Summary: Monika is determined to find her missing father.
"For the last time, no!"
"But Mama…"
Princess Monika shook her tiny fists, glowering up at her mother. The Quilt Queen shook her head.
"I'm sorry, dear," she sighed. "I know you want to look for your papa, but it's too dangerous!"
"But what if Papa's in trouble?!" Monika whined.
"We already have lots of guards looking for him," the queen replied. "They'll take care of him, okay?"
Monika puffed out her cheeks, clenching her quilt gown. Her eyes welled up behind her spectacles.
"But I wanna find him!" she cried.
"Monika…" her mother reached out, but her daughter was already running away, tears in her eyes.
Monika sighed, slumping into her chair at the table. She picked at her lunch, her eyes still watering.
"Come on, dear," the Quilt Queen sighed. "You have to eat your food."
"No," Monika huffed.
"If you don't, then Tori won't come over tomorrow," the queen threatened.
Monika tossed her fork away. "I hate you, Mama!"
She got up, running away from the table. The queen put a hand on her heart, sighing deeply. She cursed her husband for disappearing, for putting their daughter in so much pain.
Monika clashed her toys together; they were plushies of the knights from Turtles of the Round Table. She didn't understand the story very well but the turtles were cute. The strong female one was her favourite.
She grabbed some larger plushies of the characters from her collection. There was such a big pile of stuff; being the sole princess, she tended to get swarmed in presents.
She sighed, hiding under her covers with her toys. She thought about when Papa would come in and play with her. She would be the female turtle knight, and he, the sparkly red one. Would that ever happen again?
There was a knock on her door.
"Monika?" a familiar, warm voice.
"Grandpa!" Monika gasped, sitting up.
Grandpa pushed the door open, smiling down at his granddaughter. He had her yellow eyes and dainty smile.
Monika raced over, hugging her grandfather's legs.
"I know you've been having a tough time recently, little birdie," he sighed. He handed Monika a plush kitten. "Maybe this'll help?"
Monika gasped, grabbing the plushie. It was small and round, its white fur soft to the touch. A yellow ribbon was around its neck, matching the ribbon on Monika's own head.
It was cute… yet, Monika wished it was a real kitten. She so badly wanted a pet, but Mama said no, it was too much work.
She sighed. She knew she had to say thank you, or else Mama would get mad.
"Thank you, Grandpa," Monika cuddled the kitten toy.
"Of course," Grandpa ruffled her hair. "I think someone else is here for you too."
Monika perked up. She spotted another young kid at the end of the hall, waving to her.
"Tori!" Monika cheered, standing up.
She was so glad Mama had let Tori come after all. Tori was her best friend in the whole world… well, her only friend, but still.
"Moni!" Tori beamed.
Tori was a young girl wearing a red, poofy dress and had long hair, but Monika knew he liked being referred to as he. (She didn't really know why, but she just went along with it.) His skin was pale and his hair was a dark magenta, his eyes a pale grey. Like Monika, he wore a bow at the back of his head.
Monika raced over, hugging him tightly. Grandpa smiled at the two friends.
Monika grabbed Tori's arms, lowering her voice. "We need to go and find my papa!"
Tori gasped. "But Moni, your mom said we can't!"
"I don't care!" Monika replied. "Papa could be in danger!"
Her hands were shaking.
Tori shook his head. "No! 'Cause then we'll get in trouble!"
Monika whimpered. "But… but…"
"My dears!"
Monika and Tori gazed up; Monika's mother stood behind them.
"Mama!" Monika jumped up.
"Hi, your highness," Tori waved.
"Oh, Victoria, you don't have to call me that," the queen chuckled.
Tori grimaced; Monika knew he hated that name.
"You two aren't going to get up to any trouble, are you?" the queen asked.
"Of course not, Mama!" Monika grinned. She grabbed Tori's arm. "C'mon! Let's play tag!"
Tori chased after his friend. They raced through the hall, passing by the throne room. Monika paused for a second, eyeing the throne with her bow's crest.
"One day, that throne will be yours," Papa said, beaming down at her.
Monika had been so enchanted at the time; a great big throne, all hers?
But staring at it now… all she saw was her missing father, sitting there and smiling.
"Tag!" Tori touched her back. "You're it!"
He raced off, leaving the solemn Monika behind. He gazed over his shoulder.
"Moni?" he asked.
Monika gulped, her eyes tearing up.
"Ready or not, here I come!" she sobbed.
Tori was staying over for the night, much to Monika's delight. Tori always loved sleeping over, if only because the Quilt Kingdom was famous for its amazing beds.
Tori snuck into Monika's room, eyes wide. He gazed at all the things lying around, as well as her giant bed loaded in all different blankets and pillows.
"No fair, my aunt doesn't give me this much stuff," he spun around in circles, eyeing the piles of goods. He picked up a teddy bear. "Moni, can I have this?"
"No, it's mine!" Monika huffed.
"But you already have so many of them!" Tori whined, pointing to a bunch of other bears.
"I said it's mine!" Monika cried.
