Fantasy The Grimm Tales of Sleepy Hollow

[Saracen_Rue]

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[Saracen_Rue]

Sir Percival - Outfit - #666b6b - & Flynn Ryder - Outfit - #3f4e66 - & Mad Hatter - Outfit - #570a17

Life in Sleepy Hollow was already a buzz, as the early morning hours had already come and gone. Passing cars along the beaten asphalt streets sounded, footsteps echoed across the cobblestone sidewalks of the small town as people made their way the town's square. Whether to work, early morning errands, or whatever the case may be. The occasional conversations could be overheard whenever someone passed by one of the local cafe's, or any general store that had outside seating arrangements. This morning it seemed a few had found themselves sitting at a few of the tables outside of Tiana's. Whatever gossip it may have been already for the day by this time, could have been anyone's guess. It certainly wasn't any topics that would have been of concern of a certain individual that was making his way through town. The sound of his firm yet some footsteps echoed along the street side. No one would have payed it much mind, if it wasn't for the accompanied sound of something metal occasionally hitting the cobblestone after every few steps that the man took. That ever stern and constantly perplexed expression etched onto his pale face. Something that many considered to be a permanent fixture. No one could truly tell what was going on through his mind at any given moment, and not many wanted to know. As whatever it was seemed to be a constant bother for him, which seemed at this rate to be yet another daily thing to expect. It seemed like no matter what anyone did or tried to say to him, he always wore that same damn, uninterested look. And nothing else. Not that anything ever seemed to catch his eye anyway.

But that wasn't to say that he never received any odd looks aimed in his direction, ever since coming to the small town. It seemed that everyone who lived there, had heard one story or another of the man in black that walked with a cane that bore a metal crow's head upon the top of it. Ever silent and watching, just like the man that held it ever so fervently. If it hadn't been for the limp that he so clearly had, people would have thought it was for the already strange energy he gave off. No one had known what his deal was, nor did anyone think that they'd know. Not that anyone had been truly brave or dumb enough to ask. He arrived one day in Sleepy Hollow, just like the rest, and aside from a small incident with the fairgrounds folk, he had found himself aligning himself with The Golden Company. A notoriously sketchy group of folk that many of Sleepy Hollow's residents had thoughts and theories on. But their connection with none other than the seedy Rumplestilstkin, who had somehow managed to become the banker in town? It all seemed a bit too convenient. But who were they to question such a powerful and oftentimes dangerous folk?

That didn't seem to stop one particular individual this morning, it seemed. One of the figures that sat outside of Tiana's sprung to their feet at the first sight of the man, "Percy!" the young brunette declared. Scrambling after the man. Who only gave an over-exagerated roll of his eyes. Not stopping to make conversation. "Percy! Didn't you hear me?" the shorter one repeated, as they finally caught up to the man.

Percival let out a small sigh as he continued to walk, "I thought my silence spoke for itself, Ryder." he continued on. Hoping it would suffice, clearly it didn't.

"I just thought it was because you're getting old. Do you need help walking across the street-" they were cut off as there was a flash of silver, and then the heavy weight of something on their shoulder. The cane-

"I do not care for conversation, Ryder. I have business to attend to." he stated once, about as calmly and nicely as he could possibly muster, retrieving his cane from Flynn's shoulder and turned to walk once again.

"Okay, but can you answer this one question?" they begged. Retrieving yet again another roll of his eyes. "Have you seen Wendy yet? She's supposed to meet me here."

There was silence for a moment, "Do I look like her keeper? I haven't seen her. I'm sure she's around here somewhere. Causing trouble like usual. Which I'm surprised you're not already doing."

"That doesn't usually start until later, but thanks, Percy!" they beamed a large smile in Percival's direction, before waving him off and returning back to their chosen table. Anxiously awaiting their friend's arrival. There was so much to do today.

---
The walk from the center of the town, to the outskirts and entrance of the woods, was never a truly laberous endevour. But it could be made easier, or at least not entirely consisting of uneven dirt roads. Large, old roots sprouting up through the earth, partially buried rocks and whatever debris that managed to get from the town and into nature. It was Percy's least favorite part, if he had to be honest. He wished they had made it a bit of a better walk, maybe some paved side paths could be made? It's not like he was the only one who had that idea to even begin with. It just seemed like he was truly the only one impeded by such harsh terrain. Oh well.

Percy kept to his thoughts until he finally arrived to his desired location. The Fairgrounds. Was this place ever actually busy? The occasional handful of folk would come by, but other than that, Percy doubted that this place was ever as busy as the one in charge had ever wanted. A true shame though. With some better upkeep and maybe some advertising, the fairgrounds could be a major traction in this otherwise damned town- Percy shook his head, none of this was any of his concern. No matter how hard he tried not to dwell on it. Yet his thoughts seemed to wonder off and betray him, from time to time. A true annoyance.

