mythmaking | Once upon a time...

Entry tags:

Once upon a time...

[ 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He climbed right up and leaned to get a better look at the spines.]

Hey yeah, they're right here... uhh, there's Villeneuve, there's de Beaumont, and two that look like scripts for opera or somethin'. I'm gonna grab 'em all.

[One, two, three, four, the books were stacked neat before he tucked them under an arm and slowly made his way back down. At the corner of his eye, the fire in the hearth was starting up, crackling and growing as the maid neatly dusted off her apron and called up if there was anything else she could provide. Tea? Lady Beauty had expressed feeling a chill...]

Uh, sure.

["Right away, Your Highness." And off she goes, not noticing the brief look of horror Kanji sent to her retreating back.]

H-hey, don't call me--

[But she was gone when his shoes touched the carpet. He sighed, and held the books out for Naoto.]

I take two, you take two?

I'm not surprised. It's a popular tale...

[Still, Beaumont sounds familiar as do the existing opera scripts, but Villeneuve? She held the ladder as he came down. With the fire going, she decided maybe she can remove her jacket now.]

[Hearing Kanji stutter, she sighed and released the ladder to undo her jacket.]

You'll have to get used to the title, Kanji-kun. We both have to.

[Jacket off, she draped it over her arm and accepted the books. She nodded.]

Sure. Let's sit down and decide. [She headed to the closest couch with a table.]

Man, do I really have to...? I'm fine with 'Kanji' or 'Tatsumi' or somethin', but I'm wearin' jeans, I got my hair up the way I like it. It ain't princely.

[Relieved of half the burden, he trekked with her to the table and had a seat. The first book was cracked open immediately.]

Okay, so... I know the gist of the story: Girl - or, uh, you - go to the castle here so your old man goes free and ya end up trapped here 'cause of the Beast.

[He paused, frowned and looked her way.]

For the record, fuck that: If this is my castle, then it's yours too according to the story. But you come n' go whenever the hell you want.

[He flipped through.]

The curse that the Beast's got to make him look the way he does put magic in the castle too. I, uh, think that's why it's warm n' sunny while it's freezin' cold outside the gates. And... I don't look any different, do I? I don't feel any different.

I wouldn't remind the servants about that out loud. Though, I think both of our attires will soon be appropriate.

[That's the problem with the clothes they're wearing now: one set. Not something she's looking forward to because she doesn't think she can leave in a dress.]

[Jacket over the armrest, Naoto grabs and opens the other book.]

Yes... but it's Beauty being away that begins killing the Beast, is it not? I don't think I should stray too far or remain out too long.

[It's a month or something though... the amount always seems different in the various adaptions. Still, who could say while they were here. His question out, she looked him over and shook her head.]

You don't appear any different from before. [Checking over the Beaumont version, she frowned at the beginning.] ... So, I have a father and siblings somewhere in the town?

[His eyebrows lifted. That's right- it's all they had right now. After that, they'd be stuck with period pieces, and he thought of nothing but powdered wigs and coattails. Then again, he didn't see any of that on the servants...]

[The color left him a little when she was right again: Beauty was kept home by her deceitful sisters who begged her to stay, hoping the Beast would grow angry and eat her, when instead he slowly died of heartbreak. His hand went to his chest. H-how far would their roles go? Would her being away actually hurt him?]

[Whew, subject change.]

Yeah, somethin' like two sisters or twelve or somethin'. Dad's been busy.

[He continued to flip through the pages. The rose theft, the switch, the proposals (he's skipping those, that's for damn sure), and the dreams Beauty has every night of a beautiful prince, not knowing it is the Beast's true form. Wow, he remembered a lot from the story.]

Uhh... Beauty got weird dreams every night when she slept in the castle. I always thought it's 'cause of the castle's magic, so maybe that'll happen, too.

[But he paused. She'd lost her parents...]

...Didja wanna go lookin' for...?

[Shit, how does he put this delicately?]

[Naoto continued reading on in the story, eyes trailing over words quickly and mind absorbing them even faster. There were subjects about the tale she didn't want to linger on and others she wanted to discuss.]

... Perhaps. I haven't slept yet so I can't say.

[She didn't want to sleep yet; there was more information that needed to be process.]

[When he spoke and his words trailed off, she lowered the book slightly, thumb marking the pages as it closed about an inch.]

