Not So Sweet Candyland

XL: I lost myself to find you

"Mommy!"

"Aww, Vanessa!"

Berry dreamed a dream where she could see her younger self, at around 6 years old. Her mother wanted her to pick out a book and Vanessa picked out a book that her mother had.

"What book is this one?"

"Umm... Tri O of Dark Ess?"

"Ohh, Trio of Darkness! Are you sure you want to read this one? What about a picture book, like Mommy's 3 Caterpillars?"

"We read that one many times already, mom."

"Ok. You might not understand this one, and it might be a little sad."

"That's ok."

Marissa opened the book and started from page 1.

"Once upon a time, there lived a gentle giant. A giant living in a world that she never understood. The world was too small for her to live in, and she was sacred that she was going to step on everybody in the kingdom."

Berry looked away.

"I don't like that story. Did it say that there are 3 stories in the book?"

"Well, there is actually."

Marissa flipped a couple hundred pages to where a new story was about to begin. She cleared her throat and gave Berry a pat on the head and smiled.

"Are you ready?"

"I'm ready!"

Marissa smiled and started to read.

"There are a group of people called pirates. Most pirates search for treasure, but these pirates can have a different kind of adventure. Pirates can be seen as raiding ships for treasure, kidnapping others, and having captains and first mates.

In a kingdom far far away, farther than the earth it seemed themselves, there lived an average peasant girl, named Amelia. Amelia loved the life of many average peasants: clean the house, do the chores, and take care of the farm and the sickly family members. The life that she had, she was never bored of, as she was grateful for everyday that she was alive.

The pirates were considered a threat to the kingdom, but they were their own people. 8 pirates, all of which were male. Destroying property, stealing gold, and yar de harring on the ship deck. This was a life that they had known for their existence as a whole, but never did they ever think of a plan that would combine the life of a peasant girl and the life of a pirate crew."

Berry started to fall asleep as her eyelids fluttered, Marissa kept on reading, but her voice was much quieter.

"To grab the princess of this kingdom? Will that be the quest that ends it all?"

"Who knows? We only live once, and if we die, then we'll be born into somebody else within who knows when?"

"But are you sure?"

"I'm the captain of this ship, so I make all of the dos and don'ts. You got it?"

"Yes, captain."

"Good, now check all of our materials, make sure our equipment is good, and let's go to the kingdom and steal the princess! All for one and one for all!"

At that time, Berry's eyes were closed and Marissa shut the book. She kissed Berry on her forehead and tucked her in.

"Good night."

She walked out of the room and shut the door.

Berry woke up from a deep dream. The only thing in her view was the usual licorice ceiling. She looked over her nightstand and found her MAMBA ANGLE. She summoned a hologram and found her mother as an option.

Her mother appeared in the way that she was today. She was older and dressed in casual pajamas other than the royal nightgown that she always wore.

"Vanessa?"

"Mother. It's me."

Marissa's hologram sighed.

"Do you still need me to get you to sleep?"

"It's the only way."

Marissa laughed.

"You seem a little happier than usual. Why's that?"

"Shhhh, I can't tell you."

"Why? I'm your mother."

"No, it's just your teenage daughter being a teenager."

"You like somebody?"

"Maybe."

"Tell me! Who is it?!"

"You won't believe it. Well, to be honest, it's not a Candison because they are all ugly and if they are decent looking, they're stupid. You told me that they last thing that I want in a future lover is to be is an idiot."

"And if you can't find any appealing boys, you can date a girl or somebody non binary if you like."

"What?"

"Berry, if you weren't in Candyland, I know that you'd be pansexual."

"Really?"

"I might be a science major, but there have been many times where I could tell that you shown affection for many people of many genders. I'm your mother after all. I know you like the back of your hand."

Berry laughed and so did Marissa.

"But, why are you up so late? It's about 3 in the morning here."

"I had a dream about my childhood. Back when you used to read me books and stuff."

"Your unexpected favorite book that you treasure deeply."

"Aww, Pirate King's Treasure. I love that book."

"Part of that 3 book book?"

"Yeah. I know that it's in the castle still."

"Tsk. Vanessa. But seriously, what are you waiting for? You could've been with me by now, and we would have forgotten Candyland as a whole."

"Well, I actually want to find my happy ending, and I want to bring them to your world."

"I never thought that the Vanessa I knew would love love."

"It just makes life a little bit better, and livable. I know you're not the type to think so, but..."

"Everybody is different. Vanessa, you know that you don't have to 100% be like me. There are qualities of me that you inherit naturally. But, you are your own person. You're more aggressive and fearless, more dominant and wild. That's who you are. You are not me part 2. And, I know that it's a human boy that you like. Come on, they can be irrefutable at times, natural colors in your hair are hot."

"Mom!"

Marissa laughed.

"Sorry sweetie. Just remember that I love you and you are precious to me. And, don't think that I ever forgot you. I lost myself to find you. And the day that you come to my world. You will be shocked. Good night, my child."

"Goodnight mom!"

Berry closed her MAMBA and put it on her nightstand.