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]

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!]

[libirdian]

Maybe in comparison to humans, but still...you're pretty strong, Miss Yor.

[ A good thing! He only wishes he could be half as strong. It reminds him a lot of his hunter-gatherer friend. ]

[laytorest]

W-well... brute strength is one of the few things I'm good for...

[Haaa.]

[libirdian]

[ Oh, oops, did that sound strange? Maybe it did... He better quickly try to smooth things out then. ]

--I think it's wonderful. I'd be able to help him a lot more if I were even half as strong.

[ ...Wait, maybe that's a little too quick. ]

[laytorest]

I don't think it's as useful as you think...

[With the tone of speaking from experience.]

There are all sorts of other things I'd like to be better at.

[libirdian]

Well, they do say grass is greener on the other side.

[ It's definitely not a hill he'd die on, so he'll just nod in understanding of the general sentiment. ]

[laytorest]

...Anyway, would you like to go back to the library now? I can walk you there if you'd like.

[libirdian]

[ He nods in agreement. ]

Sure. I was planning on getting more books. But only if you were heading that way.

[ Imposing too much would be bad. ]

[laytorest]

It's no trouble! Besides, after everything that just happened...

...

Well, I think it would probably be better if we stayed together for now.

[libirdian]

[ He'll nod solemly at that, and offer no more resistance to going back together. ]

...Yes, I guess so. It's not a good time for anyone to travel alone.

[ She has a point. Maybe when everyone cools down, it'll be fine, but emotions are still running high. Best to move with somebirdie else for now. ]

[laytorest]

We can stay in the library together until you're ready to go again. It'll be nice to be able to stop and read a little.

[Especially since she didn't really stop to see the selection properly before.]

[libirdian]

All right, sure. [ To the library they go. ] What sort of books did you want to look for?

[laytorest]

Maybe... fairy tales?

[libirdian]

There's a large selection of fairy tales. One of the series of collections might be a good start, if you were interested in seeing a variety of them? Usually they're meant to be read for bedtime stories.

[ He'll pause for a moment, trying to think of what else he could say. ]

They also have a lot of books just focused on retellings of one tale.