046; In Which the Little Gray Mouse Returns

[eldest_hatter]

[After curiously fiddling around with the strange bazooka, Sophie has been hit to be about five years younger. She looks quite the same physically, just a bit younger in her features. What has changed so drastically is the way she carries herself. She no longer looks proud and confident as she makes her way through the streets of Mayfield. Instead

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[the_wee_big_hag]

[Oh thank goodness. Tiffany comes rushing over. Or in Sophie's case a strange 16 year old with a witches hat came running over.]

Sophie. There you are... I'm not quite sure what happened but I think France got even younger.....

Are you alright?

[eldest_hatter]

[Startled, Sophie leaps back to her feet. She's backed up against the tree.]

W-who are you?

[the_wee_big_hag]

[She takes a step backwards. Not a good first impression. Okay, Sophie doesn't know who she is. She can work with this....]

I'm sorry I thought you were someone I knew.

My name's Tiffany Aching. Witch of the Chalk.

[She takes off her hat and bows.]

Now then, can I help you? You seem a little distressed.

[eldest_hatter]

[Sophie has only been hearing about terrible witches and wizards lately, like the Witch of the waste. She's nervous about it, but Tiffany seems nice enough, so she must be a good witch.]

I'm lost. I've never seen this place before. I need to get back to the hat shop, in Market Chipping.

[the_wee_big_hag]

[She nods with a sympathetic look.]

This place is called Mayfield. I'm afraid we're rather trapped here at the moment.

[eldest_hatter]

Trapped?

[The panic in her expression grows even worse.]

But how?

[the_wee_big_hag]

I'm afraid we don't know.

There's lots of people here though and we're all trying to find a way out. It's not as bad is it sounds.

[eldest_hatter]

But I need to get home. Father and Fanny will be looking for me, and my sisters are bound to get into trouble if I'm not there.

[the_wee_big_hag]

It's alright. I've been home once before from this place and then they brought me back. But none of my family even realized I was gone. Whatever runs this place can place us back at the exact moment we were taken. So when we find a way home it'll be just like you never left.

[eldest_hatter]

There must be a very powerful witch or wizard behind this, then.

It isn't the Witch of the Waste, is it? Or the Wizard Howl? I've heard terrible things about them...

[the_wee_big_hag]

I don't believe so.

[It's a good thing she's a witch because she'd like to smile at that last one.]

Now then you'll need a place to stay for the time being. You can stay with England, France and I.

[Puts her hand out]

Are you hungry by any chance?

[eldest_hatter]

...I am a little.

[She's very hesitant to follow. In fact she seems frozen in her spot.]

[the_wee_big_hag]

Excellent. I have some fresh cheese that needs to be eaten so it doesn't go to waste.

[Takes her gently by the hand with a warm smile.]

If you're confused by anything, just ask me and I'll try to clear it up for you. This place is a little strange to get used to.

[eldest_hatter]

[She just kind of goes along with Tiffany, though she's still feeling very unsure.]

Those people you mentioned, are the witches or wizards too?

[the_wee_big_hag]

[Just leading the poor girl back to the house.]

No. I'm the only witch in the household right now. We had another one but she's gone at the moment.

England and France are quite nice, you'll like them.

[eldest_hatter]

Where did she go?