[VIDEO]

[spellcheck]

[ She'd spent her first couple of days lingering in the shadows. Not hiding or lurking, really, and maybe there's a chance you've seen her around, but she did her best to play observer -- to get a feel for the place and the people here. She goes into this skeptically, and by nature it's just hard not to, but it isn't long until she realizes Wonderland's residents are a lot like her.

It becomes a series of questions she needs to answer: who are they? Where are they from and what have they left behind? (And most importantly, because of what she's left behind, why are they here and how do they get back? She isn't satisfied with anything she is finding on that particular subject.)

For a moment, she is out of frame, cursing silently under her breath as she checks the device in her hand to make sure the video feed is on. Lois adjusts the device, holding it out so that her face is now in frame. ]

Okay. Okay. Here we go.

[ She coughs, clearing her throat, and runs her fingers quickly through her hair to tuck her hair behind her ears. Lois manages a pretty impressive "on air" presence, even if she's always been a little more interested in seeing her byline on the front page than she was in being on camera. ]

Hello, Wonderland. From the looks of things, you've all had a... rough week.

My name is Lois Lane and it looks like I will be joining you for the interim. I was hoping there would be a few of you willing to... share your experiences. Maybe help me fill in some blanks here?

We can communicate through... uh, this -- [ She shakes the device a bit, the video going a bit Blair Witch Project for a second. ] -- thing, but I am open to meeting in person for a cup of tea or something, if you'd prefer.

Comments

[redheadpepper]

The memory thing isn't in dispute. People here have lost memories - some, more than others.

[ Pepper shrugs. ]

As for the soul thing... I don't know. I have a hard time believing we're brought here completely at random, for no reason. I think this place wants something from us. I guess, "our souls" is as good an answer as any.

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[spellcheck]

[ She smiles in a sort of warm, disarming way. ] This isn't an interview, Superboy. I'd just... like to get to know you better? Learn more about where you're from? Admittedly, I'd love to know more about your world's version of me and see if any of the details line up or how things differ, but...

Wait, you're the "brother" -- [ And yes, there are air quotes there. ] -- Jon was talking about, aren't you?

( video )

[spellcheck]

The thing with the zombies? [ And the dinosaurs, later, apparently. ] I know that they happen fairly often and they're different every time. I don't really understand their purpose other than assuming whoever runs this place has a pretty sick sense of humor.

( video )

[trabryu]

Yeah. Dunno what's the purpose of it either. All I know 's that it came from someone's memories.

[ Haha, he sure as hell hopes they'll never see an event that comes from his past. ]

Some of 'em can be... kiiinda okay, but 's always good to be vigilant. You probably already are, though.

[ He can tell that much, at least. ]

Anything else you wanna know? Anyone told you anythin' 'bout the deaths yet?

[ It's something he likes to warn new people about. Now that he's joined Commander Shepard's defensive team, that's part of his duty, he thinks. ]

[spellcheck]

[ There's just a hint of a smile as she flips though the notes she'd taken over the last few days, stopping on a page with an empty spot for her to fill. ] Oh, I'm sure. Personally, I prefer staying on this side of the notebook. I've always been much better at asking the questions than I am at answering them.

I've read a brochure. It helped me navigate things a little my first couple days here, but I guess I'm still trying to figure out what you can and can't trust around here

[choosetruth]

Some of the kids put together a slightly more in depth guide as well. It's surprisingly thorough.

[She opens a desk drawer and pulls out a copy.]

As for what you can and can't trust... that's a hard one. I'd say don't trust anything, but it's honestly not practical. Take everything with a grain of salt, but use what seems useful, I suppose.

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[cloned]

Uh, yeah. [Why is she so utterly terrifying even when she's being nice?] We share half the same DNA so I guess it's more half-brothers, and that's not even taking into account the universe thing and--

[Oh god, he's babbling.]

...you can call me Kon. Or Conner. I don't really use Conner a lot here since... secret ID.

