[IC] Princess Swap: An Interdimensional Freaky Friday Switch [REBOOT]

[Hostile]

OCTOBER 16, 2846
2230 Hours (SYSTEM CLOCK)

The UEGNC Interloper cruised through the black and blue void of a RIFT tunnel. The Relative Interdimensional Field Transit, or RIFT, is humanity's solution to the limitations of sublight travel. It worked by basically tunnelling through time and space, and, reality itself to an extent, to get from one point of space to another at hundreds of times the speed of light. Some would have said that it was impossible, and perhaps it was to a scientist before the year 2238, the year the RIFT was discovered. Using this, humanity entered a new golden age and spread to the stars before beginning to rapidly colonise planet after planet like our ancestors did when they began to explore the boundaries of Earth.

Of course, this also lead to a new age of piracy. Space pirates raided shipping lanes and attacked the trading outposts of colonies located far away from Earth, and they began to be feared everywhere. That is, of course, until the Earth government stepped in and formed the United Earth Government Naval Command as a testament of Earth's military might and security force. They struck back, and space pirates began to be much less common. Years later, after some disagreements with several outlying colonies for independence, another war broke out, eventually turning into a fully fledged conflict that had been going on for more than two centuries.

Then the Vaskrans attacked, and even more shit hit the fan. The empire of sapient lizard-like aliens suddenly dropped out of their own method of FTL travel, and attacked the colony world Cascade. Though they were repelled after a few weeks by the local UEGNC forces, it was just the tip of the iceberg. More Vaskran forces arrived and sparked a full-blown war between humanity and the Vaskrans. They attacked colony after colony and won battle after battle, and the UEGNC found itself slowly being pushed back.

Three years. Three long and hard years since the start of the war. Millions of lives had already been lost, not to mention the dozens of colonies that had been attacked and occupied by the aliens. The UEGNC rushed to counterattack, but even with all the machine and might of the UEGNC, humanity was still getting pushed back. Thousands of marine divisions and units were rapidly deployed and redeployed to face the enemy, as were hundreds of thousands of ships.

The 217th Marine General Combat Infantry Battalion was one such unit, a battalion of around a thousand strong, supported by dozens of aircraft and armoured vehicles. They were assigned to the UEGNC Interloper, a Colorado-class heavy frigate, The ship itself was one of the most well-armed and armoured class of frigates. It measured at just under 581 metres long, and is 121 metres tall and 213 metres wide. It was plated with roughly 85 centimetres of nanocomposite duratanium battleplating, and it was equipped with frigate-grade GeneRated Intelligent Defence (GRID) energy shielding. It boasted a large variety of powerful weapons that ranged from energy to projectile weapons, with its most powerful weapon being its main spinal particle cannon. Powered by a single antimatter reactor, along with a pair of auxiliary plasma reactors, it could remain active for years. With its eight repulsor thruster units, it could cruise through realspace at thousands of kilometres per second, and boasted high manoeuvrability.

All in all, it made it a force to be reckoned with.

In one of its well-lit corridors, Private Samantha Ashley strode through dressed in a simple tanktop and pants. Several other marines and crew occasionally walked by, each one taking the time to admire her rather shapely body and impressive hair, but were quickly turned away by the angry look she gave them. It was rather late at night, or at least according to the ship's system clock, and almost everyone else had decided to turn in. The 217th had just come from an engagement on the colony world of Asgard, ending in a victory for the UEGNC. Ash paused for a minute and stretched, before yawning. That done, she continued until she eventually reached a door marked 'D-312'. She tapped its controls next to it, and it slid open with a soft hiss. Her bunk wasn't that big; just a bunk bed, desk, and small closet. Small, but comfy enough.

"Oh, hey Ash." Her bunkmate greeted. Ethan Graves was one of the few guys who hadn't immediately asked her out, and responded with complete indifference when he found out he was going to be her bunkmate. Other guys would've probably gotten some... ideas. "How're you feeling?"

Ash looked down at her bandaged torso. She had been hit by a Vaskran energy bolt several hours ago, which had been a lucky shot and pierced through the carbon nanotube layer of her bodysuit under her powered armour. "Pretty fuckin' terrible. Nothing BioHeal couldn't fix, though." She responded, giving him a grin.

Graves chuckled at that and lay down on his bunk. "Well, that's good to know. Come on, just climb up and switch off the lights. I want to sleep."

The redhead snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Lemme just sort out some of my shit." She stalked over to her cupboard and sifted through her belongings, before something caught her eye. It looked like some kind of jewel. She didn't remember picking that up. Then again, that box contained random pieces of junk collected from numerous battles. "What the..." Ash reached to pick it up, but as soon as her fingers came into contact with its surfacem she immediately felt a jolt of pain, almost like a someone had dropped a stun grenade right next to her. "Ow! Fuck!" She cried.

"What?" Graves asked hastily sitting up and hitting his head on the bottom of the top bunk in the process. "Ow!"

Ash immediately burst out laughing, the pain suddenly gone. "Nothing, nothing. Just go back to sleep."

Graves rubbed his head. "I wasn't even sleeping." He groaned, before lying back down and turning."

"Whatever, dipshit." Ash replied, letting out a sigh before she climbed into her bunk and fell asleep.

[ayzrules]

The 16th day of the 10th moon in the year 2846 AS (After Seclusion)

It was to be quite possibly the most important occasion in all of Almerinte ever since the Seclusion of the Sisters. Itervians and Alumnallens had clashed with each other for centuries upon centuries, and there were innumerable legends and stories depicting the famed rivalry in between Ophelia, the stone-cold mistress of ice and snow, and Scarletta, the fiesty, willful trickster. But here they were, the night before an Alumnallen princess and her retinue of lords and ladies and knights and singers would grace the Itervian court for the first time since the dawn of the world. And as the Lady of the Keep, it was up to Princess Serenei Farwynd to ensure that everything was perfect.

"Your Grace!" a shout rang out from the far side of the kitchen. Serenei stood by the entrance, surveying the hustle and bustle. The Alumnallen delegation, led by Princess Phillipa Forrester and her husband-Prince Frederick Forrester-were due to arrive around noon the following day. A welcoming feast was being held in their honor, and preparations for the feast had started over a week ago.

Serenei turned. She had been admonishing a kitchen boy for fetching indigo blueberries instead of cobalt-blue ones. "The indigo berries have too much purple in them," she explained patiently. "The color would clash with the decorative icicles, and besides, they're much too sour. Go back and find the cobalt berries."

Reyanna, one of Serenei's many assistants, drew up alongside her, panting. "Your Grace," she repeated. Her chestnut-colored ringlets were slightly disheveled. "Reports from the Shimmering Sea have confirmed the Alumnallen's location. Their ships shall dock in the ports at the expected time," she informed Serenei.

Serenei nodded. "Good, good. Then we shall proceed as planned. Is there anything else, Lady Reyanna?" Reyanna Weystermont was a couple years older than Serenei, and had served under the former Lady of the Keep for two years. Serenei considered Reyanna's assistance invaluable. She was responsible for information-when somebody would arrive, how many people were traveling with them, how many horses they were bringing along, the number of trunks that they were bringing...down to what Princess Phillipa's gown was made out of (rare Meraliti silk) and how many rubies were inlaid in her tiara (nine).

"Oh, yes," Reyanna continued. "Princess Phillipa has half a dozen singers and twice as many musicians in her retinue. I had the scouts ask if they would be willing to play at the welcoming feast, and of course they accepted."

Serenei frowned slightly. "You will see that the Alumnallen singers and musicians at least discuss what they shall play with our own singers and musicians, yes?"

"Of course, Your Grace," answered Reyanna. "And finally, perhaps the most important bit-our navy is currently escorting the Alumnallen ships to the harbor. Captain Derrik has spoken with Princess Phillipa and Prince Frederick and ascertained that all is well. You mustn't worry about Captain Derrik, Your Grace. He is a good-natured, amicable man. He will not disgrace us."

Serenei sighed and laughed lightly. "I suppose you are right, Reyanna," she said. "I am simply a bit anxious, is all. If that is all, you may go. Oh, and for the twentieth time, I am Serenei to you, not 'Your Grace'," Serenei told Reyanna in a teasing voice.

"As you say, Your Grace," Reyanna replied cheekily. A mischievous grin came over her face before she darted away. Serenei giggled and rolled her eyes and returned to her task of overseeing the preparations.

