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

Doctor Facilier | The Princess and the Frog

[changeitroundsome]

[A: Arrival]

[Facilier had been a rather unnerving time of it, right before arriving in Wonderland. Honestly, when his "Friends" dragged him off, he hadn't really expected to wind up in some fancy mansion. This was the kind of place he'd always hoped he'd have for himself. Big mansion, plenty of riches, being equal to the obnoxiously rich white folks like La Bouff. If it hadn't been for the way he'd come here, he'd consider this a dream come true. Honestly, as punishments go, it's horribly fitting. He doesn't like it one bit.

This place reeks of magic, though, and if the Loa brought him here...well, he reckons there's nothing good in store for him. It's a trap- a real pretty one, but a trap all the same. He casts a glance at his Shadow, as it flits around the room nervously. In a silent command, it settles back into place where it belongs- no need to show all his cards, just yet. He makes his way over to the nearest person, all smiles. ]

Pardon me. Don't suppose you got any idea where we are. I jus' found myself here, and I gotta admit, I'm a little lost. If you could help a fella out, I'd be real grateful.

[B: I'll look deep inside your heart and soul]

[A few days in, Facilier stops waiting for the other shoe to drop. He doesn't know if the Loa meant for him to end up here, or if Wonderland's own magic somehow managed to hook him away from their grasp, but however the dice fell, this isn't the hellscape he was expecting. He can make a life here- what he has of it. Sure, he can't offer folk here all that much in the material sense, the closets see to that- he's still got plenty of schemes to fall back on. And so, he does what he does best. He grifts.

He sets himself up in one of the tea rooms, in a quiet corner. On his table, he's put a sign, offering up Tarot readings. It's not much, but it's a start. He shuffles them, occasionally adding a clever flourish, some sleight of hand, when someone gets a little closer. He flashes them that disarming smile of his, friendly as friendly can be. ]

Enchanté, don't suppose I could offer you a 'lil glimpse into your future? All it'll cost is a smile. [It won't.] Got to do something to keep the mind active, while were all stuck here, right?

[C: Wildcard]

[You got something else in mind? Drop it like it's hot!]

B

[mourning_ghost]

[Nageki's here because it's a quiet spot, if not the place he's visited much before. He looks like a normal mourning dove, outside of his abnormally large size, but should Facilier have a sense for the supernatural he might be able to tell that Nageki is actually a ghost. It's because of this he shakes his head; he doesn't believe that he has a future to read anymore.]

No thank you, sir.

[changeitroundsome]

[Talking animals are nothing new to Facilier, he's always been able to speak to them, understand what they say like a Voodoo Disney Princess but the ghost of one? That IS something new.

He flicks his wrist, his cards vanishing. He folds his hands together, resting them on the table, leaning forward to inspect the dove.]

Well, ain't you the most interesting creature here. You know, even the dead got somethin', you're here ain't you?

[mourning_ghost]

[Nageki blinks in surprise. It's not often that someone can tell he's a ghost.]

...Yeah.

[Though he often describes himself as not really being here or not truly existing.]

What sort of things do you normally see?

[He's not planning on accepting the offer, still, but he curious about this man.]

B

[ahmagawd]

[ The cards that he has set up are far beyond her time.... And they are enough to grab her attention. But her attention can either be a good thing or a very bad thing. Unusually it is the latter, but at least this ghastly looking woman is simply approaching him and not attacking him. He's piqued her curisoity, if nothing else, and in her long life Ahmanet does indeed enjoy being amused by things. The gods help him if he doesn't. ]

My future...?

[ Her lips form into a thin smile. He speaks like the charlatans in the markets, so charismatic that it's almost nostalgic. Hah. ] There is your smile, peddler.

You may proceed.

[changeitroundsome]

[My my, she's an interesting one. Facilier doesn't know her, he doesn't what she's about, but he can change that. His own smile widens, yes. Yes this will do nicely. He waves a hand to the chair across from him, his other offering up his cards.]

And such a pretty smile it is, too! Please take a seat, and shuffle these here card for me, then pick three. I can do the rest.

[One day he'll learn not to fuck with otherwordly forces that can fuck with him harder. Today is not that day.]

[ahmagawd]

[ She settles into the chair, all four of her golden irises trained upon him. The shadows flicker at her heels, as if trailing about her in afterthought.

Oh, yeah, she clearly has a beautiful smile. And a beautiful face. What with being dead and all.

