[OPEN] I used to know a fisherman who loved to hunt the sea for sharks

[beardman]

Who: Caleb Brewster and you!
Where: Fourth floor hallway
When: 8/1, early evening
Rating: PG-13 seems safe. Swearing, probably, but not more than that.
Summary: Caleb arrives in Wonderland, confused as can be.
The Story:

[What strange days had come to pass - And the one they'd hanged seemed a more honorable man, even at the gallows all dressed in his red coat, than the one who got away. That's fate for you, Caleb had thought to himself. He'd strangle that bastard with his bare hands if he ever got the chance, but he knew he'd have to wait in an awfully long line to do it.

What a mess.

He'd expected it would take him a long time to fall asleep once he finally did reach his cot, but he'd underestimated just how weary his body was. That sort of exhaustion was no match for whatever worries and thoughts he had, even after such an eventful few days, and he was out almost as soon as his eyes closed.

When he opens his eyes, Caleb is surprised to find himself standing in a hallway full of mirrors. It's not the first time he's had a strange dream (though they tend to come after a good night of drinking), but something about this place feels different. It feels real... His head is clear, the floor underneath his boots is solid, and with the exception of their numbers, the mirrors seem perfectly normal - if a bit fancier than he normally sees. He takes a few steps forward and nothing changes, and he can't seem to shake the feeling that this isn't a dream at all.

But if that's the case, then how the hell did he get here? And where is here? He debates with himself for a long moment before deciding that he's never been afraid to take the bull by the horns, and he calls out -]

Hello? If anyone's here, you'd better speak up now!

Comments

[beardman]

[Already invited in for tea? He must have made a good impression - Which surprises him a little, given... Well. He knows he doesn't exactly look like a respectable gentleman, but this woman does look (and sound) rather 'respectable'.

...He hopes she's not a Tory.]

Well, if you're sure the husband won't mind. It wouldn't be gentlemanly to turn down such a polite invitation, now would it?

[beautifullies]

[ She is very firmly not a Tory, no worries. And he reminds her, almost instantly save for the accent, of Murtagh. Though, if Jamie weren't here, she probably wouldn't be inviting a strange man inside.

Opening the door to her room reveals a space that's pretty much as you'd expect a living space in the 1740s to look; the only light is natural light or candles, and she guides him to the area she and Jamie sit to talk and have tea. ]

My name is Claire Fraser, by the way. Once I get the tea, I'll try to explain everything the best I can.

[ She pauses, canting her head to the side. ]

Er...this may sound odd a question, but what year is it?

[beardman]

[Bless her.

He follows her into the room, removing his hat for the sake of politeness. It hadn't seemed important before, but it does now. It's not often he has tea with a lady anymore (or tea at all, really).]

Caleb Brewster. It's a pleasure, Mrs. Fraser.

[The question surprises him a little, but he's been asked stranger things.] Ah... It's 1778. Isn't it?

[beautifullies]

[ Oh, he's from Benjamin's time. How interesting. She'll get to that. ]

You'd think!

[ She calls out somewhat cheerfully, then comes back with the tea on a tray, setting it down and asking his preference before making her own and sitting across from him. ]

Where I'm from, it's 1743. This place, Wonderland, brings people in from all over time. Most seem to be from the late twentieth century to the mid-twenty-first.

[ Claire pulls her device out of a pocket tucked within the fold of her skirt. ]

You'll have one of these, it's how we communicate. You can find a person and either call them by talking into the device, or do something called a 'video.' Which is startling, to say the least. You can see the person on the other end, via the screen, and speak with them.

[ There's also texting, but she hasn't figured that out yet, so. ]

[beardman]

[Is that so? He's having a bit of a hard time believing there are people from two centuries in the future here, but he realizes that might not be sensible - It did bring him here without his noticing, after all, and Mrs. Fraser doesn't seem the type to lie about something like coming from thirty-five years ago.

Kind of a strange lie, that.]

All over time? You'll have to forgive me, but that's a pretty fantastic claim. [He pauses.] But I guess all of this is, isn't it?

[When she brings out the device, he leans in to get a look at it. It doesn't look like it's capable of much, but he supposes magic doesn't need to look like much.]

