[The girl exhales, her pretty hair ruffling, and Akechi is struck with the realization of why he felt such an immediate draw to her. She looks just like his closest friend, Sumire. The same petite build, likely the same age, the same beautiful, long, red hair. The gentle nervousness. The feeling of not quite fitting in.

Hm. He'll have to unpack that later.]

It isn't exactly the term I'd use, but to say I live here isn't entirely wrong either. [Confusing as always, Akechi. He guides Maelle to the entrance of the maze, a beautiful, inviting arch of colorful flowers and lush greenery. Someone unfamiliar passes by just a touch too close to Maelle and the boy shoots the man a murderous glare before ushering her through the arch.]

The rest of us were taken just like you were, dropped into this world after being ripped from our own. I've been here longer than some of the others, nearly six months now. We've captives. Adopted, as the fae say. And I'm afraid they don't care what family you left behind or what important tasks you had yet to complete back home.

As far as they're concerned, we're their new pets, brought here to perform for them.