Ahmanet selects three of the cards from what he offers, although it's clear she doesn't know how this game works. Whether or not they're face up or down to her, she keeps her gaze trained on him and ignores the cards entirely once she selects them, putting them down on the table. ] These. [ And then, with the same demanding tone: ] Tell me what this is about.

[ She's watching with interest because, well. Even if she does have quite the bit of power on her own, she has no idea what he's doing. ]

A

[twirlier]

[Perhaps it's not an event, but to Misty it feels much the same. She's curious about her mirror, though she's fearful to seek her out. Instead she is wandering the mansion, marveling at the beauty of how much they've transformed this place.

Even her clothes reflect the change, all red and black lace with gold trim as she pads barefoot through the mansion, laughing and fairly dancing as she goes. Which is how she nearly runs into a man, glancing up with a bright smile.

A smile that widens, as much as her eyes do as he speaks.]

You're from home.

[It's nearly an accusation.]

And of course. You're in a Wonderland, which I know sounds about as mad as a hatter, but it's true. Maybe not the Wonderland, but it's one of them.

[changeitroundsome]

[That sure is a happy smile, it's almost like she's glad to see him. He wonders, briefly, if she's part of all this. There's magic in her, he can tell that much. One eyebrow arches.]

Well, all of us are from one home or the other, jus' stands to reason.

[He...wasn't expecting that. Like the book? He's already just got through one ordeal which was a little too like a fairytale for his own liking. Not that he didn't have a hand in that part, of course. Still, if Naveen hadn't gone and decided he needed to kiss himself a damn princess, none of that mess would have happened. ]

So. Does that mean I'm going to spend my time paintin' some flowers?

[He'll humour her, for now. ]

[twirlier]

You know that's not what I mean, and besides, trust me. There's people around here not like any home I've ever known. That accent though, only ever heard like it here once before with Jessica.

[And because of that they bonded well, and why she's happy to say hello and help out with another.

And she suspects if he's asking that, he's not been here long.]

Not that I've seen yet, but wait for an event. Though in that case, the flowers are likely man eating, and if you don't paint, you die. It's not the kindest of places, but it has things to offer.

B

[mothmansplaining]

I don't know. Isn't tarot really just drawing cards at random and using cold reading to make educated guesses?

[This kid looks, like, eleven. His mom is a phone psychic and pathological liar, though, so you'll have to forgive him being a bit skeptical.]

[changeitroundsome]

A sceptic, and at such a young age, too. Guess it's true that the youth of today ain't so impressed these days.

['Today' being 1926, obviously. He flashes Stanford a charming smile.]

Mine's much more than just an educated guess, young man. My readings are completely legitimate. Care to try it for yourself?

[mothmansplaining]

[Stanford turns it over in his mind.

There's no way this is real, and he can probably baffle this stranger from another world. There's a lot he has no way of knowing. Odds look good that Stanford can debunk this charlatan, so...]

Sure. Take your best shot. But I should warn you. I'm not easy to read! My ma's a phone psychic, so I already know all your tricks.

[He steps right on up.]

B because I can't help myself.

[beautifullies]

[ A part of her stops and looks at this man because what in hell could he tell her about her future, truly? Her life is one large mess of time travel, her past self here, halfway wondering if some elderly version won't appear next.

Crossing her arms across her chest, she looks at him. ]

All right. I'll play.

[ Said like someone who doesn't quite believe, although her palm reading, her tea leaves, those had all been frighteningly predictive twenty-five years ago. ]

YES GOOD

[changeitroundsome]

[She's going to break his cards. Facilier looks over, flashing a grin.]

Of course, but how about that smile? Fair trade, and all that. And then, well, we'll see where the cards take us.

B

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru comes to this tea room pretty regularly for a nice, invigorating cup of tea! Now he can't help but notice the set-up that man has in the corner. Tarot card readings? That reminds him of one of his classmates back home. ...Except that was someone who dismissed most forms of fortune telling as occult while still trying to make money as the SHSL Fortuneteller.

Ishimaru steps closer out of curiosity and listens to his pitch.]

Good day, sir! One single smile? Why, that is a remarkably low price to charge for one's fortune! [He's used to Hagakure taking every opportunity he can to charge thousands for the simplest of fortunes.] I must say that I never have been one for this sort of thing. But... if I learn the future, can I change it?! [He says, hope entering his voice.]

[changeitroundsome]

[The people in this place get more and more interesting as the day goes on. ]

I'm offerin' it as a one time deal. Seen as I'm new and all. Besides, ain't like money does us much good here, no?

