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[ Elizabeth doesn't look any different than when she was here three months ago, confidence with the network system and nervous concern otherwise. ]

It's really been three months? It feels more like I had a very refreshing nap, not disappeared! I know others told me this happened sometimes, but to actually experience it-- well, that's the same as anything, isn't it? It's always different in person!

Mr Klaus, I'm very sorry for unintentionally abandoning my job at the Hotel, and Mme. Eliyen, for leaving my post at the Guild without due notice.

[ She knows she couldn't have provided it, but she feels bad about it anyway. ]

Goodness but it's warm here... is this an actual heatwave? Columbia wasn't prone to these, being airborne.

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[Okay, what's going on here. Is this an epidemic? Zelos plans to be all smiles and charm when he turns on the camera -- she's a pretty lady, come on -- but what he manages is a frown.]

Three months? Are you serious?

[Pause to think.]

What was it like? Just here one day, and waking up the next? That exact thing happened to a friend of mine. Not for three months, but it was definitely long enough for us to believe she was gone.

Yes, it was just before June and then-- now it's not. I don't recall anything happening, it was as if I'd simply blinked and lost all that time.

You mean you weren't waking up when you got back? You weren't asleep on the floor somewhere?

[Ponder ponder. This is weird.]

Well, welcome back anyway! With a face like yours, I bet a lot of people missed you.

No, I was.. [ she thinks for a moment ] I actually don't know. I was just walking, I think. It took me a moment to get my bearings.

[ Elizabeth flushes a little. ]

Why thank you, what a kind thing to say.

One step in one month, the next step three months later? Damn.

[A twelve-month year is still something Zelos is trying to wrap his head around, but he figures that for all intents and purposes, one month is still way too long a time not to exist.]

[Grin.] I'm not saying it to be nice, I'm saying it because it's true.

Yes... it's one thing to hear that it's happened to people, but quite another to experience it.

[ A little bit of hesitation, though she keeps smiling. ]

I'm not certain if anyone realized I'd gone, other than Mr Klaus when I didn't show up for work.

[Blink, blink.]

What? No one...? That is so sad.

[He sounds a little flippant, if only through years of experience of pretending not to care as much as he does, but he looks genuinely concerned about this.]

You know what, I'm going to fix that. We're going to go somewhere right now, the two of us. Wherever you want to go. Sound good?

[ His response flusters her a little. ]

Well, certainly someone must have noticed after a time, I have friends here. I--

... Right now? Wait, where are we going?

[ Sheena's all smiles when she sees her. ]

Elizabeth! You're back! [ Her smile fades. ] Though... You really haven't been gone, have you?

[ She shakes her head. ]

The same thing happened to me--but only for a month. [ Yeah, she's the friend the redhead above mentioned. ] Maybe we should get together and compare notes.

[ Because they hadn't encountered each other in the Dreaming, and it makes the ninja curious. ]

Sheena, it's good to see you!

[ Even though it doesn't feel like any time has passed... ]

I think comparing notes would be an excellent idea. Are you still at the Tea House?

Good to see you, too!

[ She means it--and knows how she feels. ]

Yep. In fact, I'm there right now. Want to come by?

That sounds wonderful actually... perhaps you can catch me up on some things that I've missed, as well?

Sure, I can do that--except for some of the things I missed. But maybe some of the stories I've heard will help?

I've always been a fan of stories. I'll see you soon.

[ She makes her way to the Tea House, giving Sheena a hug when she sees her. ]

I should be relieved it wasn't longer, I guess?

Good. [ Sheena chuckles. ] I'll try to think of some before you get here.

[ Sheena easily returns the hug and gives her a wan smile. ]

Yeah. It's kind of a mixed blessing. Come on, let's go somewhere private. [ She instructs a worker to bring a pot of whatever tea Elizabeth wants to her office before leading the way. ]

What's the last thing you remember?

[ Elizabeth follows Sheena to a quieter part of the Tea House. ]

Well... I was on an errand, delivering for the Hotel, and I remember getting lost trying to find the address. That was in the Metal Sector. And then suddenly I was in the Water Sector?

[ Entering the office, she gestures for Elizabeth to take a seat before closing the door and crossing to her desk. ]

Is that how it was when you were brought here the first time, too? Wide awake and doing something?

Hi Elizabeth!

Welcome back!

Thank you, Sonja! It's good to see you again. How have you been?

Busy! Mostly.

Kind of running a business while also being a representative for the Foreigners guild?

