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A box was placed in front of murakumo, " What's this" he asked the guest " a gift for you" the man said " it's one of my wares ".
" Your just giving it away" murakumo said, " It's nothing to worry about" the man said.
" I just can't accept this" murakumo said, " please take it" the man said before murakumo could say anything else the man walk away.
Murakumo look at the box he picked up as he did Alice walk into the inn.
" Hey Alice" murakumo said, " what's that you got there" Alice asked.
" A gift from a guest" murakumo said he then opened it " toys" he said.
He shown what was inside to Alice eight stuff toys sat inside the box .
One was a colorful bird, a doll with blonde hair and a red dress, a mailman, a grumpy looking toy with a bowtie, a caterpillar, a star , a blue dog and finally last but not least a blue hair doll with a smile on his face.
" What are you going to do with them" Alice asked, " I could give them to Hina and Julian " murakumo said he didn't have any kids so hopefully the two of them will like them.
Not to long after that Julian and Hina had walk into the inn.
" Hi uncle Kumo" Hina said the children approach noticing the box .
" What's in the box" Julian asked " a gift from a guest " murakumo said" what's in it" Hina asked.
" Some toys you two can have them" murakumo said the children look excited " toys" both of them said .
Murakumo Put the box down on the floor for both kids to see.
" Wow" Hina said, " don't forget to share" Alice said there was eight toys so they could each have four.
" Hina you can pick first" Julian said, " that's nice of you Julian" Alice said.
Hina look at the toys then reach into the box grabbing the blonde hair doll that was wearing a red dress.
Julian reach in next and grabbed the blue dog, Hina then grabbed the colorful bird .
Julian then grabbed what looked like a mailman the toy was , Hina grabbed what looked like a star.
Julian then grabbed the grumpy one and then Hina took the caterpillar one leaving Julian with the last one a smiling doll with blue hair.
Arm full of toys the children look happy " thank you Uncle Kumo" Hina said, " thank you" Julian said.
" Your welcome take good care of them" murakumo said he then look at the empty box only to notice something a piece of paper.
Grabbing it murakumo look at it " what it say" Alice asked, " it just has the picture of the toys and there names" murakumo said.
The children look at murakumo" what's their names" Hina asked.
" Let's see" murakumo said, " the bird is name Poppy Partridge, then the grumpy one is name frank frankly, then the star is Sally Starlet, the caterpillar is name howdy pillar , the red dress doll is name Julie joyful, the mailman is Eddie Dear, barnaby b. Beagle is the blue dog and finally last but not least Wally darling" murakumo had finished reading the paper.
" Take good care of these toys" murakumo said, the children nodded and then ran off toys in there arms smiling.
Murakumo then turned to Alice to asked if she needed anything.
Later that day
The first thing Lucy noticed when she went to get Julian was that he had some toys she never seen before.
" Where did you get that Julian" she asked, " murakumo let me and Hina kept some toys he got" Julian said.
Lucy look at Hina who was walking home she had some toys in her arms too.
" I thank him and let Hina go first" Julian said " can we go home now".
Misasagi was starting to cook dinner she heard footsteps she turned and saw Hina arms full of toys.
" Mommy look at what Uncle Kumo gave me" she said smiling.
Misasagi look at the toys in her daughter's arms she was smiling, " that was nice of him did you thank him" she asked Hina " yes and he also let Julian take some he let me pick first" Hina said.
Misasagi smiled at her daughter Hina went to go put the toys down.
A week later
Alice had finished the fields and was now heading over to go give Cecil something.
Cecil stare at the strange black goo near his and Martin's house Martin had just opened the door to find his brother just staring .
Alice was walking over when she saw the two just standing there .
Approach the two she decided to ask the what was going on.
" What are you two looking at" she asked, both of them turned to face Alice.
" Oh Alice" Cecil said "we were just looking at this" he pointed to a strange black goo.
" Cecil found it this morning" Martin said he needed to head to work but what if it was dangerous and he didn't want Cecil touching it.
Alice look at the black goo it wasn't here yesterday what could it be.
" I should take a look around town in case there's more" she said " don't touch it we don't know what it is so be careful" she told them.
Martin went to the blacksmith to work, Cecil went to go tell Terry about this.
Alice decided to tell Scarlett about it if she hasn't seen it yet.
She decided on the way to check to see if there was any more of the black goo.
At the bakery Priscilla who was heading to work noticed some black goo it was close to the bakery Randolph and Yuki also looking at it.
Alice approach them noticing the black goo was here to.
" It's here to" she said " oh Alice" Priscilla said " I was heading to work when I saw this outside, I went to tell Yuki and Randolph about it".
" I hope it isn't dangerous" Randolph said " I don't remember it here yesterday" Yuki said.