Later that same night, Serenei ate supper with the rest of her family: the aging Queen Alaysha and King Lanner; Crown-Princess Marleyna and her husband, Crown-Prince Alran from Cyraine; the High Priest, who was also known as Bryce, Lord Lorgan and his wife, Lady Eyla Icewylle, and Serenei's husband, Prince Clarrik. Serenei had to remind herself that Marleyna would soon be queen-if a monarch lived until they were sixty, they customarily abdicated the throne and allowed their heir to ascend. Queen Alaysha was fifty-eight.

Marleyna and Alran's three boys were present, as well as Lorgan and Eyla's twins. Serenei kept a close eye on her own son, three-year-old Ryne. He was already taking after his uncle (the former Prince, and now Lord, Lorgan) in that he loved to explore new places and had no concern for danger whatsoever.

After the usual pleasantries were exchanged, the topic of conversation turned to the Alumnallens. "I do hope that Princess Phillipa and Prince Frederick are as rational as they say they are," King Lanner said.

"I am sure that they are, Lanner," responded Queen Alaysha. "Do not worry so much."

Marleyna smiled serenely. "Yes, listen to Mother," she said. "It is very unlike you to fret so much, Father. I am sure that they will be most willing to negotiate, and I am certain that they will be impressed by everything that Serenei has planned for them." Marleyna's normally cool and aloof demeanor was open and relaxed. She winked at Serenei.

"I pray that you have not planned anything that would offend the honorable goddess, younger sister," Byrce intoned. Serenei resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Her older brother was so unbelievably gloomy all the time!

"Of course I have not!" Serenei exclaimed, a tad indignantly. Stay calm now, she chided herself. As calm as Marleyna is around the rest of the lords and ladies. As calm as the Wytesias on a clear day. Calm, calm, calm. "I would never do such a thing."

Lorgan came to Serenei's rescue. "We all know that Serenei knows what she's doing," he said. "Why, brother, I would like to see you plan the feast! You'd be serving these hot-headed Alumnallens ice water with a side of snow!"

Serenei hastily stifled a giggle. Clarrik chuckled softly under his breath. King Lanner raised an eyebrow, the side of Queen Alaysha's lip twitched, and even Marleyna cracked a smile. Of course it was Lorgan who lightened the mood. Serenei had a feeling that he would get along very well with the Alumnallens.

"Enough of the bickering, now," Queen Alaysha reminded her older son and her younger daughter. Serenei took a dainty sip of the delicate blueberry wine sitting in front of her. The servants brought in a soup made from mushrooms, leek, turnips, cod, and walnuts. Serenei picked up her berry fork and brought a blueberry to her lips, nibbling on it as she listened to the others speak. "How are Queen Gracelynn and King Arlen, Prince Alran?" asked Queen Alaysha.

Prince Alran had grass-green eyes and honey-colored hair. He stuck out like a sore thumb in Itervia. "They are doing well, thank you, and they send their regards," he replied politely. It was no secret that Marleyna did not love her Cyrainese husband, and that Arlan did not love his Itervian wife. But they were married to seal a trade deal in between the realms, and they had three children who were quickly growing up. Serenei felt sorry for Marleyna. Her older sister was forced to marry a man that she had never met. At least Serenei and Clarrik were friends! Serenei wouldn't have said that she and Clarrik loved each other as husband and wife, the way that Lorgan and Eyla did. No, she loved Clarrik as if he were her brother, and she knew that Clarrik loved her as if she were his sister. And they both adored little Ryne.

Dessert was chilled cream and frozen blackberries, and then one by one, Serenei's siblings began excusing themselves to retire for the night. Serenei excused herself as well, and dashed off to her quarters in a rather unladylike manner to go over a couple of details.

Clarrik knocked on the door of her study. He opened the door and stuck his head in. "May I come in?" he asked. Serenei nodded, her gaze fixed on the scrolls of parchment spread out on her desk.

Clarrik approached the fine mahogany desk. Serenei's study featured soft, pale blue rugs decorated with intricate designs sewn from silver thread. Two bookshelves lined the far wall, while a large window framed by ivory curtains took up the wall behind the desk. A bouquet of violets and blue roses sat on the windowsill. Clarrik stood behind Serenei and read over her shoulder.

"Mutton roasted with leeks and carrots, huh?" he asked, a wicked grin sliding over his face. "You know that's my favorite, Serenei. Are you sure that there will be enough for our esteemed guests?"

Serenei rolled her eyes and playfully nudged her husband. "On average, you manage to finish one and one-eighth plate loaded with that dish. Three-fifths of the plate consists of mutton, while three-tenths of the plate consists of carrots and one-tenth of the plate consists of leeks. By my calculations, there will be twenty and five-sevenths plates of that same dish available to those of us seated on the dais and just below it. So, Clarrik, yes, there will be enough for our esteemed guests," Serenei answered, grinning.

Clarrik laughed wholeheartedly. "I should know better than to question you by now, should I?" he said sheepishly.

"You should," Serenei told him in a mock-haughty manner before turning back to the list of courses. Along with the mutton, there would be roast swan stuffed with mushrooms and oysters (a Cyrainese delicacy), baked venison (a tribute to Alumnall), plenty of hot, mulled wine (for the Alumnallens unaccustomed to such cold weather) and plenty of fish (Illyri was, after all, situated on the coast of the Shimmering Sea). Cheeses, fruits, pastries, breads...Serenei had it all down to a science.

Finally, Serenei was absolutely certain that everything was ready. She hastily changed out of her gown of royal blue wool and into a night gown. Ryne had been asleep for some time by now, and Clarrik had just gone to bed as well. Serenei sat down in front of the mirror and combed her chocolate-brown hair. As she was putting the comb away, something shiny glinted in the dim candle light. How peculiar, she thought. Serenei moved to pick it up, but when she touched it, a sharp pain seared up her arm.

Serenei squeaked in alarm, clamping a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound so that she wouldn't wake her husband. Serenei frowned, inspecting her hand-there was no blood-and then shrugged, yawning. It had been a long day, and she had more pressing things to worry about right now. Whatever that thing was could wait until the Alumnallens were comfortably settled in. Serenei shut the drawer and pulled back the hangings of the bed, crawling under the soft blankets next to Clarrik and shutting her eyes. Soon, she was fast asleep.

[Hostile]

At what she assumed was exactly 0630 hours, Ash's eyelids blinked open. She blinked several more times before coming to her senses, and took a breath. That was when she immediately noticed something. For one, the air smelled different than the usual sterile recycled air on ships, and it smelled rather woody, and crisp. Not noticing anything that amiss yet, she shifted in her sheets, and that was when she noticed that they were much softer and warm than the hard mattress and thin blanket of standard bunks. Anxiety setting in, she hastily looked around, and immediately noticed that she wasn't in her bunk at all. In fact, she didn't even know where she was. Of course, it took her a few more seconds to finally notice the additional warmth next to her. Turning, she noticed that there was a man lying next to her, fast asleep.

"What the fuck?!" Ash cried, kicking up her blankets as she attempted to escape, but only ended up rolling off her side of the bed and landing on the floor with a thud. However, her combat training kicked in, and she was back on her feet in an instant. She raised her fists in a combat stance. "Hey! What the hell is-" She suddenly clamped her hands over her mouth when she noticed something very wrong, something that emanated from her and yet seemed so foreign at the same time.

That wasn't her voice.

Eyes widening, she examined her shaking hands, which also weren't hers. She slowly looked down and noticed that she was wearing an absurdly soft sleeping gown. She tested it, and found that it was made of authentic silk. Of course, she couldn't really be certain, considering that silk belonged in a museum, and all fabric was synthetic, anyway. Shaking her head to brush these thoughts away and focus on the situation on hand, she glared at the awoken form of the man. "Alright, tell me where the fuck I am, who the fuck you are, and what the fuck happened to me, RIGHT FUCKING NOW!" As she did this, she noticed a lock of light brown hair fall into view. It was too long for her. She would probably get it cut later.

------------------------

At precisely 0630 hours, the lights in every single bunk blinked on, signalling the start of another dutiful day. Similarly, Graves' own grey eyes also blinked open, and he repeated this action as his eyes adjusted to the light. Yawning, he kicked off the sheets and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He stretched and stared at the bunk above. "Hey, Ash, you awake?" He asked, only to get no response. Which was strange, considering that Ashley somehow always woke up at the exact moment the clock struck 0630.

