1st ❄ [video]

[persical]

[The mirror shows what should be a familiar sight by now--a young woman in a white arrival's dress. Except...this one has the wide slit-pupiled eyes and animate ears of...a cat. The gaze she examines the mirror with is intelligent and curious, and she sits back after a moment. Her face sets with determination, the voice issuing from her clear and firm.]

Your Majesty. I'm not sure I understand what's going on, but...if I am the one you truly need, please let these other girls go. They've done you no harm, and their families miss them dearly.

And as far as I understand-- [she looks down for a moment, showing the briefest sign of hesitation.] You've...obtained what you wanted, right? There's no need to continue this any further. And my friends...Veigue...I don't want anyone to come to any more harm.

If you can hear me, please stop this. You're the one with the power to do so.

[her expression isn't pleading; it's almost sad. The mirror seems to take this as a cue to go dark.]

Comments

[persical]

But...there's only one Queen. Queen Agarte of Callegea.

[manymasked]

Ah, I'm not sure how to say this, but wherever you come from, you're not there anymore. I don't just mean you're in a different town or country — this is somewhere... else.

[persical]

A different...world.

The others said something like that, but it's incredible to me...I'm just a girl from a country village, you see. The world is big enough that I can't even begin to imagine more than one.

[manymasked]

Mm, I think pretty much everyone has a hard time getting their mind around it at first. I was pretty confused myself.

[persical]

It's amazing, though. Just think--we're meeting people we never might have normally.

[trust Claire to see the upside to a kidnapping.]

[manymasked]

Mm, it's been really interesting having the opportunity to learn about people from different worlds.

[persical]

Have you seen anyone from your home at all, by any chance?

[manymasked]

No, I don't think any of my friends are here. Why do you ask?

[persical]

I was just wondering how likely it would be to see someone I knew, but...I'm sorry. That must be hard.

[manymasked]

It's all right. Of course, I'd like to see my friends again, but like you said, there are plenty of interesting people to meet here, as well. And you never know — your friends and mine might show up eventually.

[persical]

Is that more likely than returning home, do you think?

[manymasked]

... You know, I'm not sure. There must be more people coming in than leaving or the Gardens would be empty before long, but I don't know how usual it is for multiple people who already know each other to show up.