o.0.o.0.o

All tales, at their core, have a grain of truth to them

o.0.o.0.o

"Emm? Emm, are you there?"

Emmeryn smiled softly as her impatient brother hardly bothered to knock, barging into her study. She stood, setting aside her favorite fairy tale to address him.

"Honestly, Chrom," she sighed, yet smiled nonetheless. "What if I were reviewing an important deal with Plegia?"

Chrom glanced at the book in her hands, crossing his arms with a mockingly suspicious chuckle.

"Unless that deal includes those silly fairy tales you're so enamored with, I hardly doubt that's the case."

"Perhaps." Emmeryn couldn't help but laugh with him. Crossing her legs and folding her hands, she met his gaze. "So. Who tipped you off? Frederick? Phila?"

"Miriel." Chrom answered. Emmeryn let out a small hum. That was her third guess. Even though they lived apart, Miriel was a good friend who almost acted as a walking pocketbook schedule for her. That, and the woman who made sure she, as the Queen and main diplomate of Ylisse, didn't get too lost within the world of fiction. "She just wanted me to make sure you didn't miss Lissa's first day."

"She honestly either underestimates me," Emmeryn spoke as she stood. "Or overextends herself."

"Maybe a bit of both." Chrom laughed under his breath, following his sister out the door. "But I never understood that fascination of fairy tales you have. I get that every girl is giddy over the classics, but you're not even into the stereotypical Disney stuff. Your favorites are these out of touch tales that I've never ever heard of."

"... Not entirely out of touch, Chrom." Emmeryn smiled softly, approaching Lissa's bedroom door and knocking three times. "Lissa?"

Immediately, the door slammed open, and a frantic Lissa stood on the other side, looking on the verge of tears. She was already dressed in her uniform, wearing a pleated black skirt with a white button up, black tie, black knee-highs, and a green blazer with the school's emblem over her heart, an iris within a shield.

"Emm, I don't know what I'm gonna do!" her hand frantically grasped at her hair. Strands of the curly blond locks were flying every which way. "They won't lay flat and nothing I do is working!"

"Chrom, why don't you go get the car started so that you're ready to go as soon as we're done." Emmeryn simply smiled, inviting herself into her younger sister's bedroom and guiding her in front of the mirror. Grabbing a brush, she gave Lissa's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "There, there, Lissa. No need for all the tears."

"Emm, it's just terrible. Of all the days for a bed head!" Lissa exclaimed, rubbing at her eyes. "What am I going to do…?"

"I'll tell you what we'll do." Emmeryn smiled, running a brush through Lissa's hair, then swiftly pulling both sides into cute, albeit, messy pigtails. "We'll fix this hair, get you in the car, and have Chrom speeding out of our driveway before Frederick knows what hit him."

That made Lissa laugh. After all, how could it not? Despite Frederick being nearly the same age as Emmeryn herself, he took to caring for them much like a mother bear would. It was fitting, considering that their parents have died, so having such a stabilizing figure in their lives was extremely beneficial, specifically to Lissa, who barely remembers what their mother and father were like. But due to stepping up so drastically, especially with him being so young, Frederick tended to… overdo it. Specifically when it came to advising Harold, Ylisse's primary diplomat until Emmeryn came of age, that all three siblings should be homeschooled for their own protection and safety.

Eventually, Frederick became Chrom and Lissa's personal tutor, butler, and guard dog of sorts. But since Chrom started attending Shield of Flames University, Lissa herself became desperate to be 'normal' and attend schooling as well. So, under Frederick and Phila's noses, along with a little help from Miriel and Chrom, Emmeryn enrolled her sixteen-year-old sister as Alissa Junos in Iris Academy of the Elite.

Truly, she worried for Lissa. After all, Lissa has never been off the grounds nor has she made a public appearance since their parents had died. On one hand, Emmeryn feared someone finding out who she was and trying to take advantage of her prestige that way, but on the other, she knew that Lissa needed this. Emmeryn herself could admit being grateful for diplomatic trips to Valm and Plegia. After all, if she were stuck with an overbearing Frederick overlooking every move she made, she'd surely go insane!

