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

[themortalson]

[Does N want them? Seriously, what's the point of a hare, a dog, a fox, a wolf, a bear, and a lion? How the hell does anyone even get them to get along?]

No shit. [And they're still following him. Adventures; they want to go on adventures.] Hold your horses...

[libero]

[Shinjiro gets another temporary companion in N for the moment, silently following them as he found the animal's chattering amusing. He did frown, however, as he noticed the other villagers' wary looks.]

Adventures are fine, but not here. I have heard from other friends that some humans are eager to hunt in these parts and they are not an exception. [Feeling a touch of anger, his words start to speed up.] If you would take them to a place where it's safer...

[themortalson]

[Shinjiro could do with less chattering and more knowing what's going on. Raising an eyebrow, he looks back at N, part wondering why the kid's still following him and other parts curious if he's a vegetarian.]

"Them"? [Now who's he talking about?] No one's touching the one's following me unless they want to get their ass kicked. We're not staying for that much longer anyway.

[libero]

[If you must know, he is indeed a full blown vegetarian. No fried chicken for him.]

Your friends here. [He bends down to pat the bear's fur.] And I am glad to hear that! Do you mind if I come along for this 'adventure'?

[themortalson]

[If N knew, Shinjiro was supposed to be a huntsman. And he did like meat.]

[The bear stares at N and looks over at Shinjiro. Don't ask him; he has no idea what's with this kid. Why him?] I do mind.

[libero]

[He feels the bear's uncertainty and then remembers that he had been previously told each person had a role to play. Was this the same case as well?]

I see. I am intruding because I play no part in your "role". Is that right?

[themortalson]

[Role... right, that whole thing.]

That's got nothing to do with it.

[libero]

[N nods and fixes his cap as he begins to walk in another direction.]

Good day, then. It was nice talking to someone who could also hear their hearts.

[themortalson]

[Shinjiro didn't say anything, but he was looking in N's direction, acknowledging that he heard at least. N on his way, Shinjiro goes on his own.]