...But why? [He looks back up at her.] Why bring us here, why give us communication devices? I don't understand.

[beautifullies]

If being kidnapped without being aware of what was happening isn't completely fantastic, I'm not sure what is.

[ There's a slight smirk on her lips as she says it. ]

Honestly, Mr. Brewster, we're not all that certain. I believe what most people will tell you is that this place runs on our memories. It pulls us all here and forces our memories on everyone at large so that we have to experience it all with them. For example, when I arrived, this entire mansion wasn't a mansion at all. It was a vacation home of sorts where people used the snow as recreational entertainment.

[ She's trying to put everything in the same terms she used to explain it to Jamie. A ski resort makes sense to her, but does it even register to an 18th-century man? ]

[beardman]

You're not wrong. [He wasn't even drinking, so that can't be to blame.]

[Her explanation doesn't seem to make much sense to him either, and he frowns a little, trying to take it all in. Forces memories on everyone? Aside from the fact that that doesn't make any sense, there are memories he'd rather not share, either, so the whole thing is pretty unsettling.

There are things in the world that can't be explained and he knows and believes it - He's a sailor, and a sailor who can't accept at least some superstition is a fool in his eyes. But this? This is like nothing he's ever heard before.

Caleb fiddles a little with his cup, unsure of how to respond.]

...I guess I'll have to accept that I don't understand. [He pauses, then-] ...And given that you're all still here, am I right in assuming that you don't know how to leave?

[beautifullies]

We don't know.

[ She confirms it with a nod of her head. ]

I don't understand it all, either. But what I think I can help with is some of the modern amenities. I had to explain them to my husband, as well. For instance...

[ She gets up and goes to the wall and pushes a switch, and suddenly the bright overhead lights turn on. ]

Electricity. There's no real need for lanterns or candles. But I find this to be too much in my own private space.

[ She turns the lights back off again so that they're plunged back into the ambiance of their century. ]

[beardman]

[The sudden burst of bright light draws Caleb's attention immediately, and he's still staring at the overhead lights even after they're off.]

...What in the world? [He finally looks back at Claire.] I can see why you'd find it too much. [Like the sun indoors!]

[beautifullies]

Electricity is an invention that will hit around the late 1800s. There are also things called 'refrigerators' that you can store food in. It keeps them cold so that it all stays fresh, longer. And I'm very happy to tell you about the best invention of them all, possibly.

[ Claire sits across from him, and perhaps for dramatic effect, takes a sip of her tea first. ]

Indoor plumbing and instant hot water. No more chamber pots and there is instant hot water. Honestly, that's enough to never want to go back.

[ She's teasing, obviously, and smiles to show it. ]

[beardman]

That would've solved quite a few problems we faced at sea and in camp, that's for certain. [If it weren't for all the hard work to keep them hungry, it would've been hard to choke down some of what he'd eaten at sea.]

[This is quite a lot to take in, but it all sounds pretty fantastic. He listens carefully, holding his tea rather awkwardly - This is all a little, uh, nice in comparison to what he's used to.]

Instant, is that right? [That does sound pretty nice. No waiting for a pot to heat up, and no walking out to the privy in the dark after too much madeira!]

[beautifullies]

I feel like I can make this promise to you, at least. You will absolutely appreciate it. You know, I've taught someone else a few of these things. A Major Tallmadge. I believe you're both from the same time period. He might be someone to ask questions of, as well.

[ Two men who can relate to the same time period could only be a boon as they try to navigate this one. ]

[beardman]

[!! Recognition is instantly obvious on Caleb's face and the surprise melts into a big, bright smile. She knows Ben!] Ben! Really, you know Ben? You're right we're from the same time, he's my best friend!

[beautifullies]

I met him on his first day in Wonderland as well.

[ Claire smiles, glad for Caleb that he's not here alone. ]

Navigating this place is going to be much easier for you then, I think. I arrived alone and it was difficult, but my husband arrived after and it hasn't been nearly as overwhelming.

[ She knows now that Caleb may want to leave right away to find Ben. ]

We could start a club, now. For those of us living in the eighteenth century.