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It was a normal night in the Dayes-Napford household, and two happily married critters were sitting at the dinner table with their now teenage son and 6 year old daughter, eating some salmon risotto as they often did.
“So Lune…”
Dogday says, causing the mauve catdog to look over at him.
Dogday smiles.
“Is there a particular girl you like~?”
He asks.
Lune blushes. “W-what? No, of course not!”
He says, averting his eyes. “Why would you think that?!”
Dogday giggles. “Well, I’ve noticed you’ve been a lot more day-dreamy lately.”
He says. “Thinking about a particular special someone perhaps?”
Lune shakes his head. “No, dad, I don’t like any girls.”
He says. “Especially not any girls that are way taller than me.”
Catnap giggles. ‘What about a guy? Any guy you like?’
Lune scoffs. “No, there are no guys I like either.”
He says, before quickly finishing his dinner, getting up from the table.
“I’m going to my room.”
He says, quickly going to place his dishes in the sink, then upstairs to shut himself in his room, like he often did when he was embarrassed.
When he is gone, their young daughter, Solena, pipes up.
“Yeah he totally has a girlfriend.”
She says.
Catnap and Dogday giggle.
“Oh definitely.” Dogday says. “I bet it’s Berry.”
Catnap looks surprised.
‘Really?’ he signs. ‘I would have guessed it was Dane.’
Dogday looks confused.
“Dane?” he says. “No, I think Dane likes Bella.”
Solena scoffs. “You’re both wrong.”
She says. “Lunette totally likes Eve.”
They both look at her.
“Eve?” Dogday says. “You mean the daughter of…”
Solena nods. “I mean, ever since they were kids and I was a baby, I could tell.”
Catnap thinks over it for a bit.
‘Huh.’ he says. ‘Never would have guessed.’
Dogday smiles.
“Well, good for them.”
He says. “Eve is a lovely girl, despite her mother being a total wench.”
Catnap nods. ‘She’s the diamond that came from the rough, and I mean REALLY rough.’
Everyone laughs.
~Meanwhile~
On top of Mount Vitriol, the now teenage princess of ‘darkness’ was getting ready for bed, when she heard a knock on the door.
“Who is it?”
She asks.
“It’s me, dear.”
Her mother’s voice replied.
Eve smiles.
“Door’s unlocked.”
Ulrike walks in, graceful as ever.
“I have something to discuss with you, Evelyn.”
She says, an excited smile on her face.
Eve turns to her. “What is it?”
She asks.
Ulrike giggles. “You might want to sit down.”
Eve nods, sitting down on her bed.
Ulrike steps closer.
“Well, you know how you’re almost at the age where you’ll be old enough to marry, yes?”
Eve nervously nods. “Um, yes…?”
Ulrike smiles happily.
“Well, I’m happy to say, that I have found you the perfect suitor!”
Eve goes cold. “O-oh really?”
She says. “Who?”
Ulrike smiles happily.
“Prince Tarjiro.” she says. “Son of Lady Elizabeth.”
Eve feels a chill go down her spine.
“Oh… cool.”
Ulrike nods.
“We will set off for the royal palace tomorrow, where I will discuss negotiations with the lovely Lady herself.”
She says. “And the evening after that, all the citizens of smiling valley will be invited to the engagement dinner.”
She grumbles a bit.
“I’dve preferred NOT to invite those wretched critters, but Betty always insists on it…”
Eve sighs. “Great…”
She says, trying to fake smile.
Ulrike smiles.
“Just wanted to let you know.”
She says. “Now get some sleep, okay?”
Eve nods.
“Okay, goodnight mama.” She says. “Love you.”
Ulrike smiles before she turns to leave.
“I love you too, my little drop of darkness.”
She says before closing the door.
When her mother is gone… Eve starts to make a plan.
No way was she marrying Tarjiro.
I mean Tari was an amazing guy, and she and him were pretty good friends… but they’d always thought of each other more as siblings.
Besides, her heart undoubtedly already belonged to someone else.
