[The Vine's mirror-like screens show a certain girl with a very, very frustrated look upon her face.]

Can someone here please explain how to get these infuriating--

[A few small birds flutter down and place an ever-so-pretty band of flowers atop Azula's head. She responds by grabbing the flowers, throwing them to the ground, and directing her attention to the birds.]

I have already told you that I do not want flowers in my hair. Go...Go eat some grubs or whatever it is feathered forest pests do!

[After the birds flutter away, she sighs, collects herself, and returns her attention to the Vine.]

As I was saying: It seems the birds here have taken a...liking to me and I would like to know if anyone has any ideas as to why or, better yet, suggestions as to how to get them to stop. I casually mention one thing about being a princess around a few animals and they start to swarm m--

[As if on queue, several more tiny birds flutter down and place another ever-so-very-very-very-pretty wreath of flowers atop the princess's head. Without making any other movements, Azula grabs the flowers from atop her head, holds them in front of herself, and makes them disappear in a flash of bright blue fire and smoke.]

Why, yes. Charbroiled bird does sound delicious. Time to make dinner.

[The birds were already fluttering away, but Azula turns and waves a hand above her head--a stream of blue fire chases behind the birds, but disappears before actually coming into contact with them.]

[Today, now that the snow has somewhat cleared up in the Orchards, people out there looking for food might stumble across Signum apparently taking an uncharacteristic nap under a tree.]

[If you look closer, she has a fishing pole propped up nearby where she can hear any movement of the line by a fish - she decided to provide some fish for dinner tonight. Trout, if she can catch it, since you don't really get those in Japan or Midchilda.]

[That's not the whole story behind her closed eyes and unusually relaxed posture, though. She's meditating, in a sense, trying to feel the magic that's being used to maintain and continue to create this place. She's no expert on the mystical side of the arts she uses, but lacking anything further in this place to give mere visual reconnaissance, she's decided to attempt focusing more on different places in particular, feeling the flow of mana and leylines, with the vague fuzziness of living things with Linker Cores wandering around her, including the almost nonexistant little phantoms of the dumb fish that were ignoring her bait.]

[Naturally, anyone concentrating this much is just asking to be bothered.]

 I can't believe I haven't thought of this before! I feel so dumb!

[Since parting ways with Sora, Konoka's actually been doing a bit of research. What Yukari said about her pactio during the wishing session had her thinking--mainly, why she hadn't put two and two together yet. She's at the computers. It appears that in such a while, she's found the wonders of the Romance page. She seems slightly edgy and annoyed by this fact, though.]

...so what is it like, for  a girl to fall in love with  a girl? Really, I wish there was more to draw from than a simple internet page and a bunch of poems! I wanna see romance! I want to make it happen! Maybe it's the key to making this world grow! Maybe the power of love could be a literal power! Wouldn't that be romantic?

[She dropped to a whisper.]

Is this what Secchan wanted... for me?

[At some point, she will be distracted by the glory that is Robot Unicorn Attack. Better move fast.]

[ - ACTION - ]

[Being a battle robot from a war/meteor/alien-torn future Earth, Lamia never has a chance to experience certain common things most would take for granted: such as trees. And squirrels. Running into animals wasn't very commonplace in THE FUTURE, especially for one who spends all her time at military bases in-between blowing things up.

...And, no, certain talking magical subterranean cats didn't count as normal animals.

So, curiosity piqued, Lamia has been trying to familiarize herself with and learn about the nature that was so alien to her but once totally normal to Earth. This begins with idly sitting by and watching the animals, but she eventually gets up to attempt to pet them; of course, being jittery forest creatures, they scurry away before she can touch them. After this happens two or three times, she sighs, crosses her arms, and leans against a tree--accidentally activating the Vine in the process.]

[ - VOICE - ]

Animals are known to have senses and instincts superior to a human's. I wonder if they can tell?

[After, she'll be going back to trying to inspect the squirrels, cats, and other ordinary animals. Feel free to comment via voice or action. Also note: Lamia's voice is identical to Signum's (brustriese), so castmates or anyone familiar enough to recognize Signum's voice feel free to mistake them.]

[A cheerful woman, dressed in lavish royal blue robes, is grinning on camera]

Why, hello everyone. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Iono Mito Archeline. My interests include various maidenly amusments, tea time, flirtatious chit chat, and you. <3 Yes. you, whoever you may be. You see, I know without a doubt each and every one of you is special and beautiful, and I want to know you better.

So, please, won't you be my sobame?

[Fate wasn't exactly a light sleeper, but the bone-chilling cold was definitely enough to pull her out of dreamland.]

Wha...

She stirred, frowning when she felt the cold floor under her. She definitely wasn't in the house her and her friends claimed, and that immediately sets off alarms in her head. She quickly pushes herself up, shaking off any drowsiness... and immediately spots Nanoha and Vivio nearby. She then proceeds to shake them in an attempt to wake them up!]

