Prologue

[faentasy]

PROLOGUE

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The clink of glasses, the clatter of utensils upon plates and the soft murmur of conversation flows smoothly in the warmly lit dining hall. It's a dinner party, a rather vivacious one at that, with the food flowing freely. Savory and sweet, regional specialties, refined and rustic, there's something for everyone. Omurice, chiffon cake, kimchi, sizzling porterhouse steaks—it might be more apt to call it a buffet than anything else.

Do buffets usually serve such a unique smorgasbord of food? And actually, weren't you doing something else? A free meal is usually a good thing but is anything truly free? Who are these people around you? And where exactly are you?

Whatever thoughts are racing through your mind, they're abruptly cut off by a note, high pitched G-sharp from a woodwind. All your senses return to you, though they won't tell you much. Maybe not all of them actually, if you're used to feats of heroic strength or manipulating reality or numerous other abilities. There is one clue at least, a heavy weighted paper beneath your plate, an embossed note rather than a list of courses.

"Enjoy yourselves. I'll come see you when you've had your fill. And don't try to dine and dash, huh? There's something I have—something I can do for you, after all. Besides, you've already agreed to the terms anyway!"

Welcome to your Fairy Tale.

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royal archives!

[sempiternel]

Yes! [ Yuri very excitedly agrees with him. Hello, stranger! ] I can't wait to go through them all. I haven't heard of most of them, however. Have you, my lord?

[warmthbringer]

Eh--

[ ... My lord? More than that... what a cute girl... She almost reminds him of Tsumugi, a little. ]

Ah, just call me Riku! And I've heard of some of them! Especially the fairy tales... It's a really amazing collection.

[sempiternel]

I couldn't possibly -- [ She shakes her head. No title? Nooo, they've just met! ] Then, um, how about Sir Riku?

[ Compromise? ]

[warmthbringer]

[ Oh, gosh. He's a little pink, and he rubs the back of his neck. ]

Ahaha, I guess that's okay... Especially if it's more comfortable for you.

[ He smiles. ]

What's your name?

[sempiternel]

I'm Yuri Elizabeth, hello! [ She nods at the fairy tales. ] If you're familiar with some of them, are there any you would recommend I start with?

[warmthbringer]

It's nice to meet you, Yuri!

[ He smiles brightly at that--someone asking him for recommendations? He's really happy about that. ]

Ah, it depends on what kind of stories you like. There are lots of different kinds.

[sempiternel]

For the sake of research, I don't mind reading whatever. In fact, I really should read everything. But... um, if it's for pleasure, then... no romance. No Happily Ever Afters.

[warmthbringer]

No romance? Ah, I know the perfect one, then.

[ He looks on the shelves, hoping it's here-- and sure enough, he pulls down what he's looking for. He offers it to her. ]

Alice in Wonderland. It's one of my favorites, and there's no romance.

[sempiternel]

Thank you! [ She will read the heckie out of it and report back. ] May I ask why it's your favorite?

[warmthbringer]

Ah, well...

[ He smiles fondly. It's not just because Tenn used to read it to him, but also... ]

Because of how my childhood was, I spent a lot of time wishing I could go to other places. I always wished I could be like Alice, and fall down the rabbit hole into a fantasy world, where anything was possible.

[sempiternel]

That does sound like a nice dream. When you so, so desperately want to be anywhere else...

[ She definitely understands. ]