and something grows.

[rosestolilies.livejournal.com]

[Wherever you are, so long as you're here already, a vine unfurls, and unfurls, and unfurls until it's holding a lifesize mirror. For a moment there's only darkness in it, and then someone steps out of the shadows and into view: a woman.]

You're here already! Isn't it wonderful? I hope it's wonderful. You see, I've been working so hard to make things right; there's still work to be done, of course, but I think it's good enough for now, don't you? I'm so happy to see you! All of you. It's been a long time...

Oh, oh, did I forget to introduce myself? I was so excited.

I'm...

[Her gaze goes distant, her expression misty and faraway.]

I am the Queen of Hearts.

You're going to love it here!

[Without further ado, the mirror curls back up.]

Comments

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

[Naoto's going to keep her cool, because panicking wouldn't accomplish anything.]

I don't even know where to begin. That was hardly a sufficient explanation of anything.

[gotyourpics.livejournal.com]

[Oh cool, so that makes two of us.]

That's why I'm going to ask a few questions.

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

Somehow, I don't think that will do much good.

[gotyourpics.livejournal.com]

It doesn't hurt to try, does it?

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

No, I plan to do the same.

[ Voice ]

[ichangedforgood.livejournal.com]

Reading does a surprising amount of good as well.

[ Voice ]

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

Have you found reading materials that provide insight into the situation?

[ Voice ]

[ichangedforgood.livejournal.com]

Miss Heart's provided some of the insight herself.

[ Voice ]

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

Has she? Thus far all I've heard is cryptic statements with little substance.

[ Voice ]

[gotyourpics.livejournal.com]

I'm working on doing that, too. I'm not going to let anything get past me.

[ Voice ]

[ichangedforgood.livejournal.com]

You're a professional at that sort of thing, are you?

[gotyourpics.livejournal.com]

Great. If you find anything out, could you let me know?

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

Yes, it would probably be best for us to compare notes if we discover anything.

[gotyourpics.livejournal.com]

Of course. The sooner we can get this information, the better. Who knows how useful it's going to be?

[hotshot-momma.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I'm not sure the hostess knows exactly what's going on, but from the sound of things she knows a lot more than what she told us.

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

For starters, I'm curious just what she is trying to "make right". Words like that rarely mean anything good.

[hotshot-momma.livejournal.com]

Words that vague, you mean?

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

No, statements that pretentious.

[hotshot-momma.livejournal.com]

...I think we'll get along.

Major Anna Lin. Not that the Major counts for much.

[Note that she cannot be out of her late teens.]

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

Naoto Shirogane.

[she stares for a bit, assessing her age.] You're in the military at your age?

[hotshot-momma.livejournal.com]

By default. We were kind of hurti...

That's right. There are people here apparently past their teens. That's... interesting.

[rosestolilies.livejournal.com]

My dear, that's where your spirit of adventure comes in.

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

I figured as much. You don't plan to just answer our questions, do you? That would be too easy.

[rosestolilies.livejournal.com]

But I've made things easy for you...in all the right ways, of course.

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

And how exactly have you done that?