Chapter 5: Welcome to Auradon.
"Pretty, huh? I'll bet a lot of you folks don't believe that, about a wish comin' true, do ya? Well, I didn't, either. Of course, I'm just a cricket singing my way from hearth to hearth, but let me tell you what made me change my mind." - Jiminy Cricket
In the gentle glow of Auradon's morning, Puppetta awoke in her room adorned with pastel colors and soft fabrics. The sunlight streamed through large, open windows, casting a warm embrace on the room's charming decor. Plush toys and vibrant tapestries adorned the space, creating an atmosphere of whimsy and creativity.
As Puppetta stretched and yawned, the scent of fresh flowers wafted in from the open window, carried by a gentle breeze. She looked over at the box of cannolis. She hoped they were still fresh. She took a shower and got dressed taking the box of cannolis with her. Puppetta walked down the hall toward the school's entrance. As she approached outside she heard voices and saw people gathered as a limo pulled up. Puppetta guessed that this was her roommate.
Fia steps out of the limo in her favorite teal leather dress. Draped over the dress was her matching teal shawl, pinned on it was purple snake brooch. She wore black leggings with white ghosts printed on them and black and white wedges. Her teal hair was in braids. She was holding a jar containing her pet seahorse. She carried a ghost shaped purse that held a deck of tarot cards, and a pocket book that contained different types of voodoo spells. They were all given to her by her father before she left. They were all magic items that he saved. He was sure they would be in good use for her. She had the complete look of a voodoo magician.
"I didn't give you all this stuff for nothing. It's the least I can do since my talisman has been destroyed by that waitress. I expect you to make this happen soon." Facilier had told her before she left. She wondered about the talisman. Her father's once prized possession; you could morph into whoever you wanted if you had the victim's blood.
She kind of wished she told Mandie goodbye. Better yet, she wished she gave the invitation to her. The cheering crowds and the bright sunlight made her want to go home already. But then again if she gave up her invitation her father would have been hopping mad. Her thoughts were interrupted when a tall handsome boy with light brown hair, and green eyes approached her. Next to him was Mal holding his hand. Then standing next to Mal was a girl with shoulder length dark brown hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. She was wearing a yellow sun hat with a blue ribbon, a red flower on it; a black cardigan with cute yellow blouse underneath it, and a red miniskirt with two yellow buttons. For shoes were a simple pair of brown wedges. The girl looked like a living doll.
"You must be Fascienne Facilier. Welcome to Auradon. I'm King Ben." They boy said holding out his hand to her.
"You can call me Fia. Make it easier for you." Fascienne shakes his hand.
"Welcome Fia, you're going to love this place. I know Freddie will be glad to see you." Mal said. What bothered Fascienne was Mal's demeanor. She did not feel like the same Mal back on the Isle. On the Isle, Fascienne and Mal ignored each other. Or more like Fascienne ignored Mal by staying out of her way. Sure, Fascienne was the daughter of the headmaster of Dragon Hall. But Mal was the daughter of the former ruler of the Isle, Mistress of Evil, Maleficent. Fascienne knew not to mess with her. Avoid making enemies if you don't want enemies, and the last person she wanted to make enemies with was Mal.
"And this is Pupetta. She's going to be your roommate." Ben said. Puppetta waved to her shyly.
"She's a sweet girl. I'm sure you'll get along fine." Mal said. Auradon had really done a one-eighty on her. Fascienne began to guess what Auradon does to the villain kids. Do they cast some spell to make them become good or something? The old Mal would have never complimented anyone. In fact, Puppetta looked like the type of girl old Mal would viciously bully.
Ben smiled. "Well let's start the tour." He walks through the school talking about the history of Auradon. Fascienne began to feel dizzy during the walk. The air's scent was so different, it smelled all clean and sweet. It was nothing like the Isle. She didn't know what made her feel worse. The smell of Auradon in general or that the smell of Auradon is making her realize how horrible the smell the Isle of the Lost was. Fascienne looked around to get her mind off the dizziness. The scenery was bright and colorful. The atmosphere was upbeat and happy. Girls were dressed up in cute clothes. Boys didn't appear to have the same demeanor as Isle boys. They seemed more…well mannered. This place was way too unfamiliar.
"Just remember. The sooner you breach this barrier. The sooner you can be home…" Thought the daughter of Facilier.
"Any questions?" Ben asked. Fascienne snaps out of her thoughts.
"There isn't." She said. The king nods.
"Again, Welcome to Auradon. Puppetta will show you to your room."
"I will?" Pupetta asked.
"Of course, you two are roommates now, correct?" Ben said.
"Oh. Right." Pupetta blushed slightly at the blunder. "This way." She told Fascienne as she led her up the stairs, and to the dorms. The room looked nauseatingly sweet. There were pink curtains with tiny flowers on them; and frilly pink comforters on the beds. With the dizzying smell and decor. A tiny orange kitten ran to Puppetta and latched its tiny claws on her wedge.
"Hi Fiona…" Pupetta said. She picks it up and placed it over her shoulder. The kitten meows and purrs happily, rubbing itself against her cheek.
"The cat is pretty."
"Thank you. Her name is Fiona. She's one of Figaro's kittens." Puppetta puts her down and looks at the jar in Fascienne's hands. "A seahorse? That's cute. What's its name?"
"Aqua." Fascienne said.
