First: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1352988575/ Previous: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1352988575/ Next: None yet :3 As I actually have the plot worked out chapters will be more frequent and better quality as I'm actually editing them and I have the proper lore for them. CBF is a fantasy with hints of romance written by moi with inspiration from Alice in Wonderland by C.S. Lewis. Tw/s: None. ♣ Crowned by Fear - Chapter 1 ♣ The letter came on a day that seemed no different from any other. It seemed ordinary. The day that was. Nothing different had actually happened that day. It had been quite boring upon consideration. Just the same old, same old. The letter, however, was anything but. Mirabella Harker was who it was addressed to. Which was kind of weird as everyone knew her as Mira. No one called her Mirabella unless it was a serious matter. Rosie, on a good day, didn’t normally read her roommate's mail. Not unless she was very bored. Which was most of the time. But still… Today didn't really qualify as a normal day. Mira was late back and something felt off. In the air and about the envelope. The envelope was dark blue with silver swirling cursive spelling Mira’s name out. And Rosie didn't like the look of it or the vibes she got from it. It felt kind of weird and no one normally got an envelope this fancy. Especially not Mira who rarely got mail altogether as she claimed she had nothing to write to anyone about, nor did anyone have anything to write to her about. And if Mira did have someone who would send her this kind of thing? Rosie would definitely know. Rosie knew everything about Mira. Her favourite colour, how she took her tea, her troubles in her home kingdom Chess, her family troubles. Everything. Mira had nothing to hide from her. Or so Rosie had originally thought. That feeling was starting to turn into horrible nagging doubt. They had both agreed not to keep things from each other. It just made the atmosphere more awkward. And friends didn’t hide things from each other and considering that they lived together they’d kind of have to make sure the atmosphere stayed decently chilled. And yet this was something Mira had never mentioned. Rosie quickly looked to make sure Mira wasn't there or ready to come through the door suddenly without warning, before opening the envelope. 'Dear Mirabella Harker, I understand that it has been a while since we were last in contact, but I do hope you remember our deal. The one you made with me all those years ago. I suppose you’ve forgotten or at the very least assumed I’d forgotten. Well, here's a little reminder of it if you no longer remember. In exchange for my assistance with curing, you of your condition as you asked me to put it. I asked you for three favours at the time and place of my choosing. The only rules being that they could not be impossible, you could use external help as long as you did not mention myself and you are to tell no one. Even that girl you live with. Miss Russel I believe she was. No matter how dear she is to you, the details of it must remain confidential as I don’t think your mother would be pleased if the scandal were to spread. I may be powerful, but I am but a mortal and even I have my limits, Miss Harker… Back on the topic of your deal. I require your assistance in matters that you will soon find out as I am trusting you to keep them between us. It is time for your first favour. Further information will be disclosed a week after you read this letter. Yours faithfully, The Ringmaster' It was signed with the same flowing silver cursive while the rest of the letter was written in a black typewriter font. Rosie barely registered that though. Her hands were trembling. Why had Mira lied? The Ringmaster was one of the most notorious magicians there was. One who refused to ally with the veil. He instead, had on multiple occasions, criticised them very publicly. Rosie hadn't, of course, planned to let Mira know that she'd read the letter, of course she hadn’t. She wasn’t a fool. Whenever she read Mira’s mail she obviously didn't tell her. That was literally the whole point of snooping. Getting information without getting caught. Her roommate unfortunately walked through the door while she was trying to sneakily put the letter back in the envelope...
