You’ve been strolling around the clouds of Faerieland for just about the entire morning, and you finally figure that the Tooth Faerie probably didn’t notice the gap in your teeth, even though you’re holding up a sign pointing to you saying that you lost your teeth just recently.
On your way back to Neopia Central, you try to remember why you got up so early. Oh yes, because you wanted the spare neopoints that the Tooth Faerie would give you in exchange for a tooth. But you don’t really care too much anymore. It was just going to be a couple hundred neopoints anyway…
Suddenly, you hear a beautiful song being sung on the road to Brightvale. You decide to go and take a look at who is singing.
Unfortunately, your curiosity overpowers you, and you accidentally forget your manners. You run straight up to the young lady sitting on the rock who is holding a few strawberries in her hand. You inadvertently trip over a rock and nearly fall on top of the maiden, who appears to be a Faerie Poogle wearing a golden crown on her head.
She looks quite frightened by your arrival. “Oh! Forgive me. I hope I didn’t get in your way! I guarantee you that I was just about to leave!” She swiftly stammers.
“No, no, I’m sorry! It’s just that your song was so… beautiful, and I sort of forgot my manners. I really didn’t mean to interrupt you!” you say quickly. “Are you picking strawberries? I’ll help you,” you offer, wanting to help her – and to keep her from leaving your presence. “If you need any that is,” you add on, almost forgetting your manners for a second time the same day.
“Why thank you,” she says, slightly blushing. “Thank you very much, but I think I have enough strawberries already.” She shows you her basket filled with strawberries. “Would you like to come to my cottage? My home is just above that hill,” she says, pointing to a little house with a paved path, surrounded by tulips and dandelions. “I should have enough strawberries for the shortcakes that I plan to make, with enough extra to make another for you,” she says quietly. “If you’d like some…”
“Thank you for the offer!” you say excitedly and quickly follow her off to her home.
When you arrive at the foot of a little cottage, you smile at how cute and little it is. You look beyond the home and see the ocean waves rolling in harmony and tranquility. “This is my home! Would you like to come in?” the singer asks, holding the door for you.
“Yes, please. I would love to come in,” you reply, walking into her house. When you look around, you see marbled floors, chandeliers, royal wall paper, a Neo-heating system, and what looks like satellite security. “You have a very nice home! Just like a mansion!” you say, your eyes filled with wonder. “With a beautiful view as well…” you add, staring out the window and looking at the view once more, your eyes simply overflowing with admiration and astonishment.
“You can start your own adventure and explore the house if you’d like,” she says. “I’ll be making strawberry shortcakes in the kitchen!” she adds, seeing your eyes filled with excitement and awe.
“No, thank you,” you say as she starts to walk into what you think is the kitchen. “Could I watch you make the strawberry shortcakes? Perhaps help you? I promise to not get in your way!” you exclaim, hoping for her approval.
“Sure! A little company is always fun!” she replies in her very pretty, singsong voice.
As the singer starts to walk off, you trot off after her. As you enter the kitchen, it occurs to you that you don’t know her name yet. “I never got your name yet. What is it?” you ask as she grabs for some flour.
“You are right. I’m sorry! I guess that I forgot my etiquette! My name is Serenity. SerenityJustice, really, but feel free and please do call me Serenity,” she says, reaching for eggs.
Silence starts to creep up on both you and Serenity… an uncomfortable silence. You are slightly bored and sitting on a sun-shaped chair when Serenity finally says, “Do you want me to sing you a song while I wait for the shortcake to cook in the oven?” You notice the nervousness in her voice.
“Oh yes! That would be lovely,” you reply, hoping that singing will eventually overcome the nervousness she is feeling.
“Shall we go out to the garden?” she questions.
“I would like that,” you reply, glad that you can hear her sing and observe the view closer at the same time. You open the door for her.
“Oh! Thank you very much!” Serenity says, smiling.
“You’re welcome,” you respond. You take a seat in her flower-shaped chair, and she takes a seat on the marble bench nearby. “Please start,” you say. You are very comfortable, and it has been a good two minutes before she starts to sing.
“Swing low, sweet strawberry shortcake…” Serenity starts to sing. As she continues to sing, snow white doves fly in the air and circle around Serenity. The sun shines brighter as well. You cannot help but slowly start to smile too. As Serenity’s song comes to an end, you, the birds, and Neopia applaud with happiness.
“Oh, dear!” cries Serenity. You are startled but let her finish. “It seems I have forgotten all about the strawberry shortcake! By now it must be burnt! This time, would you like to help me make it? If you do, making this shortcake will be twice the fun!” she says, smiling brightly at you.
“Sure! But you have to promise that you will sing for Neopia once more!” you say with laughter in your eyes. You smile back at Serenity and create not just a strawberry shortcake, but a true cake, large enough to feed everyone in Neopia for when Serenity completes the promise she made to you and sings, again, for all of Neopia.