(Untitled)

[notcaged]

[a very tall woman with rabbit ears is making her way down the stairs into the lobby, her bow drawn. Her body language says she's hostile.

Don't get shot.]

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[preparedforthis]

[Duster is heading out of the kitchen, and stops short at the sight of the drawn weapon.

Oh, says the only disjointed thought in his head, a bow like Arwen's.]

[notcaged]

[when he comes into view, she aims]

Do not move.

[and she starts towards him]

[preparedforthis]

[He stays frozen.]

Is something wrong?

[Stunned expression, perfectly still. Adrenaline tingles in him -- but why would he need to fight this stranger?]

[notcaged]

[she stares him down for a moment. He isn't dressed like a soldier, but bounty hunters have tried stupider things.]

Where is Balthier?

[preparedforthis]

Balthier? I don't know who that is.

[notcaged]

I am no fool. Where have you taken me?

[preparedforthis]

Taken you?! But I didn't--

[Pause.]

You don't know where you are?

[notcaged]

Your name?

[her tone suggests she will NOT miss if he messes up his reply]

[preparedforthis]

I'm. I'm Duster.

[He really doesn't want to fight anyone, but if that's how it has to go-- He probably can't move quick enough to dodge arrows-- Oh dear, thinking fast isn't his strong suit.]

Uh. And you're in Paradisa.

[notcaged]

I have heard of no such place.

[preparedforthis]

Oh.

[He pauses. Realization blooms.]

Maybe you're new here. No one knows where Paradisa is when they first get here.

[notcaged]

[she just stares him down]

[preparedforthis]

[A beat of awkward silence.]

It's, uhh, this castle we're in right now. It takes people away from their own worlds, and keeps them here for a while.

[notcaged]

[she decides the guy is just suitably nervous and obviously not a threat, and she eases the draw on the bow.]

I find this hard to believe.

[preparedforthis]

[Okay, that's a little encouraging.]

Yeah, it takes a while to get used to. And even when you're used to it, some really weird things happen around here. But there's nothing dangerous in the castle right now. At least, I don't think there is. It's just a bunch of people who live here.

[notcaged]

[this is ridiculous. She walks past him; she has a partner to track down]