"Hurry up now," Emmeryn said as Lissa stood, quickly gathering all her things together in her yellow totebag, rushing to slip on her shoes. "The last thing we need is Frederick intervening."

"Got that right!" Lissa laughed. Emmeryn smiled, happy that Lissa was in a better mood. Quickly, both made it to the front door, where Chrom sat, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel of his squeaky-clean, brand new car.

"Now remember," Emmeryn put her hands on Lissa's shoulders. "You're enrolled under Alissa Juno. You can say Lissa is your nickname, but we can't have people knowing you're Princess Lissa Iris of Ylisse, understand?"

"Don't worry!" Lissa grinned. "I'll be fine!"

"Don't get to caught up in your fairy tales, Emm!" Chrom called from the window as Lissa ducked inside. Emmeryn simply cocked her head and smiled at her brother.

"Please don't total another car, Chrom."

Chrom flinched, gripping the steering wheel.

"That was only two times!"

"But what about-" Lissa began.

"That third time wasn't my fault!" Chrom exclaimed. "That deer came out of nowhere, I had no choice but to swerve and hit that pole!"

Emmeryn couldn't help but let out a semi-exasperated, worried sigh. It would hardly do for the public to know that Chrom had more than one accident, one of which resulted in a rather large hole on the property wall, the other, significant damage to the fountain in front of their house. So at this point, she could only pray that he made it to the high school safely.

"Drive! Oh my god Chrom, put the car in drive!"

The screech of brakes and the car jolting back, along with Lissa screaming that sentence made Emmeryn question if this was really a good idea.

As her brother's car faded from sight and she turned back towards the mansion, she coincidentally ran into Frederick, who looked as if he had just arrived from the back entrance. He quirked an eyebrow.

"It seems I cannot find Lissa. I knocked several times on her door, and she didn't answer."

Emmeryn smiled, folding her hands.

"That's because Lissa's not going to need you as a full time educator anymore. I've decided to enroll her in Iris Academy of the Elite."

Frederick's face instantly went into shock, and he brushed past her.

"Absolutely not." he said simply. "Lissa hasn't been outside the mansion in thirteen years, and the world gets more dangerous by the day."

"Frederick, it's a very well guarded school. It's been created to protect the most brilliant of minds of this society."

"... I don't care, this is ridiculous." Frederick answered. "There's reasons that I-"

"Frederick, Lissa needs this." Emmeryn insisted. "She needs the social interaction. Besides, Maribelle has been enrolled there since she entered high school, and you know how protective Maribelle is of Lissa. Everything will be fine, and then Chrom will drive her home."

Frederick looked back at her, a look of outright horror on his face.

"You… let Chrom drive?"

She nodded once.

"And Chrom will continue to drive her until she graduates."

"... I'll agree to this on one condition," Frederick held up his finger. "I will never, ever bother you or Chrom or Lissa about allowing her to go to this school, but only if you allow me to drive her to school, and to never let Chrom in or near another car ever again."

Emmeryn couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"I knew you'd be compilable, Frederick."

With those parting words, she left Frederick's side and went back to her study. Though she knew she should probably pick up with where she left off with her papers last night, she instead found her hand moving towards her favorite tale again. She decided then that she would set her alarm for an hour, enjoy the tale she no doubt knew by heart, and then get back to work.

Quickly, she wished Lissa good luck, then proceeded to reading. Within minutes, she received a text back.

Thanks Emm! I got here safely, against all odds… Oh! And Chrom wanted me to remind you, yet again, to not get caught up in silly fairy tales. Love you~!

Emmeryn smiled, setting her phone down and looking back to the pages of her book.

o.0.o.0.o

So even when those legends, those small grains of truth, die, the connections forged remain regardless.

o.0.o.0.o

Donnel felt really stiff and uncomfortable in the fancy uniform that he had to wear for his new school, but at the same time, his heart was pounding against his ribcage.

He did not belong in this place.

As Ella pulled up to the front of the school, that was the only thing that went through his head. His bumpkin rear did not belong in a school that looked like it was more along the lines of a mansion. He glanced at Ella, and she looked as awed as he.

"Why did you get me into this mess, Sis?" he groaned, bowing his head in his hands.

