[center]Three considered him for a moment, before lightly shaking his hand. [color=DA70D6]"Nice to meet you, too, Zino. Don't expect me to call you [i]mister[/i] anything, though."[/color] It was then that her Mortal companion turned his attention to the Irriss Something, seeming enthralled. She watched him watch, indigo eyes focused on both the man and the realm she so desperately wished to explore. It wasn't long before he announced his readiness. Three smiled broadly, folding her arms. [color=DA70D6][i]At least I'm not the only one.[/i][/color]

 She hopped forward, so close to the thin veil between Something and Nothing that it began to twitch and distort; creating ripples across the face of Irriss. Holes appeared, tiny and few, as her interference with its existence grew. Her heart thudded rapidly and she drew in a sharp breath, more excited than she had been in some time. [color=DA70D6]"Zino,"[/color] she said, turning to give him a look filled with some meaning, [color=DA70D6]"moving through this barrier will be strange for you, but it'll only last a second. You might not even really remember it, once we're on the other side."[/color] She swayed back and forth, watching the melting edges of the membrane. [color=DA70D6]"Just a warning, that's all."[/color] Where she had pointed, before, now she beckoned; urging him to come stand at her side.

 [color=DA70D6][i]You're lucky I'm not going to let you disperse, again. If my mistress hadn't told me...[/i][/color] The thought was cut short, Three not wanting to linger on the distraction of Zino Bertran's presence for much longer. Ghost Girl had her purpose for him. Three didn't have a large part in that plan, and getting to Irriss was far more important to her than the purpose he would serve; or whatever 'truths' would be revealed to him, through his time in Irriss. The distortions grew wild and impatient, the tiny holes yawning and snapping closed; only to open and close again, some of them straining against their confines to drift in her direction.

 Three's smile was wide, her face alight with glee; her eyes practically lambent in the smog of Nothing. Slowly, she reached forward; gently touching the extended distortion. It enveloped her fingers, tearing that part of her away, but they were not yet in the corporeal Something. Transference was precise, and Three was not as proficient as her owner. She was, however, competent enough to manage the process. [color=DA70D6][i]I'm getting there, though. Going to Irriss is different than going to Earth or Nothing. Time to give it a try![/i][/color]

[color=DA70D6]"Alright, now, all you have to do is relax,"[/color] her eyes drifted to him, again, [color=DA70D6]"take my hand, and we'll be on our way."[/color] She lifted an eyebrow, pondering for a moment. [color=DA70D6]"If you have questions, now is probably a good time. I don't plan to hang around, once we're on the other side. I have a lot of things I want to do."[/color]

Zino Bertran took her small hand in his own. It was surprisingly soft for someone beyond the mortal coil, and the realization caught him off-guard. It would be almost humanizing, if Three were not otherwise so foreign. He still was unsure that any of these experiences were real. [color=#eee0e5][i]If this is truly another world and not some… Fever dream,[/i][/color] he thought dryly, [color=#eee0e5][i]I had better follow her instructions.[/i][/color] 

[color=#eee0e5]“I have no idea what it is I'm here for…”[/color] He offered. Zino studied her face for a few moments, searching for some sort of reassurance. Despite appearing to take his death and resurrection in stride, he was afraid. His mind was reeling. Just moments before, he had breathed his last painful gasp. Now he was being thrown into another plane, another world--where he was unsure of the goals, the rules, and his place. He steeled himself.

There was no better way to find out what was going on than to go forward. Zino nodded and continued. [color=#eee0e5]“It can't be coincidence. Your 'mistress’ brought me here for a reason… If I were more informed,”[/color] he offered, [color=#eee0e5]“I would be of better use.”[/color]

 [color=DA70D6]"If you can figure [i]that[/i] out, you should be able to hazard a guess at what you're supposed to do,"[/color] Three continued staring at him, slowly extending her arm into the Something, [color=DA70D6]"which would have something to do with a Mask,"[/color] she was broken to the shoulder, despite only her elbow being immersed in Irriss. Three had come loose from herself, again, breaking away from the outline of her form. Purple and black mingled in spikes and swirls, drawing her attention for a moment. [color=DA70D6]"What does one usually [i]do[/i] with a Mask, Zino?"[/color] The disintegration continued, with Three stepping forward; giving a gentle tug on the Mortal's hand as she did.

She stared ahead, pressing her face against the breaking barrier. Sliding through was easy, and ensuring that the both of them kept their forms was simple enough. Three's heart fell, a little. [color=DA70D6][i]Maybe Irriss is no different?[/i][/color] Nothing became Something, from the unchanging static to a world that screamed with life. Three took a moment to adjust, still partially lingering in the temporary space between states of being. Her outline solidified, fingers first. Then how she envisioned herself manifested. [color=DA70D6][i]Now for him.[/i][/color] She concentrated similarly on Zino Bertran and everything she knew of his existence. [color=DA70D6][i]I held it in my hands as threads and put it back together, just like she did.[/i][/color] That was enough to set the process into motion and complete it, all at once. Zino was, once again, standing before her.

