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

[poppycock]

( freya is hiding something.

klaus knows this without any doubt: he is, after all, quite versed in using the truth to distract from a lie of convenient omission. case in point: he's been told leopold has been going through a bit of a rough patch and might be difficult to find. this is all utter nonsense, considering the network can be easily accessed, scoured, and considered. more compellingly, however, is the fact that leopold's scent has not faded. cloaked, perhaps, but not faded.

klaus' brow lifts at the sight that greets him when he takes the chance to find the answers that have been withheld. he's hardly scandalized; if anything, he's intrigued. he pauses to consider his friend and just what he's done to land him here.

more curiously, just how uncharacteristic leopold's reaction to him is. standing outside the open doorway, he causally glances about the bare room. ) I imagine you're a much less welcome addition here, what with the decor. ( or the lack thereof. )

[hypoxic]

[The doctor makes eye contact readily, without the aid of a gentle touch to gather his attention. He moves away from his exercise and stands at the closet entrance, with nothing but the invisible barrier between them. His posture is straight and as tall as his frame manages, shoulders square and unslouched. He might be imprisoned here, but that doesn't mean he needs to be pathetic about it.]

The welcome has been practically cordial, all things considered. A bit drab and dark at times, but witches do seem to love their hovels.

[poppycock]

( this isn't his friend.

he is meeting some other creature entirely: confident, poised, unaffected. there's a touch, a gleam, a hungrier curiosity and a subtle amusement at the irony that alights in reflection from the dim bulb hanging behind leopold. as he shifts, just slightly, on his feet, as this stranger comes near. who is this person? is the thought he has. ) Witches do, ( he'll grant that; they are a resourceful, homely lot ) but my sister is more clever by half and not prone to keeping playthings.

[hypoxic]

[His eyes narrow, ever slightly, when Klaus identifies himself by association with Freya. That tells him everything he needs to know.]

So what are you? A warlock, perhaps? Or are you another creature like the other brother?

[Klaus is absolutely right: this isn't his friend. Someone else has taken residence in this skin.]

[poppycock]

( a beat, and klaus smiles. he smiles slow, and wide, teeth hidden behind his crocodile smile. a breath, and with a sudden and false thoughtfulness, he lifts his finger and responds, ) Let's play a game, shall we? I'll answer your questions, if you answer mine.

[hypoxic]

A game where you've got all the favor. A familiar tactic.

[He sets his hands at his hips, falling back into a more comfortable posture.]

I won't tell you what your sister is so eager to cut out of my mind. I hope you won't expect that.

[poppycock]

( is it familiar? familiar to him since it's been employed by freya or familiar in other ways? klaus would bet on both, knowing his sister and sensing just how unimpressed leopold is.

of course, he doesn't know what freya intends to cut out of his friend's mind, but his expression gives no indication of that: it's not what he's after at the moment. he's already learned so much.

his smile lingers and he turns about only to grab a chair and swing it to sit in front of the door. as he completes this task, he opines, ) Well, I hardly expect anything of you; that's what makes it a game. ( he sounds quite delighted about the prospect.

he sits, entirely at his leisure, and blinks as he considers the man in his cage. )

What are you?

[hypoxic]

[The man, this creature, is posturing. It's the sort of leisurely intimidation that the doctor utilizes himself just before an interrogation starts. It won't work, at least not as intended.

It's the question that does it. Such a simple, open-ended question, but there's almost an innocence to it. There's no expectation, no perceived familiarity. None of them have asked him to self-identify thus far. It's almost liberating to be given the chance.]

Doctor Leopold Fitz, of HYDRA. [They all know it anyway. And he relishes in the chance to say it out loud, whether or not the reference falls on deaf ears.] And yourself?

[poppycock]

( posturing implies a false act of intimidation, but leopold should be intimidated. klaus sees he is not, though he hardly minds it: it's always that much sweeter to be underestimated.

hydra, then. the thought of this one being a mirror has occurred to him; it circles through his head again. a possibility, though that would mean the true fitz is stuck on the other side. or would be, if the walls haven't dropped.

serene, he answers, ) Klaus Mikaelson.

[hypoxic]

[He sees little point in entertaining the notion of mirrors. He'd made an attempt to reach out to them once, but they were of no help. They weren't even useful as tools in later schemes. Useless mythology, like so much here.]

A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I regret that the circumstances aren't different.

[This could be a lovely chat with the Mikaelson siblings strapped to tables in front of him.]

