[center]She ignored the budding confrontation, much as Tabitha was doing. Other things had made themselves apparent. She couldn't figure them out, given how her attention seemed to drift erratically between spheres of thought and broken circles of emotion. The laughter had been fake, despite how much it forced her chest to heave and her eyes to water further. [color=FF7F50][i]Put on one mask to take another off, right? Fuck.[/i][/color] Her hands were still trembling and the warmth that had spread from her Semblance was fading, slowly being replaced by the warmth of the Irriss Sun. Her focus was, somewhat irritatingly, sharply trained on the Ghost Girl. The depths of her eyes as they slid to certain speakers.

[color=FF7F50][i]She's somethin' else, that's for sure. I wonder how far we're gonna go, if this keeps up.[/i][/color]

Tabitha let her own vision trail to the thing Tristan had become. At least, she thought it was Tristan. [color=FF7F50][i]Hard to tell with all the cryin' I was doin'. Pretty sure that's him, though, ain't nobody else, here, gonna go out they way to be around me.[/i][/color] She sighed, quietly, and let the excess energy work its way out in the best way she knew how; without being too obvious. She dug her feet against the dirt and grass, feeling it against her toes. [color=FF7F50][i]Why the fuck ain't I got shoes on?[/i][/color] It was probably irrelevant, but it seemed like an odd thing. [color=FF7F50][i]Just some leggings. I guess it ain't a big deal. Can always pick somethin' up, later.[/i][/color]

 [color=708090]"You are nothing less than you were before coming here,"[/color] The Ghost Girl's words were, as usual, rattling; a quiet razor against Tabitha's dancing thoughts, [color=708090]"You are still Mortal."[/color] She slowly lifted a hand, making a motion to those who had embraced the 'metamorphosis' she had offered. [color=708090]"Merely a Mortal imbued with greater potential. Many of you have already noticed, if not exercised, the boon taken. What source you now draw your power from is irrelevant. The creature that became the Semblance is no more, you have consumed what little remained of them."[/color] She folded her hands, the very image of patience among chaos. 

[color=FF7F50][i]Chaos she brought with her. With us. Wonder how much of this she was waitin' on.[/i][/color]

 [color=708090]"As for what you do with this gift, I can not say. I have requested your aid in repairing this world, as well as preserving the current state of your own."[/color] Her eyes betrayed nothing, but she looked at Anni with something Tabitha could have sworn was close to a smile. [color=708090]"However, you are free to do as you wish."[/color] Tabitha curled her toes and didn't let them relax, staring hard ahead. The green-clad girl had mentioned that, a few times, but had never given the specifics of what she wanted from them. [color=708090]"I would pit you against the inequities of Irris. Against the plots of veiled foes that have gone uncontested for many years. I would have you serve as my blades, in this world."[/color] [i]That[/i] sent a chill down Tabitha's spine. [color=708090]"Eventually, you will come to realize the truth. I can not reveal all to you, yet. The moment of my departure approaches rapidly. I have given you what I am able. If you so choose, we will meet again after you have made contact with Magician. Goodbye."[/color]

The Ghost Girl let her hands unfurl and held them aloft. Waves rippled through the air around her, and her form began to fade; losing its luster, its weight...even its opacity in small intervals. Tabitha watched, but her mind had trailed off.

[color=FF7F50][i]Were the tears fake, too?[/i][/color] That was like a punch in the gut. The possibility of her anger and sorrow being manufactured was something Tabitha had never considered, before. [color=FF7F50][i]Nah, couldn't be. Those were real.[/i][/color] She steeled herself, taking a quick glance at the sky before focusing on the secene before her. Everything was different, except the people. It was almost laughable.

 [color=FF7F50]"Good. Kick rocks, bitch,"[/color] Tabitha muttered under her breath, casting a sidelong glance at Tristan, [color=FF7F50]"I'm probably gonna hit the road, soon."[/color] She didn't know whether or not she was talking to him, or to herself, [color=FF7F50]"These idiots are gonna tear each other apart, and I ain't wanna be here any longer than I gotta be."[/color] She had other things to worry about. Will, Rani, and finding a way to ruin everything the Ghost Girl had in mind. [color=FF7F50][i]If she brought us here to fight her battles, she's outta fuckin' luck.[/i][/color]  Part of her wholeheartedly believed that; another already knew where they would end up. She finally let her legs relax, sliding them back and forth again.
 
[color=FF7F50]"The world's pretty fucked up. Guess it don't matter if we're here, or there."[/color] With that, she stood. She didn't start walking, not yet. Tabitha knew she would, eventually; 'south' was the only real direction she had in this brand new world.[/center]