Dear Community,

What do you know of demons? I am curious to see if there are differences or similarities amongst our different worlds on the topic. Are they real and true where you come from, or are they mere fiction? Are the beings of darkness, or perhaps something less harmful?

I would appreciate anything you have to say on the matter. Thank you.

[The video turns on revealing an old woman, dressed in a plain, grey dress, with a warm shawl around her shoulders. She is set in a chair, looking down at the recording curiously.]

Ah! There it is. I thought that it might work.

This must be the community of ducks my dear niece was telling me about. Great-niece, actually, but never mind that.

I thought I should inform you all that my niece, Miss Sophie Hatter, has decided to go forth and seek her fortune. She left her magic book in my care, you see so I imagine she will be out of touch for quite some time. She told me of her friends here, and wishes you not to worry. She will be quite alright, I imagine.

My name is Sophie as well. Old Sophie, that is. She is my namesake, after all. [She gives a wry smile.] A pleasure to meet you all, even if the method is rather strange.

Good afternoon everyone, and happy May Day.

I just have a question to pose to you all if you have the time to answer. I understand if you do not.

What do you think it means to be exploited? Can a person be very good, in a real genuine manner, to you and still exploit you? I am just curious what your thoughts are on the matter.

[Through the wonder that is community magic, Sophie's magic book has been propped open and has started recording. Sophie is seated at a work table, with an array of decorated hats set before her. She lifts one hat and smiles.]

You have a mysterious allure. [She gently places the hat down and looks to a wide, creamy hat with roses under the brim.] And you are going to have to marry money.

[She adjusts a caterpillar-green straw hat with a curly green feather.] You are young as a spring leaf.

[To a group of pink bonnets:] You all have dimpled charm.

[To a few hats trimmed with velvet:] And you are very witty.

[She looks at a mushroom pleated bonnet and holds it up. She appears to feel sorry for it, but she smiles warmly.] You have a heart of gold and someone in a high position will see it and fall in love with you. [She nods confidently and sets the hat back down.

The video cuts off.]

The wizard Howl's castle was seen moving over the hills near Market Chipping again today. Fanny was fretting with a customer about how he must be coming to steal another young girl's heart.

You see, there are stories of the terrible wizard Howl, and how he steals the hearts of young women to become more powerful. And yet...I have never heard of someone who knew of this first hand. It seems that someone always hears the story from a friend or acquaintance, who heard it from another friend or acquaintance and so on...

I was wondering, community, do you know stories and rumors like that? Where the source of them seems unknown? Do you put much stock in such stories?

Sometimes, I think the girls of Market Chipping just like to frighten themselves.

[ooc: all replies will be handwritten.]

Excuse me, community.

Have any of you heard of someone called "the Priestess of Genbu" or the "Celestial Warriors"?

Or- of worlds inside books?

I should give my stepmother much more credit than I have in the past. Due to...certain circumstances it has become necessary for my sisters and I to leave school and begin seeking apprenticeships.

Lettie will be working at Cesari's, a local bakery. Being the second daughter it seems best for her to be in a position where she might find happiness with a handsome, young apprentice.

And Martha is to travel to a family friend, Miss Fairfax and be an apprentice to her. Martha is certainly bound for great things and learning from a witch will do her wonders.

As for myself, Fanny will take me as her own apprentice so that I might inherit the shop one day. It is the only right and just thing, after all.

Yes, Fanny has worked everything out perfectly.

[Sophie is sitting in the dim storage room of her family's hat shop. She is seated at a table, dressed in black. Her eyes are red and tears are rolling down her cheeks. She makes no noises as she cries. There is only a mournful expression as she silently weeps.

A voice calls from a distance.]

Sophie. The guests wish to pay you their respects. Hurry back.

[Sophie gasps softly.] Yes. Coming, Fanny. [She then produces a handkerchief from her sleeve and quickly wipes her face and rubs her eyes. She takes a deep breath before stepping away from the table and out of the room. The feed cuts off.]

[ooc: italics are Sophie's stepmother, Fanny. All responses will icly be delayed.]

What is all this? These pictures in my book. They're awful. People are dying. Suffering. Surely this can't all be real. So many people hurting like this...

Please tell me it isn't true. That it is some awful illusion. It must be.

[The message is hand written, but you can hear to sound of it being written down on paper.]

To do:

1. Order one hundred yards of pink ribbon, three boxes of feathers, at least one bundle of lace.

2. Make sure Lettie and Martha clean their room before Friday.

3. Ask Fanny about the budget this week.

4. Visit the book shop?

[You can hear her scribbling out the fourth item and sighing heavily.]

No. Not today I think.

[Other voices can be heard, though they are faint. Perhaps calling from another room.]

Oh Sophie! Come look! Howl's Castle is coming into view!

Here to steal another heart perhaps? [Sophie is muttering as her footsteps echo off into the distance.]