Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore | OPEN

[vitaelamorte]

Who: E V E R Y O N E (Including our 4th wall guests!)
Where: Everywhere, one both Mirror and Real Side!
When: December 12th - December 18th (WEEK ONE)
Rating: PG-13, warn if going higher
Summary: This year's Ewaymas celebration rolls out the way it usually does, with intense decorating, a sudden snowfall and...far more arrivals than usual! New faces and old fill the mansion - but why would Wonderland bring so many people at once? And why do some of them remember Wonderland?
The Story:

On the evening before December 12th, the captives of Wonderland might be awoken by a loud commotion. Some of it is typical Ewaymas noise, likely familiar to anyone who has been in Wonderland for more than a year – construction sounds and jingle bells as Wonderland decks its own halls quite literally. Garland and lights race down the walls and down the stairs, and stockings appear on the walls for each and every person in Wonderland, embroidered with their names. There are decorative candles everywhere, and all sorts of decorations for every conceivable winter holiday, even if it does not align perfectly to the dates of Ewaymas. Time isn't real, so there will be menorahs and dreidels and Star of Davids even though Hanukkah ended two days prior. And of course, in the front hall, growing straight out of the floor, is a large decorated tree full of ornaments for everyone. And as always, it will have snowed heavily overnight, bringing all of the snow Wonderland will have between now and spring.

There is a second source of commotion in the night though – the sound of a crowd.

Over the course of the night, dozens of new arrivals will appear in Wonderland. Some for the first time. Some wondering how they managed to return with their memories. Others stumbling in with no recollection of ever having been here. Some might be friends from other timelines, other possibilities, and some might even be doubles of people who are already in Wonderland. It's strange for Wonderland to drag so many people into the mansion at once, but everything seems to indicate that they are supposed to be there. They have their own network devices and even have their own stockings on the wall and their own ornaments on the tree – by all accounts, it seems Wonderland expects that they'll be staying, and is treating them like any other new arrivals. Please, make them feel at home and help them settle in nicely.

The first few days will be for catching up with old friends and enjoying the decorations and settling into Wonderland. However, within a couple of days the decorations will start to glitch, much the way corrupted computer graphics might. Lights might change abruptly from multi-color to blue or white, entire décor styles will abruptly change, candle flames will flicker on and off like broken fluorescent lights, and any singing decorations might loop on a beat or two over and over putting you into an eternal hell. Wonderland doesn't seem to be able to stick to one motif, and it can't stop changing. These glitches are occurring on both the Real Side of Wonderland and the Mirror Side.

By the 15th, these glitches will include entire rooms changing into different holiday scenes. These scenes will all be of characters at various winter holidays in the past, the present (in their world), or a possible future. At this point in the event, characters will still be able to navigate the basic mansion and be able to exit these moments easily. These scenes cannot be interacted with – Wonderland seems to consider them another form of decorating. Unlike previous events of this type, these scenes will not loop at first. They will play once, and then Wonderland will glitch and correct itself to be the room it is supposed to be. The scene might play again, but it will be in a different location if it does.

By this point, Wonderland is having an increasingly difficult time holding itself together in a way that makes geographical sense. You might exit one room, even a room that was not previously playing a scene, and find yourself in the kitchen or on the roof instead of in the hallway. You might open a door that you were sure led to your room only to see a ten foot drop to the grounds outside.

This is the mingle log for WEEK ONE! For more information on this part of the event or any questions, please head over to the plot post, or check out our Fourth Wall Master Post for your other Fourth Wall event needs! Prose or [action brackets] are welcome. Please clearly indicate whether your character is on the Real Side or Mirror Side in your top levels. And of course, have fun! ♥

Comments

Cullen Rutherford | Dragon Age

[morework]

GARDENS & ENTRANCE HALL [OPEN]

[ His memories find Cullen again fast. A few months went by at home, but here? He looks up at the sky. Summer had found its end, but he would not have expected a blanket of snow quite so soon. Not that Wonderland wasn't practised in dodging expectations...

The network device is back at his side. He flips through the latest transmission, recognises most faces. Not the messages they send, though. Cullen brushes a thin layer of snow off his shoulders. Best just ask for the latest updates.

...Or try, anyway Cullen scowls, when his own transmission refuses to send for the third time. ]

Blighted thing. I know I didn't forget how it works already,

[ he mutters to himself. A chill distracts him from his fourth attempt. He was indoors at home, in plain trousers and a white linen shirt. Not the best attire for this weather, even for somebody well-accustomed to the cold.

Cullen puts away the device, and walks inside. The entrance hall is busy with colourful decorations, a stark contrast to the white blanket outside. In fact, the entire mansion sounds busy enough. Footsteps and voices, some distant and some near, plenty enough to be heard.

Somebody walks past at just that moment, and Cullen holds out a hand to stop them. ]

--The network, is it broken again? [ He shakes his head. ] No, never mind, could you just tell me-- There was an event, a while ago. People... turned into birds. When was that?

