entrancelogs | ( semi-open ) Just one more thing before you leave...

[ After Asgard had come to Wonderland, along with a few other realms... It had put some ideas in perspective. She'd been holding onto a couple items since Thor'd last been here and maybe it was time to let them go. Just like it might be time to let go of the lab in the basement with that weird thought of Tony and Bruce returning one day to reclaim it. The only one who'd ever come back repeatedly was Natasha, and that was trippy enough for Darcy. She was hitting the point again of closing people out, not wanting to deal with the hurt of loss over and over and over.

So, she's moving on with her life in an attempt to stop weighing herself down so much with mementos of the past. Nesting was one thing, but becoming a collector of her own was another. She wasn't gonna cross that line.

After a tough call, she let go of the basement lab and packed up the mead - heading across the hall. Knock knock. ]

Edited 2017-09-24 03:30 (UTC)

[ It's not that often that someone knocks on Steve's door without first contacting him by phone, and so he glances up from the book he'd been reading even as Dodger barks in greeting. After shushing the dog, Steve stands from the couch and heads over to open the door.

When he sees it's Darcy, and that she's got a familiar jug in hand, he raises an eyebrow and smiles uncertainly at her. They'd talked about drinking together back during their anniversary movie night, but had put it off for another time.

What's the occasion, though? As far as Steve's aware, nothing too catastrophic has happened, and they'd weathered the event as best they could. ]

Everything okay?

[ She's all about surprises today.

Giving a bit of a dismissive wave of her free hand, she smirks at his reaction. ]

Don't worry, Steve. I'm not here to get you schwasted. Just dropping it off into more capable hands. [ With a shrug, her smirk growing into a full-blown smile. ] I'm doing some spring cleaning. Got rid of the lab in the basement finally and I'm just dropping off a few other things.

[ And the booze made sense in his hands. ] Bucky liked the mead when Asgard invaded the mansion, so I figure you guys can share.

[ Not like it'd be difficult to get more from the closet or Billy, but this being from Thor feels different to her. Like, somehow a varying level of importance. ]

[ First from Thor to Darcy, then from Darcy to him. Steve also knows that he could get his own mead from the closets, but it definitely means more when it's being handed over for a gift, and when Darcy's kept Bucky in mind too. ]

Hey, thanks.

[ He reaches out to take it, half-turning to set the jug down on the closest flat surface in his room before he returns his attention to Darcy. She had tried to casually slip something in there about the lab, but he can't just ignore it. ]

You got rid of the lab? Kinda hard to miss that it's not actually spring right now. What brought this all on?

[ If she doesn't want to talk, Steve will back off, but as a friend it's his job to express some concern over her behavior. ]

[ It seemed to be one of those things that got better with time. Or at least, that's her hope since she's never had it and never will. Nope. No. Never. That kind of a hangover isn't worth the price, not in her book.

She shuffles slightly on her feet at the question, trying to decide if it's a path she really wants to go down... But she'd opened that door, hadn't she. ]

Yeah. Fitz and I haven't really been talking and after everything that happened and Jane converting her personal lab to the Planetarium-- I figured I could follow suit. No point in waiting for Tony and Bruce to come back and take it over and it wasn't like I was gonna hand over the keys to that particular kingdom to Fitz and his crew so they could possibly murder a whole bunch of people via science again... So poof. Gone. Presto chango no more lab-o. [ It kinda rhymes. She keeps her tone rather nonchalant, but an edge works its way in when she brings up the mirror mess from the last time there'd been a lab incident involving someone from home. She's definitely still salty about it all. ]

[ So there's still no love lost between Darcy and Fitz, then. It seems that a lot of people hold what happened with the mirrors against Fitz specifically, whereas Steve doesn't quite know how to feel about it himself. Fitz had been trying to do a good thing, and it had blown up in his face. Maybe he shouldn't have pushed Wonderland so hard, but could Steve really blame someone for getting sick of their situation here?

He isn't going to argue the point with Darcy, though. The lab had been in her care, and if she decided it was time to retire it, then that's her prerogative. It's within anyone else's power to remake it, if they want to. ]

That's fair. You've already got enough on your plate as it is.

[ Bruce and Tony have been gone a while now. Why pretend that they'll be back any time soon?

Steve opens the door a little wider. ] Did you... wanna come in?

