entranceway | [Video / Action ] Backdated to the evening of Feb 1

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[Video / Action ] Backdated to the evening of Feb 1

[Video]

[Two years of Wonderland. And a year without Chloe, that closes on February first, without any fanfare and fuss. So far.

Max is on the roof, sitting cross-legged right at the edge. There's a bunch of stuff next to her: an ashtray, a guitar, a box of fireworks, and a worn notebook whose cover is decorated with a variety of stickers. The items peek into view of the camera as Max shifts.

Her face is lit with the soft glow of sunset. The sky is awash with its gentle hue, the large clouds a burning, orange color, pulling long shadows in the air. It clashes with the dull white snow on the roof- the world caught somewhere between the brightness of afternoon and the darkness of dusk. The golden hour.]

Hello. [She runs the tip of her finger along her cheekbone, her gaze shifting self-consciously between the horizon and the camera.] So there's this funky section on our devices that stores all the old messages and recordings... kinda like the internet. And I do mean literally all. You can bounce way back and find some of the things you broadcast before.

I just hit two years- in Wonderland age- and I sort of wanted a dose of blast-from-the-past. Just to see how much things have changed.

So here's a good old fashioned dare: show me one of your old network posts. Something that's funny or you're proud of. Or that really changed who you are. There's so much saved up and I kinda wanna skip to the good parts. As Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

[She grins at the screen. Sure it's a cheesy dare but... it does sound fun to her.]

Max out.

[Action]

[She'll spend the whole evening on the roof, willing to chat with whoever comes up. Then, close to midnight, she sets off the fireworks. The rockets and showers of light bathe Wonderland in shifting colors, and it goes on for a whole minute, turning the night into a spectacle.

She watches with melancholy and satisfaction, letting the sight distract her. It's comforting that the vastness of Wonderland, the dark of the sky, the thick silence- that these things are broken for a while by light and the gentle thud of distant fireworks. That this small, insignificant thing in the middle of their adventure is nonetheless captivating and lovely and marks this one night differently. In memory of Chloe.]

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[ Mondo hums in response. The warning doesn't magically fix things, but it's definitely better than being completely unprepared. Instinctively, he leans closer to look at her screen. ]

Whoa. Didn't know they've got this function.

[ He watches her scrolling through the posts she's made through the years, one of them catching his eyes. ]

What's that one about?

[She hesitates, and then opens up the post. She lets the video play out a bit, Chloe singing happy birthday.]

That's from my birthday. [Her tone is nostalgic, but not unhappy.] I was trying to do this project thing and Chloe told everyone to greet me. Good catch. This is a solid contender for my favorite post. [She smiles.]

...Speaking of which, I wonder if you could do me a favor. Uh, I'm pretty sure Chloe made this locked video before, so I couldn't see it, but maybe you could... aaaand let me look...?

[ Oh. Is this the friend? He didn't have it in him to ask her about it, as he himself isn't really one who'd talk to strangers about the past on his own accord. Unsure if he's stepped on a big landmine, he just nods his head at that. He keeps his relief masked as much as he could when she smiled, scratching the back of his head. ]

Heh. Nice.

[ Blinking at her dumbly, he looks at his own device, and then at her. Locked video? You can do that kinda thing? ]

Huh? Uh, sure... You know how to do that? 'Cuz I've got zero idea.

[ He tilts his device enough for her to be able to navigate through it, but also enough for him to keep his eyes on the screen. ]

[That is indeed the friend. Once upon a time Max would fidget and squirm at having to talk about it. She still does, a little. But the pain has dulled and time has healed the wounds somewhat, and now it seems like a nice thing, to be able to talk about Chloe.

She smiles at Mondo, and starts scrolling through prior messages, maneuvering her way through the archive until she reaches the relevant message. She lets the video play.

A small, amused huff escapes her as Chloe calls her girlfriend, as she mentions how much of a geek Max is... Happier times. And it's touching to see how Chloe wanted things to be better for them. Even if it was just a simple date.]

Sweet.

[There's a pinkish tinge to Max's cheeks, but it could've been a lot more embarrassing, and she's grateful that it wasn't. She shakes her head, and mumbles softly to herself, amused.]

Chloe.

[ He too, naturally, watches the video. When the word 'girlfriend' is mentioned, his eyes widen, and his mind instantly slams the brake.

What.

Glancing to Max, then back at the video, he tries to process the information. Though short-haired, the person in the video is undoubtedly a girl. Girlfriend? Not girl friend? Girlfriend as in... girlfriend? She said date, didn't she?

If that wasn't enough to make Mondo put two and two together, the end of the video does it. The 'friend' firmly said that she wanted to bring Max somewhere exciting. No matter how many reasonings he wants to pull out against this surprising reveal, he can't deny the look in Max's face as she stared at the video, nor the sweet voice she used to mumble the name.

This...

Well, this is new for him. He's never had anyone around him who's interested to the same sex, and he doesn't know what to think about it. The 'normal' reaction to it should be feeling that it's gross, it's perverted ー or even, maybe for some dudes, it's hot. And yet... he can't really see it in any of those ways in this case. No doubt, he's weirded out by this, but it's clear how much they genuinely cared for each other. L... loved each other, maybe? Genders matter so much to him he can't just nod his head and accept it like something he sees everyday, but he's not going to say anything bad about it either. ]

.......

