▶ THERE AND BACK AGAIN, A.

[ Leon’s had his fair share of waking up in strange places—working for the DSO ensured him of that—but waking up in a medical facility on a space ship? That’s a first.

One minute he’s piloting the controls on a plane to China and trying desperately not to crash, and the next he finds himself coming to on what appears to be some sort of biobed fresh out of a science fiction movie. It’s jarring at first but he handles the news well, although he’s immediately suspicious when he finds out there’s no record of Helena being anywhere on the ship.

At first he theorizes that Simmons is involved in all of this, but for all of its reach, even The Family wouldn’t be able to pull something like this off. The amount of red tape and financial backing required for something of this magnitude was simply too great, and besides, why go through all of the trouble in the first place? It’d be easier just to kill him—though Leon isn’t quite convinced he’s not actually dead, at least not until they finally reach Lunatia.

Fresh off the ship and with a clean bill of health, strangers push past him as he stops and stares transfixed at the large blue moon in the sky. ]

Well, Toto. Looks like I’m really not in Kansas after all.

[ Lunatia reminds him of Terragrigia, although far more technologically advanced. Leon never had the opportunity to visit the floating city before its destruction but has heard enough about it to feel comfortable with making the comparison. Leon suffers the tour of the city with all of the necessary decorum, but it can’t end quickly enough. He’s gotta go back home and fast, but first?

Leon needs a drink.

He’s attempting to get one with a vendor in the Square when he’s kindly informed that they don’t take his money here. Currency is something called Chroma of which Leon has none; his last resort is to bank on the kindness of a stranger. Reaching out a hand, he stops a passerby who doesn’t appear to be in any hurry and says apologetically, ]

Sorry to bother you. Got any Chroma you can spare?

▶ GOD SAVE US FROM THE QUEEN, B.

[ After a few failed attempts, it’s safe to say Leon isn’t leaving Prismatica any time soon, which means it’s time to get to know the locals.

A tea party isn’t his usual haunt but given the alternative, he figured it was his best chance at doing just that. The cookies are fairly standard, but this tea—he could only imagine the punch it’d pack if it contained alcohol. He’s never felt so alert in his life.

Turning to his companion, he asks, ] So, you been here long?

▶ SAY CHEESE, A.

[ That drink Leon mentioned wanting earlier? Well, he had it, and now he’s a wreck.

If Leon weren’t so intoxicated he’d be worried. He could handle his liquor back home, but this stuff has him laughing and stumbling on his feet, and is entirely to blame for making Lucky Tail sound like a great idea. He’s had years of receiving directions through a voice in his ear while under extreme circumstances, so a less life-threatening, blind-folded experience should be nothing, right?

… if he could just stay focused on his partner, that is. Did they say left or right? He already can’t remember. ]

Uh… [ Well, shit. ] What?

[ Maybe this was a bad idea, a small, sober part of him says. He refuses to reflect on the fact that it sounds strangely like Hunnigan. ]

▶ WILD CARD!

Got an idea that isn’t listed here? HMU through PM or just feel free to toss it at me—I’m good with whatever!