~Tomorrow evening~
At the glittering, golden palace of Smiling valley, the two tall, regal women were sitting in one of the castle’s many lounges, and drinking some sparkling cider, while discussing the marriage arrangement.
“So, the negotiations are set.”
Ulrike says. “In 6 months time, Evelyn and Tarjiro will be wed, and become the future king and queen, correct?”
Betty nods. “That’s correct.”
Ulrike smiles. “Good.”
She says, sipping her cider.
Betty’s smile fades a bit.
“But… I have some concerns about their arranged marriage…”
Ulrike opens one eye.
“And what would those be?”
Betty scoots a bit closer.
“Are you sure Eve WANTS to marry him?”
She asks.
Ulrike nods. “Of course I am.” she says.
“I mean really, he’s the only doll around her age in this valley, so he’s kind of her only option.”
Betty looks down. “I guess that’s true…”
She says.
“Although they also both could be with any of the critters.”
She suggests. “There aren’t any rules against doll-stuffed toy relationships.”
Ulrike scoffs.
“Absolutely not.” She says. “I’d rather cut off my own feet with a rusty hacksaw than see my precious little Evelyn be wed to one of those putrid, sickly colored rainbow critters!”
Betty Humphs.
“Geez, no need to get snippy.” she says. “It was just a suggestion…”
Ulrike calms down a bit.
“I’m sorry, Elizabeth… I just cannot bear the thought of my dear girl with anyone other than Tarjiro.”
She says. “I know he will treat her like the queen she was always meant to be.”
Betty rolls her eyes.
“I know, I know.”
She reaches over to pat Ulrike on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry, as long as they both consent to it, then they will be wed.” She says.
“That’s my one rule, I refuse to agree to their marriage unless they both say yes.”
Ulrike nods. “That’s fair.”
She says. “But don’t worry, I'm positive they want to be married.”
Betty nods, although she was still suspicious.
“Okay… if you say so.”
What they didn’t know was that the supposedly to-be-wed prince and princess were in the prince’s room, conspiring against the wedding they both didn’t wanna have to go through with.
~Fade transition~
Lunette was in a forest clearing, waiting to meet up with his girlfriend.
He really hoped nobody found out about him and Eve, because even though she was good friends with his parents ever since they were kids, he’s not sure they would approve of her being with him romantically.
Her mother was, after all, the most evil woman in all of Smiling valley.
He was staring into the nearby stream, contemplating this, when he heard her voice.
“Moonlight!”
He smiles, seeing her walk up.
“Hello night star.” He says. “How’s it going?”
Eve sighs, sitting down on a nearby log.
“Complicated.”
She answers.
Lune’s smile fades. “What’s wrong…?”
He says, moving to sit on her lap.
Eve wraps her arms around his waist.
“Well, it’s my mom.”
She says. “She somehow got this idea in her head that I should marry Tarjiro of all people… and she’s pretty insistent on it.”
Lune sulks.
“Oh…”
He says.
He looks up to her, with pleading eyes.
“Does… does this mean we have to break up?”
Eve giggles, shaking her head.
“No.”
She says, kissing his cheek and making him blush.
“Don’t worry, Tari and I have a plan.”
She says. “He doesn’t wanna marry me either.”
“Lune sighs in relief.”
“Okay, good.” He says. “So what’s the plan?”
Eve smiles, leaning in his ear and whispering all the details, Lune’s eyes widening when he heard it.
When she was done, he looked at her.
“I-it’s a good plan but… are you sure everyone will be on board with it?”
He gulps. “L-like my parents?”
Eve nods. “Completely.”
She says. “I mean if all else fails, they can just turn her to stone again.”
She looks down.
“I, I’m hoping it won’t come to that, but still.”
Lune hugs her.
“Okay, I agree.”
He says. “Just so long as nobody else is too upset.”
Eve kisses his head.
“Trust me, sweet pea. Everything will be okay.”
She says.
“If tomorrow night goes well.”
~Glitter transition~
After much anticipation, it was finally time for the engagement dinner, and all the critters in Smiling valley had gathered at Betty’s palace, to celebrate the set-to-be union of Evelyn and Tarjiro.