Hey, wake up... something's wrong.

[ It took Vita only a few seconds to figure out how to work the vines; purely on accident, of course. Her attempts to order Graf Eisen seemed to be misinterpreted as orders for the vine. And she's a bit skeptical at first when a large mirror appears in front of her and gives it a strange look, before figuring that it's answering her request and she had might as well try... as dumb as she feels to be yelling at a mirror. ]

This is Vita of Special Duty Section 6, subdivision of the Time Space Administration Bureau, requesting a response from any other personal in the area! I seem to have been moved to a strange new dimension of sorts! Contact me immediately if you get this message!

If any civilians see this, I want to question you this instant! I don't have time to be stuck here! And DAMMIT what is with all of these useless familiars?! Can't those damn cats say anything useful?! Graf Eisen, start scanning this place! Let's find a weak point and be ready to break out of here! Hayate and everyone are counting on me, dammit! I have no time to take a picnic in a stupid garden!

... Why am I talking to a mirror?! This isn't helping anything! Stupid stupid stupid stupid...nnnnnnrgh!!!!!!! [ and now Vita is looking pretty frustrated. She wishes this place wasn't so cheerful and calm because it completely contrasts her angry mood, which in turn angers her more. ]

[ Someone's been hiding, just a little bit. Adapting to the disorientation was easy enough, but adapting to... the swarm of people who were only looking out for her proved to be more difficult. Even with Medusa gone... ]

Ah!

[ The dark one bumped into a vine again it seems, broadcasting her lilac-colored head across the network for all to see. ] Oh no... what's with these things? I don't like them. I don't even know how to turn them off!

[ . . . Well, since she's got it open, she might as well ask. Steel your guts, Crona! At least you're not dealing with people face-to-face! ]

Has... uhm... anyone seen Lady Medusa? Th... thank you in advance...

[ ACTION ]

[After waking up, Azula quietly and quickly gained her bearings, found her own clothes--which thankfully included her light armor--and read the scrolls from those weird-looking cat things. Before toying with the Vine, she decides to investigate her surroundings. Naturally, this means anyone can run into her--although, beware: bumping into her in person will likely result in a mistletoe incident for at least one person.]

(Normally, walking around in an unknown place alone while dressed like this would be far too conspicuous, buuut if I had been brought here against my will with my clothes near me then whoever responsible already knows who I am.)

[ VIDEO ]

Oh, it worked. Wonderful. Now, let me get this straight.

I have been kidnapped by some no-name queen, plopped into the middle of a forest right out of a child's fairy tale, and surrounded by animals I have never seen before, which--along with the more important problem of no one knowing of me-- reinforces the ridiculous idea that I'm not in my own world anymore.

Is that the gist of it? Does it sound right? Please fill me in if I missed anything.

[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.]

[Private thoughts, hackable if you can read her mood]

For all the holes I could point out in the Warrior Princess's reasoning...why didn't I keep investigating on my own? At the first remotely plausible suggestion from one of the kidnappers, I just sat back and followed orders. Used the meager tools I was given for tiny, insignificant comforts instead of continuing to look at the big picture.

That's not happening again.

[/Private]

[Public, Audio, intended to be filtered from NPCs]

I understand a few people have traveled to the boundaries of the Garden and returned. I'd appreciate any information you have to give, as well as volunteers for some reconnaissance-in-force. I'll be leading an expedition to determine details of the border areas and try to find any unguarded and traversible paths that may exist, as well as bringing back more samples of the strange matter there should we fail to find an exit.



Even if I have to go alone, it's time we forced some detailed answers out of this place.

[text]

This magic...it's strange.

[There is a pause before the next part is written out]

This is a dream? Or reality? I cannot tell.

[Another pause, and a few pentaps.]

But then again, we are such stuff as dreams are made on...

Oh, I hope I never wake up.

[the mirror shows what looks like a bush rustling, then suddenly a figure tumbles out from behind it, landing hard on her backside. As she scrambles up again, wincing, she stands still long enough for a better visual: the usual white shift new arrivals wake up in is covered by a long black coat, the hood drawn up to obscure her face. She's also barefoot.]

[another rustle, and a pair of long ears poke into view. Beady eyes regard the girl serenely as the rabbit chews away at something dark, with a flash of silver on the edge--]

My boot--h-hey! Give that back!

[she makes a grab for the creature, but it backs up, dragging its new meal out of her reach. The girl cries out in frustration, lunging forward, and manages to grab the toe of the boot, pulling on it. After a brief and somewhat comical tug of war, the rabbit relinquishes its hold and hops off out of view, apparently satisfied.]

[The hooded girl, meanwhile, sits down, her shoulders in a dejected slump. She holds the boot up: black, with a bit of a heel and a pointed toe--and sighs.]