[poppycock]

( he doesn't believe this has anything to do with mirrors. he doesn't discount it, of course, but the amount of time necessary for freya to have taken this recent opportunity aside, mirrors tend to be quite one-note: they love their queen, and the good doctor has yet to enumerate her vile virtues. even his mirror, sanctimonious though he characteristically is, paid the requisite tribute.

leopold has yet to do so.

klaus answers promptly. ) I assume you do. ( a smile, and: ) A compelling reason the pleasure's all mine.

[hypoxic]

Indeed.

[And with that pleasantry exchanged and completed, it might be time to get to work. The vampire wanted him to bleed. The witch wants him hollowed out. What does this one want?]

And far be it for me to rob you of your chance to relish this moment. You mentioned some questions. How could I be of service to you?

[poppycock]

( klaus folds his hands in his lap, completing the picture of his relaxed countenance. his smile, however, fades into a grim look of sharp contemplation, the edge of his regard like the cut of a knife. what a choice of words: the truth is, he does not relish this moment. in this moment, the man he knew and befriended, whose loyalty and love were once given freely to him, is at best in dire trouble and at worst right in front of him.

there's nothing of service this man can do for him, besides helping him find leopold. )

What do you want?

[hypoxic]

[When Klaus settles completely, the doctor does the same, sinking down at the edge of his cot. He crosses one leg over the other, knees spread apart, maintaining power in his posture even as he projects comfort.]

That's quite the question. I could do with some freedom. Perhaps a bit of revenge on those responsible for the suffering I've endured here. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary.

[poppycock]

( it is quite the question, with many interpretations to pick and choose and answer. a tease of amusement filters back into klaus' expression. the corner of his lips quirks with the ghost of a smile. ) What suffering have you endured, pray tell? Besides the closet space. ( and whatever freya is intent on extracting from him, but klaus sees no reason to limit answers. )

[hypoxic]

I'd imagined the worst of it would be infiltrating the organization currently trying to take over my world. The vampire maulings were an unpleasant surprise.

[He takes a beat to breathe.] But you haven't been told about any of that, have you? Your sister doesn't know you're here.

[poppycock]

( ah. so kol, he'd wager.

klaus doesn't miss a beat. ) Well, she's hardly my keeper. Unlike one of us here.

[hypoxic]

And you're in the habit of violating her privacy? It's no wonder that she hasn't mentioned you.

[There's another angle at play here. He's positive this has to lead to a means of escape. Too many players spoil everything.]

[poppycock]

( yes, quite frankly, and of course she hasn't.

klaus reveals his palms in mock supplication and leans forward in his seat, devil-may-care. ) I tend to interfere where I don't belong.

[hypoxic]

[The doctor doesn't budge as Klaus shifts, visibly unmoved.]

All of which leads me back to my initial question. What are you?

[poppycock]

( he's not playing that game.

klaus lifts a finger to stop him, to halt the supposition that he will answer, not because he believes it will come as such an illuminating surprise, but just the opposite.

he's intimately familiar with what this leopold fitz is. )

Let me guess what you are, seeing as the signs are so glaringly inevitable, truly a poor and unoriginal fashioning of a erudite fascist with a — ah, yes — a yearning for daddy's approval high on his list of priorities right under the exploitation and extermination of a race far more powerful and resourceful than you. Am I close?

[hypoxic]

[The comments about fathers cut deep, but not enough to crack the emotionless mask that passes for his face.This Klaus is fishing for new ways to harm him. There's no reason to pay it any mind.]

You've got quite a specific archetype in mind after the smallest bit of conversation. It sounds a bit like you might be projecting.

[poppycock]

Perhaps. ( ​​​​the concession is leveled with the same nonchalance; klaus again leans back in his seat. he’d wager he knows enough of his friend to needle under his skin, even without obvious proof. these are but seeds, regardless. ) Or perhaps you’re less worthy of complexity than you believe.

[hypoxic]

What I believe in has nothing to do with fascism.

[His left hand trembles, the bad hand, though it happens outside of his notice.]

It has to do with law and order, and keeping my world safe from an alien invasion. The complications here are a distraction at best.

[That it pleases his father is merely a bonus.]

[poppycock]

( he doesn't betray leopold's tell. his eyes stay firmly on the doctor, even as the shake draws his attention. truth be told, he's more interested in the visage of his familiar face.

instead, he rises and moseys over, eyes on the trim of the doorway. softly, a clear murmur seemingly meant for himself, he says, ) Justifying tyranny with exaggerated threats: a novel idea. ( he touches the wood above his head. ) Have you tried the frame? The ceiling, perhaps? Every corner?

( he has. klaus knows he has. not that it would work. not that any attempt would work, but he's interested to hear. )