My back ached, and my head as well. I didn't know where I was, but there was a loud shout from above me, and I opened my eyes to see a dragon staring at me. Holy crap... That's an actual- "So you are alive?" The voice was suprisingly soft, and I stood up slowly, looking at the dragon. She had long wings with blue and red feathers, several horns, and slate grey eyes. "Barely," I answered, rubbing my spine. "My back hurts, but I think I'm okay." The winged reptile blinked, giving me a look I couldn't place. It was either disbelief or annoyance, and given she could eat me in one bite or crush me with her tail, I really hoped it was the former... I wanted to ask how she could talk, but tact was likely key if I wanted to stay alive. "So... what's your name?"

"I am Ventuswill, the Divine Wind," she announced, sitting up a little taller, "One of the legendary Native Dragons governing this world. And I don't care if you've fallen from above, you have no right to enter this chamber unpermitted!" Oh dear... "What's your name?" she asked, watching me closely. I stared back, pulling a blank on the whole name idea. "Me? Uh..." I twisted the ends of my long green ponytails, glancing at the floor and trying to think of how to tell her I didn't know.

"LADY VENTUSWILL!" A square-jawed, bearded older man came barreling into the room with a shout, and I scooted back a step as he approached Ventuswill. "What in the world was that noise I just heard?!" After finishing the question he noticed me standing there, dazed, and pointed without waiting for an answer to his other question, yelling, "Egads! Who is this knave?!" Knave? Excuse me! "Wait, Volkanon," Ventuswill ordered. "B- but-" The dragon gave him a sharp look. "I said wait. We're talking."

"Yes, ma'am..." Volkanon bowed and took a step back as Ventuswill asked in a calm tone, "So, who are you?" I sighed, "Well... Frey. I think..." With a frown, she proclaimed, "You mustn't give me a vague, noncommital answer. Say it clearly." But I don't really know if... I scratched my head, answering blankly, "It's most likely Frey, but that's all I can remember." Volkanon gave a surprised shout, and Ventuswill asked, "You speak the truth?" With a nod I replied, "Yes." Her expression became sad, and she nodded. "I see honesty in your eyes... but amnesia...!"

"I'm so sorry for your loss!" Volanon shouted. After the sound of stomping footsteps came an unexpected and unrequested hug from a blubbering Volkanon. "You must be very confused, losing your memory like this! But rest assured! I- I'll always be on your side!" Good to know, but if he'd only let me go... I tapped his arm. "Uh, I can't- breathe..." With another yell he let go quickly, remarking, "Wait a minute! Perhaps you're the Princess we've been waiting for!" I gasped for breath as Ventuswill studied me and nodded, adding, "You do have an air of nobility around you." I have no air around me! "You must have lost your memory from the shock of the fall. Do you have any idea how or why you came to drop in from above?" she asked, her expression as calm as mine was confused.

I decided it was best to tell the truth, and I shrugged my shoulders blankly. "The furthest thing I remember is being on an airship. There were two men demanding to know where something was, and when I told them I didn't know what they were talking about, one of them kicked me and I fell... But I don't know what they were doing there. Or why I was on the ship." Ventuswill nodded, sighing, "... Rebels, then. I expected as much." Volkanon added, "They must be villains chasing the Princess."

"You're right. This can't be a coincidence. Volkanon," Ventuswill began. "Yes. Ma'am?" he asked. "Prepare a room for the Princess." Volcanon nodded, shouting, "Right away!" and ran off while I stood staring at the dragon. "W- wait, but I'm not- I don't think I'm the-" She smiled, replying, "Fate has decided that you should be here. You shall live in this town, and perhaps in doing so, you may find clues leading to your identity. It seems the most logical course of action, wouldn't you agree?" Not that I want to argue with a dragon, but... "It's not exactly... logical, is it? Should I really stay here?"

