Who: Maladora and OTA
When: Mid-Morning
What: Shopping
Where:at the well

Maladora was rarely seen in the Village proper, much preferring her home in the woods. Quite often, the woods were able to provide her with everything she needed, and those few things she did require from villagers were providable by those who came to her looking to barter for potions. Circumstances had changed however, and she didn't have the luxury of waiting for the next needy simpleton to meander his way to her door.

Her chin was high as she moved from one store to another, her very demeanor letting those aroud her know that she was better than them, and yes, she knew it. As she passed the well she stopped, a wicked smile spreading slowly over her face, and she took a moment to lean against it, looking down, her murmur barely audible. "Do you miss your Piper, then?"

Who: Wolf and Open
Where: Max’s Marvelous Mouthfuls
When: Noon
Warnings: None

Wolf walked into Max's and looked around enjoying the smells that he could smell from down the street. He normally didn't enjoy sweet foods, well the kind of sweet anyone else enjoyed, but today he just had a craving for something else. He came further inside checking to see if anyone else was inside knowing that most people preferred not to be in the same room with him.

They had whispered even more at all the time he had spent out in the woods keeping occupied with the task he'd been given by the Piper.The stag was tricky but then Wolf never enjoyed a hunt that was over too quickly. He would be patient until the right time and then the stag would fall to his hands. But for now it was time to eat.

Who: Tom and ?
Where: Sigfred's Royal Emporium
When: After lunch, before dinner
Warnings: None to speak of

Tom didn't mind being stuck in the Village, so much. Many of its people were far more trusting than simple village folk had any right to be, and that did of course come in handy. To an extent. The problem came in when there was little challenge to what he did anymore. Certainly he could likely make off with ease half the things in Sigfred's shop without breaking a sweat and without anyone being the wiser but...what was the point?

Of course, even as he was thinking that, a few smaller items managed to disappear into his pockets. Just because he could.

Truth be told, he needed to something real to work on. An actual challenge. Not these bumpkin villagers. He just hadn't found it...yet.

WHO: Alice and OPEN
WHERE: The Village
WHEN: Afternoon
WARNINGS: Err... Alice?


Alice hummed lightly as she moved through the town, a basket in her hand as she went from shop to shop, bartering happily for the supplies she needed. Sugar and flour, Cream and butter, jams and fruits... slowly but surely they either made their way into her basket, or a promise of delivery was made.

It was odd to her, she thought as she moved through the town, how solemn everyone seemed, how hushed the village square was. It was a beautiful day, and the flowers were out, and the birds were singing... and no one seemed to want to enjoy it, save herself. Hushed voices whispered about the Piper, and how he was gone, and what were they to do?

It was all very silly, as far as she was concerned. The Piper couldn't be missing, because she knew where he was.

Not that anyone bothered to ask her.

WHO: Raven and OPEN
WHERE: The woods
WHEN: Afternoon
WARNINGS: None.

Raven was still getting used to being able to take a human form. He found himself at this new place and wasn't sure what to do, and therefore most times people looking for him would find a large raven in his home. Of course people assumed that was why he had the name Raven, or rather why he kept a pet raven. If people looked closely they'd notice the raven watching, and if they listened carefully they'd hear a scratchy squawking voice "Nevermore." As for the man he didn't talk much, and more often then not had to write what he wanted to say down. He was able to say one word clearly. 'Nevermore.'

He tried his best to keep away from most people, and to be found most times he'd need be sought out. Though every now and then people would complain of a tapping, as if someone was gently rapping, rapping at their chamber door yet no one would be there. Though currently he was walking through the forest glancing around taking everything in. In the mood to explore, trying to avoid distraction by shiny objects.

WHO: Emmet and OPEN
WHERE: On the border of the Gingerbread Fields
WHEN: Afternoon
WARNINGS: None, really.

Certainly beat his old home and make no mistake.

