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Cinderena: A Fairy Tale of the Stars

 

Chapter 2- The Enchanting Forest

 

by Umi

 

January 2002

 

Disclaimer: Rena, Noel, and all Star Ocean: The Second Story characters belong to Enix and Tri-Ace, not me!  I'm not making any money out of this!

 

Cinderella belongs to Disney, not me, as I am adapting Disney's version of the classic fairy tale! Once again, I'm not making any money from this!

 

Note: This is an Alternate Universe fanfic. I have inserted the characters of Star Ocean 2 into a fairy tale, and have altered the plot, relationships, and characters to fit the fairy tale! There will be some spoilers about the game, mostly concerning who the characters are!

 

The song lyrics that I am using throughout this fan fiction series are the translated lyrics of "Hearts," sung by Saori Nishihata. It's the cute ending song of Star Ocean EX, the Star Ocean 2 anime! 

 

 

The light, ambrosial fragrance of a savory meal filled the small cottage. Rena smiled as she finished the last touches of the dinner, sprinkling herbs and spices on the food and the plate itself for decoration. She had spent hours on the meal, slowly roasting the chicken until it was tender and moist, meticulously mashing the potatoes so that no lumps remained.

 

Finally, I'm done. Relieved that she had completed all of her chores, she sighed contentedly. Rena wrapped up a small portion of the food so that she could eat her own dinner up in her room, the attic, like she did everyday.

 

She heard the front door open with a loud squeak. She shook her head, knowing that sooner or later her step-father was going to make her oil the door's hinges. Hopefully, he won't do so today, because I might still have some time to see Noel once I finish all this work…

 

"Ah, I'm soo hungry!"  Precis pranced into the room, scanning it for signs of food. "Ah ha! Thanks Rena, the food looks delicious!" 

 

"Yeah, and it smells great too." Chisato walked in after her sister, yawning. "Oh, I'm soo tired! I was so busy at work today…"

 

"Your welcome, Precis and Chisato." Rena smiled and motioned for the two girls to sit at the dinner table and eat their meal. Hmm, I guess I always call them by their names, rather than saying "sister." I'm not even sure why…

 

"How was your day, Rena?" The redhead asked as she munched on a dinner roll.

 

"It was nice," Rena replied politely. She resisted an urge to sigh, knowing that her step-sisters didn't even notice that all she did everyday was do chores. I feel like I'm a housewife, but one without a real family…

 

"That's good to hear. By the way, did you finish those flower arrangements?"

 

"Yes, Chisato. I placed them in your room, and if you want, I can help you carry them to your shop tomorrow morning." At least then I could finally get out of this house…

 

"All right, that sounds good. Thanks, Rena." Chisato continued, "This handsome noble came by the shop today, and you know what he ordered? Twenty-four bouquets of yellow sunflowers! Now, what would he do with that many of them?"

 

"Well, maybe he has a pretty girlfriend who loves sunflowers!" Precis smiled adorably, her jade eyes sparkling as she tried to picture such a romantic scenario.

 

By that time, Rena was barely listening, thinking about when Indalecio would arrive, so that she could ask him if she could go out...

 

Chisato smiled softly. "Well, maybe that could be the case, but not so for this man. I asked him about it, and you know what he said? He said that he is a royal assistant of Cross! Can you believe it?"

 

Precis looked confused. "Huh? What's that?"

 

"Hehe. Precis dear, a royal assistant is someone who works for the royal family of the Cross Kingdom! Don't you see? He works his highness, King Cross!"

 

The young brunette's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "What?! Oh my gosh!! That's sooo cool!!"

 

When is Indalecio coming? He should be back from work about now… Rena paid no heed to the excited chatter of the two other girls.

 

"Yep, yep! Now I can say that my little ole shop serves royalty! And Mr. Bowman Jean, that was his name, said that the flowers were for this grand ball that the King is holding this coming Saturday!!"

 

"Eeeep!!" Precis squealed. "Really?! Really?! Really?! I wanna go!!"

 

"Yeah, Mr. Jean said that the whole royal family is going to be at the ball! That means the prince too!" Chisato grinned, proud of herself for finding out such information.

 

"Seriously?!" Precis clasped her hands in front of her. "I can't believe it! I bet the prince is sooo handsome!!"  

