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

[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.]

😊