Sometime later, at a train station, Tati held Clover on her shoulder, while at a ticket counter.
Mary Kay: One ticket to Toonris.
Ticket Seller: (holds hand out) Exit visa.
Tati: (confused) Exit visa?
Ticket Seller: No exit visa, no ticket!
He then slammed the shutters shut on her face, with an "on lunch break" sign hanging on them. Then an elderly woman named Suga Mama behind Tati tapped her on the shoulder, making the latter turn around and the old woman gestured for her to move closer.
Suga Mama: (whispering) You want help? See Hunter.
Tati: (whispering) Where can I find him?
Suga Mama: (whispering) He lives at the old palace with his friends, (starts to walk but turns back) but you didn't hear it from me, girl.
Tati looked down at where the old palace was.
Tati: Oh.
Suga Mama: (quietly while gesturing) Whatcha eating for? go, go.
Tati: Hunter.
Suga Mama nodded quickly.
Tati: Thank you.
Suga Mama: Never mind Girl, just go.
With Hunter and his group, they were at a theater Hunter's friends had got, and they've been there for hours interviewing any woman they could find to try and successfully impersonate Willow. but there was no luck. The four friends were right now at a big table, with a stack of resumes and a long list of names. The current woman auditioning was a woman named Marcy Wu wearing an orange wig covering up her real black hair, along with a Green dress.
Marcy: I look like a princess and dance like a feather.
Hunter gave a weak smile.
Hunter: Nice, nice, very nice. Yeah. Thank you, Miss Wu. We'll let you know if you're chosen.
He scratched off her name from the list.
King: (mutters) definately not an actress
Hunter: Okay. (calls) Next please!
The actress left the stage while a new actress who looked like Willow, except shallow and vain, known as Drizella, came on to the stage, dropping a big fur coat she had on and holding a cigarette in her hand.
Drizella: Grandma, it's me, Willow.
She shook her hips a bit while Luz and King moaned in annoyance, throwing their heads on the table.
Hunter: (groans) Oh brother.
Izuku: uh S-Sorry don't see it
An hour later, the four had exited the theater, with Hunter locking it up and they walked down the street, knowing they still have no perfect woman to pretend to be Willow.
Izuku: (shakes his head) That's it, guys. Game over. We've spent our last kopeck on this dusty flea-infested theater and still we still don't have a girl pretending to be Willow Park.
Luz: we may as well throw the towel in.
King: Plus I'm hungry.
Hunter: Come on guys, We can't give up. We'll find her. She's here, She could be right under our noses. I can feel it.
He pulled out a music box and walked past Tati who was asking a man, Jasper for directions.
Hunter: Don't forget, one look at this jewelry box and the Empress will think we've brought the real Daphne.
Tati: I'm looking for the Catherine.
Hunter bumped into Tati ironically.
Tati: Oh, Please excuse me. (to the man she was asking directions from) Do you know where it is?
Hunter: And before she catches on, we'll be off spending the ten million rubles.
Jasper: Go down the road and go right, the old palace is just a few meters from here, but there is nothing there and no one lives there. Go on, go on.
Tati: Much oblidged.
She then departed to the old palace.
A bit later, she and Clover had arrived at the old abandoned palace, trying to find a way inside. They cautiously moved towards the doorway that was boarded up with wooden boards. Clover then went through an opening at the bottom of the door. Tati went up to the doorway to look for her palisman, looking through the holes.
Tati: (quietly) Clover! Clover, where are you?
She then grabbed onto the boards, beginning to yank and try to pull it off, and in one more yank, she pulled the boards loose, as she fell backwards. Upstairs, Hunter's group was having dinner when Hunter heard the noise from downstairs.
Hunter: Did you hear something?
Izuku: (pauses) Mmm, no.
Luz: It's probably some cat or pipes
They then went back to their dinner.
With Tati, she entered the vestibule of the palace, with Clover following. Tati removed her scarf and hat as she went up the stairs.
Tati: (calling out) Hello? Is Anybody here?
Once she reached the second floor, she turned and headed towards an open door to a room, and the inside of it looked like the dining area, which was partitally destroyed. The table and all the dishes were covered in a decade's worth of dust and cobwebs. Tati blew the dust off half of one broken plate, and she suddenly saw the image of a little girl dancing with a man, making her gasp, but she shook her head thinking it must have been a hallucination, but she was unaware that it was a memory from her forgotten past. She placed back the plate down and then came to large vase with pictures of dancing bears painted on it.
Tati: Bowls...plate...hmm...This place, it's...it feels like a memory and a dream. It's like deja vu
She felt like she had been in this place before, but couldn't remember when. She began to sing a familiar song.
Tati: (singing) Dancing bears
Painted wings
Things I almost remember
And a song someone sings
Once upon a December
She continued exploring, going through a door that lead to another huge set of stairs which lead to the huge once grand ballroom. She removed her coat and gloves, placing them on the ground.
