Yeah, I finally got one up for Ahiru. XD;

Questions? Concerns? Comments? Crit? Need to get a hold of me for a plot? Leave a comment here. I know not everyone agrees with my portrayal of Ahiru, so I want to give you all a chance to come and complain if you'd like.

Anonymous comments are allowed. Comments won't be screened, since I want to allow people to see if something they were wondering about has already been previously addressed--if I get a lot of complaints about this, though, then I'll consider switching it to screened.

I'll put an FAQ in this post if it seems like certain questions or issues come up a lot, or if there's something that's particularly confusing to others.

Thanks all. ♥

Ah....whew. I guess they should be all gone today.

I'm almost kinda disappointed, you know? Some of them are really nice. And it's interesting to see people from different worlds. But I figured that after the pumpkin patch, Fakir would be pretty mad about me doing something "dangerous" like that...soooooo....

((OOC: Anything is fair game with her! Doubles, 4th walling, any ratings, etc. This is your official permission to screw with her.
I'm fine with backdating on Chrono's entry, too if any of you still wanted to poke 'em.))

[The video starts with a shakey, difficult-to-see image of pumpkins rushing past and occasionally a small girl's foot. The sound of Ahiru running and gasping for breath can be heard, as well as occasionally gutteral, strange sounding growls and screeches.]

Zombies! Why does it have to be zombies?! Last year was bad enough! I don't want to get bit again!

[The video steadies for a moment when Ahiru trips and lands against the ground with a THUD, the screen showing her terrified face up close as she tries to catch her wind.]

C-can't be eaten. I won't let them eat me. It'd be stupid to get eaten NOW after all this time!

[Over her shoulder, a man with a twisted, inhuman face comes into view, breathing heavily. He raises his hand to attack her, but Ahiru sees him just in time and dodges out of the way, her hand grabbing the device just in time. She screams, stumbles to her feet, and starts to run again.]

HELP!!

((OOC: Someone's going to be saved by Flynn! \o/ Also you don't need to click that link, I threw it in for giggles.))

Residents of the City--my name is Princess Tutu. I know some of you have mentioned that you sensed dark energy, or that your love ones have been behaving strangely--blank, with little free will or emotions. Your friends that have had their hearts magically stolen away. Their lives are not in danger, but they can't be their true selves without it.

I have the ability to find missing hearts and return them to those who have lost them. I've already found some of the missing hearts, and my partner Fakir and I will be returning them to those who need them. I've already been told of some that have been showing symptoms, but I'm not sure who all of them are, so please do let me know if you think you know someone that's been affected.

If your friend is missing their heart and I haven't found it yet, I'm very sorry. I'll continue my search for as long as it takes to find them.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll answer them to the best of my ability.

( OOC--plot details/canonnotes )

There's only been two boys I've ever had feelings for.

One is handsome, never selfish, always kind. He'd give anything to help others, even his own heart. I always looked up to him, admired him, and I did everything to help him. I gave everything. I was prepared to give my life for him--twice.
But in the end, he didn't choose me. He chose another girl. And I feel guilty for even wishing that he would've picked me instead--because the girl he picked is my best friend, and deserves him even more than I do after everything she's been through.

The other is just as handsome, although sometimes he can be grumpy and hard to understand. But deep inside, in places he keeps hidden, he's just as kind as the other. Once you've won his loyalty, he'll never let you down. He works hard to protect those he cares about, even if it means he'll be hurt in the process. He's faced his greatest fears to protect others...to protect me. I don't know when or how it happened, but...I love him. And once upon a time, he loved me.

But he's forgotten his feelings for me. And I'm starting to think things will never be the same for us. He's not the only one that's forgotten me, either--all the friends I've ever had have forgotten me back home. All the friends I have here will some day leave and forget me.

But in the end, none of that really matters. In the end, I should have expected things to be like this.

