Twisted Wonderland: Glorious Masquerade - Let the Bell of Solace Ring

Chapter 3-1: A Look Around

Sometime later, everyone arrives with a place called Topsy-Turvy Square, full of flag streamers, tents, vendors, benches of people with food and drinks, and even some people performing or giving entertainment.

"Is this where we're supposed to meet up? Everybody better be here," Grim asks.

Soon, the separate group of Night Raven students arrive to meet them.

"Ah, there you are," Malleus says.

"Did all of us actually arrive on time? Now that's a rare occurrence,' Azul asks.

Idia groans, "Ugh... Took you guys long enough. The crowds have been totally overwhelming..."

"Well, this IS the central square for the festival. There are bound to be crowds," Trein says, "Aren't the decorations impressive? The main event will be held on that stage. Now this festival is a particularly important ritual in Shaftlands history, said to date back to before the advent of magic..."

Ruggie sighs, "Here we go, another interminable lecture."

Soon, Grim, Sereia, and Trinket notice a stage up ahead.

"Is that tent over there the stage? The biggest one?' Grim asks.

"There are also a lot of smaller tents as well," Sereia says.

"The smaller ones had little performances and merch and stuff," India says.

Ruggie turns to the professor, "Saaay, Professor Trein? Since we're doing fieldwork and all, could we take a look around the square?"

"Well... I don't see why not. We have a bit of time before the show starts. All right, everyone can go observe the festivities," Trein says.

"Nice!" Deuce says, and turns to Briar and the others, "Hey, guys, are there any tents you wanna check out?"

"Not sure. There's so much different stuff," Tanzanite says.

"I'm not sure whether. There's so many places to look," Briar says.

Then Malleus says, "If you look to the right, there's a most fascinating sight."

Soon, India notices, "Oh, hey... What's that over on the left...?"

"See what on the left?" Sereia asks.

The group looks over and are surprised to see a dog with humans.

Grim says in shock, "Whaaat, there's a dog on its hind legs leadin' around a human on all fours!"

"A dog walking its owner...at least, that's the costume idea," Idia says, "Well, it's less of a costume and more of a full-on mascot outfit. And there are tons of others. A 'two-tailed' horse whose head is a second rear, a crawfish preparing to cook a chef, a ship being chased by fish..."

"What an odd lineup," Jasper says.

"RIGHT? You'd think if people were gonna go to the trouble of dressing up, they'd be superheroes or popular characters..." Idia says.

Then Idia says, "...Ooh, I get it. They're all role reversals. So then... If a dog walking its owner counts... Couldn't you two get into the show if you swapped roles? Whee hee."

"I dunno... I wouldn't want Briar or the others leadin' me by the collar even if it was for a show," Grim says.

"Hm? Wait a sec. If YOU'RE the one being led, then... Huh?" Idia says, confused.

"He clearly meant the opposite, Grim," Deuce says.

Sereia soon notices, "Hey guys, look at the right."