Chapter Text
Deep in the dark, black forests of Thristas, two souls enter.
Trees, black as ink, creak and moan as if communicating through long forgotten ways. Still is the wind, yet they bend and lean as if to welcome one of their own.
“...–Qifrey!”
A star cries out and a brilliant flash of light, bright against the midnight sky.
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~Many years later~
Far from dark forests or even the bustling cities, tucked in quaint mountain plains a small town resides. Scenic enough to draw visitors and business, but not populated enough to be largely noticed. The sun rises above the ridges painting the rooftops with glimmering golden hues as the rays expand, the town begins to awaken. Shutters open, chimneys churn to life, and a subtle bustle begins to churn in the streets as townsfolk begin their day.
Such is a morning dear Coco opens her bright eyes to sparkling rays of sun shining through her bedroom window. The dust sparkling through the expanding rays as she glances out the window from the cozy blanket cocoon in her bed. She sits up stretching her arms to the sky.
“Ah-Today’s going to be a great day!” she says with a smile.
Hopping from bed she dresses for the day and the aromas of breakfast hasten her process. Thundering down the stairs she’s greeted with the usual routine of her mother cooking breakfast, humming a gentle tune as she does.
“Oh! Good morning Coco!” She greets with a loving smile. “Good morning mom!” Coco responds gleefully as she settles at the table.
The two ladies run a small clothing store, cutting and sewing fabrics, laces and the like. Their living quarters are attached to the small humble shop, so as they finished their morning meal they began prepping for the day.
While Coco began setting up the displays and fabrics, her mother was in the back prepping the contraptions with which they use to craft their fine wears. Old, dangerous devices her mother would tell her that she could not handle until she was a little older. Touched by magic and very delicate if not handled properly they could break irreparably. Coco was always careful never to touch those mechanisms.
The day has started with the usual guest here and there, however, things soon picked up come the lunch hour when bustles of young ladies entered their shop looking for the beautiful laces her mother was so skilled at making. The ladies had been gushing about an event of some kind and needing fanciful dresses, but all the nice ones in the big city were already bought out. Coco had begun a tireless loop of running back and forth between the shop and the back rooms getting more laces and fabrics. So much so that she missed the subtle “oof” of someone when she flung the door open with arms full of boxes with overflowing textiles in them.
“Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there.” she apologized, giving as much of a bow as she could, which was more of her just nodding her head at the tall, slender gentleman before her. She couldn’t help but take in his almost ethereal appearance; snow white hair, a vibrant teal colored eye that reminded her of the ocean, his face adorned with small golden spectacles.
“It’s quite alright,” he spoke casually “ It was my fault really, a poor place to stand.” as he shifts a few steps to get out of her way and bows slightly in apology.
Coco was at a loss for words, fumbling to find anything to say but was pulled out of her flubbing when her mother called for her assistance.
“Oh, um…I’m sorry I’ll be right with you.” she told the gentleman, who simply smiled and nodded at her.
Right with him was an understatement, the ladies visiting their shop were clearly not from the area and wanted to look at just about everything she and her mother had. Coco had to go digging for everything she possibly could, leaving a flurried mess of fabrics in her wake in the back. By the time she returned to the store floor her mother was already addressing the gentlemen who had been patiently waiting off to the side, almost awkwardly patient.
“Coco, this gentleman needs a fabric cut for him, can you help him with that? I’ll handle the rest of the requests for these ladies.” her mother addresses her as she sets down yet another box of fabrics for the ladies to riffle through, letting out an exhausted sigh.
“Y-Yes of course!” Coco responds with ernest as she straightens her posture.
“You’ll be in good hands with her!” Her mother smiles.
Coco approaches the man, “I’m sorry for the wait, what can I help you with?”
“Ah yes, I was looking for some smoke colored fabric? However, if you’re too busy I can always come again.” He tilts his head, smiling politely.
‘He waited until now to suggest coming again? After all that waiting?’ Coco thought. “I-It’s alright! I can handle it, do you happen to have the measurements?” she asked.
Slender fingers emerged from his smoke colored cloak with a paper in hand. Coco took it gently analyzing the measurements before confidently nodding up to him. “Yes, I can do this!” Setting off to the back where their stash of fabric rolls are kept on large organized shelves. The tags wiggled as her hand ghosted over them looking for the right color. Once found, she pulled the large bolt of fabric out, with little struggle, and plunked it down on the large table she and her mother frequently used for cutting fabrics. Just as she was about to unravel the fabric, the bricks of the building began to shake and surprised noises from the ladies in the other room started up. Coco’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she rushed to the closest window to watch as a large, steaming train began to chug through the center of the down.
Pressed closely to the window Coco watched with ecstatic wonder as it came to a slowing halt and witches began filing out, some lifting into the sky. The train was exclusive to witches and only came around every so often. Coco can remember the first time ever seeing it and watching as people floated into the sky like umbrellas caught in the winds but soaring like birds. She had always found magic to be mystical, shiny, and precious as it makes the world more vibrant and whimsical.
