Chapter Thirty Five: New Body Part Four: Parental Introductions

"So" Coco said, sitting next to Grey as Luvbi went to the bathroom. "How are we gonna introduce her to mom and dad?"

"Not sure." Grey said. "We could say she's Lucinda's friend she met a while ago."

"Hmm." Coco said. "That might work. Would be funny if they thought they were a couple for that one brief second."

"What?!" Lucinda and Serena both shouted at the two.

"I said" Coco said, repeating herself. "It would be funny if they thought you two were a couple since you're so alike."

"Are you serious!" Lucinda and Serena both shouted at Coco. "I would never in a million years date her!"

Coco rubbed two fingers and her thumb against her forehead, extremely glad they were the only beings in the diner at that point.

"Hey!" The two shouted, this time turning to each other. "What's wrong with me?!"

"Sorry, princess." Serena said, a smug look on her face. "You're not my type."

"Oh yeah?" Lucinda said, leaning toward Serena, competitiveness in her eyes as well as Serena's. "Well, you're not MY type."

"Okay." Coco said, stepping in. "We're gonna figure this out before you two actually go on a date to prove yourselves better."

"I'd win." The two said, pointing to themselves, then shouting at each other. "No you wouldn't! I'd so outdate you!"

"Bring it on, princess." Serena said, getting in Lucinda's face.

"You're on shadow creature." Lucinda said, also leaning in. "Name the time and place."

"You're not going on a date just to win a competition." Coco said. "That's not right."

"Says you.' Lucinda said. "At least we could get a date."

"Nice try kid." Coco said, laughing. "I'm not getting in on that competition. I'll get a date the old fashioned way: without a competition and actually using my natural qualities instead of magic."

"Magic?" Serena said, scoffing. "I don't need magic. Besides, I don't have charm magic. But, back on topic, we need to figure out how to pass me off as Lucinda's friend in a way that'll convince your parents."

"Right.' Coco said. "WE'll just say you're a friend she met while we were on that quest for the Light Star."

"Works for me." Serena said. "Two weeks is a good enough time span for her to make a friend."

"Yeah." Lucinda said, nodding. "Let's go as soon as Luvbi gets back."

"I'm back!" Luvbi said cheerily as she came back and sat on Serena's lap once again.

"Well" Serena said to the girl. "We're leaving."

"You're leaving?" Luvbi asked, her voice conveying sadness. "But, why?"

"We have to introduce me to Lucinda's parents." Serena said, a strange feeling in her chest at the girl's sad tone. "You can come if you want."

"Really?" Luvbi said, her expression brightening.

"Sure." Serena said, shrugging. "If it's okay with Coco."

"Go ahead.' Coco said. "She really seems to like you."

"Yay!" Luvbi said as she wrapped her arms around Serena's neck. Serena smiled slightly, the girl's happier tone making her feel happy as well for some reason. The Shadow human stood up, holding the little girl, Luvbi wrapping her legs around Serena and resting her head on Serena's shoulder.

"She bonded pretty quickly to you." Coco said, amazed. "She hasn't even bonded to me that well yet. She really likes you."

"Well" Serena said. "I always liked children, but I don't think they liked me that much."

"Well" Coco said. "I think this one likes you."

"I can see that." Serena said, noticing that Luvbi had fallen asleep. "Oh, it seems she's asleep."

"Man.' Coco said. "She's already fallen asleep on you. She must really trust you."

"Funny." Lucinda said, laughing. "I didn't think you'd be a mother figure, Serena."

"Well" Serena said, grinning. "I kept your ass in line for seventeen years."

"Whatever." Lucinda said, grinning. "So, what do you plan to do? In terms of future I mean."

"I'll see when I get there." Serena said, shrugging her free shoulder.

"Well" Lucinda said, standing up. "Let's go get you situated at the castle."

"Right." Serena said, nodding. "Let's go."

The group of five walked (well, four of them walked and one slept on Serena's shoulder) out of the diner, Coco locking it up.

Later—at the castle

"Well" Coco said, looking at the castle. "It's down to the wire. We better be ready for this."

"I'm ready." Serena said, shrugging.

"Right." Coco said. They walked into the castle, heading straight for the meeting room where the Star Children were. The group opened the door, Lucinda knocking on it. The Star Children turned to look at them.

"Who's your friend?" Bowser asked, indicating Serena. Rosalina looked at Serena for a second, some sort of familiarity striking her at the appearance of the girl.

"Is that Sirena?" Rosalina thought. "Huh. She looks pretty good for a demon. I guess that's her human form. Well, if Lucinda can trust her and that child can trust her I guess I can too. Though, there's something familiar about that child though."

"This is Serena." Lucinda said. "I met her on our quest to find the Light Star. She's gonna stay with us if that's okay."

"I don't see a problem with you having a friend over." Bowser said.

"Why do I get this sudden unease when I'm near her?" Peach thought. "It's weird. I don't feel like I should be threatened by her, but there's still this weird form of unease."

"Sweet." Lucinda said. "You can stay in my room, Serena."

"Whatever.' Serena said, shrugging with her free shoulder.

"We're gonna head out now." Lucinda said. "We just wanted to tell you guys."

"Okay." Peach said. "Have fun."

"We will." Lucinda said.

The group walked out, leaving the Star Children to themselves.

With the group

"What should we do first?" Lucinda asked.

"Not sure." Serena said. "Though, I've been wanting to get a lava bath. That would feel so good."

"Oh yeah." Lucinda said, nodding. "Let's go."

"No leaf bikinis this time." Serena said, grinning. The rest of the group laughed as Lucinda blushed.

"Sh-shut up!" Lucinda shouted.

"Nah.' Serena said, grinning. "Let's go."

The group went to the lava pits of Mount Lavalava, preparing to relax

With the Dark Jester

"So" he said, thinking. "She has regained her humanity. When I took that from her, I expected her to fully bring about my plans. But, it seems she has become friends with the Chosen."

"However." He added, thinking. "That one seems to be a problem. The two of them working to change the demon has hampered my plans. But, they will come to fruition. Mark my words."

It seems that they accept Serena. That's good. Hope it sticks. But, what was that that the Dark Jester was talking about? Is he the one that made Sirena a demon? Find out soon.