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

[yokihealer]

[A tall, blonde girl with vibrant silver eyes holds her book tightly to her chest - the name 'Vasilisa' written on the spine. It is the same name that a large group of people insisted on calling her just a moment earlier. The poor girl looks completely and utterly confused - she has never in her life had a group of people greet her in such an excitable, friendly manner. Humans have always been afraid of her kind, and for reasons Cynthia feels are justified in a way. After all, a Claymore may awaken eventually and become the same monster she fought to protect the humans. They had a reason to be afraid, right?

Admittedly, it was a nice greeting, though it would have felt nicer if they knew who she was. She did insist that they got the wrong person but no one would listen!

And so now she wanders about, trying to find someone who might be in the same position as her! Carrying her sword on her back, the book in one hand and a strange wooden doll in another, she approaches anyone she sees who might be helpful.]

Um. Excuse me?

[pishirogane]

Hm?

[Occupied with sorting out everything, Naoto hadn't noticed the girl approaching. Eye unmoving, the detective had taken key details before turning to face Cynthia fully, arms crossing, but no sign of being disturbed present.]

Yes. What do you want?

[yokihealer]

Ah.

[She notes that Naoto doesn't appear to be disturbed by her presence. That's... good, right? This is so weird for her.]

I'm just trying to see what people have found out about this place. You're...new here too, yes?

[pishirogane]

I am. Naoto Shirogane, at your service. However... those who live here will call me Beauty.

[She shakes her head and comes to fully address Cynthia]

Anyway, I've had some time to speak to several individuals from here. I could attempt to answer any questions you have; however, I may not have all the details you're searching for presently.

[yokihealer]

[She smiles. Naoto’s comment reminds her of the townsfolk who crowded around her earlier. She still doesn’t know how she feels about that earlier incident. It was so bizarre.]

It’s good to meet you miss Naoto. I’m Cynthia.

[She nods, with that same gentle smile.]

Oh! Well…I guess I’d just be interested in anything you’ve found out. Do you know why we’re here, at all?

[pishirogane]

Pleasure to meet you, Cynthia-san.

[There's a slight inclination of her head; a nod in proper greeting.]

Yes... Father Time said various individuals from classic fables have been disappearing. Without them, Marchen has been in decline and people forget their stories and messages. So, we're the replacements to sum it up.

[yokihealer]

[She’s quiet as she listens carefully to what Naoto has to say, her brow furrowing slightly. A frown playing across her lips. She does feel sorry for them – they obviously feel that they need her and the others to help them. It’s so bizarre though – this whole situation. She feels like she’s dreaming everything.]

I see... They must be really worried but I wish they’d asked all of us first. I’m sure there’d be people who’d be happy to volunteer and help them.

[pishirogane]

I'm sure if he could have asked, he would've. At least, that is what I hope.

[Because this really is kidnapping.]

[yokihealer]

I hope so too. I think I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they…couldn’t.

[Because otherwise, it’s totally kidnapping, and Cynthia doesn’t approve of that at all.]

[pishirogane]

Yes. Still, it does bring to question how they could bring us here in the first place and not somehow communicate with us.

[She'll give them the benefit, but something to ask later.]

[yokihealer]

It is really strange, right? Perhaps there was no time to talk…

[She’s not sure, but maybe this was an extreme emergency to them. It doesn’t really seem like something that would be an emergency, but she still knows so little…]

[pishirogane]

Considering how far it has come, that is a possibility.

[Fables disappearing, death befalling everyone, people losing fairy tales forever... yes, that would be an emergency.]

[yokihealer]

[For her, there is still a big part of her questioning if this is even real. For them, it may be an emergency and understandably so for it is their world. For Cynthia, protecting her own comrades and the humans from Priscilla is more of an emergency than something she’s not even sure is entirely real yet.]

Mm…I hope they are able to get the help they need.

[pishirogane]

[Naoto isn't missing out on much in her own world, but she is concerned about her grandfather. She'll do what needs to be done in order to return.]

Well, we only awakened here. We'll see what happens after a few days.