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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Comments

The Pied Piper of Hamelin 1/2

[faentasy]

[ By now you've settled in, or settled in as much as you can given the circumstances. Whatever land you've found yourself in is strange, but at least there hasn't been any signs of immediate danger. Which might be why the sound of a flute rings so clearly in your ears, wherever you might find yourself at this hour. The melody is whimsical and inviting, compelling you to find it's source even if you want to resist. ]

[begrimed]

[ Eventually it leads you to the fountain, where a blond man dressed in purple is perched on top, the water having come to a stop. He'll wait until the crowd of thirty some odd guests are gathered to stop playing. ]

Welcome, welcome! Is everyone having a good time? The food's not bad right? [ He smiles, the expression cool and empty. ]

I hope so, after all you'll be here for a while. Look on the bright side, I could have given you much worse accommodations. Some of you are surely deserving of THAT much. But I'm a good guy [ just a bubble of laughter, like a breeze. ] who won't make you work more than you deserve to for your wish.

You haven't forgotten about that, have you?

[biyishuangfei]

What wish?

[ ??????? ]

[begrimed]

Hahah, do you really want me to say it in front of everyone? I though you'd might be shy.

[ Please answer carefully as he will totally say it if prompted. ]

[incompletely]

[ Oh. HM. He doesn't like this guy at all. Tenn narrows his eyes. He's going to cut right to the chase because he's got some questions. ]

So elaborate. What, exactly, are you asking us to do for our so-called "wishes"?

1/2

[begrimed]

Right to the chase, huh? I like that!

[ Said with all the air of a teacher approving of his student's initiative. ]

[begrimed]

It's simple! To get your wish? All you gotta do is kill someone.

....well there might be some more fine print on that, but hahaha, isn't that just how the story goes?

[purefuries]

[ Ah. That's what she couldn't remember. She made some kind of--deal with someone, didn't she? Something like that? ]

Some of us may have. Would you be so kind as to remind us of it?

[begrimed]

Not a problem fraulein! [ here's your answer. ]

[goldencave]

My wish...

[ That seems to... Strike a cord with him somewhere. He did agree to go somewhere to fulfill a wish but... The invitation specifically stated there was a great deal of money for the winner, not just granting a wish. ]

Hey, wait a second! How did you get us all to come here? I remember getting an invitation, but it never said anything about granting wishes!

[begrimed]

Magic! How else?

[ Oh so cheerfully and matter of factly. ]

[warmthbringer]

[ Hm..... ]

How long is a "while"?

[ Because he's pretty sure he's going to be worrying a lot of people anyway.... but.... ]

[laytorest]

[R. Raising her hand like an embarrassed school girl caught not paying attention to class.]

I... I think I have forgotten?

[libirdian]

[ There's so much to ask judge here... Time to pick one for now. ]

I forgot. Mind giving a refresher?

[lastreward]

[ ...

This is where if she were at full strength, she'd be on the attack, but she isn't. So.]

Um, besides the other stuff, what happened to our... [ She gestures vaguely because while for her it's her strength others mentioned powers. ] abilities?

[biqe]

[ ...Well, he can't really say that he definitely wouldn't have done something like that. And maybe Marcus is just here because of him. ]

May I ask a question?

[gemuinemanagement]

[Hi, Suga doesn't want to get too close to this guy, so he's just gonna have to read Suga's memo cards from a distance. Deal with it.]

Why should we believe that you can grant our wishes

[edamamepon]

[ A wish? It doesn't seem like Makoto's the only one that's forgotten the specifics here, even if he remembers agreeing to something. Arms crossed, expression neutral, he keeps his eyes on him. This is who wrote all those notes? ]

So, why grant us any wishes at all? What's in it for you?

[amortristis]

... So that's it.

[ Well, that pretty much explains why she's here, then. At least she doesn't have to worry about wondering why she would've ever agreed to come here. And why she's alone. More alone than usual, at least. ]

[heroicact]

[He willingly follows the music, no compulsion required; even closes his eyes at points, humming along whimsically to the notes. Regardless, his steps don't waver, and when he spots the musician, he brightens up just a little.

Meets his eye, a thoughtful cadence somewhere under courteous words.]

You've certainly been about as hospitable as a mysterious host must be. I have so many questions for you, but I'm sure we all do.

But I'm really curious about one thing: what is that piece you've been playing for us? It's enchanting, in many ways.

[sempiternel]

[ After carefully taking in everything, Yuri raises her hand. ]

May I ask two questions, Lord Hamelin?

[demonicwei]

[ Looks like someone wants to be tall. ]

To be continued

[begrimed]

[ After the spiders and the slappings! ]

Ok, ok, we're all on the same page now right? Even the birds and the spiders, ahaha!

[ He might not have gotten a proper battle but hey, he's apparently enjoyed himself. ]

So once again, welcome! I'll see you all again real soon, I'm sure. There's some real characters among you who won't let such a golden opportunity slip through your fingers for the price of one measly life!

If stabbing someone isn't to your liking though, you can come visit me in the palace. Just look for the room with the green door! [ He gathers himself up to leave, pocketing his flute. ]

Either way, don't keep me waiting too long. Stagnant stories have to move along, no matter what anyone wants. [ And with that he'll hop off the fountain, about as agile as you would expect, disappearing behind one of the many houses. ]

[goldencave]

[ He's still shaken from the spiders but...

...

He frowns, walking out of the room without another word. ]

A thing.

[faentasy]

[In addition, after this meeting ends, anyone who retires to their assigned bedroom will find a shining gold key laying on their pillow. If the number inscribed on it is anything to go by, this is the key to their room, so better keep it safe from now on!]