" Just don't touch it" Alice said" you should probably go inside for now" .
The three headed inside the bakery Alice look and noticed fuuka was starring at the black goo it had gotten on the restaurant she was smelling it.
Alice quickly headed over in fear fuuka would touch it, " fuuka don't touch it" she shouted.
Fuuka stopped looking at the black goo and turned to Alice " ( Alice there a strange stuff here)" she said.
Elsje was staring nearby " stay away from this stuff" Alice said.
" Does this mean I won't have to open the restaurant" Elsje asked, Alice didn't have a answer elsje was just looking for a excuse not to open the restaurant.
" Just stay inside" she told the two , heading towards Ludmila's flower shop she noticed Scarlett was outside with ludmila.
" Don't touch that" Scarlett yelled , " oh " ludmila said she was smiling.
As Alice got closer ludmila saw her and ran towards her " oh darling your here" she said, Scarlett approach Alice.
" You seen that stuff" she asked" it looks like it's around town" .
" We should probably tell Livia" Alice said, " I want to check on everyone I haven't talk to everyone" Scarlett said.
Turning towards Ludmila " you should stay inside and don't be trying to touch it again" she said to her.
The two them left after making sure ludmila went inside.
The rest of the town had also the black goo after making sure no one touch it and stay inside they went to Livia.
" Strange black goo around town" she said, " yes there's even some near here" Scarlett said.
" It's probably a monster but I don't know what kind would cause it" Livia said.
" We'll kept a look out for anything" Alice said.
At night
Ryker frown he had accidentally step in some of the black goo and now it was on his shoe .
He managed to get off but now it was on his hands .
" I need to wash it off" he thought he headed inside.
Morning
Alice was patrolling she noticed there was more of the black goo.
She saw palmo rushing towards the clinic with Ryker " did something happen" she thought.
Heading towards the clinic Alice headed inside it.
"He collapsed this morning" palmo said he look worried.
" He looks like he's sick" Simone said, Ryker look like he was going to throw up and he was holding his head.
" I think it was that black goo yesterday I accidentally step in it and touch it when trying to get it off" Ryker said.
" You touch it" Simone said, " it was accidentally" Ryker said" and it wasn't there where I step last time".
" This is bad" Alice said, " it causes headache and nausea" Simone said.
Now they knew it was dangerous Alice decided to warn everyone.
The next few days everyone has to stay inside the black goo got worse only Alice and Scarlett could head outside.
It was covering buildings yesterday Beatrice had touched it accidentally and was now at the clinic Ryker was doing a bit better.
" It's getting worse" Scarlett said they still hadn't found the cause.
" Soon we won't be able to find the cause" Scarlett said, Alice hope that wouldn't happen.
The two of them continue to search finding nothing.
The black goo continue to cover the the town this time covering everything.
The toys Hina and Julian had vanished the children unaware while they slept.
The next day the town was gone like it was never here the people living there gone.
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Alice woke up getting ready to work the fields, " I feel like am forgetting something" she thought she continue to get ready.
Opening the door she was met with a strange sight the fields were still there but it looked like something was missing , taking a step out Alice look around the town was still here but it didn't look like it was in the same location.
" Did something happen while we slept" she thought, she quickly ran back inside to tell Captain Livia , she ran downstairs and by Scarlett who noticed Alice being in a hurry follow her .
Livia noticed the worry look on Alice's face , " is something wrong?" she asked.
" I went outside and the town looked different" Alice replied, " Different how" Scarlett asked, " it looks like we're in a different location" Alice said.
Both of them look at Alice, " you should look outside" Alice said, Scarlett decided to take a look after a few minutes she was back.
" Alice is right we're someone where else" Scarlett said, " that's sounds strange" Livia said " it needs to be investigated".
" We're on it" Alice said, " before we investigate we should check on everyone" Scarlett said.
Leaving to check on everyone Alice saw that everyone was around the tree confused.
Approaching to where they were, Alice and Scarlett both told the townspeople what they were going to do.
Alice noticed that Beatrice and Ryker were better but she couldn't remember why they weren't doing well in the first place.
" I know that this is all strange and the town is somewhere else but we'll figure it out" Scarlett said, " we'll look outside of town to investigate" .
" I want to help" Cecil yelled" let me join you" , " I'll join to" Lucy said" you'll need all the help you can get ".
Their wasn't any other seed members but her and Scarlett which was weird, so they decided to accept help .
" We should probably split into teams of two just to be safe and It'll be quicker to cover more ground" Alice said, everyone agreed pairing up together.
Alice and Cecil in one group, the second group was Lucy and Priscilla, 3rd group was Scarlett and murakumo the rest of the townsfolk decided to stay behind.
