( Well, if it was a dream, and it still seemed surreal enough for that to be the case, Ellie sure didn't seem to be waking up anytime soon. If it wasn't, then it was past time she get herself a little more familiar with the terrain and... maybe try and get away from those birds that were trying drape a chain of flowers into her hair.

In fact, that was what had her moving towards the outskirts of the jungle, quick smart, occasionally waving her arms over her head to try and get the things to just get lost. ) Bloody things. Rack off!

( Waking up on a bed of flowers, getting dressed by birds - it always looks fantastic when you were about six years old, but in practice? Weird. At least the jungle was close, though. She just hoped there weren't any wombats with ambitions as make-up artists.

Either way, maybe being out there would be a little better than being around more people - seemed like there a few weird ones about, whether or not it had anything to do with those chocolates she heard about. )

[ The Vine cuts in on the view of a woman; tall, about six feet in height in her bare feet, with a shock of wavy red hair, dressed in the white shift of a new arrival. Her skin is fair, though a close observer might notice a tint of red to it that is very distinctly not a blush — rather, it's her natural coloration.

She's swearing vehemently under her breath, dusting grass and leaves off of herself — apparently she's gotten a little lost in the Gardens. Only immense self-control is keeping her from getting more obviously angry; after all, she's in a garden, and even if she has no idea what's going on, she does not think it would be prudent to set the whole thing aflame were she to lose control of her anima.

There is a finely-worked breastplate of some red metallic material at her feet, and in her right hand a sword that appears to be of the same stuff. It's also almost as long as she is tall; one might wonder how she can lift it.

Eventually she looks up and finally notices the mirror; her eyes widen a little, and then she goes forthrightly over to it. It is not unusual in the Realm for mirrors to be used as communication devices by certain types of people (sorcerers), and she can only imagine that is what this is. ]

Excuse me? If this is working — I will speak with this 'Queen of Hearts.' Now. My name is Yseult of House Mnemon, and she will return me to the Blessed Isle. Or is this such a distant and uncivilized place that she is unaware the punishment for kidnapping one of the Dragon-Blooded is death?

This is ridiculous.

[ She's angry, and all kinds of imperious and bitchy. Someone might want to set her straight. ]

[A bright, blinding light fills the gardens, emanating from the new arrivals' clearing. It is strong enough to hurt one's eyes, but it has no other ill effects. After the initial flash, the Vine starts recording, so the mirrors, too, fill up with the light as it shines and then fades.

When it has grown dim enough, a figure is revealed, lying on the ground, dressed in the familiar white shift of a newcomer. She stirs at once, leaping up. Her eyes are wide, her face distorted with alarm and confusion as she cries out.]

Wassily--!

[She is about to say something else, but the light flares again, and the Vine takes this as a sign to stop recording.

A few minutes pass, and the woman reappears, facing the mirror, dressed plainly in black. The light from before is no longer in evidence, and she can be seen clearly. She is perhaps in her early thirties, with long blond hair. She is much calmer, and smiling, though she still shows signs of strain. She seems to have become aware of her surroundings and the situation, and her concern now is for those she is addressing as she speaks in a quiet voice.]

Hello--all of you. My name is Epsilon. Are there many of you here? Are you all right?

[Santana taps the vine and turns it on, and for a while, it's just quiet, save for a few shaky sighs that sound like the aftershocks of sobs. After a few minutes, she gains a little composure, and starts to talk.]

Has...anyone seen Brittany around? She was right here next to me when I went to bed last night, now she's gone. I've looked everywhere, I--

[Sniff.]

If anyone knows anything...