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

[subdueme]

[He'd managed to avoid detection completely as he made his way down the path near the water. He couldn't even hear the fowl any longer as he headed toward the woods next to the lake.

Except apparently he hadn't gone unnoticed at all. He only thought he had. Just as the path started veering away from the lake, he heard the sound of squaking immediately behind him.

And then suddenly it was right there. In front of him so close and right at eye level that if he'd taken another single step, he would have ran right into it.

He stumbled backwards from the shock and tripped over his own feet, heart beating wildly in his chest at the unexpected attack. But it didn't attack, like he'd assume it would having gotten him on his heels. It just stayed there in the air frantically flapping it's wings right in front of him.

As if it just wanted his attention.

For a few long moments he just sat there, afraid to move and find out he was wrong but it was the item on the swan's neck that first drew his attention. It appeared to have a necklace around it and it looked sort of familiar. Not that he payed much attention to other people's jewelry. But it reminded him a little of the required uniform necklace the girls at his high school wore. But instead of the Cross Academy symbol, there was...

The pieces clicked together and he realized it was not a necklace at all. Eyes narrowing, he glared at the swan in front of him.]

Where did you get that?

[moonflowering]

[It's a glare, but at least there is recognition. Careful, she hovers a moment and lands upon his lap. She's not sure how to answer, catching his eyes. With a shake of her head, she indicates that she isn't sure how to say.

It's me. Recognize me, Zero...!

If she cut herself, maybe? Ah...but if he realized who she was he would have recognized her scent already. An idea strikes her though. Feathers puffing out, she jumps off of him. Lightly tugging upon his sleeve with her beak, she indicates for him to follow her.]

[subdueme]

[For someone who deals with vampires on a daily basis, Zero isn't quite sure how to respond to this whole thing. He has a sword with him, so it isn't that he's feeling attacked as much as he just is startled by the entire situation. He's just hyperaware of what is going on and the bird's strange movements.

So when it starts tugging on his sleeves--his first thought was 'What the hell is going on?'

The bird that is wearing that girl's bracelet wants him to follow.

Against his better judgment. He does just that.]

This is probably the stupidest thing I've done...

[moonflowering]

[She wants to agree. Or more like she can't believe the situation she's gotten herself into. She sends him a sympathetic look at his words, however, before releasing him.

She finds... it's a little more awkward walking like this, so instead she lifts back up into the air, but flies at about eye level. Moving on ahead, she pauses only when she gets a little too far and waits for him to catch up, before once more flying a short distance away.

When she arrives back to the flower bed she had awoken within, she lands back upon the soft flowers. And surrounding her are a number of familiar items. Artemis, the resin rose and the button. She's sure he'll recognize most of them. What she reaches for is different, however.

The book is still open. She nudges it forward for him to read.]

[subdueme]

[Oh he recognizes them all. Each and every one of them, even if he'd never actually seen the button before he knew what it was. What it meant. At least he thinks he does.

And when she shoves the book over, his entire world comes crashing down.

He doesn't know what to feel--what to think about any of this. This day has been crazy enough that it's not outside the realm of possibilty, is it? He looks at the swan...and then back at the book...then back to the swan. Glaring at the swan, as if daring her to prove it's real--even though there can't be any denying this reality. The belongings are hers. The eyes the swan possesses are the same shade and that clear willfulness she always maintained. It's undeniable.

Yet here she is--Help written--well not so clearly but written across the page in her book.

A year. It's been a year since he'd seen her last on that fateful day. Yet here she is as a swan asking for help. And he's conflicted because--he's supposed to kill her and at this moment it would be so easy but she's sitting here asking for help. As a swan.

He just sits down in the grass and laughs--probably a little manically--with his head against his hand before speaking.]

Human. Vampire. Swan. What next?

You seriously think I'd actually help you?

[moonflowering]

[Maybe it's the incredulousness deeply embedded within his voice that hurts the most. At a loss, she slumps a little. She knows. Of course she does. She doesn't have a right to ask Zero for anything.

Maybe... it was even a mistake making herself known to him. She doesn't know what it is exactly that she was expecting. But as silly as it might be from her own perspective, she hadn't anticipated that.

She watches as he buries his head in his hand. Probably, even if he wants to help he has no more idea of what to do than she does. But they're both here. They're both stuck in this strange place. Even if they are enemies, the're allies, too.

Moving forward, she lightly pecks his hand still resting on the ground. When he looks back down to her she glares in turn, determined, even if as a swan. If he hates her so much, now is his chance. Turning back toward her belongings she nudges Artemis forward.

Go on, Zero. You wont ever have a better opportunity.

Her gaze dares him to pick it up and strike. Because she doesn't believe for an instance he will. After a moment her gaze softens.

Zero... come on.

She doesn't know what else to do.]

[subdueme]

[He knows exactly what she's thinking as she pushes Artemis forward. Especially with that stubborn look on her face. There's something he's been curious about for quite a while now--he hadn't wanted to test it with Bloody Rose but Artemis would work well to prove his point.

He reaches down and picks up the weapon--instantly having his suspicions confirmed as she doesn't react to him at all. But instead of putting her back down, he expands the staff to full length and none too gently prods Yuuki in the wings with it.]