Fresh air, good dirt under his bare feet and a whole cavalcade of new faces. Emmet had to wonder if he'd died and gone to Heaven. But, of course, that was a stupid thought. Anything that felt like a reward from on-high just had to be, for someone like him, a matter of finding a way around the way things should go. Which was, of course, his specialty. Shame the cats couldn't come. But if they were too caught up in their work to hear that sweet, sweet music, let 'em stay behind.

The black-clad man had stopped on the edge of the bizarre field with its bizarre visitors and had, now and again, to ask himself if that one had been quite in the position it had been when he looked last. But there were so many and the day was long and the sun was bright. Which was a shame, but all things had their seasons. Sniffing at the air, he guessed whatever put those statues out there had intended it to be Christmas. Or a time for children.

But if children were interested in that place, they weren't there now.

Maybe Emmet felt a kinship for the field then.

Or maybe he was just in a mood for a laugh.

Digging a coin from his pocket, he flipped it and started down the path once he'd seen the results. Time to go meet the neighbors. He'd even take the neighbors' route.

Who: Dakota and OTA
Where: The Castle/Feasting Hall
When?: Evening
Warnings: None

Dakota had been out almost all morning sifting through various things and finding shiny things and pretty things. She was making something in particular as a gift for Phillip. Mostly a thank you gift for putting up with her crazy ass. So therefore it needed to be special. She'd managed to find some rather nice silk, which the bargain for it made her choke, but she's given the kiss to the person's son and then wrinkled her nose after wards on her way back to the castle. She was somewhat exhausted and all she wanted to do was take a nice little nap, unfortunately fate had another plan for her.She saw the piece of paper on the bed and figured it must be from Snow, but then blinked. It wasn't Snow's writing. She just shook her head a minute and then walked out of the room to try and figure out who was playing the joke. Because that's what it had to be. A joke.

Unfortunately, she was greeted by whispers of how the Piper hadn't been seen. It was a usual thing though, he had a way of just not being around. She scoffed quietly and then glanced at the note again and stopped right smack in the middle of the hallway. It dawned on her. The piper was missing, the note. Oh. Crap!. THE PIPER WAS MISSING!

Quickly, she scrambled to Snow's room, but she wasn't there. So she tried talking to other people. Those people? Were ignoring her and too busy doing their own thing to try and listen to her. Didn't they CARE? Sure, she was the gossip mill but hey! This was important! She growled and then stomped towards the feasting hall, after trying to get the attention of ten people she was on her last nerve. She muttered and looked around and then saw a empty spot to a table and stalked towards it, picking up her skirts (oh yes, Dakota was wearing a dress) and climbing onto it. The women seemed almost disgusted with her doing so and the men seemed to mutter something about a non proper lady. However Dakota didn't really care right now.

"EXCUSE ME!" She hollered, to no avail, people just kept eating. This caused her to actually scream at the top of her lungs"EXCUSE ME! THE PIPER IS MISSING! I REPEAT! THE PIPER IS MISSING!"

Who: Caleb and Snow White
Where: The Castle
When?: Afternoon
Warnings: None

Little birds told people all sorts of things. At least that was what people said. Caleb had been wandering down by the brook when his little bird had flown by. He hadn't expect it to actually talk though.

But it had. The bird - a robin - had taken his shoulder as a perch and tweeted in his ear to catch his attention. What it had actually said after that...well, Caleb didn't know how much truth was in it (after all, how could you trust a bird you hadn't met before?), but it had him heading back to the castle in double-quick time.

He'd gone to Snow's room first, but she wasn't there. A mild panic that had started somewhere at the bottom of his spine lashed tendrils to other vertabrae and started to climb up his back. He needed to find her.

His next stop was the kitchen. She liked to bake things, and nine times out of ten if she wasn't in her room she was adding a crust to some delicious pie she'd just made. But she wasn't there either. She couldn't be out on a walk because he'd have seen her. She might've gone to the village...but didn't she usually tell him when she went? Gah, this wasn't good.

Caleb checked the feast hall. He checked the livery yard. He sent himself daffy walking up and down corridors, past rooms that were empty and some that, as he found out, were definitely occupied. Still no Snow. The panic that had begun at his spine had wrapped around him like a hug and was now sitting in his stomach. Where could she have got to?

