[a: the world looks so wide]
[Another illusionary world that wants to psyche her out? No thank you.

But this place wasn't like anything out of even Cassandra's earliest memories, even worse, everything was solid. Just that simple fact was a shock to her nerves. Rising anxiety clamped around her throat the more and more she learned about her new "home", and her new "husband". And, by that point, all the anxiety just... stopped.

Nope. Nope, nope, nope, nope. Time to leave.

Cassandra makes a point to throw on something from her "closet". Better that than making a sight of herself wandering about in pajamas; actually, that was the exact opposite of what Cassandra wanted. From the moment she's out the front door, Cassandra ducks into a hedge, than a fence, and finally behind a neighboring house as she makes her way down the neighborhood. Stick to hiding spots, remain unseen.

Except.... everything looks the same. So at least once, you'll probably spot a young woman start to dart across a street before very quickly switching to a casual strut.]

Good morning [Her face is masked in a tight-lipped smile.] Just... enjoying the day.

[b: yet every horizon seems near]
[So, more people are stuck here than her. Okay. That's... a pin in her plans of escape. More people means extra hands and level heads. Perfect for dealing with the surreal nature of... everything so far.

But then that weirdness comes out in full force, in the form and shape of some sort of winter wonderland. At first, Cass assumed it had replaced the pantry, then it replaced the closet. And the grocery store. Now, it was the front door of her house.]

Listen, I just want it to stop happening. [She could be overheard repeating herself to the elf working the ice skating pond. Trying to remain concise behind some lightly chattering teeth and some barely restrained contempt.] No. For the last time, I don't want to- Ugh, fine. Give me the darn skates.

[A bench nearby provides an ideal spot to do up her skates, because she might as well at this point. All the while, muttering not-so-quietly under her breath:] It's not like I had a life I wanted to get back to or anything, but hey. Ice skating.

[c: and from up here no path is denied]
[It's a small comfort that galas haven't really changed. They're still a formal event, celebrating whatever the hosts deemed important enough to celebrate. Cassandra wouldn't have bothered showing up, but apparently anyone who's anyone is going to be there, and well....

There was nothing in her wardrobe to properly prepare for the event. Luckily, the party itself provided; with a soft green dress that she'd probably discard the moment the night was over. Anything to fit in, she told herself. Ugh.

For the most part, Cassandra hangs back. Taking turns mingling with the locals with the same false smile she wore the day she arrived, and nursing a glass of punch that never seemed to run dry.

If she spots someone else trying to go for the concessions, she'll wander over and remark in a quick whisper:] Don't eat that. You don't know what's in it.

[d: you choose which direction you veer | Closed to Erwin]
[You know how sometimes you get an idea in your head and it seems like a good one? But then you sit down and suddenly that idea is looking less possible by the minute?

Cassandra hasn't hit that point yet, but she is most definitely considering it. All while she sits in the driver's seat of a "car" that she and her "husband" apparently "owned".

A shame that neither of them knew how to drive.]

I'm not so sure about this.

[She finally admits. Her hands gingerly wrapped around the steering wheel like it might snap off if she were too forceful.