Because they're all human. And I'm a duck. I'm just a bird. Even if Fakir did remember everything, even if Mytho had chosen me, they'd be in love with a duck. I'm not some princess that's cursed or anything, there's no spell to be broken--I'm really just a duck, and no matter how much I pretend to be a girl, I know deep down inside that it's all I'll ever be.

FML.

Sorry! I don't know why I'm thinking about this...is this a curse?

Do you find that there's a sever lack of grumpiness and over-protectiveness in your life? Is your day missing an easily-flustered teenage boy? Are you looking to add more powerful ballet dancing, skilled storytelling, and sexy voice in your life?

Then I have the friend for YOU! For the low, low price of one gallon of Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Swirl ice cream, you can have your very own Fakir, the Grumpy Writer Knight! (tm)

Activation is easy! Simply look like a cute child, appeal to his interest in writing or swordfighting, or simply be too cheerful and stubborn for him to grump away, and soon you'll crack his exterior grumpy shell and reach the fluffy, gooey center beneath. Once activated, your very own Grumpy Knight will stalk you around the Network to make sure you're protected, then deny he's concerned with flailing arms and blushing cheeks. Amazing!

Perfect for kids, or anyone who enjoys having grumpy anti-social friends with a heart of gold. Take him on a picnic, to the movies, on a walk in the park, to the arcade! Wherever you use your Grumpy Knight, he'll provide hours of entertainment!

But wait! THERE'S MORE! Act now, and you'll also receive your very own Rue, the Dark Magical Ballet Princess (tm)! Watch with awe as this Ice Queen defrosts before your eyes! Take in her elegant lines and carefully-practiced ballet techniques! Feel your heart warm as you realize she really DOES care, even though she bosses you around! Or, place your Ballet Princess next to Grumpy Knight and activate their Brother-Sister Protocalls for HOURS of snarky, sibling rivalry-flavored entertainment!

So what are you waiting for? Pick up your Network device of choice and start your new friendship with Fakir, the Grumpy Writer Knight TODAY! Ahiru is standing by. No shipping and handling!

Warning: when using your Grumpy Knight, avoid creating topics about the following: Drosselmeyer, parents, ravens, failure, birthmarks, research, and slimy food. Conversations on maids, ducks, nuns and doujinshi may be started, but with the warning that flailing may occur. Please make sure your Grumpy Knight gets sunlight at least twice a week, no matter how much he may try to persuade you otherwise. If Grumpy Knight is cursed, please be on the look out for sudden swinging of sharp, pointy objects. Grumpy Knight is not approved for use with Raven's Blood.

((OOC: Ahiru's cursed with Infomercial Day. XD She's been wanting to find Fakir some new friends for a while, so the curse took advantage of it.))

Yesterday was...interesting! I could've done without all the beer...and the drunk people...but it was nice seeing everyone dressed up like they were at a festival back home. It sort of makes me miss the Fire Festival. Everyone would get dressed up in these fancy, old-fashioned costumes and dance around a bonfire. Oh, and they said that if you and your partner were the best dancers, you'd get the Golden Apple, and that'd mean you'd be together forever! That's sort of romantic, isn't it? I don't know if it was true or just a story, but it's nice to think about.

Fakir, did you ever go to the Festival? I don't remember you going before. I bet if you found someone to dance with you could win a contest like that...as long as Mytho and Rue weren't competing against you, anyway. Oh, but they don't really need a Golden Apple to tell them they'll always be together, they already know that.

...I bet they're dancing together right now.

Hmmm, isn't that golden apple from some sort of story? I can't remember...

You know, we should have more festivals like that here! Where we get to dress up and have a party. The only thing I can think of that's really like that is Halloween...or that "prom" thing we have during that one school curse. Hey, come to think of it, isn't Halloween next month? Maybe I should start thinking about a costume so I can make a really good one. Or is that too early?

Wow...this is the 100th entry? Have I really been here that long? It almost feels like I've been here forever.