"Pretty." Puppetta said, Fascienne placed the jar on the dresser on her side. "We need to buy a tank for her. Must be uncomfortable having to swim in the jar all day. We can go to the pet store if you like." Puppetta adds.
"Sounds nice. So your name is Puppetta right? It sounds like puppet."
"I'm Pinocchio's daughter. It's Italian for "little doll". It could have been worse. He named my brother Pin. I also have an older brother named Pinoke, and a baby sister named Geppetta. They named her after my grandfather." And Fascieene thought she had a big family.
"At least don't have three Fs for initials. My full name is Fascienne Fontaine Facilier. But I guess it's better than having a name that sounds more like a boy's. My dad named my sister Freddie. I guess my dad really liked Fs. Then again he gave Celia a C name. Maybe he was out of creative ideas for F names." Pupetta giggles at that. Fascienne looked around. "Do all the dorms look like this?"
"All the girl's dorms do at least. If it were me, I'd probably use sky blue, and make the flowers bigger, and have them be yellow instead of pink." Fascienne just nods. Not too bad. Although she would prefer either purple or lavender with black flowers.
"So, where are you from?" Fascienne asked.
"Villaggio. They have nice Italian food over there." She explained.
"Villaggio, huh? Sounds far more pleasant than the Isle," Fascienne remarked, her blue eyes still observing the room. While the room was sweet and tidy, it lacked the edge and mystery of the Isle. The unfamiliarity of Auradon and its contrasting atmosphere made her feel like an outsider.
"It's not bad my dad runs a small workshop there. I've always loved the aroma of freshly baked cannolis. Dad makes them himself."
"Cannolis? What's a cannoli?" Fascienne asked.
"Oh I've been holding a box of them! They're for you." Puppetta said handing them to her.
Hesitant Fascienne grabbed one. She looked at it curiously. She never saw something like this before. They almost looked like the crepes at Frollo's Creperie. Except it was smaller and the shells felt hard. She took one bite and her eyes went wide. The cream. It tasted like nothing like the curdled and lumpy cream back in the Isle. It was sweet, and the texture was light and fluffy. Fascienne took bigger bites of it. After eating that one she grabbed another. Then she ate another and another. She never tasted anything so good. Unless the food at Kronk's restaurant counted.
Pupetta smiled. "I guess you like cannolis. We should definitely explore the town and try some of Auradon's delicacies. They have the best pastries here."
"That doesn't sound too bad," Fascienne replied, her initial discomfort starting to fade. "But first, let's find a tank for Aqua. She deserves better than a cramped jar."
With Aqua in hand, the girls left their dorm room and ventured into the halls of Auradon Prep. The bright and polished corridors felt like a stark contrast to the gloomy streets of the Isle. As they walked, Fascienne couldn't help but notice the vibrant artwork on the walls, showcasing scenes of unity and friendship.
"This place is like a utopia compared to the Isle..." She murmured, glancing around.
"I wouldn't necessarily call it a utopia..." Puppetta said with her voice trailing off.
"Why?" Fascienne asked.
"People here are jerks. That's why."
Fascienne did not expect the girl's curt response.
"Sorry. I shouldn't say that on your first day here. It's just that I don't have a lot of friends...I have two. I was friends with her since I was little, and there's one I write letters to. But I can only see her in summer time. A lot of people here bully me."
"Why?"
"I guess it's because I'm not a princess..." Fascienne could tell there was more than what the girl was letting on. That gave her an idea. If she could get this girl to trust and befriend her, maybe she could help her destroy the barrier.
"I don't know why they would be mean to you." Fascienne said.
"Neither do I." Puppetta replies. As they reached the exit, Fascienne couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was missing. She glanced back, half-expecting Mandie to appear. The girls made their way to the pet store, picking out a suitable tank for Aqua. The lively chatter of other students, the colorful storefronts, and the general upbeat atmosphere of Auradon started to chip away at Fascienne's guarded exterior. Returning to their dorm with Aqua settled in her new tank, Puppetta suggested exploring more of Auradon and perhaps grabbing a bite to eat. Fascienne really wanted to plan how she was going to complete her father's mission. But befriending this girl is part of it. So might as well make the most of it.
"I suppose it'll help adjusting to all this newness," Fascienne admitted. "Lead the way, Puppetta." As they stepped out into the sunlit courtyard, Fascienne couldn't help but feel a glimmer of curiosity about the possibilities that Auradon held. They stopped by the school library, checking out some books on magical creatures. When they got back, a small bell rang indicating lunch hour and the girls headed to the cafeteria.
"Here we are," Puppetta announced, opening the door for them. "I usually sit here." Puppetta sits at a table that's away from everyone.
"Why do you sit here?" Fascienne asked.
"Because I don't fit in."
"Fit in?"
"Yes," Puppetta answered, sitting down. "I'm a freak."
"You're talking to someone who's dad has the ability to talk to ghosts. You're not a freak."
"Oh I am. I'm cursed." Puppetta said.
"How?" Fascienne asked.
"Wait here, I'll get us lunch." Puppetta gets up and leaves. She returned with a tray filled with sandwiches and fruit. Puppetta sat back down and takes something out of a paper bag.
"They're called fritters. They're actually pretty good. Want to try one?" The girl offered, looking up at Fascienne as she pushed a plate across the table to her. Fascienne takes it and bites into it.
"They're sweet," Fascienne said.
"You're welcome." Puppetta smiles. "I hope you will enjoy yourself here." Fascienne nods. Little did she know, this journey into the unknown was just beginning.