Already, people were walking by their pickup truck, staring and snickering. Ella tapped him on the shoulder, and he lifted his head. His mute sister began to speak in sign language, smiling reassuringly all the way.

"This is going to be beneficial for you, Donny." she signed. "You're smarter than you think, smarter than half the richies who got here on daddy's dime."

Judging by the look in her eye, Donnel knew her tone wasn't malicious. Rather, it was playful, teasing. She was making fun of the other kids here.

But it didn't make it any better for him.

Donnel and his mother used to live out in the sticks with his Pa. Honestly, Donnel was fine with the way his life was going. He was getting a general public education in his little stick town, he was a decent student, and didn't plan to do nothing more than graduate and take care of the farm with his Ma and Pa for the rest of his life.

However, it all changed when Ella moved out, and his Pa died from a heart attack way too soon. Ella graduated a couple years back, when Donnel was about thirteen and she was eighteen. Right after that, their Pa died. With that, Ella was determined to make herself a success, so she, of all things, bought a theatre. Despite Ella's total inexperience, she insisted that the place was doing really well. Three years later, Ella excitedly emailed him a contest for a full scholarship for the Iris Academy of the Elite, including a link with a video of the Queen of Ylisse, Emmeryn Iris herself, promising to pay for one lucky but deserving student who could sway her with a good letter about their life and why they deserved to attend the school. In turn, Emmeryn would pay for the rest of the student's schooling in honor of the her descendents, in which the school was named after.

Donnel wasn't interested, honestly. 'Cause after he looked up the school… Well, Queen Emmeryn was a nice lady no doubt, but he didn't feel his life story was nor his skill was nearly deserving of going to such a prestigious academy. Seriously, it was right in the schools name: Iris Academy for the Elite. And Donnel, in no way, considered himself elite.

But after constant pestering from his sister and his mother, he was finally done in when his Ma pulled the ultimate 'your father would have wanted this for you' guilt card. So he wrote up something about his life and family. About how his Ma and Pa adopted Ella when she was eleven and he was six, how hardworking all of them were, how he grew up in a small farm town that used to be safe, but was becoming increasingly unstable due to criminal activity… He ended it with admitting that he didn't really care about winning, but since his Pa died, as the man of the house, he just wanted his Ma and sister to be happy and safe, so if getting a better education ensured that… Then he'd do it.

Next thing he knew, he had gotten a handwritten letter from Emmeryn herself, alongside a congratulatory letter of acceptance. Him! Little 'ole Donny from the sticks! His Ma began crying almost immediately, and when they brought Ella up on video chat, he was pretty certain she would've screamed if she could.

Next thing he knew, his Ma was packing him up and shipping him off to live with Ella in her apartment. He was scared about leaving his Ma alone, especially with the rise of criminals in his town… But he was also assured by the men that worked on his Pa's farm for years that they would make sure she was okay.

"You'll be okay," Ella reassured again. "But I've got a big show coming up at the theatre, and auditions are today, so…"

Her hands hovered hesitantly. Clearly, she was hesitant to say it, but Donnel could take a hint. Ella needed him to skedaddle so she could get to work.

"Have fun at work, Sis…" Donnel trailed off, starting to open the door, when he felt her tug at his sleeve again. He looked back, and she smiled, signing something to him.

"You'll do fine. You have my every confidence, Donny."

Donnel was quiet, then smiled.

"Thanks, Ella."

As he hopped out of the truck, he gave his sister one more wave, and she gave him a thumbs up. Exhaling, he looked around at the multitude of expensive-looking cars, then glanced at the dirty pickup truck that he and Ella shared. Adjusting his baseball cap on his head, he began to walk towards the front of the school.

The parking lot was across the street from the entrance of the school, so Donnel began to make his way to the pedestrian crossing. Looking both ways, he saw no one was coming, so he adjusted his grip on his bookbag and began to cross. As he was halfway across however...

"OH MY GOD, STOP, STOP, STOP!"

There was a screech of tires and as Donnel turned, he stumbled back. A silver car practically ran him over, coming so close that when it stopped, his hands instinctively jerked out and hit the hood of the car, as if he hoped that would keep it from plowing him down.