Graves stood up and reached out to give his bunkmate a light shove. "Come on, Ash, time to wake up." He gave her another shove after a few more seconds of unresponsiveness. "Ash?"

[ayzrules]

Serenei knew something was wrong before she even opened her eyes.

It was too warm. Much too warm. Itervia, as a general rule, was, well...cold. Which was expected from a realm covered in ice and snow.

But right now, it was warm.

Serenei shifted slightly. How peculiar, she thought. And that was when she noticed that the air tasted wrong, too. It didn't taste like...anything. And that was the problem. In the mornings, Itervia tasted like cold dew and fragrant pinewood. There was something wrong with the bed as well. It was a good deal less comfortable than the one she shared with Clarrik.

Speaking of Clarrik...suddenly, Serenei could tell that it was light in her chamber, where it had been dark before. She didn't move, puzzled by this new development. Her ears picked up the sound of something-or someone moving around beneath her. What in the name of ice and snow...

"Hey Ash, you awake?" questioned a male voice that was most definitely not Clarrik. Serenei froze, not daring to breathe. Where was she? Where was Clarrik? Snow above, what about Ryne? If anybody had laid a finger on Ryne, Serenei would tear them to pieces. The owner of the voice shoved her lightly. He was calling her...Ash. Ash? That sounds like an Alumnallen name. How could anybody ever mistake me for an Alumnallen?

Serenei took a deep breath and forced herself to open her eyes. The ceiling was startling close to her face. It was a cold white that was slightly tinged with grey, like day-old snow. "What...?" Serenei rubbed her eyes blearily. Something felt off. She touched her head, then the back of her neck.

"My hair!" she shrieked, sitting up abruptly and banging her head on the low ceiling. Serenei winced and frantically patted at her back and shoulders. "My hair! What have you done with my hair?" she wailed. Serenei's hair was her pride and joy, and to think that somebody had cut it off...she finally turned to meet the eyes of the other person in the room for the first time.

Serenei frowned. His eyes...they were wrong. They were grey. They weren't Itervian blue, or Alumnallen brown, or Cyrainese green, or even Meraliti gold. They were grey. Serenei had seen blue-grey and green-grey eyes before, of course, but this...this was wrong. Everything was all wrong. Serenei stared at him, panting. "W-who are you?" she stammered. Was it just her overactive imagination, or was her voice off as well? "Where's Clarrik? Where's Ryne? Where am I?" Serenei's gaze flitted across the cabin, taking in every detail of her strange surroundings. She did not recognize many of the items. She glanced down, and noticed that her chest was bandaged. Her skin was darker.

"What happened?" she whispered in terror, her fearful eyes locking onto the unfamiliar man's face.

*****

Prince Clarrik Farwynd, the former Lord Clarrik Hanner of the Valley of Ice and the husband of Princess Serenei Farwynd, the Lady of the Keep, blinked the sleep from his eyes as his wife shouted angrily. Something about telling her where "where the fuck I am, who the fuck you are, and what the fuck happened to me, RIGHT FUCKING NOW!"

Wait. What?

Clarrik gazed at her in shock. Serenei was very rarely angry, and even when she was, well, she never said something as crude and vulgar as "fuck". Then there was the matter of her dainty hands curled into fists, and the fury in her normally carefree blue eyes. Clarrik took a moment to process what was happening in front of him before responding.

"Serenei? Serenei, are you...are you alright?" he asked tentatively. "What is wrong? What's the matter?"

A knock sounded at the door, and then it opened to reveal one of Serenei's handmaidens. "Your Grace? You asked to be awoken-" the young girl stopped dead in the middle of her sentence as she took in the scene in front of her, eyes widening. "Oh...I apologize...I heard shouting..." the girl stuttered, quickly backing out of the room.

Clarrik slowly moved across to the other side of the bed, cautiously approaching his wife. "Serenei?"

[Hostile]

"Whoa, whoa!" Graves immediately placed his hand on Ash's shoulder when she shot up and smashed into the ceiling. Then, he raised an eyebrow at her mention of hair. She always did have a fascination with her red hair, and she kept it as long as regulations would allow. Which is to say, shoulder-level. Graves let out a loose chuckle. "Are you having ridiculous nightmares again?" He asked. "Were you fighting a crazy barber drone this time?"

However, his genuine laughter turned into a nervous chuckle when she asked who he was. She kept asking about names like 'Clarrik' and 'Ryne', or something like that. This time, he put his other hand on her. "Uh, I'm Graves. Ethan Graves. You know, your bunkmate?" He sighed and stepped closer. "You're on the Interloper right now, remember?"

Then he noticed that there was something else wrong with her. There was nothing but pure terror in her usual emerald eyes. Ash wasn't one to show fear very often. "Hey, are you feeling alright?" He asked, concerned. Maybe the weeks of nonstop fighting had finally gotten to her, or the wound she received the previous day was something else entirely. "Do you want to visit the infirmary for a while?"

----------------

Eyes still darting around her unfamiliar surroundings and the man, she growled in frustration. Just where the hell was she? And why was it so fucking cold? Yeah, she had fought on several frozen ice cubes before, but she was in her armour, which had regulated temperature via thermal gel layer. It was almost like that time she took a trip to Asgard, and that entire planet was frozen over, except several terraformed spots for human civilisation.

"Serenei? Serenei, are you...are you alright?" Ash suddenly heard the man say, and she refocuses her gaze on him. "What is wrong? What's the matter?"

"What's the matter? What's the matter?!" The now-brunette almost yelled. "Hey, asshole. I should be asking you that question." She took a few angry steps towards him. "Who the hell are you? Where the hell am I? And what the fuck is going on?!"

The door suddenly opened, and a young girl appeared, saying that she had come to wake Ash up, before stopping dead in her tracks, apologising, and back paddling out.

"Serenei?" The man asked, taking a step towards her. Ash instinctively raised her fists.

"Don't fucking touch me. Who's Serenay or Serenai or whatever?"

[ayzrules]

The unfamiliar man asked if she was having nightmares, and said something about a 'barber drone'. "A barber drone? What is that? Where am I? Is this some secret place in Alumnall that nobody knows about?" Alumnallen technology was known throughout all of Almerinte to be the most advanced, of course, but what Serenei had seen of the gears and cogs and steam-powered contraptions in the realm of red leaves was nothing compared to...this.

The man gently laid a hand on her, and Serenei flinched away from his touch. She glanced down at her bandaged chest again. Why was that there? Why did her body feel wrong? Serenei held her palms up in front of her face; they were darker and more calloused than she remembered.

The man began speaking again. He was...Ethan Graves? "What kind of name is 'Graves'?" Serenei asked, puzzled. "I-I mean no offense, of course, but the only realm that would have a family named 'Graves' would be Alumnall, and, well, pardon my saying so, but you most definitely do not look very Alumnallen." Serenei paused to collect her thoughts as her terrified mind scrambled for an explanation. She took a deep breath, sour old Ravella's words coming back to her. An Itervian lady does not let her emotions rule her judgement. An Itervian lady is polite at all times. She does not burst into fiery fits of passion, but remains stoic and still, like a glacier.

Serenei bit her lip. Ophelia, give me strength, she thought. "I apologize for my outburst, but I do not understand why we would be sharing a bedchamber, considering that I am a woman wed. I do not know what being 'on the Interloper' means, and no, I would not like to visit the infirmary until you tell me why I am here, if you please," Serenei said in the coldest, calmest voice that she could manage. "I will have you know that I am Princess Serenei Farwynd of Itervia, and I would very much like to be taken back to Illyri."

There. That sounded rather glacial, did it not? Snow above, how does Marleyna do this all the time?

*****

Clarrik was genuinely worried. What was wrong with Serenei? Why was she acting so strangely? "I am Clarrik. I am...I am your husband, Serenei. We have a child. Ryne. Do you remember Ryne? You are in our bedchamber, in the palace. We are in Itervia. A delegation from Alumnall is due to arrive at noon today, to discuss a feasible way to end Itervian-Alumnallen tensions that have existed since Mother Nature and Father Earth put our four goddesses in this world," Clarrik said in the calmest voice that he could manage. "Serenei...you are Serenei. You are Princess Serenei Farwynd, the Lady of the Keep and the daughter of Queen Alaysha and King Lanner Farwynd. Crown-Princess Marleyna Farwynd is your older sister. The honorable High Priest Bryce Farwynd and the honorable Lord Lorgan Icewylle are your brothers." Clarrik paused to gauge her reaction. He nervously ran a hand through his crop of chocolate-brown hair.

