An art trade with Madlilon2051 on DeviantArt. :)

Balan Wonderworld belongs to its respective owners. Stacy Cotton belongs to Madlilon2051. I own nothing. :)

Perfect Just The Way You Are

Stacy Cotton covered her ears as she heard her parents arguing, sighing as she looked in her mirror, seeing a sad, fair white, thirteen-year-old girl looking back at her. Her byzantine purple eyes were filling up with tears before she picked up a brush and began brushing her brown hair, trying to tune out the harsh words of her parents' argument as she straightend the two pink bows in her hair.

After a bit, she got up, smoothing down her pink dress with white accents and slipping on her pink shoes with the white bows on them. Sighing, she decided to go for a walk, leaving the house and out into the afternoon. Closing her eyes, she began to pretend that she was a happy princess going to visit her favorite garden and hopefully pick some of her favorite flowers. A smile crossed her face as the garden formed in her mind and she walked around, a smile on her face.

As she was walking in town, pretending it was a flower market and people were looking at all different flowers, she noticed something that caught her eye. It looked like a bunny, but she had never seen a bunny like it before. Curiosity getting the best of her, she decided to follow it.

She was so focused on the bunny that she didn't see it led her down an alleyway and into a building that she had never seen before. As the strange bunny continued hopping down the hallway, the door behind Stacy closed as the lights came on, but she paid that no mind as she tried to catch up to the creature, seeing it disappear behind a set of doors.

Stacy pushed the doors open and gasped as she found herself in a grand room with a stage, the setup looking familiar as she had done pageants before. She drew closer to the stage, climbing up the steps and she was soon on center stage, her mind envisoning an audience watching her as she took a deep breath, remembering when one pageants had asked for contestants to either sing or dance. She had chosen to sing and had impressed many with her voice.

The thirteen-year-old took another deep breath and began to sing one of her favorite songs, pouring all her emotions into the song.

She didn't see someone enter the room and take a seat to properly listen to her song as she was only focused on the song.

Balan had been in his office when the same Tim Stacy had followed informed him of the girl's arrival and he went to find her, soon hearing a beautiful voice sing and he was drawn to it, looking in the main theater room to find the thirteen-year-old girl singing a song that was both moving and beautiful. He could tell she was pouring her heart and soul into it. He sat down at one of the tables, listening intently.

Stacy finished the song on a soft note and curtsied, her eyes closed as the quiet of the room filled her ears. As she straightened, the sound of clapping made her head snap up in shock and she gazed out into the auditorium, seeing someone there and they stood up, moving closer to the stage.

"Well done, young one!" A deep voice praised her. "I can tell you were pouring your heart and soul into that song."

As the person drew closer, Stacy saw he was very tall, towering over her lean frame. She bit her lip as she knew some people were taller than her as she was 54.0", but this guy was much taller than she had ever seen a person be. He wore a white hat pulled down over his face so it was like a mask too, which she realized when she saw his golden eyes twinkle from the red hatband of his hat. He had green hair and his clothing was sparkling white with red and gold accents, much like an entertainer or ringmaster would wear and his heeled boots echoed as he stepped up to the girl.

The girl, who didn't like strangers, took a few steps back, fear overtaking her that she had stepped into a place she shouldn't have as she began to try and think of escaping, but wondered now where the door was.

Balan noticed the fear in the girl's purple eyes and he paused, spreading his arms from his sides a little, keeping his hands open to show he wouldn't hurt her. "Don't be afraid, little one. I mean no harm," he said reassuringly. "And welcome to my theater."

Stacy didn't look too reassured, but also feared she was in trouble because now she knew this place belonged to the man in front of her and she had entered without permission. "I...I'm so sorry," she said, her voice trembling a little. "I...I was following a bunny in here and I...I didn't mean to enter without permission."

"You mean this little creature?" The tall being asked, the same bunny she had seen appearing suddenly in his hand.

She gasped as she saw that the creature had appeared in like a flourish of sparkles, like magic. "How...How did you do that?" She asked.

The man chuckled. "With magic, young one," he said as the Tim chirped excitedly and pointed at the girl with a small nub of its wing. The man looked at the creature. "This is the young girl you were telling me about? The one that followed you?" He asked it.

The creature nodded and Stacy blinked before the creature hopped out of the tall being's hand and floated over to her. She instinctively caught it and it chirped up at her, jumping up and nuzzling her face. Surprised at the gesture, the girl reached up and began gently petting the creature, who looked happy to be petted.

Balan came closer and kneeled down so that he wasn't towering over the teenager so much. She looked up at him and swallowed, taking a step back, but she noticed that his smile was gentle. "It's alright, my dear. You're not in trouble," he reassured her. "My theater is open to everyone and I love having visitors."

