The remains of half-shredded banners, the myriad scents of varying decay and trash everywhere told the Beanies that some mighty festival had taken place here. The Beanies wished they had arrived during Summer for the festival. Festivals are fun! But instead, the only opportunity they had to bear witness to was the aftermath. And well, to help clean it up.

The Beanies could immediately see why this paid so well for a job that basically entailed cleaning up the place. Dealing with smelly, rotting consumables and excrement is pure torture to the senses, made infinitely worse for the Beanies who had a much harder time cleaning themselves than people who were of flesh and blood. The Beanies found themselves making makeshift suits that covered their whole bodies that come with climbing harnesses and carrying DIY trash grabbers[1] in preparation for work. This was not going to be a fun day. Demony wished the worst would befall the Beanies as it lazily slept and watched on from a high vantage point.

The Beanies hopped over to the taskmaster to report for duty, and upon the taskmaster laying her eyes on them, they would find themselves also tasked with something else.
"You three look perfect for a side task we have!" The Beanies collectively tilted their heads sideways in confusion.
"We've got entire lists of reported missing items, you see." The taskmaster pulled out an entire stack of papers from a shelf behind her. "Ranging from jewelry, magical trinkets to... some kids losing their toys," the taskmaster leaned towards the three. "You folks wouldn't happen to be someone's toys, right?"
"Hey! We Beanies are our own people!" Star shouted out in offense.
"Right, right. Gotta be sure you folks are Fae rather than just some mage's idea of a project," the taskmaster chuckled jokingly. "You'd be here all day if you had to read through all our reports, so just keep an eye out for stuff that seems valuable or sentimental, will you? Most of the things were probably stolen, truth be told, but we might just have some that have fallen under the cracks," the taskmaster winked.

The Beanies had no idea what the word Fae entailed, but oh boy were they glad to not have to actually read the reports. After all, they can't read! Charon's written language was a total mystery to them! Anyway, the Beanies assumed this meant their main tasks would be to pick up trash, and if they find anything unique, to bring back to the stall. The three formed a circle and each extended one of their paws.

"""(((Let's do this!)))""" The Beanies collectively moved their extended paw down and raised it upwards in a cheer, and off they went to perform their cleaning duties.

---

[1]Tool Pouch

Inmno entered the city and cast a disapproving glance at the chaos around her, muttering under her breath, "This is exactly why I prefer the wilderness..."

As she made her way through the clutter, she spotted a woman surrounded by stacks of papers.

"Excuse me, are you overseeing the festival clean-up?" Inmo inquired.

The woman looked up from her mountain of paperwork and replied, "Yes, that would be me. Would you like to lend a hand?"

Inmo, hidden beneath her cloak, smiled. "I've already enlisted. I believe I'm supposed to join a group called The Beanies?"

"Ah, the little fae folk. I believe they went in that direction," the taskmaster pointed out.

Inmo raised an eyebrow at the fae folk reference but decided not to press the matter. "I see. Thank you," she said politely.

As she turned to leave and join her fellow workers, the taskmaster called out, "Wait! Keep an eye out for anything valuable or sentimental. We've received numerous reports of missing items..." She gestured toward the piles of paperwork with a weary expression.

Inmo nodded sympathetically. "Will do. Best of luck with the paperwork."

With that, Inmo set off to begin her tidying duties, eager to meet the individuals she would be working alongside.

The Beanies mainly focused on picking up trash from the ground and placing them on a mini wagon, popping in and out of nooks and crannies while avoiding the dirtier areas, especially those that reeked of fermenting sours. Thankfully they hadn't caught sight of any maggots yet, and they certainly hoped it would stay that way.
Eventually, they began noticing someone else who appeared to be working on cleaning the area too. A fellow cleaner, perhaps? The Beanies were jolly fellows who would love to make new friends, so they converged and set off to say hi!

