(Late September)
After time spent planning, making designs and choosing a location, Vanellope was finally ready to build Kevin his own castle. She found an empty spot in the farmlands to build it, and had both her kids with her.
"I can't believe the day has finally come, a place of my own" said Kevin
"You already have your arcade and toy store" said Lucy
"I meant a place like this" said Kevin
Vanellope walked up to the 2 from the car, struggling to carry blueprints and a tablet.
"Mom-
"I'm fine Lucy, I don't need a bag of my own" said Vanellope as she spread the items on a pop up table "now let's get to work"
Vanellope showed the kids how new buildings were created in game with her tablet, very few knew how to use it. Vanellope drew up several designs before Kevin decided what he wanted his castle to look like. Brick by brick the game started building walls and towers, but it would take time to finish the structure. In the meantime Vanellope excused herself to order lunch for them.
"After lunch gets here I'm gonna give mom her gift" said Lucy
"She won't accept it, you know how mom is" said Kevin
"She won't admit it but she really needs this" said Lucy
Within half an hour, half the structure was completed and a pizza arrived for the 3. Before Vanellope could serve them, Lucy told her about her gift for her. She reached into her purse and pulled out a code box.
"What is it?" Vanellope asked
"You gotta open it to find out" said Lucy
Vanellope activated the code box, and out of it materialized a purse that resembled Lucy's. But unlike Lucy's which was a light brown, this one was mint green with little bits of brown on the straps, and a couple flames on the bottom edges.
"Lucy-
"Mom, you need this. You might not like admitting it but you're struggling to carry all your stuff more than ever. I know how you are but there's nothing wrong with being tough and carrying one. Look at cinnamon, Christie, or miss honey. I had it custom made and imported from coruscant" said Lucy
"Coruscant?" Vanellope asked
Coruscant was the capital of the galactic empire, a planet Lucy made for the imperials after the war for them to live in full time. The fact Lucy ordered something from that planet, showed Vanellope how much Lucy cared for her.
"At least try it on, please?" Lucy asked
Vanellope accepted and slung the bag over her shoulder, liking the way it looked.
"Looks great. Hope you like the color, I always think of mint green and brown when I think of you, and the flames represent the tough side of you" said Lucy
"Yeah, I do like it. It's different for me but I'm sure I'll get used to it" said Vanellope
Over the weeks, the castle started to take shape, until finally the main structure was built exactly how Kevin wanted it. During that time, Vanellope spent more time with her kids. For Kevin she helped him with a little homework, taught played video games at his arcade with him, she even found him a new look. Just as Lucy changed her look, Kevin found something he thought fit him. He now sported a blue jacket and hat with a black sonic the hedgehog t-shirt.
With Lucy, Vanellope sat down and played with her, stargazed, and even got more accustomed to Lucy's tastes in new foods. Around late October, after an incident involving a large family of users and the city anniversary celebration, that's another story, Vanellope found herself walking to honeys shop. All around, the city was preparing for empire day, a day Vanellope resented. It was held November 3rd to mark the rise of the empire and the fall of Lucy's rule, it was an insult to Vanellope really.
As Vanellope entered honeys shop, she saw her doing some cleaning with her bee friends.
"Vanellope, pleasure to see you here. Is that a purse I see on you? Thought you didn't like those" said Honey
"I'm here to schedule an order. And yeah, something Lucy gave me, I'm slowly getting used to it, usually wear it right now when I'm on business, which I am right now" said Vanellope
"I think it suits you, just as mine does" Honey told her as she patted her own on the counter
"Thanks. Hey you have a bathroom in this place?" Vanellope asked
"Yes, down that hall. You can leave your purse here if you like" said Honey
Vanellope did just that and went to pee. As she left, Taffyta, dressed in a pink suit, walked into the store.
"Mayor muttonfudge, what a surprise" said Honey
"Queen bee. I understand you don't want to decorate for empire day, is that right?" Taffyta asked
"Correct, I don't support the regime, after how they treated me" said Honey
"Yeah well, you gotta decorate, yeah. This neighborhood is pro imperial and there was a vote" said Taffyta
"And I voted no to celebrating. The imperials are bullies" said Honey
"The empire exists for a reason, Honey, to protect us. You weren't here when those droids attacked the first week, I've seen how deadly they are" said Taffyta "And why do you have 2 purses?"
"Well I don't see why I should celebrate. And that's vanellopes, she's in the restroom"
"Vanellope may rule the city but she leaves mayors like me to handle decisions. This purse is nice, be a shame if I did, I don't know, this to it"
Taffyta quickly grabbed both purses and threw them into a wall of honey jars, the jars smashing and making the bags sticky.
"Those pearls are nice too, be a shame if something happened to those too"
Honey quickly grabbed Taffytas arm before she could reach her neck.
"Don't, even, think, about it. And you might be the mayor but you're sounding like a dictator right now" said Honey
"I'm a better leader than the queen of the stars, don't forget what she did to this city. The anniversary of that is coming up. And I'll make this clear, put up a banner and poster on your store and a flag over your house, or you'll be kicked out of this store. So what's it gonna be?" Taffyta asked "And don't even bother going to Vanellope for help, she can't in these situations"
Honey reluctantly agreed. Vanellope heard the whole thing from the toilet. She had to remember to have a talk with Taffyta later.
"Then it's settled. I'll send the required items over tomorrow. I know you don't like this, but if you want to change things, run for mayor yourself. Next elections in 2 years. Not like you'd beat me anyway, I have the empires backing" said Taffyta as she left