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

[libirdian]

[ It happened so fast that he absolutely has no idea what just happened beyond spiders, but well, better than any alternative. Still, how is she even lifting him up in the air like that?? ]

Ah, th-thank you, miss.

[ His voice is quieter than usual, but otherwise he seems quite safe and more importantly, spider-free. Bless Yor. ]

[laytorest]

[She will just keep him in the air atop one arm, much like she's holding up a small child, uh, single-armedly.

And also the child is a 4'8" bird.]

Are you okay? I didn't miss any spiders, did I?

[libirdian]

[ He's starting to regain his composure and the mortification is starting to set in. Which is something Nageki hasn't had to deal with for forever. It's like he's truly a teenager! ]

I...don't think so. I hope.

[ He doesn't feel them crawling anymore but at this point, maybe they're just not moving for some reason. Which is illogical but also spiders. This entire situation just doesn't make sense. Please let his brain keep up. ]

[laytorest]

[We still aren't even sure what age birds are.

Looking around, though - it seems their gracious host has decided to make his exit.]

Maybe we should go for now?

[libirdian]

Probably for the best... Unless someone wants to investigate the spiders.

[ He'll leave it to them though. That's enough spider adventures for one day, thank you very much. ]

1/2

[laytorest]

[Nodding.]

Okay.

[Turning, still holding him-]

[laytorest]

[...Wait.]

I'm sorry, should I put you down?

[What is proper bird etiquette? Actually, if none of this is a dream at all, that means he really is a bird, right? And that other person, he's also an actual bird, right?!!]

[libirdian]

Oh...yes. Thank you, miss, I can walk.

[ She's his savior from a spidery fate, she could chuck him around if she wanted. (Please don't.) ]

Sorry for the trouble. I haven't dealt with spiders for years, so that caught me by surprise.

[laytorest]

You haven't? You must be from a very clean place.

[Carefully setting him down!

...

Yep! He's still a giant bird.]

Um... I actually thought I might have been dreaming this whole time, but...

[libirdian]

Same here. But?

[ While asking, he'll kind of fluff and shake himself the way birds do after getting wet, making sure to avoid Yor's direction. Hopefully he only loses a couple of feathers. ]

[laytorest]

You... you really are a bird, aren't you?

[libirdian]

[ Um. Okay, he wasn't expecting that, but at least she isn't acting like that strange pink human about it. ]

...Yes, a mourning dove. Always been?

[ He's baffled, but not offended at least! ]

[laytorest]

-I'm sorry, was that rude? I've never met a talking bird before!

[libirdian]

Oh no, it's fine. I'm used to it now. But yes, I'm a bird that's of unusual size for many humans around here.

[ Maybe he'd be annoyed if it was someone not as nice as Yor, but as it is, he finds it funny. Not that it really shows up in his expression. Or words. Then again, maybe he's just busy preening. ]

[laytorest]

[Birds! So mysterious! Even more mysterious than she could have ever expected!

He's also like a foot shorter than her though so she'll crouch slightly, so they're on a slightly more even playing field.]

Is there anything I should keep in mind? Even if you're the first one I've met, I don't want to say anything untoward.

[libirdian]

Not in particular. I'm not really picky about how I'm treated. As long as people keep the noise level down in the library, I'm fi--all right. Don't worry about it.

[ There's no reason for him to think any different, so let's go with that, yes. ]

Feel free to treat me like another human, I guess.

[laytorest]

Oh... so you'll be spending a lot of time there?

I'll try to keep it down when I visit!

[libirdian]

You're probably not the type to yell there anyway, so don't worry about it... I'll just be there since I'm used to libraries.

[ Not to mention that he'll probably be most helpful there than anywhere else. ]

[laytorest]

Are you a librarian?

[libirdian]

[ That gives him pause to think. ]

It's the closest thing to my role in the school library. Since I don't really leave.

[laytorest]

[ Does he not leave because he is a bird, or because of other reasons... Birds continue to be so mysterious.]

I see...?

Well, if you would ever like to spend some time outside, I don't mind walking with you.

[libirdian]

Thanks for the offer. I'll keep it in mind. ...Someone I know would be happy if I walked outside more anyway.

[ If she were here, she would have energetically dragged him around the entire place thrice over by now. But she isn't, and that's for the best, considering what's going on. Maybe once he gets back, he can tell her what he saw outside. Minus a few details. ]

[laytorest]

I'm used to going on walks with Anya and Bond, so I don't mind at all. And if you get tired, I can carry you back!

[He mentioned he'd been resting in the library due to getting more exercise than usual - she might just be mentally equating him to a six year old in terms of walking energy.]

[libirdian]

I wouldn't want to put you through all that trouble, but I appreciate it. Exercise was never my strong point.

[ Well, at least he knows she absolutely can carry him back without a sweat now. That's reassuring, if mortifying for what ego he has. ]

[laytorest]

Oh, it's no trouble at all! You're actually very light.

[Helping!]