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[ a message is sent out to all members of the circle -- a sudden image, projected from their wrists. and, perhaps to your surprise, it is of astoria, sitting by lake dona, staring into the water, looking as if she’s staring off into nothingness. but she seems to be talking to something -- or someone -- her voice tilting in an odd strain. ]

Alcina? [ her voice is soft, uncertain -- puzzled, confused. ] What are you doing here?

[ the only issue is that . . . there doesn’t seem to be anyone there. astoria is talking to the water, but there is nothing -- no hologram, no image, no person or creature standing there. Indeed, it just seems like astoria is talking to herself. ]

What have I done? [ her tone is immediately defensive, and her arms wrap around herself, her tone taking on a low, hissing tone -- unbecoming, really, of the normally bright and bubbly astoria. ] I am doing what we were intended to do, what we must do in order to save this universe. [ but she seems to pause, then, and she closes her eyes, murmuring to herself: ] You are not real, you are dead, there is no one here, I am waiting for them to return, they will be back soon . . .

[ there’s another gap of silence, almost awkwardly placed, before astoria sucks in a breath, looking shocked. ]

How are you speaking? [ it’s a sudden demand, as astoria lurches to her feet -- a graceless motion, from someone who typically quasi-floats through the air. ] You are dead. I am here, alone, and I was alone because of you. It lead to ruin because of you.

[ astoria’s voice sounds strained, and light dances at the end of her fingertips, digging into the flesh of her arms. vines and flowers begin to grow around her bare feet, curling around her legs, and spreading outward from her . . . a rampant sea of life, spiraling outward with every breath that she takes. the light grows as she inhales sharply, ripples emanating from astoria out into the lake, whatever energy she seems to be exuding disturbing the water. the sky darkens, a wind whipping from her fingertips, clouds abruptly rolling in . . . it almost looks as if a storm is coming, but the rain has not begun yet. ]

Leave!

[ it's in the early morning, when it happens.

a sudden burst of light, from the southern area of the temple. it rolls through the temple, and in it's wake, bursts of greenery. flowers. trees. a sudden cascade of life, eradicating the death and destruction that the sickness wrought. and with it, the plague is gone. . . . of sorts.

shortly after the burst of energy comes a faint voice. effervescent, faint. musical in nature, familiar. tired. ]

My dear Travelers . . .

[ a pause, the slightest of hesitations. ]

So many new people, joining us. I apologize for not speaking to you sooner, and for . . . bringing you here. The Temple is full of difficult energy, darkness, and it pulled you here when I did not want you to be here. Not that I mind you being here! No, certainly not, no . . .

[ she seems distracted. not quite all the way there. but she's doing her best to remember, to keep on track: ]

But it feels clean, now, pure, light, and . . . different, I think. But something has awoken in this place that has not be here for a long time . . . the Temple whispers to me. Dona. Dona is an ancient word, a beautiful place. Cina named it that, I think. I haven't seen the waters of Lake Dona in a long time . . . if I've ever seen them at all.

[ she pauses, again. ]

At any rate, I am here. I will do my best to answer your questions, to hear your calls, and understand your pleas. But I need time, to . . . to rest. I need to rest. I have exhausted my powers, for the time being . . . we may be stuck here for a bit longer before we can travel to the next world. I felt a disturbance, in a world known as Akvos . . . and a familiar energy, too. But I have to reserve my strength, for some time.

[ so there is your invitation, to speak with her. ]

Perhaps I will learn how to swim while we wait.

---

ooc: as a reminder, each character will get ten tags with astoria before the thread ends.

So, asking for a friend: let's say someone was a falsely accused war criminal wanted on an intergalactic level back at home. Would he have any reason to worry about showing his face here?

Due to Chelseamod's ineptness with Dreamwidth communities, the tag post is now awkwardly floating around amongst your entries.

VIEW IT, IN ALL OF ITS GLORY.

[ there is a sudden sparking that emits from your magical watches and a hologram appears, showing a petit woman with dark hair. her eyes seem to hold a certain amount of mischief and light, and when she speaks, you listen. it's something about her; you are captivated by her presence, and you can't help but give her your attention. ]

Hello, hello, hello~! ♥

[ it's a trill of a voice, light and airy. ]

I know you've all just arrived~♥ but I wanted to introduce myself! To those who haven't met me, my name is Astoria! I know many of you are likely unhappy with being found here, and I understand. But the need is urgent, and dire, and I am in desperate need of your help, as is the universe in which we reside. There is much darkness, in this universe . . . plenty of worlds on the brink of collapse, or at the precipice of something great. It is my job -- our job -- to help where needed. Like superheroes, but a little less flashy!

[ she pauses. ]

No offense to the superheroes. -- but anyway! I want to let you know were we're going to go first.

[ she takes in a D E E P breath!! ]

There is a city, by the name of El Minha. It's beautiful, an oasis in the desert. There are many shops and stalls and the entire city is bustling, but El Minha is facing a difficult path. Transitions of power are hard, you know? And they have a new King, who is . . . probably nice, but the people there are suffering. Crime is at an all-time high, and King Kathashun can only do so much . . . if he's doing anything at all.

[ she brushes a loose piece of hair behind her ear, and astoria smiles a little. it is obvious, by now, that she's definitely bubbly and full of spirit, but she is deadly serious about her mission. ]

I truly believe that we have the ability to help those who need it most, and those people are in desperate need. So we're going to go there, explore, and talk to them! And maybe, just maybe, we can affect some good in this world, and change the tide for the better for these poor people.

[ she pauses. ]

So that's where we're going first! But before that, I'm here to greet you, to support you, and welcome you to my beautiful Temple. Please, please, please make yourselves at home! I'll be here if you have any questions. ♥

[ astoria pauses before lifting up a single finger, as if she's forgotten something important. ]

Oh, and please let me know if you find anything interesting or important or otherwise peculiar in the Temple! The Forest of the Fey is a magical place, and I'm keeping a careful eye on all of you explorers to make sure you don't get too lost, but my dear friends within the forest may like playing with you all, so be respectful of the wildlife! It may fight back. ♥

[ is she serious? the world may never know. ]