The door burst open. A flustered handmaiden stood at the threshold of the bedchamber, while Lady Reyanna Weystermont walked briskly inside, dropping a hasty curtsy in front of Serenei before speaking. She did not seem to notice Sernei's unusually aggressive stance. "Your Grace," she began hurriedly, rifling through the stack of parchment in her arms. "Pardon me for the intrusion, but I was told that you were awake and this is a matter of utmost importance. We have received word that there are eight rubies inlaid in Princess Phillipa's tiara, not nine, and we must make the proper arrangements for that..." Lady Reyanna paused and shoved a piece of parchment at Serenei, shaking her head. "I cannot believe these men. Oh, do not misunderstand me, Your Grace, but I had hoped that Captain Derrik would have at least had the sense to note the rubies," continued Reyanna with a sigh. Reyanna hesitated, seemingly noticing Serenei's anger for the first time. "Your Grace? Is everything alright?"

[Hostile]

Graves simply gave Ash a blank stare. "What do you mean 'what kind of name is Graves'? It's my name! Sure, it's pretty uncommon, but it sure as hell ain't unnatural." He said, confusion in his eyes. Then she went on about 'realms' and how his surname would be 'Alumnallen' or whatever. Graves took a second to process that, before stepping back and massaging his temples. He took a few calming breaths and tried not to freak out about his bunkmate acting strangely. That done, he turned back to her and forced a smile, hoping that she would just snap out of it.

That hope was then crushed when she then asked why the two of them were sharing a 'bedchamber' (whatever that meant), and that she was a 'woman-wed'. Finally, she asked why she was here. "We... I... oh, god, I don't even know anymore." Graves sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "We're on the UEGNC Interloper. A Colorado-class heavy frigate currently cruising through a RIFT tunnel at faster-than-light speeds. We just came from Sybaris. You know, colony world that got invaded by the Vaskrans, but we managed to push them back? And now, we're heading towards the Novus Naval Orbital Installation for repairs and refitting. Don't you remember?" He asked, still hopeful.

Once again that hope was crushed when Ash declared herself 'Princess Serenei Farwynd of Itervia', and that she wanted to be 'taken back to Illyri'.

Graves looked around the room, searching for any possible hidden cameras. When he was sure there weren’t any, he turned back to Ash with a bewilded look. “What… what the fuck are you talking about, Ash? Did you hit your head too hard yesterday?” He threw his arms into the air. “What the hell is this Itervenia- Intrevea- Iterwhatever?" He grabbed her shoulders and violently shook her. "Ash! Snap out of it! Stop acting crazy on me, man!"

"Hey, what's going on here?" A voice suddenly interrupted, causing Graves to stop whatever he was doing and turn to the source. The doors of every bunk had automatically opened according to schedule, but Graves had missed it in the confusion. Now, another Marine who looked as if he had just woke up was standing in the doorway. Graves recognised him as Private Elias Andersen, one of the more experienced members of his squad. "Why are you shaking Ash? You playing rough or something?" He asked with a slight joking tone.

The grey-eyed Marine shook his head. "No, this is serious. Here, come on. Ash's been acting strangely since... well, around five minutes ago."

"Hm. Let me take a look." Andersen stepped into the room, and his features were illuminated by the electric light. He was rather pale, probably from spending too long a time in his armour. Or maybe it was because he didn't go out in the sun that often, considering that he grew up on the frozen colony world Hiemal. But, just like most colonists who were born and raised there, he had Scandinavian heritage, which clearly showed. He was stocky and tall, and his ocean-blue eyes glimmered in the light. He took a moment to neaten his short chocolate-brown hair and to clear away the bedhair. Taking a few more steps, he stared Ash in the eye.

"Hey, what's going on?" He said in the most caring and calm voice he could manage.

-------------------------

Still glaring at the man, Ash's head tilted slightly, before her glare turned deathly. "Husband?! Look, I don't know who you think you are, but I do not have a husband. I don't have a boyfriend either!" She seethed. She listened as the man went on about how she had a child named 'Ryne', and that she was in her 'bedchamber' in a palace in 'Itervia', before it finally reached a breaking point when he claimed that she was to 'discuss a feasible way to end Itervian-Alumnallen tensions that have existed since Mother Nature and Father Earth put our four goddesses in this world' Ash groaned in frustration. "What? What's all this bullshit about goddesses? No one's worshipped one in centuries, just like all religion. It's dead. Gods don't exist. Never had, never will."

And just when Ash thought she had reached her crazy limit for today, the man claimed that she was 'Princess Serenei Farwynd, the Lady of the Keep and the daughter of Queen Alaysha and King Lanner Farwynd'

God, that was long.

"What are you even talking about? That's not my name. My name is Private Samantha Ashley, Alpha Team, Delta Squad, Fifth Platoon, Second Company, 217th Marine General Combat Infantry Battalion, UEGNC Marines, service number 6647-82-08-SA." She said. "There. that good enough for you? I have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. What the hell are you going on about kings and queens? Those have been out of service for more than eight-hundred years. And why the hell do you look like Andersen? I-"

She was interrupted when the door suddenly burst open, and a girl suddenly walked in, accompanied by a rather regal-looking woman. She gave a short bow, before hurridly going through a set of papers in her arms. Who even used paper anymore? Couldn't she just get a decent datapad like a normal person? She started talking about a matter that was of 'utmost importance', and that there were 'eight rubies inlaid in Princess Phillipa's tiara' and blah blah blah, shoving a paper into Ash's arms in the process.

Ash couldn't take it anymore. "STOP! Just fucking stop! I don't know what's happening, I don't know what's going on, and I don't even know who I am anymore." She rubbed her temples. "Just... just tell me what planet this is, what star system this is, and the location of the nearest spaceport. Seriously."

[ayzrules]

The man named Ethan Graves began answering her questions, but he could have been speaking a whole new language because Serenei did not understand a word that he said. For the love of everything cold, what does he mean by 'Interloper' and 'frigate' and 'RIFT tunnel'? Where is Sybaris? What are Vaskrans? What is a 'Novus Naval Orbital Installation'? Why would we need repairs?

Serenei shook her head slowly. "I...I apologize, but I am afraid that I do not know what you speak of," she answered tentatively. "I do not know what 'frigate' and 'Vaskran' and 'RIFT tunnel' mean." Graves asked what Itervia was, and Serenei's mouth almost dropped open in shock. He does not know of Itervia? Why, that's like-that's like someone not knowing of Father Sun and Mother Moon! Graves grabbed her shoulders and began to shake her, and Serenei cried out in alarm, unaccustomed to being touched by someone so unfamiliar. Graves pleaded for her to 'stop acting crazy', which only made Serenei more confused. I am being perfectly rational! It is this Graves character that is acting crazy! she thought indignantly.

A new voice appeared out of no where. "Hey, what's going on here?" asked a man standing in the threshold of the chamber. Serenei hadn't even noticed the doors opening. Speaking of doors...where were the doors? Serenei frowned. They had disappeared into thin air!

Serenei caught her breath and looked at the newcomer. He was dressed very, very strangely. And so was Graves. Serenei's gaze flitted down to her body and she noticed that she was attired in the same peculiar manner. "Why am I dressed like this?" She noticed the second man's features for the first time. He had pale skin (it wasn't as pale as hers, but still rather pale) and ocean-blue eyes and chocolate-brown hair. Another Itervian! thought Serenei excitedly.

"Hey, what's going on?" he asked, not unkindly.

Serenei let out a breath of relief. "Oh, thank the honorable Ophelia, please tell me that you know why we have been taken away from Itervia," Serenei pleaded. "I am afraid that everyone will be terribly cross with me if I do not get back soon. Princess Phillipa and Prince Frederick are due to arrive at Illyri any minute now!" Serenei's voice was growing increasingly agitated, and she bit her lip. Calm. I'm supposed to stay calm.

Serenei had never been very good at staying calm.

*****

Clarrik and was becoming very, very worried as Serenei declared that she had neither a husband nor a "boyfriend" (whatever that was supposed to mean). And then...and then Serenei went on to declare that gods did not exist. Clarrik felt the blood run out of his face, and he flinched involuntarily. Serenei didn't seem to notice his reaction as she continued to talk nonsense, saying that her name was 'Private Samantha Ashley' before rattling off a bunch of words and phrases that meant nothing to Clarrik. Something about what she was saying struck a wrong chord with Clarrik. In his distracted and distraught state, he caught the words 'General Combat Infantry Battalion', which indicated that Serenei was saying that she was part of the military...but that was all wrong. And then she said that kings and queens were 'out of service', which made everything all the more concerning.

