[It had all happened so quickly that the actual arrival had been little more than a disorienting blur, but the change in her surroundings is impossible to miss. She turns sharply on her heel, facing the mirror behind her and reaching out to instinctively put her hand against the glass— but there’s nothing, only the smooth, cool surface beneath her fingers, but the decor worked into its frame… it’s unmistakably for her.

Her gaze moves upwards, and she swallows hard as it falls on a replica of her own emblem in the brass. To the right of it, a burning heart, to the left, a rose and a single snowflake. There are other familiar things wrought into the frame, as well, but those— her heart sinks in her chest as her gaze lingers on them, and her stomach turns as she feels herself overwhelmed with a sense of longing, as well as the distinct feeling that the people those other emblems belong to are far, far away.

It’s the sound of other people’s footsteps that draw her attention from the mirror, and her breath catches as she turns to face the room at large, only then realizing that there are countless other mirrors surrounding her, though none quite so clear as her own, and with them, countless other people who appear just as confused as she is.

She exhales slowly, fighting the reflex to reach for her weapon. Calm. She needs to stay calm. She looks to whoever is nearest to her, frowning.]

What is this place…?

[Once ‘watches’ are passed out and instructions are given, Blake examines her own device for a few moments before sliding it into one of her pockets. It looks like it serves the same functions as a scroll, but she’s not sure she has the patience to work out how to use it just yet— all of this is still so surreal that she can’t even begin to think about the practical right now.

As some people volunteer to be lead to rooms where they might stay the night, Blake folds her arms across her chest and glances back towards the entrance, only to be bumped into from behind by one of the self-sweeping brooms. She startles slightly, stumbling forward a step before she huffs a breath, regaining her balance.]

How could anyone even think about sleeping at a time like this?

[Given that it’s the middle of the night, it may not be the worst idea, but the city appeals to her more. More than that, she doesn’t trust this place, and she’s not about to let herself be unconscious in an unfamiliar house— mansion?— full of so-called witches who can do real magic.

It’s just kind of a lot to ask of someone right now, she thinks. She inclines her head towards you, questioning.]

Interested in exploring a little? Seems safer to go together.

[Teamwork makes the dream work.]

[Blake isn’t superstitious enough to put any real stock into fortune-telling, but she can’t help being curious about the long lines that have formed at several of the stalls set up for various readings. Eventually, she gives into that curiosity and gets in line to see what one of the witches present might have to say about her future, preparing to take it all with a grain of salt.

All things considered, with the night she and the other new arrivals have been having so far? It’s not all that surprising when she’s told that her luck is about to turn especially bad. She lets out a brief, humorless laugh, a faint smile pulling to one side of her mouth.]

No kidding. It’s already taken that turn, if you ask me.

[No sooner are the words out of her mouth than she turns and inadvertantly knocks over one of the standing torches beside the stall, causing it to topple to the ground and begin to catch the grass poking up between the stones in the pathway on fire.]

What—?!

[Well… okay. That’s not great. She reacts quickly, attempting to stamp out the flame before it can grow, but overkill wouldn’t be a bad thing in this case.]

Somebody, grab some water!

[Something else in mind? Toss a starter here or hit me up via PM or at necrofancy to work something out together!]