magical-little-baker

[magical-little-baker]

For months she had been at this bakery, in this town, with no memory of her past, or where she had come from, or why she was even there. It had been a complete and utter mystery, and still was, in a manner of speaking. Try as she might, not one thing from her past would bubble up from the depths of her mind. It was discouraging to say the least.

And yet...

Trucy couldn't shake the feeling that she knew this man from somewhere--something in her mind was grasping at memories lost long ago, trying to fill in the gaps to no avail. It almost felt like it was on the tip of her tongue, but all she could do when he turned, his expression a mix of confusion, surprise, and even a little sorrow, was stare right back at him, clearly at just as much a loss for words.

'How'...? That was...an unexpected response. It was becoming obvious the longer they stood there, staring at one another, that this man definitely knew her. But from where...? That was the question. (Well, one of the questions. Hundreds, thousands more were likely to follow after it.)

Trucy had not answered for several long, long moments after he'd spoken, too busy staring, searching his face for something to latch onto, to remember by. When she finally realized this, she flushed faintly, and tucked her hair behind her ear, an old nervous habit that had never quite gone away. "W-Well, that's--not quite the answer I was expecting." Trucy laughed, the sound a bit more strained than her usual happy giggles. "Uh...I can give you a sample or two...?"

She would have said something about who he was, if he knew her, but the words couldn't seem to come out, so she had slipped back into work mode--be friendly, and courteous, and mindful of the customer.

He’d be lying through his teeth if he’d said that he wasn’t still heartbroken over his daughter’s disappearance. After being taken hostage by Aura, and with Aura disappearing, so did the hostages. His locket, having never left his side, serving as a constant reminder that Trucy’s fate was, at least to Phoenix, still unknown.

It was at Maya’s insistence that he finally take a breather, that he try and contact some of his friends — rather than remain in his state of frantic ( searching ) and worrying over the state of his missing daughter. Which is precisely how he managed to find himself paying a visit to Labyrinthia.

Remembering how to get back to the storybook town was a challenge in and of itself, considering how long it’d been since he’d last been there. But once he’d gotten there, he knew the first place he’d head to would be Aunt Patty’s bakery — pay a visit to the baker herself, and his friend Espella. 

He took the time to look around, with a small smile at the bakery itself, and his memories of it, and it didn’t even register to him that there was a small brunette working there, speaking to him, rather than Espella. ' Afternoon, sir! Can I help you decide on a loaf or two? '

Phoenix was about to respond with an off-handed, ' Whatever you'd recommend ', when he felt his entire body freeze, tensing up. He knew that voice. Slowly, he’d turned his head from the worn walls of the bakery, to the girl addressing him.

While he couldn’t see his face, he was certain that his face looked broken, eyebrows knitted in confusion, and blue eyes wide in surprise and jaw agape. As cliche and ridiculous as it would sound, he’d tried to speak, to address the teen, to ask her everything, but he choked on his words. Trucy was alive. Trucy was safe. 

The only thing that he could ask was, ” How ? ”

[magical-little-baker]

                   [ There's something strangely familiar about the man who just walked into the bakery--Trucy can't quite put her finger on it, but she knows she's supposed to recognize him. Maybe this man is from her long-forgotten past...? ]           [ She's staring now, though, and she jolts out of it--Aunt Patty has gotten onto her case enough about not being friendly right off the bat with customers. She puts on a winning smile, and trots over to him. ]

     Afternoon, sir! Can I help you decide on a loaf or two?

[magical-little-baker]

"I see..."

       "Mmmm? Oh...yes, yes she does! "

    [ While she might not have heard every story about Eve, Espella does talk about her good friend while she bustles around the bakery or her room upstairs. The younger female has heard enough stories to know that the blonde cares deeply for her childhood friend. ]

           [ Trucy wished she had one of those. Or, perhaps she did, in the past that she can't seem to remember. Maybe she did, somewhere. Did they miss her...? Were they looking for her? ]

   "I guess I do, huh?" [ A small little laugh. She wasn't looking forward to the talking to she'd get from Mary, but having the company was nice. ] "Mary should still be at the market." [ She inclined her head in that direction, smiling a bit. ]

   ❝ it’s fine. one could not call me unused to        it. ❞

   ❝ —— she … speaks of me? ❞

hesitancy articulated betwixt delicate brinks ( tainted a faded, glossed cerise ), composed timbre maintained if but [ b a r e l y ], & there is the familiar awareness of incertitude— ah, she is not so confident here.

the statement is unsurprising, perhaps, considering a rekindled camaraderie, yet it evokes a barely concealed nervousness at what, precisely, had been stated; she knows not if she can ask, should ask — probably not.                   perhaps a change of topic is needed;

   ❝ ———- you require another pail of milk, yes?        i will accompany you. ❞

[magical-little-baker]

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Town Square

[magical-little-baker]

[ She turns pinker and pinker as the woman she'd been so occupied with approached and spoke, and feels more embarrassed than anything else--she quietly takes the hand extended towards her and rises to her feet. ]

        "Thank you...I'll be more careful next time."

