Tag: elolet origin story

The tunnels to the other realms all looked long, dark, and unwelcoming. Scarlet found herself feeling suddenly unsure of her plan, but she put on a brave face.

“These are the Halls of Adventure!” said Juliet. The others looked at her awkwardly. “…It’s a name in progress.”

“But which one goes to the Berry Realm?” asked Eloise.

“You want to take that furthest tunnel and then keep to the left.”

“May I have one more hug before you go?” asked the Reaper.

“Of course!” Eloise gave her father a big squeeze. Noticing her mother’s frown, she gave her one last big hug too.

“If you need anything at all, you know how to find us, right?” Death said sternly.

“Yes, I remember.”

“Good. Off you go now before you make your mother cry.”

“Goodbye!”

“I could never just up and leave you and mother. Besides, I’ve only just left my room after almost a decade. I don’t know if I’m in any shape to just suddenly leave everything behind!”

“But you don’t have to leave forever! You can always come back! No matter where you go, you know we can always find you eventually.”

“Yes, that’s true…”

“You can use the tunnels I built for your mother so that she could visit the other realms while I was working. In fact, I’m pretty sure she bought a little house in the Berry Realm because it reminded her of her childhood home. You would both fit in perfectly with the berry sweets and it would be much safer for you.”

“Berry Realm? I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s a realm full of sickeningly sweet rainbow humanoids with names like Priss, Shiraz, Carnation, Glitter, Catnip, Confetti, Tranquil, Hannah Banana, Vio-”

“Okay, I get it,” Eloise said with a laugh. “They sound absolutely magical.”

“They are your mother’s absolute favourite.”

“You know what I think we should do?” asked Scarlet, suddenly full of vigor.

“No…” replied Eloise with a smile and look of confusion.

“We should leave! Start over, just you and I! No crazy mothers, no sad past! It would be amazing!”

“That would be nice but you know I can’t do that.” 

As Eloise spoke, the Grim Reaper materialized before them. “Actually, I think that would be good for you after everything you’ve been through.”

“Oh hello, father!”

“Hello Mr…um…Death.”

“I had always wondered if you had feelings for me, but I was never completely sure,” Eloise confessed.

“I always thought that you maybe had a crush on Neil,” Scarlet said with a smirk.

“Well…sort of. I mean, I’ve always thought that Neil is attractive, but he has always treated me like a little sister in need of protection. You, on the other hand, never treated me like I’m too delicate and easily breakable. I have always appreciated that.”

A few minutes had gone by. Scarlet had to force herself to stop hugging Eloise, even though she never wanted to let go. “El, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

Hoping Eloise wouldn’t find it too cheesy, Scarlet leaned toward her for a quick peck on the lips. Eloise kissed her back, blushing.

Eloise’s smile turned into a look of concern, she took a step back, “Wait, what was that you were saying about your mother? You didn’t really freeze her, did you?”

Scarlet looked down at the floor as she spoke, “Um, I really did…I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t be able to hurt you ever again. That sorta worked because while it did freeze her, she’s probably going to thaw out eventually. I’m not sure what I’ll do then. Freeze her again, maybe?”

Eloise stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Scarlet, squeezing tightly. “I am so sorry. I’m so sorry that I’ve been so selfish. I was so concerned about myself and what I went through that day. I didn’t even stop to think about how you must be feeling. I cannot imagine what you must be going through. Freezing your own mother could not have been an easy choice.” Scarlet stayed silent, hugging Eloise back.

After almost a decade, Eloise had finally opened her door. She smiled weakly, then began to tear up. “Oh Scarlet,” she said quietly. “I’m a hideous monster.”

Scarlet reached out to comfort her. “All I see is a beautiful woman who has a new radiant look.”

“No…”

“Seriously! You look as though you painted a masterpiece your face. You’re completely stunning!”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“…Stop looking at me like that, you’re making me blush.”

From the other side of the door, Eloise finally spoke. “I–I don’t know if I’m ready for you to see me,” she said.

Scarlet tried very to contain her excitement at finally receiving a response, but she couldn’t resist doing a quick, happy dance. She then cleared her throat before speaking. “What do you mean? I bet you look just as beautiful as the last time I saw you,” she said, holding her ear up to the door.

“No…I…I look so different now.”

Scarlet gasped, “So you look even prettier, then? Wow!”

Scarlet heard a little laugh. “No, my face is different colours now. I look like a complete mess.” Eloise said.

“I don’t believe you. Why don’t you let me see?”

“I can’t…”

“Missy, I froze my own mother for you and swam into the home of Death himself just to come see you. I’d be so disappointed if I had to leave without seeing your face and those beautiful eyes again.”

“I don’t know…”

“You can take as long as you need to fix your hair if you’ve got bedhead, you know. Nixie told me I’m supposed to leave when she tells me to, but I think I can fight her off for a bit and buy you more time.”

She heard another laugh, “No, my hair is fine.”

“And you’re dressed, right?”

“Yes…”

“Then it sounds like you have no excuse to not open the door and let me see you before Nixie drags me away.”

Scarlet was led around so many corners that she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to find her way back to the canals. Once they came to a long hallway decorated with red wallpaper and carpet, Juliet stopped in front of a dark brown door with gold accents. “This is her room,” she said. “We’ll give you some privacy.“

“Just call my name when you’re ready to go,” said Nixie.

“Alright, thank you,” said Scarlet.

Just when Scarlet thought she could swim no further and began to worry if she might drown, she and Nixie had finally arrived at their destination. Scarlet looked up and she could not tell if there was a ceiling. All she saw was a strange blue and purple swirling light. Juliet was standing at a dock connected to a black-bricked mansion. It was as if Juliet had been waiting there for them. “Hello, Nixie! What brings you here?” she asked

“I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion. This is Scarlet Spark and she seeks to speak with your daughter.”

“Ahhh, so this is Scarlet. Eloise had told me so much about you when you were both younger. I’m so glad you came. After what had happened, I thought I’d never get to meet you.”

“I have to be honest, I thought you would be mad when I showed up here. You’re not angry with me?”

“Why would you think that I would be angry? My husband saw what happened and he knows you did not hurt our daughter.”

“I did though, in a way. Didn’t he see how I did nothing to stop my mother or help Eloise? I’m just as guilty.”

“No. We hold no grudge against you. You do not get to choose your biological family, after all.” Scarlet smiled a little. “Please, follow me to Eloise’s room, won’t you?” Juliet requested.