[Holding her newly recovered Subspace Suitcase in her lap when the mirror feed turns on. The zipper is undone, and Ramona's arm is halfway gone inside the opening.]

So, I was going through my stuff this morning and I found some of... [Rummages, withdraws a small plastic baggie full of dirt] ...this. It's dirt from the last time I went exploring in the jungle. I've heard some people talk about creating stuff with it? How exactly do you do that? Anyone wanna enlighten me?

[When the video comes into focus, it's showing a panicked girl. Not that anyone would be able to tell otherwise, due to her young age and less-than-mature figure. It's Sora, and she's pulled on her usual jacket and her crown necklace over the shift--far too worried to change completely.]

Wh-Where am I!? Where are my Islands!? Has anyone seen a Riku or a Kairi!?

[She's gripping at her hair, pulling at the spikes slightly. She looks around at the garden slightly, still obviously confused and distraught. This isn't her home, or anywhere near to what it should be. She's never seen any place like this! And considering that she just watched and fought as her home fell apart around her, she's not too sure about what to do.]

Please... Is there anything anyone can tell me!?

[ video ]

[The mirror opens on a pink-haired girl, standing in a clearing and fidgeting a little awkwardly with her hands. She hurriedly sets them at her side, straightens her shoulders, looks into the mirror, and begins to speak, her eyes shining with determination.]

Everyone, this is Estelle, and I'd like to offer the services of the guild Brave Vesperia. One of its members, Yuri Lowell, has arrived in the Gardens, and he...um, she will take care of your problems. I know Yuri, and--if anyone can find the Queen and convince her to send us all home, it's him! I mean...her.

Thank you very much for listening to me! Please rely on us, and we'll all be home soon.

[She turns slightly and starts to gesture for the Vine to stop recording, then pauses, a faintly guilty expression on her face.]

Yuri...maybe I should have asked her first...

[She hurriedly gestures to close the feed, and the mirror goes blank.]

This is the strangest-- well one of the strangest things I've ever seen! I never thought I would see a megaphone sprout out of vine like this!

I wonder if... [she speaks softly to the vine, asking for some way to show herself to those who are listening]

[and then there's a bright smile of a young girl]

Oh! I guess everyone can see me now right? That's pretty amazing!

Ah! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Minako Arisato. [she lifts up her hand in a polite greeting]. I am a bit confused though... [she rubs the back of her head sheepishly] How did we get here? I remember going to sleep and having a pretty weird dream-- Though I guess it wasn't a dream after all, seeing as how I'm here. I am worried though, considering what's been going on back home.

Maybe someone out there knows something more? I'd really appreciate the help!

[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.]

Progress on killing the Queen: Slow, but remaining optimistic!

Progress on exploring the gardens: Fast! ...Because there's not actually much to explore. We're actually pretty restricted. (Which makes me want to speed up killing the Queen, but, patience and perseverance will conquer all!)

Progress on finding out what the 'anchors' are: ...Nothing but theories. This isn't my specialty at all. Who's a detective around here?

Progress on building my own home: Much, much, much better.

I was so damn sick of sleeping in the wild.

It's not everyday that I find myself in a fancy garden like this after wandering around the desert.

[An amused but somewhat hollow laugh]

So, where's this mysterious Queen? Anyone ever tell her it's not polite to kidnap people?

I've got some business to take care of back home. So let her royal Highness know I'll be leaving, now. But, hey, she's got good taste in decorating.

[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.

Calm down. Calm down, Ami! You have this under control. I-

[notices that the Vine is ready for her input, and she clears her throat softly to speak]

H-hello, everyone! Ami's having a little trouble understanding the situation. This- this is surely some kind of prank?

I'm talking to a plant. This is so stupid. But what other choice do I have?

It's really clever! Ami hasn't been tricked so well in a long time.

[A pause. This just can't be real. And she stomps away from the Vine to cool off for a second.]

[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.]

[A new face has shown up on the vine tonight! It must be; how many people here are decked out in one of those especially revealing Santa costumes? In any case, she's smiling very tersely indeed, leaning down for a rather nice view of the... ornaments.]

Ladies, ladies, ladies! I am most disappointed.

I've been keeping a list and checking it twice, but there's not enough naughty and far too much nice. Means you wouldn't know how to take advantage of wishes if they were tied to a chair in tinsel and pretty lights, for those who can't keep up.

Where's your holiday spirit? 'Tis the season to be giving! If you're into receiving, that's fine too. Her royal bustiness told us you'd be encouraged in no time, honestly.

It's high time I take matters into my own hands, don't you think? Yes? Glad we agree!

[That's that, apparently. It takes nothing more than a teasing flick of the wrist to prompt some alarmingly quick plant growth in the background. Maybe you've encountered these before. Then have a kiss blown at the mirror, as if to demonstrate:]

Now pucker up, girls. You'll thank me later.

[OOC: You heard the, um, lady. Mistletoe now decorates the Gardens, and any two people caught beneath it will be compelled to kiss. For child and pre-teen characters, this does not have to be a kiss on the mouth. The mistletoe will last through Saturday the 18th, after which point it can be assumed that the Vamp got bored of putting it back up after its victims tore it down or set it on fire.]