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

[hisoldtricks]

[The moment he jars awake, he is looking around surprised. He's not one to randomly fall asleep. In fact, he keeps track of when he decides to get some rest, thus finding himself in a strange world confounds him. Who would even dare? He notes that he still has the staff in his hands, but he also notices a book sitting beside him.

The moment he lifts it up to read the spine, several people that were walking by pause and bow, calling him 'your majesty'. That's...unexpected. He's not in Asgard and he's not on Midgard, yet these people bow.]

You there, what is this place?

[He calls out to a person who happens to be walking by but is not acting like the others.]

[seventhsimon]

Märchenstraße, sire.

[ Simon's luck with Kings is shitso he'll not take chances, even with one who may not recognize that he is one, yet. ]

I take it this is not the world you expected to be on, your majesty.

[ Monarchical titles are easier to speak naturally, even if they leave the trace of poor memories under his skin. ]

[hisoldtricks]

[The name causes him to frown as the language sounds familiar to him. But he can't seem to put a finger on it yet. Though admittedly he is still disoriented.]

Indeed, it is not. What realm does this town reside in?

[Obviously he is aware that more than the nine realms exist, he's seen some of them. This is merely another to add to the list.]

[seventhsimon]

[ Simon opens his mouth to answer before he shuts it, uncertain. Father Time and Lady Justice are the rulers of this town and space, and the closest thing he has had to a liege-lord in a while, making the town, in some senses, their realm. And yet... that does not seem to be what he is asking.

He hardly knows the proper name for this world. ]

I wouldn't know its proper name, sire, but it is a land of myths, fables, and fairy tales.

[ And we're all a part of them seems an obvious addendum, so he'll refrain from. ]

[petitgamin]

I dunno. Some place. Aen't Pantin, that's fer sure. [Gavroche bows to no king]

[hisoldtricks]

Such an informative lad, I see. [He can't help but roll his eyes a little, but given he doesn't know. It's easy to assume that he's been displaced as well.]

Do you have one of these then?

[Holding up the book he found for Gavroche to see.]

[offbeet]

[ Luna has been wandering around rather listlessly with a big, ridiculous hat on her head ]

I'm not sure, and I'm afraid not everyone gets a hat when they arrive here.

[hisoldtricks]

I see. [Even if she hadn't mentioned the hat, he would have noticed it. It's hard to miss.] By chance, have you been given a book like this as well?

[He holds up his own book as an example. While shooing the bowing people away.]

[offbeet]

[ she nods, digging in her bag and pulling it out ]

I thought that was rather polite of them. Most kidnappers don't give you any hospitality gifts.