onceuponacomm | Prologue

PROLOGUE

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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm afraid not. Not everyone wants to share their riches. Unfortunately... Nobles tend to be a selfish and secretive bunch. There hasn't been much progress in spreading our wealth of information and skills.

[ She gives him a small smile. ]

But that's a brilliant idea. I was thinking of something similar, but I think your idea would be more useful in multiple ways. More adaptable!

[That's...actually kind of surprising. If it were the parrot or a certain ally of his, that market would've been exploited immediately-especially with his own description, considering people would have to buy a new charm each time their current one wasn't useful anymore.

But hey, if those nobles were too stupid to appeal to a market that Yuri could take advantage of, good on her.]

Well zen, I am glad I coult assist you, Frau Elizabeth.

And if possible, once zese charms are mate, coult I perhaps have one as well? I believe I woult find one quite useful.

Oh, of course! Once... I get my magic back, that is. I haven't been able to cast any spells since we arrived here...

Zat is fine. I can be patient.

[Wouldn't be the first time...

oh right feelings-]

You are not ze only vone dealing wis zis issue. Ze ozer bird here-Herr Fujishiro-is unable to fly very high off ze ground. It seems zoughs wis notable abilities have hat them taken avay.

[ Another bird? That suddenly can't fly? ]

... I see. I wasn't expecting something like that. To take flight away from a bird... isn't that too harsh?

Most certainly, zough I believe zere is some reasoning to it. Vhile I am wisout a doubt the shortest among us here, Herr Fujishiro is about the size of a human-over four feet at least.

So vhile flight is necessary for me to go anyvhere, he is able to go places by only valking.

[Sorry Yuri, he is not explaining further about the giant bird.]

It sounds like... well. Are you thinking all of this is to... limit us and, what? Even the playing field, Professor?

Somesing like zat. At the very least, it leaves us all vith no choice but to stay here, as neizer Herr Fujishiro nor myself are able to fly away, and anyvone wis ozer powers-such as yourself-are unable to use zem in an attempt to escape.

[Essentially, they're helpless.]

[ Ah, same old. Not that she expected much else from Fate. ]

At this point, we will just have to wait and see. I doubt we'll have to wait too long to find out what the plot is this time.

[A solemn nod.]

It is the case ve are in, unfortunately.

[The latter sentence has him raise an eyebrow, though.]

"Zis time"? Are you familiar vith situations such as zis?

[ A vague smile. ]

Something like that. Though I can't be sure, of course. Everything about this place has been... unexpected, but isn't there always a reason for these things?

Yes, kidnappings-like any crime-tent to happen for a reason.

[Now if only they could immediately know the reasoning behind this crime. They'll know soon enough, but having to wait is just irritating.]

May I ask about your experiences wis crime? Or woult you raser keep zat to yourself?

[ She doesn't mind sharing that; that one's easy after all. ]

I've only been involved as the person always being kidnapped - how strange!

[ Seriously. ]

In truth, I've lost count of how many times it's happened. But, ah, you start to realize no one is ever creative about these things. What a shame!

[If this were any other Scooby Doo villain, a comparison to Daphne would've been immediately made. As it is, the bird's eyes widen for a moment.]

A shame indeet, zough if you have been kidnapped that many times, it coult be that you now fit ze 'seen it all' stereotype as vell.

Yes... [ At this point, she's not even scared when she's kidnapped. She's just bored. ] But they could stand to be more creative. I don't think I've seen it all, exactly. I've just seen the common types.

"Tie her up with that rope!" "Keep her in this box." "This pretty cage is made just for her."

I suppose, at some point, criminals tend to repeat zemselfs and various stereotypes.

[Still...incredibly concerning, but hey, that's her business.]

Prologue

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