((OOC: Still technically on a hiatus, buuuuut I feel like I really should post with her, so. Here I am! I'll be around for a while, I think--and I'm happy to backdate, too!))

That was so frustrating...! I thought I'd never get out of there! At least I didn't see any monsters or anything, but...

I'm just going to go to bed. As long as I don't get lost trying to find my bedroom. I'll have my ice cream tomorrow, instead.

I really hate that Fakir forgot so much when he left the City...and that most of it was about me. But, if he was going to forget all that...I'm glad he at least forgot some of the things he did with Rosette, too. And I'm happy he's just not interested in other girls. I don't think I could really compete.

...Um! That's--I-I'm sorry!

((OOC: Imagine this was posted earlier in the day? Sorry, guys! XD;;))

[Ahiru happily sits at her computer, her eyelids drooping but a satisfied smile on her face. In her hand is a big, fat marker. Her room has some obvious scribbles all over the walls. There's a label from Fakir right across her collarbone.]

There! I think I finally got it all. Everything that's mine is labeled...I think. Did I miss some of you? I don't want you to feel left out or anything...

If I've forgotten someone, please...let me...know...

[Her head droops. Ahiru appears to have dozed off a little.]

((OOC: Ahiru's worn herself out labeling things all day. She'll respond when someone replies, though! The chime she has set-up on her computer will wake her up.
Noticeable labels from Ahiru include: Fluff has a new collar, Fakir has "Ahiru has first dibs" written on his cheek, the pond in the Opera garden has a sign with her name on it in big, bright letters, and all the ducks in Xanadu have a yellow ribbon tied around their necks with a tag that says "Ahiru's friend, treat me nicely and give me bread!" on it. She probably has all sorts of labels throughout the Opera as well.))

[Ahiru is sitting out on the steps of the Opera, resting her chin in her hands and frowning.]

Today is a curse day, isn't it? It's sort of a weird one. I don't know if I get it. [She tilts her head and watches a random NPC run by with pokeballs in his hands.] I guess it's a good thing I'm not affected? It does look sort of fun, though. Like having a bunch of pets! Although the battling thing is weird.

((OOC: A bit of a place holder, sorry guys. XD;;; I've been more busy today than I expected. Again. I'll be going out to eat dinner, soon, but I'll be back to respond later. Ahiru's actually affected as a pokemon today--she's getting captured by Yori. ^^))

[sounding obviously frightened, but also determined] I'm not--I'M NOT YOUR CHARACTER ANYMORE! Fakir finished that story! It's OVER!

And so you'll go back to being just a bird, Little Duck? You'll give up everything for them and have nothing for yourself in return?

He promised he'd stay with me! That's enough...he'll never break that promise, I know he won't. I don't care if I'm just a duck as long as he's with me.

But he's already forgotten about you. How tragic! How supremely tragic!

No, he didn't--it's not like that! I...

FAKIR! FAKIR, HE'S BACK!

((OOC: Ahiru's been seeing Drosselmeyer all day and only just now remembered she could use her computer to get help. =D;;; Sorry this is so late, guys! Busy day hanging out with my Dad. Backdating is fine. Every thing in italics and strikes is Drossy, so obviously only Ahiru can hear it.))

I can't believe Fakir! Making me wear this stupid dress and...and...

He must have found the book! Was he trying to teach me a lesson, or something? Or did he...did he really want...

This is so stupid! I don't even mind him cuddling me or whatever, but he doesn't even like me that way, it's just a curse. It's always just a curse.

...Hey, for those in the Opera House, I'll be coming back home at midnight. I don't think it's a good idea for me to be there until after the curse is over.

((OOC: After this. Ahiru's still wearing the maid's dress and is sulking in Xanadu. But please only post on the journal--Ahiru's meeting with someone in Xanadu for plot reasons. <3 Thanks!
BTW, she's actually somewhat affected, she just doesn't know it/hasn't had it set off.))

Fakir....FAKIR, where are you?! We need to practice! The ballet's TOMORROW and I'm not going to be ready!!

