Once upon a time...

[timefather]

[ For the residents of Märchenstraße, and all the land surrounding it, the eighth of December was a day to look forward to. Looking at it from an outside perspective, strangers and travelers could easily assume it to be a holiday. At the very least, a day for a festival, if a modest one. A day that shopkeeps spent all morning preparing for, that all manner of creatures spent days traveling to the city to witness. They'd heard the talk that passed around, the rumors from those still left. But would it work? No one knew for sure, no matter how confident the stories seemed to be. But hope was very quickly becoming all they had left.

They had decorated the whole town. Streamers, banners, wreathes and garland made of autumn flowers, plus whatever the Fairy Godmother had cooked up. Oh, she was just giddy. No skepticism could be spoken around her, not if you wanted to escape the wrath of her wand! Rumor had it that she had caught wind of a few piglets squealing about the likelihood that their magic would fail, and that they were subsequently transformed into the band of musicians who could be found performing in the park.

Well, at least the music was festive.

Of course, the decorations weren't for the newcomers alone. Autumn was coming to a close in just a few weeks, and Old Man Winter would take the reigns like he did every year, and their weather would turn cold and harsh. The chill was already there, cool and biting when the wind picked up speed. Lady Autumn was much preferred to the citizens of the city with her gentle nature, even if she failed to show up, finishing her work in the orchards instead. That was what they liked about her.

It was mid-morning when Father Time was found outside of his tower, checking one of the numerous pocket watches he kept on his person. "Unnecessary, but comfortable," he called them, and closed the watch again. It was twelve o'clock in the afternoon, and where empty space had been just seconds before, now they were. Sitting on benches, lying in flower patches, scattered about the city and outside of the gates in peaceful slumber. They would awaken to the bells of the clock tower. Some, to many friendly and relieved faces all around them, some to grateful ones carrying gifts of food and clothing and magic, and some to fearful, cautious faces. Regardless of how the town treated them, they would awaken to a celebration of their arrival, and choices to be made, and the books. Each and every one. ]

Comments

[timefather]

[ Ten, twelve, they settle on fifteen. The coins go into a small drawstring pouch, which goes into the inner pocket of his coat as he heads for the park. If he's noticed her, he makes no moves to call her out. ]

[gardienne]

[She can't get those, then. Eponine's face registers disappointment as the coins disappear into the man's coat, and she falls back. But, she reasons, if he has coins, he might have other things she could sell or trade in his other pockets. She follows him to the park, and once close enough, goes to slip her skinny hand into one of his pockets]

[timefather]

[ She'll find another small pouch in his pocket, easily taken. He doesn't turn to her or break his stride at all, even when he speaks. ]

The seasons are changing fast, aren't they?

[gardienne]

[As soon as he speaks, her hand is withdrawn, the purse hidden behind her back, and she moves clear to his side. With feigned nonchalance, she looks over at Father Time.]

Excuse me, Monsieur? Is it to me whom you speak?

[timefather]

[ He turns to her now that she's at his side, face drawn into a genuine and friendly smile. ]

Of course. Provided you don't object to conversation with an old man. I find this part of the city to be an exceptional place for introductions.

[gardienne]

[She smiles back, definitely unsure of herself now - but perhaps he doesn't know about his missing money. She keeps her hands firmly behind her back.]

I... I do not mind, Monsieur. I do not mind talking to you - if you should want me to. It is a beautiful park,, Sir. Truly I have never seen anywhere half so lovely.

[timefather]

They'll be pleased to hear you say so. The town can be humble, when it wants. When it comes to the park they rarely do. It's a source of pride. Understandable, when you see the work they put into its care.

[ He seems comfortable in her presence, as if he's talking to an old acquaintance. ]

Are you cold?

[gardienne]

Doesn't matter, Sir. I can hardly notice it anymore, except, perhaps when it is snowing and my Pa sends me out without shoes to my feet or even a shawl. Then it is bitter, but what is to be done?

[She shrugs. It's funny, really, but she can't help to warm to this strange man.]

Do you live here, Sir? If you know the park, and the town, then you must live here. Do you know what is happening? Why do they cheer me? Why do they not shout when they see me asleep on the grass?

[timefather]

What do you say we take those questions one at a time? I do live here, yes. In fact, if you turn back the way we came --

[ Which he does part-way, only slowing down a little. ]

There, do you see the tower?

[gardienne]

[She follows him, of course, taking the opportunity to wrap her arms about her skinny waist and slip the purse into her pocket.]

Yes, Sir. The tower? That is where you live? It is beautiful. I should like to live in a tower.

[timefather]

It's an awful lot of cleaning 'round springtime.