She looked at him, calming down a little when he said that. Still, she looked a bit unsure, to which he noticed. "Perhaps introductions will put your mind at ease," he continued, standing up before bowing to her politely. "My name is Balan, young one. I am the maestro of this place. The creature you're holding is called a Tim, one from my world that guides those who need my help to this theater."

Stacy blinked. "Those who need help?" She asked curiously.

Balan nodded. "When one becomes too sad and is unsure how to find their happiness again, the Tims lead them here, where I help that person to regain that piece of their heart they are missing, to restore their balance. To prevent the sadness from overtaking them to the point that the happiness is gone forever."

His words were striking a chord with her as she thought about her parents divorcing and the fighting and how sad it made her. She would slip into a world of make believe to be happy, but it would only last so long. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up at the maestro, who gave her a sympathetic look. "I can see your heart is hurting, little one," he said. "What happened that your heart is in despair?"

His kind voice was convincing her that he genuinely meant her no harm and she sighed, hugging the Tim. "My parents...are going through a tough time right now," she said. "And...I wonder if I'm the reason for it."

Tears began to fill her eyes now and Balan looked sad, getting the gist of what the problem was. "Oh, please don't believe that, my dear," he said, his free hand gently wiping away the tears that had begun to escape from the girl's purple eyes. "You're not to blame for whatever it is your parents are going through."

She looked up at him and he smiled gently. "What is your name, little one?" He asked.

She sniffled before lightly clearing her throat. "Stacy," she said. "Stacy Cotton."

"That's a lovely name," Balan said before reaching out a gloved hand to her. "Come, Stacy. Let me help you find your happiness again."

"How can you do that?" She asked curiously.

"Take my hand and see," he encouraged, giving her a friendly wink.

She smiled a little before taking a deep breath, reaching out and taking the offered hand, feeling the gloved hand gently wrap around her own, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as Balan guided her down from the stage to a door nearby and he pushed it open to reveal a beautiful isle, one that filled the girl with awe as she followed him to the isle.

A couple months had passed and Stacy was currently sitting by the Ultima Tim, who was sleeping as she held Timmy, a blue bird-like Tim with green eyes. He had been a gift she had received from Balan after she had helped Fiona with her fear of returning to the water and Stacy cherished Timmy very much.

A shadow came over them and the girl smiled as she turned to find Balan behind her. "Hi, Balan," she said.

"Hello, Stacy," he said. "May I join you?"

She nodded and he sat beside her, a few Tims coming around him and he fed them some drops, giving some to Stacy to feed to Timmy. As the Tims ate, Stacy was deep in thought before looking at Balan. "Balan, do you think I'm doing okay on my journey?" She asked.

When she had first come to the isle, the maestro had explained to her that there were people who needed her help and she had been anxious about helping strangers, but when she heard they were the maestro's friends, she had agreed and had done her best to help them. The costumes she had met that given her encouragement, helping her to do things that seemed impossible before. But she was still a bit anxious that she was doing well.

Balan smiled at her. "You are doing wonderfully, Stacy," he said. "You helped Fiona overcome her fear of going back into the water, you helped Attilio gain his courage to talk to the woman he liked, and you've helped so many others."

She nodded. "I...I've been doing my best," she admitted.

"Yes, and it shows," Balan said, his voice gentling. "I know you still are anxious, but I can see you improving with each new person you help." He winked at her.

His words made her feel better and she smiled back, hugging Timmy before taking a deep breath. "Do you think...I could go back to the carnival?" She asked.

He smiled. "I don't see why not," he told her. "You've earned a day of fun."

She smiled before standing up and looking at Balan. "Will you come with me?" She asked.

Balan was surprised, but nodded. "I would love to," he said, standing up and he felt her take his hand, making him smile.

Stacy laughed happily as they had fun at the carnival, going through the haunted house and finding the trick mirrors, to which she giggled. "Look, Balan. I'm as tall as you," she said.

"So you are," he agreed before he walked up to a mirror that made him look quite short.

The thirteen-year-old girl giggled again at seeing that, clapping her hands to her mouth, but the tall being still heard her giggles and chuckled. "No need to hide those sweet giggles, Stacy," he said, kneeling beside her and pulling her into a side hug before giving her sides a gentle, playful poke, making her hug herself and giggle again. "I love seeing you happy and laughing."

Attilio saw them and waved to them. "I'm glad to see you two," he said. "The new roller coaster just opened up and I was wondering if you two would like to be the first ones to experience it."

