DAY 89, Early Evening (Sundown but not quite Dusk)

[bluealgesistone]

  The sun was shining bright on that early morning in Baton Rouge.  The Louisiana heat and humidity was already getting to Gisela as she was rushing to get to her first day of classes at Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine.  "Mon Dieu, I'm late, I'm soo late, sacré bleu!" She continued running as the sweat poured down her brow

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[gis_s_christ]

They were making good time back to the castle. It wasn’t a terribly long trip, but they would be making most of it in the dark - there were lamps for when night truly fell. What light they had wouldn’t last long.

There was enough to see the girl sitting in the water. Gisela may not have noticed her if she had not called out, and the wagon had not stopped. The healer had not been focusing on the scenery. Her mind and body were worn out from spending the day in the sun and water. She was already moving away from Bert and halfway out of the wagon, saying, “We should make sure she’s okay,” before she realized she shared any similarities with the other woman.

It became more obvious when she stopped a couple feet away, with her boots in the water as if it didn’t matter, and knelt down with an expression full of nothing but concern. Curiosity would come later. “Are you alright?”

[amazing_am_i]

The day hadn't turned out too bad and the shark wasn't as scary. The sunset was pretty and now they were going home. Hopefully for some more alone time, in a warm bed.

It wasn't until something stopped the wagon, he heard a voice in... was that french? and his girlfriend was already out of the carriage. "Hey! Gisela! Where are you goin'?" But his words were clearly falling on deaf ears. He dropped out of the carriage right behind Gisela and ran to catch up. "What's goin-" He didn't finish his sentence when he noticed the double vision. Two. There were two very lovely Gisela's before him. True, one had shorter hair, but there was no mistaking their appearances. He was anxious, again, and fidgeted uncomfortably while one was trying to help the other.

So much for his nice night.

[bluealgesistone]

I looked at my "twin" and said "Je ne comprend pas vous! I don't understand you!" waving her arms around in exasperation; then I said "Ce ne pas Belgium? Is this not Belgium?" I was so confused and scared, I finally noticed that I was shivering from being so wet and also from being so scared. I felt my anxiety rise as a panic attack started to come, I began to reach for my purse and get a Xanax but couldn't find my pill bottle.

[gis_s_christ]

Gisela was aware of Bert coming up from behind, but didn't pay him any mind. She inched forward and reached out slowly, and made a soft shushing sound. "It's okay," she said. This was the first time she'd encountered a double she didn't understand. So far, they all arrived able to understand and speak the language (though not read or write). Though most arrived within the castle - perhaps that was key. "Please, calm down," she tried, even if the other couldn't understand her words, perhaps her tone would come through. "I can help."

[amazing_am_i]

He stood behind his Gisela and just watched. Was that French he heard? The English was clear, but he had two semesters of french in college to satisfy a requirement, so some words sounded familiar. Though, he hadn't noticed anything different between his normal english and what people in this world spoke. He thought the writing was just funny.

He didn't like where this was going, but he could at least translate. "This ain't Belgium. It's another world - or somethin'. Ah, it's hard to explain." He scratched his head and made a face while he tried to think. How was he going to talk about one Gisela to another without being confused? "Uh, my Gisela here wants to help you." He wasn't sure what was going on. Though he totally got feeling lost and confused.

[bluealgesistone]

I looked at the beastly man and said "Okay, thank gods that someone can understand me. Aren't you Americain? That colloquialism sounds familiar, but not like Louisiane." I then turned my attention to my twin who I just found out has the same name as me and looks exactly like me except for the longer hair and the lack of any cosmetics. I put my arms down and folded them into my lap and calmed down even though I could still feel the panic in the back of my mind. I asked the beast "What is your name and why does your Gisela look just like me and stole my identity?" I didn't even try to stifle my thick Belgian accent as I was trying to show some difference and pride in my heritage. I then looked at the other Gisela and said "It is okay, I am not as scared anymore."

[amazing_am_i]

"Yeah, I'm American. I play football - well, I did before I got sent here." He was used to attention, but this seemed more scrutinizing, which was a little unnevering. Especially since he was having a rather nice date. "Adelbert. Though, Bert is fine. And this isn't anywhere on Earth. Apparently, I got a twin around too. There are a few others that have doubles too. Just how this place is."

He was getting a little impatient and crouched down to his Gisela. "Hey, can we go back now?"

[gis_s_christ]

Gisela kept silent as Bert conversed with the double. She understood him just fine, but not a word the other Gisela spoke. It was unsettling. Though it did confirm one of the theories floating around about how doubles were able to communicate upon arrival.

The other her was calmer now, at least. "In a moment, Bert." She extended a hand to her twin and smiled. "My name is Gisela. Um... Bert, ask her to come with us. Tell her we have dry clothes."

[amazing_am_i]

Gisela was so friendly. At least this wasn't a guy. He'd probably get tremendously jealous and explode. But he wasn't in any sort of control here, and he hated that to an extent. Not being able to even pay for things was frustrating enough.

"You should come with us. Gisela says that there's some dry clothes for you." He took a step back to get out of everyone's way.

[bluealgesistone]

I took Gisela's hand and got up on my feet. I responded to Bert "Thank You, you may both call me Gise so that it is less confusing." She felt very cold as the breeze blew by her body and her teeth started to shudder. "I could really use those clothes, I am freezing."

[amazing_am_i]

"Gise... I guess that'll be easier." He started back up towards the carriage.

"Hey babe, she said you can call her Gise." He hoped that they would somehow start to understand each other. And soon.

[gis_s_christ]

Gisela took her hand back, confused. Suddenly, the words were as clear as her own, save for the unfamiliar accent. She stepped back, giving the other woman room. "Yes, I got that," she replied. If it worked one way, it must work the other. She smiled and ushered Gise to the wagon. "I can explain everything on our way to the castle."

[bluealgesistone]

"MON DIEU! I can understand you!" and she suddenly gave Gisela a HUGE hug. She said under her breath "Merci Aradie" As she walked to the wagon. She replied to Gisela "Is there some place that I can..." she looked at Bert, then back at Gisela and whispered into her ear "...change en privée?"

[gis_s_christ]

The hug startled her, but she returned it, glad that the woman was not afraid of her, or upset. Sometimes, doubles did not take kindly to their twins. But maybe this would be okay.

"Don't worry," she said quietly. "I'll make the men leave."

There was nowhere on the road to change. No buildings, and only a few trees to hide behind. The wagon was really the only place Gise could hope for some privacy. Gisela got her spare clothes out of her bag, shook the sand from them, and handed them over. Then, good to her word, turned on Bert and the driver.

"Both of you, turn your faces that way," she pointed to the water, "and walk fifteen paces."

[amazing_am_i]

He didn't like leaving Gisela alone with a stranger. He knew some rather fiesty women. There was one in the castle that was pretty crazy that he worried about too. But he didn't really want to argue as he started off with the coachman.

"It's not like I haven't seen a naked chick before..." he muttered under his breath. He'd just have to wait uneasily until he was summoned back. He'd listen carefully though, just in case.

[bluealgesistone]

I said to Gisela "Merci mon amie" and as I walked over to the wagon to Gisela I removed my shoes checking to see that my heels were surprisingly intact and looked over my shoulder and shouted to Bert "You have not seen me without clothes before brute, nor will you!" and asked Gisela, "do you have a towel for me to dry off first with, s'il vous plaît?"