... Eventually, I'll have to. It will... narrow down which version of Beauty and the Beast we're meant to retell. [She shook her head] Still, that can wait a few days.

[He nodded, but felt a weight in his gut. He wanted to say he was sorry, but it never bubbled up; he wasn't sure how he'd feel having a father of some sort again, but here Naoto suddenly had a father and siblings. Would she take to them? Was it RIGHT to?]

Yeah.

[He turned his head when a tray was set on the table, complete with a full pot of tea, cream and sugar, and two empty ornate cups. With a bow and reminder that dinner will be ready at precisely 6, the maid quietly excused herself. But looking at the pot, he was enticed- he smelled black tea. Really good black tea. Wanting to apologize or something for the parent conversation, he took to pouring both cups and offered one to her.]

It could be more if ya don't feel ready, y'know. We don't even know if ya have to yet.

[Naoto flipped the book to allow it to rest upon her legs, still opened on her last page. She accepted the tea cup quietly, only nodding to him before bringing it back. She took in the smell and the warmth, sighing. That's right; she needed to take a breath and calm down.]

If we're to follow the story as written, I will have to see them.

[Taking a sip, she was pleased by the taste and warm liquid wetting her throat. That was much better... Saucer down and tea cup in one hand, she picked up her book again.]

Though... I'd feel somewhat better were we following this version. The father and siblings Beauty lives with isn't actually her family either.

[Maybe... but who knew if they had to follow everything by the letter? Kanji was liking this role less and less. Faerie tales, dude.]

...Not her family? Which version's that one?

[He figured some details slipped out of his head, but then again, how many Japanese-translated versions of old European stories could he get his hands on as a small-town kid?]

[Naoto set her tea cup down to hold her page again and check the cover.]

It appears to be the version by Villeneuve. [Opening it back to her page, she flips back and forth to gather more details. Things definitely stick out]

... It has a different history for Beast, too. His father died and his mother leaves to wage war. He isn't cursed for his unkindness, but for refusing the advances of a fairy attempting to seduce him.

[She held it out to him so he could read for himself.]

[He chose to lean on his elbows and have a look. After the marriage of Beauty and Beast, it looks like the story in this version continues! It delves into the caretaking fairy who loved the Prince as he grew, and aimed to seduce him. His refusal cursed him. So did that mean he was expecting some fairy to come around and try to get in his pants!? But it goes further:]

...Beauty's the daughter of a King and a fairy in this one. She was hidden away for her safety when the same wicked fairy, after a throne, tried to marry the King, too.

[His eyes trailed up the page, regarding her.]

How're we gonna know which we're supposed to be from...?

[Beauty had been born of a fairy in one version? And they had to look forward to another fairy harassing both of them. Excellent...]

[Naoto shook her head, expression having returned to neutral.]

It's why we should go to survey the town once the festivities end. If we can find Beauty's father, we can ask whether she was adopted or not. Depending on the answer, we'll narrow down the tales.

Cool, a plan. I could look into the whole Queen at war thing. I don't see anything about a Queen in any of the other versions... I mean, she'd probably be happy to see her 'kid's back or somethin'.

...Maybe...

[He didn't look too sure. God, he missed his mom already, but he could play along a little if it meant he could learn something about Marchen and the surrounding regions. Well, they had one thing on him- dad was gone here, too. He thought darkly that some things don't ever change as he drank some of his tea before it got cold.]

...I wanna take a look around the garden, too. I dunno, I got this gut feeling I should see what's out there. Maybe it's me or maybe it's Beast-Me or whatever, but it's worth a shot, yeah?

Unless she hasn't returned yet.

[Or maybe another arrival was his mother now. This was all quite bizarre to think about. They both had new parents in some form... only they had each other ultimately.]

[Drinking her own tea, she paused when he brought up the garden.]

It is. Though, allow me go with you. There's something I want to see as well.

[He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.]

Tellin' the truth here: I was gonna ask, since you'd be able to spot n' figure stuff out quicker than I could. I'm just good for havin' ideas n' theories bounced off me.

Nonsense. You have your moments, Kanji-kun. Don't take yourself from granted.

[She finishes her cup of tea and rises to her feet, nodding to him.]

Yeah? Well, m-maybe a couple'a times...

