[center][h1][color=a187be]Aliira Van Drauga[/color][/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/KAfeUz4.png[/img][/center][hr][hr]

[color=a187be]"Welcome one and all to the magnificent Wonderland of Delights!"[/color] A beautiful voice called out to the entering family into the large toy and candy store. The sweet sing song voice came from a rather small polar bear wearing a red and white striped apron. Despite her incredible performance it wasn't actually a polar bear that was able to talk, but little Aliira wearing a costume. Aliira was only around five feet and five inches tall with a petite frame so she was the only one small enough to wear the costume, which she absolutely loved. It was truly a match made in heaven for Aliira.

Aliira practically danced up to the family who had entered the shop, moving effortlessly in the fuzzy costume. [color=a187be]"Welcome, welcome!"[/color] She sang as she approached, crouching a little to get in eye line of the children. (Which if she is being honest wasn't much of a crouch...) The two children's, one boy and one girl, eyes lit up with excitement as they saw the signature figure of the establishment approach. [color=a187be]"Why I hope you kept your appetite. As you explore this wonderful world you may taste many amazing sugary treats!"[/color]

The children frowned a little, "Our parent's told us we had to eat all our vegetables before we could come...." They practically whined.

Aliira gasped, fuzzy paws covering the mouth of the costume. [color=a187be]"Did you not know!?"[/color] She spoke as if it were some secret knowledge these kids hadn't learned. As the children shook their heads confused Aliira continued. [color=a187be]"Well let me share a little secret..."[/color] Her voice trailed off, looking either way as if to check if devious ears might hear the secret. She then leaned in closer

[color=a187be]"Vegetables actually make candy taste better."[/color] She whispered the most secret of secrets. The kids seemed a bit in disbelief. [color=a187be]"Oh, you don't believe me? Here, try this."[/color] She stated before stuffing her pawed hands into the pocket of her apron and produced two salt water taffies, holding them out to the two.

The eagerly took the candy, eager to find out the validity of the bears words. Quickly unwrapping the taffies they threw them in their mouths and began to chew. Their eyes lit up as they sweet candy coated their taste. They whispered back and forth in disbelief it was actually true. Aliira stood up tall (figuratively) and put her fists to her hips triumphantly. [color=a187be]"See? Now then, remember to always eat your vegetables so your desserts taste even better!"[/color] She then looked behind the kids to their parents, they both giving her a smile in thanks.

"Come now kids, let's see the rest of the store." The parents cooed sweetly down to their children and ushered them deeper into the store. The children waved goodbye and thanked the Candy Bear, Aliira waving good bye with delightful enthusiasm.


----------Time Skip; End of shift, 6:58pm.

Aliira began to pull herself out of the costume as she stood alone in the employee changing room. She sighed in relief as the cool air hit her hot skin. Even though she absolutely loved being the store mascot she had to admit; she was not a fan of how hot the costume got throughout the day. She was only grateful that the store cleaned the costume after every shift so she didn't need to get into a gross and sweaty suit every day. 

Once she was free of the costume in full she took a seat on one of the benches, taking a hand towel she had with her and padding off some of the sweat. She was wearing a casual grey tank top and some snug fitted gym shorts; her shoulder length brown hair a mess with sweat and constant tussling under the helmet of the mascot costume. She pushed her messy hair back and pinned it there with a couple of simple bobby pins. Grabbing her phone out of her bag she unlocked the screen to see she had a messaged. Opening it she gave it a quick read; [i][color=a187be]'A meeting tonight? Something must've happened...'[/color][/i] She thought to herself as she quickly went back to her home screen and opened her news app. There, the first story on the screen. She quickly opened it and read through the details. 

Her heart sank into her stomach. There's no natural reason a train would derail in such a way. Those poor souls that were lost. Why did the world have to be so ugly at times...