C I N D E R E L L A ;

Side Blog! Main blog is here: bird0fparadiseflos

♕ As lovely as her name In the sweetest story ever told

Independent Cinderella Roleplayer written by Ghosty

II 21+ II Semi-Selective II MultiPara II Crossover-Friendly II Disney, Kingdom Hearts, Canon-Divergent accepted

Spotify Wrapped! Send me a number from 1-100 for a starter based on a song, or a lyric from it, or send a 🎁 for me to shuffle! Song chosen: Ghosts by Pvris

 "I've always dreamed, that my life could be like a fairy tale, a perfect fantasy. But it was nothing more than a dream." _____________________________________________

She didn't have dreams anymore. Dreams disappointed her time and time again, reminding her that no matter how hard she worked, it didn't matter.

No matter how hard she loved, it wasn't enough. No matter how kind and caring she was, it wouldn't get her her Happily Ever After.

Stripped from her home, her chance at a happy ending, and thrown onto a ship like forgotten cargo; she had no choice but to learn to live away from a life she'd always known. Away from her friends and the prince who wanted to marry her, only to be put under a spell by her wicked stepmother. The prince never came for her. He never woke up from that magic spell, believing that it was her stepsister he danced with that night. Her dreams died on that ship, and years later, her light flickered like a candle wick far too burned out. The villain had won and successfully broke her.

Yet, through the pain and bitterness, there was one entity who still believed in her.

He often stood at the foot of her bed, willing her to stand up and fight for what she believed in. Like the way he believed in her; in this impossible love that he trusted was still inside of her.

Each night, she begged him to leave her alone, pulling the sheets up to her shoulders to hide her face, to hide her anguish whenever she thought she was alone.

She was tired. So very tired.

Her lips parted, a breath escaping her when she felt his presence materialize like an apparition standing before her; a twisted version of the night her Fairy Godmother came to her. But he wasn't an apparition at all nor was he the woman who aided her long ago. No. Not at all like the ghosts that thrived in her head.

♬ ♪ "I'm the one with the ghosts in my bed But they only come alive at night Stuck in my sheets, an accustomed coffin..." ♬ ♪

It was strange, still having the marrow to sing the words that bled from her heart. She thought the music in her soul had dried up, and the melody disappeared, yet she found the words pouring out of her like a mantra she was begging for this apparition to understand. Simply speaking wasn't enough, so the melody carried into a saddened ballad. She didn't look at him, but she could feel his presence. A darkness she wished would swallow her up, snuffing out the little light she had left.

But why didn't he?

♬ ♪"I swear that I'll be fine I'll be fine in the daylight..." ♬ ♪

She tried to encourage him to leave by suggesting that she would be fine in the morning. When the sun rose, she would smile, do her duties for her new master, and pretend like she wasn't dying inside. It was the same repeated task every single day, helping with the numbness inside of her, helping her to forget.

She knew the truth though, and she knew that this apparition knew it too. These words, she didn't sing from her lips, but from her heart instead.

If I change, I start to fade And all the blue in my eyes desaturate It's my head not my heart that's strayed I'm sorry I keep pushing you away

Deep down. Somewhere in the light still inside her, she wanted to believe. She wanted to follow the apparition's lead and trust him. Indeed, it was her head that had strayed and not her heart. Perhaps a part of her wanted him to prove that he wasn't going to abandon her. She didn't want to push him away, but that was the product of her sadness, whispering to her of her failures.

Lifting her head, she turned to look at him. Drinking in those yellow hues staring back at her, it was strange to think that those eyes didn't frighten her anymore. Not after the many nights he stubbornly came back to her, hoping to ease his way into her heart time and time again.

♬ ♪"You're the one at the foot of my bed, trying to keep me alive at night." ♬ ♪ She whispered as if asking him why he was here. Every time, it was the same answer...

He sang in return, following her melancholy melody, ♬ ♪ "Using my words as a comforter, I said, "I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna fight.." ♬ ♪ As though reminding her that he was here, not as a bringer of death and destruction, but as a being of hope, and perhaps, even love.

Her arms wrapped around herself, whimpering, eyes shut tight. She didn't want to fight either, and yet, she didn't want to hear his encouragement. Not when she was so tried of hurting. It was so confusing, and it was that confusion that made her wish he would leave her alone. Even though she didn't want to be.

