Chapter Text
When the little hatted alien pointed down to the dense forests, Cooking Cat had told her:
“Oh, don’t worry about the darkness down there. There’s a lovely little kingdom with the kindest king you’d ever hope to meet. The forest is for protection more than anything else.”
And that only raised the hatted child’s curiosity
And so, after a long, exhausting time with the bird directors, she decided to give the forest a proper gander.
She landed on her feet, about 50 yards, give or take, from a stone wall with a large, brown door.
Ever curious, she knocked.
“WHO GOES THERE???” A surprisingly high pitched voice calls out, causing her to jump back. The door peeked open, and a lanky guard poked their head out “huh- Hello little girl! What are you doing here?”
She pointed to the door with a questioning expression
“You wish to come in?? Oh, of course!”
The door opened further, letting the child see into the brightly colored village.
“BUT!”
She startled
“I need your name for our records!”
She pouted
“What? Can’t speak?”
She rose her hand, giving a “so so” gesture
“Well give it a try! Let's see if I understand your accent!”
She had a rather iffy expression, but decided to humor him, giving it a try.
“ *^$(@)@%$#)@(&*@ “
He blinked “.... I’ll admit. I’ve never heard that language before”
She shrugged
“Okay… hm….” he held up a hand as if to tell her to wait “Frederick! Fred, grab me the book!”
He was handed a comically large book
"Thanks!” The man opened his book “Here you are! Okay, so” he points to a blank line on a page full of names “write your name in your language, and that still counts!”
Oh, good idea!
She nodded, grabbing the pen and writing her name down.
“.... That's a lot of straight lines, alrightie!”
He shut the book “Please enjoy your time here, and if you wish to leave, please do so before sundown! We lock the gate then, and you will have to stay here until sunrise for your safety.”
She tilted her head at that.
“It's a precaution! How did you get all the way here without being warned about the Subcon Snatcher?”
She just tilted her head the other way like a dog
“.... Okay then… so, have a good day!”
She ended up just waving at him, before rushing her way over to where she saw colorful flags - probably the center of the town.
She slowed herself down as she got into crowds, looking around with at least some interest at everything around here, seeing high-up houses with lots of stairs for some reason, and lower-laying storefronts with paper decals.
And then she heard music.
The string instrument was playing a jaunty, rather amusing tune, and there were children clapping along as she got closer, turning the corner and spotting a man, sitting by a fountain and playing said instrument with a rather sizable group of people dancing, heavy stomps and claps and spinning.
Hat Kid watched with visible interest in her bright eyes, bouncing on her feet to the beat and an amused smile on her face.
The man playing the string instrument had chestnut hair, waving and curling wildly around his bouncing head. He had golden eyes, and a bright red coat with deep purple filigree and silver detailing. His scuffed boots tap to the beat, and he’s focused intensely on the instrument.
Despite the delight around him, his expression seems almost tense.
Her eyes fell off of him as her hand was taken, and a child - seemingly similar to her age, eagerly attempted to pull her into the dance. She nervously shook her head, sheepishness seeping into her expression.
The child holding her hand tilted his head “You nervous?”
She doesn’t answer, and he gently pulls her
“I can show you, come on!”
She huffed a bit, but ended up letting him pull her in, and the boy walked her through the steps of what she assumed was a traditional dance.
It ended up being fun! She got swept up in it, and when the song ended, she was cheering and clapping along with the other citizens.
The man stood, bowing deeply and giving them all a smile
“Wonderful as always!” He calls out, his voice deeper than she had been expecting “The feast should be ready now! Please, make your way to the Banquet hall!” He pointed with the string instrument, the people cheering and starting to make their way down the avenue.
Hat Kid stayed behind for a moment, not wanting to get pushed around by the crowd. As it thinned, she saw the man putting away the instrument.
She recalled that in the Metro, people who played music played for coins or pons. She felt around in her hat, finding a few pons - and approached the man, clearing her throat to get his attention.
His head turned, and he gave her a curious head tilt to match her own “Hello there”
She waved at him with one hand, then held out the money to him
“What? Oh-” He laughed a bit “No, no. No money. Thank you though” He closed the instrument case “I quite love to play the violin for the people, particularly on holidays like this”
She tilted her head, but put the pons back into her hat.
The man gave her a once over, and offered a polite smile “A traveler, are you?”
She nodded, giving him her own smile
“Well, welcome to Souceaux, are you here for the-”
“Your Majesty!!”
A woman with bright red hair was walking up to them, her bright green eyes showing some .. concern?
“Ah, Hello Rose” the man grabbed his instrument case “I was just about to head to the hall - saying hello to a little traveler here” he motioned to the now surprised girl, who was looking at him and his newly revealed title - “Your Majesty”
“Oh?” She looked down “Oh! Hello there!”
Hat kid waved, giving a polite smile, then looking back at the man with a skeptical look, which caused him to laugh a bit
“Yes, yes you’re correct” he read her expression near perfectly “My manners were beyond me. I am Leon-”
“King Leon” Rose but him, getting a rather playful eye roll from the king
“King Leon Laurent” He finally finished his name “What is your name?”