[He'll just have to find power by other means. It's just a detour, he can work with it. His grin widens at the question.]

Of course! All it takes is a little ingenuity. I made it my business, back home, changin' folks' futures for them. Givin' them what they wanted.

[But not what they needed. That side was Odie's shtick. ]

JOINS THE CHORUS OF PEOPLE CHOOSING B I GUESS.

[mollymocked]

[Molly does not have a constant set up for his readings, because the one thing that he's figured out is if you're going to be stuck in a place, you do not want that kind of consistency. People coming to you over every little thing, depending on you, acting on every fortune you give them without any consideration for their own choices.

Nope. Fuck that. Reliability in that way is a disease. There is being useful and reliable in a group and there's being useful and reliable to an entire bloody town. He pulls his cards when it's amusing or fortuitous and not a moment more, which is why he's not intimidated or put out to see a new person setting up shop in the tea room.

He's got all of the hallmarks of carnie, or so goes Molly's kneejerk assumption when he enters and takes stock of the situation. He's also a good dresser. Molly's extremely low cut jerkin sees your undershirt-free suit vest and salutes it, sir. This has the potential to be interesting.]

Hard to have a future when time's standing still, friend. [Molly lilts, waiting to take in a reaction to his... everything before proceeding. Meeting new people in Wonderland is a lot of pausing to see how they react to a tiefling.]

HECK YES

[changeitroundsome]

[Facilier would very much like people to depend on him. It's how he gets by, making himself indispensable. Folk trust you? You can get away with just about anything.

Molly is definitely something Facilier has never seen before, and he's seen a lot. He manages to mask most of his surprise though, all bar for some very raised eyebrows.]

Well, take a look at you.

[That too, but he keeps his smile set to charming. ]

As for the future here? They still got one waitin' back home. Or perhaps the cards'll show them a thing or two here, if they got a mind.

B

[breakthecurse]

[Well, he seems like a nice man! It's really impressive how he can shuffle cards like that. Tohru isn't exactly sure what tarot is (though she's getting the impression that it would be something her friend Hana would know about), but it's very kind of him to offer something like that, she thinks.]

O-Oh, no, no, no! I couldn't possibly for just a smile! That would be asking for way too much! I don't have any money to offer you, but I do work in the diner upstairs. Maybe I could bring you something to eat afterwards?

[Tohru is...something of an easy mark.]

[changeitroundsome]

[He is clearly the nicest man. Tohru's ceaseless leaning towards generosity had piqued his interest though. He does so very much love an easy mark.

He grins, leaning forward on his table, resting his chin in his hand.]

My, how very kind of you. Wouldn't say no to a good meal. Sure, kid, why not.

[He passes his tarot cards over.]

Shuffle them, and pick three.

A - if this isn't cool, no worries!

[madehervows]

[It's not the voice that gives him away - after all, the similarities are there, but the Facilier she knows and the one that's shown up in Wonderland are two different people. But that outfit? Is a dead giveaway and for a moment, when she sees it coming towards her, for a brief, impossible moment she thinks Wonderland has given her a gift.

It still has, in a way, but it's one she doesn't know what to do with.

So, she smiles, brittle at the edges.]

Welcome to Wonderland. [A beat.] Dr. Facilier.

This is so very very cool

[changeitroundsome]

[Facilier is not used to people knowing his name- not in the general sense, anyway. The denizens of the Quarter usually just refer to him in hushed whispers as 'The Shadowman' almost never by his actual name.

People he doesn't recognise at all sure don't know his name, so this? This makes him all kinds of antsy. His whole M.O is built on people not seeing behind the smoke and mirrors- the thought someone knows him doesn't sit well.

Still, he manages a smile, outwardly pleasant, but there's a strain to it. Who the hell is this woman? ]

Like the story book? [Because sure, why the hell not. ] ...Thanking you kindly for the warm welcome. 'Fraid I can't place your face though.

b

[choosetruth]

[Georgia's been in Wonderland long enough that she knows magic is real, but she will never, ever allow herself to start believing in destiny. Besides, she's pretty sure that no fortune teller could have guessed the twists her life's taken so far. She sees no reason to suspect it's going to get any simpler.

Plus, she hates people asking her to smile. Her usual scowl deepens under her sunglasses.]

Sorry, already used up my monthly allotment of smiles. I'll pass.

[changeitroundsome]

[Wow, she's sure going to be a tough nut to crack. Facilier is not quitter though, he's willing to give it a try.]

That's a real shame. Anything else you'd be willin' to give for a reading? Don't need to be much.