Rumors claim that the first child lived in a small, freezing cold village. The biting coldness of the area that easily killed outsiders making it rather difficult for travelers to even come close to reaching the village. Any other specific details were unable to be found out, people just getting the same vague descriptions of the same village. Small, a deadly coldness, and obviously isolated. 387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOXdy19sHF
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Charlotte flies to multiple towns, small towns with scattered buildings and glistening snow around them, and she searches for the description she has. Red curly hair, wine purple eyes. Should only be three years old, now. She comes up empty, even though the reports say the kid should be within the large area.
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She's not the only one searching, there being plenty of travelers, Monster Hunters, and other specific groups of people traveling with the sole purpose of the finding the same child Charlotte was looking for. She has great advantages, what with her wings and demonic magic, even if she's exhausted these days from overuse of both.
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It's when highly-trained and high ranking groups start the searches that she has trouble. Those groups have their own horses and supplies, able to catch up with Charlotte far too quickly for her comfort.
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Rumors go about that there is a mysterious and dangerous force that is protecting the first child and preventing them from being found. It's actually just Charlotte poisoning the group's water supply to get them sick or stealing necessary supplies to stall so she could get more ahead.
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Charlotte couldn't help but growl in anger when she comes up empty in her twentieth village, one she was sure would have the child. No one of the child's description was there though. The town is empty, too warm. Humans were still able to get here easily enough, the fact she only needed to drink down a heating potion to stay warm being proof enough of that.
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She strays from the path in her rage after that. She wasn't even aware she walked for hours until she was suddenly finds herself deep in a snowy forest with a few scattered and broken houses, some of their roofs caved in from the show and windows covered in frost.
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Walking into one of the houses, she had to use her full body weight to push the frost-covered door open. Floorboards under her were covered in frost and ice, along with some questionable stains that made her wonder what happened here.
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"Excuse me!" Charlotte calls out, it resounding through the old house. The echo of her own voice being the only thing she could hear other than the crunching of snow underneath her feet. "Is anyone here?"
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It's empty as she expected, and Charlotte walks into the house with hesitant steps, eyes dragging over the broken furniture and holes in the walls. The windows that weren’t covered in frost are cracked, old torches laying in the corner and not having been used in so long. The roof over Charlotte's head has a giant hole that looks as if something crashed through it, leaving a crater besides her feet and there was a dip in the broken wooden floor.
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There's a humming.
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It isn't a person's hum, nor of someone singing. More of a consistent, low humming, almost unnatural. Charlotte copies it a moment before looking around, trying to focus on where it is.
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She finds it comes from right below her, so she takes careful steps around, pushing snow away while she does as to see the wooden floor. The floor creaks in a way that she now knows is because they're hiding something.
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Stretching her wings out in preparation, Charlotte’s eyes glow red as black mist formed in her hands, the demon woman using the mist to break through the wood. She flaps herself off the ground when the wood crumbles, crashing below loudly.
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Dust is thrown into the air and she can't help but cough, the demonic woman frowning slightly at the suddenly much more cold air that kicks up with the floor falling. She waits a moment before lowering herself down to what she uncovered.
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She finds a mysterious portal, icy blue, surrounded by rubble and discarded weapons. It's old, cracked at the edges yet somehow still active. Charlotte wonders who made it here of all places, and of who fought here and went through the portal.
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She stands in front of the portal, in the chilling air that made her nose and cheeks flush, staring at the blue glow for a few moments as she contemplated if this was a waste of time or a potential lead. She didn't have much time, she needed to keep searching because she's not the only one traveling these lands for the child, but she's the only one who doesn't seem to wish to end this with the blood of a child on her hands.
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She decided to go through it, her hands clenched so tightly that her palms bled black.
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____________
It's been awhile since Charlotte's traveled through these different worlds. She knew most of these worlds well, Hell being one example of such worlds. She had friends who still lived there, who hid there, and she's occasionally gone back for resources from time to time.
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This world was one she wasn't familiar with though. With a strong chill that would make the Circle of Gluttony seem like it was a gentle breeze. It was unfamiliar, yet familiar all the same.
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She's pleasantly surprised at the sight of houses made of white and blue wood, far off in the distance.
