whether you fall means nothing at all.

[Filter: Private; 65% unhackable]

[Written]

I... know I should move out. There aren't that many houses available... and I'm sure there are New Feathers from other worlds that have arrived together that need a place to stay that's bigger than an apartment. It's... not fair of me to stay in this house by myself. It's big and it's empty... there's too much space for just me.

But... this is Madam Musette's house. And Will's house. And... it's my house too. This house isn't really my home, but... but... I want to take care of it. And I want to take care of the gardens. I know I'm being selfish, but...

I want to stay here.

[Filter: Walter; 65% unhackable]

[Voice]

Um... if you have a moment... could I -- could I talk to you about something, Walter?

[Action]

[Shirley is out in what remains of Musette's gardens in front of House #34. She's kneeling next to one of the beds, with her hands in the upturned soil. It seems that she's just finished preparing both the flower garden and the vegetable garden for the winter to come. At a safe distance away, so as to not be in any danger of being knocked over by her work, there is a basket with what appears to be just a blanket in it; if one were to examine it closely, they would see that it's cradling a single egg.]

You've done a really good job... thank you for all your hard work. It's okay to rest for a while, now. [She tilts her head, as if listening. After a moment she smiles, as if she can hear the voice of someone replying to her, although it's a little sad.] You know that it was Madam Musette who took such good care of the garden... but I am glad that you think that. Thank you very much...

[Voice]

I'm sorry to be a bother, but... has anyone seen Madam Musette? She's an older lady who likes to wear pink... she helps out at the flower shop, and -- she didn't come home, last night... and she hasn't come home yet today.

I've tried reaching her through the journals, but ... I don't think she has her journal with her. If anyone sees her, could they please let her know that Shirley is looking for her?

Professor Raine, Professor Nebilim... I'm sorry for not coming to school today. I stayed back to see if she would come home.

[Action]

[Shirley is out in the garden, weeding and fretting. Her journal is right beside her, open, so she can hear any responses.]

[Action/Accidental Voice]

[Shirley has put her journal firmly on her nightstand, determined not to look at it until the week is over, because she's really sick of getting caught up in those village-wide commands. Of course, journals love to act on their own whimsy: it's clicked on to record her looking through her rather bare closet. She got caught up in Haruki's order, and now she's trying to find something to wear.

In the closet, there are a collection of very casual skirts, vests, and blouses; a few nightgowns; several Ferines-style dresses, for swimming; and the garb of the Merines, which she retrieved from the clothing store shortly after her arrival. Shirley herself is wearing a nightgown, as she hasn't gotten dressed yet today. Because we are all going to pretend that this is posted tomorrow morning, because I'd rather not tag at work if I have to.]

"Something that looks good"... I guess I've never thought about it. [She sits down on her bed, and sighs.] Maybe I should just wear what I usually do...

[Action]

[Freshly returned from her kidnapping, Shirley is sitting underneath one of Luceti's many trees in the village, leaning against the trunk. Her hand is covering her eyes, as if she's trying to shade them from the light. She's got the prerequisite bruises and scrapes from being kidnapped, although they're nothing severe; it's the migraine she's been saddled with that's really slowing her down.

She's been trying to make her way back to House #34, with limited success given how dizzy and disoriented she is. In fact, in all likelihood, she's not even in the right part of town.

Shirley really only meant to sit down and rest for a minute... but now that she's sitting down, it's hard motivating herself to get up again. She really could use some assistance.]

[Accidental Voice]

[Although nothing is visible due to the journal being closed, there is the sudden sound of a sharp intake of breath; a gag; and finally, what sounds like some rather violent coughing. It'll last for a while.]

[Action]

[Where Walter and Stella left her, Shirley has suddenly returned to life and is now sitting up in bed. Unfortunately for her, the water in her lungs had been in there way too long, even for a Ferines; thus, her body's first instinct is to cough it all back up. She's in no danger, but it's not the most pleasant of experiences, and is definitely not helping her nausea. Her large wings are beginning to shrink, and are molting all over the damn place.]

( A not so bloody mess. )

[Voice]

[Shirley's voice is soft and nearly deadpan in its calmness.]

Madam Musette. Will.

I apologize for leaving so suddenly, last night. I am returning to the house now. ... for a time.

[Action]

[After speaking with Stella, Shirley found that the urge to "return" to the water was a little too much to bear. Without packing anything to eat, telling her housemates where she was going, or even changing into more appropriate clothing, she simply left the house and made her way to the nearest lake. She barely remembered to bring her journal. She would've swum both ways, but Mitsuru kind of ... froze the river, making it too cold to swim in, even if she melted the ice. Her prim and proper nightgown and wings are still damp from her time in the lake, as is her hair: while it's normally blonde, it now glows a soft blue color.]

[Written]

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately. Hmmm~

Madam Musette~ Will~ Let's have a picnic in the yard for lunch tomorrow. We can't let this good weather go to waste! We can invite our friends over. It would be so much fun, don't you think?

Senel, Stella~? You two are especially invited. And don't forget Sophie!

(Before you even say it, Senel, it's not too early for Stella to be out. Besides, we're only a few houses down from you. And if you're that worried, you can just carry her~)

[OOC: Reserved, shy --> outgoing, gregarious. inc blonder musette troll.]

[Accidental Voice]

[The journal clicks “on” to reveal a pair of skinny ankles and bare feet in the picture area, the toes wiggling experimentally in the mud. The sound of the river can be heard in the background. There is a voice talking, that of a young woman; she sounds nervous (scared, even) as if she’s trying to calm herself down by talking to herself and rationalizing her situation.]

It’s a little cold out... but there’s no snow. And it’s very muddy. Um. It’s spring, maybe? Early spring... I don’t even see any buds on the trees. Er. I’m in a forest, but ... I don’t recognize it. The trees are so tall...

... there’s also a river ... it’s running quickly. It must still be high from the snow melt. If ... there was a snow melt? I-I don’t know... there might not have been. Um. Maybe I should go see if I can, ah... [a pause] ... rivers on the mainalnd always lead to the -- [Her rambling is disrupted by a new discovery: the journal that is recording her.]

Oh?... what’s this? A little book? Out here in the woods?

[The journal shifts as the new feather reaches down to pick it up. A pair of large blue eyes take up the “view,” as the journal’s owner looks curiously at it. She even curiously taps the pages with her fingers.]

Hello?

( there are no ferines. no orerines. there's just us. )