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

[nofavorites]

[A tall figure draped in a thick, hooded cloak steps soundlessly through the town, seeming to plan a course that places each new arrival within its line of sight at least once. The townsfolk skirt around the figure as it goes, wary but not outright fearful.

Well, some are, but that hardly bothers this being.]

[themortalson]

[Prepared to head off on his own, Shinjiro has to pause. He feels a chill down his spine and his chest and leg begin to hurt. He turns his head, eyes narrowed, wondering what the hell brought that about.]

[nofavorites]

[The figure stares back from beneath its hood, a thin, secretive smile playing across the more visible half of its face. It makes no move toward Shinjiro, nor does it seem about to speak. At least, not without being spoken to first.]

[themortalson]

[He doesn't say anything staring at the figure, but he does feel unease. Strange because that doesn't happen often. Odder still, he feels like he already should know who it is.]

... Who're you?

[nofavorites]

You know the answer to that, "Older Brother".

[Its voice is neither male nor female in tone, it seems. It tilts its head consideringly for a second of silence before speaking again.]

Or shall I call you Shinjiro?

[themortalson]

[Shit... its what he thought. No one else seemed to know his name, but it would make sense this one did.]

Crowd watching? [Seems stupid to ask Death if they're expecting someone to die right now.]

[nofavorites]

In a way.

[At least Death doesn't seem like it's about to go around reaping anyone just yet. It moves closer, the fabric of its heavy cloak remaining soundless.]

I thought it... prudent to venture out today to see the new faces.

[themortalson]

[And here he thought they would because a pocket watch cheated him out of death. Shinjiro holds his ground, eyes squinting slightly.]

So, you know why we're here?

[nofavorites]

I do.

[Its mouth twists in something vaguely like amusement as it gazes over their surroundings slowly.

Sorry, did you want an explanation with that?]

[themortalson]

[Not surprised. Death has to be a cryptic bitch everywhere.]

I'd ask, but I don't feel like making bargains.

[nofavorites]

[It just seems more amused by his answer, really.]

I think you'll find I'm a bit different than what you're expecting, "Older Brother". I have no need to bargain with the living, whether they stand on borrowed time or not.

[themortalson]

[His brow twitches.]

Then why are we here?

[nofavorites]

You are a temporary solution to an ongoing problem. Dear Father Time seems rather optimistic about it.

[It shrugs simply, looking unconcerned.]

It makes no difference to me, of course.

[direhit]

[Well, someone's noticing this person and the effect that it's having on the townsfolk. Mei can feel like someone's watching her, but it's Hibiscus that catches sight of the robed figure, hissing warily and protectively at him. It seems that she can sense something off about this guy.]

Hibi...? [She follows her Serperior's line of sight and is now staring at Death herself.]

[nofavorites]

[Death will stare back with a small smile, not the least bit put off by the actions of the giant grass snake. It doesn't make any moves toward either of them, if that puts the creature at ease any.]

[direhit]

[It doesn't help her at all, but the hissing downgrades into just a low growl. Mei however, looks apologetic, although the Serperior's reaction is making her nervous.]

Sorry, she's not always this unfriendly to new people.

[nofavorites]

It's quite alright, "Alice". Animals have a tendency to sense what humans might not.

[By which it means; Hibi knows what's up, but I'm gonna be cryptic about it.]

[direhit]

[Screw your cryptic-ness B| Mei frowns at that. That's what everyone around her has been calling her but there must be something about him to set her Serperior off.]

I'm not Alice. My name's Mei. [Just a little flatly.]

[nofavorites]

I know.

[The smile gets a little wider; it's not meant to be particularly menacing, but it's not exactly what one might call friendly, either.]

[direhit]

[She was almost about to brush it off, but something struck as completely odd and she turns around again.]

Wait, you... you know?

[nofavorites]

Yes. I know everyone's name.

[More crypticness, though really, it's just that it tends to wait until the right questions are asked.]

[direhit]

[This guy is strange. Mei crosses her arms and glances at her Pokemon, who merely looks at her trainer.]

Okay, how do you know? I mean, no matter how much I tell people, everyone's just been ignoring me and calling me Alice. It doesn't make any sense!

[nofavorites]

To the folk of this world, you are Alice and no one else. It's a name you may want to get used to.

[It tilts its hooded head thoughtfully.]

As for how I know, it's... an aspect of my job, if you will.

[direhit]

But... [She sighs.] I don't even know who this Alice is! I got that this place is based on fairy tales, but I don't think they are the same fairy tales I know.

Then what's your job?

[nofavorites]

You'll simply have to find someone who can explain your story.

[It won't be this being, apparently. That's too helpful, or maybe it just doesn't want to talk that much.]

I am Death.