And getting shanghaied into helping run parties.

[ She complains, but honestly this is much better than before, which was not doing anything. ]

That does sound busy! Congratulations on getting the representative position, you've certainly got the mind for it.

Parties?

Thanks! Work is sparse but important.

I suppose it was only the one. Valdis was running a Midsummer Ball. It has something to do with the phases of the sun, from what I gather?

Not something I was really personally familiar with, but I planned the catering for it.

Feeling productive cures a great many of the mind's ills!

[ She sounds like she's reciting it from something. ]

That would make sense, many cultures follow the solar cycle. Catering sounds lovely! What sort of things?

Whatever I can find. Oh! There's kind of a food shortage. The greenhouses have had some unexpected... setbacks.

Please do not worry about it, Miss Elizabeth - I'm well aware these things happen and it's certainly no trouble to work around them.

And we've had the heatwave for a good couple of months - I expect we're somewhere either close to the equator or in a part of the world that's in the midst of summer. Hopefully Tu Vishan moves somewhere a bit cooler soon. Some respite would be welcome.

Still... even if I didn't have control over it, I feel at least partly responsible, whether that's a logical reaction or not.

I may have to... slightly rethink my wardrobe.

[ Her usual outfit isn't terrible in the heat, but it's far from light. ]

I understand the sentiment very well. Still, I'd like to assure you that I do not not hold you accountable for the absence. When you've settled back in and readjusted, we can talk about getting you back on the schedule.

For cooler, more comfortable clothes, there is a nice clothing shop in the Water district. I can give you the address if you like?

I'd like that... a little bit of normalcy will likely help me readjust faster.

That'd be lovely, thank you. Can you make any recommendations for style?

Hmm - they carry a variety of tops that are light-weight but still professional. They breathe very nicely - rather perfect in this weather.

[ She looks relieved by that. ]

Excellent. I admit, I've seen some of the styles employed particularly from other worlds and they're rather... flagrant?

Ah, I take it you're from a time or place where more modest attire is customary?

Well... it didn't seem overly modest at home, but I suppose now it seems to many that way.

Ah - my apologies. I did not mean to imply it was overly so. Only that such standards have varied over time and other places. However, this shop should have things in line with what you'd be comfortable with.

Elizabeth!!! You're back!!

[Way to state the obvious. ]

It's really good to see you again. I missed you.

Adrien! [ she gives him the warmest smile ] I'm sorry if I worried you.

It's okay, I'm just glad you're alright. Did you go home? Or is being here the last thing you remember?

I don't recall going home, no. It was simply as though I'd stopped paying attention, and then suddenly there I was again.

[ She doesn't quite disguise the relief in the fact that she didn't go home in her voice. ]

Huh, that's interesting. I wonder where the Dreaming had you all this time- or if you were still somewhere on the turtle and we just didn't know.

[Oh he hears it, and he files it away for the future. ]

I really am happy you're back, though.

I wonder if there's any way to test that... but only people disappear, not objects, I think? I wonder what Mme Lutuce would have thought of this place.

[ warmly: ] Thank you.

Maybe there is? I'm sure one of the Guilds could work on that.

You think so? I wonder which of those I'd bring it to... Board of Sciences, perhaps? Or would it not be considered a scientific thing?

Maybe? I mean, it's science. They love experiments, right?

Oh! You have returned as well.

[Despite joining in on the surprise, it is with a pleased look that Aya gazes upon the screen. People returning--with memories of Keelai, no less--was always a positive thing, so long as the person returning does not immediately regret it.]

Who else has this happened to recently?

[ Maybe there's some correlation... ]

I cannot be precise about the timing of arrivals, as it is not uncommon for many to remain discreet for some time. Or simply avoid the public network.

However, the most recent example that comes to mind is a young lady who has left and returned multiple times, by my count. I believe her name is Marinette, although we have not spoken personally,

Oh, that's Adrien's friend! I'll ask him about it as well, thank you.

I... sort of understand why someone would want to be discreet on arriving here, even if in hindsight it looks so unnecessary. Sometimes our home situations don't leave us with the most trusting outlook on strangers.

[Though she had not experienced such a wariness personally, Aya could understand the sentiment enough to nod at Elizabeth's statement.]

Particularly those who are both physically and mentally younger in age.

Perhaps... although maturity isn't usually a reflection of age, I've found.

[ Both their cases in point. ]

...agreed.

[And a tiny smile appeared, as if they had just exchanged some private joke.]

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