001. ➠ [Arrival]

[wildmapleleaf]

Oh, for the love of--- don't tell me I somehow made a wrong turn! I know this building by heart already. If I don't get to the meeting room, they're going to start without me (again). Dammit, I even set up my alarm to go off earlier, I shouldn't be panicking

Comments

[helena_campbell]

G8? You're a country, then? Which one?

...A polar bear. No, I don't think there are any around here. [She says this in an amused sort of way.]

[wildmapleleaf]

Yes, I am! I am the nation of Canada. [Rather proud to be noticed, thanks ♥]

That's not good. I don't remember him wandering off, considering he was in my arms not even a few seconds ago. He couldn't have gone far off.

If you don't mind ma'am, could you tell me where we are?

[helena_campbell]

I'm Helena Campbell. There are a lot of other nations here already, they're all pretty much settled. There must be almost a dozen by now.

You have a pet polar bear? [Now she doesn't know if he's pulling her leg.] That's sort of... odd.

Really. It's not ma'am. Just Helena.

Well, we're in Wonderland. Uhm... It'll be a lot easier to explain if you've read the book, Alice in Wonderland? One of England's books.

[wildmapleleaf]

It's my pleasure, Miss -- er, Helena. I am Matthew Williams, but Matthew is fine. [Offers a friendly smile.] A dozen nations? All of them here?

That's right. His name is Kumajirou. [Though he's not sure why it's so odd.] If you saw him, you'd keep him too. His whiskers and the way he wrinkles his nose are simply adorable. ...Kumajirou? [Looks around again.]

Wonderland, eh? Yeah, I remember that book. Arthur would read it every now and then.

[helena_campbell]

Yeah. You'd be surprised. They're all over the place, but most of them are nice. Well, you'd know that already, wouldn't you?

Kumajirou? Huh. [She wonders why it seems so normal for him, though she's also amused by his description.] He... might not be here. I haven't seen any polar bears around.

Well, we're trapped in a Wonderland that's sort of like the one in the book. Uh... There's also a queen here, and every once in a while we have an event, which is when... some weird stuff happens. Some of them are nice, but most of them aren't.

There are a few more complicated things you'll find out along the way, but that's the gist of it.

[wildmapleleaf]

Ah ha ha, something like that, yes. [Not going to mention how many times he's been shut out of meetings, nope.] They are all very kind.

Oh. [A look of worry crosses his face.] It wouldn't mean he's in danger, would it? I'm so sorry for the questions, it's just, he's been my companion since I was younger.

That's similar to what Al was saying. It doesn't make sense though. You're saying this place is basically the same nonsense as that book was. How did anyone get here? Those events? That "queen" orchestrates them? Forgive me for the disbelief, it's rather overwhelming.

...more? There's more?

[helena_campbell]

I don't think he'd be in danger. Some people are saying that when you're here, time stops in your world. So if you ever get back, it's like nothing happened... But even if that's not the case, I'm sure someone will take care of him while you're away. Honestly, I'd rather just believe the whole time stopping theory.

We don't know much. There's another theory that the events come from people's memories. The Mansion feeds on memories... at least, that's what we think.

And the Queen is evil. When I first arrived she kidnapped a girl- Alice- and... Well, Alice changed after that. She doesn't have her eyes anymore.

There's a lot more. There's a whole parallel universe behind all our mirrors. The mirror side, that's what we call it. There are versions of us there, except they're not really like us at all. They look like us, but that's about it.

[wildmapleleaf]

I think, I'm just going to hope for time stopping. As long as he's safe. Perhaps Francis will happen upon him. There have been cases of people leaving before?

Memories? That, that's dangerous though. Are those memories lost? Or how are they even processed?

T-that's horrific! Was nobody, is nobody able to stop this mad woman? To pluck someone's eyes out?! What happened to this poor girl, has she been retrieved? Is she even still, still alive?

Mirrors? [He hadn't noticed any mirrors before, but thought it best to investigate such a claim on his own.] As in a doppleganger? Something like a wicked twin?

[helena_campbell]

Yeah. Every once in a while, someone just disappears. There have been a few instances when they come back, but that's sort of rare.

I think part of them are lost. No one really knows for sure, it's all just guessing right now.

A lot of people tried to stop her, including the other nations. She controls everything about this place. It's never a fair fight and... well, we just weren't able to. Alice is alive, but like I said, she's different now. She doesn't realize there's anything wrong going on.

That's it exactly. It's best if you cover up any mirrors in your room.

[wildmapleleaf]

I understand, I think. [He becomes more obviously concerned over the information on memories, however.] ...to lose one's memories.

It's a relief to hear of an attempted movement to assist the girl, I'm sorry to hear about the odds being against everyone. Perhaps she will heal over time. Optimism is all I can offer at the moment, but it seems all anyone can have in such a place.

[A soft, bit forced chuckle.] I have a bit of dealing with twins, so I hope I'm prepared enough to deal with this.

[helena_campbell]

It hasn't happened to me yet. Sometimes, before an event, there will be a riddle. If the riddle sounds anything at all like one of your memories, then you should say so. We're more prepared that way.

It's tough for the first few days, but... asides from the events and the Queen, the Mansion isn't actually that bad.

Which reminds me, you look a lot like Alfred. I kinda thought you were him when I first heard your post, but you talk a bit differently.

[wildmapleleaf]

I see. I shall keep that in mind, thank you.

I'll be the first to admit I'd rather be home, or at least having Kumajirou, but I'll certainly take your word for it. [Smiles.]

Oh, you'd be amazed how often I hear that (too often, actually). His name, though! This must mean you know him. He and I are actually, well, brothers. Sort of. Perhaps twins is a better way of describing it, but brothers nonetheless.