[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ftIwfUZ.png[/img]
[color=gray][b][i]Long, long ago, when this old world was in its tender infancy, there was a child named Epimetheus who never had either father or mother; and that he might not be lonely, another child, fatherless and motherless like himself, was sent by the gods to be his playfellow and helpmate. Her name was Pandora.
The first thing that Pandora saw when she entered the cottage where Epimetheus lived was a great box. And almost the first question that she put to him was this,
"Epimetheus, what have you in that box?"
"My dear little Pandora," answered Epimetheus, "that is a secret, and you must be kind enough not to ask any questions about it. The box was left here to be kept safely, and I do not myself know what it contains."[/i][/b][/color]

Ollivander Clarke looked to the small audience gathered around him, a camaraderie of small children who had expectantly come to listen to the older gentleman’s monthly tales. He’d been doing this for some time now, more than a decade at least he’d bring himself to the local community center, bringing a new story to the table. To him, this was just another form of teaching and though he was used to the knowledgeable adolescents that had graced his lectures, there was something endearing about reading to children. They had wide, expectant eyes, a yearn for learning and an imagination of wonderment and fantasy. To anyone willing to learn, there was a pride in that for a teacher, to anyone willing to learn from the teacher themselves, that was an honor.
[color=gray]”hmm…”[/color] His brows furrowed together and the children seemed somewhat confused as he paused. As he mentioned, he was a teacher, and Ollivander always found new ways to implement a way to teach. [color=gray]“I must apologize my dear pupils, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish this story today…”[/color], he spoke with a small, sad look in his eyes. Of course, as was expected they all protested him, whining and begging him to finish the story. Satisfied with the response he reassured them, [color=gray]“Alright, alright, I’ll finish the story,”[/color] he laughed as his audience clapped and cheered, [color=gray]“However...I am going to need a helper to get me through this story...are there any volunteers?”[/color]
Several hands shot up alongside exaggerated cries of ‘pick me’ were shouted from the small crowd. Scanning amongst the children, hands up, crying for attention, there was one who wasn’t. A small, pale, raven haired girl, eyes looking anywhere but at him, almost like she were trying to hide herself. [color=gray]“You there, young lady, would you care to join me?”[/color] He spoke, encouraging the girl to come up. She seemed startled that she of all people had been chosen, but reluctantly came, hands fidgeting with her dress as she made her way over to Ollivander; the other children groaned with disappointment at not having been picked.
[color=gray]“Hello my darling, what’s your name?”[/color]  The girl spoke timidly and hesitantly [color=indianred]“Um...L-Lily...sir.”[/color]  [color=gray]“Lily, eh? I assume shorthand for Lillian, yes?”[/color] The girl remained quiet, but nodded.  [color=gray]“You have a very pretty name, Lily. My name is Mr. Clarke, are you ready to read with me?”[/color] The girl shook her head, [color=gray]“No? Well, if you aren’t ready to help me,”[/color] he helped lift the girl into his lap and set the book in front of them, [color=gray]“Then I’ll help you, to help me and that means, we’re partners, okay?”[/color] Lillian was startled, but she just quietly whispered, [color=IndianRed]“...okay”[/color] She was clearly in an uncomfortable situation, but this is the goal of a teacher, to break down the bad walls, to build up the support of a stable foundation. [color=gray]“Right! On we go! Now my dear, I’m going to read the parts of Epimetheus, and you are going to read the parts of Pandora.”[/color] pointing his finger onto a line of words he told her, [color=gray]“Now, here is where I left off, so this is where you start, alright? Just start reading the words and I’ll help guide you along as necessary.”[/color]
Clearly uncomfortable, but forced into this situation, she accepted her fate and started to read, [b][i][color=IndianRed]“But Pandora was not altogether happy on account of Epi...Epee...Ep- Epeh….”[/color][/i][/b] The girl’s face started to flush more and more and she looked like she was almost about to cry. Knowing when to step in, Ollivander placed a calm hand on her shoulder and said, [color=gray]“It’s alright my dear, it’s a difficult word to pronounce, but that’s why I’m here to help.”[/color] She looked up to him, tears forming in her eyes, [color=IndianRed]“B-b-but… they’re…”[/color] Ollivander shushed and cooed to comfort her, [color=gray]”They are merely an audience to the tale my darling, they themselves are not a part of the book. Focus only on the story and nothing else but our voices as we say out the words, yes?”[/color] The girl, wiping her eyes nodded and returned back to the story.
