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

[forthecamera.livejournal.com]

[Rise is similarly relieved, but unlike Naoto doesn't nothing to hide it]

Naoto-kun! [she picks up the skirts of the strange white shift she's been dressed in and hurries over to her friend and it almost looks like she might hug her but she stops before her] You don't know how good it is to see you.

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

[she looks a bit flustered for a moment as Naoto charges over to her, although she looks a bit relieved when Rise stops short of hugging her.]

Likewise. It's comforting to see someone I know. But... [she pauses, frowning a bit.] It's unfortunate that you've gotten caught up in this mystery too.

[forthecamera.livejournal.com]

[she nods in agreement with her] But I'm sure with Naoto-kun here, we'll find a way back home!

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

Y-yes, of course. I won't let you down. [oh high expectations] But before that, if this is a serial kidnapping case I'll have to apprehend the one responsible.

[forthecamera.livejournal.com]

That'd be that Queen of Hearts woman, right? [her eyes look back towards the vines where the mirror once as]

She's not a very patient person, is she? But maybe we can use these to find her? [she touches the vines after a moments hesitation. She jerks back when a scroll unfurls from it, accompanied by what looks like a pen]

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

I believe so, though I won't jump to conclusions just yet.

We'll have to use whatever tools are at our disposal. [she just stares at the vine for a while, curious.] Are we supposed to write something?

[forthecamera.livejournal.com]

I guess? [she looks at the pen in her hand, then towards Naoto]

What should I write?

[shootsfortruth.livejournal.com]

Hm... well, perhaps we should ask it a question?