Replying to Reyanna, Serenei ordered her to 'just fucking stop', to which Reyanna responded with a frightened step backwards. Reyanna glanced at Clarrik, who was staring at Serenei, wide-eyed and as pale as a sheet (which, granted, was not much paler than he normally was, given the fact that he was an Itervian). "I don't know what's happening, I don't know what's going on, and I don't know who I am anymore. Just...just tell me what planet this is, what star system this is, and the location of the nearest spaceport. Seriously," said Serenei.

There was a tense moment of silence. Reyanna hesitantly spoke up. "Your...Your Grace? I am not entirely certain what you are talking about, but...but we are in Almerinte. In Itervia. You are speaking of stars...perhaps you mean Sister Star, and the legend of how she shattered herself to pieces? We do not have, er, spaceports in Illyri, but I can arrange for you to be at Queensport for the arrival of the Alumnallens if you wish, Your Grace."

Clarrik shook his head slowly. "Lady Reyanna, I think that something is very wrong," he interjected before Serenei could begin shouting again. "Before you came in, she denounced the goddesses. Something along the lines of the goddesses not existing."

Reyanna's eyes grew as wide and round as saucers. Like Clarrik, the blood rushed out of her face all at once. "Y-your Grace," she stammered, frantically looking around to see if anybody was within earshot. Fortunately, the handmaiden who Reyanna had rushed past had left the room, though Reyanna lowered her voice nonetheless. "If the High Priest hears you say that, he will have you punished severely, family or no. Snow above, if word ever reaches the honorable Ophelia herself..."

Clarrik stood up. "She said that her name was Private Samantha Ashley earlier as well," Clarrik told Reyanna. "It has a rather Alumnallen ring to it, if I say so myself." Clarrik and Reyanna stood in stumped silence.

Reyanna was the first to compose herself. She took a deep breath, plastering a smile onto her face. "Well, Your Grace, it is quite evident that you are not feeling well. I recommend that you get some rest and perhaps see a healer-priest. Prince Clarrik, forgive me, but I shall be on my way to oversee the preparations for the arrival of the Alumnallens. Would you be so kind as to notify me if Princess Serenei, ah, overcomes whatever has been ailing her?"

Clarrik inclined his head. "Of course, Lady Reyanna." And with that, Reyanna Weystermont fled from the chamber.

Clarrik rubbed his eyes. "Look, Serenei-" Clarrik paused and drew in a breath-"or Private Samantha Ashley, or whatever you wish to be called, please do not ever say what you said about gods and goddesses again." His eyes darted fearfully to the window, which was partially obscured by fine damask curtains. The sky was a bright pale blue, and rays of golden sunshine streamed in through the curtains. It was an unusually clear day, but Clarrik knew that the sky could turn dark and that the rays of golden sunshine could be replaced by a vicious blizzard in the matter of minutes if Ophelia was angered. "Have you lost your mind? If-no, when-the priests and priestesses hear about this, there shall be consequences. I'm sure you remember the story of how the honorable goddess Ophelia put your family into power," he continued. "And she can take your family out of power just as easily. Please, I beg of you, Serenei, for Ryne's sake, tell me how I can help you. Tell me what is wrong. Tell me why you are acting so strangely." Clarrik turned to face her, fear and concern in his ocean-blue eyes.

[Hostile]

Andersen took a moment to process the information, before tearing his gaze away from Ash and giving Graves the look. Graves simply closed his eyes and nodded. Andersen stared back at Ash for a few moments, before grabbing her legs and back. He then proceeded to lift her off her bed and put her down on the ground. The two Marines then took their positions on both sides as they dragged her out of the room. "We're taking you to the infirmary." Andersen began. "Can't have you acting all crazy before a mission."

"Yeah. Are you sure you didn't hit your head last night?" Graves questioned, trying to avoid the strange and occasional suggestive looks the other personnel walking down the rather long hallway of bunks. The three continued their journey until they ended the corridor and passed by a small viewing window which still showed the glowing blue-black void of a RIFT tunnel outside. Graves and Andersen didn't stop at all, not until they reached an elevator. Graves pushed the call button, and after a few seconds, the doors opened up, and the trio stepped into the small, confined space as the doors closed once more. The elevator began its ascent, going up several stories until the doors slid open again, and its occupants stepped out.

C-Deck was one of the bigger and livelier areas of the Interloper. It housed the ship's mess hall, rec room, combat training, and of course, its infirmary. There were several Marines milling about in their fatigues, and some were in standard-issue Marine Powered Combat Armour patrolling the area, ACARs in hand. The trio finally reached the infirmary, and Graves tapped its metal entryway. Immediately, the doors slid open with a hiss, and they were met with the bleached white walls of a typical medbay, and even more sterile environment.

"Stanford! You here?" Andersen called out. There was a second of silence before another door opened up, and a black, metallic form stepped out, making somewhat muted clangs with every step.

"Yes. I'm here. What seems to be the problem?" It asked in a somewhat stuffy British accent. Autonomous Medical Humanoid Assistant were a variant of Autonomous Humanoid Units that were built for medical purposes. Unlike fully-fledged androids, who looked and acted perfectly human even though they were fully synthetic, AHUs were obviously robotic, the only similarities to humans being their general shape and form. Other than that, most appeared skeletal, with wires and servos sometimes obvious through their duratanium plating.

"Ash's been acting crazy since she woke up. Keeps calling herself 'Princess Serenei Farwynd of Itervia'. She's not acting herself." Graves explained.

Stanford took a moment as he slightly titled his head. "That is indeed a strange case."

"Tell me about it."

The medical robot straightened up again, and he approached the redhead. "Miss Ashley, would you care to explain the matter?"

-----------------------

"Sister Star?" Ash asked. "Never heard of it. And what the hell you mean stars getting formed by this... 'Sister Star' of yours shattering herself to pieces. Stars don't work that way." She folded her arms. The woman then suggested getting a 'healer priest', in which Ash responded by giving an exaggerated sigh. "You're getting a fucking priest to solve this bullshit. Seriously." She deadpanned, and was about to lapse into another stream of sarcastic comments when the woman hastily fled the room. "Hey, wait! You're not serious, are you?" Unfortunately, the woman had already left. The man then went on about the 'honorable goddess Ophelia' and how she had put 'her' family into power.

Ash held up a hand. "Cut the shit. Have I lost my mind?" She asked, fury still present in her eyes. "What about you, huh? You and your fucking gods or goddesses or whatever. Do even know anything about mainline science and reality? Miracles don't happen! Just freak coincidences and people being at the wrong place at the right time." She lowered her arm and stared the man, 'Clarrik', in the eye. "Gods. Don't. Exist." She growled out, putting emphasis on each word. "And why do you keep calling me 'Serenei'? I told you, my name's Samantha Ashley. I don't even know who 'Ryne' or something is."

She sighed and clutched her forehead. Her hands felt even smaller than before. "Look, let's just all calm down here. I just want to get back to my team." She ruffled her dress. "Ugh. This thing is so tacky. Where can I get proper clohting around here?"

[ayzrules]

For what must have been the fiftieth time in the last five minutes or so, Clarrik found himself staring at Serenei, dumbfounded. "Never...heard...of it?" he repeated slowly. "What? Everyone's heard of Sister Star and Brother Desert." Indeed, the first thing that children learned was how Almerinte was created when Father Earth laid down mud and mountain and Mother Nature breathed life into the world. And then there was Sister Sea and Brother Sky, and Father Sun and Mother Moon...

How could Serenei have forgotten that?

Clarrik's train of thought was cut short by Serenei holding up a hand and asking him to "cut the shit". She asked if she'd lost her mind. Clarrik was fairly certain that she most definitely had. Sweet, gentle Serenei was never this angry about anything.

"What about you, huh? You and your fucking gods or goddesses or whatever. Do even know anything about mainline science and reality? Miracles don't happen! Just freak coincidences and people being at the wrong place at the right time," Serenei declared. Clarrik shook his head, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"Snow above, how can you say such a thing? Have you not seen what the priests and priestesses can do? Your own brother is the High Priest, for the love of everything cold! Blizzards and snowstorms that can destroy entire cities that only occur whenever some foolish lord or lady tries to build a mine in the Inner Wytesias aren't just accidents, Serenei!" Clarrik was clearly growing agitated at Serenei's continued refusal to acknowledge that Ophelia and Ver'lya and Lativia and Scarletta and all the rest of their gods and goddesses were very, very real. And she kept insisting that her name was Samantha Ashley, and that she didn't know who anybody was.

