She was born into the world in a cascade of faint lights, like moonbeams through shifting curtains.

Her eyes opened, and already she knew some things. The woman, young, with hair plastered to her forehead and unmasked worry in her green eyes, was her sister. She was beloved, because she cared, because she had given her life, and because she was her ideal already.

A glance around revealed onlookers, almost-familiar faces amongst a few that were not. Like visitors in a dream that had faded on awakening.

“Hello,” she said and found that her voice was soft, gentle even, like wind over tall grass.

“H-hey,” her Big Sis said. “Um, welcome to the family.”

She smiled, feeling for the first time the corner of her eyes pinching and the way her cheeks became plump with the gesture, like ripe fruit filled with happiness. She liked the word ‘family’; it had weight, gravitas. “I look forward to being a good little sister,” she said.

“Do you need a moment?” one of the unfamiliar ones asked. She was a tall woman, study though thin, with an air of professionalism about her that seeped through with every motion she made.

“I... I think that would be nice, yeah,” her Big Sis said. “But, well, I can only afford so much of you time, and--”

She was cut off by a swipe of her hand. “Forget it. And keep your money. An explanation once this is all done would be payment enough.”

“We can do that.”

There was a nod, and the woman left. With her was a young girl that resonated with the world around her, like a spider on its web that knew where every dewdrop rested, and a man with missing hair but confidence to make up for it. They left soon after, slipping out of the small room they were in and shutting the door behind them with nary a click.

“So, ah,” Big Sis said. “My name’s Taylor. We should all introduce ourselves, I think.”

“If that is what you wish,” she agreed easily. Not knowing her family; that left a pang in her chest that she just couldn’t accept. “I would love to know my sisters.”

Big Sis, Taylor, nodded. She seemed better, more settled, though still tired. To think, she had only just arrived and already her sister suffered from it.

A sister stepped up, soft smile like a fresh blanket over a warm bed. “I’m Crochet,” she said with a bow.

“Hello, Crochet,” she replied. “I look forward to knitting tighter bonds with you.”

The next sister snorted. Her ears, both large and cat-like, twitched atop her head as she sneered. “Stop trying to be so chill, that’s Crochet’s gimmick,” she said. “I’m Cheshire, the oldest and best ‘round here.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“There’s no need to be so cattish, Cheshire,” she replied without any real admonishment in her voice. It was merely a statement. There truly wasn’t any need for such. They were siblings.

The next sister nodded once. “Kon'nichiwa, imouto.” She stood tall and proud, the unbowed but immovable one, and yet there was something transient about her. She was the centre of attention for only a moment and yet it rankled her. “I am Poppu.”

“Hello,” she said simply. If her sister wished not to be noticed, then she would not notice her.

“I’m Remedy,” her next sister said. She had her arms crossed, a barrier to the world, though not one of stone and mortar but a wall of wind and unresolved fears. “I’ll be healing you when you get hurt.”

“I will try my hardest to stay hale and hearty then,” she said. “With how you seem now, perhaps your healing is a hard pill to swallow.”

“Oh my god,” the last of her sisters said. She was staring right at her, fox ears raised as if hearing the hounds and tail swishing behind her. “Have you been making puns this entire time?”

She smiled. "I failed to notice, but you look bright eyed and bushy tailed enough to catch any passing wordplay."

Big Sis choked on empty air. “Oh no,” she whispered faintly.

Tattletail’s expression shifted, confusion passing like a haze before being burnt away by a sunbeam smile. “Oh, we’re going to get along so well!” she said as she gave her a careful, almost delicate hug.

"You're not carrying any cooties are you? I might ask Remedy to vixenate me just in case," she said. "I'm afraid I'm not quite kit-ted out for catching puns."

Big Sis removed her head from where it lay betwist her hands. “I have the impression I know where this is going,” she mumbled. “Ah, do you have a name already?”

She shook her head. She had yet to do anything to earn a name, unlike her sisters. The gift had yet to be bestowed upon her, so nameless she was and nameless she would remain. “I’m afraid that I don’t, not yet.”

“That’s okay,” her biggest sister said. She reached down and carefully patted her hair, then ran her fingers through strawberry-blonde locks. “We’ll find you a great name. Ah, maybe something to do with your power?”

“My power is quite super, yes,” she agreed. “Maybe something simple?”

“Simple?” Big Sis asked. “You mean like a common name? Jessica, Olivia, Alice, Charlotte? Not something more... descriptive?”

One of those had felt right, like the puzzle piece that just fit -- with neither too much room nor too little and with just the right shape. “Alice,” she repeated. “I like Alice, for this time and place.”