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

[libero]

...Frankly, this one deems you as intimidating enough to ward off anyone who might want to eat him until he is safe at home. Plus, he can show you the way.

Please, can you do this for him?

[imitational]

[ He switches between staring at N, and staring at the pig. This is ridiculous. ]

Maybe no one would want to eat him if he didn't pass out on whoever was convenient. Where does he live?

[libero]

[You have made him one happy N.]

Thank you. His home is a stable in the housing district... I would go myself but for some reason it is frowned upon when I am seen wandering the city.

[imitational]

Are you kidding? Why? What makes you so different?

[ After all, he looks like he's been dipped in some kind of transparent black ink. Not that he's seen most of himself so far. ]

[libero]

[Though he did wonder about his strange dark appearance, N figured it didn't matter as the subject did not come up.]

I don't know. I've just been told a wild man such as myself does not belong in civilization yet...

[Not that it'll stop him from slinking in like a thief, but it sure made him confused when people claimed he was uncivilized.]

[imitational]

A wild man? What's that supposed to mean?

[ No offense? He certainly doesn't look "wild", as the replica understands it to be. ]

[libero]

[Indeed. The only quality "wild" about N was just his hair.]

Who knows. This city seems to work in ways I am not familiar with... Nevertheless, I am grateful for your help. Please consider it as a favor I owe.

[imitational]

Wait, what am I supposed to do once I drop him off? I don't know anything about this place.

[ That's kind of a problem. ]

[libero]

Actually, I would like to know this as well.

Just like this creature, I would also like to go back to my homeland. [Unfinished business and all that.] What about you?

[imitational]

I don't know. Other than waking up with a pig on my leg, this place already seems better than where I came from.

[ Which is almost funny, considering how he left. ]

[libero]

[Hmm. Seems his "shady" acquaintance held some sort of unwanted memories of the past. He will not inquire.

N looks down at the pig.] So you are called a pig? [oink] I see, I see.

[He addresses Riku Replica again:] I think whatever our circumstances, it would be wise to find lodgings for the night. What do you say?

[imitational]

Do we have a choice?

[ Being sucked into a world he's not familiar with, especially after what happened... he doubts it. ]

[libero]

[He nods in agreement, and sensing the pig felt better enough to walk on his four legs N set him down.]

He will show you the way now. As it's still daylight I cannot follow you into the city... but best wishes on your search.

[Then suddenly realizing he did not know his acquaintance's name, he held out a hand.]

I am N, by the way. It was nice to meet you.

[imitational]

[ The replica looks at his hand, then takes it. It's a little awkward, like he's never done this before but know. ]

Right. Same, I guess.

[ No introduction of his own. ]

[libero]

[Luckily for him, N did not seem to find it strange at the lack of name to go with the introduction. His social awareness was not as developed as it seemed after all. At least, not with humans.

Waving to him and the pig, he walked off.] I hope we meet again.

[imitational]

[ That's a relief, at least. He's not prepared to deal with this place, and he certainly isn't prepared to deal with explaining his own circumstances. He doesn't wave back, just watches N go before turning to the pig, rolling his eyes, and leaving to escort him home. Some day this is turning out to be. ]