[color=DA70D6]"Man, you're kind of a clog in the drain,"[/color] she said to the Mortal-something forming in Nothing, her back turned on the miniscule decompression; eyes aimed at Irriss. Three sighed, running a free hand through snowy  hair. [color=DA70D6]"Don't worry [i]too[/i] much about it, though. I worked on you. Good to see you're coming around. That [i]probably[/i] means you're acclimating to Nothing. I'm Three, your guide to the hereafter!"[/color] That may not have been entirely the truth, despite the purple-and-white attired girl's casual way of presentation. After all, Zino Bertran had been burned alive. He probably couldn't see her face, given her position, or the slight smile she wore. What he [i]could[/i] catch, however, through the shifting and settling of his own threads of chroma, was that this girl let her yo-yo rise and fall in perfect rhythm.

[color=DA70D6][i]I just wanted to get my toy,[/i][/color] came the inner petulance, much more pronounced when her mistress was not around, [color=DA70D6][i]not haul some soul to it with me.[/i][/color] She had thought of leaving him there, but certain things were inevitable when it came to her position. When it came to the 'big moves'. [color=DA70D6][i]I guess this is a big move, by most regards.[/i][/color] While she would do her best from having to admit it, Three was bored of standing around. She had been promised Irriss. That's what she wanted. Well, that and her yo-yo.

[color=DA70D6][i]Seems like the two got tangled up, somewhere.[/i][/color] She giggled, to herself, letting the toy fall and rise again; only to lazily snatch it into her palm and tuck it away. Nothing, as usual, felt like standing in time-abandoned static. Technically, it was native to her. The part of her that had been given more wanted nothing to do with it. [color=DA70D6][i]Might as well get this moving! The faster he's up to speed, the faster I get to play![/i][/color]

 [color=DA70D6]"You remember dying, right?"[/color] Three's curiosity was plain, if tinged by her childish demeanor, but she still hadn't turned; slowly taking the hand from her head and pointing it in his direction. [color=DA70D6]"Pretty nasty, what happened to you."[/color] She tore violet eyes from the Something she so desperately wanted to see, and turned them on the Mortal, following her own extended digit in his direction. [color=DA70D6]"I've never had to do this, before. Kind of neat that it worked, huh? You don't even look like..."[/color] she shrugged, [color=DA70D6]"Nevermind. Take your time, I guess I have to wait on you, anyway."[/color]

Three smiled wide, her ghostly form stark against the silent backdrop of semi-empty space; waiting for Zino to collect himself. His hands were tangled around the mask, and the ether between them churned from the void. “[color=#eee0e5]I… I’m dead?[/color]” He patted his face, his chest, his hands… [color=#eee0e5][i]All here... [/i][/color] Slowly, he staggered to his feet. 

Zino Bertran adjusted his clothes, pretending to dust off whatever ash remained on his suit. He looked around. Static gnawed on the corners of his vision--no, of existence. Inky darkness swirled thick between them. Zino was overwhelmed with the same feeling he had earlier: small, vulnerable, exposed. He hated it. He steeled himself against it. “[color=#eee0e5]What do you want with me? Why have you brought me here?![/color]” His knuckles grew white around the Semblance. “[color=#eee0e5]Is this about-...[/color]” His voice dropped, growing quiet. “[color=#eee0e5]Is this about [i]the research[/i]?[/color]”

[color=DA70D6]"That's not my business, Zinny,"[/color] Three affixed him with a firm stare, but mischievous smile, hands sliding into her pockets, [color=DA70D6]"My job was to get you here, and then to [i]there[/i]. And to answer that [i]very[/i] astute question; yes. Yes, you were dead. Now you're not. You're welcome."[/color] She took up her favorite spot in Nothing, leaning against the non-existent and, again, flipping the non-existent. Three didn't deign to blink for a long while, taking a cue from her constant exposure to a more reserved and frightening companion. [color=DA70D6]"Not that you ever [i]offered[/i] your name."[/color] Then she went back to herself, leaning farther back and slightly tilting her nose up at him. In her pockets, her fingers wriggled and fought with what was probably her yo-yo. It was not.

