01 | Video

[oakay]

[There's a face very, very, very close to the screen. Not a shock, given he's basically sitting on the device with wide eyes and a mouth hanging open a little in awe. It makes strange noises sometimes and he's not sure what it is but he will work it out. He's smarter than he looks, he'll have you know. He's a smart cookie. The smartest of cookies even because cookies are remarkably dumb. They don't even put up a fight when he eats them so they're clearly inferior to the all mighty Groot.

He leans forward slowly. He licks it. Ew. Nope. Not food. Hmm.

Okay, back to square one.

It's not doing much but be kind of reflective, it's probably not a weapon and--

Oh! He can see his face!!!

He pulls funny faces into it happily, delighted with how he can see himself and somehow not paying attention to anything else in the screen but himself.]

I am Groot!

Comments

video

[oakay]

I am Groot.

[Nod. Nod.

Finally, someone was understanding him. He literally couldn't be asking these people any simpler but then, he supposed it wasn't always easy for humans to understand. They were too busy with human things like food, music, dancing and funny hats.

This one doesn't wear a hat.

He likes that.] I am Groot? [He taps the device a few more times. Maybe he can get more information if he pokes it more. The tiny man might know so much.]

Re: video

[directed]

[Well. Rip at least seems to be making relatively good inferences--if not downright guesses. But the nod is a positive enough sign, so he's willing enough to carry on.

And all without a hat.

The question doesn't really tell Rip much. Not in the same way the tapping does; Rip huffs out a soft breath.] Careful. You might accidentally end the call if you press the wrong space.

[He's a child playing with this new toy, after all--but Rip doesn't linger on the thought.]

Most of us here talk using these things. It's a good way to speak to a lot of people at once. [Which might not be the wisest cat to let out of the bag, but Groot would likely discover that for himself anyway.] Right now, you're sending out a video that everyone can see and hear. You can also just talk if you want, or your can use it to type words.

[Let's see. If Groot has a device comparable to Rip's, then--

He points to a corner where he thinks the text button might be.]

Press there.

video to text

[oakay]

I am Groot? [He moves his finger along like Rip did and hovers over the button for the text function before nodding a little, confirming that he was clearly doing it right.] I am Groot.

[He hits the button and suddenly he's in text mode with all kinds of fun buttons to hit and press. Hence why his message to Rip isn't entirely comprehensible.]

hhh bjsgds G
🍋🍋🍋

[He did good, yes? :D]

Re: video to text

[directed]

[There are moments—many moments—when one looks back on their actions with a touch of concern, wondering if they haven't perhaps gone too far.

A trail of lemons sparks such a time for Rip. But it's still all rather adorable, especially if he pictures the happy face perhaps still peering into the phone from the other side.]

You got it. [Assuming Groot can read a bit more comprehensively than he can type. Just in case, Rip switches his back to video.]

Good job. Now if you press the same place again, it should go back to video. I'll be able to see you again.

[oakay]

[He hits the button and once they're back on video, Groot is smiling and gives Rip a thumbs up. He got it, yes, he could indeed read. He could read, write and understand very well the English language. He just refused to communicate verbally or otherwise unless he was using his name.]

I am Groot. [He likes you, friend.] I am Groot. [Your fuzzy nose friend is amazing. He really likes it. He wishes he had one.]

[directed]

[Well, so far this is going splendidly; Groot cooperatively activates the camera once more, his thumbs up seeming to confirm his understanding of everything Rip has said thus far. Moreover, the smile reflects a happiness not often seen; innocent and eager, and Rip huffs out a short breath that almost sounds like a laugh.

It's a noise that feels rather foreign to him.

Unfortunately, that limited vocabulary winds up winning out over what he can infer. Rip's got absolutely no idea of how impressed Grout is with his mustache, instead guessing there's some measure of thanks being offered, to which he nods.]

Right. Now, the tricky bit. I'm guessing you just found yourself here, yes? [Given his curious examination of the communication device all of them seem to have upon their arrival.] Has anyone told you about where you are?

[Or who else is there--but he's hopeful that Rocket might see the broadcast for himself.]

[oakay]

[He's heard it's wonderland but he's not sure what that is so he shakes his head and shuffles forward. This better be story time, he'e eager to learn.]

I am Groot?

[directed]

[It would seem he's definitely got Groot's attention if nothing else. Now, the question is--how to explain the truth of where they are to a child? Fortunately he knows well enough from Rocket that Groot's got experience with the idea of different planets. It's a good start.]

You've been to different planets before, yes? All sorts of places, all across the galaxy. And you've traveled a long, long way. [Given that, what Rip has to say next should prove all the more impressive--and all the more daunting both. But he had been a father, once. As he continues on, his voice does indeed take on the tone one might expect of a storyteller. If he can help Groot imagine what he's saying, then perhaps he might understand enough.] Where you are now is a great deal further than you've ever traveled before. It's not just a different planet, or even a different galaxy. It's an entirely different dimension than the one you're used to.

[oakay]

[Groot sits down nicely, crosses his legs and leans down to listen to the fuzzy nose friend tell a fun story. He inclines his head curiously and then nods a little with understanding. This was a dimension? So no ship could get them out? That was unfortunate, wasn't it?]

I am Groot? [So there isn't any way out at all?]

[directed]

[Groot understands--or at least thinks he understands, but Rip really doesn't have much choice in what he can assume. So hoping for the best, he continues on, reasoning out what the next question someone would ask given all that information.]

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any way of returning to our homes that we have the ability to control. [The question of escape, and reminding himself that he is speaking to a young child, he does his best not to look too dour as he continues on.] It does happen sometimes: people are returned to their dimensions, but at random. And it's not always permanent. Some people have been sent home only to return after a short period; a week or so, usually.

[And others, of course, are never pulled back to Wonderland at all.]

[oakay]

[He nods his head, unsure what to do with this information but glad to know it. He's probably going to ask Rocket further details but for now, the fuzzy nose friend person has been very smart and wise. He's appreciated the information from him.

He truly earned this emote.]

😊