(no subject)

[ordinaryanimals]

[It's a cloudy mid-morning on THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, and the town is bustling as always. Many people are quite excited about the second batch of new arrivals; though they're not getting quite the celebration the first round got, they still might find themselves being greeted by bizarrely friendly folk.

Out of place is a number of geese scattered around town, each with their own little messenger bag packed full of rolled up parchment. They're putting the papers up all over, on fence posts and market stalls and storefronts, even stuffing them into mailboxes and leaving them on benches. Each paper is nearly identical, with large, blocky font and the occasional inky feather mark.

LOST
SEVERAL ITEMS OF GREAT IMPORT

SOMEONE HAS STOLEN FROM OUR HOMES THE FOLLOWING THINGS

ONE GOOSE-SIZED NIGHT CAP
THREE TEACUPS (PINK AND YELLOW FISH PRINT)
EXACTLY SEVEN AND A QUARTER LEFT SOCKS
AN APPLE CRUMBLE

IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT
ADELICIA VON FARTHINGTON (THE FIFTH)
AT THE NORTH BANK OF THE LAKE

If stopped, the geese will be more than happy to talk at great length about how terrible this all is. Strangely, there appear to be a few other people and animals poking around as though looking for something, or acting a bit sullen for such an otherwise joyful day.]

Comments

[emperorofselfdestruction]

[Being new and overwhelmed as it is, Starscream hardly takes any notice of the geese and their woes. He has enough of his own to deal with, thank you. He's only seven feet tall, he can't fly or shoot people, he has no idea where in the pit he is, and a bunch of humans and assorted organics keep calling him Jack, no matter how loudly he corrects them.

Unfortunately, his ill mannerisms have long since driven away his welcoming committee, so Starscream is now wandering Märchen in a state of visible bewilderment. His book and quill are being clutched tightly in his left hand, and he's wandering about as if the way home is just going to magically appear around the next corner. Whenever anyone startles him or gets too close, he yells at them and bares his claws.

Also, he keeps seeing suspiciously familiar looking turnip lanterns everywhere, which isn't helping his mental state at all.]

[bellbound]

[This is interesting, watching another set of arrivals. Mogget mentally catalogues all those he sees - identifiable sometimes by their journals, but mostly by their state of utter bewilderment - but this particular newcomer makes him stop.

A creature made of metal. Mogget has never seen anything like it. He perches on the roof of one of the market stalls in cat form, and stares.]

[emperorofselfdestruction]

[He's wandering through a market place, examining the wares out of a lack of anywhere else to find clues, when a flash of white catches his eye.]

[Starscream is more familiar with the human internet than he cares to be, so it isn't hard for him to recognize a cat when he sees one. The market stall isn't especially tall, so when he straightens up Starscream is able to return the cat's stare.]

What do you want?

[He almost doesn't expect the cat to respond.]

[topgun_textiles]

[He's looking from the paper to the geese. Then back at the paper again.]

The hell's a quarter of a sock? And the bakery's right down the street- can'tcha just buy another apple crumble?

[ordinaryanimals]

[Oh, the geese in front of him look downright offended. One of the geese stomps its little webbed feet.]

It's exactly what it sounds like! Honestly, some people.

[One of the others pats the first one with its wing consolingly as it speaks up.]

Oh, we couldn't possibly just buy one, the one that was stolen was homemade!

[topgun_textiles]

[Save for a small growl in the back of his throat, he let it go. He was pissing off a lot of people lately. He wasn't liking it, but his temper was shorter with his new role.]

A'right, homemade, granted. [You guys don't have thumbs. So that's impressive.]

Was there somethin' strange about where the stuff was taken from? No, uh... clues or whatever at the scene? Thieves ain't perfect and always leave somethin' behind if ya look real close.

helping cute little geese get their shit back- action

[jonathandammit]

[Jonathan's caught on to the whole 'missing items' problem, and while he hasn't lost anything himself, he's going to look out for it. Plus, it seems like it's not just the geese... if there are thieves here, then maybe this place isn't exactly a great fairy-story. Or maybe the thieves will be all caught in the end?

Hopefully.

