<hr/><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/f4/CinderellaLilyJames.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Character Name:</strong>Cinderella<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Kingdom of Bretagne, royal palace<br/><strong>Current Objective(s):</strong>Rebuilding after civil war<br/><strong>Wearing:</strong>Modest royal garb (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/8936899234744837/)<br/><strong>Mentioning:</strong>Snow White<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Open (en route to Snow White's palace)<br/><hr/><br/>Cinderella woke at dawn, a habit that her stepmother had forced her to adopt, and the civil war and not let her forget. She rose from her bed, clad in a simple white nightgown, and moved to her window, throwing open the curtains to greet the day. Beneath her, the kingdom of Bretagne spread out like a patchwork quilt, with farmers and tradesmen going about their daily business, trying to put the events of the last two years behind them.<br/><br/>The war itself had been an horrendous struggle, and too many good men and women had perished in it. Now the task of recovery was upon her, and it was to be no mean feat itself, but she would face this challenge as she did every other challenge in her life, with courage and kindness. The palace fortifications were still damaged from the assault against the usurper Lady Tremaine, but at least the surrounding farmland and residences were intact. More or less.<br/><br/>She gathered a handful of seeds from a box on the window sill and threw it to the birds on her balcony, passing time by enjoying their twittering until her maid arrived to dress her and hand her the most recent reports from her vassals, courtiers and agents. There were reports on agriculture and the economy, on diplomacy, and on the progress of vanquishing the last pockets of resistance loyal to Lady Tremaine.<br/><br/>Once she was dressed and had dictated some responses to her secretary, she went to the nursery to spend a little time with her precious daughter, the little Queen Elise. Even at three years old, she was just as charming as her father had been. She was playing a clapping game with her when a knock at the door heralded the arrival of her faithful retainer, confidante and sometime lover, Captain Alonzo. He seemed apprehensive, and carried a snow-white dove in his hands.<br/><br/>The dove cooed urgently and flew to perch on Cinderella's wrist, beating its wings in agitation. "Why, hello there, little dove," Cinderella cooed back to it. "What's gotten you so upset so early in the morning?" She paused and looked more closely at the bird. "Oh my... I recognise you. You're a messenger from Snow White, aren't you?"<br/><br/>The dove nodded and cooed in agreement.<br/><br/>"Is Snow White in trouble? Is her kingdom in danger?" Another nod. "Does she need my help?" The dove jumped up and down on Cinderella's wrist and cooed loudly, bobbing its head madly.<br/><br/>Cinderella looked up at Captain Alonzo. "Snow White wouldn't summon me if her need weren't dire. She knows we have troubles of our own. She must need my magic."<br/><br/>Alonzo bowed deeply. "I understand, Your Majesty. We will manage without you while you are away. Will you take an escort?"<br/><br/>Cinderella shook her head. "No, I should move as quickly and quietly as I can. I will be alright, dear Alonzo. Take care of my people, and be kind to little Elise."<br/><br/>Alonzo took Cinderella in his arms and kissed her cheek chastely. "And you have courage, my queen."<br/><br/>Cinderella made her fond farewell to her daughter, then ran down the stairs and into the palace courtyard. She drew her wand from beneath the folds of her dress and waved it over her head, and her royal garb transformed into a fine but sturdy riding habit. She tapped her slippers, turning them into riding boots.<br/><br/>"Jacqueline!" she called out. "Gus-Gus! We're going on a trip! Snow White needs us!"<br/><br/>In moments, a pair of light brown mice had scurried out of the stables and presented themselves before her. She thought for a moment, then pointed her wand at Jacqueline, and cried, "Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!" The female mouse swiftly grew into a powerful mare, already saddled and bearing her kingdom's livery. Cinderella vaulted into the saddle and tucked Gus-Gus into a saddlebag, and rode away on the road towards Snow White's kingdom.