Stacy was surprised and touched by Attilio's thoughtfulness and looked at Balan, who smiled. "We'd be delighted to, my friend," he said. "By the way, how is your lady?"

"She's doing well, thank you," Attilio said with a smile.

The roller coaster ride was both fun and exciting as it not only went through tunnels, but took many twists and turns. Stacy laughed as her hair was blown around by the wind and Balan held onto his hat, laughing as well. When they got off of the roller coaster, they saw the fireworks start and the teenager was in awe. "I just love this place," she said.

"I'm glad you do," the maestro said.

Stacy was quiet for a moment before looking at the tall being. "Balan, can I talk to you about something?" She asked. "Well, a couple of things, actually?"

"Of course," he said as they sat down. "What is on your mind, little one?"

She looked a bit pensive. "Can you tell me more about Lance?" She asked. "I saw him and...well, I want to know more about him."

Balan looked at her. "You're not afraid of him?" He asked.

She shook her head. "No," she said. "He's interesting, like you."

The maestro smiled gently before looking serious. "Stacy, I want you to promise me something," he said.

"Yes?"

"Be cautious around Lance," Balan said. "I know you're not afraid of him, but still be careful. I sense you wish to help him, but he may not be so willing to accept your help."

She nodded. "I promise," she said.

The maestro nodded in return. "Lance is the Maestro of Negativity, but despite that title, he's not evil. Just...oh, what's the word?"

"Misunderstood?" Stacy offered.

"No, that's not the right word," Balan said.

"Misguided?"

The maestro nodded. "Yes, that's the word," he said.

Stacy grew thoughtful. "Are people afraid of him...because of his appearance?" She asked.

"Mostly," Balan replied. "Also, the fact that he can turn someone into nightmare creatures does make some people frightened."

The girl looked thoughtful. "Maybe he just needs someone to be a friend?" She asked.

The maestro placed a hand on her shoulder. "That may not be easy, little one," he said.

"But I can try, right?" She asked.

Balan chuckled. "Yes, but be careful when you do," he said. "I would hate to have something bad happen to you, little one."

The fatherly tone his voice took touched Stacy. She nodded before taking a deep breath. "Balan, um...you can say 'no', but...I noticed how you're always concerned about me, like a father is for their child."

The maestro smiled. "I suppose it's because I have a soft spot for children," he said, noticing her hair was still a bit windblown and he chuckled. "I think the wind tried to give you a new hairstyle."

She giggled, trying to smooth her hair down. She then felt Balan gently gather her hair in his hands and a brush started to go through her hair. She smiled as she held still, not minding that he was doing that. She took another deep breath. "Balan...is it okay that...I see you...as a father?" She asked.

The brush paused in her hair and Balan smiled. "You do?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yeah," she said. "You've helped me so much and...I feel I can talk to you about anything, like you won't just brush me off or say you're too busy. Or...not even give me the time of day."

Balan felt sympathy for the girl and gently pulled her into a hug. "Stacy, you don't have to give me the details, but based on what you just told me, I'm guessing your relationship with your father is rather strained," he said.

She appreciated him putting it delicately. "A bit," she admitted. "I still love my parents, but...things are tough right now."

She hugged him and the maestro wrapped her up into a comforting hug. "Stacy, I'm honored that you see me as a surrogate father," he said. "I promise you, I'll always be there for you, no matter what."

Stacy smiled, feeling better at Balan's promise as he scooped her up into his arms. "So what ride should we go on next?" He asked.

They went on the Tilt-A-Whirl and a few of the other rides before the teenager began to feel sleepy and Balan smiled, picking her up so that she could rest her head on his shoulder as he carried her back to the theater. He set her outside her room and she went in to get ready for bed. When she was in her pajamas, she let Balan come in and she hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, Balan," she said. "For everything."

The maestro smiled, hugging her back. He was so pleased to see that the girl was starting to overcome her anxiety and insecurities. "You're welcome, my dear," he said, kissing her forehead in affection. "Good night and sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, Balan. I'll see you in the morning," she said in return before crawling into bed and he turned off the light, softly closing the door.

Stacy fell into a deep sleep as Timmy cuddled beside her, the teenager glad to know that she had a father figure to turn to and she was eager to help another one of the inhabitants in the morning as she slipped into the land of dreams.

Balan smiled as he headed for his office to finish up some paperwork, glad to see Stacy had made so much progress. "She's perfect just the way she is and hopefully she will see that soon," he said, feeling protective of the girl who saw him as a father. "And if anyone tells her otherwise, they'll answer to me."

With that promise, he finished up his paperwork, heading to bed himself so that both he and Stacy would be well rested for the next day.

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GoldGuardian2418