one; voice

[loseashoe]

[She's gone with voice for now. No need to broadcast her appearance to the world. There's typical street noises in the background - she's probably in Main Street from the sound of it.]

Beast, Bigby, Cole, you guys out there? This is Cindy. I'm a little bit lost as to the situation - any particular reason I'm suddenly in Nowheresville, Nowhere, being told I'm a piece of fiction? Did I piss Frau off again? If this is a joke I will never let you in my store again.

I can't even find a bloody designer label store or tailor. Am I expected to wear off-the-rack clothes? Really? Is one good fashion designer in this town too much to ask for?

Or a decent plane out of here? Or just any plane out of here?

You know, people, I'm due in Milan for Fashion Week soon, and I'd hate to miss it. I'm ditching half my creditors for this. So if someone could tell me how I get out of here, that would be great.

Comments

[notvictorious]

You know someone named Beast?

[notvictorious]

Also, sorry but.. if you found a decent way out of here, you'd be the first.

[loseashoe]

Ugh. So how many of us are trapped here?

And sorry, I didn't catch your name.

[notvictorious]

I don't have exact stats.. There are "real" people that just live here, but I'd say about a hundred of us "fictional" people.

I'm Victor.

[loseashoe]

Victor, huh? I'm Cindy.

That's a pretty fair amount. [And yet no one has mentioned Fabletown. Is this specifically a Fabletown thing or something else entirely?] So what sort of fictional characters have we got here?

[notvictorious]

uh, I don't really ask. But looks like people from comic books, TV, video games. Lots of aliens.

[loseashoe]

Aliens?

... Huh.

[notvictorious]

Whether or not we actually believe this "fictional" thing is a whole other story though.

[loseashoe]

It does seem rather far fetched, doesn't it!

[notvictorious]

A little, yeah.

[loseashoe]

So do they ever let us leave, at all?

[notvictorious]

Sometimes people leave without notice. The records say they were "released" but we're not sure what that means yet. It's all pretty crappy.

[loseashoe]

Records, huh? Who makes these records?

[loseashoe]

It's a nickname. [No it isn't.]

[growinmushrooms]

It's true that the fashions on the island are lacking, but that's all part of the experience! It's an all-out safari into the wilds of life as a commoner!

[loseashoe]

I did the life-as-a-commoner thing once, and I am so totally over it. No need to do it again.

[growinmushrooms]

Ah... unfortunately, the island doesn't seem to leave us much choice but to embrace the nobility in our hearts, and express it as best we can!

[loseashoe]

I can't say that seems like a very fun idea.

[growinmushrooms]

Sometimes it isn't.

[loseashoe]

How long have you been here?

[growinmushrooms]

One year, two months, twenty-seven days, three hours, and seventeen minutes.

[loseashoe]

You're very accurate.

That's a long time.

[growinmushrooms]

It's the moment my credit cards were first declined.

[loseashoe]

Ah. That would be a moment to remember.

[roseate]

I presume you've already been informed that your ticket is one-way.

[loseashoe]

So people have said. I'm Cindy. Who is this?

[roseate]

Your current roommate, I believe.
I can't say your timing isn't fortuitous.

[loseashoe]

They did say I had a roommate. Rose, right? I'm almost to the apartment, so see you in a bit.

[And sure enough, she walks in the door a bit later. The clothes might look a bit more like a soldier's working clothes than something a fashion-conscious person would wear, but she somehow manages to make it look like she's walking down a runway anyways.]

Hello?

[roseate]

In here.

[Rose sits in a chair she's moved over to a window, feet folded up beneath her, a book that looks suspiciously like it is about knitting sweaters for cats open in her lap. She closes the book when Cindy enters, her thumb stuck between pages to keep her place, but doesn't get up. A basket of yarn rests on the floor next to her, and on it, a black cat wearing a miniature suit. Yep. Your roommate is 13 and has a cat wearing a suit.]

[loseashoe]

[Cindy walks in, stops, and stares. Swear to god, if this is Frau playing a trick she is going to punch her so hard.]

Frau?

