[video]

[deathtrapping]

[It's nighttime. The vine shows what appears to be a disoriented young lady, oblivious to the presence of the mirror. In truth, that's not exactly the case; the mirror had been deliberately called, and the apparent confusion is mostly an act. Grace is just doing her best to establish herself to anyone who might be watching as a poor, helpless

Comments

[restlessdevil]

[As usual, Zenobia's always excited to see a new face.]

Oh, hello there! You're very cute. Is there anything I can help you with?

[deathtrapping]

[Damn right she's cute. She can't come out and say that, though, so she just fakes low self-esteem instead.]

C, cute? U-uhm, thank you very much!

Ah... Th-this is the Gardens, isn't it? I've, I've been here before, s-so...

[restlessdevil]

[Oh my god that face. So adorable. Congratulations, you officially have a Zenobia in the palm of your hands]

You're so welcome.

Yes. You're back, then. I guess I wasn't around when you were here before. Which is a pity.

[deathtrapping]

[That was unexpectedly easy. Not that Grace is complaining.]

I, I didn't think this place was real... Wh-when I woke up at home, everything seemed fuzzy, like it had just been a dr, dream.

A, a pity? B-but it's good if you weren't here, right...?

[restlessdevil]

Oh. I've heard other people who went home say similar things when they returned. I'm not sure why that happens.

No. I like being here. Back in my own world, I was sealed away. [She stretches the single wing on her left shoulder.] I'm not exactly normal, so people back home weren't fond of me.

[deathtrapping]

O-other people? S-so... Th-this has h-has happened to others, too?

Oh... [She studies the wing for a moment, then sets her face into a sympathetic expression. She's curious about what this girl is, but it would likely be rude to outright ask, so she makes herself refrain.] I, I'm sorry. Y-you seem very nice to me.

[restlessdevil]

Yes. My landlady, Miss Grell, came back, just to name one person.

Oh, thank you. [She smiles, almost beaming.] No worries, I don't let it bother me. I'm always so pleasantly surprised to find people who aren't offended by my wing. You seem very nice, too. I like you.

[deathtrapping]

Y-you're welcome. [She smiles back, though it's a bit uncertain.] O-oh! Th, thank you. I'm g-glad... I, I don't see why I should b-be offended by it, though. Where I c-come from, there's nothing like you, s-so I think it's really neat to be able to m-meet things besides humans...!

[Lies, all of it.]

[restlessdevil]

Wow, you're pretty open-minded. That's great! I don't like being called a monster or scaring people away. It makes it hard to make friends, you know?

Oh, my name's Zenobia, by the way. If you need anything at all, or have any questions, just let me know.

[Congrats, she seems to be buying it completely. It doesn't help that she loves shy, helpless girls.]

[deathtrapping]

A-ah, I try to be...! If, if you d-don't mind me asking, though, wh-what are you...?

I-I'm Grace. Grace Harlow. I'll b-be sure to do that...!

[restlessdevil]

I'm a demon. Half-demon, at least. I've been sealed away so long that most of my powers are gone, though. But I don't really need them here, so it's not too bad. Don't worry, I don't do anything scary like eat people or anything.

It's so great to meet you, Grace!

[deathtrapping]

[A demon, hm? She's pretty relieved to hear that most of her powers are gone, to be honest. She doesn't like sharing space with things more powerful than she is, so it's definitely reassuring.]

I-I believe you...! You d-don't seem like the kind of person that would d-do anything scary like that, s-so...

Mm! I-it's very nice to meet you, t-too!

[restlessdevil]

Thanks. I just want to make a nice new life for myself here. I'm not out to hurt anyone.

[Zenobia really wants an excuse to meet this cute girl in person.] Hey, do you need someone to show you around? Or if you'd just like some company? I know this probably is a strange and troubling time for you...

[deathtrapping]

[Grace weighs the option quickly. She seems to have this girl's favor, and she would rather not risk losing it. Besides, there are still a few hours until sunrise... It can't hurt, really.]

A-ah...! I, I wouldn't want to be a b-bother, a-and it's l-late... S-so, only if y-you'd like to. I, I can kind of remember this place now, s-so...

[restlessdevil]

Well, it is pretty late. If you're tired, I won't bother you. But if you're up for it, I'd really like to meet you in person.

[deathtrapping]

[If that's the case, it's best to do it now. It might raise suspicion if she insisted on meeting at night.]

A-ah, w-well... L-let me change, and th-then perhaps we can walk to the N-Necessities together.