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

[direhit]

Hey, hey! [It's hard not to hear the yelling even from afar, or notice the boy himself. That pale hair can be seen a mile away, and as Mei comes closer, she can see exactly what's going on.

Oh boy, that's really a pickle, but it's not a reason to yell bloody murder at the poor pig.] Hey! Calm down. There's no need to scream at him.

[imitational]

But there's a need to pass out on me?

[ Yeah, no, he doesn't think so. He'll stop yelling, but he's still shoving at the poor pig. He doesn't seem quite awake enough to care. ]

[direhit]

Well, no! But there's other ways you can handle this!

[Hibiscus meanwhile, moves without warning or acknowledging her trainer. Slithering up close to the Replica's side, she tries to wrap her tail and body around the pig in an attempt to lift him up off his foot temporarily.]

[imitational]

[ Whatever he was going to say is cut short when Hibiscus moves. He freezes up in a way that is often followed by violence. He doesn't know what she is, but she's no ordinary snake, and she doesn't smell like a Heartless. ]

What is that?

[direhit]

[As she carefully winds her body around the pig some more, Hibiscus gives the Replica an annoyed and loud hiss in his ear, glaring at him out of the corner of her eye. She's not a thing, boy :T]

She is a Serperior. Her name's Hibiscus and she's trying to help you. [Mei sounds a little more grumpier than normal explaining it as she comes over to help give a hand. The pig is so big, its hard to find something solid to grab, but she finally gets herself into position.] We'll lift him up, okay?

[imitational]

[ If he could lean any farther away from Hibiscus he'd probably end up snapping a bone, but he doesn't try to hurt her. He just looks like he'd prefer ten extra feet of distance between them. He makes a mental note to ask what the hell a Serperior is supposed to be, once he's out from under this pig. ]

Go for it.

[direhit]

Ready Hibi? On three. One, two...

[The three never came, but both human and Pokemon shove into the pig as best they can. A part of Mei worries that they might hurt him, but if they can just lift him just a few inches off the ground, that would be enough.

It's up to the Replica now to get his foot out.]

Argh! Tepiggy, you need to go on a diet!

[imitational]

[ He's got some large feet, but he'll make it. Between trying to pull himself away, and their help, his foot gets free and he instantly scrambles away.

The pig almost seems oblivious, and just snorts groggily. ]

[direhit]

[As soon as she notices, Mei instantly drops her load of the pig while Hibiscus unceremoniously just drops him. She doesn't mind helping, but she does mind the mud coating her right now, and gives the hog a glare.]

Y-you okay? [Mei's super out of breath even from just holding up that pig for the short period of time.]

[imitational]

[ The replica's climbing to his feet, about as filthy from lying under the pig for so long. He doesn't look anywhere near as sour as he did, though. He's just happy to be free. ]

Are you talking to the pig?

[ * Not actually sarcasm. ]

Are you okay?

[direhit]

[Argh, everything's filthy. Hibiscus slithers away past the Replica to where there's a patch of grass outside of the pen. She proceeds to rapidly move around of it in an attempt to clean her body of the mud.

As soon as she catches her breath, Mei gives a playful pout and wanders over to him. He's... got a weird sense of fashion, but at least he's out!] I'm asking you, silly! And yeah, I'm fine. Just not made for lifting heavy things like him.

[imitational]

[ He hasn't really been asked that before, and shrugs it off instead of giving a clear answer. ]

I can tell. Thanks. For the help.

[ How do you be nice to people? This is new for him. ]

[direhit]

[Well, she's going to make sure he learns quickly then.]

You're welcome. I'm Mei, and this is Hibiscus. You wouldn't happen to be from around here, would you?