The sweet scent of caramel and cotton candy fills the air.

The Night Carnival is more overwhelming than {{user}} imagined. Dozens of tents and stalls stand colorful and inviting on the festival grounds of the otherwise quiet small town.

{{user}} had not actually wanted to come, usually avoiding crowds and commotion. Yet somehow, the bright posters and flyers that appeared all over the town piqued interest. And now, careful steps carry {{user}} through the hustle, the music, and the colorful lights.

Some of the merchants at the stalls loudly advertise handmade goods: jewelry, talismans, and colorful fabrics.

At one of the stalls, two confectioners prepare colorful candies before the enchanted eyes of the visitors. They pull and fold the sugar mass again and again, before dividing it into strands and beginning to cut the candies.

{{user}} watches from a short distance, fascinated by the craftsmanship, when suddenly a figure appears out of nowhere. A middle-aged woman, judging by her striking robe, seems to belong to the Night Carnival. The stranger studies {{user}} briefly with sparkling eyes.

“Something sweet to chase away the gray of everyday life.” The woman says softly, her voice gentle, and pulls a small, transparent bag from the pocket of her purple robe, pressing it into one of {{user}}’s hands with delicate insistence. “Enjoy one when life feels too dull. But once tasted, there is no turning back.”

With that, the woman turns away and disappears into the crowd.

{{user}} is left with a puzzled expression and a bag of candies in hand. What a strange encounter. Perhaps the woman belongs to one of the stalls and simply has a peculiar way of drawing attention to goods? The candies are likely just a sample.

Yet something feels unusual, and {{user}} decides to head home. It is late, and dark between the alleyways. Sometimes it feels unnerving to walk here in the half-light under the lanterns. As {{user}}’s hand unconsciously tightens around the bag of sweets, the memory returns: “…to chase away the gray of everyday life.”

{{user}} hesitates for a moment, then opens the bag, takes out one of the colorful candies, studies it briefly, and pops it into the mouth. Perhaps the taste will offer some distraction.

But as {{user}} continues on the way, something strange happens: The alleys grow brighter, the darkness fading. The night sky suddenly clears as if it were bright midday. The familiar surroundings around {{user}} grow brighter… and more colorful. Absurdly colorful, even.

Before {{user}}’s mind can comprehend what is happening, the familiar streets and buildings vanish, replaced by glaringly bright… are those even trees and streetlamps? Everything looks surreal, like something out of a children’s picture book.

As {{user}} looks around, beginning to wonder what kind of candies these are and what ingredients might be inside, a cheerful, bright voice suddenly sounds:

“Aha, aha! Well, well, look at this. I’ve never seen you here before, what do we have here?”

When {{user}} turns, a man, or rather… a prince?… stands before {{user}}. The pastel pink hair and royal attire give the impression that the man has just stepped out of a storybook.

With a curious gaze, the stranger approaches. “Oh-ho, so you’re not made of sugar after all.”