[Sora woke up and it took her several minutes to gain her bearings. Granted, that is a bit of a norm for her even when waking up in a normal place, but even so--she was thrown off because she was quite sure this wasn't where she went to sleep in the Gardens.

She also did not go to sleep wearing that plain white dress she and everyone else appear in. This was all very odd! The Vine--or, well, the people using it--seems to be very troubled. Sora did not have the slightest clue what was going on (certain croissant-haired girls would say that was nothing new), but she was not going to hesitate trying to figure it out.

Or at least helping people. She can leave the figuring out for afterwords.]

[ - Video - ]

Um, hello? I think something weird is going on. Oh, no, I know how to use the Vine thing, Mister--er, Miss Kitty. I wonder if all the animals here are girls, too? Is everyone okay?

I've got this feeling I missed something.

[The image on the vine is of a dark-haired, rough-looking woman. She doesn't seem particularly pleased with her situation—though she's doing her best to remain stoic, if you look closely you can see the way her jaw is tensed. A few seconds pass, and then she opens her mouth to speak.]

[She's not sure how to contact this Queen of Hearts person, but this is as good a bet as any.]

I refuse.

[Voice]

[There's a long silence. Did the Vine misfire? Apparently not, since after a few moments, someone speaks up, sounding quite upset.]

This is Fate T. Harlaown. I'd... like to apologize for my behavior during the past few days.

I know the curse is to blame, and several of us weren't in control of our actions because of it... but I still deeply regret it. The things I might have said or done... believe me, if I was in the right state of mind, they would have never happened.

[And that's... really all Fate has to say. If you want to handwave threading and say your character bumped into her during the time she was cursed, that's fine, but a heads-up would be nice.]

[Action]

[Castmates (or fellow residents), if you want to talk to her in person, you'll find Fate sulking in one of the rooms the group has claimed in the inn. Normally, Fate hated sulking... but hey, she compared her girlfriend to her mother and was pretty damn mean to her daughter. Her sulking is totally justified.]

[Mahalia looks incredibly tired, and her voice is a little croaky as she speaks into the mirror.]

I found Paderau. She was changed into something completely unlike herself. I understand she attacked some of you. I'm sorry I didn't stop her sooner.

[She dips her head a little, taking a breath.]

She's resting now. I just wanted to let everyone know she was safe, and that the creature wasn't... hunting anymore.

I hope everyone else that was transformed is doing better, too. This has been truly horrible.