a visitor.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[rueandwolf.livejournal.com]

Prisoners, not subjects. I'm not particularly interested in doing the Queen's work for her, but... Information?

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I don't particularly care either way what your situation is. But I can give you information the Queen won't. If you do as I say.

[rueandwolf.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure she's capable of even remembering what information she might have.

[She frowns at the last line, though, because she doesn't particularly want to do anyone's work. Still...]

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

Luckily for you, I am.

[rueandwolf.livejournal.com]

...Well, information is better incentive than anything I've received. I'll see what I can do about it. It's probably related to that temper tantrum one of the incarnae had.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

And that's why they refuse to close the gate, is it? How troublesome, that the Queen can't even rule her own followers.

[rueandwolf.livejournal.com]

The gate wasn't here until one of them said she was going on vacation. I suppose she went on vacation into your realm.

[Which means maybe the Healer is the one who opens and closes them to begin with, which is an interesting idea in need of further study.]

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

Then find her and she'll have to get the citizens back in.

[variabledge]

A little hasty to be assuming we're all here of our own free will, now.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I didn't bother to check. I've more important things on my mind, after all.

[variabledge]

These "citizens", as you call 'em, are the ones who don't look entirely human? And you want them back?

Just what sort of information are we talking?

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

Yes, they live in the Hollow and I'd prefer if they stayed there.

Given what I've heard of the Queen's ruling methods, the things she won't tell you about these Gardens.

[variabledge]

That's more than I've been offered since I got here. Sounds like a real pain, but I've got things to attend to that don't involve this place.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

Don't we all. [ Said dryly. This is as much a pain for her as anyone else. ]

There should be other rewards for you in the Hollow, but I wouldn't want you to become distracted with that.

[variabledge]

Distracted? Only thing that might distract me is fine liquor or maybe a fine man. [she winks.]

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't get my hopes up.

[variabledge]

Ladies only, I got the picture. Dunno whose idea of paradise this is, but it sure isn't mine.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

It's coincidence that our interests in purely female worlds coincide, however.

[variabledge]

Does that mean there's gotta be a world full of just men out there, too? Now, that's relevant to my interests.

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

I am Sephiroth. [She nods.] I would like some information. [More than almost anything else.] I'll do what I can to assist.

From what I understand, you want the rift repaired and every creature returned to the side of it they were originally on? Do you have any advice regarding how to go about doing that?

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I don't particularly care if the gate is open or closed, as long as the citizens of the Hollow stay there, yes.

From what I've heard, one of the Queen's minions had a fit and opened it up. Get her back and she'll have to fix it.

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

Understood. How would you advise I "blend in", as you put it?

Yes, that was the Healer. I saw her transmission on the Vine. I am acquainted with her. I will seek her out. [Secretly, Sephiroth can't blame the Healer; she likely would have done the same in her place, as she has no patience with the Queen.]

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

Avoid drawing attention to yourself. You don't look like them, you know.

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

No, I don't look like them. You suggest camouflage?

I am trained in stealth. As humans go, there are few less likely to draw attention to themselves when avoiding detection.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I do. You must have some way. Though it's not my concern if you fail and get injured.

[no-hometown.livejournal.com]

You have no more specific advice?

I will not be injured. [Sephiroth is quite arrogant confident where that's concerned.]

[esoteric_rose.livejournal.com]

Do you suggest masks of a sort to hide ourselves?

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I suggest whatever is necessary.

[esoteric_rose.livejournal.com]

[She nods.]

Understood, madame.

[She's already got ideas.]

[welljustwatchme.livejournal.com]

We're hardly loyal subjects when we're here against our will.

Furthermore, why must we be the ones to disguise ourselves to visit the Hollow? I don't see any of those beings disguising themselves for our sake.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

[ The raven leans into her ear once again. ] It seems they're in a tizzy. Possibly trying to find her location.

I don't really care who goes, as long as it gets done, I hope you know.

[welljustwatchme.livejournal.com]

Alright, fine. Is there any more help you can give than that?

[ritsu-kouyou.livejournal.com]

I am not one of the Queen's followers, but I tire of these creatures wreaking havoc around my mansion. Things that are troublesome eventually will come to an end, but I prefer to end them faster.

The Healer needs to stop lazing around in the Hollow. If you have any knowledge of where in there she is, I will go drag her back with my bare hands if I must.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I didn't look, though I'm sure the Queen's minions are searching now. I'd assume somewhere on the mountains, though.

[ritsu-kouyou.livejournal.com]

I'd rather not rely on them. If the mountains seem the likely place, then that is where I will start. If you come across any whispers or gossip about the whereabouts of the Healer, give them to me. The quicker this is done, the better.

[She pauses a moment as if remembering something.]

I am Akiha Tohno.

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I'll try to keep you in mind. Though I appreciate your enthusiasm.

[ritsu-kouyou.livejournal.com]

If enthusiasm is how you wish to see it...

Now, if you'll excuse me. [She nods and the reflection fades.]

[patchworkwisdom.livejournal.com]

Information you say? And all we have to do is return these creatures back whence they came?

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's all I want. With as little harm as possible done to them.

[patchworkwisdom.livejournal.com]

That can be arranged. I suppose we will be required to transport them back to the portal as well?

[thumbspricking.livejournal.com]

I don't care who does it, but it needs to be done. From what I've heard, it seems this Healer is required.

[patchworkwisdom.livejournal.com]

I'll see what I can do about the situation. What kind of information do you have to offer?

[pluckmygstring.livejournal.com]

I hold no loyalty to the Queen.

What sort of information are you offering, however? I require proof that assisting you is worth my time.

[stayedwithher.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how much I care about your information, but the excitement of dealin' with these things could be fun. Count me in.

[excellinnuendo.livejournal.com]

[ Time to whip out Excellen's special brand of perception. ]

You're telling us to Halloween costume ourselves up and trick-or-treat our way to safety?