entranceway | ( one; voice )

[Emma has read what information has been made available, she’s walked the grounds and the corridors of some of the mansion’s ground floor, and she’s combed through what public postings she could find to look through on the device she’d found in the pocket opposite of where she kept her own phone. She’s been digging for evidence since she got here, but what she’s found?

She’s not buying it. The message that comes through is voice only, not wanting to reveal her face or her exact location right away-- though she’s pretty damn sure that whoever’s responsible for this is watching her and has a good idea of where she is, if not who.]

Look. I know someone is out there listening.

[She doesn’t know exactly who, but someone.]

This game of yours? I’m not interested. I don’t know how you got me here, or how you set all this up. Maybe it’s some messed-up alternate reality game, but I didn’t opt in for any of this. I don’t care how elaborate it is, or how much work went into it-- my kid is at home waiting for me, and I am not screwing around.

[Her tone is hard, angry rather than anxious, determination winning out over uncertainty.]

‘Wonderland.’ Cute, but I’m not impressed. All I want is for you to point me towards the exit. You can do me a solid and we can do this the easy way-- or we can do it the hard way. Trust me, whatever weird stuff you might be into, I can promise you won’t be happy if we go that route.

[She stays on the line, just to wait for any kind of possible response-- but she doesn’t really know what to expect. This entire thing has her out of her depth, even if she’s not willing to admit it.]

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There's a hell of a lot more where that came from.

[Her ire hasn't calmed down much by the time Lup's response gets to her, although she's starting to sound tired. She's hearing a lot of things that don't make sense to her, and none of them are making her feel any better about the potential safety of her son-- whether he's here or back home. His location is still unknown.]

As kidnappings go, it's pretty elaborate. I've seen a lot of bad people do some weird stuff in my time, but nothing this large scale.

[Her money is pretty much on 'cult' at this point.]

Got it in one, sis.

[It's not a helpful answer, to pretty much confirm that they've all been kidnapped, but isn't that exactly what this was? Lup never asked to come here before she'd been dragged along. Pretty much reeks of kidnapping to her.]

What kind of weird stuff are you used to? Cause I can give you the skinny on this place, but getting a feel for what you're used to will help weed through what I bring up.

I'm from New York. [Lately, anyway.] You'd be amazed at the kind of crap people can pull off with enough money, time and psychosis.

[It's not specific, but it should be enough to give Lup the idea that she's used to the mundane sorts of weird-- people can do some awful things to one another, and they don't need 'magic' for that.]

I've done the reading, and have people trying to convince me that this place is magic. Whatever they want to believe, fine-- but I don't have time for make-believe when my kid could be in danger.

[New York? Sounds fake. The rest of that train of thought, however, sounds way too spot on. Seems like those kind of problems just transcend time.]

Whoa, whoa. [The elf holds up a hand, as if to cut off Emma from answering after she's already finished speaking, because there is one part of what she's just said that flies high above the rest. And it sadly isn't the part about her kid in danger.]

You don't believe in magic either? What the heck is with you people? Is it, uh, New York or whatever? All you weirdos over there just kept far away from magic your whole lives or what? I've never met such a bunch of naysayers before Wonderland.

Of course I don't believe in magic.

[She frowns, her eyebrows knitting together for a moment-- like the fact that she doesn't believe should be the most natural and obvious thing in the world.]

That's-- it's just in stories and movies and video games, it's not real.

[Emma, you disappoint her.]

Well. [And here Lup pulls her device far away enough to give Emma a good ol' view of her raised free hand, which suddenly bursts into flames.] Hate to break it to you, sis, but you are like, completely wrong.

Feel free to applaud anytime.

[Sorry, Lup, she'll be onboard soon enough. She raises a brow at the display-- it's neat, but especially over the network? It's not all that convincing.]

Nice special effects. You do birthday parties?

[The sarcasm is thick, although it was kind of cool-- she's just not in the right frame of mind to appreciate it right now.]

[Lup's smile drops immediately.

Emma isn't the first human in this place to doubt in Lup's amazing abilities, but that doesn't mean the elf takes it any easier. The flames in her hand disappear, leaving her frowning disapprovingly through the device at Emma.]

Oh, come on. Not this shit again. Look, sis. You want to believe in magic, I will blow your head clean off of your shoulders. [a beat before she quickly adds,] In person. Magic works better without a stupid screen in the way.

Not really looking to indulge myself in any more 'fantasy' stuff than this place is already trying to force on me.

[She just doesn't have that kind of time.]

Look, I'm sure you're great at whatever it is you do, but-- right now, I just can't.

[Lup, she is trying to overlook the fact that that may have been a threat.]

[Whoops, accidental threats.

Still, Lup wants to insist that of course she has time when they're all just trapped indefinitely in this place. But, it hasn't been very long since she arrived to this place, the memory of just how overwhelming those first few days still sticks strongly with her. Alright, she can give Emma a few days. It'll give Lup the chance to prepare something spectacular.]

Alright, alright. I'll give you that one. Get settled into your new home and then we'll chat.

( one; voice )

IT'S TIME

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