[Here's a face on the vine you haven't seen in a while, although you may or may not have noticed its absence. And, for what it's worth, Canada doesn't look a bit different, right down to the slightly curly pigtails. She's looking more than a little confused, though.]

Erm... under the assumption that there are still women here, I'm wondering if anyone has known a case where... well, you're allowed to go home, only to have to come back forty-some years later? It seems sort of counter-productive but, umm, who am I to judge the Queen, I suppose. [She goes quiet a moment, playing with the end of one of her pigtails.] I'm sure this is a silly question, for more reasons than one, but— What the heck is that?

[Not the question she was going for, but being suddenly distracted by a Lamia going about casually wrecking things tends to ruin trains of thought.]

[ A wrinkled face, unfamiliar to all, appears in the mirror. She looks unamused. ]

Well, well. Look what we have here. [ She sniffs in distaste. ] To, what is it again? Ah, the Queen's loyal subjects, do not irritate the citizens of the Hollow any more than you already have. If you must go traipsing around the Hollow, at least be polite and do something with yourselves to blend in. If you don't, and they attack you... well, that's not my problem, is it?

Furthermore, it's up to the Queen and her followers to stop this mess. The Hollow's citizens can only be policed in said realm, after all.

[ A raven flies down and perches on her shoulder. It leans into her ear as if it's telling her something. ] And, if you can get them back for me, you may be rewarded with... information. [ The Queen would hate that, wouldn't she? ]

Ah, yes. You may call me The Crone. But don't even think I'm one of the Queen's minions. [ The mirror goes black. ]

[With Veigue being too preoccupied to have done much of anything but changed into her regular attire and read up on the bare basics, the Vine has taken it upon itself to showcase the newcomer. Alas, its timing leaves a bit to be desired.

The Vine zones in from behind, catching the woman's back and a frontal view of an approaching (and clearly hostile) harpy. Sword drawn, Veigue charges and raises her weapon in time to block the harpy's talons from clawing at her face. She wrestles with the creature, dead set on overpowering her foe.

She mutters a few words, gradually rising in volume until she's loud enough for the Vine to pick up her voice. There's a coldness to her tone that indicates she's in no mood to be dilly dallying with her opponent.]

. . . where is she? [Veigue knocks the harpy aside with a heave of her broadsword.] Where's Claire!?

[As though sensing the woman's temper, the Vine furls and sneaks away with the mirror. The recording ends with an abrupt screech from the harpy.]