No power. It does me no good.

[Everything just feels off. Like there are parts of him missing. There's a connection gone. He knows he's still a vampire, he still thirsts for blood--even strangely her blood as a swan. But the connection to Bloody Rose is gone as is the one to artemis. He can't even tell where Yuuki is located, even this close. She still smells like Yuuki, but everything else just feels--jammed. He's not sure if it's the fact that she's a swan and not actually a vampire in this form or...if he can't determine that at all.]

[moonflowering]

[Ouch! At the jab she clicks her beak angrily at him. Ruffling her feathers she works the wing he jabbed. Surprise is felt next however.

Artemis hadn't reacted to Zero at all. Ordinarily it would have shocked him, wouldn't it have? Turning back to the book, she searches the ground briefly for the pen she had found before. It takes a bit of work but she manages to turn the page, and with some difficulty lift the pen back into her mouth.

It's a slow process, but she...writes out what she's attempting to. Even if it's a little difficult to make out.

'Allies'.

Releasing the pen, she picks up the book within her mouth and pulls it over with her. Beside him, she drops the book for him to see and rests her head on the page.]

[subdueme]

[For not the first time in the last few minutes, he's overwhelmed with confusion. He's conflicted on what he's supposed to do. How is he supposed to answer her? Can he even answer that for her? So many emotions stirring around within him and he's not sure how to handle it.

But he knows she needs help and the very fact that she'd asked him for it is a pretty huge deal given their current relationship.]

I won't be eating you for dinner, if that's what you mean.

[And that's enough of an answer for now.]

[moonflowering]

[Head lifting back up, she smiles (if birds can do that). She doesn't need more than that, it's enough for her.

Thank you, Zero...]

[subdueme]

[He grasps the book that she had her head on and checks the spine quickly. Odette.]

The only difference.

[He pulls his out book and shows the difference in the spines with their names. His says Soldier but that's it.]

Did they tell you anything or give you anything when you woke up?

[moonflowering]

[Yes or no questions like this are a lot easier to deal with. At first she shakes her head no. Before-- wait, there was something she had heard earlier. It wasn't recognizable to her, but maybe he had more information on it?

Lightly pecking the hand that grasps her book, once he sets it down she nudges it open once more. Back with the pen she supposes. After a bit more hard work she manages to write out a new message.

'Swan Lake'.

It's a name that keeps popping up with people that regard her. Only... it's all she knows about. Something about Swan Lake.]

[subdueme]

[It's almost entertaining watching her work with the pen with nothing but her beak. Her penmanship wasn't the greatest anyway but without the use of her hands it was barely legible.]

Swan Lake?

[He frowns, wondering if the place they were was it or if there was another body of water they needed to find.]

Do they want you to find it?

[moonflowering]

[It has to be quite the sight. Even Yuuki is sure of that. Which makes it all the worse.

In response to his question, though, she nods. The only problem is that she has no idea where the actual lake is. Beyond that it supposedly resides somewhere within the forest.

Ah-- but there is something else! Two names. Granted they were really strange. With the pen back in... beak, she stares hard at the book.

. . . H-How are the names pronounced again? Let alone she's not really good at trying to sound out and spell western names. It takes her quite a while, hesitating and staring at the page, before moving forward.

'Rathubart'

That's...really wrong. She's sure. Maybe Zero can get the picture and figure the pronunciation out, though.

'Sigufreed'

. . . Maybe she should have stuck strictly with a Japanese pronunciation, instead of adding in the western 'th' and other...sounds. Honestly, she doesn't really know how to spell out western names. Not unless they are simple.]

[subdueme]

[He honestly has no idea what to think about the words she's offered him. He assumed they were names or places or something. But if she believed she needed to find Swan Lake, he would have to help her find it somehow.]

There was an old woman that I talked with earlier today and offered her help...I wonder if we could find her again.

[moonflowering]

[Some one who can help? With a nod, she's at least enthusiastic about a game plan. Until now she hasn't known what to do at all.]

[subdueme]

[He gives a sigh, conflicted by all of this. He motions for her to follow him though, turning away and heading back in the direction he came from.]

Not sure if we'll find her or not, but it doesn't hurt to look.

[moonflowering]

W-Wait, Zero...!

[She calls after him several times. Nudging Artemis forward again and then her book. No matter how she tries, there is no way that she can move these items on her own.]

[subdueme]

[Oh. Right. That stuff.]

Maybe we can find you a bag nearby to carry it all in.

[You. Carry. On your back. Or in your beak. Either way works.]

[moonflowering]

[He gets a look. Fine, fine, it's not like she doesn't intend to try and carry her own weight, but until that bag is available, come help??]

[subdueme]

[No.

But he heaves yet another sigh and goes to grab everything anyway.]

[moonflowering]

[She looks relieved. Lifting into the air she floats around him a couple times, before wandering on up ahead.]

[subdueme]

[Balancing everything in his hands as best as he can, he shoves some of the smaller items into his pockets and artemis under one of the straps on his holster.]

I saw her back this way...

[He indicates the opposite direction in which she was heading.]