[ One month ago, by his count. He is becoming uncertain about the answer he's supposed to expect. ]

HIS OLD ROOM [CLOSED to Garrett Hawke]

[ His first destination is obvious. And yet, no matter how fast his steps, his feet still lock in place when he reaches the door to his- former room. Returning to Wonderland had always carried a shroud of apprehension for him in the past, but this time-- Knowing what he just heard in the hall makes it worse.

Under his breath he quietly mutters a few lines of the Chant, until at least his expression doesn't show the racing thoughts anymore.

Then he slowly opens the door and steps inside. ]

Is anyone home?

[assistanting]

[ april is minding her own business when someone who got lost from the renn faire reaches out to her and asks her a question about a bird event. i mean, she remembers events, maybe not that one. but also: she'd rather fuck with him.

april flaps her arms like a bird, her expression blank ]

Caw, caw?

[morework]

[ And so Cullen wears a matching blank expression. For very different reasons.

He nods very slowly. ]

Yes. Like that. Do you remember it?

[assistanting]

[ she flaps BIGGER ]

Caw!! Caw!

[morework]

[ Still better than Orlesian peace talks.

He crosses his arms. ]

No, they were all smaller. And had real feathers.

[assistanting]

[ april puts her hands on her hips and looks offended. ]

Caw.

[morework]

[ ...All right. He'd hoped a brief exchange would be enough for anyone to grow tired of that sort of response, but clearly he underestimated her dedication. ]

You are going to keep this up as long as I'm talking to you, aren't you?

[ Unless. Cullen suddenly looks a little uncertain. ]

--You. Are doing this on purpose?

[ It's- barely even a question.

He couldn't even imagine what sort of Wonderland even would even cause a reaction like that otherwise.

No, this is obviously some silly joke.

This... is most likely just some silly joke. ]

Gardens

[theothermrgray]

Birds? No, I don't think there has been an event of that sort.

[That might give Cullen an idea of how long Dorian has been gone.]

I thought the last event had us blurting out our secrets to everyone around us.

[morework]

[ Cullen thinks back. Does he remember an event of that sort? If the effect Dorian described was active right this moment, then Cullen would have to admit that some events have faded to the very corners of his memory, overshadowed by greater disturbances. Truths may at times haunt him, but they are hardly well- or insistently kept secrets.

...No, this does not help him place the man in time. Or himself for that matter. He does recognise him well enough, however, which begs another question entirely: ]

Did you only just return yourself? I was here before, but- I might have been gone for some time.

[theothermrgray]

[There's a curt nod with his reply.]

Apperently so... But I was told I'd forget about this place after so long.

[morework]

Most seem to, but apparently there are exceptions. Or exceptional circumstances.

[ Cullen glances around briefly, for anything even more amiss than the unexpected changes in the weather. ]

--Have you been inside yet? The network wouldn't allow me to post a message. I wonder if something more is off...

[theothermrgray]

[Dorian nods at the circumstances, yet frowns at the mention of the network.]

Funny, the exact same thing happened with me... I was wondering if my device was broken.

[Whatever Wonderland's going to drag him through this time... He is certianly unprepared, but here's hoping it's better than the last few weeks back home.]

[bloodmagics]

[The room is no longer kept up to the standards Cullen had set; it's not a disaster but the bottles of booze - empty, full and everything in between - are a dead giveaway that things aren't being handled well.

And it's not even Garrett that responds to his question. The dogs are the first ones to respond, bounding across the room to greet him, licking at his hands until Dog gets his pants between his teeth and starts dragging him towards the bed where Garrett lies.

Face down, hand clutched around another bottle.]

[morework]

[ Cullen would take his time with them happily; he missed those mabari just the same. But they are unfailingly clever, and know who needs to see him the most. ]

Maker,

[ Cullen mumbles quietly, the sight an ache in his heart. Garrett did so well before, but old habits are persistent companions. He just wishes he'd been there to help ward them off.

He takes the bottle from Garrett's hand and sits down by his side. Strokes his back calmly. ]

Rough day?

[bloodmagics]

[Caught between sleep and waking, Garrett doesn't notice the way the bed dips with the additional weight. His fingers try to grip the bottle but it slides away and he grumbles, turning his head to face Cullen.]

I don't - I don't want this dream anymore. Hurts too much.

[morework]

[ He badly wants his time away undone, just as badly wants to kiss Garrett awake properly right there. No, he should come to on his own. So, instead he catches Garrett's hand and entwines their fingers. ]

I'm here. I'm back.

[ He squeezes Garrett's hand firmly. Places a kiss on it afterwards. ]

It... took a little longer this time.

[bloodmagics]

[This isn't how the dream usually goes and it's that fact that has Garrett's brows furrowing, has him realising something is strange.]

... Cullen?

