taxonomites | oo1 ˪holo || @sanctuary˥

Caroline set the flat iron down on her sink, shaping one of her blonde curls with her finger. She was frazzled from the night before and the fact that Matt still hadn't answered her messages (it was official - he -was- avoiding her), but that didn't mean she was going to go out looking like a wreck. When she was satisfied with her hair, she turned off her flat iron and unplugged it from the wall. What she had expected was to walk through the door leading into her hallway and to be, well, in her hallway.

That was not how things actually went. Instead, she found herself in an unfamiliar room (if it could be called that at all) on some sort of platform... thingy. Were she less out of her comfort zone, she would have tried to describe it with something less general, but right now 'thingy' would have to do. It described most of what she saw -- especially the weird device above her.

There was something unfamiliar on her arm and looking down revealed it to be a silver bracelet. "Ew, what's this? It's incredibly tacky." Removing it was apparently a no-go, because the bracelet didn't budge. "Is this -stuck- on me? Okay, I don't know what's going on here, but," she fiddled with the bracelet, disgusted that apparently seemed -fused- onto her, "this is definitely not cool." Caroline was aware that she had inevitably bigger problems, but this one seemed manageable and like a good place to start. "How do I get this thing off?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah. About eight months ago... I can't believe it's been that long already.

[ and it will only get worse. willow knows this way too well, especially recently. ]

[ Katherine had mentioned that she had been here for five months which seemed like a long enough time. Caroline gave a small gulp, more out of distress than fear. ] Eight months?

[ Slowly, Caroline was having to accept the fact that she was here for the long haul. ] Has anyone ever gone home?

Yeah. [ she probably sounds weary at that. ] It happens a lot more often than you'd think, but no one really knows how it happens or why. Getting sent home seems as random as being pulled here.

[ and it's just as painful. ]

Maybe you've got some friends here who can help a little more.

[ Sarcastically: ] That's encouraging.

[ Caroline sighs quietly. There was at least one small beacon of hope. ] One of my friends is coming to get me, but she's taking like forever.

[ that gets a snappy answer from a very tense willow. ] I'm just giving you the truth.

The city's big. She'll make it soon. I-I can... keep talking until she gets there if you want.

Sorry. I didn't mean-- I'm just really freaked out.

That would be nice. Thank you.

It's okay. [ really. she understands. ] I was the same way when I first got here.

At least you're more alive than I was? [ meaning, caroline looks far less beat-up than willow was. little does she know... ] I mean... you looked fine. I should... probably stop now. Sorry.

It just feels like I'm going crazy.

More alive? [ After talking to Rose, who was apparently post-death... ] Are you dead or something?

Yeah, this place has that effect on people. [ more than just once, too. ]

No! N-no, it's not- I-I just... [ ... well, she'll probably find out at some point. no use hiding it when the rest of taxon knows. ]

Big spell right before I got here. It took a lot out of me and I could barely stand.

You're a witch? [ What else could 'spell' mean? ]

Uh... yeah...

[ said hesitantly. she's not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing in caroline's world. ]

[ Caroline sounds excited. ] My best friend is a witch! Er, other best friend.

Really? [ that seems to perk willow up. ] Guess you're not one of those people who wants to burn us at the stake, then?

Definitely not! [ Caroline sounds cheerful. ] Witches are awesome.

Oh... oh good. [ on contrast, willow sounds relieved. ] I've met some people who don't really... like us witches, so I have to kinda be careful. But I-I'm glad you don't mind. We're not all about the big and bad stuff.

[ ... or at least not unless they're glitched senseless. ]

[ Caroline can relate there, what with being a hated vampire at all, and for a moment, she wishes she could share that. She knows better, though, and keeps her mouth shut. ]

Are people here a lot like back home? I mean, where they're scared of spooky things? [ In hindsight, spooky probably wasn't the best word choice. ]

[ if only she knew that willow's friends with a couple of vampires. she knows aaaall about good ones. ]

Um... [ well considering her home is sunnydale, california... ] I guess so? I mean, a lot of people here aren't scared of things that like to go bump in the night. Most of my friends actually fight those things. [ beat. foot in mouth. ] I mean, the bad ones. Some of them aren't so bad, but... nobody really gives them a chance. They're all judgmental.

[ ...you are not one to talk about being judgmental, willow. ]

[ It would certainly be a relief, but Caroline had promised her friends she would keep the secret. ]

Oh. [ Caroline isn't quite sure what to think. Her friends fighting 'those things' makes her nervous, even if Willow mentions that some of them are good. ] Are your friends here?

Yeah. A bunch of them. It seems more and more common for people to arrive here with friends of theirs already here. I bet you'll find yours in no time.

[ the rules of willow's world are quiiiite different from caroline's, though willow doesn't really know this yet. ]

[ It can't be seen, but Caroline is smiling. ]

That's good! I mean, if we're stuck here, at least we have people to hang out with! [ So her priorities are a little off, but oh well... ]

Exactly what I was thinking! So i-if you ever need someone to hang out with, I know we don't know each other well, but I'm totally not some random serial killer.

[ because that is totally the way to make friends there, willow. ]

oo1 ˪holo || @sanctuary˥

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]