~What A Wonderful World~

[Cindy Marie-Claire DeMortello]

Chuckling, a lone girl ran her hands gently through her long golden locks as she cooed softly to the white hare before her.

"Aren't you a gorgeous little bunny of sorts. Perhaps, you could tell me where I am?"

The only response was the indignant twitch of the hare's pink nose and the constant flicking on its soft cotton ball of a tail.

Clearly the animals here did not speak. It rather put off the young blonde.

Sighing, she looked ahead and noticed a beautiful blue jay singing a rathe melancholy tune.

'How fitting,' she thought roughly to herself.

At this rate, she would never get home. Sure, she wanted to be free of stereotypes and subjugation and what not. However, she didn't find St. Gregory's to be the ideal place.

No, indeed not. The humans proved to be worse than her stepsisters. Yes, they constantly gossiped about her and made some rather hurtful remarks. In fact, a mortal dare called her a 'slut'. She'd never encountered such vulgar language and she was rather put off by it. She found it hurtful and rather unnecessary.

A 'slut'?

Honestly, the only thing the girl wore were long gowns or neat trousers paired with a neat tunic or a classy top. Never had Cindy worn anything that was indecent.

'Those vicious girls,' she thought.

The poor girl weeped and felt rather lonely. In all fact, she missed her prince and her father and the beautiful animals that had helped her overcome her struggles.

[ivory de lenore]

The pale beauty stepped into the courtyard, her red prada heels clicking beneath her. She wore a form fitting black pencil skirt showing off her perfect figure. Her deep red tunic opened to reveal a satin cream camisole. Her curly ebony locks fell over her blue eyes as they glanced down at the stones as she walked further into the yard.

It was snowing lightly, the flurry's falling all around. Ivory or more commonly known as Snow looked up to see the blond... crying. Snow had recognized her as the many of the people who came from the withering Homeland. Not of those who were under her realm. Snow stepped towards her. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.

[Cindy Marie-Claire DeMortello]

Quickly dabbing at her eyes with the sleeve of her silken knee-length sapphire dress, Cindy looked up to see who had been speaking.

Cindy forced a small smile for display and nodded softly, "I suppose, I am a bit put off by my surroundings, considering I am a bit new to this realm...ehrmm... I mean to this neighborhood. Well, I'm rather enchanted to meet you. I don't think I've had the pleasure of introducing myself just yet. I'm Cindy. Well, Cindy Marie-Claire DeMortello."

Nervously playing with the hem of her ruffled skirts and constantly retying the large cerulean bow upon her head, she sighed rather dramatically.

"You know...The people here aren't as nice as I had imagined," she tried softly.

[ivory de lenore]

Snow flashed Cindy a smile and took a seat beside her. She gracefully tucked her leg beneath the other and crossed her fingers over her lap. "Its a pleasure to meet you too, Cindy. My name is Sno- I mean, Ivory de Choreau." She replied.

Her blue eyes darted around the courtyard and nodded. "Yes, the students here... don't know respect or common decency. I know that it wouldn't be tolerated back... where I came from."

[Cindy Marie-Claire DeMortello]

Cindy chuckled lightly, "A most beautiful name, I assure you."

She closed her eyes as she felt the light flurries kiss her sun-kissed cheeks. Yes, this place was most definitely not home. It was rather cold and ruthless.

'Just as I was to Anastasia,' she thought ruefully. However, her stepsister deserved the unkindness on her part.

'Karma's a... b i t ch.'

Yes, she was getting slowly accustomed to the language of this time and place.

"Yes, the students here... don't know respect or common decency. I know that it wouldn't be tolerated back... where I came from," the girl had said.

Cindy nodded softly in agreement, "Yes, this language could possibly get one beheaded."

She shuddered softly.

[ivory de lenore]

Snow nodded and gave a small laugh. "Well true. At least it taught respect." She said with a small shrug. "Though I'm wondering how Charming is dealing with everything. Probably enjoying the attentions from the other girls." She joked softly.

[Cindy Marie-Claire DeMortello]

Cindy shook her head softly and chuckled, "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Charming; however, his name seems to hint otherwise."

Smiling as she mused, she continued cautiously, "Hmm, the name Charming sounds rather princely. Speaking of princes, I think I've had enough of them for a lifetime. Do they have princes here? I haven't seen any balls or kings or queens for that matter. I wonder where my fairy godmother is. She really must see where she's taken me. Well ,anyways, I seem to be rambling. Quite sorry, I'm quite nostalgic, if you will. To be quite frank, I'm not from here, and I'm fairly certain you aren't either, are you? You remind me of someone I knew. Perhaps, you just have a familiar presence, but I'm certain I wouldn't forget a face like yours. Quite ethereal. I suppose you're like me? We stand quite apart from the humans...I mean other students here."

She'd certainly hoped she hadn't said to much.

[ivory de lenore]

A small amused smile appeared on Snow's face as Cindy rambled. "Well, from what I learned they believe in Democracy not Monarchy." She added with a small laugh. Her smile faltered as Cindy continued on Charming. Snow only hope to make a quick reference. "Charming... is well Charming. Can't seem to stay with one girl." She muttered with a small shrug.

"No I'm not from around here and I highly doubt your fairy godmother will have enough power to send you back. Since our home is slowly destroying itself..." She whispered softly with worry in her voice.

[dominique]

He'd seen it as a prime opportunity for an endurance run; the thin air, the barren sidewalks, and the silence. Torrid breath spewed from his sticky lips in billows of friged smoke. His feet struck the earth at long, even spans. His arms would occasionally stretch up over his head to relieve them of their rhythmic pumping that propelled him forward.
The insatiable smirk on his face was made up of something a madman would conjure, as if the 9 minute pace he was keeping wasn't fast enough. An assortment of thermal gear hugged tightly to his strictly trained physique, flexing with his powerful strides. There was a light trickle of sweat beading down his neck. It only cooled his seemingly mechanical anatomy, coaxing it to work faster and harder.
Luc Trotter was a beast; he had to be to brave running in this chilly weather, right? Brave. Or crazy.
He had made a loop around the school and had decided he would cut through the courtyard. Perhaps he'd spot Belle there, reading if anything. His legs continued their monotonous pace as he slipped through the courtyard, jogging along the narrow footpath toward two entities. Neither of them looked like his jou, but he slowed anyhow just to say hello.
As he got closer his blue eyes recognized one of them as Snow, the other blonde was Cindy. "Bonjour, mademoiselles. A bit chilly to be out chatting, wouldn't you think?" His breath was heavy as he slowly shifted in place, rolling his shoulders back and stretching out his arms behind him.

[ivory de lenore]

A small shiver drifted down Snow's spine, bringing a small realization towards her that it was actually cold out. It didn't bother her so much, she was use to adapting to new situations but it wouldn't hurt if a small amount of sun appeared through the clouds. But no such luck as it continued to snow.

Her blue eyes turned in the direction Luc, giving a small smile of recognition. "Hello, Luc. Yes it's a bit cold but its much better than receiving glares for those so called students." She replied with a shake of her head. Her dark locks bouncing back and forth. "And I thought my step-mother was horrible."