Off To The Ball

'Well that was embarrassing.'

Cinderella was on her knees now, with a face full of tears. Will got to his feet and brushed himself off. His body ached a little bit from landing on the ground like that but it wasn't too bad. At the very least, he interrupted the normal chain of events and managed to pre-empt the arrival of the Fairy Godmother.

Leaving his own thoughts aside, Will walked up to the sobbing Cinderella and was presented with his first large problem. He can't speak. Sure, he can give hand gestures and motions, but those will be useless when trying to communicate with someone who doesn't even know sign language. He looked at Cinderella, hoping she would somehow understand him anyway. Patting her on the shoulder, he attempted to get her attention.

Confused, the girl looked at the mushroom man that she hadn't noticed before. Quickly her confusion turned into curiosity, as the princess of heart did not have an evil bone in her body. "Oh dear, I'm sorry. I hadn't noticed you in front of me. Are you hurt at all?" She asked, looking Will over for any injuries.

Will shook his head in response. He motioned to ask why she is crying, though his point doesn't get across.

"My name is Cinderella. I am all right, thank you for asking."

Nonetheless, Will waves his hand in a little hello.

'I need to get better at charades... Wait the Charades skill!'

Having remembered the Skill from the system, Will quickly tried to use it. With it, his mind was filled with knowledge on how to use the skill in much greater detail. He could use his hands and fingers to represent objects, though complicated concepts were harder to convey. With his newfound knowledge he once again tries to gesture and ask why she is crying and running from the manor.

This time, his points got across. Looking down at him, she whispered, "That manor is my home, and I wanted to go to the ball that is being held tonight at the palace. I had given up on going because I did not have anything to wear to it, but my friends made the most beautiful dress. I decided to wear the dress they made me to the ball, but before I could leave the house my stepmother and stepsisters cruelly ripped it to shreds."

Cinderella looked down at her torn clothing in disbelief, tears forming in her eyes, "I was so distraught, I ran away without even fixing myself up properly."

'Nice! Well, not so nice for her. But nice for me, this is my chance to complete the quest easily.'

Will mimed to get her attention. He did a series of gestures before stopping halfway and restarting.

'Fuck its hard to properly word this with my hands. I hope I can learn to speak soon.'

His new try at getting his point across seemed to have worked, he told Cinderella that he could grant her wish to go to the ball.

"Truly? Thank you for trying to cheer me up, but I'm not sure what a small little mushroom like you could do." Cinderella patted his head while replying.

'True, I may be a short mushroom, but try this! Gifting!'

Using his skill, Will forced time to move backward on Cinderella's dress. In mere seconds the dress was fully repaired and was in perfect condition. Will took a step back and nodded in satisfaction.

'I've outdone myself, and it only cost me 20 MP. If altering reality like that costs 20 MP, it really is a shame I can't use this skill to directly benefit myself.'

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Cinderella looked at the little mushroom, "Oh my, this is wonderful! Thank you so much for helping me! You are just like the stories I have heard about a fairy godmother, but since you are a mushroom I think Fairy GodMushroom is more appropriate."

[Title Unlocked: Fairy GodMushroom

Greater chance of being seen favorably when in Fairy Tale inspired worlds.

Greater affinity with faeries.

Those allied by with the light will be confused when meeting you, sensing light inside a Heartless.]

She extended her hand to Will. "Come, let us go to the ball!"

Will was about to refuse, but paused.

'The quest hasn't completed itself yet, maybe because of the Unversed on the way to the castle. Though this is assuming I am here during the plot of Birth by Sleep, I certainly hope that's the case. I'd hate to have reincarnated during the mobile game. Eh, I guess I will follow Cinderella to the ball.'

He took her hand and nodded. They both began their walk through the forest, Cinderella peppering Will with questions and Will struggling to respond with just one hand.