Percival scanned over the fairgrounds, for his hopeful intended target. But they weren't anywhere in sight. At least not currently. But it also didn't take very long for Percy to feel eyes on him. From every direction, it seemed. He was surrounded. But he didn't see anything. Not like he had to, anyway. Without even having to turn on his heel, "Have you seen Hatter around, anywhere?" he questioned. From an untrained eye, he could have been talking to no one. And it seemed that way. As he stood there, under the tree line. Surveying the area that lied before him. Until what seemed to be a large, thick branch swung down beside him. He remained unflinching at the sudden motion. "Need I repeat myself, Kaa?"

What could have been initially mistaken as a moss covered branch, seeing as it was a mix of dark greens and browns, would be revealed to actually be the head and neck of a large boa constrictor. Beady eyes staring at Percival as he stood below a large tree. The snake slowly unwound itself, before fully dropping from the tree and onto the ground. But not before shifting its form, standing now before him a young woman. Couldn't have been any older than in her mid-twenties, if not early thirties. "They're in their room, as usual." nodding her head in the direction to a small fixture off to the back-side of the fairgrounds. It couldn't have been considered to be much more than an old and retired traveling circus car. Rather poorly constructed stairs were built up to the door, and other slats of wood supported where the front wheels should have been.

Percival gave the woman a small nod, "...Thank you." the words seemed to be more forced than truly gratful to have his question answered. Without much more than another glance, Percy made his way to the small traveling car, knocking twice before stepping back. Awkwardly waiting.

There were a few short minutes of awkward silence as he stood there. Maybe he should just leave and come back at another time? That seemed more likely with every passing moment. That was until there was the sound of fumbling and scurrying around coming from the inside of the traveling car. Before a figure pushed the door open, nearly knocking it off of the rusty hinges. A large smile plastered itself onto the figure's face as they landed on Percival.

"Percy! It's so good to see you!" they beamed, taking two stairs in one stride before the next. Nearly falling off in the process, before embracing Percival in a very awkward, one sided hug. "You're actually just in time, me and Izzy, ya know, the kid, were just about to have an early lunch. C'mon-" they ushered, taking his arm and led, more like dragged, him inside.

Percival had tried to protest, but it didn't matter. There was no changing the Mad Hatter's mind once it was made up about something. So why even try, right? With nothing more than a sigh, he followed the Hatter inside. It was always jarring, no matter how many times he had been here, that the traveling cars were all enchanted with magic. Allowing them to be much larger on the inside than they seemed to be from the outside. It was a true sight to behold. They could have an entire house on the inside, while on the outside it was no more than two steps from each side. Truly remarkable. Maybe he'd get to why he was actually here later, but now it seemed he was just in time for tea. Wonderful...​

 

[partially-stars]

wendy darling. #aad4d0. outfit.​

The cabin deep in the woods could so easily be mistaken for a peaceful spot. It was tricky enough to find unless you were looking for it. At night, it glowed softly with the warmth of fairy lights and a fire usually lit inside. It was small, consisting only of the main room and the bathroom, but it was homely, with a comfortable couch against one wall, and cushions and blankets scattered all around the place.

When Wendy Darling had stumbled upon it, it had been empty and apparently abandoned. When it still appeared as such after a few days, Wendy claimed it and made it her own. Rory had offered her a place to stay at the circus, especially considering that’s where Izzy was. But Wendy needed space for herself. She’d never had a space to herself. She had shared a room with her brothers, where she’d been expected to look after them. Then she’d camped with the Lost Boys and been expected to mother them too. She knew that Izzy and the others in the circus wouldn’t have expected that of her. But still, she wanted somewhere that was just for her. Somewhere she wouldn’t have to care for anyone else. And so she had claimed the cabin for herself, and made it her own. And nobody had ever come looking for it.

That said, it couldn’t exactly ever be called peaceful with Wendy Darling dwelling in it. That particular morning, she was muttering to herself, wandering around the room as she braided her hair and searched for her other boot. When she finally found it, she tied off her trademark braid and pulled on the boot. She glanced at the time on her phone and swore softly to herself again, shoving her phone and her keys into her pocket and running out the door, slamming it behind her.

She jogged her way through most of the woods before slowing to a walk as she reached the outskirts of town. She wouldn’t be seen sprinting through town, she got enough annoyed looks mand rolled eyes as it was. And, to be fair, most of them were deserved. It was an anticipation of whatever mischief she’d be up to later that day. But if they saw her running, it would probably strike an unnecessary fear into the hearts of half of the town, and she wasn’t feeling quite that mischievous that morning. Well, at least not until she caught up to Flynn.