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It's a small village, barely enough to be considered a village since there was just so few buildings. As Charlotte approaches it, she unconsciously narrows her eyes, able to see a few people walking around in thick clothing.
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She keeps a distance, observing the village from afar while kneeling down behind a hill of snow, not wanting to bring attention to herself just yet.
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Cobblestone path line between the houses, said mentioned houses being made of wood she didn't recognize. The people looked normal, human, and all suited up for the freezing cold. They walked tensed and quickly, always on guard.
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A freezing breeze suddenly distracts Charlotte, the petite woman shivering from the coldness and suddenly wishing she had another heating potion. She looks down below the ledge that she and this town were on, unable to see anything below other than a snowy darkness that goes who knows how far.
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Charlotte's mind swarmed with questions, wondering why would anyone even want to live here unless they were monsters who depended on the cold. She didn't have long to think before she was suddenly tackled into the snow by a husky.
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She fell with a yelp of surprise, swiftly turning her head to the side fast enough that only her cheek was licked by the overly friendly creature. She pushed it off as gently as she could afterwards, giving the dog an affectionate pet before sending them off on their way.
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Her yelp and being tackled gave away the fact she was here, the sight of people staring at her from the village. She quickly dusts off the snow that got on her clothes and curls her wings back to make them look smaller, figuring it was best to make herself look presentable and as much as a non-threatening figure as possible. Something easy to accomplish since she didn’t reach 5 feet.
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She walks over to the villagers, her steps calm and body poised in case she'll have to make a quick escape.
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Once she's close enough, there's a hesitate silence as she scans the people's faces, all surprised yet full of relief and joy.
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The chilly wind blows behind her once more, the numbness of her red ears growing and she wished she brought her cloak.
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Small, unusual coldness, isolated.
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Makes sense the town would possibly come from a hidden portal.
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Charlotte clears her throat, the villagers shifting and murmuring to each other now. She notices some look close to tears.
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"I apologize for the sudden appearance, but I'm looking for a child. Around three years of age I believe? Red curls, purple eyes." Charlotte says, the awkwardness showing she should be the first traveler here in awhile at least. Eager nods and hurried glances are the response she receives.
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"Praise the gods above, finally." Someone says, walking up to her and Charlotte finds herself being wrapped up in a hug by a large burly man. She thinks the man might be crying. This feels even more awkward to her.
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"I'm so sorry, it's just we've been waiting so long! Yes–we have it, it's here. We just couldn't end it ourselves, it's just–" The man takes a step back, taking a moment to wipe his tears away and compose himself. "Just thank goodness it's over."
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"P-Pardon?" Charlotte stammers, tilting her head as she looks around. She notices that more people have left their homes, some of them walking off into the village with hurried speed.
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"That monster. Everyone knows of the apocalypse, the destruction it's going to bring." The man says, and Charlotte's heart turns to stone.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LP4RcoUoN
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"You know of the prophecy?" Charlotte asks, feeling panic gripe at her heart. They know, they have the child and they've heard of– "Are they still alive?" She asks quickly, the man nodding.
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"Yes. We couldn't find anyone in the village willing it do it, so we've just been waiting." He said, and Charlotte can't find it in herself to say anything in response. Her mouth feels dry as realization dawns on her that this child, this innocent child, who has so much in her destiny, has been living in a village who was waiting. For just one traveler to come over and kill her.
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"Where are they?" She asks, and the man doesn't seem to notice the coldness in her voice, because he smiles and turns around.
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Charlotte follows him with a stoic look on her face, down the cobblestone path of the town. She sees it after a few moments, a small glimpse of red hiding underneath a small crevice under a building. One of the people is trying to coax her out.
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She's so small, that's the only thing Charlotte can think. Looking as if she could scarcely reach up to Charlotte's calves, and she feels satisfaction that she can see a tiny hand swipe out in warning at the coaxing villager, refusing to move.
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Charlotte walks past the man hurriedly, the man doing a double take before following at her heels, stammering out an explanation. She doesn't need one. The girl is here, and alive. That's all Charlotte needs.
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"We know we should have killed when it's younger, but nobody could do it when it was smaller, and we can't do it now." He says quickly as the two go down the path. "We're just people who want to be left alone. Nobody here wants the responsibility of killing a kid."
