—You have got to be kidding me.

[ —is Gaia's reaction upon finding herself in a barren field of snow and ice. Her first instinct is to assume it's a nightmare, that Ryne-Shiva's powers have spiraled out of control again— which would certainly match up with the fact that she seems to be clad in clothing remarkably like her missing friend's— But Gaia has spent a long time walking the line between what is real and what isn't.

And this? This is very much real, loath as she may be to admit it. Real, and familiar in a way that makes her uncomfortable. ]

I swear to all the gods, if someone is toying with me—

[ It's a muttered grumble as she sets off through the snow in sandals neither platformed like she's accustomed to, nor made for walking through snow; the frost slips between her toes, and she shudders.

Oh, she is going to hate this place. ]

[ Apparently you can just a book by its cover. One holographic image later, Gaia is less impressed with this place than she was when she arrived in a field of ice and snow. She should be back on the First, helping Ryne organize a festival; instead, she's been pulled away to a strange land of seasons, given a world to save after so recently learning she was responsible for the near-destruction of that on which she was born.

Then there's the part where she already has powers she doesn't understand, and this place has seen fit to give her new ones.

And then there's the touch thing.

All in all, Gaia is intensely unhappy. The only thing preventing a full-fledged tantrum is the fact that she has her hammer and necklace back in her hands, along with her own clothes. She's ushered into the stables, too, where she finds a large creature waiting for her, wings flapping idly in the space it has available to it. Gaia's left to stare at it, lips twisted in something between unhappy confusion and disdain. ]

Wicked white... I thought they destroyed you. How did you possibly find yourself here?

[ She doesn't exactly make for a common picture, standing there in a white dress with an overlarge hammer held comfortably in hand as she looks with frustrated disdain at a creature most would likely consider to be a monster; there are no doubt several people who stop and stare, even in the process of gathering up their own belongings. If you're one of them, expect to find yourself fixed with a sharp look, a huff of irritation sounding from painted red lips as blue eyes meet yours. ]

Is there some reason you're staring?

[ Gaia isn't feeling particularly festive right now, and the atmosphere isn't changing that. She has some coins to spend, but none of the vending machines are particularly calling her name; nor does any of the food seem all that interesting to try. She feels like she's mourning a life she barely knew— which doesn't make a lick of sense, but it is what seems to be happening nonetheless.

After some time, a stranger approaches her and starts talking, trying to convince her into attempting at least one of the machines; in the end, if only to shut their mouth, she goes for the nearest one— which just so happens to be the Poké Ball machine. Now she's sitting at a restaurant table, glass of water in hand, while a flame-earred fox prances around in front of her. ]

You are altogether too excitable, [ Gaia says, her voice dry.

The Fennekin sneezes fiery embers into the air in response, and a tiny smile quirks the girl's lips. Between the bright red fur and its cheerful nature, it reminds her instinctively of someone important. ]

I think...

[ She may be lonely, but she is hardly needy enough to start naming animals after the one person in the world whom she calls "friend". Even if it does have Ryne's red hair. ]

...I shall name you Minfilia.

[ Why a seventeen-year-old girl thinks she can succeed where others have surely failed, no one will ever know. But once Gaia notices that people are going into the casino and not coming out again, she decides to poke around. But she's not exactly the stealthiest person in the world; in the end, it's no surprise that she's caught and shuffled into the back rooms, a medicine injected into her side that seems to have no effect whatsoever.

The transformation comes later, and it takes her by surprise. Suddenly, she's different. What before were her clothes are now a monstrosity of feathers and Ascians robes melted into her skin, the taloned gloves now as much a part of her as the nose on her face. Her bones feel hollow as her new wings flap, lifting her into the air as her blue eyes fix on anyone near to her, something colder than normal in her expression.

An urge to rip and tear, to sing melodies that will have them fall to the strike of her claws—

Gaia takes a breath, a hint of panic registering behind her expression. ]

Don't come any closer!

[ If nothing grabs your attention, feel free to hit me up with something else; anything from the TDM is totally fair game. Hit me up at denouements or PM this journal to chat or ask questions! ♥ ]