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

Hank Anderson | Detroit Become Human (CRAU) | OTA

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Well this was nothing like where he'd been before.]

Great. Fucking Great.

[Were any children in the near vicinity? Too fucking bad. They were now dealing with a grumpy old man as he scoffs loudly, walking around and unafraid of letting his voice being heard.

Appearing here out of the blue doesn't seem to deter the Lieutenant too badly, but Hank can't help but look very unimpressed that he's suddenly stuck in some sort of Holiday Special, if the amount of decorations and cacophony of celebrations were any indication. Christ, he wanted to vomit at the very sight of it. Holidays hadn't really been any worth to him since...well...best not to think about this now as he moved around, hoping he'll find a hidden cache of eggnog or baby Jesus be praised, an entire whiskey bottle.]

Holy shit. I've never drove home from work so fast.

[licksthirium]

[It's official. Wonderland is bringing in a lot of people and something was definitely different about this. From awkwardly finding the AX400 that he was chasing, to getting irritated while talking to himself, and then finding Markus.... It was possible for more of his world to end up here.

At least he finally got back to his room to check on Jericho. Probably a good thing too, because the poor baby was practically waiting for him to return with a look that said, 'Just where have you been?'. Maybe a walk with Jericho is what he needed anyway. So out he went once again, seeing Jericho get excited about so many new people to meet and sniff. Maybe they'll give him more pets?

And just when he thought he might have a break, there he saw the Lieutenant, grumpy as usual. Unlike everyone else who's shown up though, this actually makes Connor stop. He was happy to see Markus at least, but Hank.... God he missed Hank. And while he was distracted with the idea that Hank was actually here, Jericho was all too excited to meet the new human.]

--Ah! Jericho! [Leave it to his dog to make him snap out of his thoughts. Going to fetch him.]

Oh oops I'm sorry! (Hank isn't sorry complaining about how this place looks)

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Oh good. Hank's reaction at seeing him is if Connor was here, he can at least complain about this place to someone else. Or at least he would have, if a dog didn't just suddenly appear, tail wagging like it is going to fall off if he keeps going. Silently, Hanks knees down to give him a pat on the head with the experience that belonged to a man who owns a 170lbs beast himself.

He is pretty sure that Connor hasn't own a dog before or made any mentions that he might want a dog so by the time the android walks closer, he gets back up, looking at him with a mixture of amusement and mild confusion.]

Got a new friend?

[Is it speaking to Connor or the dog? It is a mystery.]

Don't be! I'm so excited OMG

[licksthirium]

[Hank. He's so happy to see Hank. Good lord...]

Ah, yeah.. It's nice to have the company.

[He didn't totally get Jericho because he missed Hank and Sumo. Nope.]

Did you just arrive?

I was told to come here so here I am (also he's a CRAU from Mask or Menace I forgot to mention)

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Connor last time he saw you, it was about a few hours ago, and you were dog-less. Now you look like you haven't seen him in months and Hank feels a slight guilt about it that he can't push away. He doesn't say anything on the company comment, instead trying to figure out exactly what is going on. Wallowing in guilt can come later, as it often does.

Maybe he can give Jericho another pat on the head. And by maybe, it's probably.]

Yeah. Uh...where the shit are we, Connor?

[Hank can clearly see that the android looks a little too..settled about this.]

Good choice. I was only expecting a Kara and a different Hank so this is so nice

[licksthirium]

[It's been a few months for him, yeah. And trust me... He's seen some shit already. Okay, it was one particular event, but still. Glancing around for a moment...]

Wonderland. [Yeah, he's expecting a "what the fuck" from Hank, but it is what it is.] As strange as that seems.

Oh good now you get double Hanks Connor

[fuckingpassw0rd]

What the fuck?!

[Right on queue. Good old predictable Hank Anderson.]

We talkin'...like Alice in Wonderland, Wonderland? [Quietly he mutters to himself something about maybe he drank too much that night.] Shit if I didn't know you better, I'd say you were fucking pulling my leg. Did I fall into some sort of rabbit hole?

[But what's weird is he seems to accept it. Like yeah, fell down a rabbit hole, end up in a Lewis Carroll fantasy celebrating holidays, sounds legit. Hank's just not debating it.]

[instantlover]

[You know who else is in the same boat as you? North.]

You could say that again... What the hell?

[At this point, clearly North hasn't found Markus yet and it shows. She's been looking for any signs of the Jericho crew but no dice.

Have an irritated android, Hank.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[He'd seen her on TV. Seemed like ages ago even if it had only been a few months. He gives her a small glare before relaxing a bit.]

Hey...you're part of Markus' crew, right?

[Hank Anderson: not sugar-coating it.]

[instantlover]

[Well, hello to you too.]

That's right. What's it to you?

[Because his tone suggests that he doesn't really care much for her. Not that many do when they first meet her.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[This is the best hello party okay, Hank is just being a professional who wanted to make sure he knew who he was speaking with. Also she had totally been rude to him first so there.]

Right. Hank Anderson, DPD. I'm Connor's partner. [And before she can say anything else;] I'm not going to arrest you or whatever-the-shit you might think. D'you mind telling me the last memory you have before arriving here?

[instantlover]

[What can she say? She's cautious around humans. The moment he heard he was close to Connor though, she's more likely to lighten up a little.]

Right. Not that it would do you any good here.

[She let out a small sigh.]