Tati: (singing) Someone holds me safe and warm
Horses prance through a silver storm
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory
Suddenly spirits of many people in formal wear dancing had appeared out of many portraits and paintings hung on the ballroom's walls and they all came to the floor as they waltzed. Tati had imagined the entire ballroom transforming into its once splendid glory. Clover just sat there and watched on as Tati just walked down the stairs, with two spirit couples landing beside her and bowing to her, and she bowed back. She walked on to the dance floor, beginning to dance with the spirits, though by herself, and she felt like she was remembering something important.
Tati: (singing) Someone holds me safe and warm
Horses prance through a silver storm
Back at the top of the stairs where the royal family portrait was, the spirit of Gilbert appeared out of the picture along with his husband, Harvey, and a couple more children of their's, who were Willow's siblings. A girl came up to Tati and placed a gold chain necklace around her neck. Then Tati spun around, with her rags transforming into a pink ball gown with a white tiara appearing on her head.
Tati: (singing) Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory
She then danced with a few young men across the dance floor, and every few seconds, she was dancing with a new partner.
Tati: (singing) Far away, long ago
Glowing dim as an ember
The spirits of the royal family came walking to where she was.
Tati: (singing) Things my heart
Used to know
Things it yearns to remember...
As Tati was spun again, she was then face to face with Gilbert, and he took her hands as she slowly danced with her.
Tati: (singing) And a song
Someone sings
They stopped dancing and the King then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead as they parted, with Tati doing a full curtsy to the father figure.
Tati: (singing) Once upon a December
She sat down on the floor, wishing she knew the reason she saw all those people in her mind and also wishing she knew who they were. Then, the enchantment disappeared when a familiar voice shouted.
Hunter's Voice: Hey!
That startled her as she looked up to see Hunter and his friends at the balcony above the stairs on the other side.
Hunter: What are you doing down here?
She gasped before she got up and started running to the other stairs, with Hunter chasing after her. Clover buzzed angrily at the idea of strangers chasing after her owner.
Hunter: Hey...hey Miss! Stop, stop, hold on a minute. Hold on!
Tati stopped right next to the family painting, and turned to where Hunter was.
Hunter: Now how did you get in...
However, his eyes widened at the sight of her right next to the portrait. Tati was caught in a ray of moonlight right next to the little girl in the painting, and Hunter saw a striking resemblance between this woman and the princess Willow.
Hunter: here?
Tati was confused as to why he was staring at her like that, as a slow smile began to spread across Hunter's face. Izuku, Luz and King began to catch up with Hunter, panting.
Izuku: (trying to catch his breath) E-Excuse us, miss!
Luz: A momento of your time?
Hunter then stopped the three where they were.
Hunter: (whispering) Midorya, Do you see what I see?
Izuku: No (considering his hat went fell over his head)
Hunter rolled his eyes as he pushed the hat back making him see. The three looked at her closely, and gasped at the sight.
Izuku: Y-Yes. Yes!
Luz: It really looks like-
King: (whispers) The Princess
Clover continued buzzing and glaring cautiously.
Hunter: Hmm, a little palisman...cute.
Tati: Are you Hunter?
He picked up the Bee palisman and handed him to Luz while Hunter walked up the stairs to where Mary Kay was.
Izuku: (nervously)Whoah T-That's a pretty big bee
Luz: I know what is. it's one of those palismans. Must be her pet
Hunter: (not paying attention to the rest) Perhaps, I mean that depends on who's looking for him though.
Tati: (walks down the stairs) My name is Tati, and I need travel papers.
Hunter then began circling her.
Tati: (whispering) And They say you're the man to see although I can't tell you who said that.
She noticed Hunter still circling her and looking at her in interest, making her a bit uncomfortable.
Hunter: Hmmm, hmmm.
Tati: Hey, why-why are you circling me? No one likes that! What, were you a vulture in a past life or something?!
Hunter: (stops circling) I'm sorry, Miss Tottington.
Tati: It's Tati! Tati!
Hunter: Right, Tati, It's just that you look an awful lot like...uh, never mind.
Luz held Clover a bit, while ticking her, making her giggle a bit, while King rolled his eyes, probably in jealousy that Luz never tickled him like that.
Izuku: Hey, a-alright I see her for a bit?
Luz handed her to Izuku as he started playing with the little black and gold bee for a bit. Hunter went back to the three with the bee and stood beside them.
Hunter: Now, What was it you said about travel papers?
Tati: Yes, I'd like to go to Toonris.
Hunter: You'd like to go to Toonris?
Hunter and his friends gave a knowing look to each other, before Izuku was given a nuzzle by Clover, making him chuckle.
Izuku: She's not so bad once we get used to her
Hunter: Yeah, nice bee. Can we move on?