Demony, in the meantime, was finding this whole affair largely mind-numbling so far as it hopped around the rooftops to keep the Beanies within its feeling radius. Then it noticed a brick holding a string of buntings amidst one of the awnings. Surely there was no harm in 'accidentally' pushing it down, was it?

Meanwhile, down at the streets, the Beanies made their way to their cloaked cleaner.
"""Hello!""" The Beanies greeted in unison, waving their hands.
"Are you here to help with the clean-up as well?" Star asked, then introduced themselves. "Star is Star!"
"Goody!" Goody tilted to their left to do a big wave with their right arm.
"Chili!" Chili jumped into the air to emphasize its presence.
"Hey, where's Demony?" Star asked. Goody and Chili looked around but saw no sign of it.
It was then that a brick started falling down from the sky, its trajectory somewhere between the stranger and themselves. The Beanies leaped backwards in surprise from the sudden impact, momentarily terrified. There were no forecasts about falling bricks, darn it!
Then Star looked up and caught a glimpse of their shadowy frenemy.
"Demony!" Star shouted in annoyance. Demony just ignored them and slipped away from the edge of the building.
"Sorry about that." Goody apologized on behalf of Demony. "Demony's a bit of a meanie."
"Not a bit, Goody-plush. Major meanie," Star corrected them.
"A-ny-way, may we have your name please?" Chili interjected to steer the conversation away from Demony.

Inmo followed the path as directed by the taskmaster, her anticipation growing as she hoped to meet her new coworkers. As she tucked her long hair into her cloak as to not get it dirty and began her task of cleaning, she looked around, eager to catch a glimpse of her colleagues, but they were nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, her attention was diverted by the sight of three small figures approaching her.

Inmo gazed up in confusion at the source of the sudden brick, her eyes darting around the surroundings in search of any hint of the mystifying "Demony". Despite the unexpected interruption, she made a conscious effort to maintain her composure, realizing she couldn't afford to let her guard down completely.

"Yes, I am," she replied calmly, acknowledging the three individuals before her. As she introduced herself with a polite nod, her eyes mirrored a blend of curiosity and caution, uncertain of what might occur next.

She observed the beanies with a mix of fascination and curiosity. "I've never encountered anyone quite like you before. Where do you come from?" Inmo inquired, her voice carrying a genuine tone of interest as she attempted to establish a connection with these intriguing strangers.

The Beanies looked at one another as they remembered Mr. Captain of the Fighter's Guild advising them against being too upfront about their origins.
"""Hi Ms. Inmo~,""" The Beanies would greet accordingly to start their response.
"We ended up here after tumbling our way through a portal." Star answered. It was technically true, even if it wasn't the full truth.
"People tend to say they've never seen anything like us," Goody acknowledged Inmo's statement.
"Well, we Beanies are always a rarity wherever we are, so Chili doesn't mind!" Chili puffed up their non-existent chest.
"Oh, and in case you missed it, Demony is a shadowy creature that's about the size of the three of us combined." Star gave Inmo a rough description for what she should look out for just in case.
"We're mainly picking up trash from the ground at the moment," Goody raised the improvised trash grabber they had on hand and pointed the other at the mini-wagon, now somewhat filled with dry trash.

"Haven't found anything that screamed 'forgotten' or 'lost and found' yet," Chili complained, already growing bored of the mind-numbing process that was trash-picking.

Demony was displeased to find that a falling brick did little to sour the Beanies' spirits as they swiftly recovered from the surprise. Should it try to rain actual harm on them? It stared intently at a potted plant that stood by a second-floor windowsill and was going to approach it when an angry voice shouted from the inside.
"Shoo cat shoo! Stay out of my property!" A crazy old man trained his crossbow at it. Remembering its susceptibility to physical damage, it swiftly bolted away from the windowsill to another building in annoyance.

Inmo's face lit up with a warm smile as she watched the three little creatures synchronize their greeting. Their movements were so perfectly coordinated as if they were following an invisible rhythm.

