[center][h2]Astarte[/h2]
20 MP and 4 FP available

[b]During the Phantasmagoria[/b][/center]

Astarte looked to the left and saw tree trunks that reached for the skies and went down into the earth, casting shadow over anything under them. She could see no sign of life within the darkness, but she could feel the gaze of predators on the back of her head when she turned to look away.

She looked to the right and saw a forest. Cast in the orange light and cold breezes of an autumn sunset, the reddening leaves fell, slowly, off the branches of white barked trees. Critters moved to and fro, across the red grass and onto the thick treetops. In the distance, Astarte saw a lone figure laying on a pile of red leaves. When Astarte turned her head away, she felt as if she had lost something dear to her.

She looked back and saw a barren land. There were no trees, no grass, no life. When she squinted and focused on the horizon, she could barely make out two figures, towering over anything and looking down at her from the heights. Astarte couldn't see the figures' faces, but she felt their judgement. As soon as her heart sank and she found herself weak in the knees and looking down in shame, she knew. They were disappointed in her. She felt nothing but an emptiness in her soul when she turned away.

Then Astarte looked forward.

A jungle. The thickest foliage she'd ever seen, barely held back by fences and what looked like a dirt road. While the treetops were thick, light managed to come through and light her way. She looked down and saw something different than usual. Instead of seeing her long lavender hair draping over her thin shoulders and her white silken dress over the rest, she saw a stout body. Human male, relatively short and very strong with big hands and scarred knuckles. 

She took a step forward in the foreign body. Her boot caught a root and she fell.

[i]'Oof!'[/i] She gasped. She'd put her thick arms forward and scraped them on the gravel and dirt road. 

When she gathered the strength to look up, she saw a swarm of vibrant butterflies. Thousands, maybe even millions, straight through the path. Astarte smiled as she watched the swarm. All colours and all shapes made themselves present, and by the time the swarm whittled down, a figure burst through the butterflies. Another human male, Astarte realized. She couldn't make out his face and she couldn't hear his voice, but she could feel calloused hands gently wiping away her tears of joy.

And then it was gone. Everything turned black.

Until she stirred. Groggily, Astarte opened her eyes. Heavy, calloused hands were wiping away at her face. [i]I'm crying?[/i] she thought. One held her head up by her jaw and the other took care of the rest. For some reason, the gentle touch just made her want to cry more.

[color=bc8dbf]"W-Where-"[/color] She started, only to cut herself with a sob. She pulled away from the gentle hands, sat up and rubbed her eyes. With a clear vision now, she opened her eyes again. She was back in her usual body, and the one in front of her wasn't a human male, it was her new friend. The ogre that Zephyrion had given to her. Even with half of his face burned beyond recognition, it looked at her with worry on its face. It was laying down in front of her to be at her eye level, and again used his hands to gently wipe Astarte's new tears away. [color=bc8dbf]"Where are we...?"[/color] Astarte asked and closed her eyes.

There was no response but a worried grunt.

[color=bc8dbf]"I-I don't know if I named you yet but... I think I'll call you Big, okay?"[/color] Astarte sniffled and gently grabbed the ogre's hand with both of hers. 

[b]"A... Asti..."[/b] Big's deep, grumbling voice shook even Astarte, who smiled in response.

[color=bc8dbf]"Yes... I'm Asti."[/color]

[hider=Summary]
Astarte has a dream/vision in the middle of the Phantasmagoria.
20 Might, 4 FP remaining.[/hider]