[roseate]

[She raises an eyebrow, setting the book aside entirely.]

Können Sie Deutsch?

[loseashoe]

Ein klein betrag.

You aren't Frau Totenkinder, are you?

[roseate]

Ah, Ich spreche kein Deutsch in any case.

[She unfolds to sit up properly, decent posture with her ankles crossed, hands resting at the hem of her skirt. The black cat twitches his tail, the gesture remarkably similar--as though something has finally caught their interest.]

So far everyone can speak the same language. Strange, isn't it? Considering we're supposed to have been fictional, formerly.

I remain Rose Lalonde for the moment. It's nice to meet you. Am I supposed to be Frau Totenkinder?

[loseashoe]

[Cindy sits down warily. She doesn't think it's Frau Totenkinder - for one, she'd be unlikely to glamor herself as a young girl - she'd want more power. There is still the chance, though, that she's done that specifically to confuse Cindy. And there's definitely something magical in this room, judging by the heat her ring is radiating. And the mannerisms - they aren't Frau's, not entirely, but they're similar.]

That is an interesting coincidence. Bears looking into it, I think.

You remind me a lot of someone back home. Someone who likes to play tricks on people, including me.

[roseate]

[a small but real smile makes itself known.]

Tricks aren't exactly my forte. You'll want to talk to John.

[loseashoe]

[She considers. If this is one of Frau's tricks, she'll find out eventually.]

If it's all the same, I don't think I will. They didn't tend to be pleasant tricks.

You said earlier my timing was good? Why?

[roseate]

I think he prefers the term "pranks." They're harmless.

Apparently persons under a certain age can't be trusted to take care of themselves. My former roommate was "released," and thus I was relocated for a night. I'm sure you're less than thrilled, but the timing was lucky in my case.

[the cat jumps into her lap; she scratches its ears as it goes to sleep.]

I hope you're not allergic. He just showed back up a few days ago.

[loseashoe]

Ah, well, pranks is an entirely different matter.

You seem pretty mature for your age, I don't know why they thought that was necessary. And it's hardly like I'm going to be a great care-taker. I couldn't mother a potato effectively.

Not allergic at all. I rather like cats. [She touches a cat charm on her bracelet for a moment and smiles.]

[roseate]

Just like home then.

[Her expression goes wry at that, but with a minute shrug, she moves on.]

I'll certainly make a serious effort to be a tolerable roommate. It will be difficult and against all my principles, but as a fellow cat person, I'll simply have to make an exception.

[loseashoe]

[Cindy notes that but decides not to comment on it.]

Anyone ever tell you you're a charmer?

That's very decent of you. In exchange, I will make sure you stay fed. And - I don't know, what do parents do? Talk to teachers? [Totally baffled. What does Snow do? Mostly tether them to things and chase them a lot. That doesn't seem to apply here.]

[roseate]

Only in the same manner you just have--which is to say, facetiously.

I think making sure I receive proper nutrition will just about cover your surrogate caretaker duties. Do you mind guests?

[loseashoe]

It wasn't entirely facetious. [She beams.]

Not at all. Have whoever over you want so long as they don't go in my bedroom. Do you - got to school, or something?

SO LATE WOW KICK ME

[roseate]

Five days a week at standard times, yes. I imagine you'll have the place to yourself for a suitable period of time each day.

[loseashoe]

kicking is rude I would never! also no worries :)

You know, I think this whole roommate thing could work.

[calmyourmind]

There is a fairly decent store near Juanes that offers tailoring, but I am afraid the selection on this island can sometimes be a bit limiting. As to the fashion show, I am sorry, my friend, but the chances of you returning in time for it are slim. Many of the people here have been detained on this island for months, some for over a year, as I have heard it. Perhaps longer.

[loseashoe]

[Helloooo handsome.]

Hm. Well, thanks for the welcome and advice. Can I ask your name?

[calmyourmind]

Charles Xavier. A pleasure to meet you, Miss...?

[loseashoe]

Cindy Ellis. It certainly is a pleasure to meet you. How long have you been here?