Deer Country Network

[At first, the image is that of just an absolutely giant stag. The stag's antlers are absolutely covered in songbirds, crows, ravens, and even a hawk, while a squirrel and chipmunk sit on his back next to a raccoon. And that's just some of the animals, there are creatures that look much meaner and nastier with infinitely harsher fangs and claws and mass. The stag huffs and shakes his head, the birds fly up for only a few seconds before going back to sitting on his antlers.]

...Now then, did I get it right this time?

[There are resounding tweets and chirps and squeaks and outright screeches from the animals.]

Oh! Wonderful!

[The picture turns around and then Snow White smiles bright and wide at the camera.]

Why hello there! It's so wonderful to meet you all! Or well, not meet you, not yet! [She giggles.] But I hope to meet you all properly soon.

My name is Snow White!

I was hoping someone here might have a very definite answer for a question I have! You see, I just arrived here not too long ago, but I'm not sure if this is the afterlife for all of us or not.

[Straight to the point this one.]

Some have said yes, others have said no! So I'm afraid I simply just don't know! I was so sure I was dead, after all, but what wonderful news it would be to know I'm not!

Would someone be so kind as to let me know? [Snow White asks all of this with a bright and cheerful smile. For a girl who thinks she's dead, she's frighteningly cheerful.

But that's Snow White for you.]

Thank you so much!

[A few days after everyone's settled in, this pops up:]

—working now? Oh, good, that took so much longer than I thought it would.

[To those well-versed in such things, they might quickly identify the androgynous figure onscreen right now, dressed in an eyesore of a coat, as a tiefling: there are the horns, the tail, the lavender skin, the red and pupil-less eyes. To those who aren't? Jesus, it's another fuckin' weirdo, and he's giving the camera a bow.]

Mollymauk Tealeaf, formerly of Exandria and the Mighty Nein and now of Trench, at your service! I'm a bit lacking in funds at the moment, so if you have some coin to spare, come to Cellar Door. I've set up near one of the statues. [And he pans the camera up to show an artistic, distinctive statue of a woman dancing, with cloth draped over her arms. Then down to a little portable table with a set of tarot cards laid out.]

For just two coppers, or whatever the equivalent is here, I'll tell you what the future has in store for you. Doesn't that sound like a steal to you?

[Advertisement over, he gets serious, and adds:]

Oh, and—if anyone from the Mighty Nein is here? Let me know you're safe. [Please.]

[The time away from Deerington has definitely not improved Ariadne's skill with a camera. The feed immediately pops on too close to her face, more or less framing nothing but her gray eye. She quickly realizes her error and pulls it back, the feed shaking and rattling until she manages to steady it.

And there she is. The face of an idol. Or possibly someone familiar.]

Just to be clear, I'm not Padmé Amidala and I'm not Jane Foster.

[Her voice is light and airy, like a little, trilling bird. She offers the feed a sympathetic look, as if apologetic that she's neither of these women. She's heard so much about them. They seem pretty great.

Ariadne is...not as great.

But she clears her throat and continues.]

It's me, Ariadne. I...well. I'm sure everyone is confused. I know I am. And if you need to talk about it, I'm happy to listen.

But, uh, what I really wanted to say is that somehow, my orchard is here. All of my trees. And some of them even have fruit. So if you need something fresh to eat or...just something familiar, you're welcome to come spend some time with my trees.

I think I might start a garden. One that everyone could use. Someplace to think. I don't know...

[And she's lost in thought for a moment. Ariadne knows nothing about starting a business or anything. But how hard could it be?

After a moment, she shakes her head.]

I hope everyone is all right.