((Backdated to December 22nd))

[Something doesn't feel right to Maria this morning, even before she opens her eyes. She doesn't remember choosing a place like this to sleep in the Necessities; she doesn't remember a sleeping bag on the floor, and she certainly doesn't remember sharing it with anybody.

She wakes up quickly and early, as she usually does, and takes in her surroundings. This room is far too empty to be part of the Necessities, and the howling of the wind outside is terrible, even with the windows shut. As soon as she so much as has her shoulders out of the bag, the cold hits her.]

What is this...?

[She sits up in the bag, taking this opportunity to see who's with her; she recognises the girl, Minako, from a conversation they'd had over the Vine the other day... speaking of which, she notices that there's no sign of the Vine at all in this building. Her eyes narrow with suspicion.]

Is this what the Queen meant about dark days? She could at least have told us what she meant beforehand... especially if she was so worried about it. [A sigh of irritation - not an unusual sound when Maria thinks of the Queen of Hearts.] I have to know what this is about.

[Then she turns her attention back to Minako...]

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!

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.

[An accidental recording, as Angelina gathers her skirts to walk across the grass. Her gown is white and fair, an indicator of her fresh arrival. A red rose is tucked behind her ear to match her hair. She's humming 'London Bridge' to herself.]

London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down, My Fair Lady...

[She pauses to smile.]

Well... If I have perceived correctly from the voices filtering through the garden, I can assume this is not Paradise. I do not count myself on one that belongs there anyhow. But I would like to know my companions at the very least.

Hello, who is there?

[ 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.

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.]

[ video ]

[A young woman appears in the mirror, as per the usual. She's new, but doesn't look particularly bewildered or frightened. Instead, she looks determined, if a little nervous.]

This is a message...from Princess Estellise Sidos Heurassein to the Queen of Hearts. I would like to o-open diplomatic talks between the Empire and the Gardens! I--

[Her shoulders droop.]

I'm sorry. That isn't right. Please...call me Estelle.

[She perks up a bit and offers a shaky smile.]

I'm a client of the guild Brave Vesperia, and I need to find a way back to them. I know it's not the same as a formal invitation to peace talks from a princess, but please, if you could, this is very important to me. I can't promise anything from the empire, because this is my quest, not theirs. But I'll do whatever I can to repay you, when the time comes. So...return me to Brave Vesperia!

[She turns away, not realizing the mirror is still recording her, lets out a breath, and crouches to pet a cat.]

Yuri, Karol, Judith...I'm trying my best, I promise! Even without you. I won't be away for long.

[ video ]

[The mirror opens on a young woman sitting cross-legged in a clearing. Her expression is blank.]

I have been instructed to use "the Vine." This appears to be a complex communications system disguised as a natural growth. I will follow instructions.

Stand by. Reaching conclusion...

Conclusion: trauma has caused me to form a vivid inner world wherein all military and political concerns are void. I was unaware I was capable of such elaborate human forms of denial.

[A pause.]

Shall I be comforted by the knowledge that I am? In accordance with most stories of such things, other people from my past will now manifest as representations of facets of my personality and discuss this matter with me. Please begin. Please begin. Please begin.

Diana?

[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.

[When night falls on the Gardens tonight, something different happens: instead of the bright-as-daylight sea of stars, a more normal sky eventually fades into existance. Stars can still be seen, though they're nowhere near as bright as the wishing stars.]

[Video]

[And then, not long after night fully envelops the Gardens, the Vine's mirror unfurls, revealing a rather serious-looking woman.]

I hope you all learned something from this. Simply wishing for something isn't going to make it happen; wishing for things from home, wishing to bring the excess stars down... you put no effort into this.

Contrary to what most people may think, this holiday is not some festival celebrating light; it's a celebration of a military victory against overwhelming odds.

As a final note: Damsel, you pronounce Chanukah wrong.

We're certainly getting a lot of newcomers, aren't we? And still no answers.

...from what I've learned, going to the edges of the garden and returning with the soil allows you to create things. Houses, items, whatever you'd like.

I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't a dream.

What the fuck is with the fucking wolves?!

FUCK!

 [There is a small girl looking around. She doesn't seem overly panicked, but she does seem a little confused. You might see her disappear and then reappear in the same spot. 

Her teleporting doesn't seem to be working that well either. ]



....Why isn't it working?

[Any ladies who check the vine today are greeted to a new face. She's wearing the default white shift, although she's carrying other clothing in her arms and has put a hat and rose-lensed white glasses on top of her head. The first thing she does when the video begins is gasp dramatically.]

Ah! It worked!

[She leans in closer to the mirror, her eyes wide and her expression inquisitive. It's almost as if she doesn't really believe that the Vine is actually recording.]

Well, if anyone can hear me, my name's Ema Skye. Does anyone know how this whole thing works? It seems really... unscientific.

[Judging from the girl's expression, being unscientific is a crime--right up there with kicking puppies and punching babies.]

Ms... Queen of Hearts lady, I have a flight back to Europe in a few days and I need to continue studying science so I can become a forensic investigator, so I'd like to pass on your invitation. I asked the cat how I can get home, since that's what you suggested--although I have no idea how they understand me--but it just curled up and went to sleep.

Cats are kind of fickle. Maybe you should consider getting better pet-servants.

[Germany's first priority, upon arriving, is to take in all of the information provided. When trapped in a strange environment, having all the facts is vital, regardless of whether or not said facts were provided by a cat.

However, her second priority is to quickly change out of the awkward white sheath into her proper clothes.

Finally, she'll try the vine once she's gotten rid of the sheath and is buttoning up her shirt.]

H-hallo. Germany speaking. I would like to be put in contact with the person known as the Queen?

[muttered] If this is some type of joke...

*somebody was quick to get her things and figure out the function of the vine*

Iono-sama, kidnapping is illegal.

*Arge wouldn't put it past Iono to start calling herself Queen of Hearts...*

Has everyone been settling in alright so far? [She doesn't really give much time for anyone to answer this question before moving on. She crosses her arms over her chest and holds up a finger as she continues speaking, and she has a smile on her face.]

I think we should get all the information we've got about this place together. If you could, reply and let me know what kinds of things you've found here. Having all the information in one place would be a good idea, wouldn't it?