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

[springlamb]

[There's a young girl drifting (metaphorically; her feet are quite on the ground) about around the town, wandering curiously from person to person. She's bundled up perhaps a little too much for what one may expect for the weather and temperature, and a crown of out-of-season flowers sits atop her head.

If someone happens to come across her, or wakes when she's nearby, she'll be more than happy to greet them!]

[pishirogane]

[It took a while to get away from the town folks who crowded around, but Naoto manages. They're all calling her something, but she's a little too preoccupied to find someone willing to speak to her for a minute, maybe answer a few questions.]

[It's then she sees the young girl dressed peculiarly even for the town. Well, she could venture addressing someone.]

Excuse me...

[springlamb]

Hello!

[The girl beams up at Naoto, her gloved fingers linking in front of her. Her cheeks are rosy from the cold breeze, as though she's been outside for quite some time today.]

It's so nice to see you!

[pishirogane]

[There's mixed feelings now. The girl doesn't appear much older than Nanako. Rosy cheeks even with the layers...]

It's... Have we met before?

[springlamb]

Oh no, not personally. But I know all about you, Miss Beauty!

[Wait, what? She seems entirely sincere, still smiling up at her with a childish innocence, swaying slightly where she stands.]

[kutanagi]

( Hopefully she doesn't mind someone bumping into her accidentally. Unfortunately Yui's the type to look around while walking around, curious and trying to take everything in at once. It's a bad habit really, one that Thoth had scolded her for. She bows apologetically and almost immediately after doing so though. )

Oh - uhm, sorry. I wasn't looking. ( She blinks at her twice, eyeing the crown of flowers on her head. ) Are you all right?

[springlamb]

[The girl looks up at Yui with wide eyes when she speaks before breaking out into a bright smile. She doesn't seem at all bothered by getting bumped into.]

It's alright, I'm fine!

[kutanagi]

( She blinks again after seeing the bright smile. It seems like a common reaction amongst the people of this place, smiling widely at the sight of them, unnerving as it is. )

Ah, I'm glad. ( She returns the smile, looking around again. ) It's very festive, this place. Is there a celebration going on?

[springlamb]

Oh, yes! We're celebrating the return of all our friends!

[Except, you know, the only new people in town are all these outsiders who have no idea what's going on. But hey, details. Her smile turns a bit softer when she speaks again.]

It's very nice to see you.

["See" and not "meet"?]

[lil_sunspot]

[Approachable and heavily bundled -- promising! Okay, maybe not those flowers, but the boy's grasping at straws here. Kiri pops out of the crowd and goes about asking as he has been.]

Hey, y'seen a girl with blue hair? 'bout my height.

[Don't think too much about time. Just, keep looking. It'll be okay.]

[springlamb]

I'm so sorry, but I haven't!

[The girl looks very concerned, as well as apologetic.]

If I see her, I can tell her you're looking for her!

[lil_sunspot]

[The apology flies right over him. Only the girl's offer for help hits home.]

Thanks! Gimme a holler if y'find her!

[It's more half-heart'd than Kiri intended, but it's hard not to think about how useless that actually is -- won't do any good when Elle's incapacitated by seizures and vani -. No. Just keep moving. Kiri starts off running, and cups his hands around his mouth for another yell.]

ELLE!!!

[springlamb]

I will!!

[Yeah she's just going to watch him go, shaking her head a little bit. She's sure he has a good reason for such panic, but it's probably a reason that doesn't matter now that they're here.]

[big_n_tall_paul]

[Paul sees Spring Lamb fluttering around the streets of Märchenstraße as she goes about her day, her adorable smile almost as big as his. He motions for Babe to stop, and leans down as she passes him by.)

Hey, little Lamb, how's the festival treating you?

[springlamb]

Hello, Paul!

[She beams up at him, hands folding behind her as she leans back to get a better look at him. She's awfully small to his awfully big, after all.]

It's wonderful! I've already met a few new people, and seen so many more!

[big_n_tall_paul]

[A chuckle rumbles from between his lips. He'd pat Spring Lamb if he didn't think he'd crush her.]

You always know how to give the warmest welcomes. I'm sure they'll all warm up to you quicker than spring thaws out winter.

[springlamb]

I hope so! I can't imagine not being able to talk to someone because they don't like me.

[No one dislikes Lamb. It's just impossible. Well, she likes to think so anyway, and for the most part it probably is true.]

[petitgamin]

[Aha, someone who looks like thye might know what's going on] 'Ere, why m'a floatin'?

[springlamb]

Because you're Peter Pan, of course!

[The girl smiles at him brightly, as though she didn't just call him a make-believe character to his face and all.]

[petitgamin]

[And the look on Gavroche's face is blank. The name means nothing to him, after all] An' who's Peter Pan then? An' why 'm'a him?

[springlamb]

Oh, you don't know your own story?

[She looks horrified by the very idea! If he doesn't protest, she's going to reach for his hand so she can tug him along to someplace a little quieter. Children are perhaps her favourite people.]

I can tell you it, if you'd like!

[topgun_textiles]

[She was so small, weaving around the crowds of giants, trolls, massive lumberjacks and the occasional horse-drawn carriage. It's enough that Kanji, wandering through and keeping primarily to himself, has to call out:]

Hey! You tryin' to get yerself stepped on n' hurt?

[J-jeez, what if all these big guys weren't payin' attention!?]

[springlamb]

Stepped on? Oh, no! No one would ever do that!

[In fact, some of the townsfolk probably look rather offended by the very idea, even if none of them stop to call Kanji out on it. The girl seems perfectly at ease around all these much larger people!]

[topgun_textiles]

[So used to offended looks he caught on quick, looking among them while appearing confused. Did he just piss 'em off?]

...Tch.

[His shoulders were high again and he looked away.]

Yeah, well, s'why they're called accidents. It ain't like people -wanna- step on somebody else.

[springlamb]

[She giggles and shakes her head, which seems to be enough to get all those people watching them to move on.]

I know it must be very strange compared to where you were before, but everyone here is used to being around others both very big and very small! I don't know if I can remember the last time someone was stepped on.

[...Well, by someone far larger than them, anyway. People who happen to be passed out in the street or whatever get stepped on still.]