[001]

[unbending_spirit]

[a CAT activates to show a girl with her brown hair tied back in two ponytails under a red scarf, wearing a uniform. someone looking closely might also notice the white flower wrapped around her finger. she is standing in front of the vidscreen in the bedroom where she just woke up, her arms wrapped around herself to fight off the cold as snow, impossibly, falls around her inside the room. but for the moment she's focused on watching the Mayor's message--except, at first glance, she doesn't realize it's recorded]

Luministi? Again!? [she stares. but she swallows her worry and tries to be polite to the figure on the screen] Hey, um, Mr. Mayor? I'm sorry, but I can't be here right now. I can see there's some...trouble...going on. [she eyes the snow] But there's something really important that I have to go do first, so could you send me ba--

[but she cuts off as the mayor remarks that he's not there in person] What!? [surprised and annoyed, she steps up to tap the vidscreen] What is this? Some sort of...radio? With a picture?

[she steps back again, utterly bewildered, and listens to the rest of the Mayor's message, brushing snow out of her face and stamping her booted feet for warmth as she does so. and as it ends, she unwraps her arms and clenches her hands into fists in frustration] But how did I get here? Why am I here again!? I have to go back! Randgriz is about to be attacked!

[knowing that her words are falling on deaf ears, she sighs and whirls away from the screen to head out into the main room of the townhome] Hello? Is anyone here? [seeing the gift basket, she riffles through the contents, mumbling to herself] It's like I'm supposed to live here. But why? Half this stuff isn't even good for winter! [she quickly abandons her search, not noticing as the CAT attaches itself to her uniform. she goes to the door and steps outside, starting to shiver by now]

Fuu? [as she walks away from the townhome, she turns in a circle to look around. cupping her hands around her mouth, she calls:] Hey! I-is anybody here?

How do I get out of here?

[noticing all the footprints on the ground, she frowns at them, bending down to get a closer look] Wait...has everyb-body left already? [she straightens again, calling one more time:] H-hello! Anyone out there?

Comments

[action]

[terezi_pyrope]

[On her way there, Terezi catches the scent of the other girl. She tries not to shiver too much.]

Not exactly. But it sounds like you're out of lu--well or rather like you won't be going home right away at least.

I'm assuming you've been here before? I'm Terezi Pyrope.

[unbending_spirit]

[Alicia is relieved to see the place isn't deserted yet, even if the girl is terribly strange looking. but she frowns at that comment, stamping her feet as she tries to ignore the cold] What exactly is going on? I was here for a day before, but it wasn't like this at all!

I'm Alicia Melchiott. Nice to meet you, Terezi.

[terezi_pyrope]

[Then she decides to give a quick rundown.]

You're back in Luministi, because of a man named Resarci and his friends. This time you'll be staying for more than just a day, though!

Anyway, we're up against criminals who want us to stay here against our and be subjected to being their entertainment. Which explains the weird happenings or 'events' that they create somehow.

Understand so far, Alicia?

[unbending_spirit]

[well, that statement is a bit startling] Wait--what makes you say that?

Uh...I guess so. But what do you mean "events"? Is that why it's snowing indoors?

[terezi_pyrope]

The compulsion to tell the truth. That's what.

[All serious tone here.]

Events, like weird things happening. Snowing indoors, hearing voices from your homeworld. And yeah, that's why.

[unbending_spirit]

But how do you know this is different from the last-- [she pauses to brush a snowflake off her nose] Okay...stupid question.

So...then where is everybody else? [she gestures at the footprints leading away from what is clearly a residential area]

[Action]

[moveslikestrider]

[He spots her as he's trudging through the snow, his red cape and clothes making him stand out. Dave makes his way over, hands in his pockets.] Nah, we're all here. I'm assuming you've been in this dive before.

[unbending_spirit]

[Alicia blinks at him curiously, making her way toward him in return] "All" who?

