Forward: I do not own Slayers.

And another note- I wrote this fic because of my love for symbolism. Each character Lina meets in this story is supposed to represent someone or something... More often than not the objects, too, have their particular significances. And if you look through the whole story and complain I didn't find Gourry!', well then you didn't look hard enough.^^ If you're looking for Filia, however, I must sadly reveal that I didn't include her in this... Not because I dislike her in any way, but because I didn't know how to fit her in (same goes with Martina, Zangulus, and a few others). Have fun! Guess what everything means! ^^;

And I'm sorry if Lina's out of character at times.

~~~

Lina blinked.
What the...?' she thought in bewilderment as she observed her surroundings. She was in a great void of nothingness, with no other thing in sight. Glancing down, she noticed she was floating in midair- well, she couldn't really define the space around her as air, really, but in any case she was floating in it.
Suddenly, a doorknob appeared before her. She stared, then, having nothing better to do, grasped it uncertainly and turned it. A rectangle of the void opened as she pulled the knob backward, giving her a glimpse of a room within. Before she had a chance to think, she was suddenly pulled into it.
~*~
Lina tumbled to the ground, wincing as she hit the floor. Looking up, she observed the setting she had been dropped into.
A- a little girl's playroom?'
That was the first thought that sprung to her mind as she looked around. For indeed, it seemed to be the room of a very young girl- the walls of the square room were painted a pale pink, and stuffed animals were stacked in organized piles in the corners. There were multiple dolls, a rocking horse, and a row of dresses hung in an opened closet. And, in the center of the room, there was a magnificent house of cards a good four or five feet tall. It had gaps for windows and doors, and inside it was a circular white table engraved with flowers, Lina observed as she walked over to investigate. On top of the table was a miniature china set- cups filled with water, tiny plates with crackers on them, a small delicate pitcher. Multiple chairs were placed around the table, and each was occupied with some sort of doll or toy. All except two- the chair closest to Lina was empty, and the chair across from that was occupied by a person.
the young girl greeted pleasantly. She couldn't have been more than five or six, and her hair was long, glossy, and dark, Lina noticed as she examined the girl closely. There was something she couldn't place that felt very familiar about her, and it was badgering her considerably. She leaned closer to examine the girl's face- then, to her frustration, she realized that she couldn't focus on it. For some reason, her face appeared blurred and unviewable, as if Lina was looking at her through a clouded window.
Please sit down, the girl invited, as she glanced at the empty chair.
Lina replied, caught off guard as she unsteadily walked into the house of cards, pulled back the chair, and sat down on it. Thank you... Whatever was going on, it was beginning to disturb her considerably.
Would you like some tea? the girl asked, pointing to the tiny cup placed on Lina's immediate right.
she replied as the girl happily filled her cup with the water from her pitcher. Reaching over to take the cup back, Lina's arm accidentally brushed against one of the card walls, and she gasped as she saw the motion send the entire structure fluttering down, cards littering the table and floor. Guilt instantly flooded her as she saw the girl's crestfallen expression when she noticed what had happened.
Ack! I'm so sorry! It was an accident! she exclaimed in apology. The girl smiled faintly.
Oh... It's fine... she replied. I'll be able to rebuild it...
But won't that take forever?
I have time, the girl insisted, taking Lina's tea cup back and refilling it.
Lina began uncertainly after a few seconds of silence, What's your name?
The girl immediately stopped pouring. she asked sharply as she looked directly at Lina, her face still invisible. That fact freaked Lina out, and she decided it best to change topics.
Oh... Nothing, never mind.
The girl resumed pouring Lina's , then placed the pitcher back in the center of the table. she offered as she held out a plate of crackers. Lina accepted. For some reason, her ravenous appetite seemed to be absent.
As the girl resumed her seat, Lina suddenly noticed the doll she was clutching tightly at her side. What's that? she questioned curiously. Your special toy?
The girl nodded vigorously. she replied enthusiastically, holding the doll up to show Lina. He's my favorite! I always take him everywhere to make sure nothing ever happens to him..
You've been taking good care of him, she observed, happy to have found a topic of conversation the girl seemed eager to talk about. Where'd you get him? Birthday present?
The girl's enthusiasm suddenly dampened. Well... Actually... He's not really mine, so much...
He's not yours? Lina inquired, surprised. Did you steal him?
the girl exclaimed. It's just... Well, he- he kinda belongs to my friend... she admitted, looking at the ground. But she doesn't take as good care of him as I do! And I like him a lot more than she does... she hugged the doll. I don't really want to give him back...

But... I- I know, also... He sometimes tells me that he wants to go home, she admitted in a hushed, saddened tone.
Lina didn't know what to make of this, and another uncertain silence filled the room for a few seconds.
I don't know what I should do... What would you do, Miss? the girl asked.
Lina thought. I'm not really sure... she admitted. But then, she smiled. Don't worry, though. You'll be able to find what the right decision is soon, I know it! she replied with confidence. The girl managed a small smile.
You think so?
Of course I do. You seem like a great kid, and you'll be able to work stuff out. Don't worry about this so much, she advised optimistically.
The girl nodded. I- I guess so... She then turned to a stuffed animal at the table, and put a cracker onto it's place. Then, she proceeded to talk' with it, playing hostess for her tea party and ignoring Lina for the moment. Getting the feeling that her time was over, Lina stood up and slowly walked away from the table to the solitary door at the end of the room, and opened it. The girl didn't notice her absence.