"A portal, you say? You three are quite fascinating," she remarked, her curiosity piqued. However, Inmo sensed that a vague answer could indicate a desire for privacy, so she decided not to press further, respecting their boundaries.

As Chili commented, Inmo couldn't help but notice the bravery and outgoing nature of the little creature. She admired the way they carried themselves with such confidence despite the circumstances.

She nodded in agreement with Star's description of Demony, silently thanking her for the valuable information. "I see, I'll keep that in mind," she assured them.

Inmo knelt to examine their creative trash grabber up close. The mechanism was a marvel of clever design and resourcefulness. "Well, isn't that a clever little device," she remarked with genuine respect, appreciating their inventiveness. Standing back up, she offered a sympathetic smile to Chili. "Well, hopefully, we'll find something soon," she said, trying to offer some comfort and reassurance.

Turning her attention to Goody, Inmo suggested, "Since it seems best for you three to work near the ground, I'll see if I can find a ladder to retrieve the remains of those banners."

With that, Inmo set off to find a suitable ladder, completely unaware that the old man's actions had thwarted one of Demony's plans.

Chili blushed and rubbed the back of their head as Inmo praised them for their trash grabber. "Oh it's nothing, we just based it on something we've seen before." Star and Goody formed smiley eyes for a moment as they too felt joy in the compliment.
"Chili sure hopes we do!" Chili continued, now more energetic following the praise.
"Sounds good!" Goody wasn't normally the point Beanie, but since Inmo directed the statement at her, it was only appropriate that they respond. "Please stay safe up there!"

The Beanies would follow Inmo while picking up trash as she searched for a ladder and watch her make her way up to make sure she stayed safe throughout before redirecting their full attention on their work. Their mini wagon was soon full of trash which they needed to unload, so the Beanies went to Inmo once more to inform her they were going to clear their wagon in one of the designated dumping spots before heading off.

A distance away from Inmo laid Demony, fresh off the heels of escaping an unwanted encounter whereby it dodged a possible bolt in the head. Why was life such a pain in Charon? It was increasingly preferring the storybook life, as loathsome as it found that excuse of a plot to be. Then it heard the Beanies were going to unload their trash, and it gave off the tantalizing scent of possible fulfillment at the expense of the Beanies. Demony stalked them from above, looking for anything suitable it could use to ruin the Beanies' day and soon, fortune would smile in its favour.

A relatively large puddle stood between the Beanies and the dumping spot. The Beanies could easily maneuver their way across, but they would prefer keeping the mini-wagon dry. It was now or never, as Demony attempted to push down a rock that would undoubtedly cause a terrible splash.

Inmo's smile widened as she observed Chili's endearing reaction to her compliment. She couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and joy at the genuine appreciation in Chili's eyes.
"It's still impressive," she remarked, her voice laced with admiration.

She nodded at Goody, her expression filled with reassurance.
"I will," she promised, her words infused with determination and a sense of duty.

Securing a sturdy ladder, Inmo set out to gather the tattered banners, carefully inspecting each one for damage or wear. As the beanies prepared to depart after unloading the wagon, she descended with a small stack of banners slung over her shoulder, the weight a reminder of the task at hand.
"Alright, I'll accompany you to drop these off," she offered, her voice carrying a hint of eagerness to assist.

She walked alongside the beanies, her heart filled with gladness from meeting them. When she noticed the impending splash, she swiftly positioned herself in front of the beanies, instinctively moving to shield them from the oncoming water. As the water soaked her cloak, she let out a resigned sigh, the chill seeping through her clothes. But her primary concern remained with the beanies.
"Are you alright?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine worry.

"""Thanks Ms. Inmo!""" The Beanies certainly appreciated Inmo following them, even if she was just tagging along for her own tasks.