Clarrik took a deep breath. "Ryne is your son," he explained in the most patient voice that he could muster. "He is three years old. In fact, I shall summon him to our chambers right now." Clarrik strode to the door and opened it just a crack, motioning to the bewildered handmaiden who was standing in the corridor.

"Would you please fetch Ryne for me?" he asked in a hushed voice.

Serenei's handmaid nodded hurriedly. "At once, Your Grace," she replied, before scurrying off. Clarrik sighed and drew back into the bedchamber, turning to face Serenei, who was saying that she wanted to get back to her 'team'. She then asked for 'proper clothing', declaring that her nightgown made from ivory Meraliti silk was "tacky", a term that Clarrik was unfamiliar with.

He gestured toward the wardrobe made of sturdy oak and decorated with intricate carvings. "I, uh, believe that you had a gown in mind for today in there?" he said awkwardly, opening the wardrobe to reveal a gown of pale blue lambswool and pristine white fox fur. Elaborate silver embroidery decorated the long, full skirt. Freshwater pearls had been sewn into the fabric, and the bodice was slashed with delicate Cyrainese lace.

The handmaid returned with Ryne in tow. He had eyes like the sky on a rare clear day, and his brown hair was on the lighter side. "Mother!" he exclaimed happily when he caught sight of Serenei, eagerly running to Serenei with arms outstretched.

*****

Serenei let out a started squeak as the man who she'd mistaken for a fellow Itervian very rudely lifted her up off of the mattress she was sleeping on and set her on the ground. She realized that the bed she'd found herself lying on was actually suspended above a second bed, which she presumed belonged to Graves. They began taking her to the infirmary. Serenei was not entirely sure what that was supposed to mean. And why was she supposed to be going on a 'mission'?

"I would appreciate it if you would kindly stop taking me to this infirmary of yours," Serenei said in a prim voice. "Yes, I am absolutely certain that I did not hit my head last night, and I have a welcoming banquet to see to!" She couldn't help but notice the strange attire of the other people in the hallways. Most of them were men, and they were giving her peculiar looks. Some of them were even so insolent as to leer at her, as if she were not a married woman, and a member of the royal family at that!

They passed a window-at least, Serenei thought it was a window-and she strained to catch a glance of the outside, but all she could make out was...dark blue. She frowned. Why was it glowing?

Serenei had no time to ponder the window. The two men reached a section of wall that was actually a door (Serenei was not entirely certain-everything so strange) that revealed a tiny room. All three of them squeezed into the room. Serenei was horrified. Snow above, how improper, being in such a small space with two men who I do not know!

The wall slid aside again in an unnervingly smooth manner. They continued on their way, passing what appeared to be men made of metal. Serenei stared at them, her eyes wide. It was like they were wearing very clunky and awkward armor. They paused in front of another section of wall, with Graves tapping something hanging on the wall, and the wall slid aside yet again, revealing a room with walls so blindingly white that they reminded Serenei of fresh snow.

One of the men accompanying Serenei called for someone named "Stanford", and out came a man made out black metal. Serenei screamed at the sight of him, shieding away. She was shaking violently. "What...what is that?" she demanded, panting. Her heart was racing. "How...how can it speak? For the love of everything cold, where am I?!"

[Hostile]

Stanford took his patient's scream and terrified as her answer. "What... what is that?" Ash demanded, hyperventilating. "How...how can it speak? For the love of everything cold, where am I?!" She continued, all while shaking like a leaf and hiding behind the rather imposing figure of Andersen. The Marine simply gave a blank look, almost as if he had already given up on trying to make sense of things. Graves had a similar expression, although he looked more concerned than anything else. Faced with an impasse, Stanford gave a sigh through his external speakers.

"Miss Ashely, please. My name is S74N-FRD, but you may call me Stanford. I'm the Interloper's medical chief. And please keep it down. You're making my patients... uncomfortable." He motioned behind him to the other beds, and indeed, several bedridden Marines hooked up to various devices were giving them strange looks. "Now, Miss Ashely, please take a seat so that we may begin." A bed instantly unfolded from the wall, shifting until it changed into a chair. Stanford turned to the pair of Marines next. "I believe it would be best if you let us be. It's breakfast now, is it not?"

Graves and Andersen glanced at each other, nodded, then turned back to the medical droid. "Alright. Just see if you can do anything."

"I'm a robot who specialises in medicine. I can make things better, but I can't do everything."

Andersen nodded. "You got it, doc." With that, the two left to head for the mess hall.

Alone with Ash, Stanford stepped towards her. "Miss Ashely. Now, please tell me what you know while I take some scans." Robotic appendages and devices suddenly appeared from the ceiling and floor, shining a line of blue light on the redhead, sweeping downwards and upwards. A full-body hologram popped up in front of her, showing her reflection and diagram of her body. Meanwhile, the ship's PA system activated.

"Attention, all crew. We will be arriving at Novus in ten seconds." The eternally cheerful automated voice informed. The ship shook seconds later, before the view outside the infirmary's only window transitioned from the usual black-blue of a RIFT tunnel to the sight of a ringed, terrestrial planet. Several ships, both civilian and military, drifted around multiple space stations orbiting the planet, their lights blinking on and off. Swarms of mining drones, deployed by equally numerous mining ships, milled around the world's asteroid belt, extracting valuable minerals and resources from the innumerable space rocks. "We have arrived at Novus. Moving to Novus Orbital Ship Repair Yards."

Stanford looked out the window. "Ah, it appears that we have arrived."

---------------------------

Ash threw up her arms in frustration. This guy just didn't get it. "Well, yeah. Guess they aren't. Asgard Avalanche did destroy nearly half the entire city, after all." She admitted. "I'm pretty sure blizzards don't destroy cities. Buildings are built tough, you know." She rolled her eyes, standing up and pacing around the room. Clarrik then told her that there were some gowns for her to wear. "Great. Gowns. The piece of fashion that no one wears anymore." Nonetheless, she stalked over to the wardrobe that her 'husband' had so kindly opened.

She poked her head in the piece of furniture. Every single piece of clothing was elaborately decorated, made from what was probably real fur. Lavish silver decorated the skirt, with pearls sewn into the gown. Ash shrugged. "Well, it's better than nothing. I'd do anything for a beer right-" She suddenly stopped when she caught sight of her reflection in a small mirror.

Picking it up, her eyes widened. That wasn't her. Her eyes were blue, not her usual green. She was a lot paler and softer looking, almost like she hadn't even stepped out into the sun before. However, what was most worrying was that she couldn't even recognise herself. Was that really her? Slowly putting the mirror back down again, she took a long and deep breath. "...Okay. I think... I think I need a lie-down." She began, stepping towards the bed with shaking legs. She looked even paler than before.

However, before she could fall into the absurdly soft material and pass out, the door opened again. The servant girl had returned, and there was a small child with her. He had brown hair and bright blue eyes, and honestly, he seemed like a child version of the other person in the room. "Mother!" he yelled, running towards her with his arms outstretched.

Ash froze. She wasn't really good with kids, especially with one who was apparently her son. So, when the child ran into her at full speed and hugged her tightly, Ash remained motionless, before turning to Clarrik. "Ummmm..."

[ayzrules]

​​​​T​he...the...Serenei had no idea what it was, exactly, but it looked like a...what did it look like? Like a man, except one that was metal. Which was impossible. What made everything all the more impossible was that it...he...could talk. ​

H​e addressed her as "Miss Ashley". Serenei frowned. "That's not my name! I am Serenei Farwynd of Itervia, not 'Ash' or 'Ashley'." The metal man then went on to say that his name was S-7-4-N-dash-F-R-D, but that she could call him Stanford. Apparently, he was the medical chief of the Interloper. Serenei still wasn't quite sure what the Interloper was. He bid her to take a seat, and since he had asked nicely, Serenei supposed that it was only polite to comply with the request. She noticed that many of the men who were also in the room were giving their little group strange looks.