 

A prince? Rena's attention was brought back to the conversation at the sound of that word. She blushed a soft crimson as she thought about the prince that she was writing about in her stories, the perfect Prince Charming…

 

 "Well, maybe you can see for yourself! Mr. Bowman said that anyone in the nearby towns of Salva and Arlia may attend the ball! We'll ask father when he returns from work. Just imagine all of the nobles who will be attending! So many potential customers!!" Chisato's blue eyes twinkled with mischief.

 

A ball?! Rena's cheeks grew even redder as she recalled a certain part in her story… The part where the main heroine wore a beautiful, sparkling gown to a grand ball where she danced the night away with the prince…

 

Midnight blue eyes glimmered with hope.

 

If only I could go the ball…

 

"Dear Precis, dear Chisato, I am home." Indalecio entered the room, his tall frame nearly too big to fit through the small doorway. "How are you girls?"

 

"Father, Precis and I wanted to ask you something…" Chisato began.

 

"Can we go to the ball?!" The little girl gazed up at her father, stars in her eyes.

 

"What ball, my dears?" Indalecio removed his brown leather coat and sat down at the table.

 

As Precis explained the situation to her father, Rena served Indalecio his dinner. She couldn't help but feel jealous whenever he talked to Chisato and Precis, for his voice softened and he almost seemed like a warm person.

 

Wait, I don't care about what he thinks of me… After all, he isn't my real father…

 

Indalecio's thin lips twisted into a smile. "It sounds wonderful. Yes, you two my go."

 

"Yay! Thank you soo much Daddy!!" Precis hugged her father and then ran upstairs to her room. "I wonder who should I ask to be my date…"

 

"Thank you, Father." Chisato kissed Indalecio lightly on the cheek, then made her way to her room, mumbling, "Now I have to shop around and find the best deal on a dress. I may want to look good, but I can't forget about saving a little money…"

 

"Now, Rena…" Indalecio's voice became cold.

 

Rena kept her gaze on the ground, her expression masked by dark blue bangs.

 

"Did you finish all of your duties?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Good."

 

Rena closed her eyes, contemplating if she should ask her step-father if she could go to the ball. Gathering all the courage she could muster, she looked directly at the tall redhead and said, "Indalecio?"

 

"What is it, Rena?"

 

Keeping her chin high, Rena continued, "May I also go to the grand ball?"

 

Indalecio chuckled softly. He glanced down at Rena, who was looking at him with wide, eager blue eyes. "I'll think about it." With that, he left the dining room, leaving Rena alone.

 

Sighing, Rena cleared the table and began washing the dishes. He'll probably never let me go…

 

If only he'd just let me go.

 

After she finished cleaning up the kitchen, Rena stealthily slipped out the front door and out of the house. Earlier, she was contemplating asking Indalecio if she could leave to see Noel, but she decided against it.

 

I don't care what he'd say.

 

I'm going anyways.

 

Rena wasn't sure if she was talking only about meeting Noel, or about something even more important…

****

 

Silver stars glittered brilliantly in the night sky. The luminous moon shimmered overhead, casting its light over the lush greens of the forest. Everything was serenely still except for an occasional slight rustling of a bush or the howling of a fierce, chilly wind.

 

Rena smiled widely, loving the natural beauty of the Shingo Forest. She always tried to visit it as many times as she could, but her duties kept getting in the way. She was extremely fond of the outdoors, partly because she's forced to spend so much time inside her cottage, but mostly because she adored animals, plants, and flowers.

 

Still, the thing that she loved the most about being out in nature… was that it gave her the feeling that she was free…

 

Free like the animals that roamed the forest, free like the water of the stream running through Arlia, free like the wind that rustled the trees' leaves around her…

 

Just free.

 

Rena removed the dark rag from her hair, letting her short blue locks frame her face. Her crescent hairpiece sparkled in the night.

 

Breathing in the fresh air, Rena made her way through the forest. It seems like such a magical place… A place of hidden secrets, of lost dreams, of forbidden fantasies…

 

"Rena…"

 

She instantly recognized the familiar soft, gentle voice. "Noel!"

 

The young man smiled sweetly and wrapped his arms around Rena in an affectionate hug. "I'm glad you could make it, Rena."

 

Rena rested her head on Noel's chest, sighing. "I'm sorry I'm so late. I hope you didn't have to wait long…" She relaxed in her friend's arms.

 

Noel shook his head, saying "Don't worry about that…" He held her closer. "I know it's not your fault."

