5th ❄ [video/action]
[the mirror brightens to the image of...a spilled laundry basket, and a skirt. It tilts up to show the familiar figure of Claire, both hands held up to her mouth in shock.]
[the object of her attention is a tall young woman with eyes and hair like ice, a sword strapped across her back. Her posture is awkward and guarded, and she stares back with equal bewilderment. Claire takes a step forward, dirty clothes forgotten for the moment.]
Veigue....Veigue, is that you? Oh, of course...of course it is. They did say you'd be different if you came here. But that doesn't matter. You're here. I missed you--
[the newcomer shifts, her expression hardening.]
Agarte. What do you want?
[Claire stops, looking a bit hurt, but she straightens and erases that expression with a sad smile.]
Oh, that's right. Veigue, it's me. Claire. Even though I look like this--it's still me. I promise.
What are you talking about? You're Agarte, not Claire. How dare you talk about her, after what you've done.
Veigue, please listen--the ceremony--after the ceremony, I somehow ended up like this. That was her Majesty's aim, she wanted a different body--
You're lying! Claire's fine. She's been with me this whole time.
[as if on cue, another figure emerges from the trees.]
Veigue! There you are, I thought you might have gotten lost.
[she wraps both arms around one of the taller woman's affectionately, glancing over at Claire. Her eyes widen.]
Oh--so you survived.
Could it be--...y...your Majesty?
[the girl just laughs.]
What are you talking about? I'm Claire. You're the Queen. You kidnapped me. You're lucky I forgive you for what you did.
Stop it, please--I just--why are you doing this?
[she reaches for the pair, and "Veigue" unsheathes her sword, leveling it at her.]
Don't come any closer.
[Claire stops dead, her eyes filled with tears, and she backs away and sinks to the ground, covering her face with her hands.]
[the object of her attention is a tall young woman with eyes and hair like ice, a sword strapped across her back. Her posture is awkward and guarded, and she stares back with equal bewilderment. Claire takes a step forward, dirty clothes forgotten for the moment.]
Veigue....Veigue, is that you? Oh, of course...of course it is. They did say you'd be different if you came here. But that doesn't matter. You're here. I missed you--
[the newcomer shifts, her expression hardening.]
Agarte. What do you want?
[Claire stops, looking a bit hurt, but she straightens and erases that expression with a sad smile.]
Oh, that's right. Veigue, it's me. Claire. Even though I look like this--it's still me. I promise.
What are you talking about? You're Agarte, not Claire. How dare you talk about her, after what you've done.
Veigue, please listen--the ceremony--after the ceremony, I somehow ended up like this. That was her Majesty's aim, she wanted a different body--
You're lying! Claire's fine. She's been with me this whole time.
[as if on cue, another figure emerges from the trees.]
Veigue! There you are, I thought you might have gotten lost.
[she wraps both arms around one of the taller woman's affectionately, glancing over at Claire. Her eyes widen.]
Oh--so you survived.
Could it be--...y...your Majesty?
[the girl just laughs.]
What are you talking about? I'm Claire. You're the Queen. You kidnapped me. You're lucky I forgive you for what you did.
Stop it, please--I just--why are you doing this?
[she reaches for the pair, and "Veigue" unsheathes her sword, leveling it at her.]
Don't come any closer.
[Claire stops dead, her eyes filled with tears, and she backs away and sinks to the ground, covering her face with her hands.]