Ohnoohnoohnoohnoohno, I have to practice, and I need to make sure all of my costumes are ready, and...there's just so MUCH. We'll never get ready in time! I'm going to ruin it! The first performance we've had in AGES and I'm going to ruin it! Rue's never going to forgive me for this! What do I do?!

FAKIR, WHERE ARE YOU?!

[Ahiru is standing out in Misery Square, dressed up in her ballet costume for Sleeping Beauty. She's dancing out on the pavement in her toe shoes, sometimes up en pointe and sometimes not. Whenever anyone comes nearby, or she thinks she's caught their attention, she dances up to them and thrusts a flyer out towards them.]

Please come to our performance of Sleeping Beauty! We're going to have two of them this weekend at Opera Abandoned--one at 7pm on Saturday and Sunday. We'd really like it if you come! Thanks!

((OOC: Yup, it's official, Sleeping Beauty is finally happening! Click on the above link to see the lovely flyer made by Manda (with some help from some great art from a Japanese doujinshi)!
Feel free to respond to this post either through the Network, or interact with Ahiru in the square--just let me know which one it is! Also, I'll be a liiittle slow with replies for a little bit, I'm still trying to get through all of my e-mail in my inbox...XD;;))

[Ahiru stands shivering under an umbrella and walks carefully around the pond in Xanadu where the ducks live. She's been fretting over them ever since the rain became too stormy for her to go out. It might be silly to worry over them--they're ducks, after all, they're used to dealing with dramatic changes in the weather--but Ahiru still feels guilty that she gets a shelter against bad weather when the other ducks don't.

Finding the ducks huddled together under a dock, she sighs in relief and flips on her computer.]

Guess what? The ducks are okay! I don't know how they got it through the storm, but they must have found somewhere to hide...I'm so glad. I was so worried about them!

Fakir, sorry for running out like that without telling you, but I just needed to make sure they're okay. I'll come back soon, so don't worry! And then what if...would you like to go out and...do something? I know we weren't able to do anything yesterday for, um, you know what, so...

((OOC: Feel free to respond to the post either over the Network or in person. <3))

Today was a great day! Rue and Fakir took me out for a picnic in Xanadu for my birthday. Fakir even took me for a ride on Rue's swan carriage while she was setting up the picnic...it was wonderful! Even better than I thought it would be. I felt like a real princess. I wonder if her swans could teach me how to fly better? They look so graceful when they fly. It must be nice being a swan...

We got to check on the ducks while we were there, too. They're doing well! I think they're glad it's Spring. They didn't seem happy at all during the winter...I felt pretty bad for them. But now the sun's back and the flowers are blooming. I wonder if they'll have ducklings?

Oh, um...hey, Fakir? Do you...want to come to my room? I want to show you the present Rue gave me. I wonder if this will actually work...

((OOC: this is the present Rue got her. ...Yeeeeah. XD Strike isn't there. Manda and Lore, lemme know if any of the details of the picnic are wrong? And yeah, I know this went up late. I got distracted again. DAMN YOU VESPERIA AND TV TROPES! *shakes fist*))

What? No! Not TODAY! You're not supposed to come here today!! Shoo, shoo! You can come back tomorrow, but you can't be here today! This needs to be a quiet day for just the two of us!

Augh, FAKIR!

((OOC: I juuust remembered that I made Ahiru's birthday the 1st of April. LUCKY HER =D That also makes her 17 City-wise, wow...))

Okay Ahiru, you can do this. You can do this! Yeah, everything's going to be okay. I'll be fine!

...

...

...

...

AUGH! I DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING RIGHT! I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO SPELL HALF OF THIS! HOW AM I GOING TO PASS?!

((OOC: Ahiru sucks in school, it's canon. XD She's going to Westerberg High, a sophomore, and is totally getting her ass kicked by finals. Probably doesn't help that she keeps daydreaming during class...))