[kryptomight]

( dad forgets he's still a kid, mom forgets he's strong. . man, they really get their wires crossed, don't they? she keeps going on and on about stuff he doesn't really get, but it's fine, because it's his mom, and he doesn't mind when she starts doing that thing.

but then she's reaching for his hand and jon gives her a big smile, fingers moving to intertwine with her her own and grip on tight. he's not letting go. as long as superboy is here, his mom will be safe and close to his side; and if she's not close by, he'll keep a good ear out for her, making sure she's safe. )

Yeah, sure! I'll show you to the tea rooms and we can get extra marshmallows piled on top and whipped cream and sprinkles. . and I'll tell you all about Kon and Damian and Jason and Tim and Cissie and Mondo and Mr. Stark and all that stuff. Everything was turned into cookies recently! The wholeee building. Oh! And there's a whole other group of superheroes from a different universe called the Avengers--that's the team Mr. Stark's on. And there's Teddy and Billy who're really cool, too.

[scathefires]

[It's OK, he'll answer - with a quiet laugh preceding.]

What's to miss? The condemned buildings, the out of control crime rate, the notably corrupt politicians and police force?

[Don't let his complaints fool you, though - Jason definitely misses Gotham.]

Not really. Everyone was pretty helpful with the info pamphlets right away, they're pretty thorough.

[spellcheck]

The residents, though -- I just sort of assume everyone's looking out for themselves, and I'd get that, we all do it to some extent -- you've all become a community. It doesn't always work out that way.

[ Lois flips through the less formal, far more colorful "Guide to Wonderland." She skims through it, mostly, for the sake of keeping the conversation going. There's something charming about it, but that's just the kind of shit you come to appreciate when you have kids. She holds it up again. ]

Do you mind if I hold onto this?

action

[spellcheck]

[ Lois smiles, nodding her head as she heads into the room. ]

I'm sure that anything you have is helpful, but I should admit I'm looking for more of a... personal take on things. I've read the uh, brochure. It's helpful, helped me navigate things the first couple of days, but I decided to reach out because you're the ones who've lived here. You have knowledge of this place just from experiencing the day to day, and that's something the written word -- printed or digital -- can't always offer. Even with the Network you, you get what people choose to share in the moment and there's only so much time in the day to dig through it all.

action

[bibliocorn]

[He wanders into his room, insane amounts of books around the crystalline walls. He clearly puts quite a lot of stock in the written word. He gestures a hoof for her to sit on a stool that's really not designed for human comfort. He really needs to get some of those, he thinks. For visitors. ]

I suppose you have a point there. I haven't been here long, but I'm happy to tell you want I've experienced thus far.

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[spellcheck]

No, I get it. It's also a lot easier to say than the mouthful that would explain the relationship. It's cute.

[ Don't worry, Kon. She barely notices it. ]

I only ask because I'd like to say "thank you." I'm sure you weren't expecting to have a ten-year-old follow you around like a puppy dog. Jon's not exactly helpless, but I appreciate you looking after him and doing the whole big brother thing.

[choosetruth]

Be my guest. I'm more interested in digital anyway.

[She just is aware that not all of her audience here feels the same.]

You really find that surprising? A lot of people have been here years. If we didn't build a community, we'd go insane.

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[cloned]

Oh.

[......he's not sure how he expected this to go, but that isn't it. He smiles tentatively.]

No problem. He's a really good kid.

[spellcheck]

You know what they say: home sweet home.

[ The lack of video feed means he doesn't see the shrug of her shoulders, but the tone of her voice conveys enough sarcasm. ]

Anyone you know from back home here, too?

[scathefires]

Been a while since I actually had a home, but yeah, I know what they say.

[Another dry, quiet laugh here, before answering the next question.]

Nah. Got a couple people here who seem to think they know me, but nobody I know. Probably for the best - I can't think of anyone from Gotham I'd wanna see here.