Everyone was sitting at Betty’s large dining table, drinking sparkling cider and eating a wonderful feast, making conversation with each other.
At the end of the meal, Ulrike stands up, clinking her glass with her butter knife, and getting everyone’s attention.
“Listen well, all of you.”
She says, smiling.
“We are gathered here this evening, to celebrate the engagement of my beautiful daughter, Evelyn Vitriol, and the prince of critters and son of the gorgeous Lady Elizabeth, Tarjiro Mcfly.”
She raises a glass.
“May their marriage prosper and last a lifetime, and may it bring them eternal happiness.”
Everyone except for Eve, Tari and Lunette clap respectfully, Betty smiling softly.
Then, Eve stands up.
“Actually… I have some concerns.”
She says. “About this engagement.”
Ulrike looks at her daughter.
“Concerns…?” She says.
Eve nods.
“Mother… I do not want to marry Tarjiro!”
Everyone gasps.
Ulrike looks a bit angry.
“Why not?!”
Eve takes a deep breath, getting out of her chair.
“I’m in love with someone else!”
Ulrike scoffs.
“Who else could you possibly be in love with?”
Eve smiles, looking at Lunette.
“The child of the sun and moon.”
Everyone lets out more gasps, especially Lune’s parents.
Catnap and Dogday both look at their son, who is sitting between them, who closes his eyes and sinks into his chair, whimpering a bit.
Meanwhile Solena was just smirking with an “I knew it” Look.
Betty then giggles a bit.
“Yeah, I kinda figured.”
She says quietly.
Ulrike was flabbergasted.
“How on earth could you fall for that tiny, defenseless critter?!” She says. ‘“I mean look at him, he’s only as tall as your chest!”
Eve smiles.
“He’s my favorite person.”
She says. “Ever since we were kids, he’s been the sweetest, most loving critter I've ever met… and I know in my heart that he’s my soulmate.”
She smiles at Lune again.
“He’s the moon in my night sky.”
Lunette smiles back, trying to focus on her and avoid looking at his parents, who he thought looked disappointed, but instead looked proud.
Betty stands up from her chair.
“Well that settles it then.”
She says.
“Since Evelyn doesn’t want to marry Tarjiro, then I refuse to allow this marriage.”
She says.
Ulrike looks furious.
“B-but they HAVE to be together!”
She says. “It’s their destiny! They’re the only two for each other!”
Betty looks annoyed.
“Well if you can’t convince her to change her mind, then the wedding is still off.”
She says.
Desperate, Ulrike turns back to Evelyn.
“Trust me sweetheart, you don’t want to be with a critter. It would never work out.”
Eve growls.
“How would YOU know?!”
She says. “You’ve never been with a critter, have you?”
Ulrike’s eyes go wide.
“N-no, of course not!” She says, nervously looking aside. “W-why would I ever be with someone far below my glory?”
She points down. “Literally.”
Babs was the only one who noticed Poe nervously looking away.
Eve humphs.
“Well then, you’ve never known the joy of picking them up, holding them like a plush toy, cuddling on those cold nights, carrying them on your back like a couple of nickels…”
She looks lovingly at Lune.
“Love knows no heights, Mama.”
Ulrike growls.
“You’re delusional, Evelyn.”
Eve humphs.
“Maybe I am, but it’s better than being miserable and alone.”
Everyone at the table goes ‘Oooh!’.
Then, Tarjiro stands up.
“I have something to say as well.”
He says, getting everyone’s attention.
The prince takes a deep breath.
“I… I’m ALSO in love with a critter.”
Everyone gasps, especially Casey, who’s eyes sparkled.
Ulrike throws her hands in the air.
“Has the world gone mad!”
She says. “Since when have dolls and critters EVER been together!?”
She shakes her head. “It’s just unnatural!”
Lunette gets up, walking over to hold Eve’s arm.
“Oh yeah, because talking animals and magic are PERFECTLY natural.”
