First Case.

[just_fine]

Excuse me... I found this old phone on the ground.

[ And when he'd tried to dial a number for the police he couldn't get it to work, but it seemed to be working okay now..? If this feed was actually going to anyone, anyway. He sure hoped so. ]

I was wondering if anyone out there has a working phone? I seemed to misplace mine. I'd like to call a taxi if that's possible.

[ The last thing he wanted to do was spend the night in some weird large building. ]

Comments

video;

[restinglichface]

[wait a minute...]

You're using one now, aren't you? Seems to be workin' just fine on my end, homie.

video;

[just_fine]

[ Erm. Well she wasn't wrong. ]

I tried to dial out and it didn't work. I guess it's a closed network?

[ Great. Another person in a costume. Was there an elf person in that book he couldn't remember..? ]

[restinglichface]

[Lup's been in Wonderland for a handful of months now but she still doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. Dialing out to who? Closed network???? w h a t]

Closed is one way of puttin' it. [can't get more closed than weird out-of-time pocket dimension, right?] So, did someone throw you the whole Wonderland spiel yet or is that falling on 'cha girl?

[just_fine]

[ Guess this person believes that 'trapped in a book' thing too... ]

Yeah, I've heard a bit about it. Trapped in a storybook world with no way to escape. Apparently time freezes at home so no one even knows you left...

[restinglichface]

[Not entirely, but then again, Lup's been through weirder shit back home than this.]

Yeah, I've had a few people who've gone home an' come back verify that bit of info. Seemed a little too good to be true, but seems legit from what I hear. Our own worlds stand still an' we get to have all of the fun here instead. It's like a free vacation.

Just minus the good parts.

[just_fine]

I guess it could be worse... I would hate to have people worry about me.

[ But the exchange is that now he is out of a job and doesn't know anyone. Not to mention the whole 'you might die during an event' thing that Mondo had told him about... ]

Have you been here a long time?

[restinglichface]

Depends on your definition of a long time, my man. I've been 'round ol' Wonderland for a handful of months. Five, I think? Something like that. [Not so bad, right?]

But most of the folks in this place have been here for years. One chick I've talked to has been here for over six years.

[just_fine]

I would say nearly half a year is a long time... but I have met someone who said she has been here for four.

[ SIX years... that's just even more ridiculous. At that point they'd have lived in Wonderland longer than he had lived in his current apartment. ]

So... I should brace myself just in case.

[restinglichface]

Well, brace yourself for a little more.

[It's the info that Lup hates to give up, only because it's something she's pretty wrapped all up in right now. Being ten years behind all of her friends and family? Fuck.]

Timelines are outta whack too. Lots of the folks here come from different years than others do. Like, years of difference. Someone you know from back home could be here but like, twenty years older than you know 'em.

[just_fine]

... I can think of a few people from home that I'd hate to see younger again.

[ But seeing them older would definitely be a trip of its own... But something else comes to mind too. ]

Has that happened to you? Has anyone that's dead in their world ever... come here?

[restinglichface]

Yep. [She pops the p on that word, giving the man a shrug of her shoulders.]

Pretty much everyone I know from home is a whole friggin' decade ahead of me, my twin included. It's a total trip. Dead though... [she seems to take a second to consider that, head tipping from side to side.]

Kinda depends on your definition of dead, hun.

1/2

[just_fine]

Like... dead in our home world. Like in the ground.

[ His stomach actually tightens up thinking about it. It was still hard to think about. ]

I guess I shouldn't be hopeful that someone could appear here that I knew when they were alive...

2/2

[just_fine]

S-SORRY! It's fine! I'm fine!! I didn't mean to bring down the conversation! Just curious!

[ He tries to bring the subject back around to focus on Not himself instead. ]

So your own sister is here? That must be comforting at least...

[restinglichface]

[Lup's considerate enough to realize that this isn't the time to tell him that she's dead herself, though not of the 'in the ground' variety more like the 'haunting and spooky kind' of dead, but y'know, it wouldn't be good to lead the poor kid on for long on the status of the dead in Wonderland.]

I've met a few folks who claim to have died back home before poppin' into Wonderland. Could be real. If you're lookin' for anyone in particular, just keep an eye on the network. Newbies usually always end up there eventually.

And it's my brother. [And not quite as comforting as she'd like...] We're identical, so, if you ever get majorly harassed by an elf, it was all him.

[just_fine]

[ He gives that response a nod. It's understandable... pretty much the best he could do was regularly check the registry in the dining hall and watch the network. Honestly, he didn't have too much hope... but if others had friends appear then maybe he could too. ]

Oh... right. Not all twins are the same gender. [ But it's good to know... Just in case he does get picked on by some other identical elf. ]

That's good to know. I can tell on him if he does, then.

[restinglichface]

[She smiles, but there's no response regarding the mention of gender. He's already filled in his own answer, so why even bother explaining further?]

For sure. I'll keep 'im in line for you. I'm Lup, bee-tee-dubs. If you ever got questions or just wanna hang, hit a girl up.

[just_fine]

Thank you! I'll do that, Miss Lup.

[ A... unique name, but she's an elf so he doesn't judge. It'll just be easier to remember. ]

I'm Apollo Justice. Nice to meet you.

[restinglichface]

[POT CALL KETTLE...]

Pleasure an' all that shit.