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Charlotte give a hum in response, thankful when the people take a few steps back as she comes closer. "I'm grateful you didn't."
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They stop in front of the little hole, and Charlotte kneels down as the man takes a step back. Villagers are huddled around, far from Charlotte and watching with anticipation, wanting to see what she will do.
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Charlotte barely pays them any mind, instead looking at the small hole in the ground. Small hands rest at the opening before a head pops out, eyes glowing.
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The people behind Charlotte step back in fear, murmuring and on guard, wary.
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Charlotte thinks she's dying.
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"Does she live there?" Charlotte asks, scooting closer, but not too much to frighten the child. Bright wine purple eyes blink up at her, mesmerized, and Charlotte feels the same. There's no possible way that this so-called 'monster' that's supposed to bring death and destruction can be so... tiny.
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She's definitely a demigod, Charlotte can see it. The way her eyes glow and she has an unnatural beauty and aura. Years from now, she will be a great beauty, yet deadly if angered.
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But right now?
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She's precious.
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There's literally no other way Charlotte can describe her with those twinkling eyes.
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"Yes, it's been living there for a while now. We still can't get it to come out." The man behind Charlotte says, slight bitterness on his tongue. "We sometimes kick food under, out of mercy's sake."
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Charlotte nods, but she isn't listening, her and the child locked in a staring contest. The kid looks away first, only to stare at Charlotte's long black curls, hanging loosely over her shoulders and ending at her waist.
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"Are you gonna kill it?" Someone asks, voice nervous. The village holds their breath as Charlotte moves closer to the little gap, pale hands reaching in to where the monster resides.
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She's insane, some think. They expect her hand to get bitten off, or that she'll get killed. The people are silent as the dead, frozen with fear as Charlotte leans forward and reaches her arms in. The man who led her there reaches out, wanting to pull Charlotte back for her own safety.
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The fear wasn't needed though, and Charlotte pulls the girl out of the hole, helping the child to her feet. She stays kneeling on the snow, hands brushing off snow from the child's hair and clothes. The village take multiple steps back now, eyes wide.
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"Now, what happens to be your name, darling?" Charlotte asks gently as the curly haired child stared at her hair. She reaches out a tiny hand out before suddenly yanking on the dark tresses. "Ai–"
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Someone in the crowd gasps and based on how people are acting, Charlotte expects someone to eventually faint. She turns her head to the villagers, her hair now just being tugged onto lightly now that the child knew she hurt her.
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"Does she happen to have a name?" Charlotte asks, smiling at the crowd, who stare at her like she's on her deathbed.
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"Clementine." Someone mumbles, the people flinching before starting to murmur amongst themselves. "Daughter of the Crazed God of Wine, that's her name."
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Charlotte hums as she takes that in, feeling amused at the apparent parentage the three year old has. Clementine turns her head when someone says it, the crowd shrinking back, immediately regretting saying her name. "Clem, then?"
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Clem turns back to stare at Charlotte, a hand still tangled in her hair. Charlotte gently tugs her grip off before standing up.
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"Kill it now, quick!" Someone calls out as Charlotte places a hand over her mouth and yawns. She really needed a nap after staying up for days on end.
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"Yes, hurry!" Someone else agrees, the crowd quickly giving out words of encouragement. To kill the small child who was still staring at her in fascination.
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Charlotte nearly growls at this.
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"I'm not killing anyone, look at her!" She waves a hand at Clem, said child staring with her outstretched hand a moment before grabbing her pinky with a loose grip. Charlotte has to remind herself not to coo at this, keeping her eyes on the terrified crowd as she feels Clem turn her hand over, looking at it with curiosity. "She's still just a baby, she can't hurt anyone."
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"She can! Maybe not now, but soon! You have to stop it while it's still weak! Isn't that why you're here?" The man who led Charlotte yells, stepping in front of the crowd.
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Charlotte actually does growl this time, a low but threatening sound all the same. It has the effect she wants and the man steps back again, so she turns her attention back at Clem. The little girl looks up at her with those same bright, twinkling purple eyes, oh she's just so adorable–
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"Nope." Charlotte says bluntly, giving the toddler a smile before affectionately nuzzling her cheek and breathing in that scent that all innocent souls had. Clem let's out a coo before smiling back, small yet perfect little teeth showing. Someone does actually faint out of fear when she does that.
