1st Heart [Video / Action]

[seraphista]

[To say Sapphire was displeased at finding herself here would be an understatement. Was this a kidnapping? Some kind of sorcery? Either way, she couldn't be certain that she wasn't in danger, so she has her sword drawn as she explores the Gardens, and the Vine has brought forth a mirror to record each and every one of her words and movements.]

To whoever is in charge, I ask that you show yourself! If this is simply a misunderstanding, then I believe we can resolve things peacefully, but if this is a kidnapping… that is unforgivable!

[She tightens her grip on her sword, and she bits her lower lip before speaking again, this time in a whisper.]

What sort of place is this? It seems so eerily calm…

Comments

[seraphista]

Please don't worry about it. My status likely won't mean much here, but it's a force of habit.

[Although just a little while ago she had been pretending to be a prince.]

[notvitiligo]

Depends on the person. One of my housemates is pretty big on proper etiquette stuff. Of course, you'll probably run into people who'll make a Thing out of it, but I guess you'd know about that already.

[seraphista]

Yes, I am all too familiar with that. But even so, just simple politeness should suffice. It's blatant rudeness I'd rather not tolerate.

[notvitiligo]

Oh, we have plenty of those! Well... I think the worst offenders have gone home, but I've seen a few jerks around.

Hah, anyone who thinks girls are all sweetness and light should come here.

[seraphista]

Mm...

[She's met more than her fair share of people who think like that, and it hasn't done much for her confidence.]

So... there are many types of women here?

[notvitiligo]

Definitely. Pretty nice variety, really. In terms of personality and skillsets.

[seraphista]

So there's no pattern to what kind of women are brought here?

[notvitiligo]

None so far. The only thing everyone has in common is being a girl. Woman. Whatever. Two X chromosomes.

[Because Sapphire will totally get that! Also it's not totally accurate, but Jessica doesn't know that.]

[seraphista]

...and what is an "X chromosome"?

[notvitiligo]

Oh, sorry. Um... It's basically the thing that makes you a girl. Physically. (Except sometimes when other things change it, but...)

[seraphista]

But that's determined by the hearts we receive from God at birth!

[And for a time Sapphire had ended up with two hearts.]

[notvitiligo]

And various genetic factors. Unless your world is extremely different from mine. I mean, I never believed in magic before I came here, so I won't write that off immediately.

[seraphista]

How very strange, and we're both human...

Ah, does magic not exist in your world?

[notvitiligo]

Well, I have yet to see any real evidence of it. Generally, "magic" just ends up being "something we haven't figured out yet."

[seraphista]

If only it were so simple... It's still hard to believe that different worlds exist, I must admit.

[notvitiligo]

You get used to the idea after a while. Honestly, a lot of the stuff here is weirder than any of the other world business.

[seraphista]

I'd rather not be here long enough to get used to things here, but I suppose I don't have a choice.

[notvitiligo]

Not really. We haven't figured out why anyone leaves, or comes here. It may be completely random.

[seraphista]

When a person leaves, do they just vanish?

[notvitiligo]

Exactly. Here one day, gone the next, no warning.

[A subtle morose cast crosses her features.]

[seraphista]

Mm... you've seen it happen before?

[notvitiligo]

Repeatedly.

Recently.

[seraphista]

Ah, I'm sorry. I can't imagine how hard that is to deal with.

[notvitiligo]

It's cool... I mean, it helps that they get to go home. And most of the people I, uh, lost didn't really like being here, so...

[seraphista]

So you're certain they get to return home? That is a relief, at the very least.