After making the mistake of talking to some of the geese (when did his afterlife even degrade to talking to geese in the first place, they're not even demons-), Jonathan's decided to start actively searching for a stash, or anything of that sort.]

[pishirogane]

[Naoto keeps her trips into Marchen minimal. Between seeing the Merchant and his family by chance or accidentally killing Beast while outside of the castle, she doesn't want to take risks. Imagine her surprise though while leading the silver-maned horse that she receives the parchment. A chance to investigate again even if it is a fairy tale mystery...]

[Still, there's very little to work on. Who would want seven and a quarter left socks, a night cap, teacups, and an apple crumble? No to mention they fit geese... Perhaps it was someone looking to play tea party or have a baby shower? Matters are further complicated when more items go missing. They tell her not to worry; Beauty has other things to worry about.]

[Sighing, she sits, letting the horse drink from the lake near Father Time's tower. Holding out a hand, she decides to practice making roses grow in her palm instead of bemoan her fortune.]

[jonathandammit]

[Jonathan finds Naoto on accident- and technically he notices the horse first. When's the last time he rode on horseback? Of course, everything is this world is idyllic and beautiful, so he shouldn't expect any less. Still, though...

...he notices the actual human a bit later, coiling roses through her palm. After a while of watching, he realizes it's probably pretty rude to stare, not even to mention how unsettling it might be. So he just puts on a smile and walks forward.]

Good morning, miss. [That sounded formal.] That's a rather stunning horse and ability you have. [A thought crosses his mind- on horseback, has she spotted anything to do with the stolen items...?]

Open

[themortalson]

[He needs to work on his timing. Coming out of the forest for bullets, he didn't expect to be stopped by a goose and given the parchment. Bird doesn't even stop to tell him what the hell happened. Animals gather around as he reads it and two things...]

Who the hell steals seven and a quarter left socks?

[So they just... cut the last sock? Why's a goose wearing socks? No, thinking too much about this. He glances over at the fox.]

... You didn't do it, right?

[On his honor, the fox swears it wasn't him. As cunning and crafty as he is, with no command, the fox wouldn't steal. The items don't exactly come off to him as too important so he rolls up the parchment to look for bullets as he originally intended. If he comes across anything suspicious, then he might notify this... Adel-whatever.]

[emperorofselfdestruction]

[There's nothing more unsuspicious than an angry looking robot man, right? Especially one that's yelling at a squirrel.]

No I haven't seen any spoons around here! Do I look like somebody who cares about your spoons?! Why are you talking to me? Why are you talking?!

[The squirrel does not seem particularly frightened by Starscream, although it does beat a hasty retreat. As it passes Shinjiro it mutters something along the lines of "It was just a question!" Once the squirrel is gone, Starscream inhales sharply, straightens up, and glances from Shinjiro to his fox companion.]

Human. Explain to me why completely non-sapient animals are talking.

[themortalson]

[That does draw his attention and now, he's really seen everything. Where's Death when you need them? He's ready to kick it now.]

[Squirrel gone, Shinjiro's about to take his leave when the robot approaches him. No flinching or cowering back either, but that lingering scowl.]

I don't have to explain shit to you. [He really doesn't, but if only to stop the animals getting riled behind him.] Some fairy tale animals talk. It's as simple as that.

Open

[pishirogane]

[It's an opportunity to be more than just Beauty in the castle, but it's also an exercise of avoiding and timing. She'll return to the castle by sunset, but for now, she's quite interested in investigating the disappearing items between magic practice. Quite the curious predicament indeed.]

[So away again in another suit of fine tailoring and steed a whistle away, Naoto's taking her time in Marchen today after a moment's reprieve at Father Time's lake. Someone much have clues.]

[bellbound]

[Mogget spends most of his time in the city invisible these days, but Naoto he recognizes at the lake, and he flies down in falcon form to land as a cat by Naoto's feet.]

Out of the castle, I see.

[pishirogane]

[She watched the falcon land and somehow, wasn't surprised to see it transform into Mogget.]

I had to get out eventually... [Though, covering a window with vines might be another reason to get away for a bit.]

[bellbound]

First swans, now geese...