[He drained the last of the cup and was reaching for the pot when she rose.]

Sup? [A quick peer at the old grandfather clock ticking away at the wall. Having no currency to buy anything at the market, he hadn't really eaten since he got here.]

...Oh, we got some time. Ya wanna take a look in the garden now or jus' kinda chill until dinner?

[Naoto didn't know why, but she felt anxious to see the garden when it was mention. Bizarre since she wasn't particularly fond of flora typically, but this garden for some reason almost beckoned.]

If you don't mind. We could cover a decent amount for now and finish what we miss later.

Sure. [The chair was pushed back and he was on his feet as well, stretching his arms up and over his head. Damn, for waking up in a flower patch, that had to be the best sleep he's ever had earlier!]

[But with his jacket left on the back of the chair- the fire had warmed him up and the castle gardens were locked in summertime- he led the way to the garden. He was curious about it, though not in a way that pulled at Beauty, but out of never really being in a fancy garden before. Kanji, deep down, loved the hell outta flowers... even if it would've been strange for him to receive or even pick up any.]

[The books could barely touch upon the splendor of the gardens that were taking in the last couple of hours of sunshine, the air warm and breezy, scented in lavender and heavy floral bloom. Within the stone walls that seemed to block out the snow and cold were fountains, small ponds with geese taking a much-needed break from migrating to paddle away in the warmth and bursts of color from the fields of flowers bearing shades from deepest purple to vivid sunset hues. Many trees scattered among the gardens surrounding the castle were ready for harvesting, bearing bright red apples, sizely oranges, and even lemons in the peak of season among others, some with ornate benches beneath begging for visitors to sit in the shade and enjoy the fruit or just sit and bask in it all.]

...I'm glad we skipped the library for a bit. Shit...

[Naoto had picked up her jacket and draped it over her crossed arms. With Kanji up, she walked along to the garden with him. Yes, he said they had equal ownership of the castle, but it was still technically whomever Beast was.]

[Out into the garden they stepped and Naoto felt a strange wash of relief. Flowers and plants of many species abound and all healthy, their scents carried on the wind. Unless they stepped beyond the gates, there really was little reason to wear winter clothes. Birds in the middle of migration or choosing to nest, fountains, trees, it all seemed to make her react. It was strange. She raised her hands, staring at her fingers, but then clenched them slowly.]

Hm... [Naoto wondered, but soon wandered forward to inspect the flowers closer.]

[He made his way down the steps and felt a sort of calm when he was standing on the grass. He remembered that Beast loved his garden,but most of all, he adored his roses which were the only thing he had left 'in the world' before the merchant father took one as a gift for Beauty.]

[As she went to look around, he wandered, inspecting other blooms before a force of habit inspired him to pick a few. A little blue, a little purple, and some white... most of these flowers, he'd never even seen before! But one such bloom had a fat little bee filling her pollen baskets, and after the smallest brush of a finger against the fuzzy form, she decided it was time to move on to the next cluster.]

Beast's got a helluva gardener or somethin'...!

[Speaking about roses, Naoto had found them. She stepped closer, raising a hand to touch leaves, petals, and even thorny stems. She went around the thorns and back to the flowers. This... it didn't feel entirely natural to her. As the castle was enchanted, maybe the garden was as well. There was no way all these flowers could be so vibrant.]

[She flinched slightly when she pricked herself on accident and pulled her finger back to inspect. She should have been paying more attention. Still, upon inspection, there was a bead of blood falling away and little more. She could've sworn she saw a green flicker there.]

[He sighed and wondered if there was anything TO find here. The rose garden didn't feel any different to him, and it wasn't like they'd find the original Beauty and Beast here. But when he looked up, he noticed she was looking at her finger.]

...Sup? Y'didn't poke yerself, didja?

[Shit, at least she wasn't Sleeping Beauty, or she'd conk out right there. No, wait, that's a spindle. Shit, was he already getting his stories mixed up?]

[Fingers curling in, she lowered her hand and shook her head.]

No.

[It was a lie, but the bead of blood and small prick was gone. There was no need to alarm him, or maybe there was. She didn't understand how it just... healed.]

Kanji-kun, do you feel anything from the flowers?

No. ...Well, I mean, they're p-pretty. But that ain't what you're lookin' for, right?

Why, do you?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject