I wanted to write something sweet and fluffy. After watching 'For the Future', I've got more to add to the list of being upset with whoever canceled the show. But, it also gave me some ideas. Also, I'm going to be referring to Odalia as 'Mamadalia'. Shame we'll never get a full story, at least not animated, of how she managed to get picked as the Collector's mother. But, I'm not complaining.
It's also a shame because considering who her VA is, we could have had a scenario where Odalia had to sing to the Collector or do more motherly things. Though she seems more like a 'Nannidalia' considering, but I could go either way.
Another quiet night in the Collectors Palace.
It was hard to tell the time of day with the endless dark sky among the colorful stars shining...everywhere.
inside the child, with the powers of a deity, domain Odalia went about her duties.
After being the first wave of the Collector's powers had transformed the entire Isles. Remaking it into his image, while also changing the majority of its inhabitants into puppets for his amusement. Odalia had somehow, but the tip of her tongue, been spared from the fate of so many. Transported to the palace she became a kind of nanny to the young child from the stars.
Or, Mamadalia, as he would call her.
Even if it wasn't what she was expecting, she couldn't say she wasn't grateful not to join the growing piles of puppet-fid residences of what was once the Boiling Isles. And the once head of her family's industry spent her time roaming the palace. Taking care of the puppets once the Collector and his companion finished their 'games'. Dragging them back to be held and cleaned for the next playtime arose. When they were out, Odalia would wander through the hallways of the palace. Down the pathways that seemed to stretch on before winding together in a never-ending maze. The pictures hung with images of what she could only decipher from the past. Of being old and powerful that once, or still, roamed the worlds and far beyond.
On such a day, as many passed, Odalia found herself dusting. At times she could command a puppet or two to do such work. But, with nothing to do, she decided it would help keep her mind focused and not succumb to boredom. Or before the Collector requested another task of his 'Mamadalia'. Like making pizza bagels to feed to the Owl Lady, still 'locked' in her quarters. Guarded by the once powerful witches that were the Coven Heads. Now no more than playthings for another powerful ruler.
She had snuck down there from time to time when putting away the toys or delivering the food to the 'Owl Beast'. The latter not knowing she knew she was no longer in her beast form and hadn't been for some time. Yet, she played ignorant to the whole affair and let her be. Lingering at times to pay a visit to Darius. Her former classmate, 'boss' when the company was under his Coven, and even once her friend. Though he did not speak or move, she couldn't help but talk to him. Possibly trying to capture the old spark of what they once had when they were young and the world wasn't in the hands of a literal God-child. Training at school in order to better their powers. Hanging out at the night market. Watching as Alador showed another of his new projects and experiments. Even listening to the two abomination students argue over Titan knows what for what seemed like hours.
'Good times.'
Now with only those memories and the unknowable future to come while under the rule of the Collector, the oracle could only go about her duties.
Dusting and cleaning up the lingering mess of the two other residents, Odalia was wiping away smudges of colorful crayons and scribbles from the walls. After a few moments, she began humming. The humming turned to mummers before transforming into singing.
I know a place where dreams are born
And time is never planned
It's not on any chart
You must find it with your heart
Never Never Land
After finishing getting the doodles off the walls, Odalia began dragging scattered puppets into a pile. After so many times she had grown a knack for tying them together to make them easier to pull. Something that had become a form of exercise more than a chore.
It might be miles beyond the moon
Or right here where you stand
Just keep an open mind
And then suddenly you'll find
Never Never Land
In the kitchen, she used her powers to aid as she cleaned and put away the dishes. Even for the three people, plus the Owl Lady, there were several dishes that seemed to pile up. If not for the times having to make her own meals in her youth she would have not only starved as a child. But, be utterly useless in making the child's most requested...pizza bagels.
After finishing in the kitchen she head down to the containing hall where the Owl Lady was housed. Mostly just to check on the Coven Guards, as part of her duties, and visit Darius. Even if he couldn't speak, it was a familiar face. And until she returned to her bedroom to vent to Alador, this was one of the few times she could relax.
You'll have a treasure if you stay there
More precious far than gold
Once you've found your way there
You can never never grow old-ah!
Her song halted as she was face to face with the Collector. She nearly jumped out of her skin after seeing the little child appearing and now staring at her.
"H-Hello Collector.", she greeted, composing herself quickly, "I didn't know you had returned. Did you have a pleasant outing?"
"What were doing?", he asked, his eyes unblinking.