[Why are there so many? Mogget is wandering around invisibly, as is his habit in the city now, and while there are always talking animals around, the geese usually stick to the lake. He reads the message, rolls his eyes, then decides to amuse himself by becoming visible not a few feet away from two of the geese, in a cat form that's three times his usual size, more like a leopard than a domestic cat.

Because why not. His eyes are fixed on the geese in a distinctly predatory fashion...]

[ordinaryanimals]

[How incredibly rude! There's a flurry of panicked honking and feathers once he becomes visible, which draws a number of disapproving looks from the other villagers milling around.

Of course, as soon as they're calmed down again, one of them looks ready to smack him on the nose.]

Cats! Honestly.

[volcanic]

[ Being new, Iceland sure how he feels about this whole fairy tale getup. He can take the talking animals in stride (his best friend is a talking puffin, after all), but he's not sure what they'd need with lost items. However, he figures he can entertain the notion of being helpful - if only because it might give him some direction and he won't have to idle about awkwardly without any idea of what he's doing. ]

...What do geese want with night caps? [ He says aloud, after reading the list. ]

[unaccepted]

[ Grantaire has finished reading the paper and drops it on the ground all the same when he hears a voice beside him that does not sound like the usual excitable resident. He turns and regards this supposed new arrival, and readies a sarcastic answer. It is only once something seems off that he closes his mouth and reconsiders. ]

And what does a boy need with two sets of ears? If it is convenient and possible, why should geese not have their share of drinks before they slumber? [ He is mostly talking to distract from the fact that he is squinting at those horns... ]

[kutanagi]

( Everyone seems to be looking for something today. She's been accosted by no less than three people (and animals) asking if she's seen a comb, a fork, three balls of yarn and several other items. She's also been asked if she's seen her hand in marriage. That one, she promptly declined with a "no".

In any case, she's now walking around the town with several sheets of paper, each with a list of missing items. The geese, of course, have given her another list, adding more to her already never-ending list of missing items. As if she hasn't got her own items to search for.

She sighs quietly (perhaps she really should be more firm about declining) before approaching someone with a smile. )

Hi there! I was wondering if you've seen a comb or three balls of yarn ... ( Yui glances at the papers in her hand, squinting at the handwriting on some of them. ) Or a cup that's used for coffee but can't be used for tea.

( Okay ... Well, she's got more if you're willing to listen. )

[emperorofselfdestruction]

[Starscream's a little less on edge by the time Yui approaches him, though he's busy contemplating Father Time's tower in the distance. He probably just looks like he's staring into space.]

[He barely spares her a glance before stating an irritated:]

Whatever it is you're looking for, I haven't seen it.

[He's tempted to leave it at that, but it occurs to him that Yui has to be at least the twentieth person he's seen today looking for something.]

Is everyone in this wretched place incapable of keeping track of their belongings?

[espigeonage]

[Yuuya stretches his neck up. He's somewhat bigger than any of them, but can't reach his head as high. Ah well.]

Perhaps this is a trend! Myself I appear to be missing two pairs of glasses. [he brought a lot.] I must say, I admire your plumage.

[ordinaryanimals]

[There's a fair amount of tittering at his compliment.]

Two pairs! That is just awful to hear, dear sir. I hope this criminal is caught and brought to Justice soon!

open - geese and stuff

[perfectionisms]

[ Ugh, what a mess. But a small case is still a case, and beggars idle prosecutors can't be choosers. Franziska has sheets of paper and her quill on hand, ready to make notes. ]

All right, everyone form a proper line and tell me what you lost, where you last saw it, and why you think anyone would steal left socks without its pair.

[ordinaryanimals]

[Franziska's going to get a scramble of animals lining up with only minimal shoving. A rather ancient-looking goose is first.]

Oh, I was the one to lose my teacups, dear. It's a tragedy, I simply can't have my afternoon tea without them. I imagine it must have been a human who did it!

[There's a startled honk out of that goose as a mouse hops onto its back so it can be heard and seen better.]

Don't be ridiculous! I'm missin' most of my toffees, aren't I, and my mousehole's nowhere near big enough for one of them!