[ He doesn't know what to say. He can't understand the logic behind it. Discomfort, though not so blatantly obvious, is there in his face. He keeps his arm steady, though, in case she wants to watch the video again. ]

[The video's ended and there's an awkward pause now. Max glances up, toward the ocean, thinking for a moment-

and then another-

and then finally she realizes that Mondo hasn't reacted at all.

She looks at him, and can't quite read his expression.]

...Are you...?

[But the wheels start turning in her head, and eventually she begins to realize that her liberal 2013 views might not be shared by everyone. There's all sorts of people in Wonderland, from different times and cultures. Diversity is a thing. So is culture shock.

What the heck was she thinking asking someone she barely knows to watch a private video from Chloe, anyway? What if Chloe was high? What if she talked about something gross or offensive?

This is what she gets for letting nostalgia take the wheel.

These thoughts all go through her head (dumb how she never really thought about it before- she tends to take gender stuff for granted) while she stares at him with an awkward, embarrassed look, cheeks flushing even more.]

Uh.

[ The small noise she made snaps him out of his silence, realisation that she might have noticed how awkward he might've been sinking in. Had this been two guys instead, would he react more violently? More blatantly? Ever since he's here, he's been unsure on his previously held values, on what he actually feels about things. After all, those values had been what his late brother planted, and he accepted wholly as a matter of fact. Beyond that, when it comes to things he had yet experienced before, he... well, he's never thought about it. ]

...D, did you wanna watch it again?

[ He keeps the device there still, turning his head towards her but not quite looking at her eyes. He's clinging on a small hope that she didn't notice his reaction to it. They've just met, they're not even friends! He shouldn't really bother about what she feels.

And yet.

It just didn't feel right to condemn it when he can't even find a reasoning as for why it's wrong.

Maybe if this was a few months back, he'd not even question it and just discredit her for it. He's getting more and more obviously awkward about this whole situation, but he's not brushing the issue off just yet. His free hand finds its way to the back of his own neck, scratching it like he'll figure it out doing that. ]

...No.

[Not in front of him. Not anymore. She's embarrassed, and feeling rather small. And hurt. And a little insulted, now that it's sinking in. Why should it matter if a girl likes a girl? Or a guy? Or whoever? As long as no one's getting hurt. She opened up, and... is he judging her for it? What would give him the right? They hardly even know each other.

But that's the problem, isn't it? They hardly know each other and Max dragged him into this whole... awkward situation. This whole reveal. And now neither of them know how to act around each other. Dumb move on her part.

Max gives a tiny sigh as she steps away.]

Thanks. For the help.

[She pauses and then... because she can't help it, because she's a little hurt, because she feels so strongly-]

We were really in love, you know.

[Not just experimenting, fooling around, whatever. Not just a phase. It was for real, and why should it bother her how he feels about it? But it does.]

[ Oh. Shit. ]

W, wait!

[ He blurts before he even manages to sort his own thoughts out. But it feels like if he doesn't do it now, there won't be next time. ...Why should it matter to him? Again, they're not even friends. They just got to know each other. Why, indeed?

Maybe because he's trying to be a better person. Maybe because he doesn't want to hurt anyone anymore for no good reason. ]

I-- look, I just... I've never... y'know, encountered-- uh, I just, it's not... something I see often, I didn't know what to say, and I--

[ Goddammit, he's making this worse. Enough. ]

My bad. Didn't mean to offend you. I... I dunno much about love but you guys do look like you care a lot about each other.

[ Words. What are them. ]

'm sorry.

[And now he's backpedaling, so of course, being Max, she starts rambling right back.]

No, it's okay, I... forget that it's not... old news for everyone. [She rubs the back of her neck. Now she feels bad for making him feel bad.] And I dunno what I was thinking. Kinda nutso for me to just... dump that on you, it's just, you know, the fireworks...

[She sighs heavily, annoyed at her own inability to explain.

And in the back of her head there's this small itch to rewind this conversation away. She could, easily- it's still well within the period of time where her powers would work. But if she erased this conversation from existence, that'd feel a lot like sweeping Chloe under the rug.

So she doesn't. Let Mondo think what he wants to think. Tonight is for Chloe.]

...It's okay. [She mumbles more than speaks.] Let's just admit we were both being maximum weird about it.

[ He's been in many physical fights, too many that he's lost count. He's gotten so many people injured, so many people hurt. None of that has ever really bothered him. It's just how they settle things. But as of late he's been finding himself hurting other people in a different way, and it, in turn, hurts him, too. The pit of his stomach feels like it's turning, his palms damp from sweat. He didn't know this before. He didn't know how a simple act can strongly affect another person, and he's learning it the hard way. ]

No, I... you ain't bein' weird. [ He lifts his head, making sure he sees her eyes when he says this, even if he feels like running away. ] I didn't think yer weird at all. I've just... never thought of this possibility.