Sorry, I just.. have a hard time trusting humans. I'm North, but you probably know that already. If you're friends with Connor, than you're probably not a bad guy.

[Hopefully anyways. Beside what happened before he turned into a deviant...]

Well, before I came to this shitty place, Markus was just doing his victory speech after leading a peaceful protest.

[She still thinks violence would have been easier, but she trusted Markus and stood by him no matter what.]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

Hey I can always wave my badge around and make people panic a bit before they realize.

[Lighten the mood with terrible jokes?> Don't mind if Hank does!]

I got dragged by his evil clone when he invaded the Cyberlife tower, so if I was a bad guy, I'm doing a fucking terrible job. [Which is why he asked her; he needed to know what she remembered before he could share what had happened properly.] And hey good for him. I got to watch that in the comfort of my own home with a cold draft.

[awhilelonger]

You're lucky there are no children around.

[ Markus hasn't had the direct pleasure of meeting Hank himself. Scans give him a name and an age, where he works. Which makes Markus wonder if Hank knows Connor at all. Or, a Connor. This Wonderland is confusing, but, nothing his systems can't compensate for.

Still, his tone has humor in it. ]

I'm guessing you just arrived here as well.

[fuckingpassw0rd]

Well I'd be fucking pissed at this place if children are involved...

[Hank gives him a small nod in greeting, unsure if this is the same Markus he knows, but it's hard to tell at the moment.]

Yeah. Not really the place I was expecting to show up.

[awhilelonger]

I doubt a place that's willing to bring us all here like this has self imposed moral rules about children.

[ Which is... a sad thing to consider. Markus doesn't want any of his fellow androids involved; children models or not. ]

What kind of place were you expecting?

[fuckingpassw0rd]

Probably not. Kinda hoping in a way...

[At this point, it's clear that this Markus doesn't know him, so Hank won't make him guess for much longer;]

Detroit could have been nice, you know?

[awhilelonger]

[ Markus breaks a smile at that - even laughs a little. ]

Detroit might turn out for the better in my timeline. [ He's caught on rather fast about this. He tilts his head slightly. ] I'm guessing yours might not be the same.

[fuckingpassw0rd]

You kidding? With the evacuations happening, I'll finally have some fucking peace and quiet for the first time in my life.

[That's mostly a joke. It feels weird to be speaking to another Markus, to have to start over talking with someone he knew for the past few months. He extends his hand.]

Hank Anderson. I'm Connor's partner at the DPD.

[hadtolose]

[ Kara's...hesitant. After speaking with Connor, she can only assume this is his partner. She remembers getting a brief glance back at them after crossing the highway of hell, seeing the vague form of a gray-haired human next to the android. And with language like that? Well. Yeah, it's Hank.

She'd baked some festive cookies for all the new arrivals, just as a good mom would, and she's carrying a plate with her now, intending to set it somewhere for people to take. Despite her distrust of humans, she can't fight her urge to give comfort. She can imagine it'd have put a smile on Alice's face, too.

After a moment, she offers the plate to him. They're perfect, decorated with the precision only an android could manage. ]

...Hi.

[ She's not sure what else to say, so she'll just offer a half smile. At least she's not commenting on the colorful word choice? Probably comes from being so used to it. ]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Hank's...just confused. He'd only see Kara from the picture he had of her, they had been unable to track her down. Now she's offering him cookies.

He supposes it could be a lot worse.]

Hey.

[He takes a brief look around, as if waiting to see if a certain someone will pop out of the shadows and complain about his dietary intake before he takes it.]

Thanks. Uh Hank Anderson by the way.

[hadtolose]

[ She breathes out a laugh, almost sounding relieved. This could've gone many ways. ]

I'm Kara. Nice to meet you. Under...better circumstances this time. [ Haha, awkward... ] A-Anyway, you're welcome. Take as many as you want.

[ She sets the plate down on a table, then gives the area a few quick glances herself, wondering if he's expecting anyone. Even with Connor vouching for him, she couldn't stop having a certain level of wariness around humans.

Her gaze settles back on Hank. ]

I...was hoping we could talk.

[ Just so he can know she's not looking to murder everyone in the mansion, okay. ]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[He takes a bite. It's an amazing cookie, something he would expect an android to pull off with precision that humans could only dream of. As tempting as grabbing more is, he is trying to be better about this.

Better circumstances this time. Ahh. So not from his world, he imagines. Christ it was still strange how just little changes meant it was much easier to spot who was and who wasn't.]

Sure. Is everything alright?

[He crosses his arms and looks at her, attempting not to look too threatening.]

[hadtolose]

[ To her credit, she doesn't seem too bothered. Running from the law--and humans, for that matter--for a good while tended to do that to a person, especially when she was always willing to shoot someone if it meant Alice or Luther stayed safe.

Ahh, how to begin... ]

Everything's fine. [ She smiles. It's not fine, but she'll manage. ] But considering some of the things I did, I'm sure you might have some...concerns.

[ She's also not looking to steal kids! Maybe steal their hearts with comfort and love, but not them physically.

You know, unless they needed a mom. ]

[fuckingpassw0rd]

[Hank can tell it's not fine. LED or not, deviants acted more like humans and made it easier for him to read them like...well...humans. And the lieutenant, despite his last few years of hell, had been one of Detroit's best.

He crosses his arms, wondering what she means, and quickly summarizes they might not be from the same world. He'll verify if that's true or not very quickly;]

Should I? You ran off after your previous "owner" [air quotes] claimed you attacked him.