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

[kutanagi]

( Apprenticeship doesn't seem so bad. It can probably count as training for iaido, even though she can't see the connection between them. Not yet, at least. )

Blacksmith. In the market. Right. ( Yui turns to the fox, crouching in front of it. ) One last question. Does it come with free accommodation?

[themortalson]

It's one solution. Take a look around yourself.

[Shinjiro watches as she kneels down to the fox's level. No need for him to translate a nod.]

[kutanagi]

( She stays crouched on her spot for the next few minutes or so, not really saying anything. She soon glances once, twice from the corner of her eyes before she stands up with a smile, directed both to the fox then to him. )

That answers a few of my questions at least. ( Several more to go. ) It looks like the rest will have to be figured out one way or the other. Thanks again for your help.

( She'd like to pet the lion and the bear ... but then she'd rather not. )

[themortalson]

[Shinjiro doesn't say anything, but he has a feeling he should leave. It's starting to feel weird in this girl's proximity and he hopes he's not catching whatever those other guys caught. He gives a small start at the thanks and turns away. Sounds like he mumbled a 'Welcome'.]

[He'd wish her luck with the whole guy thing again, but he's already heading off.]