entranceway | [video] Astral Pumpkin

Okay okay okay okay. So I know there's an event coming up and we're all freaking out about it, and it's probably gonna be horrible like usual, but I gotta say this before we get too deep into October. So, you know how Halloween is the best holiday, and October is the best month, and autumn is the best season, and all that? And you know how the best thing about all of those is...

[Dramatic pause.]

Pumpkins, obviously. I was thinking, we definitely need to have a pumpkin chunking competition.

[She grins like a wild person.]

So for the uninitiated, pumpkin chunking is when you build something that can launch things--like a catapult, or a trebuchet, or a giant slingshot, or a cannon, and so on--and then you compete to see how far the thing you built can launch a pumpkin. It's literally the best thing, after Halloween and autumn leaves. Since I figure most people don't really know how to build stuff like that, people could team up. You could have team names and give your pumpkin chunker a name like they do with monster trunks. I mean trucks. The only rules is you can't use anything gas powered--it has to all be mechanical. And you also can't, like, murder people with pumpkins.

And knowing Wonderland, there's probably gonna be some crazy ass shit happening for Halloween, but I figure we can pick a day near then and that's when we have the competition. We can roll out our stuff to the checkerboard hills and launch from there, that way we got wide open space and people won't get hit by flying pumpkins.

[She gives the camera a really eager look.]

Whaddaya guys think?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Exactly. It's a little exciting and anxiety-inducing to come to realize that there is likely a lot more that we've yet to discover. Still, what we have found out is groundbreaking, to say the least.

[Wait, an actual rabbit hole? A question mark appears in front of Turing's system.]

I've heard about the rabbit hole existing, but I didn't realize that a couple of children have found it! It's a bit...harrowing to say the least that the hole is bottomless. I thought it lead to the mirror side...? At least, that is what I've heard about on the network. ...in either case, it's going to be a while before I actually feel ready to cross over again.

[Note to self: actually have a plan before breaking any mirrors and accidentally crossing over to the mirror side!]

Oho! Well! I'll have to make sure that it looks...flashy and snazzy! Er, I suppose that's the right slang that I should use here? Flashy and snazzy? Well, in either case, I'll need to make sure that it actually launches a pumpkin clear across the fields first and foremost. You can't exactly call it a catapult if it's doesn't launch anything!

Yeah, definitely both those things. I just don't know if, like, if we solve the whole mystery, I don't know if that means we get to go home. I'm not sure it's gonna work like that.

Wait, the rabbit hole leads to the Mirror side? Oh shit, I didn't know that. Oh jeez. I hope those kids didn't go in...

[She really wants nothing at all to do with Mirrors or the Mirror Side after last time.]

Flashy and snazzy is perfect, my dude. And hell yes, can't wait to see what you build.

Somehow, I doubt it too. As much as I want it to mean that solving all of the mysteries would mean that we would be able to go home, I...don't think that will be the case here. However. I'm certain that whatever else we do find will at least put together some pieces of this puzzle, that may lead us to a clue on how to go home on our free will. And if that doesn't work, then, well...at least we have something to prepare others that will arrive here in Wonderland in the future.

I've been reading up on the network archives during my spare time, and yes, it does appear that the Rabbit Hole leads to the Mirror Side. I hope those kids didn't crawl in themselves as well...the last time I accidentally went in there, I was approached by a rather cynical and sinister Mirror. He looked ready to deliver me to the Red Queen personally. Not...the happiest time.

Excellent! Oh, will you also be participating in the chunking contest, Mae? Or are you going to be judging?

Yeah...that's a pretty noble cause, actually. Trying to help, like, future generations.

Jeez, that's so messed up. Mirrors are so messed up.

I'll be judging! And also maybe helping with everyone's builds.

Yes, exactly. Even if we cannot get out of here before we are swept back to our home worlds, then maybe the future guests can, thanks to our help.

They really, really are. The frustrating part about all of this is that I'm not even sure how my mirror usually reacts. I've seen the network post that I put out shortly after I unintentionally set foot into the Mirror World about a month ago, so I know how they act, but...any and all attempts to contact them have been a moot point. They don't respond to my words that I write on the mirror. What could be going on in their heads...?

Ah, you're a judge, then! Excellent. Well, I hope I can put on a good show and get an impressive score.

We really need to compile stuff more, then. Really get on that. Just set up a whole archive.

Yeah, I've never been able to talk to mine, either. I have no idea what she's like, beyond what I've heard. She's just...quiet and weird.

Hell yeah, I have total faith in you.

Yes, beyond what I have seen my mirror say in the time that I accidentally went into the mirror world, I...can't say for sure what they're like. I wonder if it's possible that they're intentionally avoiding me, so I won't ask them any questions about the mirror side that they can be privy to answer to. I'll have to at least give it a try, however. Maybe my mirror is similar to yours. Quiet and...off, perhaps.

Do you think there's any Mirrors that are just, like. Nice?

I'm sure there are, Mae. Maybe...perhaps the more unsavory people here might have mirrors that are nice? It feels like it makes sense to me, considering that the mirrors could be described as the opposite of ourselves...

[Hmmmmmm...]

Yeah, ugh. That's sorta uncomfortable, huh. Like, they're nice people, but they have to serve the Queen. And we've got the bad people, but at least they're themselves? I dunno, that's weird stuff.

[video] Astral Pumpkin

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