Hat made a face- this again?
“Can you not speak?” Rose asked, and Hat waved her hand back and forth in the same so-so motion as earlier
“Well, you’re perfectly okay at communicating, I see no issue here” the King strapped the violin to his back “Now, have you ever been here before, kiddo?”
She shook her head, and Rose let out an excited gasp
“You came here on a perfect day, then!” Rose offered her hand “Come to the banquet hall, you’re here just in time for the Saint Fleur banquet dinner!”
Hat’s eyes widened at the prospect of food, and took Rose’s hand
Rose looked up at Leon, giving him a cautious expression “... Do you have the time?”
The king looked out at the sun over the wall, and gave a thoughtful expression. His eyes caught their little guest, whose innocent, curious expression was incredibly endearing
“I think that I do. Not too much, but enough” He assured his friend, smiling “Let us get some food! I am starving”
Hat grinned at the prospect of seeing more of this town with the king himself, and offered him her unheld hand, which he took with some amusement.
His hand was warm, calloused, a hard worker’s hand. It reminded her of the caretakers on her home planet.
She jumped up and down, pulling the adults forward eagerly, who caught up quickly, and led her to a large, domed building with colorful stained glass and brick work.
She didn’t get much time to admire the outside, before being pulled into the well lit building that was full of people, and a long, long table filled to the brim with food that smelled like nothing she’d ever had before. When the king arrived with them, the crowd cheered his name, clearly delighted by his presence.
He took a look around, and corrected his posture slightly, offering a smile to the people.
“We have an out of town guest tonight!” he motioned to the girl, who quite suddenly felt sheepish, shoulders curling in “Let’s show her how Souceaux celebrates our beloved Saint!”
There was more cheering, and Leon let her hand go
“When you are done getting food, come sit by me, hm?” he offered with a smile “It's so rare we get travelers on feast days. It would be an honor to have you by my side”
Whether he was humoring her or not, she couldn’t tell. But he sounded sincere enough, and she nodded to him just as he walked over to a different table.
Rose pulled her hand to get her attention “Have you ever had any Subconian food?”
She shook her head, and Rose grinned - more excited than before
“Oh, you are in for a treat!” She encouraged “Let’s go!”
Rose helped Hat build her meal, letting her point to what she wanted, and turning her away from the deserts - at least for now - promising she could have some if she finished her already substantial plate.
Once all set, Rose led the way through the crowd to a table where the king was mingling - seated, but with his body facing away from the table. He spotted them as they approached, and waved them over.
“That’s a lot of food! Is that all for you?”
She shrugged, giving him a sheepish smile right after, getting an amused laugh out of his majesty. She placed her plate next to him, climbing into the seat
“What’s y’r name, child?” A stranger across the table asked
She frowned a bit, not wanting to go through this a third time
“She doesn’t speak out language, Quentin” Leon stated “She understands well, but cannot speak it”
“Ahhh” The other man - Quentin - nodded “Well, what direction are ya from, south? West?” he pointed in said directions.
She pointed up, and all of the adults at the table laughed, including Rose, who sat on the girls’ other side
“All children are gifts from heaven” Rose Marie playfully agreed. “Please, go ahead and eat!”
“Oh, yes, please do!” Leon looked around “Where is the children’s cider carafe?” He called out, and he was handed the requested drink vessel in moments
Hat was absolutely delighted at the treatment she was receiving in this town - so much so that a small part of her was suspicious - was there a catch?
She took a bite of the food, and decided that she didn’t care.
She listened to the conversation around - all light and fun and such a stark difference from the rest of this planet. Both Leon and Rose attempted a few times to get her in on the conversation, but she was happy to just listen, kicking her feet and taking a sip of the tart and bubbly cider.
This was, without a doubt, the best visit she’d had on this planet so far.
But then - there was the sound of a bell, and it startled her out of a bite of a fruit tart
“Oh, that means the gates are closing” Leon explained
Hat sat up straight.
“Where are your parents, little traveler?” The king asked “Are they at the inn?”
She shook her head, making a face
“Are you traveling alone?” Rose asked, and she nodded “Oh, then you don't have a place to stay the night?” hat nodded again “You can stay with me then!”
Hat’s expression was clearly surprised, but was distracted when Leon stood
“I have to go now”
The entire crowd in the hall booed him for it.
“Now now! This has been a wonderful feast, and Next month, we have the Fleur De Lis Festival! Preparations start early, you know” he smiled.
Hat tilted her head, feeling an odd chill coming off of him - his smile seemed stiff, faker than the other ones. He looked down at her.
“Are you okay with staying with my friend? She is very trustworthy. If not, I can get you a room at the inn”
Hat looked at Rose Marie, who smiled kindly, and turned back to him with a thumbs up, pointing at Rose. He smiled - much more authentically this time - and gave her a nod.
The crowd began to disperse, and Rose led Hat Kid to her home, right on the wall, with a large, beautiful garden filled to the brim with flowers all over the grounds of her home.
