Here it is again, yet it stings like the first time

[eatsyourscience]

Who: Seta Souji [eatsyourscience] on the Mirrorside, Mirror!Seta Souji [denyingpets] on the Realside, and anyone stuck with them on their respective sides of the glass
Where: All over Wonderland
When: From shortly after the Queen's announcement, until the end of the event
Rating: PG-13, to be safe
Summary: Souji and his Mirror have switched sides before, under circumstances that weren't entirely different.
The Story:

+ The Mirror +
It's been nearly two years since the Queen of Hearts ordered her Mirrors through the glass to keep the Real things from crossing through magical doors. That was when Souji's Mirror received this mark on his forehead, barely hidden behind his bangs, and it's been itching and stinging and driving him insane ever since. He has to get rid of it. He has to, and if he can't manage it, he'll ask her to unmake him. He can't stand it anymore.

He darts through the glass when he's ordered like a loyal thing and he begins to stalk to Real side. He'll find some information, some clue. He just has to look around, talk to people, make people talk to him. Anyone will do. Anyone at all.


+ The Real +
Moving over to the other side of the glass is an unexpected jolt, but it's not unfamiliar. Souji's been here in this room before, but the terrariums had spiders in them then. He takes a moment to wonder at what happened to them before shaking his head and leaving the room. He should see who else is on this side and see if there's anyone who needs any help. He can fight or heal, so he might come in handy.


[OOC Note: This log is a catch all for both Real Souji and Mirror Souji. It's open to anyone, whether we've planned something or not. Just let me know which one you want in the subject line.]

Comments

Real!

[pottershotter]

James is entirely unsurprised that he's on Mirror Side since somehow, whenever something like this happens, he always winds up on Mirror Side. He's annoyed this time though, because he was forced over without his map or his invisibility cloak. At least he has his wand though, and he holds it at the ready as he moves through the hall.

He rounds the corner and when he sees he isn't alone he tightens his grip and points his wand out. It's Souji - or at least it's a Souji.

"Which one are you?" James calls out. "Real or Mirror?"

The answer should be enough for him to tell, honestly.

[eatsyourscience]

Souji turns at James's voice. He can guess this is the real James; the Mirror is much less animated. He puts a hand on his hip, looking at the wand, then back at James.

"Real. Should I prove it?"

[pottershotter]

When he responds, James lowers his wand and shakes his head.

"No. I know that's you." He grins, and pushes a hand through his hair. "Thank Merlin. I was really hoping I hadn't stumbled on your Mirror."

Even though things have never gotten violent between them, James still finds Souji's Mirror upsetting in general.

[eatsyourscience]

Souji sighs and moves closer to where James is standing now. "He's a piece of work."

So is James's, but that's another issue.

[pottershotter]

As soon as Souji's close enough, James throws his arms around him in a quick, brotherly hug. He's so relieved that it's the real Souji, and it's even better to see a familiar face.

Then he pulls away and sighs. "I'm pretty sure they all are, mate. Most of them are completely mental in one way or another."

Maybe there's a couple of alright ones, but not enough to make him any less suspicious.

[eatsyourscience]

Souji doesn't mind the hug and even manages to return it before it ends. Then he puts his hand back on his hip.

"We're stuck here, either way. Any idea what to do?"

[pottershotter]

James crosses his arms loosely in front of him and thinks.

"Not particularly. I didn't have a chance to grab my map or my cloak before I got swapped." He is incredibly annoyed about that part. "The only thing we can do is try to keep everyone safe until this is over."

That's not really the only thing though, and James grins a bit at the prospect of adventure. "Well, that and maybe go exploring a bit."

[eatsyourscience]

Exploring sounds pretty good to Souji, honestly.

"We should. There's no real guarantee that the Duchess's riddle points to a location on our side of Wonderland."

[pottershotter]

"That's a good point!" James agrees. "It could be over here in the mirrors, and with everyone worrying about the swapping, no one would even think to look here. It's a brilliant hiding place."

It will be more brilliant if they actually manage to find the sword, but it's still a good start and James is feeling better about being here already.

[eatsyourscience]

"Where do you want to start?" The Mirror side of Wonderland might not be as big as the Real side, but the Mansion over here is. There are still plenty of places to hide something like a sword. "The riddle seemed like a lot of gibberish, so I don't have very many ideas."

He isn't bothered admitting that he didn't give the riddle much thought at all after about ten minutes of scanning it repeatedly. There were a few things that stuck out to him, but he doesn't have all that much faith in the Duchess herself--though he likes her quite a bit, oddly--and has a feeling that if they try to solve all of the hidden clues in the riddle, they'll be going around in circles for far longer than they probably actually have.

[pottershotter]

It's not so much that James has faith in the Duchess, but he has faith that there has to be an answer somewhere. It would be stupid if there wasn't, right?

"Hm...Maybe outside?" he suggests. "We should look in all the spots that are really different from our side, that people can't really search without being here."

[eatsyourscience]

That sounds like a good idea to Souji and he nods, pointing down the hallway. "We can get down to the first floor that way."