It's all chewed up...

[she hunches over, her voice dropping in volume, apparently speaking to herself.]

I guess that's the least of my worries...I hope he's...all right.

[she rests her ruined footwear on her lap, turning her hands over, looking at her palms.]

And how can I still be here...does that mean he's--no. [she shakes her head, her quiet voice sharpening, curling both hands into fists. She clutches them both to her chest, tightly.] It can't be. He'll be fine--he has to be.

[she doesn't seem to be convincing herself, however, and leans forward, hugging her knees, pressing her face to them. When she speaks again, her voice is muffled.]

I thought it would be over by now...Roxas.....Axel. Please be okay.

[To be honest, Fate thought the whole wishing idea was silly at first. But... now she really wanted to try it out. She was able to gather by now that it most likely won't work out the way the wisher wants it too, so she chooses carefully.]

I wish for something, anything, that can show me whether or not Nanoha and the others are safe.

[And down comes a capsule! Fate kneels down next to it and pulls out... a pair of pink ribbons? She's not sure how this is supposed to let her know her friends back home are okay, but they're a cherished possession, so she's glad to have them.

Standing up again, she reached behind her, untying the black ribbon that held her hair in a low ponytail at the base of her neck. She replaces it with one of the pink ribbons, and pockets the other one.]

Well... I guess this is better than some kind of bad news.

[The mirror fades in on a woman seated on a smooth rock, a sword almost the same size she is strapped to her back. It's unclear whether the post is deliberate or not. She has a slightly faraway expression in her eyes, and she must have been sitting like this for some time, because a large star capsule from the night before is sitting in front of her, popped open. Inside it is a smaller version of this statue. After about a minute, Teresa's gaze shifts just slightly, and she notices the mirror.

She smiles. Faintly.]

I'm sorry. I've become sentimental.

[She gets up, casually pulls the statue out of the capsule, settles it in a small open space on the ground, and kicks the capsule away into the undergrowth. Then she touches the Vine, and the mirror fades out, leaving only a voice, for a moment.]

How I've changed...

[With the new information from the damsel, Signum's abandoned her recon plan. If nothing else, the number of these things that would be falling now makes any kind of flight dangerous. So instead, she does this the way the Damsel suggested.]

[action]

I wish for Cypha of the Huckebein in handcuffs.

*BOOM CRASH!* [Inside the capsule: a mugshot of Cypha and a pair of fuzzy handcuffs. She lights the former on fire.]

I wish for Agito, fully healed as I was.

*BOOM CRASH!* [It's a...belt? Signum wonders about the connection and tosses it aside.]

I wish for escape from this place.

*BOOM CRASH!* [It's a fantasy novel. Signum shrugs and admits to herself she had that one coming.]

I wish for a hunting bow.

*BOOM CRASH!* [Oddly enough, that works. Signum's glad; hunting with a sword is neither sporting nor efficient. She spends the next few minutes wishing for individual arrows, a utility knife, and a fishing kit.]

Well, this is useful, but I don't--

*sword comes out to parry a shuriken falling at her, and is instantly sheathed again*

--I don't think it's very efficient. I wish for...

[Feel free to bother her or make suggestions.]

[ Voice ]

This...This can't be...

I thought of it as a joke, but at this point I'm starting to think I got it right. Can that really be the reason we're here? Nah, I'm sure the excess energy from our Linker Cores are being...harvested...or...somethin'. I'd take any other horror or anime cliché over that.

[ Voice/Action for Nanohamates ]

If we're stuck here, we gotta find a place to use as a temp base of operations. At the very least, we gotta have a roof over our heads. While we're at it: has anyone's reconnoitering turned up anything? We've really gotta figure out what planet we're on...

[Hayate's lugging those new outfits around; she doesn't like the flowery ones much, but they can't be picky with clothes now. Plus, not ALL of the new outfits were bad, according to her tastes.

Three guesses as to which ones her attention have become focused on, Mid-Childians.]

[Mugi has been frolicking throughout the garden. She’s rather impressed with it, you see. She doesn’t realize how things work here, though, so she has absolutely no idea that the Vine is currently recording her voice]

Oh wow…this place is beautiful! How did I arrive here? It’s like I’m living one of those picture book stories from when I was little!

[She’s laughing and the sound of her footsteps as she’s twirling around are also being caught by the Vine’s megaphones.]

Ah—I have to tell the others about this when I get back!

[a pause; she’s stopped moving now, too]

I wonder if they followed me here somehow! I should explore this place a bit more, maybe I’ll find them!

[Filtered to the TSAB and Vivio, hackable, Video]

So...assuming based on earlier observations that our "hostess" is an idiot about using her nigh-omnipotence, should we be doing something about...well...

*gestures up at the white-glowing sky*

I mean, this can't be healthy.