[ The mirror unfurls on a location it hasn't for some time: the rear balcony of a lakeside house in the southern part of the Gardens. A blonde woman who may be familiar to a few of the more long-term residents is standing there, hands resting on the railing, seemingly unaware of the presence of the Vine as yet. The expression on her face is difficult to discern: she might be happy, or she might be close to tears. Perhaps both.

After a moment, she turns a little, catches sight of the mirror in her peripheral vision. She startles, briefly, but then she seems to calm, schooling her expression, and the look in her eyes as she reaches out to graze her fingertips for a moment along the mirror's edge is somewhere between wry and almost affectionate. The Vine is an obnoxious, nosy thing, but it's familiar, at least.

When she speaks, she's plainly addressing the mirror, but her glance is directed slightly off to one side. ]

It's been so long. For a while, I was almost convinced—

[ She stops, and shakes her head. There's the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. ]

I'm not sure this qualifies as 'less eventful.'

[ Finally, she turns her gaze directly to the mirror. ]

I'm sorry. I... may not have met some of you. Call me Caprica.

[ Has it been over a year, as it feels to her, or only a few months? A few weeks? She can't tell. ]

[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!]

You can hear me, right?

[Here is a woman's voice! It's soft and feminine, and surprisingly calm--or at least composed.]

This is a complicated system, so one never really knows, but I think I've gotten the hang of it. The [a... light and kinda amused pause...] wildlife was very helpful, after all. Still, I'd like to hear a human voice for a change, and perhaps there are some answers the cats won't give me. Is there anything important about this place that I should know?

I'm all ears.

[Meanwhile, if you actually want to actionlog dis shit, Lust has managed to find her original clothes and is out by the ruins! She's sitting on what was probably once a wall and kind of... peoplewatching in the absence of actual people. ALSO this is probably forwarddated to the morning of January 2nd, so it's not fireworking and also she's not going to blurt out that genocide is sexy.]

...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.]

[Larry starts up her video, looking... really, really happy with herself.]

Alright everyone! I think it's time I get to work on a few things, and I'm looking for a little help. As we so recently saw, this place can get legitimately dangerous - and no one knows how it'll happen next time if it happens again.

To that end, I think we need to make sure the people who never had a reason to learn how to survive stuff like this know what to do. I'm gonna keep working on being able to reliably make more guns, and finding anyone interested in helping me out with that or anyone who wants to learn how to shoot. We need people who can teach some kind of self-defense techniques, and people who know a thing or two about running away.

Right now, I'm just looking for people willing to help teach others. Feel free to tell me you're interested in learning if you can't teach though!

[video]

[Grell is gazing out absently, holding a handful of snow that she slowly makes into a ball while she speaks.]

Do you come from Heaven or rise from the abyss,
Beauty? Your gaze, divine and infernal,
Pours out confusedly benevolence and crime,
And one may for that, compare you to wine.

[She crushes the ball in her hand then.]

[filtered to Madam Red and Ciel]

If the both of you are ready, I am as well. Countess, I have the tea. Madam, please do not forget your coat.

[This queen, clad in black and gold, stares at the mirror and gives it her most judgmental look possible. The sheer amount of disdain here could probably melt steel if applied appropriately. Like, in a laser maybe. Still, she's not pleased.]

You piece of trash who calls herself queen. What right do you have bringing myself here? I have no wish for your disgusting invites or anything to do with you. Show yourself so this queen can properly sentence and execute you like the dog you are.

Tch. And the rest of you? I have no wish for your thanks when this fool is destroyed. Consider yourself lucky that this queen has even decided to grace you with your life.

[ 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?

I'd say something about the weather outside being frightful, but it seems like a grand understatement.

But it would be fit that Heaven comes with a fair helping of Hell. Unseen terror, indeed.

This sucks. I can't believe I'm spending my Christmas in an empty room with a psychobitch midget. I don't care what freakish parallel dimension you're from, it is not okay to give guns to twelve-tear-olds unless you're watching them. And I'm not playing baby-sitter.

At least the gods of fucking my life up decided to give us some food, finally. I mean, no food, and no Cheerios practice? I feel dead already.

And Britt, Merry Christmas. That is, if you haven't been eaten by shadow demon things.

[The strange beings had worried her, particularly the fact some people have been wounded by them, but it wasn't until the beings began actively assaulting the building that she realized just what sort of trouble they were getting into.]

Alright, guess the low-profile vacation's over. I don't like waving my title around, but--

This is Hayate Yagami, Time-Space Administration Bureau Marine Defense Force Investigation Commander. Second Lieutenant Signum, Second Lieutenant Vita, Enforcer Harlaown, Instructor Takamachi, and student Takamachi--report immediately!

Everyone, please tell me anything and everything you know about the things in the blizzard. More importantly, please stay inside and stay together! Don't split up for any reason. Even if you know how to fight, please don't go after those...things unless someone is in danger. The priority right now is to keep everyone safe!

If anyone is in danger, please don't hesitate to tell me! I'll do my best to have someone capable get to you to help!

[The Vine's tentative creepers inside every stone building unravel slowly to reveal a mirror. The picture it reveals is rather more comforting than what lies outside: a maternal-looking woman sitting in a rocking chair, with a fire burning in a fireplace behind her.]

Good evening, my daughters. I would ask if you are well, but I'm afraid I know the answer to that question. Don't fear. When the storm ends, you will be safe here. I have made it my business to take care of you. Stay warm. Stay close to each other. This, too, shall pass. You must not go outside...

Ah, but children don't listen. If you do go outside, don't go alone. You'll have no chance. The things in the storm are vulnerable to the bonds between you. Defeat them together.

But really, my daughters, you should stay inside.

[ 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. ]

[The audio on the Vine is...a little more distorted than usual for this message. But that's definitely the Queen's voice coming out of it. Singing.]

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days
Of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us
Once more.

Through the years,
We all will be together
If the Fates allow.
Hang a shining star upon
The highest bough,
And have yourself a merry little...

I forget...how does it go?

Oh, it's so dark out. Won't you help me in these dark days, my darlings?

[She sounds distraught. And the snow begins to pile up...]

[There are noises--shuffling mainly. The video feed takes a while to pop up, but when it does, it reveals a girl with bright pink hair and blue eyes. It looks as if she is still wearing the white shift, but she has, at the least, put her uniform jacket on over it. She looks startled at the appearance of the mirror, and stumbles backward a bit.]

O-oi! Geez...this is really weird. Weirder than usual. I guess that stuff in the scroll was right... [she briefly looks annoyed, and mutters to herself:] Is this another trick?

[Her expression sobers.] I still don't get what's going on but...my name is Utena Tenjou. I'm sure this place is nice, but I have to get back to Ohtori, right away! Himemiya, she--

[She trails off, and looks troubled:] I need to get home.

[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.