[ Don't worry, she's equally pissed at both Cisco and Fitz. Her rage at Fitz is hitting a couple other points as well. They'd had an up and went right back down. Yes, Fitz had been trying to do a good thing, but the concerns over the past year or so that Darcy had been voicing fell on deaf ears. And while she was used to that with Fitz, it just burns a little considering the damage if her own words had been heeded. ]

And with Jane gone, I don't really see the point of trying to keep doing science-related things on a big scale. I can focus on a few other things that'll be more fun.

[ She looks past him with a little smile, offering a casual shrug of her shoulder. ]

I wouldn't want to intrude if you've got big plans for the day. [ A beat. ] Have you had a chance to check out the planetarium yet?

[ Darcy's link to science had been through Jane, so it's understandable that she would want to set it aside now, particularly if continuing down that path means having to deal with Fitz more. He's curious what her other plans are, as Darcy has a way of always managing to keep busy here, but then she asks him a question.

For one thing, his day isn't exactly booked up with anything, and Darcy should know by now that Steve will always make time for her. But... the planetarium, huh? ]

I can't say that I have. Are you offering to give me a tour?

[ He quirks a smile. He's seen things both good and bad come from space, but he's curious. ]

[ It had been a shock at how lost she'd felt the first time Jane had been sent home. How dependent she'd become on her cohort and how ingrained that routine was in her life. This time, it's easier. She'd made a clean break from active science alongside Jane while still maintaining the original passion. It was a much easier transition this time around, one where she can look at the planetarium and smile, lighten the grief with each visit.

And yes, while he'll make time for her, she does her best to not derail when it comes to Steve. Anyone else? Sure. It's just another form of trolling, but Steve means more. ]

I sure can. Jane even loaded in all the constellations from home, so if you've been missing the big dipper, I can hook you up.

[ Steve had never gotten much chance to stargaze back home, given that he'd grown up in a big city, though there had been a few times during the war. All the same, seeing some familiar stars projected onto a fake sky would be nice. ]

Sure, let's do it. It'd be nice to see a little bit of home.

[ He shouldn't need anything, so after making sure he's got his phone and giving Dodger a farewell pat, he heads out into the hallway alongside Darcy. ]

Lead the way.

[ There was something so magical about New Mexico compared to every other place they called a temporary home once she started actually looking at the sky. The power of being outside of a big city worked wonders on being able to actually see them.

She smiles, waving to Dodger becausewhynot before heading out. ]

I think you'll really like it. [ And thankfully, it's not too far. Three years and stair cardio is still not her fave. When they make it downstairs, she gestures to one of the many rows of seats. ]

Pop a squat. [ It's said as she's moving towards the podium to grab the remote. ]

You ready?

[ Steve makes a mental note of where the planetarium is located. While he's not sure that he'd ever come here on his own, there's always a possibility, or maybe he'll end up showing it to someone else at some point.

It's dim and quiet in here, and Steve feels comfortable as soon as he takes a seat, even though this place is built to house many more people. ]

Ready, Professor Lewis. [ It's just a tease, though it's hard not to feel like he's in some sort of lecture hall. He tilts his head up toward the ceiling, waiting to see what Darcy's got in store for him. ]

[ She pauses at the teasing, a stupid grin spreading across her face. It had a nice ring to it, honestly. Not that she ever thought she'd ever be in a position to teach considering she isn't sure she'd have the patience for it. Her own professors had been something of a blessing and then Jane... Well, Jane and Erik were both far better teachers than she ever expected to find in a 6 credit internship. Remote in hand, she makes her way back up to him with that grin still playing on her lips. ]

I promise to keep my pants on through this, unlike Erik.

[ And any constellations she doesn't know the name of, she will 100% make up. Because she makes solid life choices like that. Yup. She dims the lights as she settles in next to him, the ceiling of the Planetarium beginning to shift and change to a very familiar night sky featuring brighter constellations so they can stand out amongst the others. The big and little dipper come into view, Darcy giving Steve a gentle nudge. ]

Those should look familiar.

[ It all feels a little more natural when Darcy's seated next to him. With just the two of them in this cool, dark room, staring up at a familiar set of constellations, Steve isn't sure he could feel more at ease within Wonderland. He hadn't known he needed this, but apparently he did.