 [color=DA70D6][i]Poor Mortals. You guys could get to have fun your whole lives, but then you end up in a place like this. Talking about research. What. A. Drag.[/i][/color]

 [color=DA70D6]"Your research is probably boring. Take it up with my mistress if you want to know more about [i]why[/i], when she's around. Though that might be a while. She's awfully busy, over on '[i]your side[/i]' of things."[/color] Three assumed he would understand, at least somewhat, but didn't much feel like she had to explain. Instead, she proceeded with her usual routine, producing non-existent glasses and placing them snugly on her upturned snout. [color=DA70D6]"It's really more about the thing you picked up, in that furnace."[/color]

[color=DA70D6][i]I like that word! 'Furnace' could probably be used all kinds of ways.[/i][/color]

She feigned removing the glasses and leaned fully against the weight of Nothing, suspending herself above the non-existent floor. A slight frown had found its way to her lips, but that was also pageantry. [color=DA70D6]"It's a Semblance. You're going to be a late arrival. The rest of the Mortals you're going to be lumped in with are already there. They've got one of those, too."[/color] She stretched, putting her hands behind her head and crossing her legs. [color=DA70D6]"But I really don't care if you put it on or not. On the other hand, though, I've been told to drop you off and make [i]sure[/i] you understand. It was said like..."[/color] Three slipped into her best impression of Ghost Girl, projecting the other's voice with chilling accuracy and intonation [color=708090]"'Regardless of what you choose, Zino Bertran, you will eventually discover the truth behind your transference into Irriss,"[/color] She broke character, pointing to the Something on Nothing's left side, [color=DA70D6]"That, over there, is Irriss, by the way. In case you were wondering,"[/color] then it was back to her Ghost Girl impersonation, [color=708090]"and the reason behind your death. The purpose for your continued existence."[/color]

Zino furrowed his brows, his lips turning into a thin line of disapproval. “[color=#eee0e5]Ah…[/color]” he began, looking down at the mask he held. He traced his thumb over the smooth porcelain visage. “[color=#eee0e5]I see.[/color]” Bertan stared into the vacuous eyes of the mask, and it [i]remembered[/i]. 

Visions of serpentine, fiery undulations dispersed hot ashes. The noise of abject terror and pain wracked his mind--the sounds of his own screaming. The stench of burning flesh, of cooked blood, of cinders, and of fear filled his nostrils. Memories of smothering smoke and the agony of all his singed nerves overwhelmed his thoughts. Petrified, he could not tear his gaze away from the false face. 

He continued, eyes wide. "[color=#eee0e5]Yes, I... I died.[/color]" Glistening beads of sweat lined the topography of his features. Questions swirled in his head. [color=#eee0e5][i]Other mortals? Where are you taking me? What is Irriss? How did you restore my body? What[/i] purpose [i]are you talking about? What is the function of this mask?[/i][/color] Instead, he tucked the mask into the interior pocket of his jacket, suppressing the trembling in his hands and in his voice: "[color=#eee0e5]Please, call me Mr. Bertran. The situation is... Less than ideal. I apologize for my rudeness, but the circumstances were poor, to say the least.[/color]" Zino extended his hand in greeting. "[color=#eee0e5]I look forward to working together. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Three.[/color]"

Zino Bertan turned his attention toward where the girl gestured. Beyond the shifting stillness of the static he could see some sort of realm. It grew into focus as he gazed upon it, studying its verdant hills and sprawling cities. Crystal towers embossed in gold gleamed in the distance--shining and exemplary. On the outskirts of the plane were immense holds, shadowy and ragged, veiled in their own tall, craggy walls. The forests, plains, and hills were dotted with smaller, mundane settlements. 

[color=#eee0e5][i]This entire world is picturesque, albeit antiquated,[/i][/color] he thought, enthralled by the view. The classified documents he read ran burning fingers through the back of his mind. The mask called out to him. It compelled him to accept, it urged him to follow along, and it drove him toward Something, toward Irriss. 

"[color=#eee0e5]I'm ready,[/color]" Zino announced. He placed a hand over the mask in his suit pocket. "[color=#eee0e5]I'm ready to go.[/color]"

[i]In collaboration with [@Redward][/i]