Soft approaching steps and a larger figure at her peripheral brings her out of her whimsical stupor and she realizes that the tall man has come up beside her to observe the object of her attention. He’s leaned over almost at a complete 90 degree angle as he gazes at the train.
“OH! I’m so sorry! Let me get that fabric cut for you!” she scurries back to her task which he just smiles with a light laugh. “It’s alright,” he starts, pushing up his glasses “I’m getting the sense that you truly love magic.”
Coco’s face grows warm in embarrassment as she sputters, “Y-Yes! It’s my dream to be a witch someday!” flailing her arms “It’s so beautiful and vibrant!! Oh I just want to bring happiness to others just like witches do!” her eyes glimmer as she unrolls the fabric. “But…my mother says you have to be born into it.” her expression growing more solemn at the thought. To which the man hums in acknowledgement, probably expecting her to continue. However, the mention of her mother’s facts on being a witch sobered her. She grabs a small wooden box, placing it at the end of the table. Riffling through she finds what she needs to measure and mark the fabric.
Taking a deep breath she focuses fully on drawing a straight line from the top to bottom of the piece. A satisfying ‘wrrr’ noise as her marking stone glides down. She exhales and goes for the sheers in the box and slides them along the line she just made, the fabric flowing limply on the table as it separates. With a satisfied smile she deigns to look up only to be met with a floof of white and she startles. The man has once again bent at an odd 90 degree angle studying the cloth she had just cut very closely.
“My…” he ponders “ You have excellent focus, and steady hands. No hesitation in the line; a clean cut, and a finish showing precision and care. I had no idea such a quaint little town possessed such a skilled artisan. This is real magic.” He smiles admirably at her.
To Coco he looked so dazzling that her mind briefly short circuited as she attempted to deny his claim but made a clumsy misstep and fell back right onto one of the contraptions her mother told her not to touch. A loud crash is heard from the store front and Coco’s mother rushes to see what’s happened, only to find one of their contraptions in shambles while Coco untangles from its remains. The pale gentleman knelt beside her looking incredibly worried fretting if she’s alright.
“Coco?! What happened?!” she rushes to her daughter, helping her out of the mess. She almost wanted to look accusatory at the man knelt beside them, but his hands were full of the fabric he had ordered and the concerned look on his face alleviates her motherly instincts.
“I-I’m so sorry mom…” Coco stutters “I didn’t mean to, I just-I just tripped.” she tried to explain.
Her mother picks her up and places her on top of the table checking for any injuries, shushing and comforting her. Unfortunately, when she looks back at the contraption, it was in utter shambles. Threads of wire and rubble, and worst of all a couple of the magic mechanism parts were broken rendering it useless even if put back together. She sighs, however, just as she goes to pick up pieces, the cloaked gentleman approaches the pile with a puzzled look. He hums in thought as he studies the materials.
“Um, excuse me. But what do you think you are doing, sir?” Coco’s mother asks.
He seems to snap out of his thoughts, “Oh, pardon me, I was just studying the components of this contraption. My apologies, I should have asked permission before handling such delicate materials.” He stands and dusts off his cloak, pushing up his glasses again as the two ladies stare at him inquisitively.
“However, if you wouldn’t mind, I might be of some assistance?” he offers.
Coco’s mother lets out a hefty sigh, “While I appreciate the offer, I’m afraid this contraption was made by witches. Some of the parts were magical, you see.” She lowers her eyes in disappointment at the loss of one of their important crafting components.
The gentleman nods with a light chuckle, “Yes, indeed. My apologies, allow me to cap off my attire,” he reaches behind himself within his cloak and seemingly materializes a conal-shaped object –no, Coco realizes, her eyes going wide. As he places it atop his head, straightening the black ribbon attached to its top which danced around him like a coiling dragon as it unfurled. “Qifrey, the witch, at your service, madam.”
The ladies from the store front had poked their heads into the doorframe to ascertain what the problem was and now stand in awe along with Coco and her mother. They gasp in excitement, giggling and chattering amongst themselves while Coco and her mother remain speechless. That is until Coco intakes a large, loud, inhale of excitement as her eyes begin to sparkle. She begins unconsciously kicking her dangling legs where she sits on the table, bringing her hands to her face in glee. ‘A real, honest to goodness, witch!!!’
Coco’s excitement brings her mother back to her senses as she blinks her eyes to regain her composure. “Well…um, if you are able to fix it we would be happy to pay you for your services or-”
The witch, Qifrey, bows and interjects, “There is no need, madam, my services are happily given. I simply need to examine the components more thoroughly and reapply the spells in the correct areas. However, this may take some time, so a proper work space would be required as I don’t wish to interrupt your business.”
Before her mother can even reject the charity, Coco chimes in, “You can use one of our other back rooms!!”
“Coco!” her mother chides. “Whaaaaat?! He can, can’t he, mom?” Coco says as she whips her head around at her mother and gives her the most earnest puppy eyes.
Her mother caves instantly, sighing deeply, “Alriiight, fine. We have another storage room behind this one if that works for you?” She turns to Qifrey.