Her pace picked up a little again as Tiana’s came into view. She tugged on the bottom of her jacket a little, tightened up her braid, and took a deep breath as she spotted the familiar mop of brown hair. Flynn was sitting with their back to Wendy. Wendy’s face lit up in mischievous joy. Silently, she crept up behind them, before poking them in one cheek, then another, and ruffling their hair before throwing herself down in the seat opposite them. “Hi,” she said, wearing the biggest grin she could muster.

culann maclir. #194775. outfit. ​

“… And I would rather sink
Beneath the waves
Before I would ever think
To reach out for you again…”

The words rang out over the lake, accompanied by a slow, haunting melody played on guitar. The lone figure on the edge of the water fell silent, the music slowly fading away. Culann hadn’t slept much the night before. Every time he closed his eyes, he felt like his lungs were flooding with cold water. After all these years, the dreams still hadn’t stopped. Sometimes, it came with a pain like a sword had been stabbed through his chest. At least there hadn’t been that. Just dreams and suffocating and all of the memories that came with it. There were days, he felt like Culann, the charming musician with a mysterious past that just made him all the more charming and intriguing. And then there were days like that day when he felt like the scared and lost prince. He would have stayed at the lake all day if he could have. A handful of people might have known to look for him there. They were the same handful of people he wouldn’t have minded seeing.

But he couldn’t stay there all day. He’d told Rory he’d play at the circus that day, and he’d have to get ready for that. He got to his feet and slung his guitar across his back, taking another moment to look out at the lake. As bad as the dreams were, and as lost as he felt sometimes, this was still better than his old life. He wasn’t running any more. He wasn’t living in fear, trying to hide bruises and being too afraid to speak most of the time. Anything he did miss, he missed through rose coloured glass. Nothing had been as perfect as he remembered it. Not the innocence of youth, nothing. But at the same time, he’d had the world shattered beneath his feet. The fragile, uncomfortable earth he’d tread so carefully on for most of his life sometimes felt more appealing than the constant falling of trying to figure out who he was and where he belonged.

He whistled a small tune to himself as he headed back deep into the woods. He’d wanted somewhere out of the way, somewhere quiet, somewhere he could be himself without too many people around. The house reminded him of some of the places he’d slept while on the run; except instead of barns turned into a makeshift bedroom for him, it was an actual house. It probably had been a barn once, but no longer. He stopped only briefly there to grab a change of clothes to play the show in, before heading back out and heading to the fairgrounds.

He didn’t even think before heading to Rory’s car. He never had to; they’d told him the door was always open to him, and they meant it. So he didn’t knock, just let himself in, the same way he always did. “Fear not, my dear Ringleader, for the most beloved minstrel of your spectacular show has arrived to ensure the show is once again a masterpiece!” He declared as he closed the door before realising that it was more than just Rory and Izzy there. “Oh. Hi Percy.”

dottie park. #336655. outfit.​

Dottie’s days tended to be quiet. And truth be told, that was how she liked it. She’d had her fill of adventure and of being something grand. Even if she sometimes missed Oz so much it ached, she missed the small moments. Spending time in the Palace in the Emerald City, exploring the city and the lands beyond, seeing her friends and the magic they could use. Not the expectations that rested on her shoulders. Everyone said that she didn’t need to be great yet. But the problem lay in a single word. Yet. She was still expected to be great eventually, and she didn’t know how to get there. It was a miracle she’d graduated high school. Becoming the successor to the Wizard? She wasn’t sure that was going to happen.

So life in a small town suited her down to the ground. Most days, she would be found in her store, tinkering with something or another. It was a quiet, peaceful life. She’d sometimes make runs out to Tink’s store for one reason or another, but most of those reasons were thinly veiled excuses just to see Tink herself. Sometimes, Tink would come to see her. She liked those days best because she could show off whatever she was working on to Tink. She always enjoyed compliments on her work, but they somehow meant even more coming from Tink.

But she needed a break from the shop. And so, she and Toto had gone for a walk. Toto trotted happily by her side without any need for a leash or even a collar. In place of a collar, she had an emerald green bandana tied around his neck. Not that anyone would ever have any problem identifying Toto if he went missing; everyone knew Toto, and everyone loved him. He was smart enough to find his way back home, too. But he seemed to enjoy wearing the bandana, sitting a little straighter and prouder whenever he wore it.

She decided to stop in at Tiana’s for some tea. She had no plans for the day besides taking in the fresh air and the sunshine, and so she took a table outside. Toto curled up by her feet under the table, grumbling contentedly as he did so. Tiana’s was a good place to people watch, and it was a good place to find somebody to make plans with.