One Step Forward

Dorothy takes the basket of medicine, and leaves through the front door; giving Winkie a kiss on his fuzzy head, and her grandmother a hug. Stepping off the porch, she looks around for signs of Cuu. His boots had imprinted onto the soft dirt around his Gran's cottage, showing that he had run around the back. The Hood's Wearer follows the trail, spotting The Wolf by the stream she had spoken of earlier. He was visibly shaking with anger, and one of the trees across the stream had a hole through its trunk; had he thrown something through a tree?

She sighs, seeing another reminder of her father; a swing, latched to a willow tree. It was close to the stream, so close in fact, that she had once flung herself into the stream on a dare from her Gran. That was how she lost her two front baby-teeth. It was far enough from Cuu that sitting there wouldn't disturb him...

Dorothy begins to walk towards the swing, and The Hood speaks through her mind. "My Wearer. How informed are you in the dealing of Storytellers?"

"Not very." She replied silently. "Mother didn't want me to be a Watcher; I felt likewise."

"I see." The folds of The Hood pull something from thin air; Dorothy's Index. "Still, I have chosen you, my Wearer. As such, you must know their ways, as Percy did."

"He was a Storyteller?" Dorothy asked? "And since when did you have my Index?"

"Read." It said. "Learn of me, and of Tales; of Cuu, and his Fate. Then, you will have your answers."

Dorothy takes the Index, finally seating herself on the swing of the willow tree. She pulled it open, and flicked over the first page; the one containing The Wolf's entry. Drawn in the same style as the two prior entries was a young woman in a red hood, dashing through a clearing in the woods. The scenery around the edges was familiar; Dorothy recognized it. It was the edges of The Wolf's artwork, with the unseen Tale above the clearing, on the crest of an overhang. Something about the woman was familiar as well; a mixture of two pairs she knew all too well by now.

Amber eyes, with the four-pointed star for pupils.

"That has to be a coincidence." Dorothy muttered.

The Hood remained silent; and so, Dorothy reads the entry.

The Hood.

Stories: Red Riding Hood. The Turning of the Page.

Allies: The Hunter.

Enemies: The Wolf.

Banes: Bound-Fate. Undressing. Plotted Weapons. The Wolf.

Boons: Bound-Fate. The Hood's Many Blessings.

Details: The Fate of the Wearer of The Hood is bound to that of The Wolf. Because of this, it is only a matter of time before one finds the other. The Hood cannot be damaged by normal means; only with Plotted Weaponry, or The Wolf's own claws, may it come to harm. Even still, The Hood will return from being shredded, burned, or likewise destroyed; weaving itself into being from thin air if needed.

The Hood can only be worn by Storytellers; those who bare a Reader's Eyes, and can discern the nature of a Tale by sight. The Hood chooses it's singular Wearer; doing so during the last years of it's current Wearer's life. During this time, it's old Wearer will still have The Hood as a piece of clothing, but it's power as a Tale will no longer function. This period of powerlessness is the perfect time to strike, and attempt to destroy The Hood, or kill its old Wearer; meaning that all should strive to protect this most sacred of Tales during such a time as this.

The Hood itself is akin to Plotted materials; near impervious to damage, and capable of holding the magical energies of the Other-Side. Because of this, The Hood can act as a living shield for it's Wearer, as well as grant them a means of gliding through the air. Plotted Weaponry can pierce or slash through this defense, but the rarity of such things makes this a less-than-likely outcome.

The Hood awakens something within it's wearer; their Tale-Blood. As is the case, all Storytellers are the direct descendants of Tales, going back at most two generations. While wearing The Hood, this latent power will slowly begin to awaken, allowing the Wearer to access their parent or grand-parent's power. However, should The Hood be removed, the Wearer's Tale-Blood shall become dormant once more; until The Hood is returned.

The Hood is an animate object; able to move it's entirety of its mass, as well as expand it. Combined with the durability of The Hood, it can act as unbreakable bindings; or a strangling rope. Most often seen when in combat, The Hood will extend itself to absurd degrees, flowing behind it's Wearer as they weave through the battlefield. The length to which The Hood can extend and expand is unknown, but talks with one of it's Wearers confirmed that there is a limit. When disconnected from it's Wearer, however, The Hood can only act in this manner as a means of reaching it's Wearer; meaning that The Hood cannot act as an autonomous weapon.

