Anni was relieved to have the group moving away from... that place. She very nearly ran to Kate's side and stuck there, nearly at the back of their procession, as everyone started walking. Inside she tried to stop remembering the field. The station had been so grim, so gloomy. Then the field had been so full of life! So bright, so very nearly magical, even. But... Blood. Pain. And above all, the Ghost GIrl's request echoing round and round her head: [I][color=708090]"I would have you serve as my blades, in this world."[/color][/I] That field... it had indeed been a place of life. That had never changed. What had changed was what life Anni could see in it. Not a fairy tale; as much as she loved those, they weren't life. Life had pain. Life had terror. Life... [I]'Life has its joys, too!'[/I] Anni screamed at her darkening thoughts. She picked her eyes up--and saw Ascot flying ahead, leading them down the trail. [I]'Life has love! Even though...'[/I] The girl's eyes drifted to Saffron walking along a few paces behind Ascot. Anni shook her head, wishing to physically throw those thoughts out of her mind. It was... well, it was weird. Ascot... Ascot hadn't been like this, had he? He was quiet, and helpful, and... well, normal. Now he was outspoken, forward... and he had wings on his back, but that was probably the least weird change about him. The first time he had said he could dissect the frog and she wouldn't have to watch, she thought she saw a halo around his head already. Wings were just-- Again, Anni threw her head side to side. [color=81FFF0]“Anni,"[/color] Kate nudged. The smaller girl jumped nearly a foot in the air. [color=81FFF0]“You haven't said anything for more than an hour. You're never this quiet."[/color] [color=ff4500]"Ah, I, uh..."[/color] All of Anni's thoughts scattered like quail after a gunshot. She looked to Kate with wide eyes and a half-open mouth, unable to form any words. [color=81FFF0]“It will be alright, okay? We're going to stay safe. You don't have to put... [I]that[/I] on."[/I] Anni followed the woman's gesture with her gaze, down to the Semblance at her side. It still smiled at her. [I][color=708090]"I would have you serve as my blades, in this world."[/color][/I] As much as she wanted to appreciate Kate's comforting words, a part of her doubted those words. Anni would never voice that, though; instead, she said, [color=ff4500]"No, that's not it. Everything has become so... frightening. And it's a lot to think about."[/color] [color=81FFF0]“Well, just don't bother with these things. They're only going to be trouble."[/color] [color=ff4500]"...That is my choice,"[/color] Anni said after a pause. She looked back up at Kate, locking gazes. [color=ff4500]"But I don't know what the right choice is. I keep asking, but--!"[/color] [color=FF7F50]"So,"[/color] a voice from (surprisingly) behind interrupted, [color=FF7F50] "how we gonna know what to do once we hit Silverbrook? I know we find the Magician, and all, but ya guys sure we're up for whatever's comin' next?"[/color] Both girls turned to look at--Anni knew this one, she was... Ta...b... Tabitha?--to look at Tabitha. After raising her question, the woman sat down under at the base of a tree. [color=FF7F50]"I wanna take a break, anyway. We been walkin' for a minute; ya guys can go ahead without me, if ya want. But I'm gonna drop my ass right [i]here[/i]."[/color] As a group it seemed the consensus was to take a break. Kate dropped to the grass a length apart from the others--even Saffron, Anni was saddened to see--and kept her eyes on all of them as best she could. Anni followed her, but didn't sit down herself. [color=ff4500]"Kate, I feel like He's--"[/color] [color=81FFF0]“Stop. You know I don't want to talk about it."[/color] Anni looked at her friend, then around at the others. [color=ff4500]"Who am I supposed to talk to then?"[/color] she blurted out. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She was scared. She was lost. She didn't feel safe at all. And she was feeling more and more alone as people changed into... not people. Kate could see that, too. How many hadn't put their semblance on yet? There was only-- [color=81FFF0]“You can talk to her,"[/color] Kate answered, pointing at Stormy. [color=81FFF0]“She looks spiritual."[/color] A part of Anni instinctively bristled. She rounded on Kate, a deep frown of disapproval on her face. [color=ff4500]"Kate. There is a difference between--!"[/color] The girl stopped when she realized Kate had a soft smile on her face. [color=81FFF0]“There's the girl I know,"[/color] she commended quietly. It took her a moment to process what had just happened, but soon her face lit up with an open-mouthed "a-ha!" For the time being, at least, the fear that had been spreading through her was gone. Kate had chased it out. Anni smiled at the world's best waitress--a giant smile filled with gratitude and awe--then turned to mingle with more of the group. Anni ran over to where Tabitha sat. [color=ff4500]"What do you think is going to be next?"[/color] she asked the jester. [color=ff4500]"The Magician should tell us who she wants us to fight against. He might even tell us why. If we don't know that... Well, why did you come here in the first place?"[/color] Anni hadn't come for the scenery, that was certain. They were here because the Ghost Girl had asked for their help, right?