[ He says that gently, smiling again, and then reaches to shrug off his coat. ]

Come now, you're much too underdressed for this weather. If I may --

[ If he may, if she lets him, he'll put his coat over her shoulders. ]

[gardienne]

Of course, she accepts the coat, stroking the material in wonder.

"Monsieur, your coat? But - truly I am okay. I do not beg off you, Monsieur. I do not want your pity. Are you not afraid I should run off with it, or dirty it? Oh - but it's warm. Do you know how long it is since I have had a coat all of my own? I borrow my Pa's sometimes, but it's so threadbare, it's useless. I used to have a cloak as a child."

She holds out her tattered skirt for his inspection.

"But when my dresses were too small, I had to make a skirt instead. But oh! How I wish I hadn't. And how warm your coat is! I... I am no thief though. I will return it when I am warm.

[timefather]

Oh no, my dear. It isn't pity. You're a fair bit more important than a coat, you see, and I simply can't allow you to freeze at a time like this.

[ Though it is a shame what those words will come to mean later. ]

[gardienne]

More important?

[She shakes her head.] If that is true, Sir, you are the only one who thinks that. I do not think anybody has wondered if I was warm enough since I was a child in Montfermiel. I am not important.

[Still, she hugs the coat about her, revelling in it's warmth.]

[timefather]

Nonsense. If you'll take a walk through the town you'll come across several people who are going to be very happy to see you. But we have time for that soon.

[ He smiles again. ]

[gardienne]

They clapped me.

[She casts a wary eye back in the direction she had come.]

Nobody has ever clapped me. Not when they find me asleep on their land. They say, 'OUT, VAGRANT! I shall have you arrested for trespassing. YOU THIEF. OUT OUT OUT. FIFI, CHASE!', and then there I am, running even though I am still asleep and half dizzy from no food and -

[She stops herself, embarrassed.]

That is not for your ears, Sir. But truly, I do not understand. They give me a book with no words - a book! Why should they give me that? I would rather the money. I like books, but I like food and a warm bed more. And they give me matches and an old apron. It is a strange combination, Sir.

[timefather]

I imagine it would be, if you were not already familiar with it. You should hold on to that book. It's going to come in handy in the coming month, you see. As will your other things.

[ If he's noticed her embarrassment or feels awkward by the conversation, he doesn't show it at all. ]

[gardienne]

I would rather sell it, Sir. If I am to stay in such a place, I would rather sell it all and have a little room, or at least a sausage every night. A hot one, with mustard. And perhaps some brandy. Yes. That will be good. I do not mind sleeping under a bush or something. It is nice, I suppose, to see the stars... you know? My little brother can fly now? Gavroche, you know?

[Considering that Eponine doesn't really know or understand who this man is, she is really relaxed in his presence. It is just nice to talk to someone, anyone, who actually wants to talk to her, who smiles at her. She hugs his coat tighter about her, reaching her hands into the folds of her skirt beneath her coat to reassure herself that the money she stole is still there.]

[timefather]

I do know. I hope he's taking to it well. Flying can be very tricky business, if you're not used to it.

[ He seems distracted by the idea for a moment, then fluidly slips right back into the conversation. ]

If it's brandy you're looking for, we have an inn not far from this very park. The Frog Prince, it's called.

[gardienne]

[She waves his concerns away.] My brother worries for nothing and nobody, Sir. Not even when my Mama turned him out to fend for himself. He will like flying. I think I would as well. It seems nice to be able to touch the stars I can only see.

[She looks hopefully at Father Time. Maybe he can tell her how she might fly. But to his suggestion, she shakes her head.]

An inn? But would they allow a woman such as I inside? [She had money, though. And, if she could slip away with his cloak, she would have the other money too... but no. No, it was his. This kindly old man's, and she could not take any more than she had already done.]

[timefather]

[ He can't tell her how to fly, and doesn't try to. But he does look perplexed by her question. ]

I can't imagine why they would not. They might well invite you themselves, today. They can be quite surly on occasion, but they'll be just as happy to see you as the rest of us.

Sorry - I worked a 28 hrs this weekend and rp kinda got passed up!

[gardienne]

Do you think so? Truly? Then I shall go there.

[She reluctantly shrugs out from beneath Father Time's coat, and holds it out to him.]

Thank you, Monsieur, for your coat. It is quite the warmest I have ever felt. And perhaps you will remember me when the snow begins and I am selling a match. No money in it - but a blanket...[She sighs.] that will do me, I suppose.

I know what you mean, I've been busier this week than I expected

[timefather]

If you insist.

[ He simply takes his coat back and drapes it across the crook of his arm. ]

You take care, girl.