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*There is a dull thud, and then the feed flickers on - it seems somebody has thrown the book onto the ground in disgust. That somebody is a petite-looking blonde girl in the standard New Feather sundress, though her hair is tied up in tails by two black ribbons that some might say make her look like she has rabbit ears.

And she is absolutely

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[Voice]

[not_meatbuns]

[She definitely remembers that voice from somewhere. Not that Litchi can really remember where, aside from that the voice belonged to a lost little girl, but still. Why does she remember a rose garden?]

I hate to say this, but we're all trapped here for now.

Are you okay? I can come help if you need it.

[Honestly now, Malnosso. Finally start bringing in New Feathers again and you bring in a little girl. For shame.]

[Voice]

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*Is that... the Sector Seven runaway? How many people from that little comedy of errors are here in this place, anyway?* I have heard as much, yes.

Other than this grievous assault on my dignity, I am unharmed.

[Voice]

[not_meatbuns]

[Soft sigh of relief.] I'm glad it isn't any worse than that.

Do you need any help getting to the village?

[Voice]

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Any worse? You speak as though this weren't already dreadful enough.

I am in a forest by a brook. Is that sufficient?

[Voice]

[not_meatbuns]

Well, it's certainly no picnic, I agree. But it could be worse. [It could be home. If she was hesitant about heading home before, she's outright dreading it now.]

Yes, I think I know where you are, then. I can be there in a few minutes if you'd like.

[Voice]

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I suppose it's possible, though I am loathe to imagine such a thing.

...I shall be perfectly sufficient on my own, and I do not require pity from others. *Still, she's familiar with the place, and Rachel could do much worse than getting information.* ...though if you insist, I shall allow you to assist me.

[Voice]

[not_meatbuns]

[Oh boy. What is she getting herself into?]

It shouldn't take me long to get there. Just please be careful; there's a huge wolf that guards that forest. It can be fairly dangerous there, so please stay alert.

[Voice]

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*Something potentially hilarious?*

I have no need for your concern - I am hardly threatened by an overgrown mutt.

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[not_meatbuns]

Ah... I'm... glad to hear that, then.

[And she'll be along shortly, as promised. Even though she's still trying to figure out when she met this girl before.]

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*And Rachel is precisely where she said she'd be, kneeling on a portion of the grass that looks cleaner than the rest.*

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[not_meatbuns]

[It's faint, but as Litchi approaches the girl, on the very edge of her hearing is a "I suggest you return to your home..."

She pauses, but the girl's voice is gone as suddenly as it appeared. And from all she can tell, the girl hasn't said a word since she spotted her. Still, she gives Rachel a small smile of greeting.]

It's strange... this is almost exactly where I woke up when I first arrived here as well.

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*The smile is not returned; Rachel merely lifts her eyebrows in acknowledgment of the doctor's presence. Her expression is... appraising, perhaps even judgmental.* Indeed? It would seem that this world plays favorites.

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[not_meatbuns]

Well... I certainly can't argue with that. There have been quite a few of us from back home that have been brought here.

I suppose we should consider ourselves lucky you didn't end up in someone's bath tub. It seems to be a recurring theme with us.

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...yes. We certainly shall. *Had Rachel splashed down in somebody's bathtub, it is likely that someone would have died. Probably an unlucky bystander.*

Perhaps there is something particularly compelling about Kagutsuchi, then. Or perhaps it was simply the caprice of fortune.

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[not_meatbuns]

I have to admit, I've been wondering about that myself. I think it must be something about Kagutsuchi, but... well, I don't exactly have any solid proof.

[But that's really beside the point. For now, they're all trapped here, regardless of why. May as well make the best of it.]

...We should really get you to the village before it gets any later.

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I fail to see a reason to hurry ourselves needlessly. Humanity's inherited fear of the night is irrational and childish.