The sudden splash would surprise the Beanies and they collectively panicked for an instant before realising that Inmo had taken the brunt of the splash, and their panic would swiftly turn to worry as they'd move as close as they could without touching water.
"We're okay!" Goody replied. Star jerked their head upwards looking to find the cause, catching a glimpse of their shadowy frenemy slipping away.
"Demony..." Star was hissing intensely now and Chili had to pat them on the shoulder to remind them of the task at hand.
"Is Ms. Inmo okay?" Goody inquired with a worried look. Now was not the time to worry about a wet mini-wagon, so the Beanies trudged along to unload their trash and perhaps find some way to deal with Inmo's cloak. Perhaps something in their wagon could prove useful?

"Ms. Inmo, we might be able to sew you a new cloak, but we'll have to go back to our wagon for that. What do you say?" Star offered.

Demony seethed in impotent rage as its prank was unwittingly foiled once more through the intervention of another. The storybook was really starting to feel like a better place now. At least the Beanies foiled its plans directly.

Inmo's face was softly illuminated by the warm glow of relief, and a gentle smile spread across her face. She let out a long, deep breath, feeling a wave of relief wash over her upon hearing that her new friends were safe and well.

Understanding Goody's concerns, she spoke in a gentle, soothing voice, "I may be quite soaked, but don't worry about me. The most important thing is that everyone is safe." Her voice radiated comfort and warmth, aimed at easing her companions' worries. She leaned down and tenderly patted them on the head with a single finger before returning to her original task.

Following the beanies to dispose of the now-drenched banners, her clothes clung to her skin, and she keenly felt the weight of the waterlogged fabric with each step, serving as a constant reminder of the unexpected turn of events. Once they arrived, she carefully placed the wet bundle in the designated spot.

Star's generous offer lifted her spirits, and she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much, Star. Your kindness means a lot to me. Please, lead the way." Her words and the warmth in her eyes conveyed her deep appreciation for Star's thoughtful gesture.

The Beanies were now on their way to the wagon, though not before dropping by at the taskmaster's to report on their progress.
"Oh my, what happened here?" The taskmaster would look at the state Inmo was in with her drenched cloak and clothes.
"There was an accident with a puddle," Star answered simply. No need to elaborate on unnecessary details.
"Ah." The taskmaster replied, then elaborated, "Well, I didn't bother mention this to either of you since you all seemed more well-prepared when it came to cleaning, but we actually have cleaner's outfits available for rent. It's going to have to be deducted from your pay though."
"Deal!" Goody jumped immediately at the statement, and neither Star nor Chili would stop them. After all, it was the Beanies' fault Inmo got wet in the first place.
"Please deduct from our pay." Star followed up.
"Are you sure?" The taskmaster furrowed her brows inquisitively.
"""Yes!""" the Beanies nodded in unison. The taskmaster would take a glance at Inmo for her opinion, but the Beanies would stare up at the taskmaster intensely until she yielded.
"If you insist, I suppose." The taskmaster sighed. It wouldn't do well for her to get on the Faes' bad side. "This way please, miss." She gestured at Inmo to bring her to the dressing room and the Beanies would wait for her to come out before doing anything else.

Demony was feeling satisfied over the little victory it had over those pesky Beanies. Less money invariably meant less little joys, after all, and it was all about the little joys when it come to the Beanies.

Inmo's face lit up with gratitude as she glanced at Star, her lips forming a warm smile. Her eyes sparkled with appreciation. "Aw, thanks," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "You three might be the sweetest I've met on my travels yet." Her heartfelt words resonated in the dimly lit dressing room, creating a moment of pure connection.

With a gentle pat on each beanie, Inmo followed the taskmaster to the dressing room. The sound of her footsteps gradually faded as she disappeared behind the door. As the beanies waited for Inmo to return, they could hear snippets of a conversation from within.
"Are you sure there's nothing else available?" came a voice, tinged with a hint of desperation. The heavy sigh that followed was filled with resignation, and the words "Alright..." hung in the air, casting a shadow over the room.