The way Alice and Cecil decided to go was now a forest their was a lot of trees.
Cecil was looking around trying to find anything, Alice couldn't help but look at his face a couple of times he look quite serious.
" Come to think of it it's been awhile since I given Cecil anything" Alice thought she had made him a fruit sandwich but she never had the chance to give it to him, she didn't remember why in fact she couldn't remember anything from the past weeks.
" Alice look out" Cecil said, " huh" Alice said her thoughts interrupt by her tripping , Cecil quickly grabbed her hand.
" Ah" she said, Cecil held her hand tightly trying to make sure she wouldn't fall .
" You okay" Cecil asked, " yes am fine" Alice said she look to see what she trip on it was a Branch.
She then realize Cecil was still holding her hand, she looked at Cecil holding her hand, Cecil look at her .
" Um" Alice said," oh sorry" Cecil said he was about to let go when Alice stopped him, " don't let go" she said she's pretty sure she was blushing, Cecil was too .
" Maybe it's better if we hold hands so we don't lose each other" Alice suggested, in Truth she wanted Cecil to hold her hand longer .
" Oh okay if that's what you want" Cecil said, the two continue to explore the forest.
" Oh there's a path here" Cecil said, Alice look it was a path leading to somewhere, " let's follow it" Alice said Cecil nodded the two began to follow the path.
The path took them out of the forest and to the two's surprised a colorful town .
Chapter Text
The town surprised both Alice and Cecil, the houses were quite colorful. Cecil had let go of Alice's hand she wanted to hold his hand longer but didn't tell him and was looking around in amazement.
" Is this some town?" Cecil asked as he look around, " looks like it" Alice replied. Should they look around or go back and tell everyone what they found.
" Should we go back or explore" she asked Cecil, " I want to explore we just got here" Cecil said " and we should make sure it's okay here" .
" Alright" Alice said she wanted to explore too , she wonder if the others had find anything. She then noticed someone walking around he look like a mailman.
" There someone over there , let's so if we can ask him anything?" Alice said to Cecil. Cecil nodded and then they began to head over to the mailman.
Eddie was surprised to see some new people, he was on his way delivering the mail when he saw them.
A young man and a young woman. Both were looking around the neighborhood.
They were approaching him , " um hi" the young woman said, " hello" the young man said.
" Hello" Eddie said, " you two are new here" .
" We just got here?" The young woman said " we were exploring the forest and end up here" the young man said.
" The forest?" Eddie said no one in the neighborhood went to the forest or near it but theses two went into the forest and came out safe.
" Is something wrong" the young woman asked, " sorry it's just no one in go in the forest am just surprised you two did" Eddie replied.
" Maybe they think it's dangerous" Alice thought, but there was nothing that they noticed wrong about the forest.
" We should introduce ourselves" the young man said " am Cecil and this is Alice".
" Nice to meet you both, the name's Eddie Dear am the mailman of the neighborhood" Eddie said as he introduced himself to the two .
Eddie wanted to stay and talk a bit longer but he needed to deliver the mail.
" I love to stay and chat but I have to go deliver the mail" he said to Cecil and Alice.
" That okay will be fine" Alice said, the two then said goodbye to Eddie before he left .
The two were alone again, they decided to look around more.
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Both Cecil and Alice were unsure where to explore first most of the town was just houses.
It would be rude of them to just walk up to some strangers house and introduce themselves.
So they walk around seeing if they could find any other than the Eddie that was outside.
They eventually came across a shop , the two of them decided to enter .
The shop had plenty of things stocked on the shelves. Alice could see someone shopping, actually she could see two people.
She and Cecil stuck close to each other it was so they wouldn't get lost.
At the counter was a caterpillar? Alice thought that was strange.
The caterpillar noticed the two as they approach the counter and greeted the two.
" I've never seen you two around here" the caterpillar said, " we're from another town" Alice said " am Alice this is Cecil" .
" Howdy pillar the name it's nice to meet you too" the caterpillar said.
" If you need anything that you're town doesn't have you can come to my store I got everything" howdy said.
A customer had finished shopping and was heading towards the counter, Alice and Cecil decided to let them purchase what they had .
Saying goodbye to howdy they left the store before they left Alice could see that the customer was a star.
The two decided to walk around more and try to met anymore of the people that live here.
Chapter Text
As they walk around more Alice noticed two people about to play what look like hopscotch.
She hope that she and Cecil weren't bothering them as they approach the two.
One of them was a women wearing a Red dress she had blonde hair, the other person was a man he was wearing a bow tie.
The women was the first to notice Alice and Cecil approaching she look excited to see strangers.
" Hello you two are new here ain't you?" She said as she look at Alice and Cecil.
