[video] ♕ First Bell

[glassfall]

[The screen is dark at first, and someone unseen mutters quietly enough that the words aren’t able to be made out over the sound of swishing silk. All this goes on for a few minutes, until, at last, the camera quickly pans up over a magnificent - albeit revealing - purple gown to settle on the face of a young woman, covered by a mask. She smiles triumphantly.]

Ha! I knew I’d get it right, eventually. That is, as long as this thing is on. [She squints at something on the device she holds, as if trying to discern that it is.] I’ve never run into a gadget like this before. How fascinating, to be able to communicate across a distance! And so clearly, too! [Sophia would love this weird little thing.] I knew this night would change everything… but I had no idea things would change this much.

[She grins happily, excited - and not a little nervous, at this novel situation.] Why, I never imagined I’d run into anything like this in my life! How strange this kingdom is. Strange, and exciting, and… well, a bit frightening. Of course, it’s nothing I can’t handle. [Said with all the confidence of a young person who really has no idea of what she’s doing, but is sure of herself nonetheless.] Anyhow, hello, everyone! You can all call me Cinders. I’m from a place far from here, from what I was told, and… I guess they need heroes? I don’t know that I’m much of one, but I’m certainly willing to try. [After all, if she can charm the prince the way she just did, she can do anything! Right? Right. Of course she can! Moving on.] Although, I really wasn’t expecting my shoes to pop back on after the length I threw one of them. [And here, as if to demonstrate, she ducks out of sight and rummages around her skirt a bit until she can remove a beautiful, delicate slipper, composed of leather and glass - and just a bit too small to be comfortable on her feet. Sitting back up, she displays it to the camera, curiously watching it glitter in the light as though it’s going to do a trick.] As lovely as this get-up is, I rather wish I were in my old rags. After a night like the one I’ve just had, at least I could be comfortable.

[And just like that, her slippers, mask, and ballgown vanishes in a puff of magical-looking, almost Disney-esque, smoke and glitter, showing Cinders’ face in full, and displaying some carefully patched rags, along with an old leather vest and waist-cinched the looks as if it should be falling apart. She jumps a bit and gasps, blinking for a fair few moments, confused.]

… Wait, what?!

Comments

[zee_zatara]

[A woman with dark hair, and one eyebrow lifted pops onto the screen.]

Have you tried wishing for anything else? Or thinking about certain outfits?

Really interesting shoes, by the way.

[glassfall]

Er... no, not yet.

[Besides, it's not like she has any other clothes.]

Interesting, beautiful... really uncomfortable, et cetera.

[zee_zatara]

I can't imagine glass is very kind to the feet. Though if that outfit is your idea of comfortable, just wait til you try yoga pants.

[glassfall]

It's not. The left one's cut my heel, blast it.

What are yoga pants? [She doesn't even know what a yoga is.]

voice

[craftpunk]

Hey wait, wish for the other outfit. I was enjoying the view.

[video]

[glassfall]

Sorry, the show's over.

[As nice as cleavage is, having it pushed up like that for way too long is really uncomfortable.]

[video]

[craftpunk]

Suddenly, less interested. [ He sounds bored. ]

You should try that again, just to be sure if your powers work.

[pummelgranite]

[ OK SHE IS NAMED CINDERS AND SHE HAS MAGICAL DRESS CHANGING POWERS. This is obviously extra sexy Cinderella and no one can tell her otherwise. ]

Handy.

[glassfall]

[You are correct, Persephone! You've won... well, a bit of snark.]

Now, if only I could magic away the glitter.

[Yes, there's glitter. All over her.]

[pummelgranite]

Oh trust me, not even magic will get rid of the glitter.

[video]

[couldbebeautiful]

How very.

[But Veronica's sincere about it, lips quirking up in a small smile. She props her chin up on her hand, tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Unlike Cinders, Veronica's clothes are much less ragged, but they're more suitable for the set of an eighties teen movie than a café where she's broadcasting.]

I work at something called—Second Time Around Vintage Clothing? I've got an employee discount. If you want, I can find you some.

[video]

[glassfall]

How very... what?

[She's lost.]

That's very kind of you. I would appreciate that.

[video]

[couldbebeautiful]

It's an expression where I'm from. It's just very. [She tucks her hair behind her ear.] It's a pretty versatile word.

Don't mention it. Especially not to the manager, I think she'd freak.

video;

[kingsroads]

Lovely dress, by the way, [ said in a very matter of fact tone. While Strange's outfit is comprised entirely of modern clothes, the styling is SO 1800s. ]

And don't worry--you're hardly the first person here who hasn't run into one of these devices before. A month out and I'm still rubbish at working this thing!

[video]

[glassfall]

Thank you. The woman who gave it to me had rather raunchy taste in dresses.

Oh? Well, at least I'm not alone in this matter.

[video]

[kingsroads]

I'm still used to letters, myself, so to be thrown into 'emails' and 'texting' is quite disorienting!

[ still, he seems relatively up-beat about it. He'll simply adjust, that's all. ]

But yes, you aren't alone. Apparently the Porter brings in people from all sorts of times and all sorts of places--which is the part that confuses me the most. You'd think a machine as supposedly powerful as the Porter is would have better judgement.

[am_i_a_monster]

That's a neat trick. It might be one of the powers you got.

What did you throw your shoe at? Or who?

[glassfall]

I think it is, I just... forgot I could do it.

[Give her a break, she's new.]

Actually, I threw it over the wall of the palace garden.

[am_i_a_monster]

It gets easier with time.

Were you going to climb over the wall?

[aboveand]

That's one way to change an outfit.

[glassfall]

[Cinders fans away the smoke, making a slight face.]

At least it's quick.

[aboveand]

[He gives a small, sheepish smile.]

Well, at least you know what you can do now.

I'm assuming that's a new thing, anyway.

video

[darted]

Heh. Did your file tell you what kind of powers you have? Sometimes it doesn't help. Mine are still vague. But at least they get you started. [ Mai can understand and empathize (a little) with just how intense this world is. ]

[video]

[glassfall]

I suppose it must have, but I haven't done more than skim it, yet.

[video]

[darted]

Same. I don't wanna read that stuff. I'm a little creeped out they know that much about me.