Exceptional
Summary: When Tiana unexpectedly appears in Enchancia after what she assumes is a misdirection from Mama Odie, she eventually determines that perhaps she's in the right place at the right time after all.
Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First, Tiana (or her entire franchise), or gumbo. However, having a Cajun friend, I've been spoiled with chicken gumbo far more times than I can count. Lol
A/N: Just to respond to a question I had a few days ago… Sofia the First is known for being slightly nonlinear, especially including princesses from all walks of life and at all different times. Therefore, when people ask me how it's possible for Tiana (1920s) to show up to a timeline like Sofia's, I'm just going to use two words: "It's magic!" Haha. Seriously though, I'm not sure… But I'm trying to keep this as close to both lines as I possibly can. I promise! :) By the way, this story does make a reference to my story "Timey Wimey." It's not so big that you'd have to read it if you haven't done so already, but if you did read it, then you will probably recognize what's mentioned here. :D
"Seriously?!" came a disgruntled huff as a young woman outfitted in a golden dress looked around in absolute confusion. She seemed to be in an empty throne room of some sort. Deciding not to stick around to see what might happen, she began to fumble her way through various rooms. "If this is supposed to be a castle, I'd like to know where everybody is…" Eventually, after passing through another empty room (though it did appear to be a little more adorned for perhaps some event), she found herself in a kitchen. Well, at least it was an accustomed scene.
Tiana investigated the kitchen for a few minutes, trying to find someone—anyone—but was unsuccessful. Just great. How was she supposed to return to Naveen and everyone else?
She heard a surprised gasp behind her and turned to see a familiar young girl with auburn hair staring at her. "Tiana?" Sofia asked in shock, her eyes wide.
The older princess laughed softly. "I knew this place felt familiar… Hello, Sofia."
"What are you doing here?" the younger girl inquired as she approached the princess of Maldonia.
"You know, I'm trying to figure that out myself…" She blinked when she heard a startled yelp and what sounded like a crash accompanying it. "What was that?"
Sofia grinned. "Oh, that was probably just Mr. Cedric, our Royal Sorcerer. He did a little bit of decorating yesterday, and he was just starting to set up for a magic show he's supposed to perform tonight for my dad's party…" She turned to the door. "Hang on. Let me make sure he's okay." She exited through the kitchen door.
Tiana looked all around the kitchen again, impressed with the overall selection of cookware and space. However, she did notice that it was a little more old-fashioned than what she was used to. Then again, who was she to question a kitchen's supplies? Maybe that's just what their castle had to offer at this point.
Sofia returned to the kitchen with her mentor in tow. Cedric's appearance was currently slightly disheveled, apparently the result of whatever had happened earlier.
The second princess of Enchancia smiled between the two adults in the room. "Mr. Cedric, meet Princess Tiana. She helped me find Baileywick's gift a few months ago for Wassailia." She gestured to her friend. "Tiana, this is my mentor and one of my best friends, plus our Royal Sorcerer, Mr. Cedric."
"Well, hi there, Mr. Cedric," Tiana greeted warmly with a kind smile. "Any friend of Sofia's is a friend of mine."
Cedric blinked. "Well…thank you, Princess Tiana. Um, may I ask what you are doing here?"
"I honestly have no idea…." She shrugged and waved one hand as she carried on. "Mama Odie was rambling on about something and before I knew it, I'd ended up here…"
"Ah," the sorcerer said with interest before leaning down to Sofia and whispering, "Who is Mama Odie?"
Sofia giggled and shrugged as she turned her attention to Tiana once more.
Tiana laughed. "At least I'm somewhere I'm slightly familiar with. You have no idea how relieved I was to see Sofia."
Sofia smiled brightly. "Maybe you're here for a reason," she hinted, glancing nonchalantly at her amulet as if to communicate her meaning with the other girl.
Cedric noticed but didn't say anything. Ever since the time travel incident last year, he'd had to keep his knowledge of her amulet's true powers secret. The last thing he needed was another Sofia meltdown…even if she didn't recall the first one.
"Hmm, good point." Tiana walked around the kitchen, making conversation with them as she looked at the different utensils, cooking supplies, and so on. "So what is the party all about tonight? I hear you're preparing for some sort of show, Mr. Cedric?"
