⋙ Mission IV

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

[ Action ⋗ Arrival ]

[ Upon awaking, it takes Lamia a few moments to register her surroundings. Trees, animals, her clothes...

A very strong sense of déjà vu hits her. It is as though she had returned somewhere that she left long, long ago, but at the same time she felt she has never left. ]

The Gardens...? What's happened to me?

[ Video ⋗ Public ]

[ Having been here before, even if she felt inexplicably hazy about it all, makes it much easier to figure out what to do.

...Which isn't much, to be honest.

So, a beautiful, busty woman still clad in her default wear appears on the Vine. ]

I am Lamia Loveless. I've been here before, but it seems like I've been gone for a while. I'm not sure how long...

[ A beat. There weren't many people she knew from before, so she wracks her processors to think of someone she remembers from here. ]

Signum. I think that's--are you still here?

Comments

Video

[alchemistsquery.livejournal.com]

[Can it be!? There is no doubt, this is one of Excellen's dear friends. Alfimi moves a hand to her cheek, wondering if she's really seeing this.]

... ... Lamia!

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

[ What is this? Is this...the human emotion of shitting oneself in shock? There is no way Lamia could forget the girl with similar circumstances to herself but had not be so lucky in the end.

...At least, that is what she remembers happening. Now she definitely wonders if something in her programming is going haywire. ]

Alfimi? How can this be?

[alchemistsquery.livejournal.com]

I don't know! [Alfimi's eyes stir with emotion.] Persönlichkeit fell apart... I died... I really thought I did! But... then I woke up here!

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

[ What should she say to that? ]

That's good.

[alchemistsquery.livejournal.com]

It ...is. [She doesn't sound 100% certain, a twinge of guilt in her voice.]

If you're here, then- what of Kyosuke and Excellen? Are they alright? Are they here?

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry; as far as I know, neither are here. Both are fine last I knew, though.

[ It's only been a couple months since she had spoken with the two of them, but being off in freezing Middle-of-Nowhere not even THEY could get into trouble. ]

I do know they would be happy to see you.

[alchemistsquery.livejournal.com]

Oh. [The disappointment is evident, but just seeing a familiar face in the Gardens is still very relieving to Alfimi.]

Lamia... After we defeated Stern Regisseur... you told me that I could join everyone... that it was my decision.

Even after what I've done... what the Einst did... do you still feel that way?

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

I do; after all I and the Shadow Mirror had done, Excel and everyone else accepted me. I didn't understand why, but I understand it better now, being on the other side.

Even though we've fought so many times and the Einst caused much damage, I'd accept you as an ally and friend if you wish.

[alchemistsquery.livejournal.com]

[She still couldn't understand how such kindness was possible. It made her feel warm inside.] We... we can be friends!? I'd like that. ...Very much!

I don't know what to do. I don't have any purpose here. But I want to find out who I am.

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

[ It was odd, but for some reason Lamia could actually see Excellen and Lemon in Alfimi. Already knowing about this place's habits, "Keep Alfimi Safe" has now skyrocketed to Priority #1. ]

Then we have that in common, Alfimi.

[alchemistsquery.livejournal.com]

Really? Maybe we can both find out.

It... might sound odd, but I feel like... I want to go to where you are and... talk to you in person. Is that strange?

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

No, not at all.

[ The idea that someone else may be asking her what is normal or not for humans is bittersweet to her. ]

I would like to see you in person, as well.

[alchemistsquery.livejournal.com]

If you are in the area where people generally show up, I am not far. I am near a place they call "The Necessities."

If you have no objections... I'll head to where you are.

[brustriese.livejournal.com]

...Lamia? You're back?

[Signum's heard of people leaving and coming back before, but this is the first time it was someone she knew personally.]

Are you alright?

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

I am and...I see you're still here. I am fine.

[brustriese.livejournal.com]

Yes. My...compatriots all seem to have been removed from the Garden somehow, but I remain.

Do you have any recollection of how you returned here?

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

None at all. Do you happen to know how long I've been gone? It feels like both a long time and none at all, somehow.

[brustriese.livejournal.com]

Well, the last I remember seeing of you it seemed to be ah...

*ahem*

Christmas, so if we take this place's calendar as being the same as Earth's, it's been almost exactly six months from our perspective.

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

Six months?!

[brustriese.livejournal.com]

From your reaction, I assume I can verify the theory that time passes differently in this dimension than in our home ones.

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

I would assume so. It's certainly plausible. Still, it feels almost as though I had never left.

[ Six months ago for you, Signum? For her, it was only a week ago that the two of you made out.

OH WHOOPS DID YOU FORGET THAT. Lamia had, actually, too, until now. ]

[brustriese.livejournal.com]

[Signum had until Lamia showed up again. Somehow, it brought the memory back with startling clarity.]

Hm...I wish someone with a better grasp of dimensional travel was still here.

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

...I know someone whose knowledge is unequaled in that regard, but I doubt there's any chance that person will show up here.

[brustriese.livejournal.com]

Male, or just unlikely to be captured by the Queen?

[angelgressor.livejournal.com]

Both.

[ ... ... ... ]

And I may have also helped him destroy the tool that would allow us to escape from here.