Foulfellow, Gideon, Stromboli, and that damn farmer had*-!!!

Far off at the Cullen Clan's beautiful big white airy house, Cedric Diggory *SCREAMED* his throat First Thirst-raw before dropping to his knees and burying his ghostly-white face in his long-fingered Quidditch and piano-callused hands, sobbing as though his heart- no, *his SOUL* would break. For the very first time, he had sensed and read 'Bella Swan's' thoughts and memories. And it was *WORSE* than even last spring with James- *just as bad* as everything Official and not that poor Harry had ever suffered at the hands of the Dursleys, Dumbledore, seventy-five percent of the Wizarding World in general, Tom Riddle AKA Voldemort, and his Death Eaters...

'*I'M SORRY, Pinocchio*!! You poor dear sweet little lass, *I'm so sorry*...! *That BLOODY GIT*! That- That *damn bitch*!!'

Jasper was whimpering, wailing, howling, and mewling like a wounded wild animal the whole time himself from the brutal TSUNAMI of Cedric's emotions plus Pinocchio's to a point, acidic *slightly bloody* tears pouring down their bone-white cheeks and dripping onto the floor. All their family and Mates could do was hold, rock, and be there for them while whispering sweet soothing shushing noises and words of love, assurance, and comfort into their ears, an also-tearful white-faced Luna showing all via a magic mirror- or *magic WINDOW*, rather, they were big enough...

If Pinocchio had still been *TRAPPED* in 'Bella Swan', then starting from tomorrow, things would have been HELL for all involved- including the Quilete wolf shifters in a few months. And the Volturi would have been *so ANGRY*...