    [ She's a little mortified, honestly, but the elder woman is being nice. Trucy retrieves her milk bucket and dusts herself off a bit. ]             "U-Uh, sorry...uh, for the--staring. Thing." [ A nervous little laugh. ] "Miss Espella talks about you some at the bakery, and so I just--got carried away, haha--"

little lost child of hyacinthoides & cinnamon, where hath thou come from? had thy life been so abhorred to flee & forget? but don’t you worry child, know thou is safe & sound in cordial, convivial town.

but security does not protect thee from careless misstep — please, do not occupy thyself with excessive staring; it deals naught but bruises ‘pon ivory skin. 

    ❝—- would it not be better to watch your         path instead of me? ❞

& porcelain appendage extends towards the fallen;

    ❝ ————- come now, it does you no         good to sit in the mud. ❞

[magical-little-baker]

Arrietty’s Song - Cecile Corbel

[magical-little-baker]

Sleepsong - Secret Garden

[magical-little-baker]

    [ Ahh--! There was Lady Darklaw, looking very pretty today. Trucy had not met her yet, but had heard plenty about her and seen her throughout town. Perhaps she was looking for Miss Espella...? She'd heard the two were friends. Trucy wasn't sure, though. ]                [ Honestly, she really should watch where she's going--she's too busy peering at the High Inquisitor to notice the tree right in front of her. With a sharp yelp, she crashes into it, the milk bucket she was carrying crashing to the ground and Trucy winds up covered in dirt and goat's milk. ] O-Oh no--!

[magical-little-baker]

The young assistant was called out of her thoughts as the knight spoke, blinking rapidly and turning pink at the ears. Called out while staring at him...jeez, did she seem rude or what! She placed a damp towel over the dough she had been tending to and wiped her hands on her apron. "Y-Yes, I'm Miss Patty's assistant. My name's Trucy."

The girl leaned forward, not sure why the air of secrecy needed to be kept... "It's Sir Barnham's--" Trucy cut herself off, before continuing at a volume that wasn't a shout, "It's Sir Barnham's birthday...?" She hadn't known... "U-Uh, well, Miss Patty's out right now...she might be at the marketplace still, talking with Miss Mary. Hmmm...." Trucy looked around, before gathering up her notepad and pencil. "How about you tell me what you'd like...? I can give this to Miss Patty when she gets back!"

The smell of freshly baked bread always had something comforting, a bit like returning home. Or to the barracks, as it was the case for most knights. Still, Bobby Robert couldn’t stop at this just now. He was on a mission of uttermost importance for the knights of the Inquisition. 

"Uhm, hello?" He called out to the girl on the other side of the counter. Weird, he felt like he had already seen her somewhere, but he couldn’t exactly point out where exactly. "Are you miss Eclaire’s assistant? I’m here on a…" He looked around before leaning against the counter, armor clanking lightly as he did so. "I’m here on a special mission," he said as he lowered his voice. "The Knights of the Inquisition require Miss Eclaire’s expertise for Ser Barnham’s birthday party, but we need the secret to be kept…"

[magical-little-baker]

Trucy had been peering around the room, taking everything in--goodness, it was so different from Miss Patty's bakery!--that she almost didn't hear the alchemist appearing from--well, where ever he worked. The teenager turned and blinked, before smiling sunnily. "Good morning, Sir Belduke!"

She sat gingerly in the chair he pulled out for her, clasping her hands in her lap and nodding a little once he spoke again. "Uhm, yes! You see...I work for Patty Eclair--the town's baker? W-Well, she's been a little under the weather for a few days now...she feels warm to the touch and said her stomach is bothering her. I was hoping you might know what's ailing her...?"               She clearly had another question on her mind, now that she was speaking with the man...but she wasn't so sure Sir Belduke knew how to treat amnesia as well as he did with other ailments.

The small bell attached to the door in the clinic part of the manor rang, making the alchemist aware that someone was looking for him. There was still a moment of hesitation before Newton remembered he had sent Jean out for some errands. He got out of his office, taking his protective gloves off and tucking them under his arm while he opened the door, greeting his visitor with a quiet smile. 

"Good morning." He opened yet another door to the small cubicle where he received his patients, pulling a chair for Trucy before sitting on the other side of the desk, all ears.  ”Anything I can do for you, miss?”

[magical-little-baker]

Well, he was certainly very interesting. Trucy was still half-convinced he was just talking to himself, but since he had wings and all, she figured he might as well be telling the truth.            "U-Uh, well...it's nice to meet you, Pit! A-And Lady Palutena, if she's there..." She fiddled with a strand of hair, before looking around. "O-Oh! Uh, well, I don't think Miss Patty would mind..." After a moment of thought, Trucy picked up a small loaf, cutting a few slices for him to nibble on. "H-Here you go! Just...just don't tell Miss Patty, my boss, okay?"