He says sarcastically, making his lover giggle.
Ulrike growls again. “Shut up you dumb mutt!”
She says, making Catnap, Dogday and Sol look angry. “You are not worthy of my precious daughter.”
Then, Betty walks over to Ulrike.
“Ulrike.”
She says, in a serious tone.
Ulrike glares at her. “What?!”
Betty smiles softly.
“Maybe we should give them a chance.”
She says.
“I mean look, they’re clearly in love with each other, and I don’t think anything will change that.”
Ulrike humphs, looking away. “Well I still think my Evelyn deserves someone better.”
Betty was silent for a moment, then gently took Ulrike’s face in her hand.
“Ulrike… look at me.”
Hesitantly, Ulrike looks into Betty’s eyes.
Betty smiles warmly at her.
“Don’t you want your daughter to be happy?”
Ulrike didn’t say anything, her expression one of pain.
The lovers walk over to her, Eve taking Ulrike’s hand in both of hers.
“Please, Mama?”
She says, her eyes begging and pleading for her to say yes.
With Eve, Tari, and especially Betty all making pleading, sparkling eyes at her, even she couldn’t say no.
She growls.
“OKAY FINE!”
She says, ripping her hand and face away and stomping her foot on the floor.
“If you want to marry the child of prophecy, go right ahead.”
She says, turning to leave.
She starts to walk away.
“But when you end up disappointed and unsatisfied with your relationship, I'll be right there to say ‘I told you so.’”
Eve smiles.
“Oh thank you mama!”
Ulrike rolls her eyes, pouting as she walks out onto the balcony, so she didn’t have to witness the inevitable romantic moment between the two.
Lune and Eve share a passionate kiss, as everyone else either ‘Awww's’ or fake gags, except for Poe, who looked a bit sad, Babs petting them gently on the shoulder.
“Tari!”
Casey says, going to hug her literal boy toy, who smiles and scoops her up, kissing her just as Eve did to Lune.
Once Eve had finally set him down, Lune walked over to his parents, who were smiling softly.
He looks down.
“I-I'm sorry I never told you about me and her…” He says. “I didn’t think you’d approve.”
Dogday laughs, gently putting a hand on Lune’s shoulder.
“Hey, it’s okay, little moon.” he says. “Eve’s a wonderful girl, and we are happy for you both.”
Catnap nods. “Yes…”
He says quietly. “I think we all know by now that she’s nothing like her mother.”
He smiles gently. “And we know that she makes you happy.”
Lune smiles, tearing up as he hugs them both.
The castle was filled with joy, and everyone was happy.
Well… almost everyone.
~Epilogue~
After the real engagement dinner celebrating Lune and Eve’s (And Casey and Tari’s) future marriage(s), Ulrike stood by herself on one of the outdoor balconies, grumbling to herself.
“Stupid mutt…”
She says. “Stealing my poor little girl’s heart right under my nose…”
“Ulrike.”
A mature voice says.
The witch looks over to see Betty had walked onto the balcony, standing next to her.
“I have a question for you.”
She says.
Ulrike tilts her head a bit.
“What is it…?”
Betty steps closer.
“It’s about the kids.”
She says.
Ulrike turns away angrily.
“Well if it’s why they didn’t fall in love when they should have, I’ll never know...”
Betty shakes her head.
“No, it’s not that…”
She gently takes hold of Ulrike’s arm.
“You clearly knew that they aren’t in love… so why were you so insistent on it?”
She asks.
Ulrike was frozen.
“Why do you need to know…?”
Betty humphs.
“Because there’s clearly a reason for it other than your disdain for the critters."
She says. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be so insistent that she only married him, and not any other doll.”
Ulrike looks at her for a bit, then sighs.
“Okay fine…”
She says.
“I… I wanted Tarjiro and Eve to be together because…”
She looks into Betty’s eyes.
“I-it would almost be like WE were together again…”
Betty’s heart drops, and her face goes red.
Ulrike doesn’t say anything else, walking away and leaving Betty alone on the balcony.
The princess was too stunned to speak.