I am alive. I am myself. Why?

[Rustling. Slow, measured.]

I have never worn this clothing. I have never seen these forms of plant life. It is unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. Am I meant to remain here?

[The girl's voice is soft and slightly monotone, and though it becomes even quieter now, her tone doesn't change at all.]

Ikari... is this...

[She must have made some sort of subtle gesture again, brushed against the Vine as she got up to walk, because out pops that mirror to reveal the speaker abruptly turning her head in its direction. It would be perfectly normal for her to react with visible fear or anger right about here, but that's not happening. All you get is one blink, two blinks, silence, followed by the slightest narrowing of eyes.]

Who are you.

[ooc | doot doot doot i'm gonna crash into bed shortly but just wanted to get this posted, so heads-up.]

[After some tinkering with the vine (which mostly resulted in scribbles and shouted swear words - feel free to have seen or heard them), Santana finally gets it right. Oh, look, a mirror. You're all treated to the image of her primping as she muses to herself.]

This is...insane. I am literally talking to cats. Like a crazy person. I feel homeless.

[Pause.]

Can anyone hear me? What kind of psycho dreamworld is this, anyway? This better not be some Alice In Wonderland shit, because if this Queen of Hearts starts getting axe-crazy, I will shank her.

I asked this cat where the nearest Breadstix was and it coughed up a freakin' hairball on me. Even after I took its damn scrolls. What are the scrolls even about, do these cats have any idea what century this is?

I never thought I'd say this, but I want to go back to Lima.

[There are noises--shuffling mainly. The video feed takes a while to pop up, but when it does, it reveals a girl with bright pink hair and blue eyes. It looks as if she is still wearing the white shift, but she has, at the least, put her uniform jacket on over it. She looks startled at the appearance of the mirror, and stumbles backward a bit.]

O-oi! Geez...this is really weird. Weirder than usual. I guess that stuff in the scroll was right... [she briefly looks annoyed, and mutters to herself:] Is this another trick?

[Her expression sobers.] I still don't get what's going on but...my name is Utena Tenjou. I'm sure this place is nice, but I have to get back to Ohtori, right away! Himemiya, she--

[She trails off, and looks troubled:] I need to get home.

[Instead of doing the smart thing and asking for information first on Vine, Asuka decides to explore around herself. Her journey brings her to the Arcade. Surely, she figures that she could get a connection to NERV and they would send a private plane to bring back home.

... The "getting connection" part isn't going very well. Painfully described as we hear Asuka kicking against one of the game machines.]

--This is so stupid! Don't tell me that technology around here is useless too! [And she finally notices the Vine is on.]

... Oh, how long has this thing been on? Well, whatever! The Queen or whoever is behind this is going to have to answer to me. If this really is a network, then some information behind this place would be... appreciated. But if it's not any help, then I'm cutting you off.

[The audio on the Vine is...a little more distorted than usual for this message. But that's definitely the Queen's voice coming out of it. Singing.]

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days
Of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us
Once more.

Through the years,
We all will be together
If the Fates allow.
Hang a shining star upon
The highest bough,
And have yourself a merry little...

I forget...how does it go?

Oh, it's so dark out. Won't you help me in these dark days, my darlings?

[She sounds distraught. And the snow begins to pile up...]

[There's a young girl trying to dodge one of the cats. She doesn't seem to have noticed the vine recording her.]

This is ridiculous. I need information, not a feline escort! Stay away from me, you stupid animal! Shoo! A-A-ACHOO!

[The cat takes the opportunity to move around and walk off, leaving the girl where she's fallen in the snow.]

...Well, found the library. Guess you could say it's, uh...technically educational? Not any real help, that's for sure. Least it got rid of my last few doubts 'bout why we're here, for better or worse.

[She eyes the snow and shakes her head, displeased.]

I'm getting real suspicious about the Queen, considering how much weirder and weirder she's been acting. I don't like it. I get the feeling things might get a bit rough soon.

[When the video comes into focus, it's showing a panicked girl. Not that anyone would be able to tell otherwise, due to her young age and less-than-mature figure. It's Sora, and she's pulled on her usual jacket and her crown necklace over the shift--far too worried to change completely.]

Wh-Where am I!? Where are my Islands!? Has anyone seen a Riku or a Kairi!?

[She's gripping at her hair, pulling at the spikes slightly. She looks around at the garden slightly, still obviously confused and distraught. This isn't her home, or anywhere near to what it should be. She's never seen any place like this! And considering that she just watched and fought as her home fell apart around her, she's not too sure about what to do.]

Please... Is there anything anyone can tell me!?