[center][h2][color=875f9a][b]Valerian Nico Alvarez-Knight[/b][/color][/h2][/center]
Valerian stood by the entryway, dazed and trying to gather their bearings. Some people were in the room with them, some were outside. Scarce but serious conversation was being exchanged, though they missed much of what was said. When a familiar tone of voice was directed at them, however, they were transported back to the here-and-now with a blink. They turned around in Emily’s direction, determinately ignoring the body posed next to her. [color=875f9a]“Oh,”[/color] they uttered. [color=875f9a]“Right, the cops,”[/color] they trailed of, not at all sounding convinced. However, they knew Emily was correct; the last thing any of them needed was to become a suspect.

They were not looking forward to the questioning they’d surely all have to undergo. Val really didn’t need something like that, and they were sure some of the others felt the same. At Emily’s following offer of cookies, they winced, and raised their head to momentarily stare at their chin. [color=875f9a]“Uh, I,”[/color] they stammered a bit as they reminded themselves to be polite even if hysterical laughter was on the brink of escaping them, [color=875f9a]“I really can’t eat right now,”[/color] they eventually managed a polite phrase, though it was still heavily tinged by disbelief.

Valerian turned away, and was about to leave Emily to her own devices, when she caught them off guard by complimenting them. They blinked at her questioningly, eyes affixed on her torso, as if her blue hoodie held the mysteries of the world. Or rather, the mysteries of Emily in this case. [color=875f9a]“Thanks,”[/color] they expressed their gratitude faintly. It had been a while since they’d last been praised so genuinely, and it was a completely unexpected occurrence in the present scenario.

They did not answer what they saw, as it felt like a rhetorical question. Even if it wasn’t, they weren’t comfortable relaying their musings in this environment. Perhaps if they’d been on their own, but perhaps not. Instead, they pondered on her latter question; should Emily see the same things they did? [color=875f9a][i]Some do claim that there are universal experiences, common knowledge – or is it common sense, and there are ways of uniform interpreting that lead to similar conclusions after all…but…[/i][/color] When they thought they could clearly express their belief, they did so. [color=875f9a]“No, you don’t have to. You aren’t I, after all, and…subjectivity is important,”[/color] they stated. Valerian briefly wondered if they should expand on their answer, but ultimately left it at that.

They nodded at her following description of a treeline, though couldn’t be certain she saw. They were distracted by Linda’s voice, however, and wandered to the hall. There, they saw that Serena was short of breath, and explaining something about a chase to Linda. [color=875f9a][i]When did she?[/i][/color] Val realized they must have missed more than they realized, but wasn’t overly bothered by that. Rather, they were concerned for Serena, who’d followed the perpetrator, but she seemed to be well…for now. Two latecomers had arrived, Mia and Cole. The sound of sirens was approaching; someone must have called the cops. [color=875f9a][i]Is it the paramedics, too? Someone needs to---take care of [b]it[/b].[/i][/color] They didn’t ask out loud however; if an ambulance was coming it was, and if it wasn’t, someone could still make the call later on.

Then, a metallic scent, and not of blood. Valerian whirled around, their gaze inescapably getting caught in the mirror. They had been careless, and it would surely cost them. They gulped as they observed the scene unfolding, a deep black void seeking to devour all. As if in a trance, they approached the damn mirror, though still stayed far enough that they couldn’t touch it. A muted banging was heard, and their breath quickened. [color=875f9a][i]Fuck, no, shit, it’s getting out, itsgettingout![/i][/color] Then, a window appeared within the void, far away, and a humanoid silhouette. [color=875f9a][i]What is it? Did it already get me? Am I watching myself right now?[/i][/color]

With a force of effort, Valerian tore their gaze away, closing their eyes. They regulated their breath, years of practice aiding their attempt. They finally removed their gloves, stuffing them into the same pocket that their phone resided in (the phone they’d completely forgotten about until just then), and began to fiercely scratch at the back of their palms. [color=875f9a][i]Ok, ok, okokok, I’m here, right here, not there. It’s someone else---Stanton? No, surely a devious one, can’t be the doctor.[/i][/color] In the middle of their monologue, a quiet ‘[i]Don’t go[/i]’ resounded from the creature within, and Val reluctantly glared at it.

The artificial calm it spread helped them emotionally speaking, certainly, but that did not allay their suspicions. They believed this was a trap to lull them into a false sense of safety. [color=875f9a]“Who are you?”[/color] they demanded harshly. [color=875f9a]“And what do you [i]want[/i]?”[/color] They were simple questions, though the answers – if any would be forthcoming at all – likely wouldn’t be. They glanced aside to keep track of Emily; they didn’t want her, or anyone else, to touch the mirror and be drawn in and trapped inside. Which was exactly what Valerian was sure would happen to anyone who willingly touched the no-longer-reflective surface. Thus, they would also try to stop anyone who went too close to the dimensional gateway masquerading as a mirror.