When Darcy nudges him, Steve laughs quietly and nudges her back. ] Yeah, they do, don't worry. I'm not that far gone. [ Darcy has never been as bad about the elderly jokes as some, but Steve doesn't mind playing into it these days.

While he spends a few moments just taking in the sights overhead, eventually he glances over at Darcy, one eyebrow cocked. ] So what is this story about Erik and no pants? Pretty sure that's news to me.

[ While the planetarium was cool, it needed some help. She wanted to bring the stars and constellations to life. She wanted... No, she needed people to see just how special the stars were. How much they'd changed her life and how beautiful they could be.

So, she decided to enlist the help of one of the best people she could think of for the job. ]

hey i need your help in the planetarium
i have an idea and it's kinda crazy

but i think you'll like it a lot
sorry no fire, at least not real fire

Edited 2017-09-24 03:32 (UTC)

[ there's a light rap from the alcove leading into the back.

but ray's head doesn't poke in immediately after as usual. he waits patiently for an answer, in nervous silence he doesn't know how to wear. nervousness means rambling and movement for ray palmer.

and yet here he stands, quiet and still. because for once he wants to be wrong.

he has to be. ]

[ She'd been testing out a new recipe when she heard the knock, peeking up from the notebook she'd gotten for Christmas to see who might be popping by. It's not unheard of for a new person to swing in, but not really back here.

Peeking her head out, she smiles - not sure why he's so hesitant. ]

Hey, come on back.

Hey.

[ quiet and hesitant. ray moves inside but hovers by a chair, gesturing to it and waiting for the ok before folding himself into it carefully. he nearly books it back out-- second-guessing himself and feeling guilty for second-guessing darcy. but he needs to know. and if anything she needs to know the mirrors are lying about her,
at least to him. ]

Do you have a little time to talk over something? My mirror contacted me.

Yeah, I-- [ Oooooooooooooh shit. Shit, shit, shit, fuck nugget on a dinosaur boogaloo-- shit. Alright, deep down she knew this was coming. If she'd been honest with herself. Ray's mirror was a shadow in her life, one she often hit the point of forgetting existed because she ignored him so much. Her fault.

She sighs, her head dropping forward before lifting to look at him. Her hand brushes her brown curls back out of her face before making a placating gesture in front of her. ]

I can explain. [ That's what people say in situations like this, right? How does she do this without seriously pissing him off? Tact, Darcy. Use tact. ] Why don't you come in and have a seat before I kick this off. Can I get you anything? Coffee, some food, a shot of booze...?

[ he's not silent often. ray fills in-betweens with sound and movement and what he can muster of hope.

which makes the moments he does not fill a space loud. he doesn't fidget like normal, or smile and reassure her that they can figure this out. ray only breathes and watches her. he has two distinct thoughts which rage against each other within him, and now he must spend his energy keeping them at bay.

but he doesn't look away from darcy, or offer up an escape in the form of a smile. he doesn't reassure her that this is ok. ]

Darcy.

[ is that still who she is? or does the queen of hearts call her by something else? ]

[ No. No. He does NOT get to use that tone on her. Not today. Not when she'd put up with so many other shitstorms that she hadn't started. This was her one fuck-up with good intentions and she hadn't followed through. Hadn't ever approached the mirror to ask for this ridiculous favor that most likely would have backfired because whatever price he might've asked for that kill wouldn't have been worth it. Not in the long run. And not when it came to the memories.

Her demeanor shifts, shoulders squaring as she levels her own look at him with that tone. ]

What's done is done. I voiced a thought but didn't follow through with asking, would never follow through with asking. You wanna chew my ass out and judge me for being stupid for a second, go for it. I'll wait.

[ And with that, she crosses her arms, watching him and steeling herself for whatever might come out of his mouth. ]

I don't think you're stupid.

[ which might be the real problem. since his arrival, ray hasn't really allowed darcy the room to fuck up. it's been darcy lewis: wonderland guru who taught him the abc's of this place and can do no real wrong.

darcy, whose opinion is number one over most everyone else when it comes to all things wonderland. ]

What was the question? That you didn't ask.

[ No, no. Not like this. She doesn't want to hear that he didn't think that was a stupid move or that she was dumb. She wants him to be mad at her if they're gonna do this. Not rational and the dreaded d--

disappointed.