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Charlotte pulls her face away from Clem, wrapping her arms around the girl protectively. "I'm not killing her. I plan on taking her in and raising her. She's mine now."
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The crowd looks at her as if she's lost her mind.
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Charlotte couldn't care less, because Clem has noticed her wings now, her hands reaching out with curiosity written all over her face. Charlotte shifts one of her wings and nearly giggled when Clem nearly jumped, surprised by the fact the wings even moved. Not that she blames her, really, if this village is all she knows. Charlotte will make sure to teach everything she knows to Clem though.
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"R-Raise her..?" The man trails off, Charlotte turning her head back to the people. Half of the crowd had ran back to the homes to retreat from the lunatic that is Charlotte, the other half keeping a far, far distance away with fearful eyes. "You want to raise a monster! A monster that will tear life apart as we know it–?"
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"I mean, darling~” Charlotte gave a glance at Clem, who was staring at the man for a moment. He takes a small step back at this. "She's just a little girl."
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He stares at Charlotte, and Charlotte is getting tired at these looks already. She just wants to fly away with Clem and go as far away from these humans as possible. But the man clears his throat and straightens himself up, clearly going to try to get through her head again.
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"You understand that you plan on caring for the very thing meant to bring destruction and chaos to our world, right?" The man asks, Charlotte looking behind her fondly as a tiny Clem grabs at the ends of her wings, feeling her feathers gently in fascination.
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"Still just a baby." She answers absentmindedly, humming as her wings are gently yanked at.
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"She's the first of four to destroy life as we all know it! Shouldn't we get rid of her?!"
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"Oh, you can try." Charlotte raises her eyes back at the man, eyes cold and glowing crimson. "Of course, you'll have to get through me first. Wouldn't be the first time I prevented the apocalypse this way."
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He goes silent at the threat, and Charlotte gives a sharp-tooth grin at that, turning to Clem again. Who lets out a whine at Charlotte pulling her wings away from her reach.
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"Alright now Clem, time to go." She kneels down, reaching her arms out for the red headed girl. Clem grabs at her hair first before staring into her hazel-brown eyes, Charlotte staring back patiently. It takes a moment before Clem leans forward, wrapping a small and chubby arm around her neck while the other hand stayed in Charlotte's hair.
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Charlotte is used to this from past experience from when her own children were young. Her youngest had been grabby while young also.
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She doesn't hesitate as she picks Clem off the ground, sighing happily at the relief in her chest at finally having this child out of danger. Safe in her arms.
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She turns to the man and the few people still scattered around, all of them speechless at the fact Charlotte's just picked up the thing they've perceived as a danger for the past three years.
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"Well, have a good day!" Charlotte chirped as she waves a hand before suddenly taking off, flying into the air.
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She makes her way back to the portal immediately, hearing some yelling as she goes, but she ignores it in favor of looking at Clem. The toddler was holding on tightly, looking surprised at the fact they were so high in the air, yet not scared. Charlotte's glad for that.
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She dodged the arrow whizzing past her and practically throws herself into the portal, holding on tightly to Clem as they go through the other side.
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It's still dusty when they're back in the broken basement, and she sneezes before flying up through the hole in the roof of the house, into the sunlight and the greyish blue sky.
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She lands safely just out the ruins, holding back another yawn. Instead formulating plans on where to sleep for the night, going through the snowy forest and relaxing at the slightly warmer temperature.
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She glanced down to Clem, finding that the young girl had her eyes squeezed shut, her face half-hidden in her chest and her hand still having a death gripe on a lock of Charlotte's hair.
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"It's okay darling, you can open your eyes." She said softly, getting a small noise of disagreement in response, Clem not budging at all. Charlotte keeps walking until she finds herself at the edge of a cliff, a winter wonderland of a huge forest spreading out far as the eye can see beneath them.
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"There's nothing scary. Look." Charlotte whispers softly, cradling Clem's head close to her chest. Clem pulls back the slightest bit and opening her eyes hesitantly, just enough to look at her face. Charlotte glances up to the scene in front of her and after a few seconds, Clem copies, turning her head to look.
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She can't get Clem to stop staring at the forest after that.
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