The Wearer, as a Storyteller, will have the power to use a Storyteller's Index, such as this one. Uniquely, they will have a ephemeral, otherworldly Index bound to them; The Hood can **** this Index to present itself from it's folds at any point. The Index itself will be fresh, as if newly printed from Merlin's Tower; even if previously destroyed. This Index will initially be found on the doorstep of the Wearer's home upon being chosen; likely during their infancy.

The writing changes; going from formal and well done, to a barely readable chicken-scratch.

These words are for you, and you alone, Wearer.

I, Percival Bludmont, Warrior, have worn The Hood since it's creation upon this iteration of the Page.

Should you be reading this, know that I am dead. Should you run across The Wolf named Cuu, know that he is my son. Should you wish to break Fate, and save our Page from his successors...

Seek the Author's Notes; words that only those on the Warrior's Path can see.

The words then return to their formal structure.

Origins: You are not ready, My Wearer.

Dorothy closes the Index, breathing in deeply. "Author above..."

"Take your time, my Wearer." The Hood said. "There is more to read. At the last page."

"Hold your horses, you glorified picnic blanket!" Dorothy said, huffing. "One thing at a time; please."

"Of course, my Wearer."

Dorothy takes another deep breath; this 'My Wearer; nonsense striking her nerves. "So, when was I chosen, then?"

The Hood answers. "Three weeks after your Father knew of your Mother's pregnancy. He sent a letter to Percy, informing him of the news. You were born carrying the blood of two potent Tales, as well as having the resources for thorough training as a Storyteller. I was not expecting you to take up a different path, my-"

"Please, stop calling me that. It's driving me insane. Call me Dotty, or something; and don't constantly do it at the end of sentences!" The Storyteller girl says, sternly. "Either way... that's why you chose me? Bloodlines and wealth?"

"Your home was considered, as well." The Hood said. "Ozon was the natural place for little Cuu to enter after Exile; an outcome I predicted even before his birth. Its ancient yellow brick roads wear at the wagon-wheels, horseshoes, and boots of outsider. It lined up perfectly; Dotty, or something."

"Ok, now I know you're messing with me." Dorothy said, pulling down The Hood, and letting her curly, white hair flow free. "But, why would you want to follow Cuu so badly? You're bound to him anyway... we're bound to him."

"Hehehe..." The Hood's androgynous voice, wispy voice became slightly more feminine as it laughed. "Coincidences do not exist in a world ruled by Fate; Dotty."

The girl frowns at the piece of clothing, wishing she could just ball it up and toss it in a basket for a day or two. She had always wondered about the great big world beyond Antiquity, but still; it was a terrifying prospect. Being bound to Cuu, who was sure to go off after his month in her service was finished. Then there was the message, hidden in her Index; the one from Percival.

Breaking Fate? Saving Page from Cuu's succesors? Secret warrior words?

It was like something out of the fantasy novels she enjoyed, and not the ones she hid under the floorboard either. It sounded crazy! Even more-so, it sounded terrifying. However, it also sounded... exciting. Dorothy hadn't had any real excitement in her life until recently. Before meeting Cuu, and seeing him blast apart stone rubble with a breath; the most excitement she had ever experienced was on this very swing, just before flying off, and losing a pair of front baby-teeth.

"I'll think on all of this tonight, and read that page." She said, handing the Index back to The Hood; picking up the basket of medicine. "Right now, I should check up on Cuu. Its been half an hour already; and Miss Shesh likely rather miffed that we've taken so long."

Dorothy hops off the swing, and looks to the stream. Much to her surprise, Cuu is no longer alone; a doe had walked its way to his side, and now lay beside him. He was petting gently against its fur, with his tail wagging. Dorothy quietly snuck closer, sitting by the doe as it rested. The Wolf notices her presence, and gives her that damned smile.

"Doctor Oswald." He whispers. "I wish to apologize for my earlier outburst..."

"It's fine." She whispers back. "I'm just glad that you've found this little friend to help calm you down."

He points to it's belly; which was a good bit bigger than the usual deer Dorothy had seen. "I think she's expecting a fawn. That, or she ate a bit too much grass."

Dorothy has to hush her giggles; giggles which are soon interrupted by Cuu saying seven words she would never forget.

"You kind of look like a sheep."