[ America shows up on the mirror, holding up a jar that seems to contain a ball of colorful light. ]

Hey, uh... did anyone else manage to catch one'a these? It was messing up my cute clothes, so I used a jar like that spooky lady said, but now what do I do with it?

Do you think they taste good?

[Baseball. A team sport where in you hit a ball with a bat and run across bases. Unlike what Sayaka is doing on the mirror, which is using a BROOM. Not that she's actually playing, but she is taking the stances and swinging. And she keeps going back to record herself at different angles too. You know, to make her look good at this!

She knows she isn't.]

... Okay, I'm starting to feel silly, does anyone have an actual baseball bat around here? Maybe a uniform to go along with it?

Or teams that have been made in secret? A game would be fun...

[ There's a very quiet 'uwah' followed by a moment of silence. This is followed by another sound of admiration, but since this is audio, it's hard to say who the voice might belong to, much less what it is that is so intriguing. Thankfully, the person responsible is about to provide some commentary. ]

How curious… [ Here she starts to fade in and out a little. ] Such a thing… it makes one feel like a princess. [ When she gets closer, the sound of fabric rustling can be heard. ] Is this being spirited away? I have never experienced such a thing! [ Now she sounds like she's getting more excited. ] Is it that I am the heroine now? [ Now she seems to be moving away, because the sound is getting more muffled again. She can still be heard talking to herself every so often though, and further 'uwah!'s and 'aaa's can be heard intermittently. ] ... so beautiful...

Aa! Am I addressing someone? Please excuse my rudeness. My name is Japan. [ More rustling can be heard, because it's just like her to bow even when she can't be seen. ] May I ask... to whom I am speaking...?

[Sora's airing the laundry when the mirror pops up! She might as well multi-task, she has nothing better to do right now.]

So, I've been thinking... I really like to cook, right? And I'm at least decent at it. So, um... Would anyone be interested if I offered cooking lessons every other week or something?

[All there really is to it. She's already trying to figure out where to do this. Needs plenty of space, and a big kitchen...]

[ America is standing in front of the large mistletoe in the orchard. ]

Have you guys seen this? And that sign over there? [ She points to the sign that says, "A surprise will come if all the berries fall!" ]

How do you think they fall? I tried throwing a baseball at it, but it didn't work. [ She frowns. ] I want to see a surprise, so someone help me out here!

[[Mistletoe threads are OK because America wouldn't notice she's standing under one anyway, so just tell me!]]

[There's no video, initially--only the sound of a basketball bouncing hollowly, the sound of sneakers scraping against the ground.

The video flickers on. Rose petals--white and red, flutter to the ground, from some unknown source. There's a slightly unnerving moment where girl-shaped shadows flicker along the surface of the mirror before Utena shows up, a triumphant expression on her face.]

Wow, it really worked! [She runs along the court, and the shadows chase after her, along the trees. They stop, one on each tree, facing one another, and seem to be in the midst of a conversation. Utena, however, appears unaware. She shoots a basket, she scores! The Shadow Girls go wild! Complete with shadow pompoms and shadow confetti.

The ball rolls to a stop at her feet, and she frowns and falls into a series of stretches.]

It's no fun without anyone else.

[The shadows appear to be squabbling. Utena scratches the back of her head, and starts to bounce the basketball around again.]

[ooc: Utena's made a basketball court. A...really weird one! Feel free to bug her! Aww yeah. If anyone points out the Shadow Girls to her, she won't notice them. Yeah, I don't get it either. lol weird ass canon.]

[There's some hesitation to see if the Vine is working as its supposed to, and then Japan clears her throat a little before speaking.]

I've been rather quiet since I've arrived here, haven't I? Ah... for those of you I haven't met yet, allow me to introduce myself. I am Japan. I came here quite some time ago, but I've been busy...

Ah, you see..! I'm quite skilled with creating things. I have been trying my very best to see what sorts of things I could put together in order to return us home, but I am not sure if a place like this really has anything. ...I have also been attempting methods like clutching a very important item and chanting while waiting for a transformation sequence, and spinning to see if I have gained any powers--!