He headed back to Snow White's room and checked it again, but she still wasn't there. Maybe he could go ask the Piper? He might now. Or just...ask around the castle? Someone had to have seen her.

Caleb ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He could feel that his face was a little flush. Maybe he needed a minute before he went looking again. Yeah, that was a good idea; people would only talk if he went asking around when he was all over the place. He wandered back to his room, trying to think if there was anywhere else she might be.

Pushing open the door, he got his answer. She never came to his room, and he didn't understand why she had today but that didn't matter because he'd found her. She was safe, and that was all that mattered.

Relief washed over him and he approached his bed where Snow lay slumbering. Caleb smiled as he watched her chest rise and fall before leaning over to kiss her. He went to lock his door, then returned to his sleeping beauty and squeezed onto the edge of the bed beside her. Slipping an arm around Snow's waist, kissed her again and closed his eyes. He was indulging a little, but he deserved it.

Who: Rhymer and ?
Where: Village Way
When: Mid Afternoon
Warnings: Possible swears (she does have a temper)

Rhymer kicked the wheel, kicked it again for good measure, and sat down on the step of the caravan with a 'hmph'. The wheel of the wagon had finally given out, and though it hadn't fallen off completely Rhymer knew if she tried to go any further she would end up with a very badly damaged home rather than just a badly damaged one.

Harnassed to the front of the wagon, Kaspar gave an annoyed snort. The old, grey plow-horse didn't like to be still when he was harnassed, but he was obedient. His mistress had said halt, so he had halted. Still, it didn't hurt to let your opinions be known.

Ignoring her steed, Rhymer pushed herself up from the step and sifted through her skirt pockets until she found a bent hairpin. She pushed back her mop of unruly curls and rammed the pin home; her hair drove her paticularly mad when she was frustrated. With her vision cleared somewhat, she noticed a sign on the side of the road. 'Left' it pointed one way, 'Right' the other. She arched an eyebrow as she read the third direction - 'Just spin in a circle until you fall.'

"Maybe I should try that one, hmm?" she said, pointing to the sign so the horse could see. She was greeted by the sound of a horse not understanding what she was talking about. In truth she shouldn't have expected anything more.

Not wanting to leave her entire life abandoned by the wayside, Rhymer resolved to wait to see if someone would come past. It was when her stomach gave a frightening growl that she really started to feel depressed. She was hungry, stuck and cranky, and it was only mid afternoon. In short, she was not having a good day.

Who: The Piper and Elani
Where: Outside the Castle
When: Evening
Warnings: Maybe some to come


He’d missed her before, which was nothing too surprising. What was more interesting, he thought, was the interest that the Fox showed in her; slinking about her, giving her the sort of attention that was meant to derail her interest in The Piper himself. If he were a lesser man he would have been put off by the whole affair. But he was better than that, he was better than The Fox at any rate.

Turning he looked down the path as he waited for her. He’d asked one of the mice to take her a message, asking her to come to him tonight. There was, of course, no telling as to where she would answer.

Or if she would answer at all.

So he waited, sitting on a stone wall while he lightly piped a little tune on his instrument. His eyes were closed as he played, but he was still aware of the way the forest seemed to turn and look at him as if he had cast a spell on it.

And perhaps he had. Who could really say….

Who: Maladora
Where: The Forest
When: Twilight

Maladora moved through the woods, a basket dangling off her arm. Some lesser witches might argue, but this was the best time to gather ingredients as far as she was concerned. The night bloomers were just opening, and she could cull them just at that first sign of waking for the day, and the mushrooms and moss still clung to the warmth of the day.

The Forest was good to her, and most of the bases for her potions had items easily obtainable. the more obscure ingredients took a bit of bartering or trickery, neither of which beyond her when it was required. Still, there was a particular plant that was difficult, and it was this she searched for, walking carefully through the mist as the day's light faded.

