Providence, Somewhere

Sweet Hibiscus Tea

WordGirl tapped the communicator impatiently, leaning on a pole on the corner of the parking lot to the strip mall she had just dropped Zelda off to. Jenny had been stopping the Distortion from advancing in the town's direction. Not that it was a threat to the town itself, but moreso a threat to whoever could spawn next.

She only hoped Jenny was alright; the robot girl was a good friend and older sister figure where she had none, but like a teenager, she was impulsive and admittedly a bit reckless. Maybe she needed to give her some time to reply back.

Lights turned off at the nearby comics shop, and she saw someone come out. She was a bit older than the hero, but still a child.

"Marcy!" WordGirl noted, waving ahead.

Marcy locked the shop door, noticing the younger girl. She jogged up to meet her. "Oh! WordGirl! What's up?"

"Waiting on Jenny. She's in the forest, dealing with the Distortion, but I haven't heard back yet."

"Is it because of that elven girl you rescued?"

WordGirl glanced at Marcy, confused. "She's an elf?"

"Yeah, haven't you played any fantasy roleplay at all? Or watched fantasy anime?"

WordGirl shook her head. "With the exception of manga, I havent really—"

"Oh, my gosh!" Marcy said, shocked and excited. "I have to get you into it!" She grabbed WordGirl's hand, only running a step before she was immediately stopped. "You're stronger than you look."

"I'm just worried, sorry," WordGirl replied, glancing back down at the communicator. "If anything, I'll catch up on it. Just, um, gather what you want me to read and hand it over to Becky. She'll be glad to talk more about it, I promise."

Marcy chuckled. "Well, alright. Just be careful if you do go hunting for her. Catch you later!" She let go, heading over to the bike rack nearby and unchaining her bike.

WordGirl watched as Marcy sped away, as she remained rooted in place. Worrying would do her no good; if Huggy were here, he'd simply tell her to go on ahead and read fantasy novels with the teenage girl while he watched over the communicator. Yet he wasn't here; she was the only one that got here. She didn't know why she was separated from him. What was going on outside this weird realm? Why didn't he make it here with her?

More importantly, how was she going to explain Becky, her alter-ego, to a place where it seems only one from a specific place can spawn?

The chair Zelda sat in was rather comfortable. It was a high-backed black velvet armchair, similar to the one the spade-marked lady sat in. Calmly, the lady drank some of the rose tea she made.

Zelda held in her hands her own tea. It was hibiscus; she had requested it. She took a brief sip, enjoying the sweetness mixed with the tartness. She smiled.

The lady set her cup and saucer aside. "My name is Eclipsa, by the way. Queen Eclipsa Butterfly of Mewni is my official title. Of course, I suppose official titles aren't relevant, considering we're unaware of each others' worlds and whatnot."

"What do you mean?" Zelda asked.

"I'm sure you've noticed upon appearance alone. Specifically, you and I look rather similar except for your ears. There aren't many like you around here, and the humans have their own mythologies, so pardon me on their behalf if they treat you differently."

"Why would they have any reason to treat me differently? Other than my status as a Princess, which is currently irrelevant."

"One of the children might be able to help you. But that comes when you're all settled in." Eclipsa opened a cabinet beside her, pulling out a file. "As per current customs, you're granted a home and a vehicle, as well as some monetary assistance. Temporary housing will be provided to you while you decide on a more permanent residence. Vehicles used here are bicycles and tricycles, and you may rent a wagon."