His heart was excellerating a mile a minute as he stepped back, though the tinted windows kept him from getting a good look at the driver and the passenger.

"You almost hit him!" then, a girl got out of the car. She had blonde hair up in pigtails, and was wearing what he guessed was the female version of the school uniform. "Oh my god, you almost hit him! I swear, I don't care if Frederick finds out about this, you're never driving me again!"

"Hey, you alright?" the male who was driving rolled the window down and stared out the window. His eyes were worried and apologetic. "I'm really sorry!"

"I-I'm fine." Donnel managed to stutter out. Swallowing and tugging at his tie a little, he stepped away from the car. "Yeah, I'm good."

"Oh, what a relief." the girl sighed, placing a hand over her heart. Then, she turned back to the male driving. "I mean it! Never again! I'm texting Emm right now!"

The male sighed as Donnel made a point to shuffle towards the sidewalk, out of the way of this maniac driver.

"I'll see you later Lissa," the male said. The girl, Lissa, let out a huff.

"It better be at home, and not in that car!"

With that, she slammed the door shut. The driver almost immediately slammed on the gas, though Donnel had a feeling that it was unintentional, as it was followed by an immediate jerk of the car due to him slamming on the breaks. Lissa bowed her head, shaking her head.

"I knew my brother was a bad driver, but I didn't know it was that bad…" she trailed off worriedly, then immediately turned to him. "Anyways, I apologize on his behalf! Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm really fine!" Donnel insisted kindly. "Er, he called you Lissa?"

"Um!" she gasped, then stuttered, then stuck out her hand. "A-Alissa! Alissa Juno! But you can call my Lissa, if you want."

"I'm Donnel Tinhead, but most everyone around here calls me Donny."

With that, he grasped her hand, shaking it firmly. However, he did not expect the shock of electricity that shot up his arm. Lissa seemed surprised as well, but quickly dropped his hand, staring at her palm for a minute.

Then, a phone dinged. Lissa jumped slightly, as if surprised, then pulled her phone out of her pocket, glancing at it.

"Oh, shoot!" Lissa looked up at him. "Say, are you a sophomore too? Think you can lead me to the square here? I'm new and I'm trying to find my friend."

"Er, well-"

"C'mon, please? It'll be easy to spot her, she's a little taller than me, always has her hair in these really pretty thick, blonde curls, and mauve eyes. Her name is Maribelle Themis! Please, you've gotta help me!"

"Um… Um…"

"Great, thanks!"

With that, she latched onto his arm, and began to drag him into what might as well be the unknown.

o.0.o.0.o

But that's the sad truth when it comes to legends and tales.

o.0.o.0.o

Olivia clenched her fists in front of the theatre. The bulbs that should be flashing were off, but that was understandable. After all, it was daytime… But the huge letters were still slightly intimidating. Feroxi Theatre was above her, and underneath, in black letters on the marquee: Auditions for Masked Murder at the Ballet by acclaimed Henry Crow today from 8:00AM to 7:00PM

It was approximately nine in the morning, and Olivia was stuck twiddling her thumbs, wondering if she should really do this. Henry Crow was an up and coming theatre director and writer, becoming renowned in the theatre world for his dark and twisted plays, effects made strangely realistic in ways not quite known to the public yet.

Olivia wasn't sure, however, if she wanted to have her name attached to such a production. She's had some small backup parts in this theatre before, but she desperately needed money, any money. Rent was due, and if she could get something bigger than a backup dancer here, she could secure her home for a little while longer…

But she was just so nervous! She was so afraid she was going to stutter like crazy, but even still…

Clenching her folder of her resume and experience, Olivia reminded herself that living in a crummy apartment was better than living on the street, even if it meant being known as the lead girl in a mass murder show.

Exhaling, she opened the familiar theatre door, and was surprised by the plethora of actors and actresses filling the lobby.

"Are you here to audition?"

Olivia jumped, turning to her right and seeing a very tall, plain-faced brunette man. She nodded.

"I-I'm here t-t-to audition for a part, a-any part!"

The man nodded once.

