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It all started with a single drop of sun that fell from the heavens. That small drop of sun grew into a magic golden flower that had the ability to heal the sick and injured.
But one day it was found by a very old and incredibly vain woman heard the rumors. She eventually found the flower and had hidden away to keep all to herself.
Centuries passed and around the flower’s hiding spot grew a wealthy and beloved kingdom. And at the center of that kingdom, there were the Tweaks. The royal couple was well loved by their citizens and eagerly shared their kingdom’s wealth. And they were expecting their heir.
But tragedy does not favor the poor and soon the queen had fallen ill. No medicine would aid her condition and all doctors said she nor the unborn child would survive much longer without a miracle.
The king remembered tales his family had passed down. Of a golden drop of sun turned flower that could heal. Desperate to save his love and child, the king and his guard went out in search for it.
Unbeknownst to the vain woman, the king and his guard closed in on the flowers hidden home. Having lived many decades longer than natural, the woman was careless with when she visited the flower, obsessed with keeping her looks at any cost that she didn’t notice the king’s approach until too late. In her haste to disappear from sight, she failed to notice that her cover over the flower had been knocked off, leaving her treasure to be taken.
The king exhausted from days of nonstop searching hardly cared for the shadow’s that glare nor his guard’s cries at him as he raced toward the flower. It was as his grandfather had described, beautifully golden with a soft warm glow, just being near it brought back a bit of energy.
The flower was carefully dug up and carried back to the kingdom in the nick of time. Soon after the queen was cured, their heir entered the world.
Delirious from days of searching and nights of fever, the royal couple accidently name their new prince Tweek, after their family name.
The kingdom cared not for their beloved queen was finally well and their prince safe and healthy. They all celebrated with a festival, the royal family sent a special lantern into the sky before the kingdom followed suit.
But the happiness didn’t last for long. One night, the vain woman returned to collect her flower. Young Tweek didn’t stir as the woman sang her flowers song. Youth returned to her features before she snipped off a piece of hair. Immediately, the hair lost all its power and the youth was drained from the woman again.
She cursed before scooping the young prince into her arms. Tweek cried and screamed to the unfamiliar hold, alerting his parents but too late for them to react.
Bebe, the vain woman ran off into the night, whisking her new flower away and never to be seen again.
The kingdom mourned their lost prince, and every year on his birthday they sent their lanterns into the sky in hops that one day Tweek could follow them back home and to his loving parents.
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Over the next 18 years, the floating lightss always drew Tweek’s attention. They were beautiful an unlike anything he had ever seen. Every year he’d count down the days before he’d get to see them again. It was one of the many constants in his solitude with Bebe.
The woman refused that she was ever his mother, insisting she found him abandoned on some cliff and surrounded by monsters. That and that she was far too young to be a mother. Tweek knew better than to question it. The blonde had a temper and one that he never knew was going to explode.
He mostly kept to himself as the years passed, it was safer and easier on his nerves. Less likely to set off Bebe. This suited the woman as she could come and go as she pleased. Tweek wasn’t sure he’d ever see his caretaker if it weren’t for his power. But then he thinks of the tales of the horrible people Bebe described from when he was a baby. Hideous criminals with gnarled teeth and mutilated skin bearing down on his tiny form before Bebe snuck into their camp and rescued him.
The tale leaves him shaking and he can hardly sleep afterwards. He hates the tale, but every time he thinks of exploring even the little alcove their tower home resides in, Bebe tells it again, adding new disgusting details.
The floating lights were one of the few things that brought a genuine smile to him any more. A serene calm that soothed his anxieties as if calling out for him.
A soft squeak breaks him from his reprieve from looking out at where the lights appear. He looks over before smiling at the small chameleon looking up at him.
“S-sorry Pascal. I got lost in thought again. B-but the lights! Gah I hope Bebe comes back tonight. C-cuz then she’ll forget and be gone before my birthday a-and we might have a chance t-to go see them.”
The small lizard gives him an encouraging smile before pointing to the clock. They still have a few chores to complete and if Tweek really wants Bebe gone quickly they better not leave her any reason to throw a fit.
“Y-you’re right. Cleaning first. S-sorry, you know how bad my nerves get when my birthday comes up around her. Too many conversations about the ‘special stars’ have left my nerves s-shot you know?” He sighs before grabbing a broom.
“L-Lets do this. A-and maybe we can spare some time to chart the stars again after.”
Pascal smiles at him before climbing on his shoulder. Little did either of them know, but their world is all about to change.