However, nothing seems to work. So while I continue to ponder this... I'd be very happy to meet you.

[ooc: WOO went on an unofficial slowatus thing of sorts. I haven't been tagging around, but I hope to now!]

[Upon awaking, Romana had been lead to the vine, walking in a daze as if she was sleepwalking. This was all a dream right?

But after fiddling with the vine, she finds herself surprised when a small mirror appears. In her shock she mumbles to herself, lips pursed in annoyance] Cats that give letters, plants that that can be used as phones... why do I get the feeling that that puttana Inghilterra's behind all this. Definitely witchcraft after all.

[Scowls slightly, poking the vine hard enough to make the mirror shake slightly, before drawing her arm back quickly as if the plant will hit her back. Nothing happens, yet, so she settles for frowning, arms crossed, clearing her throat and speaking]

Right. So does anyone whose human, and actually meant to speak want to explain this? I feel like I'm going mad, trying to have a conversation with something that has paws.

And what the fuck are we supposed to building? I have enough to do as is, I don't need some do it yourself project as well.

((ooc: ahh sorry her intro post is so late, I just got lazy over the Chrissie break orz. But never fear, I am here!))

...this isn't so bad.

[Have a rare moment where Santana doesn't sound royally pissed off. You can find her gazing at the sky from the orchard, if you want.]

What kinds of games to people play outside?

As long as I can go outside whenever I want, I ought to learn how to enjoy it properly.

[ Spain is seen petting a cat, smiling at a mirror presented to her by the Vine. ]

Hola a todos~ Hello there everyone~ [ Looks down at the cat. ] So I talk into this mirror to talk to anyone? [ At the cat's blink and nod, she looks back up again. ]

Well, this place is certainly an eyeopener. It's very beautiful, and I'm hoping to meet someone who can show me the place better. [ Laughs a little when the cat bats at her leg, looking down at her again. ] Not that I dislike your company, gatita. I just want someone more, human-like to talk to.

[ Turns back to the mirror, waving slightly. ] So, anyone here available for friendly conversation?

[A lot of rustle is heard before a Vine is tugged close up to a sign]



[It pulls back to reveal Alpha, smiling widely and her shop behind her.]

It's done! Cafe Alpha is finished! Now, all I was able to find was tea, but I found a few coffee packages so I'll definitely save those for special occasions until I figure out how to get more. In the mean time, I found some tea leaves and will be growing my own plants in the back to make tea with.

[See this? She is proud. Proud of herself.]

So! Now that the storm is over, anyone want a nice hot cup of tea?



[OOC: Christmas kind of took over, so I waited until the event was over to post again. ^^;; This is forwarded to tomorrow morning as I'll be a little busy tomorrow. Mods, I hope this is okay! If not, let me know. :)]

[ America is snuggled into the sleeping bag as much as she can possibly be. It's too damn cold where is the Sun.

She groans, tossing and turning, eventually grabbing onto the nearest person. She has not yet noticed that there is not supposed to be a person there... Or, in fact, two. But hey, she has people who will listen to her complain! ]

Someone turn the Sun back on, OK?

[After some tinkering with the vine (which mostly resulted in scribbles and shouted swear words - feel free to have seen or heard them), Santana finally gets it right. Oh, look, a mirror. You're all treated to the image of her primping as she muses to herself.]

This is...insane. I am literally talking to cats. Like a crazy person. I feel homeless.

[Pause.]

Can anyone hear me? What kind of psycho dreamworld is this, anyway? This better not be some Alice In Wonderland shit, because if this Queen of Hearts starts getting axe-crazy, I will shank her.

I asked this cat where the nearest Breadstix was and it coughed up a freakin' hairball on me. Even after I took its damn scrolls. What are the scrolls even about, do these cats have any idea what century this is?

I never thought I'd say this, but I want to go back to Lima.

