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Deep in the Fairy Wonderland, a beautiful fountain has been decorated to match the theme. This fountain has been here for years, but there’s something different about it beyond just the little stars and lights that have been set up around it. The fountain is filled with coins from wishes, though there seem to be a few strange, foreign coins. Underneath one of the lower parts of the fountain, hidden in an ornately carved swirl, is a small golden bell with long golden chain dangling from it. If rung, a beautiful, tinkling sound echoes around the fountain as if many little bells are ringing. There is a faint hint of laughter hidden in the chiming bells. Amidst the tinkling bells and laughter, a little voice that sounds far away seems to ask for a wish. Whether or not one is requested, after a moment the song of the bells begins to fade. If the bell is rung again, nothing strange happens and it functions simply as a normal bell however, for the rest of the night, you hear the sound of giggling and tinkling bells following behind you.
The call of the Fairy Wonderland was too much for Myles to ignore, and despite his strange encounter just a few nights before, the glittering lights only beckoned him to return. It helped that while he'd been visiting some of the stalls--and shamelessly collecting another star charm--the vendors at the booth had mentioned the place again. When Myles had mentioned something strange happening, they had only laughed at him and assure him that it must have been children playing and Myles did know that he was particularly gullible.
It was late and he must have been overwhelmed by how beautiful was. Certainly, his mind must have been playing tricks on him.
...And, if his concerns could be so easily waved aside, why shouldn't he go back again?
The vendors had spoken of a pretty little fountain in the center of the display and Myles made it his goal to venture there tonight. Briefly, he wondered if he should have powered up, just in case, but when he saw others in the park it helped him relax enough to proceed on his own.
Once again, he managed to get lost--only, within fifteen minutes he managed to find his way to the fountain.
It was gorgeous, decorated with rows of lights that caught the water so brilliantly that he wanted to just sit down and stare.
He was alone, so he took the opportunity to slowly pace around the fountain. He'd seen it before, but it was never so beautiful and--hello?
Whereas he had been considering throwing in a coin to make a wish, instead his eyes landed on a strange, golden bell tucked into the fountain.
It looked fragile and stuck out, like it wasn't supposed to be there--and yet, when he reached for it, it didn't move. His hand brushed against it and a tinkling noise echoed around the area, but the bell didn't move. He stared for a moment, wondering what sort of prank this was--who would vandalize a fountain to add a bell?
Myles must have asked the question out loud because suddenly, someone was laughing.
His cheeks were a little pink and he turned, mouth open and ready to explain himself, only to find no one.
No one stood there, but the laughter grew louder. It wasn't malicious--it was playful. But, without a face or person or anything to put the laughter to, Myles was immediately reminded of ghosts. It didn't help that he could have sworn he heard 'What's your wish?'
It had to be automated. Duh, Myles. Duh.
The tinkling bells were still ringing softly, lulling him into a sense of peace even though he could have sworn he still heard laughter. Like children playing, not like a mob of malicious mockery.
Did he have a wish? He hadn't planned a wish. His face turned redder from holding his breath and rapidly scrambling to come up with something.
"I wish I understood!" he blurted, suddenly--and the laughter and bells seemed to fade. He looked around nervously, waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes.
No one did.
He still didn't understand.
The bells and laughter that followed him all the way home only worsened his confusion.
