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

[gleam_and_glow]

[She awakes with a startled gap and quickly sits upright that poor Pascal nearly flies off her shoulder. Though she's mindful enough to catch him and hold him to her chest, while she wildly looks around. Her eyes fall on the book lying beside and she sees the name "Maid Marion" written along the spine.

Suddenly completely strangers come by and offer to help her to her feet. While she tries to turn down the kind offers, it's too late, someone lifts her up and then they all bow to her, calling her 'mlady' and Maid Marion.]

Huh? But...

[Alas they don't allow her to explain and it just confuses her all the more.]

[under_the_wire]

[He's not sure what makes him stop. Maybe it's just because he used to have hair like that and he's instantly sort of sympathetic, but whatever the reason, Ja'far decides to try to help the poor girl out. As he approaches, the crowd parts a little and there are a few more bows and murmurings of "Biancabella," which he's learning to ignore. He does notice, though, a few of the people looking back and forth between what they can see of his short white hair and the girl's beautiful long locks and looking supremely disappointed.]

They'll all call you the name on the book, no matter what you say. We're still not quite sure why or how all this came about.

[He turns back to the crowd, some of whom are grabbing at his keffiyeh and trying to pull it off or making silly faces at him.]

Give her some space, if you would. She's only just arrived.

[Hopefully that will work.]

[gleam_and_glow]

[It seems to be enough to get them back away. She sighs a bit not really understanding but grateful that they have at least stopped crowding her.]

This is so strange. So this is happening to others too?

[Meaning more than just the two of them. Since she assumes that 'Biancabella' isn't really his name either.]

[under_the_wire]

Everyone I've spoken to so far who carries one of these books, yes. [He takes his out and shows her. Sure enough, "Biancabella" is written on it.]

It's beginning to be quite a-- [He reaches out to smack someone's hand that's reaching out for his hair and grits his teeth.] -- pain in the...ah, getting to be a headache.

If you have any questions, I can share what I've learned so far, but I'm not sure how much help it would--

[He manages to look kind and polite when he's speaking to her, but the next time someone touches him, he just snaps.]

GET OFF, DAMMIT!

[gleam_and_glow]

[She sees the way they keep trying to touch him, not really sure why they are so enamored. She glances down at Pascal, who merely squeaks and shrugs as he doesn't seem to have a clue either. Suddenly someone pokes at the little guy with interest and Rapunzel instinctively clutches him close to her chest.]

Um, I would really appreciate it, if you all would stop poking at us and leave us be. It's getting a little intrusive here.

[Though it seems they are hesitant to listen to her, technically she is royally, so they finally back away and leave her to her conversation with the 'Biancabella'.]

Heh, that actually worked...[She scratches her forehead and looks back to Ja'far.] Are you okay?

[under_the_wire]

I'm fine, thank you.

[He folds his arms back in his sleeves and tries to compose himself.]

That's just been happening all day. Jewels fall out of my hair when it's combed and something must happen when I laugh or cry, because they've been trying for that, too. It's made it very difficult to get anything done. They seem to listen to you, though...

[Lucky.]

[andrarrrgynous]

[Maybe the girl reminds her a little of a certain other princess she's befriended, or maybe Faris is just developing a soft spot for damsels in distress but when she sees the blonde girl getting harassed by (well-meaning) citizens Faris shoulders into the crowd.]

Hey, back off, the girl needs t'breath here.

[Her presence elicits a few unhappy grumbles from the crowd, but they do back off some, and Faris offers Rapunzel a small smile,]

You alright?

[gleam_and_glow]

Thanks, I'm not exactly use to dealing with crowds.

[Rapunzel can't help but sigh in relief. Being around crowds is still new to her, but having them fawn over her while calling her someone else's name just feels odd.

Despite the displacement, she still gives Faris a grateful smile for the assist.]

[andrarrrgynous]

There's not too hard to deal with, just talk loud and don't be afraid to throw your weight around if y-

[And that's when Faris managed better than just a precursory glance at Rapunzel, and the sight of Rapunzel's hair manages to surprise the pirate into a stunned sort of silence.]

...Or I guess you could just throw your hair around.

[Probably weighed as much as the girl anyway.]

[gleam_and_glow]

[Rapunzel manages a laugh at that last statement, she was getting kind of use to people reacting to her hair like that.]

I've been known to do just that. I'm Rapunzel by the way and this is Pascal.

[She smiles and little Pascal on her shoulder waves when he's introduced.]

[andrarrrgynous]

Pascal, huh?

[And Faris takes a good look at the lizard, arching a brow at him, at first she looks unimpressed but then-

Looks like you've got good taste in friends.

[It reminded her of Syldra- her best friend from back home who happened to be a sea dragon.]

The names' Faris.

[yokihealer]

[Another young lady quickly approaches, immediately noticing just how confused the poor girl looks. Cynthia, clutching her own book in her arms, offers a sympathetic smile and a wave. Of course, there's that lingering hope that Rapunzel won't be afraid of her. People tend to dislike her kind, so she wonders how the other woman will react to a "Claymore" greeting her.]

Hello! They, um. They did the same to me. It's a bit strange.

[gleam_and_glow]

[Rapunzel having absolutely no concept of what a Claymore is, doesn't really see Cynthia as being more than just a woman with a sword. She's actually bit surprised to see a woman carrying a sword. She hadn't really bump into any women like that at home.

She manages to slip out of the small crowd in order to get a closer look at the other girl and her weapon.]

You're a swordsman?

[She promises she's not trying to be rude, but she is a bit socially awkward.]

[yokihealer]

[It’s okay. Cynthia’s socially awkward too. At least she is with those who aren’t Claymores like her. After all, she’s afraid of scaring them by simply being there, or doing something that might scare them.

She really doesn’t mind Rapunzel’s comment though. She is a swordswoman, so to her it’s not so strange.]

Oh, yes! That’s right. I…hope that doesn’t bother you!

[gleam_and_glow]

It doesn't! I promise! [She blurts out quickly because she doesn't want to give the wrong impression. She's not even sure why the sword seemed to capture her attention so much. But it does.]

That's really neat. I've never met any women who could fight with swords.

[Though she'd be the first to admit that she hasn't met that many people. So there could very well be swordswomen in her world too.]

[yokihealer]

[She smiles, taking a little step forward since Rapunzel doesn’t really seem that concerned by Cynthia. The fact that she’s never met a woman that could fight with a sword is a tad bit surprising, but she reminds herself that her own world is full of them.]

O-oh, um. Yes, I’ve practised for a really long time. I’ve never really heard someone call it ‘neat’ though.

[A small laugh. She doesn’t seem too bothered by it – just vaguely amused.]