 

Stepping back, Rena smiled. "So, what's this surprise you've been telling me about? I'm so excited!"

 

The young man, dressed in a soft white turtleneck, a deep brown jacket and matching pants, ran a hand through his short chocolate locks nervously. "Well, I have something for you…" Reaching behind him, he picked up a small box adorned with a lavender ribbon. He offered it the young girl, blushing slightly. "Happy Birthday, Rena."

 

"Noel…" Rena accepted the gift, saying, "Thank you." Smiling, she removed the ribbon and opened the box. Inside it was an intricately crafted crystal rose. It sparkled magically in the moonlight. Rena's midnight blue eyes lighted up with happiness. "I love it! It's so beautiful…"

 

Noel smiled back as Rena hugged him tightly. "Your welcome, Rena."

 

"Oh, but you totally didn't have to get me anything!"

 

"I know. But, I wanted to get you something…" Brown eyes met blue ones. "I just wanted you to have a special Birthday."

 

"Thanks, Noel. It's funny, because you're the only one who remembered that it was my Birthday!" Rena smiled, even as a part of her grew sad thinking about how her own family didn't even notice what a special time it was for her…

 

Noel forced a laugh, although he could see traces of hurt in Rena's wide eyes. Rena deserves so much better than a family that neglects her and only uses her as a maid. She deserves people who truly care about her, like I do…

 

"Well, my Birthday is special now, because of you. You're always so sweet to me, and I'm so glad that you are my best friend… My only real friend."

 

 "I'm so glad that I have you here with me too, Rena…"

 

"Noel…" Rena looked up at Noel, her eyes becoming misty with the threat of tears. This has been the happiest I've been in so long… "Everything is just so… hard… sometimes. But, you're always there for me, through my best and my worst, and I…"

 

"Rena…"

 

A soft whisper in the dark. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

 

Noel reached out and patted his friend lightly on the head, smiling tenderly at her. "I'll always be here for you, Rena."

 

Wiping her eyes, Rena nodded. "I know."

 

Noel sat down on the soft earth, motioning for Rena to join him. The grass was soft and cool under them, and they sat in the comfortable silence of the forest, and of each other's company.

 

After a few moments, Noel turned to Rena, and asked, "So… How did you get out of your house anyway, Rena? Did Indalecio let you out, or…?"

 

A mischievous grin. "Actually, I kind of snuck out."

 

Noel feigned a look of utter surprise. "Really? Hmm, what's become of you, Rena? What happened to the cute, innocent girl I used to know?" He teased.

 

Rena smirked. "Ah, she is no more. I'm 18 now, and this is the new me. I'm gonna ditch my family and move into a bigger city so I can party all night long with complete strangers."

 

The young man laughed. "All right, Rena. Hmm, I might have to come with you, so I can watch out for all the perverted guys wanting to take advantage of you."

 

Placing a hand on her hip, Rena grinned. "Oh? But who said I'd need your help? Maybe I'd like having those older guys all over me."

 

The two stared at each other for several seconds, and then they both broke out in laughter.

 

Noel and Rena spent the rest of the night talking, laughing, and just enjoying each other's company. Minutes became hours, and it was all too soon that Rena realized that she should be going back to her house before Indalecio found out she was missing.

 

"It was so great to see you, Noel. But, I've got to go."

 

"That's all right, I understand. It is getting late." The two stood up and made their way out of the Shingo Forest. "Oh, Rena, did you make a Birthday wish? It has to be special!" Noel grinned.

 

Glancing up at the stars one more time, Rena smiled. "Yes, I did."

 

"I hope that your wish comes true." Noel smiled warmly at her.

 

The friends said their goodbyes as they went their separate ways.

 

Rena sighed as she looked up at the front door of the cottage where she lived.

 

I hope that my wish comes true too…

 

~To be continued…~

 

 

Author's Note: Hi there! I hope you enjoyed my fic! So, who is the prince? Well, even though his family name is Cross, I can tell you right now, it's not Chris Cross, the prince in the game! ;) And also, for those of you who are wondering, I will put all 12 playable characters of Star Ocean 2 in my fic! I'm also planning to write the following fairy tales as well:

 

* "Aladdin: A Fairy Tale Fantasy" starring Zidane and Garnet from FF9

 

* "The Little Mermaid: A Fairy Tale Fantasy" starring Tidus and Yuna from FF10