Helping the heroine of the tale prologue

Int- A teacher's lounge with a small tiny refrigerator on top. There are two teachers in the lounge. Both of them seem rather miserable. There is an air of misery and awkwardness. Both Ms.Norburn and Mr.Smith used to date after all. It was an awkward break up. Even now, seeing each other, makes both of them scrath their arms, look the other way and hope to end this moment. But they are also both rather tense about something. This time, it's not each other. Instead, it is a student named Lilian de Cruz.

On the outside she is a sweet girl, lively and energitic, with big brown eyes that melt your heart. She is lovely too. They just didn't know how lovely til now. The circumstances surounding her now make them sigh. Both teachers hang their heads in frustration. They want to bang the table wall because goodness gracious they are frustrated.

(Both teachers regarding Lilian): (Mentally): Why did I get into teaching.

They growl at the thought. Only to suddenly notice each other again. Even the situation with Lilian does not quell the awkwardness with Steve Emily Norburn notices rather bitterly. And the girl has a childhood with faeries. Freaking faeries. Those should stay in faerie tales! Not actually be alive, and hunting you down. Ms. Norburn looks at Steve his grey eyes look at her. They still pierce her. She looks away, blushing. Even at 38 years old, Steve Smith is as handsome as he was in his twenties. Her eyes then land on his arm. She squints and frowns. There is a rash on his arm. It doesn't look normal.

Ms. Norburn: Where did you get that rash?

Steve looks at Emily Norburn. She has a frown on her face. He frowns. And tries to hide his rash. Emily sighs. Typical. Steve was always stubborn. But he was also selfish. He never wanted kids.

Lilian's foster father loves kids though. Emily can't help but smile as she thinks of The redcap. His bronze shoulders and blonde hair. His jewel-like eyes and devilish smirk.

Mr. Smith: Emily?

Emily Norburn frowns. She doesn't like it when Steve calls her that. It brings too many memories of his possessiveness and the way he's looking at her now, makes her one to crawl into a corner and hug herself. She stands her ground though.

Ms. Norburn: (A tight smile on her lips) What is it?

Steve Smith could have sworn his woman was thinking of someone else. He may have been foolish enough to let her think they were apart, but he knew she was never with anyone else. He lets out a growl and he could see her shiver. She flinches. He smiles. She's still in check.

Mr. Smith: It's nothing.

Ms. Norburn nods, though she looks at him warily now. She sips her tea, and eyes him. It should be clear she doesn't want him. That she doesn't trust him. But when has that ever mattered to men like Steve?

She drinks her tea. She wonders how she's going to help lily. She wonders if she's breaking Lily's trust by falling for Mars, Lily's foster father. She continues sipping her tea.

A voice that is squeaky like a parrot: Ugggg will you two get on talking about faeries already?! We all know you two know it exists!

They both jump and turn. They suddenly see a little man in a purple hat and purple suit. The suit looks way too big on him. The sleeves actually touch his feet and cover his arms. His pants may fit but it gives a comical look. Like a child wearing a parent's suit. His hat is tiny. The man is bald, except for three small hairs. He has a big nose. He looks rather piggish.

Ms. Norburn's first thought is that he is too ugly to be high-fae, so he must be one of the lesser fae.

Mr. Smith puts himself between Ms. Norburn and the fae. Emily is touched, but she knows Mr.Smith will expect a reward from her if they get out of this alive. The little man looks them both up and down. He is up to their thigh. He is no bigger than their thigh, very small and tiny, he could probably crush them. It is best not to provoke him.

The little man rolls his eyes.

Little man: I'm not a fae you numbskulls. There's no need to be afraid of me. I won't bite.

The smirk on his face says otherwise. However fae can't lie. The fact he said he's not fae is proof enough. That does not mean he's not dangerous though. To Mr.Smith who never thinks that far ahead it's enough. He stops protecting Ms.Norburn and looks at her expectantly. Emily Norburn rolls her eyes. Typical Steve.

Ms. Norburn: Then what are you here for?

The small man smiles.

Small man: ahh I'm glad you asked. I'm here to collect Lilian de Cruz's tale.

Ms. Norburn lifts a brow. She steps back a little bit. The small man steps forward. He raises his hand in peace.

Small man: I'm not a faerie.

Ms. Norburn: What you say you do, sounds very fae-like.

The small man thought for a moment. Then nodded.

Small: I guess it does. But I can lie, Can fae lie?

He had her there. But she still didn't trust this small man.

Small man: I'm a storyteller. My role is to collect stories. You two can see the story take place without bias. The fae always shares the story with bias.

Ms.Norburn lowered her guard a little. She was worried about Lilian and worried for her father Mars.

Ms. Norburn: What do you mean no Bias?

The small man smiled and snapped his fingers.

Three chairs appeared and so did a film screen. A recorder was playing and it was showing a little girl, maybe 6 or seven years old, in front of a burning house.

Small man: Shall we watch the show?