Serenei glanced around for somewhere to sit, and she jumped as a bed seemed to unfold from the wall. Then it turned and shifted until it resembled a chair. Spooked, Serenei stared at it warily before slowly sitting down. Graves and his companion soon left, leaving Serenei with the peculiar metal man.

"Miss Ashley. Now, please, tell me what you know while I take some scans," he said. Serenei swallowed nervously and tried to remain calm as metal objects that moved on their own accord came out of the ceiling and floor. Serenei shied away from the blue light that one of them shone at her.

Serenei took a deep breath. As cold and calm as ice, she reminded herself. "Well, first of all, Mr. Stanford, my name is Serenei Farwynd, not Ashley or Ash," she began slowly. "I am the fourth child of King Lanner and Queen Alaysha Farwynd, the current rulers of the realm of Itervia in the land of Almerinte. I serve as the Lady of the Keep in the royal palace, and my husband is Prince Clarrik, who was formerly Lord Clarrik Harner of the Valley of Ice. My sister is Crown-Princess Marleyna Farwynd, and her husband is a Cyrainese prince named Alran. My oldest brother is the High Priest, and my second brother is Lord Lorgan Icewylle, married to Lady Eyla Icewylle of the Western Icelands." Serenei paused. "I know that I went to sleep in my bedchamber that I share with my husband last night, and that I woke up...here. And I know that the Alumnallen delegation led by Princess Phillipa and Prince Frederick Forrester are due to arrive by midday, so I would very much like to be taken home, if it please you," she finished, her voice breaking slightly at the end.

It was just then that Serenei noticed the light floating in front of her. She frowned. How was that possible? Where was it coming from?

The light seemed to depict a woman with a shapely figure and short, spiky red hair. Her eyes were green, and she was more muscular than a woman had any right to be, though Serenei did have to admit that there were many Alumnallen and Meraliti women who were trained as soldiers alongside the men. Serenei tilted her head to the side and studied the woman made of light. She looked down at her hands, which seemed to resemble those of the light-woman. Serenei's eyes widened, and she patted her hair-it was the same length as the light-woman's.

Snow above...could that be me? No, it can't be. I...I don't look like that!

Before Serenei could say anything, however, a loud, cheery voice came out of nowhere. "Attention, all crew. We will be arriving at Novus in ten seconds," the voice said. Serenei looked from one end of the room to another, finding nobody who could have said such a thing. "W-where did that voice come from?" she asked shakily.

A moment later, the sight of a huge, blue and greenish-yellowish orb caused Serenei to start in alarm. Various objects that looked like rocks floated around it. Stanford glanced out at everything and said that they'd "arrived".

Serenei stared at him. "Arrived? Pray tell, where exactly...are we? This is unlike anything that I have ever seen in my life before."

*****

​Clarrik was puzzled when Serenei began talking about some place in Asgard, but he let the subject matter drop. As long as she isn't actively denouncing the goddesses, he thought.​

Serenei then took up Clarrik's offer to put on a gown, though she did it with an obvious reluctance and an uncharacteristically sarcastic comment. It was quite disconcerting; Serenei loved gowns and dresses. And of course, anyone who could afford to wear gowns wore them. So why was she saying that nobody wore gowns anymore?

​Clarrik quickly forgot about this new case of strange behavior as he watched Serenei take in her reflection. She seemed disturbed. "...Okay. I think...I think I need a lie-down," she told him. Clarrik furrowed his brow. Had she finally realized that something was wrong in the way that she was feeling or acting?​ He noticed that Serenei was shaking, and she was visibly paler than usual.

​Serenei began walking toward the four-poster bed, but she was interrupted by the arrival of Ryne, who immediately ran to his mother and hugged her. Serenei gave Clarrik a helpless, confused look.

Clarrik chuckled and walked over to them, though he could not help but feel slightly disturbed by Serenei's reaction. Normally, she would giggle and hug her son right back. "Ryne! Is that the proper way to greet your mother, the honorable Princess Serenei Farwynd of Itervia?" Clarrik asked the child in a mock-serious voice.

There was a quiet cough at the door. Clarrik looked up to see Bryce Farwynd, the High Priest of Itervia. He stilled. Even Ryne seemed to notice the sudden change in atmosphere, and he hid behind Serenei.

"My lord," Clarrik said smoothly, stepping forward. "To what do we owe this honor?"

Bryce's flinty eyes were the color of the Shimmering Sea during a violent thunderstorm. His head was shaved, as was the custom of all the priests and priestesses of Itervia. "Prince Clarrik," he said stiffly. His eyes moved impassively from Clarrik to Serenei. "Lady Weystermont informed me that my sister was feeling unwell," he continued in a cold, detached voice. "I am here to administer the necessary procedures. I ask that you leave the chamber, once you have a chance to...dress yourself."

Clarrik nodded quickly. "Ah, yes, of course, my lord. " He quickly donned a doublet of silver brocade and pulled on a pair of boots and a pair of trousers behind the screen in one corner of their bedchamber. Then, he scooped Ryne up from his hiding place behind Serenei and gave her a meaningful look. In her current state, who knew what dangerous things she would say in the presence of her brother? Be careful, he mouthed, before turning on his heel and walking out.

​The High Priest glanced at his younger sister, clad solely in a night gown of ivory Meraliti silk. "Shall we begin?" he questioned, striding over to the bed and pulling the hangings aside. ​

[Hostile]

“Mister Stanford?” The droid sounded somewhat displeased, plates on his head shifting, before he chuckled. “My dear, although I am a robot, my personality and knowledge is that of a human, and as such, I would like to be referred to as Doctor Stanford, if you will." He said, staring at the multitude of displays around him. He took the time to process the information, and log everything Ash had said.

"Hm. Odd." He noted as Ash went on to go on a rather long introduction, claiming that her name was in fact 'Seriney Farwind' (according to phonetic speech patterns), and that she was the 'fourth child of King Lanner and Queen Alaysha Farwynd, the current rulers of the realm of Itervia in the land of Almerinte'. She continued, stating that she had gone to sleep the previous night and woken up on the Interloper. She showed signs of increasing distress as she went on to say that she was waiting for the 'Alumnallen delegation led by Princess Phillipa and Prince Frederick Forrester are due to arrive by midday'.

"Logged." Stanford bluntly stated as the robotic appendages disappeared, but the hologram remained in the air. During this time, he quickly sent a non-vocalised notification to the squad's commander. 'Sergeant Weller, please report to the infirmary ASAP.

"Arrived? Pray tell, where exactly...are we? This is unlike anything that I have ever seen in my life before." Ash suddenly said, staring out the infirmary's single window in awe at the planet down below. A single plate on Stanford's head rose, the equivalent of a raised eyebrow, before nodding. "Ah, yes. Novus. Terrestrial planet discovered in the late twenty-first century, colonised in the twenty-seventh. Located more than three thousand lightyears from Earth. Star system: Atria. Population: five-point-four billion. Capital city: Serenade. Main industry: asteroid mining and tourism." He helpfully explained.

Despite there being well over eight-hundred thousand colony planets and nine hundred billion humans under the United Earth Government's rule, Novus was commonly seen as the shining green jewel of the colonies, its continents dotted with lush forests, rolling hills, and tall mountains. It was an Earth-like planet, meaning that there was no need for terraforming, and humanity hastily colonised it. Now, more than two-hundred years after settling, massive cities with skyscrapers kilometres-tall were scattered all around the planet.

Stanford finished his report as the hologram disappeared. "I believe we are finished here, Miss Ashley. Your physical health is in an acceptable state, and we can remove your bandage now." A robotic arm rose from the ground and swiftly removed the bandage wrapped around Ash's torso. "Yes. Your wound has fully recovered. You are free to go. Please, follow the signs to the mess hall. I believe the rest of your squad is waiting for you." The medical droid helped her up and ushered her out of the room.

Just a few seconds later, the doors opened and an older man walked in. He was in his forties, at least, and seemed to be a grizzled veteran. "You called?" He asked, leaning on one of the unoccupied beds.

"Ah, Sergeant Weller. I'm glad your here." Stanford said, before projecting a holographic image in front of him. "While Private Ashley's physical state is perfectly acceptable, there is a fascinating problem with her mental state."

Sergeant Matthew Weller frowned. "And that would be?"

"Her personality appears to have been completely overridden by a secondary personality identifying itself as 'Seriney Farwind'. It appears that this personality does not recognise any of the things on the ship. I advise caution; she may get disorientated easily. I don't know how long this will last."

"Is she fit for combat?"