[she nods at the question] For a day, but it was really different. I mean, obviously it wasn't winter, but does it always snow indoors, too?

[moveslikestrider]

The people here from other places. There's a lot of us.

...[He has to think about that for a second.] No. That's new.

[unbending_spirit]

[gasps] Everyone who was walking around downtown is still here? [because she was here during the Fourth Wall, and that was quite a lot of people]

Not to be rude, but is there anywhere around here that isn't freezing? [she shivers]

[moveslikestrider]

Nah. Less people than when we were all downtown. [He gestures with one hand and walks long the foot prints.]

Dunno, but someone seems to have an idea. [Dave points down at the foot prints.] Can't hurt to take a look.

[desertdaggers]

[he's fairly rugged up at this point, turning a little more heavily than he's used to when he hears her voice.]

Ah- yes, there's a few of us around!

[unbending_spirit]

Oh! [she's surprised by his statement as she hadn't spotted him yet. she turns quickly] Hi. Um, not to be rude, but...you don't happen to know how I could get out of here, do you?

[desertdaggers]

Hello! [he smiles, but drops it after her question, pressing his lips together.]

Well… about that… we thought there was a way, but…

[unbending_spirit]

[her smile drops, too] But...?

[desertdaggers]

Apparently it doesn't actually work the way we were told! [spreading out his hands] We were told that there was a machine that could transport us home, but someone else saw fit to show us that it was an illusion.

[action]

[tactilekonesis]

[Pinged by the sight of a cute girl! He was on his way over to the fire pit, but Kon can't help sliding over to her, slicking back his hair, and assuming an innocent smile - even though he knows now's definitely not the best time to hit on someone. To make matters even weirder, he's not dressed properly for the weather (and he seems to be unaffected by it).]

You called?

[Though, he does look sheepish upon realizing just how cheesy that sounded.] Uh, I mean... is there anything I can help you with?

/dies laughing

[unbending_spirit]

Oh! [she's surprised when someone actually answers her. she turns and, seeing the young man, gives him a sheepish smile] Hi! Um. You wouldn't know how to get out of here, would you?

[she reddens, realizing that probably sounded more rude than his comment was cheesy] I mean, not to be rude! I just...really, really need to be somewhere else right now.

Alicia - 1, Kon - 0

[tactilekonesis]

[Of course. She's much more preoccupied with important stuff like leaving! She'll notice his good looks eventually. They always do.]

No, no, I get it. You don't remember how you got here, they give you the gift basket and tell you that Lumi's a great place to be... but then they don't tell you that you can't leave.

[He sighs, not really wanting to break the news to her like this.] I'm sorry, but... the way that we thought would get us home? Doesn't actually exist.

[unbending_spirit]

[she does have a flower around her finger for a reason, Kon XD]

[she gapes at him] What do you mean...can't leave? I left before!

[tactilekonesis]

Really? Weird, I haven't heard of anyone busting out before. Were you here last year or the year before that?

[vengefulagent]

[The sight of a tall man in steel and yellow armor might be a bit surprising to some--but it isn't something he's thinking of as he approaches her. he hasn't left the town yet, though he's on his way out.]

Hey, what are you doing wandering around out here? Come with me. [she might see the rifle sticking up on his back, but otherwise, he doesn't have a weapon out.]

[unbending_spirit]

[an armored man demanding that she come with him immediately puts Alicia on guard. she takes a step back reflexively] Are you in charge? I'll come, but could you at least tell me why I'm here?

[vengefulagent]

[yeah, he had a feeling his presence would do that, but he's never particularly cared about putting someone on their guard before. all the better that they're prepared.]

No, I'm not in charge. I am Agent Washington, and I can explain better on the way, but you really shouldn't be left out here. We don't know if there are any surprises left for us in the snow.

[if he sounds a bit ominous, well, it's because he means to.]

[unbending_spirit]

[now she's just not sure what to make of him. she nods, still fairly certain he must at least work with the people who are in charge] All right. But where are you taking me?