"Of course. However, I hope in addition to your personal details, you've also forgotten the tone of voice I used earlier." What is she even talking about? "Earlier?" I hazarded, giving her a confused frown. "My... way of speaking. You know only this, right? you've heard nothing else?" I really wasn't catching on, and I noted that she sounded a little different from our first meeting. "Lady Ventuswill?" I hoped she'd catch my baffled tone and note that I was referring to her respectfully. "Just call me Venti," she requested, crushing my idea of respectful confusion. "Okay, er, Venti..." With a smile, she added, "Tell no one of my informality, but when it's just us I'd like you to speak like we're old friends. It's more comfortable." I nodded quickly, glancing at her claws as she reminded me to say nothing.

Volkanon returned to the room, announcing, "Lady Ventuswill, the room is now ready." Ventuswill- or just Venti- praised him and then turned to me. "Your body must ache. Rest early today, Princess." But I'm not a- "Now, Lord Arthur, allow me to show you to your room." I stared at the man, half-comprehending his statement. "Lord Whonow? I thought I was a Princess? And my name isn't Arthur..."

"It must be, if you're who we've been waiting for. It must be difficult that the only thing you thought you remembered was incorrect. I heard that your name was Arthur before you arrived." I sighed and shook my head, replying, "What if I'm not who you..." After trailing off I gave up, dropping my shoulders and following Volkanon, who was leading the way into 'my' room without a response. "My name is Frey," I grumbled. A smiling Ventuswill called, "Use that name if you wish until your true identity is figured out. Someone from the royal family should recognize you. And keep quiet about what we discussed earlier."

I sighed yet again as I looked around my new room. Volkanon bowed, and he swept an arm to the side, pointing out the readily made bed. "This is to be your room, Princess." He explained the diary waiting on the table and bade me rest for the night, assuring me that he'd inform the town of my arrival. I climbed into the bed as Volkanon bowed and left, thinking about the strange events of the day. Great... I hope I'm who they think I am, but I really hope my name isn't Arthur.

There was a shout, and I felt a dark presence looming over me as I was jolted from my sleep by Volkanon's voice. "Who are you!?" he demanded, shaking me awake. "Wha-?" I yawned and waved him off, sitting up. "Is something going on?" I asked, looking past the butler at a tall, feminine blonde man wearing oval-framed glasses. "I'll say there is!" Volkanon yelled, pointing at the man, who was smiling and holding what looked like an oddly shaped book. "This is Arthur D Lawrence! A Prince of the Norad Kingdom, and the person we were waiting for! Who does that make you?!" I stood up, studying Arthur. He didn't look much like a Prince, and he was kind of girly-looking... I frowned at Volkanon, who was glowering at me, and replied, "I told you, I'm Frey. My name isn't Arthur, and I'm obviously not a Prince."

Volkanon grabbed my arm and dragged me to Ventuswill's room while Arthur followed blankly. The dragon, who'd been waiting, called, "What's going on, Volkanon? I can't sleep with the racket." Shaking his head, the butler replied, "THIS is Prince Arthur! He just arrived after midnight... This girl is an impostor! And I've already notified the town of the Royal Guest's arrival as a green haired amnesiac called Frey!" I gaped at Volkanon. Why would you do that?! I said I wasn't the Prince or Princess! Arthur looked at Ventuswill, smiling after a moment. "Volkanon explained the situation to me, and I believe I have a solution," he said, earning the attention of the three of us. Venti looked like she'd been ready to kick me out to appease the real Prince, who gave her a bow and added, "Though I do request your guidance, Lady Ventuswill."

Arthur glanced at Ventuswill, who looked pleased with the bow and request, before studying me seriously, and I noted the calculating look he was giving me. I don't think this solution will agree with me... "Will you trade places with me and serve as representative to this kingdom?" he asked. I stood frozen for a moment, wondering if I'd heard the request correctly. "Say what? But I'm-" Venti broke in with, "Do you realize what you're saying?" Arthur nodded at the dragon, adding, "There's something I wish to do, and I'd be far too busy to do it if I were to take my place as representative now. I'm not suggesting that we trade names or that Frey take my position permanently, but it would be simpler and of more interest to me to let her run the town for now." With that the Prince turned to me, asking politely, "So... will you take on my responsibilities?"

"Wouldn't this mean betraying you father?" Ventuswill asked, likely trying to dissuade him from the idea. Arthur's expression didn't change as he replied, "I'm prepared for that." Venti nodded, and she looked at me before saying, "Very well then, all responsibilities as Prince will be transferred to Frey until further notice."

