#kosokoso

So I just learned what Noir's variety of Negati is called.

Noir is a Kosokoso!!

One of these cute little dudes. They kinda remind me of the Eurasian red squirrel.

Here's a link to the wiki page talking about Kosokoso Negati.

https://balan-wonderworld.fandom.com/wiki/Kosokoso

I absolutely love these little dudes and it turns out they don't even attack; they run.

Kosokoso could also be referred to as Cowardli, according to some unused dialogue. But I think Kosokoso just sounds cute 💜

So, edited using my gallery app's photo editing feature, I present to you a rough approximation of what Noir looks like. Just... imagine they have lil paws. Beans included.

(A Balan Wonderworld drabble)

Serendipity glanced around, nervously fiddling with their too-long sweater sleeves. Their father had something important to attend to, and left them in charge of things while he was gone. The Negati around them didn't seem to mind too much, knowing the Princex was every bit as capable as the King himself. Serendipity's only concern was where their father had gone, and when he would be back.

After a while, they felt they had waited long enough, and were quickly growing bored. The Kosokoso on their shoulder, Noir, let out a silent sigh and tapped their cheek gently with a paw; giving Serendipity a look that essentially said "Go, I'll hold down the fort." The Negati Princex gave a gentle hug to their companion in thanks, setting them down before seeming to meld with the shadows, wanting to explore Wonderworld for themself.

Peeking their head out of the shadows just enough to look around after having traveled for a bit, Serendipity found themself growing curious, and perhaps even a bit confused. This place was so bright and colorful and warm; so much different from what they were used to. Those little creatures bounding around; what were they? They were too colorful to be Negati, and lacked the ivory mask-face anyways.

Glancing around the area, Serendipity saw nobody around that could spot them, and slinked the rest of the way out of the shadows. Immediately the small creatures' attention had turned towards them, most shivering or letting out frightened chirps and trying to run. Serendipity almost panicked, growing worried that the commotion would get them caught. It wasn't until a few actually leapt at them, bumping into them harshly, that they let out a shriek.

They suddenly found themselves being held in a protective grasp, and upon cracking an eye open, looked up to find a young woman with bicolored blonde and brunette hair, a stern look in her teal-grey eyes as she stared down the little red fuzzballs that had just been full-body tackling poor Serendipity. Her tone as she began to lecture the little round critters could only be accurately described as motherly.

Once the small creatures had enough of her scolding, they turned and hopped away. She let out a sigh, turning back to look at Serendipity and gently releasing them from her arms. "I'm sorry about the Tims. From what I was told, the red ones practically live to fight. Are you okay?" She asked.

Serendipity squinted a little, their eyes scanning over every detail of the young woman that had just saved them from the aggressive Tims. Coming to a mental conclusion based on her appearance, they opened their mouth to speak, and said probably the last thing the poor human was expecting.

"Are you my mother?"

Francine blinked, confused by this question. Their mother? How could she be their mother? "I'm sorry, you may have me confused with someone el-" Serendipity's voice cut her off. "Francine Stone. That's your name, right?" They asked. "How did you...?" Francine trailed off.

Serendipity gave a soft smile. "Father told me about you. He said you were essentially my mother, because he partially modeled my appearance after yours. He says he did it out of love." The slightly shorter being replied. "Well, if you know my name, then what's yours?" Francine asked, a small smile making its way back to her face as well.

The two talked for a short while, until Serendipity received a signal from Noir that Lance had returned and was searching for them. "I hope I'll see you again... mother." They smiled, before melding into the shadows once more. Francine waved goodbye as they left, and once they had gone, she sat down in the grass amongst the Tims, many of which happily hopped over to the young woman and snuggled up against her.

The experience she'd just had was different... but it was a good different. She didn't mind that Lance had partially modeled Serendipity after her. In fact, she was flattered. But it brought to mind a question. Why did Lance love her? What about her caught his eye? She was just another broken heart wandering through Wonderworld searching for the piece she lost. Love had been the last thing on her mind, until now.

(A Balan Wonderworld drabble)

Little blue eyelights flickered awake, sensing a new energy close by. Noir shook their head, much like how a dog would, sleepily rubbing the side of their face with a little paw like they were scratching an itch. They stretched out, leaping from their perch and following the direction they felt the energy in.

Noir eventually came to an area where they could see Lance, the Negati King, standing with his back turned towards them. The little Kosokoso cautiously approached, realizing he held something in his arms and wanting to take a look.

Noticing the small Negati by his feet, Lance smiled softly, allowing them to clamber onto a tendril before lifting them to be level with his arms. A bundle of fabric rested there, and the source of the energy was within. Noir leaned a little closer as they sniffed at the bundle, spotting a little button nose and round, soft cheeks of ivory. Lance carefully pulled back part of the fabric, revealing a small face similar to his own, but with different markings and bi-colored hair like the contrast of snow and chocolate. The little being's eyes were half open, indicating that they were in fact very sleepy. Yellow sclera surrounded lovely teal-grey irises, all framed by thick black lashes.

Noir glanced back up at their master, tilting their head in curiosity. Where did this little thing come from? Did they have a name? Why was it they looked like Lance, and yet at the same time, they didn't?

Lance merely chuckled, these questions being conveyed to him through the bond of their energy. He gently rubbed his cheek against the bundled-up little being's, pulling that same piece of fabric back into its original place, and softly rocking the little bundle in his arms. He looked back at Noir, mouthing words they heard loud and clear despite Lance not even letting out a whisper. Satisfied with the answer, Noir softly placed a paw on the little one's cheek, welcoming them to Wonderworld in their own little way. It was nice to see something new for a change.