[color=DA70D6][i]It was probably instant for him. Wonder if Mortals see that not-place when they pass through it as a Corporeal Entity?[/i][/color]

Zino let go of her hand. He steadied himself, his feet adjusting the sensation of ground beneath his feet, his eyes adjusting to the light of Something. His stomach lurched in his gut. [color=eee0e5][i]Strange,[/i][/color] he thought to himself, looking down at the mask. He did not put it on, in spite of her taunting hints, in spite of his own curiosity. 

It was obvious there was a connection between the documents,  the bizarre mask, and the realm of Irriss. Zino Bertran ran his thumb across the soot-stained white surface. His mind raced as he muttered to himself. [color=#eee0e5]“Remains found in the incinerator at the new facility belonging to…”[/color] The man gave a macabre smile. [color=#eee0e5]“Data expunged.”[/color] His fist tightened around the porcelain. [color=#eee0e5]“Object of interest missing. Homicide, breaking and entering, destruction of property, Grand theft…”[/color] he sighed. [color=#eee0e5]“Suspect unknown.”[/color]

He was glad to be beyond the swirling, gnawing abyss. Still, knowledge chewed on the back of his mind, begging to be recalled. Zino glanced around, almost surprised that the strange Three psychopompos had lingered. He saw no others. [color=#eee0e5]“I thought you said there would be [i]mortals[/i]?”[/color] In the distance beyond the tree line was a billowy puff of white smoke: a clear sign of civilization. He shuddered. [color=#eee0e5]“Ah. I assume it lies just past this outcrop…”[/color] 

Zino Bertran studied her again, watching her hands, considering the way her slim, pale fingers had teased at corporeality and stitched him together again. Already, the memory was fading. He lifted his ice grey eyes to meet her own. [color=#eee0e5]“Miss Clothos,”[/color] he jested dryly. [color=#eee0e5]“I can assume that this mask is of great power…”[/color] He glanced at it. [color=#eee0e5]“Or at least of great importance. You won't tell me what happens if it's worn?”[/color] Zino glanced warily at the column of smoke. [color=#eee0e5]“Or why your mistress would want to impart this… [i]Gift...[/i] to me?”[/color]

He couldn't bite back his skepticism any longer. It was testing the limits of his ability to trust. He had been killed for this mask. It was no coincidence he had ended up here. Zino’s eyes flicked over her again, narrowing. [color=#eee0e5][i]Did her mistress order me to be killed? What am I doing?![/i][/color] He closed his eyes. [color=#eee0e5][i]Why me?[/i][/color]

[color=DA70D6]"There are. Either in the town,"[/color] Three's gaze fell on the veil hiding Silverbrook, affirming the man's conjecture, [color=DA70D6]"or down the path. I'm dropping you here because, well, it's up to you."[/color] Three produced her yo-yo with unnatural fluidity, letting it roll, [color=DA70D6]"It's a crossroad. Classic choice, right?"[/color] It spun against the ground, kicking up a small cloud of dust, [color=DA70D6]"Same with the Semblance."[/color] Her hand closed around it, as it returned. [color=DA70D6][i]An inevitable result.[/i][/color] Silverbrook was technically under the influence of Magician, the caretaker of those Mortal souls; until her mistress returned.

[color=DA70D6][i]That leaves me free to do what I want.[/i][/color] She took in a slow breath. [color=DA70D6][i]So why should it bother me that they're in his hands?[/i][/color] Part of her felt the choice was a bad one, even though she knew little of Magician.

[color=DA70D6] "Putting it on will be an experience. To survive in a world like Irriss,"[/color] Three took on a serious demeanor, despite how poorly it suited her, [color=DA70D6]"You need to be willing to make choices that have irrevocable consequences. Even if you're not aware of how far they extend."[/color] Of course, the vagaries had to be presented. Facts as phantasms. [color=DA70D6][i]The idea that this matters.[/i][/color] Again the yo-yo ran its course, returning in half an instant. [color=DA70D6]"Silverbrook, or the others? With or without donning your Semblance?"[/color] She didn't smile, but Three did shift her eyes, [color=DA70D6]"If you want answers, I suggest seeking out Magician. He's another of my mistress' assistants. Either will get you there."[/color]

 Once more, the yo-yo came and went. White blurring and purple stretching as it made its mad rotations. [color=DA70D6]"I can tell you that the Semblance is pretty handy, from what I've seen."[/color] She wouldn't go out of her way to make a strong case for wearing it. That was, after all, not her job. [color=DA70D6]"As to why my mistress decided to gift one to you,"[/color] Three turned on her heels, snatching her toy up gently and putting it back into her pocket; along with her hands, [color=DA70D6]"I couldn't say. I don't know what she sees in any of you."[/color] The path stretched on, for a ways, unbroken and unoccupied. [color=DA70D6]"I'm going to leave, soon."[/color] Her eyes drifted to Zino, their gazes locking for a moment. She saw the questions, still unasked and the roiling uncertainty that came with death and rebirth. The suspicion. Three gave him a smile, half-cocked and distantly amused.

 [color=DA70D6]"So, unless you've got something [i]really[/i] pressing in mind, this is goodbye."[/color]

Zino simply dipped his head--either as a nod of recognition or as a small bow of gratitude. [color=#eee0e5]“I'll make my way to the Magician.”[/color] A pause. [color=#eee0e5]“Goodbye, Miss Three.”[/color]

[hider=][i]In collaboration with [@Mammon]![/i][/hider][/center]