"Wait for me, Emma!" The young princess rolled her eyes as she turned around to see Alexandrea following her.
"You wouldn't be lagging behind if you weren't wearing that dress." Alexandrea was in a long, yellow gown, which, unfortunately, caught onto every branch and weed in their path. Emma, however, was dressed in suitable outdoor gear, with her outfit consisting of tan slacks, a shirt and a vest. They were her father's once… he just didn't know that she found them in an old trunk and was using them for outdoor adventures.
"Why are we even out here? It's dangerous!"
"Where's your sense of adventure, Lexi?"
"Back at the castle." She grumbled. Alexandrea only went out because Emma wanted to. She'd rather stay in the castle and read a book. But when it came to Emma, the outdoors were always preferred. "I think we should go back. My Mother says there are wolves out here."
Emma scoffed at that statement, "My Mother's best friend is a wolf, so I'm not afraid of any of them!" Suddenly, the bushes rustled loudly.
Alexandrea froze, her eyes growing wide, "What was that?"
Emma stepped in front of her, "I don't know…." With a loud growl, a beast jumped in front of Emma and Alexandrea. They screamed loudly with fear, until Emma started to hear laughter.
"Gotcha!" A boy's voice screamed.
Emma scowled at him, "Pinocchio! You're horrible!"
He kept on laughing, "You should've seen your faces!"
"Pinocchio!" A girl with blonde hair emerged from the bushes. Her skin was pale, but her eyes glittered in the sunlight. "You shouldn't have scared them like that!"
"Aw, c'mon, one little scare wouldn't hurt them."
"Please just go back home."
"Yeah, 'Nocchio!" Emma smirked. "Go back home!"
"Fine," he grumbled. "I'm going." He stormed back the way he came.
The girl turned to the young princesses, "I'm sorry. He can be immature sometimes."
"He's not going back home, y'know," Emma shrugged.
"I know," the girl sighed. "My name's Grace."
"I'm Emma and this is Lexi."
"Are you and him…?" Alexandrea asked.
"No. He's my brother. Adopted brother, really."
"Adopted?" Emma questioned.
Grace nodded, "My father disappeared when the Queen, Regina, asked him for help with something. He went to the palace and I haven't seen him since. Geppetto, Pinocchio's father, found me and took me in, raising me as his own."
"What about your mother?" Alexandrea asked. Grace's eyes looked down, as if trying not to remember a memory. Emma stared at the girl with sympathy. She couldn't even imagine life without her father, let alone her mother.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"It's okay," Grace smiled. "I'm going to find him someday. I know it."
"Emma! Alexandrea!" The two princesses turned and groaned. They found them.
Emma looked back at Grace, "We have to go. I hope you find him."
"Thanks. Bye!"
"Bye!" As Emma followed Alexandrea back to their families, she felt blessed that she had both of her parents to be there. I hope I never lose them, she thought.
Yep, Grace now lives with Geppetto and Pinocchio. I thought it would only be fair, since she needs someone to watch her since Jefferson's... well, tied up. I also thought she'd be a great friend for Emma to meet, even thought she's probably more like Alexandrea in manner :P