Who: Leo and ?
Where: Walking toward The Village
When: Afternoonish
Warnings: None as far as I know.

Leo wasn't really sure where he was at this point. The notes of pipes had lured him in the direction of the Village and all though he was still on his own mission to find a courageous man he wondered if he would find one here. He also wondered if he'd have the heart to do such a thing. He brushed aside his long mane like hair from his face and kept his eyes wide open in case anyone would come out at him. He wanted to find the source of the pipes, wanted to find more out about this village, hoped to find a courageous man to gobble up. Then he could go back to his own forest, at least that's what he thought. Still he pressed on with whatever bit of courage he himself still had.

Who: Cinderella and OPEN
Where: Wishing Well/Humphrey's
When: Mid-morning
Warnings: none

In the black forest there was one thing that was certain above all else, something was going on. The blond girl with the very vibrant blue eyes knew this, but she seemed to want to believe that nothing was happening. She bit her lip and glanced about the market place as she weaved her way through, hopefully eventually to make it to Humphrey's and see about getting a small job cleaning there or something. She needed something to bide her time before she found herself going quite insane. She gave a small sigh as she was bumped into, but was apologized to, which she sneezed and then carried on her little way. The apology wasn't sincere in the slightest. She did forgive them though, some people just didn't get enough sleep or were far too busy trying to make lives for themselves and settle in. She understood that feeling all too well. She missed the second ball, she missed her chance at finally maybe finding happiness. For all she knew, her ugly little stepsisters probably had gotten the magic question.

But that was in the past and couldn't be given back. She was here and she might as well make the most of things correct? It was just settling in that was causing more of a problem then she thought it would. She wasn't used to not being beckoned every ten to fifteen minutes for something, she felt lost, but she hoped to remedy that soon.

She stopped near the Wishing Well and gave a small sigh before her nose crinkled up. She didn't even have a coin to toss in even if she wanted to, but what she could use was a seat for a few minutes, which is exactly what she did, sitting on a small bench not far from Humphrey's as she watched the people enter and exit, always a smile on their face after wards. She had gotten caught up in watching that she was quite oblivious to anyone else around her.

Who: Elani and ?
Where: Near the Wishing Well
When: Mid-morning
Warnings: None!

Elani had been sent that morning to fetch some fresh vegetables from the market, which she'd done, her basket full to the brim with beans and peas. Theoretically, she should be back at the Inn now, but the girl had gotten herself lost in thought and her steps had taken her to the Village center instead. Only dimly did she realize she was walking a path around the Wishing Well as she muttered to herself about how complicated her life seemed to have gotten lately.

Men!

She hadn't even seen or heard the Piper since they'd last talked here by the Well and when she'd gone to look for him...

...well, she'd run into someone else entirely. Victor Fox was singularly talented at being infuriating, that was for certain. And if she was quite steadfastly ignoring how he was also talented at making her squirm well...it wasn't like there was anyone around to point that out, now was there?

To anyone watching her, she had to make quite the sight, basket full on her hip, her mumbling and muttering as she walked a track around the well, deep in thought. Someone really ought to interrupt her.

Who: Wolf and anyone that wants to find him
Where: the forest
When: afternoon
Warnings: None as far as I know

Wolf walked through the trees lingering to watch what was going on around him. He let his hands brush the bark of the trees he came close to enjoying the feel against his skin. Wolf always enjoyed being with nature especially after having to deal with the villagers.

It was a nice enough day out so Wolf planned to enjoy it to the fullest. He sat down and leaned back letting his back rest against one of the larger trees. He pulled his legs back letting his arms rest on his knees.

Who: Hugo and whoever wants to meet him on the way...
Where: the Village
When: early afternoon
Warnings: none


When Hugo woke that morning, there was a pair of birds building a nest in the rafters of his home. He lay in bed and watched them flying in through the holes in the ceiling with pieces of twigs or trash in their beaks. Through the same holes, he could make out the cloudless sky. He stared at the pale blue, his eyes not blinking, and he thought of nothing except vague images from his dream the night before. By the time he swung his legs out of bed, the birds had finished the nest.