[His eyes drop to their joined hands, to the very real warmth of Cullen's lips against his skin.

Shame fills his gut as he puts the pieces together, as he realises what state Cullen's returned to find him in.]

You can't be. It doesn't make sense.

[But that's not going to stop him from pulling Cullen down into a kiss - one that unfortunately tastes of stale alcohol and every possible sign that he's been taking barely the absolute minimum care of himself.]

[morework]

[ People leave and return, with or without their memories. The longer they're gone, the smaller the chance they will still remember. Cullen knows that his own should have been slim at best. He knows--he strongly suspects that there is a considerable drawback to his return. He will need to explain. Prepare Garrett for it.

Later.

After he leans down into the kiss, and pulls Garrett closer. Tastes his warmth before anything else, always a comfort to make him forget worlds around him, if only for a few precious moments.

And when they pass he tastes the stale liquor instead. ]

Hey,

[ Cullen mumbles against his lips before he slowly pulls away. ]

Why don't we get you cleaned up. Do something about the room. Then you can tell me everything I missed.

[ Another kiss, briefer this time. ]

We've got some lost time to make up for after.

[bloodmagics]

[Kissing Cullen feels like coming home and for the first time since Wonderland sent him away, Garrett feels okay. Part of him knows Cullen will likely be disappointed that he broke, that he's returned to alcohol to deal with the pain of him leaving - of so many people leaving - but he doesn't care. He's back, he's here and it's real.]

We can make up for it right now. We don't need to do anything else.

[He pulls him in for another kiss, hungry and eager.]

[morework]

[ Cullen joins the next kiss just as eagerly, does not break it for a moment. He is tempted, too, but Garrett deserves to be taken care of again-- in more than the most immediately satisfying way. The kiss ends with Cullen pulling Garrett to his feet. ]

We do. Just a few minutes of work.

[ Half the floor littered with a history of relapses, the other with opportunities to keep going just as easily. It could wait a while longer. It shouldn't. ]

You'll like the results, I promise.

[ He runs his thumb along Garrett's chin, through a beard more unkempt than he left it. ]

Perhaps a nice shave later?

[ That Cullen only mumbles quietly, almost to himself. There are more enticing rewards he could offer, he knows, but Maker, he missed the small things. ]

[bloodmagics]

[Garrett sways on his feet, head light from a lack of sleep, alcohol and the hungry kiss. All he wants to do is tug Cullen back into that bed, their bed and reaffirm how they feel.]

All of it can be later. It's been months, and I never thought...

[He trails off, because Cullen knows how that sentence ends. It had been one of their worst fears, sometimes left unsaid, sometimes whispered in the dark of the night when they couldn't sleep.]

I don't want to waste time on something so unimportant.

[morework]

[ He never thought he would have to leave Garrett. No matter how real the chance of it, no matter how founded their fears, part of him-- Part of him always thought they would find a way. A foolish notion, wasn't it?

Cullen leans in for another kiss. At the last moment he stops.

There it is.

He pulls back, a slight frown creasing his brow. ]

Taking care of yourself is not unimportant. [ He kisses Garrett's forehead, briefly. ] Tell me you know that.

[ Tell him you'll remember that if he is forced to leave again. ]

[bloodmagics]

[A foolish notion, but one they both believed in because they had to. There was no other choice, and separation was just too painful to consider.

The reality of it hurts more than considering it ever could.

Garrett frowns at the lack of another kiss, eyes flicking up to the creased brow.]

I am taking care of myself. [A sigh.] I just... I'm allowed to grieve, aren't I?

[You are but you're not, buddy.]

[morework]

[ Grieve. Maker, the sound of that. ]

Some time has passed at home, and neither of us is dead, despite Thedas' best efforts.

[ ...And yet they live countries apart. Was there even as much as a letter between them in the last months? No matter the sound of it, Garrett is right. Everything they have here dies outside of Wonderland.

Cullen pulls Garrett into another kiss. He takes his time before he breaks it. ]

When you wake up tomorrow I'll be by your side again, and these- [ He shoots the bottles a glance. ] -will all be gone.

[ With that he steps away to make it so, and picks up the first bottle on the floor. ]

[mandrakes]

[It could be that Regis has seen something like this before, but the amount of attention he pays to the general goings on in the mansion fluctuates along with how much he is giving to his personal hobbies and pursuits. The machinations of Wonderland only hold his attention for so long.

It happens, however, that this time has him noticing an old friend walking the same hall with an expression of confusion. There have been many losses here but he has missed Cullen more than most. Perhaps it was the way their friendship was slowly forged from initial mistrust and near-animosity that made the loss of it catch. After all, hadn't he come to gain one of his closest friends at home in much the same way?]

Cullen. You have been gone for some time. [Regis' attention may sometimes lapse, but he is aware of the passing of the days. He gives the man a puzzled look.] ... You know where you are?