"Well, yes. But I-"

"Then she's fine."

Stanford would've looked astounded if he had a face. "What? Sergeant, Miss Ashley retains no memories of her original personality. This may be a problem."

Weller folded his arms. "She's fine. I've known her long enough to know that she'll snap out of it. She's a strong girl."

"But Sergeant-"

"Do not argue with me, droid."

The medical droid stammered, before nodding. "My apologies." He said, the projection vanishing. "Good day, sir."

----------------------

"Please... stop... hugging me." Ash breathed, attempting to get the toddler to stop hugging her torso. Okay, seriously, what the hell was going on? First she wakes up in some weird place, then she meets some guy claiming to be her husband and now she was getting hugged by some kid who was supposed to be her son.

Ash was pretty sure she hit her crazy limit for today.

She was proven wrong when someone coughed at the door. Ash looked up to see some guy with a shaved head and blue eyes standing there. The kid seemed to be frightened, as he hid behind her. Even Clarrik seemed disturbed, straightening up. Ash felt no different, however, though she did feel like she was in the presence of a superior officer, and she fought the urge to instinctively salute.

"Prince Clarrik. Lady Weystermont informed me that my sister was feeling unwell." He said in a dull monotone. "I am here to administer the necessary procedures. I ask that you leave the chamber, once you have a chance to... dress yourself."

"Oh, finally." Ash said. "Someone who can helpfully explain to me what the fuck is going on." She noticed that Clarrik had put on some clothes and scooped the kid from his hiding place and left the room, but not before he gave her a meaningful look, almost warning her not to say anything stupid. For some reason, a pit of fear began to form in her stomach.

"Shall we begin?" The man asked, walking over to the bed and pulling the hangings aside.

Ash just stood there, dumbfounded. "Uh, what?"

[ayzrules]

​Serenei gave Stanford-Doctor Stanford-a quizzical look. "Logged? I thought you were a physician, not a woodsman," she said in confusion.

Doctor Stanford then proceeded to tell her exactly where they had arrived to. Which, in truth, was not very helpful. Novus. What kind of name is that? What are planets? The late twenty-first century? Goodness gracious. What are "star systems", and what are asteroids?

"The twenty-first century? The twenty-seventh? Since when have we started using the word 'century' for time, my good doctor?" Serenei furrowed her brow. "We are in the two-thousandth and eight-hundred forty-sixth year After the Seclusion...aren't we?" Serenei knew that this couldn't simply be a bad dream. There were too many things that were confusing and disorienting. She didn't know the limits of her mind to conjure up images for dreams, but Serenei was fairly certain that she'd never seen half of the things in this place. Wherever it actually was.

Doctor Stanford had also said something about earth. Serenei perked up. "You mean this is another form of Father Earth that we have been unaware about?" she questioned, tilting her head to the side. "Snow above, that certainly would be peculiar. It's been thousands of years since Father Earth wed Mother Nature."

Sereni looked outside at what was supposed to be Novus. It looked faintly like Almerinte, if one was to shoot themselves miles and miles and miles up above the ground. Meanwhile, Doctor Stanford reached over and unwrapped the bandage that was around her chest-to which Serenei gave a startled eep, because metal and a doctor or not, Stanford was still a man, and it was most inappropriate for him to be touching her like that, especially when she was already married-and proclaimed that her physical health was in an acceptable state.

Serenei quite frankly had no idea what he was talking about, but she nodded and thanked him anyway. "Thank you, Doctor Stanford, for your assistance," she said. She would have curtsied, as propriety demanded, but Serenei unfortunately was not wearing a skirt of any sort. She realized with a start that she had absolutely no idea what she was actually wearing.

Doctor Stanford instructed Serenei to go to the mess hall, where the rest of her "squad" was supposedly waiting for her. For the love of everything cold, what is that supposed to mean? But nevertheless, it would be rude to refuse, so Serenei let herself be ushered out of the room. The metal physician had said that there were signs that would lead her to the mess hall, so Serenei wandered around like a headless chicken for a couple of minutes before she located one of the aforementioned signs and began heading in the right direction.

She stepped into the crowded room, overwhelmed for a second by the lights and the noise and all the unfamiliar objects. Where was she supposed to go now?

*****

Bryce gave Serenei a blank glance, but said nothing about her strange speech patterns. He was slightly puzzled when she seemed unfamiliar with the healing ritual, but it was not in the High Priest's nature to question such trivial matters.

"Most people find that lying down helps to combat the sense of dizziness and nausea that accompanies the healing ritual," he explained patiently. "But if you would prefer to stand, it makes no difference to me."

Bryce procured a satchel from within the folds of his blue robes, which were so dark that they were almost black. Novices were given pristine white robes, the color of freshly-fallen snow, and the robes grew darker as they advanced up the ranks. The fully-fledged priests and priestesses wore robes of snowy grey. The High Priest was given a robe of the darkest royal blue.

Inside the satchel were the items required for the healing ritual. Each realm's ceremonies and methods of worship differed, but one thing that was common to them all was the existence of a healing ritual. In Meraly, priests and priestesses of Ver'lya captured the light of the sun and the fire of the sand and the smoke of sharp incense, while in Cyraine, priests and priestesses collected fresh rainwater and flower buds and morning dew. In Alumnall, the healer-priests trapped the mischievous wind and swept up the deep crimson and vivid orange leaves that fell from their trees. And finally, in Itervia, they collected vials of falling snow and fragrant pine cones and crystalline icicles blessed with Ophelia's cold kiss.

The first thing that came out of the satchel was the vial of falling snow, wrapped in a piece of ivory lambswool to keep it from shattering. The snow had been collected some time ago, and it should have, by all rights, melted by now. However, intricate runes etched into the glass of the vial evoked an ancient magic that Bryce, as a priest of the honorable goddess Ophelia, had mastered during his journey up and down the Inner Wytesias. The next object was a pinecone, plucked from the thick forests of the Outer Wytesias, not far from Lord and Lady Harner's seat in the Valley of Ice-Prince Clarrik's childhood home. He wordlessly handed both of these items to Serenei.

Finally, the High Priest walked over to the window and pulled aside the damask curtains, letting in the crisp (some would say frigid, but that was not the case to Itervians) air. The Itervian palace was as old as Ophelia herself, and it was made of pure ice, held up by ages-old magic. Bryce delicately plucked an icicle that had formed on the window ledge from its place and shut the window before turning to face Serenei once more. He laid the icicle flat across an upward-facing palm while he lifted one of Serenei's hands with his free hand, and began the ritual.

He shut his eyes, and summoned the goddess of ice and snow from deep within himself. The room grew colder. A cloud seemed to pass over the sun. A cold wind began to swirl around the bedchamber, and a thin sheen of ice formed over the wooden floors and the rugs. Bryce breathed in, then out. His breathe misted in the air and solidified into snowflakes that landed on his robes and on Serenei's silk night gown. Bryce tightened his grip on his sister's hand, knowing that this was right about when the vertigo began to set in.

He silently called upon Ophelia to wash away all forms of bodily harm so that her skin was as smooth as fresh snow, unmarred by any scrapes or scratches or bruises. As such, a small paper cut on her fingertip closed up and disappeared. Bryce called upon Ophelia to bless her with the strength of the trees that the pine cone had fallen from and the strength of the mountains from which the trees had grown. Finally, he humbly asked her to fill Serenei with the cleansing coldness of ice, to freeze away any passionate feelings of anger or hatred. And as such, Bryce felt Serenei's fingers grow colder as the cold sensation passed through every fiber of her being.

The High Priest thanked the goddess for her benevolence. He began to withdraw, and the bedchamber warmed up again. The clouds cleared, the thin sheen of ice cracked and disappeared.

But at the last minute, a whisper of the wind caused Bryce to pause.

Listen, the wind murmured. She is not one of us, it hissed.

Bryce's expression remained impassive, though he was disturbed. But he knew better than to interrupt when Ophelia was directly communicating with him, so he listened.

This woman is not the princess. She is not from Itervia, she is not one of you.

The whispering wind was gone as quickly as it had come. Bryce released Serenei's hand and took a step backward, unnerved by what had just happened, though the only indication he gave that something was off was a slight twitch of the eyebrow as he collected the vial of snow and the pine cone and tucked everything back into his robes. "I trust that you have recovered, but I shall send a physician to check for any further injury or illness if necessary," the High Priest told her in a cold voice, before turning on his heel and leaving the bedchamber.