" We're just exploring" Cecil said " am Cecil", " my name is Alice" Alice said.
" Am Julie joyful it's so nice to meet new people" Julie said she seen really happy.
The man with the bowtie had approach, Alice noticed he look grumpy.
" Frank! , Frank!" Julie yelled " there's new people in the neighborhood" .
" I can see that" Frank said as he look at the two.
" Nice to meet you, am Alice and this is Cecil" Alice said, frank look at the two a bit more before introducing himself.
" Frank frankly" frank said. Julie look like she was about to run around she looked very happy.
" Do you two want to join me and frank we're going to play hopscotch" Julie asked.
" Thanks for the offer but we're still exploring" Alice said Cecil just nodded agreeing with Alice .
" Maybe we can play next time" Julie said " it's nice to meet you two".
" Bye now" frank said as Alice and Cecil walk away Julie wave the two goodbye.
The next person they met well almost ran into look like a Star.
" Sorry" Alice said as she managed to stop before she ran into the person.
The star was starring at both her and Cecil for a few moments before saying something.
" You two look new here" she asked, " were just exploring am Alice and this Cecil" Alice replied.
" Sally starlet" she said, " I can't chat right now busy, maybe next time" she looked like she was in a hurry leaving Cecil and Alice standing there.
They stood for a few seconds before exploring a bit more.
Cecil stop during the walk and was starring at the house in the center.
Alice look too , it had eyes unlike the other houses it even blink.
There were a couple of people outside of the house, a blue dog and a guy that was smiling.
Alice hope she and Cecil weren't bothering them.
Heading over to them, the blue dog noticed the two first.
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" hey there I've never seen you two here before" the blue dog said.
The smiling guy look up to see Alice and Cecil" hi there people I've never seen before" he said he sounded emotionlessness.
" Am Alice and this is Cecil" Alice said, " the name Barnaby b beagle." The blue dog said" it's nice to meet you".
He then looked at the smiling guy " this is my pal Wally" he said.
" Hello am Wally darling" he said, " nice to meet you both" Cecil said.
" And this is home" Wally said as he look at his house.
Both Alice and Cecil were surprised to see that home had eyes they were looking at the two.
" Nice to meet you home" Cecil said.
" So what are bring you two to the neighborhood?" Barnaby asked.
" Just exploring" Cecil replied" we were exploring the forest near are town and came across this place".
" Really" Barnaby said, before they continue Alice noticed that the sun was starting to go down.
" We should probably get back before it's dark Cecil" Alice said " sorry to cut it short".
" That's alright" Barnaby replied" hope to see you two again".
" Bye Alice, bye Cecil" Wally said, " bye Wally, Barnaby and home" Cecil said, Alice wave goodbye to them and the two headed back to town as quick as they could.
They told the others once they got back about what they found everyone seem interested in going there.
After chatting with Scarlett and Livia. Alice went to bed.
Before she fell asleep she couldn't help but have a strange feeling about the little town and the people that live there.
Like they were familiar....
Chapter Text
The next morning
The first thing Alice did as always was take care of the field accept yesterday.
So she had to make sure everything was okay which somehow it was .
Alice just assumed she got lucky.
After taking care of the fields she went to go talk to livia she found Scarlett there too.
" apparently everyone wants to visit the little town you and Cecil found" Scarlett said.
Alice had a feeling that they probably did want to visit after what she and Cecil told them about.
" the forest is apparently safe" Livia said " from the reports I got".
If Simone is okay with this then it should be fine she was the mayor of this town.
Scarlett and Alice decided to go talk to her and found the everyone in front of the big tree.
Everyone definitely wanted to visit the town but Simone wanted Alice to ask the people that live there if it was okay.
Alice decided to head there to ask Scarlett tag along with her wanting to see the town and making sure that the forest was safe.
When they got there they ran into Eddie who offer to help them get everyone together to tell them.
Everyone minus one neighbor who Alice didn't meet last she learn her name was poppy was together ready to listen to what Alice and Scarlett say .
When mentioned that everyone in rigbarth wanted to visit and meet them all they seem excited.
Well Alice couldn't tell with frank and wally .
Out of everyone Julie seem the most excited.
After Alice and Scarlett left the neighborhood begin to prepare for tomorrow.
Chapter Text
This morning Alice got ready for today since it was a special day.
Everyone in Rigbarth were going to meet the people from that little town.
Randolph was planning to make bread to share with the people there, a few other people were planning to cook today too .
" I hope everything goes well" Alice thought too bad captain Livia couldn't come.
Maybe if she could she could spend time with Cecil.
Alice had a crush on the pink hair detective and wonder if he like her back.
Alice then realized she shouldn't be thinking about this she needed to focus.
She finish and headed to check on things.