[ He swallows, fumbling. God, why does he suck at talking so much?! ]

I, uh. I know those kinda relationships exist, but guess it's... still somethin' when you see it for yourself. ...Ah. [ Immediately he lifts his hands, upon realising how that wording can sound. ] But I didn't think that was wrong or shit like that! It's just... new?

[ Ha haha ha. ]

[She waits patiently for him to finish. Tries to absorb everything he's saying. Forces herself not to take the easy route and brush it all away.]

Thanks. It's... not a biggie. Just awkward.

[She gives him a flat smile. She doesn't really believe half the stuff he said but... she's willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. And she's willing to ignore his awkwardness over the "see it for yourself" comment. Boys. Ugh. Everybody's gotta make it into more than it is.

When she speaks again, her voice is more firm than sharp, as though ending the conversation without turning it into a fight.]

And for the record, there isn't anything wrong with "shit like that". But... anyway.

[She shrugs.]

...It's okay.

[ The damage is done. Nothing he can do to take it back, nor undo what had happened. In fact, he's just making it worse by talking more.

He puts his wet palm against his neck, like it'll give him an idea of what to say. Obviously, it doesn't. His head just lowers further in both guilt and shame. He, out of all people, should know what it's like being judged for what you do, for how you look ー what it's like being the 'outlaws'. All these years, he's been fighting the norms, and living the way he wants to live. He's always hated how much Japan worships conformity, and how limited everything is just to 'accommodate' other people.

But what's the difference with how he reacted? ]

Yeah.

[ He was acting just like the society that he hated. ]

You guys didn't do anythin' wrong.

[ There's nothing wrong about it. They aren't harming anyone else, unlike what he actually did. Then again, Mondo's not the most tactful when it comes to words. That's about what he can offer at the moment. ]

...'m really sorry.

[A small breath escapes her.]

No... I'm sorry. [She shakes her head. While the sentiment is sincere, it's obviously hard for her to express it. Her voice is still tight, but it's lost some of the firmness.] I shouldn't have made it into such a big deal.

[She stares at the ground awkwardly for a few moments.]

Let's just... call it even. Okay?

[He did help her with the video, after all.]

That's not fair to y'guys.

[ He swallows. ]

I, uh. I dunno what it was like back in your home, but your kinda relationship's... not somethin' usual in my country. People there're always scared of somethin' different. [ His fist tightens. ] 'The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.' It's the way things are there and I hated it.

[ More than anyone. ]

But... I pretty much did the same thing. So that's completely my fault ー it's a shitty thing to do. Sorry.

[Max's mouth tightens into a thin line. But then, as he goes on, her expression softens.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. What a scary phrase. And a really bad place to live.

She feels like she understands him a little more- and understands that his apology is coming from a really heartfelt place. That it's very much sincere.

Sure he blundered. Everyone does. But he's... really making an effort to fix it.]

...Okay. It's okay. [She gives him the smallest of smiles.] Just, uh. Be glad it wasn't Chloe you said that to. She would've totally lost her shit. [She pauses.] I'm glad that you're... not like your country.

[ Despite everything, it's a peaceful place... mostly, until they all got locked in that school. He bites his lower lip, then lets a quiet sigh escape out. She didn't have to forgive him, but he can't deny that it feels relieving when she did. Still, those are words that are wasted on him. ]

...Feels shitty to admit, but maybe I'm more like 'em than I thought. I mean, I did what I did earlier. 'Course I've got no intention to ever do that again, but... y'know. I still fucked up.

[ He lifts his head so his eyes can meet hers. ]

Thanks.

[ He's not sure what in particular he's thanking her for. Thank you for forgiving him? Thank you for giving him a chance? Thank you for letting him see things in a different light? Maybe all of them. Anyway, he extends a hand towards her. Handshake! ]

[She shrugs even as she turns away from his gaze, though she does reach out to very briefly grip his hand. Things may have smoothed over somewhat, but she's nowhere near as comfortable as she was earlier.]

I've never met someone who didn't screw something up. At least you tried to fix it.

[And she gets it. The culture where he came from was different... Stricter. You don't just shrug that off. So she understands... or she's trying to.

But what do they do now? Stand around awkwardly? She looks out from the roof over the Mansion grounds, in the dark, hand coming up to rub the back of her neck.]

I'm still... glad you showed me that video. So. Yeah.

[ He wouldn't be surprised if she didn't want to talk to him anymore after that ー having someone judge you about something that's pretty much a part of you... it sucks. It would never stop being that way. So this is more than enough. He looks at her when she said that, falling silent for a moment as he looks for words. ]

I, uh. I dunno if you'll ever feel comfortable to, but if you ever need any help... y'know my name. You can always buzz me.

[ Wonderland has exposed him to a vast variation of cultures, it's like a mind-blowing revelation everyday just being here, learning about the people and their different point of views. He may not be able to agree with everything and everyone ー it's impossible for anyone to do that, anyway ー but he wants to learn while he's here. He doesn't want to break any more things. He wants to create, repair, and do what's good, even if it'll never free him from his past regrets. ]

Sorry for the bother.

[ He was the one who barged in to her safe space earlier, so he'll see himself out here. With a nod of his head, he heads towards the door. ]

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