Pit followed along with her as she guided him along, not taking much concern to her understandable skepticism.

"… Hm?"

"Oh, right! It’s the Goddess of Light, Lady Palutena! And I’m the captain of her guard, Pit!"

"You know she didn’t ask for the second half, right Pit?"

"I know, I know, but what fun is an incomplete introduction?"

"… Whoa, what’s with all this bread? It smells and looks good! Can I have some?"

"Now Pit, be more courteous. You’ve just been offered shelter, after all.."

"Oh, right, sorry. … Can I PLEASE have some?”

"… You are definitely taking an etiquette course when you get back."

[magical-little-baker]

"Secrets of the Underground Ruins" — Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, chapter 6

[magical-little-baker]

Belle from OUaT in pallet 16 as requested by Anonymous.

[magical-little-baker]

Gabrielle Aplin - Home

[magical-little-baker]

[ She catches that the other has said something, just not what actually was said. This lady does seem to know Miss Patty and Espella from somewhere, though...she wonders where. ]

"Your job...?" [ A head tilt. ] "But I've never seen you here in Labyrinthia...do you work in London or something?"

[ It certainly was a good cover, but it wasn't like Trucy was completely clueless about the world. Not so much could be said for her memory... ]

[ She turns pink at the question, looking down and fiddling with her apron. Trucy decides to be honest, because there really isn't any harm in it, but it's still utterly mortifying to say. ]

"U-Uh...w-well, almost six months now. I, ah...Miss Patty took me in when I first came to Labyrinthia. I've been working here ever since."

[ Her tone is light, but she feels awful inside. Patty was the only one who had been willing to give her a home. Nobody wanted a girl who couldn't remember anything, now did they? It was a miracle Patty had even come across her, it felt like. ]

[ A slight huff. ]

"It figures the Boss and Espella would be out the one time I have a chance to visit the city."

[ Her statement is more to herself than to the young woman behind the counter, since she knew that she wouldn’t understand what she meant. But, if she was asked, she certainly would elaborate on it. It’s a story that she liked to tell when given the chance. Though she may exaggerate it a smidge— she liked to be her own Storyteller, so to speak. ]

"I can wait! …Though I can’t wait all night. I do have to get back—"

[Wait, does this young woman know about the world outside of Labrynthia? Just how new was this girl to the town? Maya doesn’t recall ever seeing her here before. ]

"—to my job. I gotta get back to my job at some point. But I can hang around for a little bit."

[ Nice save, me. I’d give myself a pat on the back for that one if I could get away with it. ]

"…So, how long do you remember working here for?

[magical-little-baker]

"An angel...right." Even for someone who lived in a town once haunted by witches and magic, she still finds it a little hard to grasp. She decided that it might be best not to say anything--though, the talking to himself was a bit strange still. Trucy helped him to his feet, and gestured for him to follow her inside the bakery, which smelled warm and inviting, fresh bread out and ready to be bought.

"Uhm...I'm sorry if this is rude, but--who are you talking to? Th-There's nobody here but us..."

"Oh… yeah."

"Just… a bit of trial and error."

"And, uh, yeah, I do. Comes with being an angel and all."

Pit was never really hesitant to mention the whole angel thing, even though that would probably make things easier in the long run. He could never seem to remember how it wentfor him the previous time it happened. It’s like he takes three steps and forgets.

"And, uh, yeah, I could use a bit of a break after that."

"What, don’t tell me you can’t handle sharp blows anymore."

"That was a hard blow!"

[magical-little-baker]

[ Kneading, and kneading...keeping the fire stoked...carrying things from place to place...              It didn't look like much, but being a baker for a living was hard work. There was so much to keep an eye on that Trucy was lucky to find a bit of a breather between making loaves. She was good, but not as good as Patty--no where near that good! Boy, did she have a lot to learn...

She'd been in the back of the shop, putting up her heels and snacking on one of the day-old loaves no one had bought yet when the voice shouted out right at the front of the bakery. The young assistant jolted awake in surprise, nearly falling out of her chair. Oh no!! She should have been keeping a closer eye on the shop, and not trying to take a nap!

Trucy rushed out from the back room, looking guilty. At least she hadn't burned anything like she used to...she smiled faintly at the man, bobbing up and down in a quick curtsy. ]

"S-Sorry about that. What can I get for you this evening?"

[ Left. Right. Left. Right.                      Swaying to the left too much, gotta lean to the right.                                                        —Too much to the right, stagger back to the left.               And, there.

If Emeer wasn’t seeing double right now, he would clearly be able to see that he was standing at the entrance to Eclair Bakery. But he’s lived here for so long, that he knows this town as well as he knows the bottom of a mug. And he’d say, fill ‘er up!

The scent of freshly baked breads permeate the air and he realizes that he hasn’t eaten anything since lunchtime, and it’s well approaching supper. …Or maybe it’s well after that. He tends to lose time when he’s down at Rogue’s. ]

“‘Ey…. anybody there? Ya got a costumer ‘ere!”