PLAY the PART (AIOxSyberia)

⟢ CHAPTER III ⟣

"Watch it with the pots!" A voice called, causing Connie to startle. She looked around, her environment unfamiliar. She was no longer in Whit's End, that much was obvious.

Taking a step forward, Connie then took notice of her change in wardrobe. She was no longer wearing the jeans and t-shit she'd donned that morning. Now, Connie was wearing a dress that she could only describe as something from the Renaissance era... Lower class, maybe? It felt like she was wearing several warm layers of clothing. The peach colored dress covered her under clothing, and the wrinkle-sleeved blouse she wore—a heavy apron with straps holding it up, tied the look together.

It almost looked like one of the costumes stored in the Little Theatre for Imagination Station adventures, except this one, Connie had never seen before.

It suddenly hit her. The Imagination Station! That's what was happening, she was in the invention, in the middle of a pre-programmed adventure. That explained it!

Continuing on, Connie wanted to look around. Maybe then she'd know what program it was. And maybe she'd also find the others. That is, if they too were somehow here? Whit for sure had to be, he was in the control seat afterall-

"Connie, there you are!" Connie's heart nearly stopped. That voice...! "I've been looking all over for you, dear." This wasn't possible. Slowly, Connie turned to face the woman addressing her. Her green eyes widened a little.

An older woman stood before her, dressed in clothing as raggedy as her own. There was some sweat on her brow, as Connie could tell the woman had been darting around the room full of kitchen servants. Trying to calm her nerves, Connie forced herself to focus on the little things that differentiated the woman from her late mother.

"U-Uh... hi, um I mean, yeah- yes- I'm sorry... who're you?" Connie all but mumbled that last part. The woman blinked. "Are you alright, Connie?"

"Yes..." Came Connie's confused sounded response, as she continued processing what all was going on. "Hey, um, look I'm guess you really need me for something, but can I ask you something first?" Shaking her head a little, she motioned for Connie to continue. "Where's my sister?"

"Jules?" She nodded. The woman gave her a puzzled look. "You don't remember?" Connie shook her head 'no'. "The two of you had an argument, and Jules ran off." The woman explained in an oddly nonchalant tone of voice. "Ran off?! Where? On her own?!"

"Last time, she made it as far as Val. Stayed there for two days." The woman began. "My guess is, she'll probably try and go all the way down to Odessa—where Buck lives." Connie's gaze was wandering about as worry came over her in waves. The woman could see this clearly. She put a hand on Connie's shoulders. "Connie, Jules will be okay. She's a smart girl."

"You... really think so?" She nodded, smiling even. Despite everything, the bizarre situation, Jules' unknown whereabouts and the worry, that familiar smile was calming in a way for Connie. That calm moment lasted all too brief, as something else came to the forefront of her mind. Connie let out a sudden gasp. "Eugene!"

"Eugeen?" The woman tilted her head. "Where is he?! Is he okay?!" At that, Connie was given a confused chuckle. "He's alright," The woman began, leading Connie into the main area of the kitchen. She called out to someone. "Eugeen!"

"Yeah?" From behind one of the counters of unkneaded bread, a tall, muscular man with jet-black hair and a tanned complexion sporting spots of flour on his face looked up towards the two. "Connie's wondering if you're alright."

"Is she now?" The man gave Connie an amused smirk, though his green-brown eyes held a peculiar fondness in them. "I'm doing fine, thank you for worrying." Connie blinked, before looking back up to the woman. "No, Eugene Meltsner." She clarified, though the woman didn't seem to recognize the last name. "Hm... Don't think I've heard of a Meltsner."