Tori crossed his arms. "Fine!"
He turned away, glowering. Monika whimpered, sinking into her blankets.
Mama came in, gazing at the two children.
"Okay, you two, time for bed," she clapped.
Tori got up, a glower still on his face. He crept out of the room, gazing at Monika for a brief moment.
Monika hugged her biggest pillow. Mama came and sat next to her.
"Don't worry, dear," she patted her head, "I'm sure your papa is just fine."
Monika turned away, hiding under the blankets. The queen breathed out deeply, before standing up, switching off the lights. And so, Monika was finally alone.
She breathed in, closing her eyes as she sunk into the sheets.
… she couldn't wait any longer. She bolted right up, creeping up to the door.
She creaked the door open a little, peering out into the hall. She saw some guards walking around, but not too many.
She waited until one of the guards turned his back. And out she darted, holding up her little frills. She raced down the hall, keeping close to the shadows. Being so small, it was easy to hide behind things.
She kept going, passing a corner. She could see a large window from where she stood.
Don't worry, Papa, I'm coming!
She gasped, hearing footsteps nearby. She kept moving, hiding behind a long curtain. A guard walked by.
Monika whimpered. She kept going, moving even faster, when she suddenly crashed into someone.
Monika eeped, jumping back. The other person eeped as well; their voice was familiar!
"Tori!" Monika gasped.
"Moni," Tori held up his hands. "What are you doing out here?!"
Monika whimpered. "What are you doing out here?!"
"I asked first!" Tori huffed.
Monika sweat beaded. "… I was going to the toilet!"
"But the toilet's that way," Tori pointed in the opposite direction. "Moni… are you going to look for your dad?"
"Noooo!" Monika hissed.
Tori stared at her.
"Okay, fine, I am!" Monika sobbed. "And you can't stop me, Tori!"
"But you can't!" Tori told her. "You'll get in so much trouble!"
"I don't care!" Monika hissed back. "I have to find him!"
Her eyes welled up with tears. Tori bit his lip.
"Okay, fine," he held up his hands, "but I'm coming with you!"
Monika grinned, grabbing his arm. "Then let's go!"
It was almost pitch black outside. Monika kept her hold on Tori's arm, leading him to the window at the palace's bottom floor. Behind the quilt curtain, it was slightly ajar.
Tori gazed at the guard nearby, who was nodding off.
"Go!" Tori hissed.
Monika creaked the window open, slipping her small frame through. Tori came after her; they both landed on the soft grass below. A lantern on the palace walls illuminated both of them.
Monika jittered with excitement. She'd actually done it! She'd left the castle! Now, to find Papa…
"Where do you think he is?" Tori asked.
Monika shrugged, looking all around. Pitch black surrounded the two friends.
"Let's go this way!" Monika raced ahead, racing right into the darkness.
"Moni, wait, I can't see!" Tori cried out, chasing after his friend.
Monika kept running, leaving the quilt palace behind. She snuck past some bushes, bracing against the hedge that surrounded the palace. She kept going, leaving behind the gardens.
"Wait up!" Tori croaked.
"Papa?" Monika called out. "Are you here?!"
She headed further into the darkness, away from her palace, into the great outdoors.
"Papa!" Monika cried.
"Monika!" Tori shouted, tripping over his nightgown. He screamed. "I hate this stupid dress!"
Monika bumped into a tree, quilt dangling from its branches. She adjusted her glasses, following the lanterns on the trees. They led into the town; the streets were decorated with houses containing quilt curtains.
"Papa!" Monika squeaked, racing forward. "Papa! Where are you?!"
Tori coughed, getting back up. He noticed something… strange and blue near the trees, looming in the shadows. He shivered.
"Moni, come back!" he cried. "I don't like this anymore!"
Monika ignored him, continuing to run.
"Monika!" Tori repeated, losing her to the dark.
Monika kept going, spinning around in a circle.
"Papa!" she called out. "Can you hear me?!"
"Hello there, young princess."
Monika gasped, jumping back. A strange, tall man loomed above her, doused in a flowing cloak. He had a long white beard which blew in the gentle breeze.
"W-who are you?!" Monika stumbled back.
"Just a wizard stopping by," the man chuckled. "You seem lost, dear."
"… Mama said I shouldn't talk to strangers," Monika turned away.
"Right she is," the wizard chuckled. "But I'm no stranger, dear child. I know where your precious papa is."
Monika jumped up in surprise, turning to face him.
"You do?" she squeaked.
"And I'll take you right to him," the wizard offered his hand. "You just have to come with me!"
"Wow, really?!" Monika asked, eyes huge. "You're telling the truth?!"
The wizard chuckled. "Of course!"
Tori finally managed to catch up, catching his breath. His eyes went wide.
"Monika, no!" he cried.
"If you say so, Mr Wizard!" Monika took the wizard's hand. "Let's go see Papa!"
The wizard beamed down, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Right away."
"MONIKA!" Tori shouted.
But it was too late. The wizard led himself and Monika into a blue portal, disappearing into the night. The only sound left behind was Tori's sobbing.