!+*?%&#: Pardon?
!+*?%&#: You mean those fairies nicked me own ... name?
Under normal circumstances, she'd say the whole situation was entirely daft. Yet such concerns are far from her mind in this moment.
Lamplighter: That's right! And now that night's falling, "it" is on its way!
No sooner does she finish speaking than the dark woods in the distance start to seethe and shift.
There is something in the darkness. A sense of dread fills the girl who has lost her name.
!+*?%&#: Wh-What's that?!
Lamplighter: It's the Bananach!
Lamplighter: It's a murderous beast! One which unfortunately goes after anyone who doesn't have a name!
!+*?%&#: Ehhh?!
Darkness begins to engulf their surroundings, the moon's light disappears completely, surrendering the world to a black abyss.
The scene unfolds too suddenly, denying the girl a moment to voice her disbelief.
Lamplighter: It's coming right for us! We need to get out of here, now!
Lamplighter grabs the girl's arm and pulls her along, as the hollow, terrifying roars of the darkness echo close behind.
GAMEPLAY
!+*?%&#: Huff ... puff ... Good thing ... I still remember ... how to run ...!
Lamplighter: Almost there. Through that cave, and we'll be back to the streets!
!+*?%&#: C-Cave?
She can't recall ever seeing a cave like this around here.
But there's no time for her to think about that now. She follows Lamplighter headlong into the pitch-black passage.
Unsurprisingly, the cave is dark, so dark that she cannot see her hand in front of her face.
!+*?%&#: ...!
She treads carefully through the lightless passage.
The inky blackness wraps around her like a viscous liquid, until she's unable to make out even where the ground is, no matter how hard she stares.
The creature of darkness, Bananach. The name Lamplighter called out in distress now echoes in her mind.
!+*?%&#: Ah! Lamplighter! It's pitch black in here. I can't see me own hands!
The girl instinctively calls in the direction of her friend's fading steps.
Lamplighter: Oh, my mistake. Just a moment.
A single, clear knock resounds, and the darkness is swept away.
!+*?%&#: Wow! You've got a lamp! I'd completely forgotten about that thing!
Lamplighter: That's why they call me Lamplighter. This little light of mine helps me guide people along.
Lamplighter: But this teensy bit of light won't scare the Bananach. Let's make a run for the street. Come on!
Lamplighter takes her hand, and the two girls break into a dash once more.
This time, a soft glow illuminates the ground ahead, allowing them to run without fear of falling.
The girls keep running and running on for what feels like an eternity, until at last, the darkness seems to have shrunk far behind them.
The path ahead clears, and an incredible street filled with illuminated wonders stretches out before them.
Friendly Merchant: New wares just in! Step right up! Corn dollies, strong as they come, for harvestin' yer spuds and keepin' the undead at bay!
Yelling Coal: 50 Sharpodonties for a ride.
Peddling Soul: Oof. Who's in the market for a bit o' sorrow? Freshly bottled wails. Any kind ya like and made to measure!
Busy Mother: Keep up, girls! You'll be late for class! Oi, put that down! If you think we're buying that, you can think again!
Plant Newsboy: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Notorious playground bully, Scone, the scoundrel known to harass little Bugbears for their pocket money, finally nabbed by the Girt Dog of Ennerdale ...
The street teems with life, and the stalls overflow with curios she's never seen before, as strange creatures of all shapes and sizes hurry past.
A critter calls out to would-be customers, beyond him, a chatty lump of coal, a timid ghost, a trundling family of beasts, and a strange plant selling newspapers on the corner ...
Little lights chase each other round and round along the rooftops, and back down again to a bear swigging a drink from a honey jar, as a scarecrow knits while watching over its vegetable stall, and ... and ...
Her mouth falls agape and refuses to close.
!+*?%&#: Where am I?
Lamplighter: This is Criss-Cross Street. Haven't you never been here before?
!+*?%&#: Me mum says Cross Street's where all the arcanists hang around. She don't want me mixin' with 'em, so she keeps me well away from here.
!+*?%&#: Wow! But I've ain't never heard of all these sorts livin' on Cross Street. You sure we're on the right road?
Lamplighter: Of course, we are! Critters have called this place home since before anyone can remember.
Lamplighter: Only thing is, it looks different to each person who enters it. Most folks can't manage to find their way into "this" Cross Street.
Lamplighter: And it's even harder if there's no one to guide you. Follow me!
Lamplighter leads the now nameless girl down the marvelous street ahead of them, accepting all sorts of peculiar treats from the magical vendors and stuffing them into her friend's hands.
The critters offer kind greetings to Lamplighter and to the nameless girl. Her mouth full of treats as she waves back with a stuffed smile.
!+*?%&#: But ain't that Bananach still comin' after us?
Lamplighter: No, no, no, they ran it off this street a long time ago.
Lamplighter: I can't say I've seen it myself, but everyone knows it hunts down any children that've lost their names. A truly wicked thing.
!+*?%&#: Oh yeah! My name!
!+*?%&#: Why? How does a fairy go about nicking someone's name? I mean, how's that even work? And if I ain't got any name, what's that make me, then?
Lamplighter: Umm. Can't say I know, to be honest.
Suddenly, a spark of inspiration lights up in Lamplighter's eyes.
Lamplighter: But I know just who would!
