http://blossomsofice.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] blossomsofice.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2007-02-07 10:20 pm
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Folklore and Fact: Mystical Artifacts, Week 5 [Thurs/2nd Period]

Sakura looked unusually dour -- which for her translated to lips set in a tight line and slightly narrowed eyes -- as she waited for the class to arrive today. The lockbox and scanning platform were set up on the center tale again, and on the three display screens up front were images of a pumpkin stagecoach, a clock with its hands set at midnight, and perhaps most jarringly a hospital ward full of young women who appeared to be in comas.

She gave a stack of papers to the nearest student to pass around before saying, "Most of you may be familiar with the tale of Cinderella. The most common version of the story is Charles Perrault's, where the fairy godmother makes her appearance. The Brothers Grimm had a version called Aschenputtel, but many other variants on the story exist, including Basile's Cenerentola, a Finnish tale called The Wonderful Birch, the ninth-century Chinese story of Ye Xian, and the Japanese story of Chujo-hime."

"The details vary: the Cinderella figure receives aid from different sources, and in some versions the slipper is made of gold, or not a slipper at all. Regardless, the heroine begins the tale as someone socially undesirable, often one who doesn't match up to her culture's standard of beauty or marriageability, and who must receive outside help in order to achieve happiness by winning the hand of a handsome prince." Sakura paused. "It's a very archaic and limited standard of happiness, but one by which women today still set store."

She pressed a button on her computer console, bringing the image of the hospital ward back up onto the display screens. "Several months ago, my teammates and I were investigating the case of these young women. All of them were found unconscious in various public places, each wearing only one shoe. Witnesses who observed several of the women say that they were seen dancing with an imaginary partner, laughing, completely unaware of their surroundings -- and that they simply collapsed, unconscious, at the stroke of midnight."

Sakura opened the lockbox to reveal a single glass high-heeled shoe. Pointing her Accellular at it, she scanned the shoe and held the Accellular up to show the class the Hazard Level reading: 230.

"Analysis revealed that this is not actually a shoe, but the physical manifestation of an otherdimensional being. In his own dimension he assumes the form of a masked prince. Women who put on the shoe had their souls pulled into his illusion world, and if not awakened before midnight would be trapped there." Sakura's hands clenched into fists at her sides for a moment or two before she continued. "As for why it was so easy for them to remain trapped in his world . . . I've programmed a simulation so you can see for yourselves, if you'll accompany me to the Danger Shop, please."

Locking the slipper carefully away in the chest again, Sakura waited for the class to file out before taking them over to the Danger Shop.

[OOC: See the OOC note for further information. Class Info Post/Roster. Also, I am going to bed shortly but I'll pick up tags in the morning. Usual SP throughout the day, but we'll see how it goes. *crosses fingers for light work day* OCD is up -- have at.]

Re: The Prince

[identity profile] water-wonder.livejournal.com 2007-02-08 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Tori eyed the prince warily, noticing his smug look. She didn't like that expression one bit.

Re: The Prince

[identity profile] water-wonder.livejournal.com 2007-02-08 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Tori was a bit put off by the Prince's demeanor. "Not exactly, no." She answered, matter of factly.

Re: The Prince

[identity profile] water-wonder.livejournal.com 2007-02-08 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"How can they be happy when they're trapped here?" Tori asked increduously. They were under a spell; that wasn't true happiness.

She shook her head. "If it means being trapped here? No." Tori added.

Re: The Prince

[identity profile] water-wonder.livejournal.com 2007-02-08 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
It sounded too good to be true and from what she had learned in class, it was.

"It's not what I want." Tori admitted.