[color=gray]“Now, just repeat after me, [b]Eh-”[/b][/color][b]
[color=IndianRed]“Eh-”[/color]
[color=gray]“Pih-”[/color]
[color=IndianRed]“Phi-”[/color]
[color=gray]“Meh-”[/color]
[color=IndianRed]“Meh-”[/color]
[color=gray]“Thee-”[/color]
[color=IndianRed]“Thee-”[/color]
[color=gray]“Us-”[/color]
[color=IndianRed]“Us-”[/color][/b]
[color=gray]”Now, say the full word.”[/color]
In perfect tune she read out the word, [color=IndianRed]“Eh-Pih-Meh-Thee-Us, Epimetheus!”[/color]
[color=gray]“Yes! That is exactly right! Good job my darling! A small round of applause for the young articulator!”[/color] The other children clapped and Lily seemed to calm down somewhat, almost seeming somewhat beaming as she smiled up at Ollivander. It was almost a complete 180 degree change, first she was quiet and unconfident, and now she was not only smiling with joy, but also with pride. Ready to continue the story, he asked his young pupil, [color=gray]“Now young Lillian, shall we continue on with the story? It’s still your part.”[/color] Lily returned back to the story, a newfound sense of courage within her.
[color=IndianRed][b][i]“But Pandora was not altogether happy on account of Epimetheus' explanation about the box.
"Where can it have come from?" she continually asked herself, "and what on earth can be inside it?" At last she spoke to Epimetheus.
"You might open the box," Pandora said, "and then we could see its contents for ourselves..."[/i][/b][/color]
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Ollivander checked his pocket watch before exiting his domicile, [b]10:24[/b]. Closing the wound watch and replacing it in his vest pocket he exited the building and locked it up, turning only to see if Angel would be visiting him today. As was the usual, her food and water bowls were full, a commonplace sighting for Ollivander, but given light to the recent events he worried about his feline companion. Sighing softly he walked towards his car, an old [url=http://www.2040-cars.com/_content/cars/images/37/336837/001.jpg]1987 ford ltd crown victoria[/url], got in, started the ignition and drove away. It would take him at least 30 minutes to reach the community center where the meeting was to be held. He had already emailed his students ahead of time, letting them know that class was cancelled due to the sudden announcement, one he hoped was of good news, but knowing full well that there would most likely be none.
Turning right out of his driveway he made his way down the road, and reflected on the recent events taking place in the city he called home. It had been less than a week, but he noticed that a long time friend and student, Elizabeth had been coming to class late and almost disheveled. Every time she entered she seemed like a broken husk, a shadow of her former self, and so being the concerned educator/friend he confronted her about it. It was during that particular confrontation that she broke down and told him everything, about Lillian missing, about the worry it was causing her and the mayor’s family; to say Ollivander was shocked was an understatement. Realizing the gravity of the situation after calming her down, he told her to take as much time as necessary to right herself, an emotionally unstable mind can heal itself before it has a chance to learn anything new. [color=gray][i]“Worry not my dear, I’ll deal with the rest of the administration myself, right now, you need to rest and have time to process these recent events.”[/i][/color]
He sighed again, really Ollivander did hope for the best, but if it was the Mayor, Lillian’s father, giving the address he could only assume the worst. In that assumption, he’d try to help console the Baker family as best he could, after all they knew his family longer than he’d known them. Her parents were children when they knew of his parents, and Ollivander as a child knew Elizabeth’s parents long after they were born, the cycle has only repeated itself as she knew him in his old age. It was a bittersweet thought, knowing that only two generations of Bakers and Clarkes would know one another as a family, but it was a destiny he was willing to face. His time of reflection over, Ollivander pulled into a space in the street, exited his vehicle and began traipsing off towards the community center, his cane tapping ever so slightly into the soft grass. Knowing he was well within distance of the center, he decided to sit at one of the ever present benches nearby the river. Slowly he rubbed along the engravings in his cane, contemplating what would happen next, as an educator in history, he knew that if something bad were to be involved, it would only get worse until the culprit was caught. He could only pray for the best and that the slow march of time would continue onward for the community he had grown to love.[/center]