"Okay. My name is Kellam, and I'm a stagehand around here. But today, Ella tasked me to gather resumes and stuff… But it seems I'm not doing as well as my partner…"

His gaze trailed off to a girl with a red ponytail, excitedly talking to other actresses as she gathered resumes.

"O-Oh." Olivia said simply. "Um, are you both new? I've worked here before but I've never seen you before."

Kellam looked slightly disappointed for a second.

"Anna's new. I've been here for almost five years…"

Olivia wasn't sure how to answer to that, suddenly feeling really guilty. Kellam was here before the new owners took over? Good gracious, she never noticed…

"Um, here." Olivia held out her resume. "H-Hopefully I'll s-see you again!"

Kellam nodded, graciously accepting her folder and then… just disappearing. Olivia had no clue where he went, he just… went poof.

Olivia looked around, trying to find a place to sit, but the place was so packed that she simply… couldn't. Whoever this Henry Crow guy is… he must be pretty popular if this many people are coming to the show…

"Alright, alright!" a cheerful voice came from the stage area. Olivia lifted her head and the room went silent. A white haired young man stood there, probably no older than her. He was grinning from ear to ear, and had a clipboard in hand. Again, Olivia had never seen him before, so she wondered where on earth he had come from and when he was hired. "Hello everyone! So if you didn't read the sign, this audition is for Masked Murder at the Ballet, a new theatre production by none other than Henry Crow! Now, if you don't know his name, you should know he's known for his dark themes and acting, as well as his, ahem,"

His grin seemed to grow as he continued.

"Murderous tendencies in his plays. So! If any of you can't handle blood, gore, or otherwise creepy acting, save us some time and skedaddle!"

No one really said a word. Olivia herself found his… strangely disturbing enthusiasm off putting.

"Everyone good? Great! Glad we avoided something that could have been caCAWstrophic!" he laughed at what Olivia assumed was a pun. She didn't get it, and as she looked around, she was a little relieved. No one else seemed to get it either. "Alright then, we'll start with our ladies! First up is Bethany Austin!"

A confident looking brunette stood and strode across the lobby. Olivia looked around again, searching for a familiar face until finally, she saw one, trapped within a sea of women.

Virion Roseanne was a fairly popular actor in this theatre. His parents were significantly rich, and basically helped to pay for his spectacular penthouse apartment and were completely supportive of his dreams… or so he liked to brag. Even if he was a little flamboyant and a huge flirt, he knew how to put on a show and could fit into any act. Olivia had no doubt that he would play a significant role in this play.

"Ah, fair Olivia!" Virion caught her gaze, smiling arrogantly as he strode over to her. "How wonderful it is to be in the presence of your beauty once again!"

"V-Virion, please don't…" she whispered under her breath. "I'm already nervous enough as it is."

"And whatever for?" Virion immediately demanded. "You've got the beauty of a thousand flowers and the talent of a woman whose been performing for decades."

"B-But I'm going f-for a more m-main role this time." Olivia whispered. "Rent's c-coming up and I'm g-gonna fall behind if I don't get s-something good."

"Well then, dear, why not come live with me, in my penthouse?" Virion offered with a confident smirk that made Olivia feel both embarrassed and even more nervous. "It will be lovely, you will be worry free, and-"

"Virion." the sharp, commanding voice of the head costume designer, Cherche, cut through them both like a knife. However, she was smiling as she spoke. "You best not be scaring off prospective actresses. What will Minerva say?"

"Minerva?" some other actresses who seemed interested in Virion suddenly recoiled in disgust.

"No, wai-" Virion exclaimed, turning around. Cherche, however cut himself off.

"Yes, Minerva." Cherche smiled at them. "Has he spoken of her? She's very possessive, practically pounces on him as soon as he gets home."

Several women shot him dirty looks and walked away. Virion looked aghast at this development, then turned to glare at Cherche.

"Honestly, Cherche, it's like you're trying to completely ruin my reputation!"

"Oh, no, Virion, you do that all on your own." Cherche laughed to herself. "And besides, Minerva will know… She's such a smart doggy, she will always know when you're out of line."

Virion flinched slightly, and Olivia glanced between them. Supposedly, this Minerva is Cherche's dog… And apparently scary if Virion was flinching back like so.