He sighed and folded his arms. "Yes, naturally… It's a festivity to celebrate the coming of spring or something… I honestly wasn't paying that much attention," he murmured mostly to Sofia, who laughed. "As the Royal Sorcerer, I'm expected to perform for the king and his guests rather often. And my setup didn't go quite as planned." He rubbed his left shoulder to prove his point, remembering his fall.
"I know all about that," the older princess replied with a grin toward him as she leaned against the counter. "Well, I know about trying to keep people happy and entertained. Before I married my husband and became a princess, I served food in two restaurants—and I was pretty good at it. People liked my serving and preparation skills." She looked around, as if trying to find something. "Now I'm also a restauranteur on top of being royal, and boy, is that interesting…"
"So you like to cook?" Sofia asked with a growing smile.
"Oh, Sofia, I don't like to cook—I love it. It's been my passion ever since I was just a little girl." She smiled softly in memory. "My daddy taught me everything I knew about cooking—it's got to come from your heart if you want it to be any good."
Sofia lit up, recognizing those words. "That's very true… So…what do you like to cook?"
"Anything and everything. As a matter of fact…" She gathered a nearby pot and spatula. "I don't suppose you two have any food already, seeing as the kitchen is empty?"
"I'm afraid not," Cedric lamented with a sigh. "Just one more thing King Roland is probably going to have me do."
"Oh, no, that's not what I meant at all. You just leave that part to me." She grinned.
A little while later, Tiana had created a very popular dish from New Orleans and the surrounding areas: gumbo. This version had many various ingredients that either she'd found or Cedric had assisted in getting for her magically.
Tiana placed two steaming bowls in front of the friends. "Here, give this a try and see what you think." She handed each a spoon.
"Mm," Sofia hummed in appreciation. "This is delicious!"
Cedric nodded in agreement as he tasted his own gumbo. "Indeed. You're quite talented, Princess Tiana."
The dark-haired princess brightened. "Well, thank you both very much." She placed a lid on the freshly-made gumbo and looked back toward them. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I think you've done more than enough," Cedric assured her with a slight wave of his hands. "In reality, you didn't have to do any of this."
Tiana smiled and pointed her spatula toward him playfully. "Maybe not, but I enjoyed it. Now come on. I'd love to see what you two have done to prepare for this party." She dropped the cooking tool onto the counter and approached the kitchen door, pushing it open and heading into the ball room.
After exchanging glances with each other, Sofia and Cedric followed the other royal before meeting up with her, observing her reaction to the magical floating candles and colorful decorations strung from one end of the room to another.
"Wow," Tiana breathed in awe. "This place is amazing. You must be fast, because I didn't even see this stuff when I headed into the kitchen earlier." She smiled and placed one hand on the sorcerer's shoulder, getting his attention. "Mr. Cedric, I'm not sure if you do this often or not, but you can decorate my restaurant any time."
Cedric laughed and smiled modestly. "Well, thank you…"
Sofia grinned up at him. "I told you people would love your work, Mr. Cedric!"
"Tiana!" an older and seemingly amused voice called out of practically nowhere.
Cedric blinked as the princess dropped her hand from his shoulder and stepped forward to look around. "What is that?"
"Mama Odie?" she responded, answering the question and trying to figure out where the old woman was. "Is that you?"
"Child, where've you disappeared to?" She laughed in glee. "Naveen has lost his marbles lookin' for ya!" Suddenly, a smoky portal opened up before them, and Mama Odie stepped out. "You better come on, girl, before he sends out a search party!"
"Wait, you mean you didn't send me here?" She blinked and looked back at Sofia, who shrugged.
Mama Odie grinned mischievously. "I didn't say that." She grabbed the princess's hand and practically dragged her through the portal. "Juju! I found her! I swear you kids were less trouble as frogs."
Sofia and Cedric stared, blinking, at the now-vanishing portal. Soon, there was no sign that Tiana had ever been there at all.
Cedric looked down at his apprentice. "You sure make some interesting acquaintances, Sofia…"
She smiled up at him. "All part of being me, I guess." She reached for his hand and took his wand, waving it happily. "Need some help with the decorations?"
He shrugged and smiled. "Why not? Just try not to summon a hoard of goats like last time, all right? Explaining that to your father was interesting."
Sofia giggled and nodded before beginning to aid her friend in continuing his original task.
The end