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

I think it's a good idea. You never know what you might need to document.

[Georgia likes having a record. She works hard to make sure her words are trustworthy, and part of that means having evidence people can turn to if they want to fact check. There's a reason she's always recording. Sure, most of what she gets is garbage, but there's enough good stuff in there to make it worth it.]

[It's not something she'd want to do back home, and the idea of having it on 24/7 is unnerving. But with the situation she's finding herself in... she might be desperate enough for evidence that it becomes worth it.]

How do you do that, exactly? Not like, mentally, I mean physically. Is it in your glasses?

Those are actually the one place I don't put cameras.

[People don't often try and get her to take off all her recording devices. It takes too long and makes her way more cranky than most people want to deal with. But it does happen and she can't risk them taking her sunglasses. That could actually blind her.

Well, it could have before she died anyway. Wasn't worth the risk.]

Jewelry, when I'm wearing it. I don't really have any use for it otherwise. Hidden in my buttons. Usually I have a few clipped unobtrusively around my clothes. Then there are microphones for audio only. Those are even easier to conceal.

Honestly, I don't think I own any jewelry. Gets caught up in the armor more often than not. Buttons are a good idea, though. Do you make your own or are they just easy to find in your world that small?

[She's sure this tech exists in her world, but she's never really had to look into the specifics of it, especially when most people just use camera drones.]

They're pretty easy to find, but we had someone who could make them practically invisible, while being more powerful than anything on the market and with a better battery, too.

[She sighs a little. Magdalene is an excellent replacement as head of fictionals, but Buffy is really irreplaceable.]

She left us pretty well stocked during her short time here, but past that we get to rely on the generic stuff.

Damn. Well, if you have any brand recs, I guess I'm listening.

[She's not sure she's super into the idea of filming herself, but. For clutch points, she should have every resource she can.]

We've got plenty of spares in our office if you ever want to come by and try some out.

I'd like that, actually. I'm a little tied up at the moment, but later? Provided you're not busy.

I'm always busy. But I'm sure I can tear myself away long enough to hook you up.

Oh, don't I feel it.

[After this post, even more so.]

I'll let you know, though. See you later?

Of course.

[She gives a sharp nod, then disconnects the feed. They both have work to do.]