He nods politely, “Yes that would be just fine. Worry not, I can manage these parts myself. Please return as you were, I will be done shortly.” He states as he’s already begun to kneel and collect the remnants of the contraption.
Much to Coco’s displeasure, Mister Qifrey closes her out of the storage room, even going so far as to lock the door as he works on the contraption. ‘Why can’t we see how it’s done?’ She sighs, pouting at the door before her mother calls her back into the shop, giving her a stern look that says: You’ve caused enough trouble today, young lady. Coco knows better than to push her luck, especially knowing a witch is providing his services for free for them. However, as the bustling shoppers continue, Coco periodically steals glances to the further storage door. That is until some excited gasps snap her back to attention, whipping her head back to the shoppers. The ladies are gathered at the window giggling and squealing like children as they point.
“Look! There’s Howl’s castle!” one cries out. They all swoon as in the distance a barely visible formation shuffles along the far hill lines soon disappearing into the thick clouds. They all deflate, “Aww he’s gone…”
Coco had been so distracted she didn’t realize that Qifrey had appeared behind her, she jumped at his looming presence. However, just before he looked at her she noticed him gazing into the distance in the same direction the ladies had also been looking. A brief, indescribable emotion flickered on his face and an almost ominous glare was on his glasses. It was gone before she could even process it as his friendly smile had already returned by the time she blinked from being surprised.
“O-Oh Mister Qifrey! You’re finished?” She asks.
His fingers were pressed together in front of him, almost saint-like, as he tilts his head at her. “Indeed, thank you for the accommodations. The contraption should work as intended again.”
Despite their best efforts to offer the witch his ordered fabric as payment for his kind deed, he humbly refused and paid for it. Qifrey offers the ladies a cordial bow before taking his leave, Coco watched as he gradually dissipated from sight. She sighs before returning to the shop. Her mother is at the counter tidying the place after the windstorm of activity they just had. Overall, the rest of the day goes without incident.
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The sun has set when the ladies started closing up shop. Coco’s in the back when she hears the tell-tale ring of the bell hung over the front door. She steps out to find her mom addressing an oddly dressed stranger.
“Hello, I’m sorry but we’re closing for the evening.” her mom states.
This stranger…Coco gets an odd chill down her spine as she takes in their unsettling appearance. They wore a dark cloak crowned by ravenette feathers around the collar, so long it drug on the floor. Their stature was slouched as they titled their head, a pointed cap with a large eye mask with a curtain of tassels on the front which obscured their face. They were facing Coco’s direction, not bothering to answer her mother’s statement. They were a witch right? Everything about their appearance would lead one to believe as such, however, the atmosphere that seemed to be growing ever heavier made Coco’s stomach drop. Everything in the surrounding area felt like it was growing darker and colder.
“Excuse me?” Her mother spoke up again, since the stranger hadn’t spoken nor made any attempts to move further.
“Ah~” they said in a breathy manner, “I see…my sapling has found himself a sprout~” they tilt their head to the other side as a sleeved, but ink covered hand emerges from their cloak as it begins to reach towards Coco.
Her mother steps forward so she’s standing between this stranger and Coco, “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. We’re closed.”
She was clearly sensing Coco’s unease and feeling it herself the longer this stranger stayed. Her protective instincts kicking in, giving her the courage to protect her daughter.
The stranger lets out a frustrated sigh, “You are not what I seek. Begone.” their tone turning threatening as they wave their hand.
With a loud gasp her mother quickly turns to Coco, “Coco, run! AGH!!” she screams as her legs stop mid-step. Coco watches in horror as crystalized stone creeps up her mother’s legs. Crackling as it rapidly spreads until her mother is entirely encased.
“M-MOM?!” Coco screams as she looks in horror at her mother’s petrified scream on her face. Coco can hardly breathe, frozen in fear at what she’s just witnessed. “Mom!!” She tries again.
Jolted from her fear when she hears the stranger take a step forward, “Come little sprout,” once again reaching out their dirtied hand. “Allow me to show you how to make this world vibrant.”
Coco stumbles backwards away from them with a panicked cry. Before she can even think her mother’s words echo ‘Coco, run!’, so she breaks for the back door on unsteady legs. She doesn’t look back, sprinting as fast as her legs can carry her. Tears begin to spill from her eyes as her breathing becomes ragged sobbing ‘T-This can’t be real…this has to be-has to be a bad dream…Mom…’ she thinks.
No one stops her as she runs through the streets, the night lamps glow faintly as her panicked sobs echo along the walls. There’s eerily no one out, no one to turn to or cry for help. ‘I have to find help, someone to help me save my mom!’ she thought as her legs and lungs burned from the pace of her running. After only a moment the thought struck her, the image of a white witch with a kind smile. ‘Mister Qifrey…! Surely he’s still in town!’
She slowed to a stop only briefly to catch her breath and wipe her tears with her sleeve. Glancing behind to see nothing but dark, empty streets. She turns and breaks into a run, only this time with an objective, to find the witch known as Qifrey.