♬ ♪"But they, they sink into my skin Pushing you out just to make their way in I've grown sick of this fight so frequent" ♬ ♪ She sat up, glaring back at him. ♬ ♪"If you can't help it then I'll push you away"♬ ♪

♬ ♪"Why can't I stay?" ♬ ♪ He retorted from the darkness wisping before her, entangling at the foot of her bed. ♬ ♪"I'm up against these things I can't see." ♬ ♪She hissed back, tears enveloping her burning gaze. But she knew it was a lie. In the darkness, she could see the glowing eyes of her step-family, mocking her with their sneers and taunting laughs. Their judgmental gaze glowed white -- soullessly -- unlike the golden hues of the apparition willing her to look away from them. ♬ ♪"They don't compare." ♬ ♪ He encouraged her to keep her eyes on him, a wisp of darkness cupping her chin, turning her gaze back on him. ♬ ♪"Make me believe, make me believe..." ♬ ♪ She whimpered, tears streaming down her haggard appearance. She wanted him to keep trying. She didn't want to be alone anymore. Somewhere inside of her, she could feel the way he chiseled at her heart each night. She prayed that if he kept trying, she would eventually believe him.

♬ ♪"Why can't I stay?" ♬ ♪ He asked again. ♬ ♪ "I'm up against these things I can't see."♬ ♪ She replied once more. The vision of her stepfamily loomed ever closer, threatening to strangle her with their aura. ♬ ♪"They don't compare." ♬ ♪ His voice was gentle, soft. Inviting her to keep looking at him. ♬ ♪"Make me believe, make me believe..." ♬ ♪She closed her eyes, It was too much. ♬ ♪"Make me believe, make me believe..." ♬ ♪

She felt his clawed hand upon her cheek and she leaned into it. The first touch of kindness she'd experienced in a long time.

♬ ♪"I'm sorry I keep pushing..." ♬ ♪

The vision of her stepfamily seemed to grow bigger at the wake of her frail apology, sensing her weakness. Climbing up the walls of her small broom closet, as though urged by her bitterness and hatred, by her unwillingness to listen to the Shadow before her, their mocking continued ringing in her ears; 'HAH! Dancing with the prince?' 'I'd be honored, Your Highness. Would you mind holding my broom?' Laughter ensued around them. 'And don't forget the garden. Then scrub the terrace, sweep the halls and the stairs, clean the chimneys. And of course there's the mending and the sewing and the laundry…'

The voice of her stepmother was enough to clutch her head tight, pulling away from the shadow. Covering her ears with her palms to drown out the noise, her teeth grinded and she curled into herself.

♬ ♪"I'm sorry I keep pushing..." ♬ ♪ The three voices of her family loomed over her, ♬ ♪ "yea" ♬ ♪

♬ ♪"I'm sorry I keep pushing..."♬ ♪ The continued mocking, ♬ ♪"I'm sorry I keep pushing..."♬ ♪ with laughter echoing around her, the strength in their mockery and darkness pushing Shadow every further away from her.

Until she couldn't take it anymore. Eyes widening, she cried out, wailing as the darkness around her shot out like bullets to pierce anything and anyone around her, materializing from her very soul. The visions of her stepfamily turned on the apparition wanting to help her, to save her, but in turn, her own demons began to attack. Like a system shutdown hellbent on protecting her from seeing the light beyond her own grievances. It saw the Shadow as a virus and was determined to rectify him for her own protection.

♬ ♪Now you're up against the ghosts in my head!"♬ ♪ She cried out, sobbing.

Her family continued their vicious mockery, ♬ ♪ "your head."♬ ♪

♬ ♪"I'm sorry I keep pushing Now you're up against the ghosts in my head!" ♬ ♪

♬ ♪"your head."♬ ♪ They laughed.

She was wailing, as though everything bottled up inside of her had unleashed itself in waves like a torrential sea wanting to destroy anything who tried to tread its waters.

Until she felt a hand grab her wrist, snapping her out of her meltdown. Like a spell had been broken, the three demons that materialized burst into wisps of darkness, freeing her from their chains. For now.

She gasped, blurred vision wide and startled as she lifted her gaze, looking back up into the glowing golden eyes of the creature. She was panting, trying to catch her breath, gaze imploring and confused. Wondering why he was still willing to fight for her.

♬ ♪"Why can't I stay?"♬ ♪ He asked once more. This time, more determined to get through to her.

His tone was all she needed to know she was safe, that he wasn't giving up on her. In that moment, Her expression crumbled and she sobbed, falling into the creature's chest, finally giving in. ♬ ♪"Make me believe, make me believe..."♬ ♪

She was tired. So very tired.

"Riku..." Cinderella knew who this boy was. He was older now, the years of his adolescence far behind him in a way that showed the maturity in his eyes. He seemed... at peace. Calmer. The darkness had failed to consume him. She didn't have to ask to know it. She could sense it in his heart.