When Inmo reemerged from the dressing room, she did so with visible reluctance, her shoulders slumped as she tried to tug down the short sleeves of the uniform to conceal her silver skin. Her short bangs fell across her face, and she instinctively tried to shield as much of it as possible, despite it providing little cover. The vulnerability in her eyes spoke volumes, revealing the internal struggle she was facing.

A bittersweet smile played on Inmo's lips as she looked at the beanies.
"At least it's dry," she said, her voice tinged with resignation and determination. "Let's finish up, shall we?" Her words echoed in the room, carrying the weight of her resilience as she prepared to continue despite her challenges.

The Beanies felt little fuzzies in them as they were each pat on the head, and returned smiley eyes to Inmo.

Snippets of conversation could be heard, and Inmo seemed rather flustered. Oh dear. Was something wrong? The Beanies would witness Inmo coming out of the changing room rather reluctantly and visibly shrinking into herself as she tried to hide parts of herself for some reason. The Beanies had absolutely no idea why as they were not privy to species relations, being literal living plush toys manifested from a storybook.
"Is everything okay?" Goody couldn't help asking out of concern. Star would observe Inmo's features and look around outside for a bit. They rarely saw people with features like hers. Perhaps she liked having a cloak for that reason. It seems the Beanies might have ended up causing her more trouble with their generosity.
"Um, we'll find paths with as few people as we can!" Star offered, feeling somewhat guilty. "Lead the way, Chili!"
"Chiiiiiii!? Uh, right! This way!" Recoiling in surprise for a moment, Chili would quickly recover and lead the way back to the area they had been working at, weaving through multiple narrow alleys and taking into account the direction of shadows as the time of day was now well into the afternoon. Demony was somewhat curious about the odd fluctuations in the Beanies' emotions, but not enough to risk itself being spotted so it remained by the rooftops.

They would reach their destination soon enough, and the Beanies would continue their work of picking up trash after seeing Inmo off once more.

Inmo gazed at the beanies with a deep sense of appreciation, grateful for the thoughtful gesture to find a secluded path. Determined to find a more isolated area on the ground to clean up, she couldn't help but shudder at the thought of getting caught while taking down the banners.

After shaking away the thoughts of what could happen if she was found to be an astralblood she did a thorough search. She finally discovered a peaceful spot and began diligently gathering the litter into a bag provided by the taskmaster. Despite her instinct to flinch at every passerby, she forced herself to take deep breaths and reassure herself that no one was watching, although she couldn't shake the feeling of being under scrutiny.

As she concentrated on her task, she spotted something glimmering beneath a couple of crumpled paper balls in her bag. It turned out to be a necklace with an exquisite quartz crystal pendant. Carefully cleaning it, she decided to wear it temporarily and planned to return it to the taskmaster once her bag was full.

Her gentle smile conveyed her relief at being able to offer assistance, even though she was quite nervous. Now fully engrossed in her mission, her focus shifted from her anxieties to scouring for other discarded items.

Evening was now approaching and soon there would not be enough daylight to be running around trying to clean the city. Besides, there was a curfew; no more cleaning after sunset so the Beanies got together to find Inmo once more and clear out their trash.

The Beanies would notice the pendant on Inmo, and cheer that she'd managed to find something valuable, if deflating momentarily upon remembering they hadn't found any. Oh well. Their main purpose was to clean, and the Beanies did a pretty good job all in all. Probably. They were too small to piece together how much cleaning they really managed.

The puddle that caused the darned splash had evaporated somewhat since the last time they passed through here, and now it was small enough for the mini-wagon to move straight along. As they trudged along though, Goody would notice a little twinkle around the edge of the receding puddle and hop over like the easily distracted Beanie they were.
"Ah, Goody-plush!" Star chased after Goody.
Goody warily peered into the water surface, trembling and trying to keep themselves steady so they do not fall in. It was a silver ring with a little sapphire embedded in it!

Unfortunately, it appeared that the ring was just out of reach of the Beanies' little trash-grabbers. Demony was tempted to cause another splash, then it caught an angry Star-plush glaring at it with the burning rage of a thousand suns.