"Oh just tending to the Coven Heads. Making sure they're...guarding the Owl Beast. Did you need something? Perhaps more of those 'pizza bagels'.", she tried to change the subject.
"Were you singing?", the little deity floated around the oracle.
"Yes...just keeping myself busy while tidying up.", she confirmed. Her eyes followed the child's random movements as he carelessly floated about.
"Can you do it again?"
"Do...what?"
"Sing, duh.", he giggled, "It was really pretty and soothing. I liked it."
"Oh, thank you.", she gave a small smile, "I'm glad you liked it.", it had been a while since she had sung, at least for other people. Humming to herself and when she was at home going over paperwork. And the rare times when she would absently start humming around the house.
"So are you going to sing more? Are you?", he asked repeatedly.
"Well...I suppose.", she couldn't deny his requests or risk his wrath, "Weren't you playing with your little companion?", looking around she didn't see the little creature, King, that the Collector had declared as his best friend.
"He's...busy.", he frowned, groaning with something akin to disappointment, "I'm bored.", which is why he was absently just wandering around his own palace. Until he followed the sound of Odalia's singing, "I've played with my toys and there's nothing else to do.", he whined.
"Well, it seems you've had a long day 'playing'", she brought up, "Prehapes a nice nap will put you in a better mood.", thinking of the times when her own children would become rambunctious with their playing. A good nap usually helped calm them down.
"But, I'm not tired.", he pouted.
"Still it's not healthy for children, even powerful ones, to stay up for so long.", she said, "How about I tuck you in for a nap and sing you a lullaby?", she offered.
"A lullaby?", the little godchild looked at the oracle curiously.
"It's a song to help children sleep and have peaceful dreams.", she explained, "And you'll only get to hear it if you are good and take a nap."
The Collector thought for a moment.
"Okay!", he giggled.
"Good.", thankfully he had agreed to the conditions without a fuss or fight, if not then Odalia might have become a puppet on the spot.
As he floated back down on the floor, after circling around Odalia a few times, he eagerly took her hand in his. Pulling her from the hallway and towards the rest of the palace. Soon they came to the door that led to the Collector's bedroom. The large open space with two beds settled on the world. Odalia wouldn't have time to take in the atmosphere as she still had to complete her task.
On one of the beds, the child was bouncing up and down on the mattress. Odalia stood there, observantly watching until he landed with a bounce.
"Looks like someone still has some energy to burn.", to said getting a bit closer.
"Yeah!", he laughed, "So are you going to sing now? Remember you promised."
"Of course.", she nodded, "A Bli...I always hold up my end of a deal.", a statement that had been ground into her very bone and become a staple of her dealings in life, "First let's get you settled.", with some coaxing she managed to get the energetic child to calm and stop bouncing. Managing to get him to sit on the mattress.
"Now...", she took in a breath and began to sing...
So come with me where dreams are born
And time is never planned
Just think of lovely things
And your heart will fly on wings forever
In Never Never Land
Her voice carried through the room. Floating among the stars that decorated the void that surrounded them. Twinkling and shimmering with an ethereal energy that bathed the room in their powerful, yet soothing glow.
You'll have a treasure if you stay there
More precious far than gold
Once you've found your way there
You can never never grow old
The Collector listened, watching the oracle, his designated mother as she sang her lullaby. Her tone was calming and almost sweet as they drifted from her lips. Swaying with the tones that played around them and followed by the words. Creating pictures of a distant world that only he could see. A world of wonder and fun, different from where they were now. Picturing playing among the faraway land to his heart's content. With others, friends, from the rising of the sun and lowering of the moon. And even among the stars weren't out of reach.
With a yawn, the little child continued to drift. Feeling the tiredness take effect. Seeing this Odalia helped ease him back and onto the pillow. Pulling the covers up and tucking the child in.
So come with me where dreams are born
And time is never planned
Just think of lovely things
And your heart will fly on wings forever
In Never Never Land
"Good night Mamadalia.", with one last yawn the child closed his eyes and finally drifted off.
"Good night, Collector.", with a soft sigh Odalia watched for a few moments, making sure the child was asleep. Carefully switching the light on the stand to a soothing blue, she then began heading out. Even with the child asleep, she still had much to do before he awoke again. And though, with an odd inkling, she lingered in the door that led between the palace and the bedroom. She looked back at the sleeping child. Memories that seemed so far away and yet held so close to her played in her head.
Of happier times in a world lingering on the tips of her heart.
In Never Never Land
With one last exhale she closed the door. Leaving the child in his slumbers.
The End