entranceway | ninth galaxy [video, backdated to 9/17]

[Those who've been here for a while might remember the last time Shepard addressed Wonderland in the Citadel, all smiles and lackadaisical jokes. However, today, she's addressing the Mansion at large like a commander- her shoulders are flat, back straight, expression serious.]

Alright. So if I'm correct from the network, a lot of us received items with the same cryptic note and a lot of weird stuff. Some of 'em don't seem to do anything. Some of them, apparently, are eyeballs.

[She brings her right hand into view, holding a broken half of a compact mirror; the mirror inside is shattered beyond repair.]

I got this- but it wasn't broken when I got it. It went to the Queen of Hearts. And because I don't believe in bullshitting anyone here, we should talk about the fact that what's going on right now is purposeful, and we need to be a hell of a lot more careful.

[She proceeds to upload a picture of red writing on the compact from the day before.]

First, Hearts doesn't know how this stuff got away from her. She accused me, and I faked what the note said- I don't know about the lore of this place, but I'm betting the Q in RQ is a sister we're missing.

[Next, another picture of the same scrawled writing.]

This is what she lost personally. Don't know if this is relevant other than to be on the lookout for it, and know she might put a target on your head for it being gone.

[Next, another message though admittedly slightly out of context.]

I started pressing for information about her informants. For those of you who were here last year, you might remember Alex Kralie making a post about their being a spy in our midst- a mole for the Queen. He was right. This compact was theirs, and she addressed me by their name at the start. This was her response when I asked what happened after five deaths. She visits, and you serve her. That's it. No going back. I feel like I've said this damn well enough before by now, but don't die-- and I have a better reason for it, too.

[And one more upload- the final message. Shepard looks more serious now than she has the entire message so far.]

There's been discussion about what the Core is made of- if it's memories, how we get them back when we leave Wonderland forever. It's not memories, or at least not all of it. It's souls. It's the physical parts you lose when you die, when everyone who's come before us has died, when people who have died five times and lost themselves entirely. The Core is our fallen, and the Queen confirmed it.

[She takes a second to breathe, measured, and steady.]

So. First off, someone's stealing from the Queen, and I'm willing to bet more than just those items she listed are important. Check what you got, be careful with it, don't go alone. Second, don't fucking die five times, and anyone who does and comes back needs to be detained. Immediately. And third, if anyone has more information about potential other queens in this place before I was here, or anything that you think relates to them, I need to know. We're not gonna have a lot of time before the Queen of Hearts figures this out before us.

[She gives one last curt nod to the camera, all business.]

Shepard out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

'Course.

[ Might as well, right? She could find out from someone else anyway. ]

"Death watch," huh? That sounds a little ominous. What would you want to do with the people who are at four, or at five, right after they come back?

[ He may or may not agree, depending on her answer... ]

[She reaches up to rub the back of her head a little nervously.]

Honestly, haven't thought much to that yet. Four, I mean, we need to get protective measures in place. Making sure they have point people for events, like a personal emergency services team. At five, I mean... maybe we have time to figure out if we can reverse it somehow. Some sort of antidote. But who knows how feasible or even possible that is for something like this.

Got it.

[ Whether or not it's feasible for one person is only half the issue: there are so many residents now that even if they can figure out one solution, it may not work for everyone. Sam knows this, and Shepard probably does, too. ]

I'm here to do whatever I can, if you need help.

Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm gonna need more than just me on this one.

[She wishes she had the rest of her squad, from back home, but she'll just have to make do with what she has.]

I'll get back to you when I have a slightly better plan. Or at least one I can assign people to jobs with.

Sure thing. You know how to reach me.

[ She's obviously working on this with a level head, which... is more than he can say about most other residents. ]

Uh - one more thing. D'you have someone watching your back?

[She's used to catastrophe at this point. Or at least very well practiced at thinking on the fly with incomplete data. But his question gives her pause.]

I mean, I have people working with me. I'm not really minus a team. Besides, I haven't died here yet. I'm not really high priority right now.

I meant more that... well, if this idea isn't popular with some, you might get some enemies you don't know about. People here can be-...

[ A little wild. To say the least. ]

Just be careful, alright?

[Hah. Doesn't she know it. But she nods, tries to smile.]

I get it. I'm always watching my own back, but... thanks. I'll keep my eye out.

ninth galaxy [video, backdated to 9/17]

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