[ The mirror turns on and a girl is fidgeting in the white shift, she is slowly picking up all her clothes while muttering things, she obviously doesn't realize the mirror is on. ]

This white thing is so...ugh. Why would anyone put anyone in this? I don't get it! Putting someone in their own clothes isn't that bad, right? Is it some crime to put people in their own clothes when you kidnap someone? Do we all have to look like some fashion train wreck or something--

[ Pauses for a bit. ]

...who even took off the clothes....

[ Silence, she seems a bit distressed at this so instead she ignores the thought and opens her cellphone, trying to make a call but obviously that doesn't work. ]

Are you kidding me? [ Groans, she is about to slink back on the ground and whine a bit more but her hat falls down and is getting chewed on by a rabbit. ]

Hey! I don't think that's even good for you to eat! Give it back! [ The rabbit keeps ignoring her and keeps chewing on her hat. ] I said give it back! HEY!

HEY MY BEST FRIEND MADE THAT HAT FOR ME SO YOU BETTER STOP.

[Finally... finally, she had a gun! Or at least, she was pretty sure it was a working, proper firearm. She'd put a lot of time and a lot of effort into getting the damned parts to form just right out of memory. As much as she wanted to berate herself for not knowing the parts to her AR-7 better, it was a good mental exercise that would definitely make her that much better at her trade.

Now, though, she has the completed weapon in her hands, and a crude target set up on a tree...

Crack! One sharp, light report, and only just off from the center of the target by a hair there was a smoking hole. Larry literally shouted in joy before taking her tools to the gun to see how the parts she'd created from memory held up, a supremely content smile on her face.]

_{[There's Rei, sitting in her impromptu campsite, going through the remains of the groceries she'd gotten from the wishing. She snaps her fingers in frustration.]}

I'm out of tea. I don't suppose any of you have some?

[Japan can be seen gathering her neatly folded clothes to her chest, shuffling with them nervously before she speaks.]

Ah, I believe-- um, these cats are quite kind. How are they trained? This seems... [she pauses thoughtfully, glancing down at herself. there's some faint blushing, but she moves on with her speaking.]

It's almost as if I'm in a rather main role! What a surprising thing to be thrown into so suddenly. [she says this with the slightest bit of energy, but quickly backs down with an attempt at a stern voice.]

This is not a dream, is it? Is anyone there? America-san, please warn me if you are going to have me in a movie! ...A simple warning was all I needed.

[The mirror pops into view, flickers a few times, then reveals the Queen of Hearts once again, still against a dark background. This time, there's a holly wreath perched atop her hair.]

I'm sorry I haven't had the time to listen to all your helpful suggestions, darlings! It turns out creating a world is hard work...ahahaha, who knew?

Besides, I'm feeling a bit...

[She trails off, looking absently to the side, then quickly readjusts her wreath and continues.]

Anyway! One of my less tame incarna has shown her face, has she? I may not like her attitude, but I think she had a good idea this time. There are so many ways to enjoy this season, but this might be the best!

Now, I have work to do. At this rate, the whole place will fall down around my ears while I'm working on opening the dungeons...ah, it's enough to drive a girl crazy!

[And the mirror shrivels back up. But the mistletoe, that remains, wherever you are...]

[OOC: The Queen won't be replying to comments directed at her (she is, like she said, busy), but this post is free to be used for general mistletoe antics and mingling so that everyone who wants to make use of the mistletoe doesn't have to make a whole post.]

[At first, there's nothing but static, a low-pitched hum and sharp breathing as Larxene tries to gather herself.]

I don't know where this is or what you've done with me, but this pathetic, girly little set up is just disgusting. All these flowers smell, and just the sight of them is already getting on my nerves. I'm disappointed.

[Her voice is just as girly as she's describing the setting to be, high and almost playfully overdramatic in tones. There's an underlying hint of malice, and she pauses to study her surroundings, the static flaring again as she breathes.]

Marluxia, if this is your work, then I expect you to show yourself. Anyone else? You might as well do the same, or else I'll do it for you.