"Wait, what?! I can't take Arthur's place! The town is expecting a Prince! Not me!" Arthur nodded, mumbling, "That could be a problem. Though my name leaked to very few, it should be obvious that it was a Prince who was sent. Volkanon, when you announced 'my' arrival, what exactly did you say?" Volkanon stood taller, almost saluting the Prince. "I told everyone in town that the Prince had arrived, was now referred to as Frey, had green hair, and was an amnesiac, your highness."

Arthur looked at me again, and I froze under his serious gaze. "Er, maybe I should just tell everyone the truth..." Venti gave me a look that said the truth wasn't an option, whispering, "The people can't know that I made such an obvious mistake! You have to do it. Can't you just pretend to be a Prince?" I gave her a sideways glance, mumbling, "You mean... you want me to crossdress and pretend to be Arthur?! No way!" There was a rumbling from Ventuswill's throat as she growled. I cringed and sighed, "Fine..." Dropping my shoulders, I asked Arthur, "Could I borrow some clothes?"

By the time my disguise was convincing, it was almost 3 am, and I bade Volkanon and Arthur, who'd helped me out, a good night. We'd taken down my long ponytails and removed the hair ornaments first. Then Volkanon had suggested we chop off my hair to make me convincingly male in appearance. I immediately rejected the idea. After all, I didn't remember anything about myself in the first place. For all I knew, my long hair could have been my favorite feature! I agreed to keep it in a loose braid on my back, which was oddly the most masculine style we could manage without cutting it. My bangs we left alone, taking aside a few strands of hair from each side of the braid to frame my face, which made it look like I normally wore this style. My eyelashes were naturally long, but I didn't want Volkanon trying to cut those off either, so we left them alone. Arthur's flat helmet-cut was pretty feminine after all, and we weren't trying to destroy my identity as Frey.

I'd borrowed an outfit and a pair of pajmas from Arthur, and I put on the latter with a sigh. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad I turned out to be pretty flat-chested. It made it much easier to neutralize my body shape, though I'd have a problem if I ever needed to remove my shirt... I made a note to steer clear of swimming invitations and the clinic that Volkanon had warned me I'd need to visit if I ever felt ill. With the new clothes and hairstyle, I noted that I really did look (sort of) like a Prince. I found it awkward that I should feel confident in that, but dismissed the thought as I mentally kicked Arthur. Even if he was a Prince, he was going to owe me big time when this was over. After all, I hadn't gotten to meet any of the people of Selphia, and now I was going to have to pretend to be the one thing I knew I wasn't without a clue as to who I really was. At least I wasn't going to be called 'Arthur' for the rest of my stay...

Since the others had gone I climbed back into the bed that had been meant for the real prince, yawning. I found myself wondering where Arthur would stay, since I'd stolen his room and job. With a sigh I rolled over and decided to ignore any thoughts of him, Venti, or Volkanon. It was their fault I was going to have to do this... I really hope Frey's my real name... Another thought occured to me as I made the request, and I gave a sigh as I fell asleep, thinking, And please don't let me mess this up and get banished by the King for impersonating his son...

((Chapter 1 Author's Notes:

I've only just started playing the game, though I'm on day 8, and I've met Dylas and Amber, and I want to make this a story rather than a walkthrough, so after the introduction with Venti and Volkanon I decided to veer from the game's scenes and create my own versions with an adapted personality for Frey and different dialog/reactions. I know crossdressing is cliche and overused, but I couldn't help but think of it when I found out that the character was supposed to be impersonating Arthur in a way even though I was playing as a girl. I couldn't pass up the opportunity for some gender-bending fun.

I hope you guys don't mind my edits and slow updates, I have too many stories going at once and I'm just adding to them. There will be plenty of fight scenes, and I guess I'll take requests on pairings or character involvement in the plot. The most interesting ideas will definitely be added to the later chapters. From here on out, I'll be using almost no actual game dialogue. (Just this chapter consisted of over an hour of re-starting the game to pull intro dialogue for accuracy's sake.) Thanks for reading. I'll see you next chapter ;) ))