Hat looked at the flowers with eyes that seemed to visibly sparkle, making Rose giggle “I will take that stare as a compliment, so thank you! Let’s get inside before it gets too dark”
Rose led her inside, and gave her a brief tour of the modest house. Once that was done, She supplied Hat with a towel to take a shower (or bath, Rose made sure to tell her she could do either) while she pulled out the sofa bed.
Hat hadn’t had a shower with real, honest-to-goodness H2O in so long - she used an alternate lab-made substitute meant for space travel- that this shower felt like a luxury. She climbed out and was greeted with a nightgown along with her towel.
These people were so nice - so different from the rest of the world. She relished it.
She walked back into the living room of the kindly florist, who had set up the bed.
“All set?”
She nodded.
Rose Marie gave her a smile “Do you need any lights on?”
Hat thought for a moment, looking around, and pointing to a small lamp in the far corner of the room. Rose nodded, turning it on, and getting a thumbs up from the girl.
“Good, I’ll keep this on for you. Do you need anything else?”
Hat shook her head, crawling up onto the pulled out bed and wrapping herself in the blankets as if a nest, poking her head out and getting a giggle from the woman.
“Well, if you need anything, I am right down this hallway, okay?”
Hat nodded, giving another thumbs up before being left alone for the night, most of the lights off, and the room feeling oddly comfortable for a stranger's home.
She yawned, letting herself get comfortable, and closing her eyes…
The sound of a thud awoke her with a start
Sitting up completely straight, Hat looked about the dim room cautiously, before hearing the harsh “thud” once more, like when you drop something heavy on the ground.
It was coming from her left - from the wall.
She slid out of the bed, and stared out the window, trying to see if she could hear it again.
The sound repeated itself, somehow louder, making her jump.
She turned her head to the hall, where Rose Marie’s room was.
Was she not woken up by that? It feels so loud to Hat’s sensitive ears. It’s even shaking the ground!
The sound happened again, and Hat resolved to quiet her curiosity.
She walked over to the front door, pushing it open, and rushing to the back of the home, seeing the jutting stones of the wall
Yeah, she could climb that.
Jumping up rather effortlessly, she heard a familiar voice.
“Wh-wh-who-o-h e-eh-ehs eh-eh-t”
…. King Leon…?
She reached the top, and poked her head cautiously over, hearing that voice yet again.
“Coh-cohm-coh-mm hee-hee-urrr”
Oh, that sounded like him. It really did. She looked into the dense wood over the stone, and saw.. Something - something was moving.
It was black - or at least it looked back - and moved like a snake through the trees
It had eyes, yellow ones- glowing dimly and looking away from her. It ‘spoke’ again.
“Weh-ehr ah-ahr y-yo-uh?”
She knew it wasn’t Leon … was it?
Something in her stomach churned.
It’s head turned, lifted and in the moonlight - revealed that it was not, in fact black, but a deep, intense violet
Its eyes spotted her, and they briefly held contact.
And then it let out a guttural, growling sound
And it pounced.
Hat was rightfully startled, pushing back from the wall - and falling-
“Oh!”
She was. Caught!
“What on earth are you doing??” Rose Marie - in a frilly, flowy nightgown was holding the child in her arms with a scared, panicked face “Where you not warned about the Snatcher??”
Hat’s eyes were wide, looking back at the wall, where she heard scraping noises, and that voice - that Leon-like voice - was wailing.
“... Inside” Rose turned on her heel, bringing them back into the home, and putting Hat on the pulled-out bed, closing and locking the door, and shutting the window shutters, which muted the sound greatly.
Hat felt like she was in serious trouble
Rose sighed deeply “Are you alright?”
She nodded
“Why were you outside? It’s dark! And dangerous- as you saw! You nearly hurt yourself!”
Hat pouted.
“I mean, what were you thinking??”
Hat blinked, opting for a shrug.
Rose looked frustrated “Were you not warned about The Snatcher?”
She made a motion with her hand - just a little.
Rose Marie let out a huff “Okay, quick lesson, then we’re off to sleep”
Hat tilted her head as Rose sat at the edge of the bed.
“About a decade ago, a monster, a beast, came to Subcon forest, to Souceaux.” rose stated “it does not eat people, or even plants, but souls”
Hat’s eyes widened
“At it has to do is bite you, and it will suck the soul right out of your body!” She warned “That's why we build the wall - it protects us - the Snatcher only comes out after sunset - so we shut the gates so that everyone is safe”
Ah, that made sense. Hat nodded in understanding.
“Next time you are here, if you ever come back, please, do not go out to the wall, okay?” Rose asked grabbing the child’s hand “While no children have been lost to the Snatcher, we know that he- it does not discriminate”
Hat nods, seeing the genuine worry and seriousness in her eyes.
“Good, good” Rose gives her a tired smile “Now.. tomorrow morning, how about I make pancakes. Do you like those?”
Hat nodded eagerly, recalling when Cooking Cat made them for her
“Good. Now, let’s get some sleep”
Hat lays herself down, getting tucked in by Rose, who gives her a wave before returning to her room.
Hat feels that tiredness overcoming her again, and lets herself close her eyes, looking forward to a very sweet treat in the morning.