Chapter Text
Act 1: Edward and Emily
Date: January 31, 1999.
Location: 21 Cedarwood Lane, Trolberg.
Time: Midnight.
It was late at night in the city of Trolberg. Home of the eccentric girl named Hilda. She lives with her mother, Johanna, and her pet deerfox, Twig, in Maple Leaf Avenue. As you remember fondly, Hilda is an adventurous girl who used to live within the countryside before her house was destroyed by two giants that she reunited with the help of her elf companion, Alfur. After Hilda moved to Trolberg, she made a reputation for herself as Trolberg's weirdness magnet.
She once dealt with Trevor who knocked The Great Raven out of the sky during the Bird Parade of 1996. She encountered a Vittra during her first Sparrow Scout mission. She reunited a Troll Rock with its mother. She made a deal with a Marra when she tormented her best friend, David. She befriended the hidden clan that lives outside the city's walls. She once prevented a Tide Mice infestation. She wrestled ghosts in the graveyard. She was once trapped by a House in the Woods. She fought Victoria Van Gale to free a weather spirit. She reconciled with Frida, one of her best friends, during a confrontation with the 7 Marras. Finally, she even rescued the Black Hound after befriending a Nisse beforehand.
However, our story with Hilda has ended. This time, we shift to the story of Edward White.
14 years old and a scout with a few words, Edward is recognizable with his hair covering his eyes and being a background character who always appear and disappear whenever he wants.
So, why don't we take a look into his life this time?
Now, it was late at night inside Edward's house. The boy had just tucked himself in for a good night sleep. His cap was hung on his bedpost. His school uniform was pressed and ironed by the nearby laundromat. His Sparrow Scout uniform was dry cleaned by himself using his dry cleaner that he earned from his uncle during his birthday (don't ask). Finally, his bag was filled with books, stationaries, other writing equipment, and his storybook for school tomorrow.
There was peace. Perfect peace within his humble abode.
Too peaceful actually.
You see, Edward lives alone while his parents are off to indulge themselves in their endeavors. They only returned once or twice a week. Not that Edward mind since he is used to be alone. He even uses his free time to create his own self published magazines that he never release to the public. They are a series of columns that tackles his own factual daily reports on the subjects of journalism, social commentaries, the fine dining and fancy cuisines of the city, the arts and cultures, politics, economics, and the diverse stories told by the words of the locals alike.
He called it, "The Trolberg Tales".
Although he is very lonely and has to deal with his silent house, Edward chose to be creative by engaging with local community activities and contribute to the modern day society by volunteering on his own accord.
That is until, the adoption came along.
While Edward was fast asleep, the air stirred.
Suddenly, green wisps of light manifested through the keyhole as an entity appeared and made its way to his bed. With a sinister grin, a haunting voice called out to him. Reciting the haunting words of an old fairy tale.
"My big ears? The better to hear you squirm, my little prey. My big eyes? The better to see you scream, my helpless victim. My big hands? The better to hold you and scare you, my poor soul. And my big and terrible mouth? The better to feed on your fears!"
It was a Marra. A nightmare spirit who feeds on the fear and insecurities of their prey. Nobody knows if they are a human with powers or a spirit who lives on for centuries. One thing for certain, they always get their prey... or so they thought.
When the Marra lunged at the boy to haunt him, she was shocked. The bed was empty!
The bedroom door opened as Edward mumbled how he is feeling hungry.
She floated out and there he was. Barefoot, drowsy, and half asleep, Edward walked towards the stairs so he can cook something as a midnight snack.
The Marra tilted her head and shook it. “You’re supposed to be dreaming,” she whispered.
Then, the silence was broken. Edward accidentally slipped and fell.
Before she could think, the Marra dove, catching him by the collar just as he nearly hit the stairs and tumble downwards.
The boy didn't bother to look behind him. "Thanks, Emily."
The Marra, Emily, sighed. "Anytime, Edward..."
Act 2: Midnight Snack
The kitchen at Edward's house was a pocket of warmth that brings the comfort of the hearth to mind. Without saying a word, Edward turned on the radio that played a familiar tune that he love so much.
É pau, é pedra, é o fim do caminho
É um resto de toco, é um pouco sozinho
É um caco de vidro, é a vida, é o sol
É a noite, é a morte, é um laço, é o anzol
É peroba do campo, é o nó da madeira
Caingá candeia, é o matita-pereira
Taking out some eggs from the fridge, a few vegetables, and grabbing the bowl and whisk, Edward decided to cook an omelette. Of course, being half asleep, something always bound to happen.
Emily was watching while floating above until her hair touched the ceiling. The sight below her was strangely endearing and ridiculous at the same time.
When Edward cracked the eggs, she sighs at seeing how there were shells in the mixture that she uses her powers to retrieve the shells.
"Why am I even doing this?" Emily mumbled under her breath.
Then, after helping Edward to mix the eggs, Edward went to turn on the stove which causes a giant pillar of flame to burst underneath the cast iron pan. Emily is so horrified that she quickly darted forward in a heartbeat.
She grabbed the knob and twist it with her hand as it is now in low heat.
"Again, why am I even doing this?" Emily muttered louder.
After melting the butter, Edward decided to pour the eggs in before he tried to chop some vegetables... Only to scare Emily when he took out a large cleaver.
He blinked blearily as he tried to adjust the blade onto the cutting board.
This time, Emily is fully afraid that she, upon seeing Edward's gold retriever, Cooper, imitated a bark and kicked the trashcan over.
"Cooper..." Edward sighed.
With Edward out of the way, she hurriedly cook the omelette while the music continues to hum in the background. Using her deft hands, Emily quickly cook up a storm and plated it after it finally emits a delectable aroma.
É uma cobra, é um pau, é João, é José
É um espinho na mão, é um corte no pé
São as águas de março fechando o verão
É a promessa de vida no teu coração
É pau, é pedra, é o fim do caminho
É um resto de toco, é um pouco sozinho
É um passo, é uma ponte, é um sapo, é uma rã
É um belo horizonte, é uma febre terça
São as águas de março fechando o verão
É a promessa de vida no teu coração
Once the music ends with its piano tunes, Edward finished cleaning the trashcan when he saw the omelette ready. He scratched his head. "Huh."
He simply shrugged and carried the omelette to the dining table. Too tired to speak of magic and miracles.
At this point, Emily took a deep breath and clapped her hands to her face. Groaning and blushing like the teenager she is.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! WHY AM I HELPING YOU?" she screamed.
Edward simply sat down and ate his midnight snack. He added some kosher salt from the shaker. Then, he broke the silence.
"Because you're a nice Marra, Emily Sheridan. That's rare here in Trolberg."
The feast ends with Edward tidying up as Emily is still squirming at how she has grown to care for Edward. Despite wanting to tell Edward that she is still a Marra at heart, her brother might say otherwise.
Edward noticed this and gently tells her to calm down, "Don't think about it too much, Emily. You are still you, Emily. It doesn't matter that you are a Marra. You are still my sister."
Emily blushes again. "STOP THAT! I AM NOT YOUR SISTER... and... AGH!"
The scout shook his head as he went to drink some London Fog tea. Too bad his sleepiness returned as he nearly spilled his tea until Emily stopped him and poured it for him herself.
"See? You're nice..."
The Marra blushes again while suppressing a smile. "Shut up."
To Be Continued