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

[righthandcat]

[ Ranulf upon seeing the creature back off lets out a small sigh of relief. With how hastily it got in there it almost seemed like he was gonna be someone's lunch... But he sees now that he was wrong, and gives Hibiscus an appreciative bow. And one to this young lady as well, who seemed to be the snake's friend? It looked a little like the relationship of beorc riders with their pegasi or wyverns... ]

[direhit]

[Is he bowing at them?

It's not unnatural for Purrloin to be able to stand on their hind legs, but bowing seemed to be a bit much. Hibiscus only tilts her head, examining him carefully and not returning the bow he graciously gave her. Mei kneels down though, and tries to gather some of the belongings into a much neater pile.]

Are you lost, little guy?

[righthandcat]

[ Okay, so it might've been a little too dramatic. But he can't help that he was meowing now instead of talking (he would be able to later on--just not right away), so he wanted to make his emotions clear!

Scratching his cheek with his paw, he nods. It probably wouldn't be very polite of him to keep his troubles to himself if someone was asking. The only clue he's relying on is the book he already had on him from when he first awoke, which was labelled "Puss in Boots"... And seeing as he didn't have boots, he was fairly certain he wasn't the one being referred to. Little did he know though it was just that his story chose a bit slower to take its course. ]

[direhit]

[Ranulf's not the only one who's story is taking a slower turn. Once Mei eats something, she's likely to be in for a shock.]

Huh, okay. [It's good to know that he understands her, and she finishes gathering all the items.] Well, do you have a trainer or an owner around? We can look for them!

[righthandcat]

[ Trainer? Owner? Okay the first one was a bit weird, and the latter was slightly offensive. But he knows she doesn't mean it, so he lets it slide and simply shakes his head. He can catch on quickly enough though, he somehow got smaller and could only assume he looked like someone's pet now. Well if it'll make him less conspicuous in this town... ]

[direhit]

[It's kind of nice knowing that he could understand her, and it makes her curious as to how much he does understand. She's always been able to read her partner Pokémon's body language, but its relieving to know that the local (as she's assuming he's a local cat) animals can do the same.]

Well, if there's no one taking care of you... [And what of these objects? They can't be his, could they?] Fo you want me to stay with you?

[righthandcat]

[ Ranulf couldn't ask her to do that! But he didn't want to deny her too fervently that she might get the impression he didn't like her. So he does the considerably more human gesture of "either way" with a look of his eyes left then right. There wouldn't be much point just sticking around though, it's not like he cared for his gifted inventory enough to make someone else carry them for him. Maybe he could stick with her too, if she had a better idea where to explore. ]

[direhit]

[It does take her a moment to understand what he's implying, and even then she thinks about her own answer for a minute. It wouldn't hurt to stay in one spot if anyone else was looking for them (for her and not this "Alice"), but on the other hand, they were in an entirely new place and there could be something more useful or more informative out there!]

Well, why don't we take a look around this place! [Unless he starts protesting soon, she starts to gather his items in her arms, only stopping when she picks up the book and recites the name on the spine. It has to be a coincidence that its so similar in design to her own. But once everything's gathered, she'll reach down to try and pick him up.]

[righthandcat]

[ Ranulf's still not used to his new-found lightness, but he decides not to argue with being lifted up. It's better than flying, at any rate... ]

[ Looking up at her, he meows and decides to maybe smile a bit. Looks like it's true that she's a stranger to this place just like him, and making new friends never hurt. ]

[direhit]

[New friends are always welcome! At seeing him smile, Mei beams back, shifting her arms a little to make sure he's comfortable.] I'm Mei, and this is Hibiscus, by the way. We're pretty new here, so I have no clue where the best places to be are. Maybe you do?

[righthandcat]

[ He sure would like to share his name, but for now all he can do is meow back in acknowledgement. Oh, no. Unfortunately his guess was as good as any other lost soul's! But at the least he had a good nose on him, so if she wanted anyplace to eat he could point her to that direction in a jiffy. ... Speaking of eating though, something did smell good! ]

[direhit]

[That earns him a scratch behind the ears and a light giggle. It almost seemed like he wanted to give his name to them too. How cute.

Hibiscus seems to also notice the scent in the air, nosing the air and trying to determine the direction its in. Admittedly, both Serperior and girl are kind of hungry...] Hibi? What is it? Something smelly?