He only knows because that's where he came from.

"There isn't much out there to worry about, but between the two of us, we'll be fine if anything happens."

Mirror!

[akapsycho]

And here she thought he'd stay home. Is he really going to try and interfere with this? And what would he even gain?

Not that it matters. If he's figured the riddle out, he's useful to her. She'll get it out of him.

Georgia follows Souji down a long hallway. Slowly, slowly. Quietly. Watching.

[denyingpets]

Despite his track record of not caring at all to help the Queen or his fellow Mirrors in any way, Souji is working on this riddle. His methods are a little haphazard, sure, but the constant pain in his head keeps him from thinking clearly or focusing for long periods. Considering, he's probably not doing too badly.

He goes into a tea room, more because he's hungry than because it's part of his riddle-solving, but stops part way across the room as he catches sight of himself in a Mirror. He hadn't noticed before now, but he can look at himself without disappearing. He's never seen his reflection before....

Drifting closer to the glass, he raises one hand and touches his reflection. How strange. He's not an exact mirror duplicate after all--he's a lot thinner than the real Souji these days. There are the thin scars on his face and throat, too, and the angry red half-hidden by his hair.

One corner of his mouth quirks upward. This is a pretty pathetic reflection. He's happier not having to see it.

[akapsycho]

What is it with these boys and their reflections? Georgia watches with annoyance for a few seconds before giving up her hiding place and walking forward with purpose.

"You looking to get rid of that thing? Is that what you're doing?" She glares through her matted hair, daring him to make a move.

[denyingpets]

Souji closes his eyes, irritated, but not particularly surprised. There's someone else who's been trailing him as well, and at least Georgia isn't him.

"Do you even own a comb? Or are you not able to use the closets on our side either?"

[akapsycho]

Georgia laughs harshly. "Trust a traitor to care more about appearance than getting the job done."

She clenches and unclenches her firsts, annoyed at how he obviously wants to dismiss her.

"You'll need to spend less time staring in the mirror if you really want to get rid of your fancy tattoo."

[denyingpets]

Souji knows she's right, but it's just so strange to see himself. He turns away from the mirror, facing her. There are still faint scars on his face and throat from letting her cut on him once before.

"What is it you want from me?"

She must want something or she wouldn't have followed him into the room.

While he waits for her answer, he presses his hand to his mark, as though to physically suppress it.

[akapsycho]

That's an excellent question. One she doesn't really have an answer for. Curiosity, maybe.

But she's pretty good at coming up with bullshit when she needs to.

"Making sure you aren't looking to sabotage our efforts." She narrows her eyes. "Why else would you be here, after all?"

[denyingpets]

He gives her an exasperated look from under his hand. "What could I possibly gain from sabotaging any of you?"

Belatedly, he hopes that she isn't the type who becomes more convinced of something when it's denied.

[akapsycho]

She laughs, loud and humorless. "As if you wouldn't gain something from bringing her the sword yourself. If someone else finds it, you've done her no good. You keep your pretty tattoo..."

[denyingpets]

Souji rolls his eyes and starts to walk toward the door, intending to go past her out of the room.

"It doesn't make a difference. You're as useless as your fuck buddy." He pauses as he draws up beside her. "Not that you'll have him for much longer at this rate."

[akapsycho]

She turns towards him sharply, hair whipping around her head in a wave.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

m i r r o r

[avoirfaim]

To be entirely honest, Hannibal doesn't find Souji all that interesting. He doesn't find him to be too much of a bother either, and it makes him prime seat filler material. He learned long ago to make friends of those he found beneath him who, in spite of being terribly average, still managed to follow all the right social niceties.

All in all, Souji is unimposing and not particularly high on his radar. Maybe, just maybe, his Mirror might change that.

While everyone else seems to be tripping over themselves to solve this riddle, Hannibal goes about his day as normal. Presently, he's making himself some lunch.

Really, when is he not?

[denyingpets]

If Hannibal had met Souji's Mirror a couple of years ago, he would have met someone much like Souji outwardly--calm, unsoliciting, neutral. He had tried at times back then to pass as Souji and it hadn't been that hard; it was easy to fake concern for others or interest in their lives. He knew the social cues and could make the right face at the right time. What he found more difficult was repressing his fascination with the ability to take life, to hold life in his hand, to tear it to pieces or quietly snuff it out.

That core part of him is still intact, but it's been largely superseded by desperation. The pain from his traitor mark keeps him from sleeping or for focusing on anything for long; he doesn't eat nearly enough because he can't use any of the Mansion's magic to find food. The mark is driving him insane and he has to find some way to prove himself to the Queen of Hearts before he can't go back to who he was happy being.

It really isn't a surprise, all things considered, that he finds his way to the kitchen. With any hope of finding the sword waning, he's decided to gather food while he can. The kitchen will have a better array of choices than the closets.

He pauses just for a moment when he sees the kitchen occupied, then proceeds to a cupboard with an empty backpack dangling from one hand. He's gaunt and tired and not all that interested in Hannibal. Canned food is much more pressing.