"Olivia," Cherche smiled gently. "Don't feel overwhelmed. I'm glad to see that you're back here."

"Th-Thank you, Cherche."

Cherche had a calming presence in the theatre. She knew how to take charge of her department and reign everyone's craziness in without being terrifying… It was only when she mentioned Minerva that one knew she was in trouble.

"Wh-Who's judging this time around?" Olivia asked. Typically, Ella always judged, and then she would drag a stagehand or someone to judge. Cherche smiled.

"Olivia, if I tell you that, then you're going to get all nervous." she patted her on the shoulder. "Just calm down, you'll be fine."

With that, Cherche ducked back into the theatre, leaving Olivia to wallow in her own nervousness.

Soon, most of the lobby was cleared with the exception of her. Finally, the white-haired man came back, practically singing her name.

"Olivia Kelley~!"

She jumped up, looking over to him. He simply grinned, smiling at her.

"P-Present!" she stuttered out.

"You're up!" the young man grinned, and she nervously walked up to him. He led her towards the backstage entrance, chattering the whole way. "I've gotta be honest, this Henry Crow guy is a real stickler! I heard that none of the dancers made the cut for him yet!"

Olivia swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. This news did not help her anxiety at all. But nonetheless…

"Alright!" he patted her on the shoulder, pushing her out of the wings. "Break a leg!"

She glanced back at him for a moment then looked down from the stage. She saw Ella watching her with a smile, and Demyan, a purple-haired stagehand, looked to be sleeping. Even still, she felt their eyes on her form, and she felt paralyzed with embarrassment. Her eyes caught the white haired boy as she looked over at him, and he gave her a brief nod.

Then, she turned back towards Ella. She needed this. She needed it to survive. Exhaling slightly, she heard music begin to play around her. It was a low, the violins making dark sounds that reminded her of a terrifyingly nervous walk through a dark woods.

Without being aware of it, Olivia found herself performing the routine she felt she had perfected.

She pirouetted, leapt, held herself in an arabesque and turned with the beat of the music. She lost herself, her only thoughts on the dance as it consumed her and she allowed it. This feeling was unlike anything else, it was freeing in a way nobody could ever understand.

As the music came to an end, Olivia extended her arms above her head before she slowly lowered them to in front of her. She finally opened her eyes and met those of the judge in front of her. Ella stood clapping happily. That seemed to rouse Demyan a bit, and he was staring with half-lidded and sleepy eyes.

"Saaaaaaaaay~!" Olivia snapped her gaze to the wings, and saw the white-haired boy approaching her. "That was pretty good! Olivia, right?"

Olivia averted her eyes from his gaze, hiding her eyes with her bangs. But she nodded in response to his question.

"Can you sing?"

"C-Can I sing?" she echoed. Simply, she shrugged her shoulders. "I-I don't know. I-I'm probably n-not any good…"

"Try singing this for me!" The white haired boy requested as he handed her a script with a specific song already open and prepared. As Olivia's eyes landed on the song title, she had to stifle a slight laugh. The song's title was 'The Black Crow'. Considering all the crow puns he's made all day… "I promise it's CAWsome!"

"A-are you s-sure?" Olivia asked hesitatingly. "I...I'm r-really not that t-talented…"

Ella clapped her hands and began gesturing wildly at her. Olivia knew that she was mute, but she wasn't fluent enough in sign language yet to understand her fully.

"Um…"

"She's saying that you're being nonsensical for being so scared to try." Demyan suddenly said. "And that no one's going to laugh if you try."

With that, Ella grinned brightly, indicating that Demyan was right. But then…

"Just so long as this hurries the hell up…" he grumbled. Ella suddenly grabbed a stack of folders on the seat next to her, and smacked him in the head with it. That shut him up quick. With him now quiet, Ella turned back to her and the white-haired boy and grinned, nodding reassuringly.

"Hey, why don't we sing it together?" The white haired boy suddenly suggested. At this point, Olivia was sure his smile could not get any wider, for if it did, it would most definitely be 'from ear to ear'.

"T-together? W-Wait a second." Olivia's eyes shot up to meet his own. "Isn't this for a female r-role? I-I thought you weren't allowed to h-have duet audition…"

"I'm sure Ella won't mind," he glanced back at the owner. "Right, Ella?"