She should have been afraid. She should have been unsure of his presence in her world, yet one look told her everything she needed to know -- that he was someone she didn't have to fear now. The darkness in his heart was abated. Controlled.

Standing on the bridge that connected two towers, the golden light beamed down on the white wisterias that hung from the ledges and trim, overgrown from years of the palace letting nature take its toll, becoming a beautiful walkthrough. The light made Riku's hair glow just as ethereally as the flowers around them, a symbol of a changed man.

"I'm so proud of you." She approached and then circled him, taking in his changed appearance, admiring how much he had blossomed into a fine young boy. The hold Maleficent had on him had been malignant and cruel, the evil fairy's intentions to suck the light out of him had been apparent the last time Cinderella laid eyes on him. She had been so worried for him, fearing the worst; even more so when she knew just how much Sora and Kairi cared about him. Now he was something else entirely, so far away from the boy she met in Hollow Bastion.

"My goodness, Kairi! Is that you?" She beamed, appearing from behind. Leaning over Kairi's shoulder to get a better view, she was ecstatic to find that it was, indeed, the same little girl she'd met years ago. Only she had matured into a fine young lady now.

"My, how you've grown!" She stepped around the other princess, standing before her now. How Kairi wandered into her world, she didn't know, but she was happy to see her nonetheless. The last time they crossed paths, Cinderella had feared that Kairi's heart would be lost forever. Until a young boy appeared and saved them all, saving the lights of their worlds.

"You've grown stronger, too. I can feel it. Are the Heartless still....?" She couldn't resist the urge to look around, taking quick note of her surroundings, worried that the reason Kairi was here was because the Heartless had returned. The last time they came, her world had been destroyed. The Unversed were another consideration, though she hadn't seen one of those creatures in years.

Nonetheless, she was still so proud of the young woman Kairi had become. Just looking at her, she could feel the power of Kairi's light within her heart. It was blinding and beautiful, and Cinderella smiled fondly, reaching out to take the other princesses' hands.

She wouldn’t allow the Heartless to destroy her kingdom again. 

She was tired of running, of waiting for someone else to fight and save her world while she stood on the sidelines, fearful for the welfare of those protecting her. She wanted to do something for once. Damned be her own safety. Not when her kingdom was on the line. Her friends, her husband, her family! She didn’t know what she could do, but she was willing to try. That’s all that mattered. 

She should have known that she wouldn’t get very far though. Not when Aqua was there by her side, demanding that she take cover somewhere else while she handled the darkness. Of course, Cinderella was no stranger to protesting, believing that there was some way she could help, no matter how small.

“I can’t just–” Cinderella began to say, brushing past Aqua with every intention of storming straight into the brush fires of war. That was, until her wrist was snatched up and she was forced to take an abrupt halt. She frowned, frustration crossing her features as she turned to face the other, blatant upset and ready to argue back. Her other hand placed itself over her racing heart, imploring her self-appointed valet to listen.

“Please, Aqua. I can help! Let me just–” She didn’t want to beg and she certainly didn’t want to plead to be taken seriously. Her face crumbled at the thought of being perceived as someone weak; that Aqua thought she was someone incapable. She hadn’t gotten this far in life by waiting in the wings, contrary to popular belief.

“I don’t want you to go alone! I want to help you, and I want–” She tried to reason, but it was clear that she wasn’t allowed to get very far. She could feel Aqua’s reluctance. The way her grip tightened, refusing to let her go. Cinderella wasn’t going to stop without a fight, and she tried to yank her hand away. But her valet’s tight grip would only prove Aqua’s fears; that Cinderella was not someone ready to accept the woes of battle. She was just a human with too much light to give the world and no experience. 

“--To be able to–” She didn’t get to finish her words before she was yanked towards the bluebird, crashing into her. She looked up, lips parting to protest, when her lips were captured in a kiss that left the princess dumbfounded. Eyes widened as their lips touched, freezing upon impact. So soft and much more plump than that of her husband’s, she was stunned. Rooted to the spot, it seemed that Aqua’s attempts to get her to stay worked, rendering Cinderella speechless as she watched, confused and alarmed, as Aqua turned away from her, running out of the ballroom and straight to the courtyard where the Heartless were manifesting.

Strange. There was something about that kiss. Something that warned Cinderella that if she didn’t follow after her, she would never see her again. It wasn’t a kiss of True Love. Not a kiss that curled her toes or made her heart sing like it did when she kissed Henry, but it felt powerful nonetheless. Like Aqua was trying to tell her something that she wouldn’t dare bring to fruition without reaping the consequences. 

Cinderella lifted her quivering hand, touching her tingling lips where she could still feel the remnants of Aqua’s warmth there, staring at the direction that her dear friend disappeared from.