She walks away from him for a moment, keeping her back to him as she crosses her arms. ]

If he'd kill another mirror. Not for me, for someone else. In order to protect other people from another monster.

( ever since elena showed up in wonderland, the coffee shop has been a great refuge for her. not only does she love coffee to a near alarming degree, there's just something about the vibe of it. many a night has seen elena curled up on one of its chairs, writing away on her journal or counseling a dear friend.

she loves this place. it embodies the best of wonderland, in her mind.

so she steps inside with a familiarity that's come rather naturally, smiling when she sees darcy is around, too. )

Hey! Can't sleep, either?

[ Listen, if anyone isn't allowed to judge about coffee addiction... It's Darcy. This coffee shop has gone through so much and grew with Darcy during her life here. In a way, it's become an extension of herself and a second home aside from her room. Especially with Jane leaving and the lab turning into a Planetarium.

Looking up from the section of counter she'd been meticulously wiping down, she smiles at the familiar face. ]

Yeah, I figured I might as well make good use of my night if I wasn't gonna sleep. Never really got back on a regular schedule, anyways. Jane was... Is-- [ tenses are hard in Wonderland ] -- a night owl so I just kinda rolled with it.

( elena smiles her understanding.

before she became a vampire herself, she spent her time with people who didn't exactly have the most normal of schedules. she may be a morning person at heart, but she needs much less sleep than she used to. ) Do you need help with anything? I like to think I'm pretty good at multitasking.

( besides, she's benefitted from darcy's coffee shop more than most. she tries chipping in when she can. )

Well, I'm working on transitioning the shop to its fall menu, the shop's three year anniversary is coming up in October!

[ It's another milestone, one to be celebrated. And she always did a party theme throughout the month because why not? Fall, Halloween, and party do go so well together, anyways. Even if Wonderland tended to throw a ringer for everyone on its own.

She tended to choose to be the treat part of it all. ]

I'm thinking of bringing back the marshmallow bar I had upstairs for a hot second in its first year. Might go well with a cocoa bar?

( elena brightens somewhat at darcy's announcement. )

I can't imagine a marshmallow bar not being a hit with cocoa enthusiasts.

( she claims a seat somewhere nearby so that the conversation can continue, letting her chin drop into her hands as she appraises the coffee shop with new eyes. ) God, has it really been three years?

I made a poor life choice once of hosting a bonfire down at the beach and I dragged the marshmallow bar down there. It was a pain and the effects of salt water air on sugar is not so great.

[ So this should be sooooooooo much better. Bonus less work with the actual transportation of the marshmallows. Darcy sighs lightly, looking around with nod. ]

Yeah, the facelift helped keep it looking young, but it's seen some shit. I think it's become something of a Wonderland staple in its years, which is pretty rad. [ And not at all what she'd intended when she'd first set out with this project, but a happy accident nonetheless. ]

( elena bites back a smile, but she can't help it -- the visual darcy paints of this bonfire is a little amusing.

said amusement dispels shortly after darcy sighs. elena looks around along with her, a thoughtful expression on her face. ) I would say it already became that long ago. When I first got here, people were already pointing me in this direction. It was cozy, and it had one of my favorite beverages in the world. As weird as the whole experience was, having a place like this was grounding.

( a coffee shop is ... so normal, even one as extraordinary as darcy's. people take for granted how important that is. )

[ It was a pretty crazy night.

She smiles at Elena's words, her heart warming up a bit more than it had before. And it was already pretty warm and full of good feelings. ] I set it up after my first death because I wanted a place that felt like home. An escape from the crazy crap that tends to go down here. [ And someplace that wasn't centered around booze. ] It also helped me a lot after the first time I lost Jane. Reminded me that there's other things I can do and pull me out of science tunnel vision.

I'm just glad it stuck around and other people like it.

( semi-open ) Just one more thing before you leave...

for Steve

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For Billy

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i will say your name and it will sound like “thank you.”

i will say your name and it will sound like “thank you.”

i will say your name and it will sound like “thank you.”

i will say your name and it will sound like “thank you.”

i will say your name and it will sound like “thank you.”

i will say your name and it will sound like “thank you.”

i will say your name and it will sound like “thank you.”

i will say your name and it will sound like “thank you.”