Ella shook her head, then gave them a thumbs up, giving them the okay.

"B-But even still…" Olivia glanced down at her feet. "... I don't know, this just doesn't seem fair…"

"You're a crazy lady. I'm not interested in auditioning, I'm helping you audition!" he exclaimed, seemingly missing that she thought it was unfair to the other auditioners. "C'mon! It's not that hard, nyaha! Let's do it together, crazy lady!"

"How am I c-crazy? You're the one h-helping m-me out when you're not even i-interested in the sh-show." Olivia pointed out. Henry simply smiled, then inhaled.

"Okay, if you're nervous, just focus here," he pointed to his face, still smiling. "And smile, 'cause it'll all work out."

For whatever reason, Olivia felt herself relaxing slightly. Closing her eyes and exhaling, she built up her courage and read over the words of the song. Nodding once, the young man gave a thumbs up to the sound director in the wings. More dark and foreboding music began to play.

Then, she opened her mouth, and began to sing.

o.0.o.0.o

Tales and legends, they always die. Lost to time and forgotten by humanity. That…

o.0.o.0.o

"Finally!" Demyan jumped up from his seat, stretching as the doors swung shut behind the last auditioning actress. "God, that was boring. How many times can you watch the same desperate actors try again and again to get a part?"

"As many times as it takes to get it right." Ella signed, then turned to Henry. In addressing him, she began to write in the notebook she was carrying. "So, Henry," she wrote. "Any specific ideas for roles?"

"Well," Henry flipped through his clipboard, glancing over little notes he wrote in the margins next to each actor and actress. "This Virion fellow was pretty decent, though I think he'd be better as our main hero rather than our villain."

"It's hard for me to imagine Virion as a villain," Ella agreed. "Unless, of course, it were a comedy and the villain was starkly overdramatic."

There was a lull in the conversation as Henry continued to rattle off names and parts with Ella furiously scribbling down the names. Truth be told, Henry normally wouldn't have come to help out a friend in such desperate need. Much like people, he believed that if a business was dying, it was best to just let it die.

But Ella was different. She was an old friend who contacted him out of nothing more than pure desperation. She needed something to fill her theatre, and while he didn't hold himself to so high an esteem, Henry knew when something was decently big… And apparently, his dark twist on theatre was the perfect hook for curious citizens. So after ignoring her for a few months, Henry finally gave in when she brought up the favor that he owed her. People may think he's strange and creepy- their words, not his- but he knew when to return a favor.

So he flew down here to check return the small favor he owed her, and that was it.

A part of him, however, could agree with Demyan. The smell of desperation was strong here, and it was a little overwhelming.

He felt something tap him on the shoulder, and Henry turned to see Ella holding up her notebook.

"Do you have any ideas for our female protagonist?"

"Easy." Henry said simply. "Olivia Kelley."

Ella let out a hum of worry. Henry quirked an eyebrow.

"What?"

Ella tapped her pencil against her chin, as if contemplating something, then wrote something down and showed it to him.

"Olivia is very talented. She's worked here before as a backup singer and dancer, but she lacks confidence. I'm afraid she'll break under pressure…"

"No way." Henry shook his head. "She's gonna be my lead. If you think that she's gonna struggle, then I've got a simple solution," he grinned a wide, happy grin. "I'll work with her one and one so she'll be a star."

Ella looked utterly horrified at that prospect, quickly scribbling something into sketchpad.

"Do not traumatize her! Please don't traumatize her!"

"Nyahaha!" Henry laughed. "You're as crazy as Olivia! Why would I traumatize my star? That's goofy!"

o.0.o.0.o

Or those legends are nothing more than fragments of fiction.

o.0.o.0.o

Hello everyone, and welcome to the prologue of Visions Among Us! This story is a gift for Amy47101 as well as a collab with her. This story is based off of her story Fire Emblem Awakening: Unbreakable Ties, so any OCs that appear or are mentioned (such as Ella and Demyan) belong to her.

Anyway, we both hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let us know what you think in a review and we'll see you all again soon! Bye!