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

[lil_sunspot]

[After a whole minute it's a miracle Kiri is still within earshot. The moment he hears her echo back 'blue hair', that little bit of hope snaps the boy to her side in two seconds flat. And then 'no'. He goes from happier than he's been all day to mildly annoyed in an instant, not even pausing to contemplate what Monsieur means.]

Wha - no. 'm fine. Look -

[Kiri holds out a hand in offer to help her stand. It's more out of frustration and the slightest hope that the least good that can come from this is the girl believing him, than goodwill.]

If y'find her, gimme a holler.

[gardienne]

[She takes his hand in her own grimy one, and allows him to help her up, but she's still confused.]

But, Monsieur. Blue hair? There is no such thing, is there? How do I call to you?

[lil_sunspot]

[Everything Eponine says goes right through him -- doesn't even realize she's talking. When their hands meet, Kiri doesn't feel Flare. There is no comforting spark, and lightness. The one thing that made him special, that defined his importance in the world, that placed him in Elle's life. The one thing that keeps her alive. Nowhere. Kiri is rooted to the spot. He has felt terror in being beaten, in seeing her seizure and vanish, but never like this. This can't be right.]

C-can y -... d'ya feel lighter? Stronger...? Somethin'?

[He doesn't let go of Eponine's hand. At the very least, it's clear her grimy fingers don't bother him.]

[gardienne]

I'm sorry, Sir. I'm sorry. I thought -

[His eyes scare her, that big wide eyed, terrified expression. But she has no idea what he's scared of. Her? But she is not frightening, not to anybody. She's just a scrawny weed of a girl, all eyes and hair. Perhaps he thinks she'll rob him? But then, why did he offer his hand? Why does he not take it away now? His question catches her off guard, and she begins to laugh.]

Every day I feel lighter, Monsieur, until one day I am sure I will disappear all together. My head feels like it spins by itself in the sky above my body sometimes, but when my belly rumbles, I remember and I know that I am just hungry. It is a peculiar feeling, but Sir, it is nothing to be afraid of. It will go away if you can find food. Or brandy, for that will send you to sleep when you are in such a state and then you simply dream.

[lil_sunspot]

[The moment Eponine starts laughing, Kiri's fear slowly, but surely turns into a bitter, simmering rage. He lets go of her hand like its tainted, and turns on a heel. This isn't helping. Too much time wasted. Kiri starts running away even more panicked than before. What amount of composure he had before is thrown out the window.

Kiri cups his hands to his mouth and yells into the crowds after a few paces from Eponine.]

ELLE!