King: (groans) Oh boy.
Hunter: Let me ask you something, Tati, was it? Did you have a last name?
Tati: Well, actually, this might sound crazy, but I don't know my last name, though at one point, I thought it might be Gabrielle, but then I felt that it couldn't be right. Anyway, I was found wandering around when I was ten years old.
Fred: And before that...before you were ten?
Mary Kay: Look, I know it's strange, but I don't remember. I only have a few memories from my past.
Hunter knew that this was the girl for the job.
Hunter: (whispers to his friends) Hmm, that's, that's perfect.
Tati: Well, There's one clue I do have, however, and that is Toonris.
Hunter: Toonris.
Tati: (relieved) Right. So can you four help me or not?
Hunter: (whispers) Hey, Luz! Luz, the tickets! (to Tati) I...I sure would love to help.
Izuku: In fact, c-coincidentally, we were just about to go to Toonris ourselves.
Luz then grabbed six tickets for the Toonscow Circus out of his pocket, and handed them to Hunter.
Hunter: I've got five...(chucks extra ticket) ah well, this one's not important, but I've got five tickets here.
Tati tried to grab the tickets but Hunter kept them away from her.
Tati: and what's the catch?
Hunter: Well Unfortunately, the fifth one is for (gesturing to Willow's portrait) Willow Park.
Tati: Oh.
The four then took her over to a portrait of Linda.
Izuku: Yes, we are going to reunite the Grand Duchess Willow with her grandmother.
Hunter: You know, you do sort of resemble her.
Izuku: You're right, The same olive green eyes.
Luz: The Park eyes and similar pair of glasses.
Izuku: Gilbert's smile.
King: His and Harvey's arms.
Izuku: (looks at her hand) Oh and look, she even has the grandmother's hands!
Hunter: Heck, She's the same age.
King: and Same physical type.
Tati: (with a laugh) Are you trying to tell me that you think I am Willow Park?
Hunter: All I'm trying to say is that I've seen thousands of girls all over the country and not one of them looks much as like the Grand Duchess as you. (points at family portrait) I mean, look at the portrait.
Tati: (to Fred) I knew you were crazy from the beginning, but now I think all four of you are mad.
She began to walk away.
Luz: Whoah wait Chica, Let's Think about this. You don't remember what happened to you, and no one knows what happened to her.
Izuku: Plus, You're looking for your family in Toonris, and her only family is in there.
Hunter: Ever thought about the possibility?
Mary Kay: (in disbelief) That I could be royalty?
Males and female: (nodding) Mmm-hmm.
Clover buzzed a bit in wonder.
Tati: Well, I don't know. It's kind of hard to think of yourself as a duchess when you're sleeping on a damp floor, but sure, yeah, I guess every lonely girl would hope she's a princess.
She was now caught up in the fantasy, starting to see the resemblance between her and the girl in the painting.
Izuku: A-And somewhere...one little girl is.
Hunter: I really wish we could help you out, but the fifth ticket is for the Grand Duchess Willow Park.
With that, Tati sighed.
Hunter: Well, good luck!
He and his friends then started walking down the stairs.
Luz: Wait, why didn't you tell her about our brilliant plan?
Hunter: All she wants to do is go to Toonris. Why even give away a fifth of the reward money?
Tati continued staring at the painting, and looked at the freize of the girl and her grandmother on it which the light had shined on.
Luz: (whispering) I'm telling you, we're walking away too soon.
King of Demons: I swear if we have to wake up super early just to look up more woman I'm gonna go Mad and Scream.
Hunter: (whispering) Oh Trust me, I got it all under control, all right, but let's walk a little slower and watch this.
So the four began to walk slower, while Mary Kay fiddled with the key, then touched the portrait while gazing up at the grandmother's face.
Tati: Hmmm...
Hunter: (whispering) 3...2...1...
She then turned and called out.
Tati: Hunter!
Fred smirked, knowing that would work.
Luz: Ha, Impressive Brother, right in the palm of our hand.
They turned as she and Clover went down towards the four.
Tati: Hunter, wait!
Hunter: (innocently) you Called?
Tati: Look, if I don't remember who I am, then who's to say I'm not a princess or a duchess or whatever she is, right?
Hunter: (nods) Keep going.
Tati: If I'm not Willow Park, the Empress will certainly know right away, and it'll all be just an honest mistake.
Hunter: (shrugs) Sounds plausible.
Izuku: But if you are the princess, then you'll finally know who you are and have your family back.
King of Demons: You know he's right. As long as it gets you to Toonris. It's a win-win
Hunter: (holds his hand out) So, are you on board?
So, she gave him a solid handshake, making him yelp in pain.
Hunter: Wow you sure got a strong grip
Willow: (bashfully) Heh, guess I don't know my own strength.
(End of Chapter 3)