Lamplighter: Remember? The lady I said I'd introduce you to.
Lamplighter: She's the Administrator of the Cross Street Library—the most respected, fair, and knowledgeable person on this street. She knows everything!
Lamplighter: She'll definitely know what to do! Follow me!
Lamplighter: Although, what should I call you in the meantime, eh?
!+*?%&#: Yes, I suppose it won't do goin' round without a name, will it?
!+*?%&#: Maybe a nickname'll do for the time being.
!+*?%&#: That way, people won't have to keep shoutin', "Oi! The girl wot lost 'er name!" whenever they see me.
Lamplighter: Haha! Brilliant idea! Let's see ... How does Flutterpage sound to you?
!+*?%&#: Flutterpage?
Lamplighter: That's right! I got the idea from watching your arcane skill fluttering around that page. I think it suits you perfectly. It reminds me of a sweet bird.
Lamplighter: Do you have any paper?
The paper bird is pulled out once again. Lamplighter unfolds it and neatly writes the new name at the bottom of the shopping list.
!+*?%&#: Flutterpage ... That ain't half bad!
Flutterpage: Right then, Flutterpage it is! I'll stick with that 'til I remember who I really am.
Lamplighter: Just so then, I'll call you Flutterpage.
They finally reach the foot of a grand five-story building. Lamplighter pushes open the large, creaking door.
Before them stretches a sea of books, cascading from overloaded shelves and pooling across the floor, claiming every inch of space.
Lamplighter: Hello, Ms. Administrator, where are you? I've got a friend with some questions for you.
Administrator: Aha, let's see who we have here. A muddle-headed little scatterbrain who's gone and lost her name.
High above, a voice rings out, prompting Flutterpage to peer up toward the rafters.
There on the shelves, atop a teetering pile of books, a woman sits shrouded in shadow, her face hidden from sight.
Flutterpage: 'Ello Miss, you must be the Administrator! But, there's one thing I should mention first:
Flutterpage: The reason I went and gave myself a new name is so people wouldn't call me things like what you just called me. If you really know the answer to everything, you should've known that already.
Administrator: Indeed I did know, but that doesn't change the fact that you are, in fact, a muddle-headed little scatterbrain.
Lamplighter: Come on, Administrator, don't wind her up.
Lamplighter: Since you already know everything, could you tell us what we should do next?
Administrator: First and foremost, she should find her name without delay, otherwise ...
Administrator: Well, first things first. Little scatterbrain, think carefully: What did you eat last night?
Flutterpage: Why? What's that got to do with anythin'? Well, I had ... I had ...
Flutterpage: Hmm? Strange. I can't rightly remember.
Administrator: I see, exactly as I thought. Without a name, you'll start to forget your past; then soon enough, you'll lose your identity altogether.
Administrator: The Bananach won't let a tasty little morsel like you slip away. So it looks like you're stuck on this street, unless you intend on becoming its next meal, that is.
For a moment, Flutterpage is left speechless. Deep down, a sliver of doubt remains. Could all of this simply be a dream?
Still, the fact she can't remember her own name or what she ate is undeniable. Whether dream or reality, she must face this head-on.
Flutterpage: Alright. So, what am I supposed to do now?
Administrator: Do you know where most people end up finding what they've lost?
Flutterpage: I suppose ... In their pockets usually, wouldn't you say?
Administrator: Aha. Not such a scatterbrain after all.
Flutterpage's eyes widen as she reaches into her pocket, and sure enough, her fingers brush against something solid.
Flutterpage: Oh, this thing's been sittin' in me pocket all along.
Flutterpage: But this can't be me name, can it? I've searched it before. It's empty ...
Before Flutterpage can finish, the pouch in her hand suddenly begins to move.
Flutterpage: What's this?
Sprightly luminous dots emerge from the seemingly empty pouch and drift into the air. They orbit Flutterpage, dancing around her with a serene glow.
Lamplighter: Fireflies?
Flutterpage: No, that's not it. These are ...
Upon seeing the gentle light of these tiny entities, a strange yet familiar sensation fills Flutterpage's heart.
Flutterpage: I remember now. Last night, I had baked beans and vegetable soup!
Flutterpage: Wow! So then, these little lights must be my name!
The little, glowing entities seem to understand Flutterpage's outburst, and flit around her in two lively loops before slipping back into the "Don't! Open Me!" pouch.
Administrator: Once they've swiped a name, fairies always make a point of finding somewhere to hide it.
Administrator: Typically, they'll hide names in items others hold dear, making it all the more difficult for you to get it all back.
Administrator: But then leaving one part hidden on your person, while you remain oblivious, running around in circles ... is exactly the sort of mischief they love most.
Flutterpage: Gotta admit, it's a clever trick. Pity I'm the poor sod they've gone and played it on.
Flutterpage: Hang on a tick, when you said "leaving one part hidden on your person," did you mean there's more to my name than just these little fellas?
Administrator: Naturally. Now, I see that your name consists of seven letters, which means six are still missing.
Administrator: Mind you, these fragile little fragments won't last long once parted from their owner. You'd best retrieve them before dawn, otherwise ...
Administrator: Your name will be gone for good, and with it, so too will your identity.
Flutterpage: I've got it.
Flutterpage: I think my going home for a good telling-off's gonna have to wait.