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Tobias had been up for a while now. He smiled to himself as the sun shined through the window, casting it's warming rays and softening the chilly atmosphere caused by the snow. He had just returned home from the iron foundry, and the smith's place. In District 4, it was strangely quiet. Maybe that was because outside was cold, thus keeping many residents cooped up in their houses. But not Tobias; he had all ready begun and finished his new project. It was to make a pretty silver locket, though he didn't exactly have anyone to give it to. "Mumsy," he called softly as he left his spot at the window and walked towards his mother's room. Opening the door slowly, he saw that she was still slumbering peacefully. A small smile flitted across his face, and he closed the door leaving her undisturbed.

Tobias fingered the small heart-shaped trinket, running his finger across the smooth surface and rubbing it until it was warm from his body heat. "I guess I could go venturing about." The tall swordsman spoke as he absentmindedly scratched his head. He pocketed the locket in his pants, and put back on his coat and scarf that he had left draped over a chair in the kitchen. Even though he didn't really need them right now, he knew mumsy would panic over his health if she found those items when she awoke. He smiled to himself, and went towards the door, making sure to lock it before he departed once again.

"Mornin'! How's it goin'?" Tobias called to fellow swordsmen and community members as he strode leisurely down the street. He knew all most everyone who lived in District 4--after all, the majority of them had all grown up in this place and had crossed paths at least once. Whistling an upbeat tune as he neared the border to the Middle 3, he noticed that the snow around had begun to ease up and only small traces could now be seen. "Good weather today, indeed!" Tobias was looking forward to lazing about in the sun, and just getting in some sleep before he had to go to work later in the night. As he crossed into the Middle 3, he couldn't help but notice that there were less people outside and about than where he lived--though he guessed that nothing was what it really seemed.

He was striding down the sidewalk when he noticed a pretty girl covered in black walking down the path the opposite way. Something about her stood out and caught his attention--he wasn't sure what. Maybe it was her delicate seeming features...or maybe her empty doll-like eyes. He averted his gaze as to not seem rude, and passed her by. However, unknown to him, the small locket that was in his pocket came tumbling out and landed on the road. No sound had been made to notify him of the fall, so Tobias kept walking with his golden eyes glued to the sky above.

Tobias smiled kindly at the girl as he helped her up. She was quite delicate and not really heavy, and he could tell that from lifting her up. It also didn't hurt that he had been able to hug her when she had slammed into him. He was about to dust off his pants and hear what the miss had to say, when he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. "Richard?" He turned quizzically around, recognizing the voice. Tobias visibly winced at hearing the rest of the alchemist's words, knowing that what he spoke was untrue...and the volume was unnecessary. What was he doing outside so early in the morning anyway? Usually the man was cooped up inside his lab performing experiments or research of some sort.

"No, no, you've got it wrong. You see--" He hurriedly tried to correct Richard, but was interrupted by the angry words of the girl. She looked red in the face, and Tobias felt himself sharing her embarrassment--if the emotion was embarrassment. When she turned to address him and mentioned a locket, he unconsciously felt around in his pocket for it. Finding that it wasn't there, he was about to apologize for inconveniencing her when she took his hand and returned the small object. She then made as to leave, but Tobias reached out and grabbed her arm.

Realizing that he had just done something that most would think of as forward, he quickly retracted his outstretched arm. "Thank you for returning this locket to me," he expressed sincerely. "And no problem about the catching--it was my fault that you had to experience such a fall in the first place." He scratched his head as he managed a sheepish smile. "Don't think too much of what Richard said," his golden eyes flickered back towards where the alchemist was standing. "He, uh, just got the wrong idea." Taking another breath and stowing the small trinket away in a pocket where it'd be less likely to fall out, he put on his most straightforward expression. "Tobias Turner, at your service, Miss. And that guy over there is Richard Ulam. We're both residents of District 4. May I ask what your name is?"

❝ ＴＨＥ ϲɑғғеɪɴе ａｎｄ ℜｅｐｅａｔｅｄ ｇｌａｎｃｅｓ. . .

...ｌｅｆｔ ɱе Ｓɦɑҡɪɳɠ, ｌｅｆｔ ɱе Ｓɦɑҡɪɳɠ ❞

Alice was stopped suddenly by the man who called himself 'Tobias'. She turned her head around and pulled her arm away still embarrassed in some childish way. Her eyes were shifted away from Tobias, "Y-you're welcome... and it wasn't your fault so don't worry.." It was her own fault for using her powers with too much force. She turned towards the two guys now, although she didn't really take a liking to the loud mouthed man whom Tobias called, 'Richard'. She nodded when he said that Richard had the wrong idea.

"My name is Alice Sommer..."She curtsied, "Um.. I live here in the Middle 3." Alice's head was a bit down but her eyes were looking up at the two guys she was conversing with. The town was quite quiet, afterwards, more people were coming out into the street looking through shop windows and children playing outside. She listened to Richard explain himself and behaviour. The young mage smiled, "I see.. I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do for work..." Then again, she has been working all week, now that Alice had thought about it. "A break wouldn't be too bad, I guess..." She accidentally said her thoughts out loud.

Even though she appeared a bit cold and her eyes were a bit...soulless, Tobias found Alice to actually be quite human. Richard's answer was also quite straightforward, and he had a gut feeling that today would be an exciting day. "All right, it's settled!" Tobias' eyes gleamed as he began brandishing his arms an overly excited way. "Sir Richard, Miss Alice, you two shall follow me," he announced with gusto. All ready his cheeks were beginning to turn a light red and he seemed to look more alive than before. After sweeping his arms and bowing in an exaggerated motion, he turned around and began to walk down the street in the path he had taken before the incident had occurred.

Even though he was eager to start their little expedition and make use of the convenient break time, Tobias still remembered that he had to finish buying breakfast first. After that, he had to return home and drop off the items. It wouldn't take too long, and besides, the day was just beginning! He racked his brain, trying to think of currently ongoing events...was there to be a small fair somewhere in District 4? Maybe 5? Tobias dismissed the thoughts, thinking that they could just walk around and eventually they would find something. "I hope you two are hungry, because the best bread are the ones that are made straight in the morning here." He looked behind him and grinned, as he neared his destination.

The bakery was small and had an antique charm to it--an old wooden sign hung out front with the black, cursive words "Panerella" inscribed. The building itself looked like something out of a dollhouse, though you could see the all fading white paint on the exterior and the somewhat crumbling shingles on the red roof. The door leading into the bakery was an oak-colored, stained glass rare. A heavenly smell floated outside in wisps as they escaped the windows and the large chimney. The inside was neat and orderly, with an assortment of bread all lined up and divided into large baskets encircling the counter.


[[To make up for the...smaller amount? I hope this will help jog creativity. Sorry for the long arse description of the bakery. I'm a...person who likes writing about bakeries. Yeaaaaaaaaaah. Sure.]]