Once out of bed, he went straight for the rotting front door, which barely clung onto its rusty hinges. If he had lingered even a moment, he would have been too tempted to glance at the table against the western wall, the only piece of furniture in the home that hadn't been built by his father's worn, callused hands. It was carved elaborately into the shape of flames. He had bought it as a young teenager, when he had still seen his power as a gift. Now that he knew better, the table, and the small iron chest that sat on its surface, haunted him daily. But he did not have the strength to throw either of them out.

He left the house and made his way, with some difficulty, across the yard which was overgrown with knee-high weeds. A dirt path at the foot of his property eventually turned into a larger road which led into the heart of the Village. He didn't know why, but he was going there. Maybe he was subconsciously craving some sweets from Humphrey's. Maybe he just wanted to see another human being.

He walked with his hands in his pockets, his eyes on the sky, thinking about the birds. It must be a wonderful life... to fly... to have nothing but survival to worry about... to have someone by your side and never be alone...

Who: Elani and.....?
Where: The Castle
When: Late afternoon
Warnings: None

One day a week, Elani wasn't expected to either serve in Humphrey's Inn or sing for his patrons. Unless she cared to, of course. On this day she didn't. Not that she didn't want to sing, but she had an entirely different sort of audience in mind. An elusive one.

The Piper was not easily found, unless he wanted to be, but the Castle had always been a good bet if one wanted to find the man. Elani simply had an innocent little sort of question to ask him. Whether he'd meant what he'd said about her entertaining in the Castle.

Perfectly innocent, so they could work out scheduling. Of course. Naturally.

Which was naturally why she was wearing her nicer dress and had taken extra care with her hair that day, yes. Exactly.

Who: Phillip and Dakota
Where: Starting in the Castle
When: Late evening, after this
Warnings: None

Phillip had followed Dakota's advice and, indeed, found himself an available room. Luckily, it hadn't taken too long after that to find someone to draw a bath and try to make his clothes marginally presentable while he got himself cleaned up. He was almost feeling human again, by the time his clothes were dry and he went in search of Dakota's room. Well, with a detour out to the stable for that bit of silver from his horse's bridle.

Easier said than done, despite her description of the door, but he found it, eventually. It was rather late for an evening meal but, well, he had said he'd do so, so. Here he was. Knocking.

At least he cleans up well.

Who: Lena and anyone who wishes to bump into her
Where: The Village
When: Mid-morning
Warnings: None


For really fresh fruit and vegetables, you had to go into the Village. Lena knew this well enough, and had set out early with her basket on her arm to go and gather her groceries.

She always took her time with her shopping; picking up individual foods and examining them slowly, making sure she picked the best of what was on offer.

It had cost her a couple of hours to find what she wanted. She'd even picked up a bag of fudge as a treat for herself. But now Lena's basket was heavy and she carried it with two hands; it was time to go home.

But not without some apples. Setting her basket down on the ground, she picked up a ripe red apple and smiled at the stall owner. He gave her a nervous smile and sent the boy at his side off to play. Lena watched. The child was the very image of his father, everyone said so. But what a temperament! It was like his personality had been fathered by a completely different person.

A highwayman, if she remembered correctly.

Who: Dakota Rose and open to all
Where: The castle
When: Early Evening
Warnings: None


Being here with all these fairy tale endings and happy people was starting to annoy the young girl. She'd heard the Piper playing numerous times and something just grated on her nerves about things that were going on. She did like a good rumor though, like the one that just started that morning about a particular dark haired beauty and a guy in her room. One had to wonder if there was any truth behind the whole entire thing.

She minded her own business though for the most part, keeping out of peoples ways as she sewed something for herself. She was hungry and wanted something to do. Waiting for someone to come by that might need something for themselves or for someone else. Someone had to need something! The hapy chatter made her roll her eyes and grumble under her breath. She'd just about kill for a sundae with hot fudge and whipped cream right about now.