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[ Brianna is sitting outside near the lake when she decides to play again, putting aside the book she was half-heartedly reading anyway. ]

We should play a game, maybe break up the day a little bit. It's called 'Would You Rather?' Basically, someone gives a scenario and you have to pick one or the other. No in between. You can explain your choice if you want, but we go back and forth until there's something so impossible to pick the other person gives up.

I'll even start.

[ She thinks for a moment, then looks back at the camera. ]

Would you rather know each time you're going to leave and come back when it comes to Wonderland, or would you rather it be a total surprise like it is now only you get to remember being here when you do leave?

I think I'd want to know when I was leaving. That way I could say goodbye, you know?

Anyway. Your turn.

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Besides, that means stuff we learned here could come with too. That'd be handy.

[Louis can always be counted on to play any and all games- no matter how ridiculous. It's part of his 'charm'.]

I am! But I should preface this by saying I'm from a post-apocalyptic world where money doesn't mean anything any more but socks are like gold dust. Plus they're super versatile! They can filter water, be a great bandage and with a good sturdy rock in them make an excellent flail. And...you know. They keep your feet warm. Socks are great. [Ahh, the humble sock!] And now it's your turn.

Edited 2019-04-10 20:17 (UTC)

[ There's so much there that she wants to ask about, blinking a little. ]

After the game can we circle back around to 'post-apocalyptic world' or is that off limits?

We absolutely can, after or during, I don't mind talking about it. It's been so long now it's just...a pretty regular part of life.

[There are PARTS that are off-limits, of course, but the world in general? Well, he can talk about that no problem.]

What exactly causes...that to happen? I mean, you might not know and that's understandable, I just can't imagine it. What year was it?

[ She pauses and looks at him sheepishly. ]

Sorry, that was two questions.

[He laughs, waving a hand at the screen to ease her worries.]

It's all cool. I can't really remember the year any more, calendars aren't really a thing and days kinda all...merge. Some point in the naughties, I think? It was eight years ago. As for what happened-

[He raises his arms to the screen a little, making a little groaning sound, a perfect imitation of a walker.]

The dead just rose up and started eating people, super rude, I know. No one knows what caused it- but we've all got whatever it is that does it. If anyone in my world dies and their brain's not destroyed? Surprise, you're gonna come back and be a mindless eating machine. It's super fun.

[ Bree hasn't been in Wonderland long enough to realize zombies are a real, actual thing. So when he says the dead were eating people, her eyes widen. ]

It's been eight years? How old are you? And if that's rude to ask, sorry again.

[ She's totally forgetting her manners in this conversation. ]

[Louis has got so used to it, he's sometimes taken off guard when people react to his horror situation as if it's...well, a horror situation. His smile remains easy, as he gives an idle shrug.]

It's fine. I'm seventeen [ish] it happened when I was about nine or so. I was in my boarding school, which turned out to be an excellent survival base.

Boarding school, huh? Probably...somewhere a little remote, not a place most people would think to swarm. In a national emergency, it's usually what, public schools, the gyms, that turn into gathering places.

[ Boarding school was probably a huge win for the people already there. ]

You know where else could be good? A dorm at a college. Maybe. If you could get high enough.

[ He's totally distracted her, and now she's trying to think of different survival strategies. ]

Yup! In the middle of some woods in West Virginia. Nothing for miles. It helps the school's built like a fortress too. It's got the woods for hunting, a river for fishing and fresh water. We really lucked out. After it went down and the adults bailed on us we took down all the signs on the roads leading to the school. We made damn sure we disappeared so no one could find us.

[Because the living were and still are a hundred times more dangerous than the Dead. He chuckles at her strategy- it's always interesting to him, to see what people come up with. ]

'Up high' is a popular one when people here talk about it. The trick is, you gotta be able to still get down to the ground. You'll need food, water, medical supplies, weapons. So you can still get access to that and stay up high, it's a good plan- especially if you can see anyone coming, living or Dead.

That's...an excellent point I hadn't considered. God, I'd probably be toast in that situation. I'm calm and I don't really panic, I guess. But I'd do the first thing that sounds logical when rules apply. Definitely sounds like that's out of the window in this world.

[ Rules and logic suited in a world without the dead, she means. ]

I think it's really impressive and admirable that you've survived. I'm no fighter, either. Although, I can shoot a gun with pretty good accuracy.

You'd be surprised, how quickly you adapt to this kinda thing. Like you just have to learn whole new rules, because the old ones sure as heck don't work any more. But people adapt, it's one of our talents as a species.

[It's just a case of finding out if you're someone who can adapt or...well, if you're someone who's going to end up one of the Dead.]

Aww, thanks. But I lucked out, got me a good base. You should meet my girlfriend. She's been out on the road for almost the entire time. Now she's a survivor.

That's a good point. Adapt or die is pretty good motivation.

[ Bree's eyebrows shoot up. ]

Your girlfriend's here? That's pretty lucky.

Sure is. When you're faced with a choice like that you realise you don't really have a choice at all.

[He doesn't seem that bothered about it. His angst for the situation he lives in burned out years ago. It is what it is. He brightens considerably at the chance to talk about his favourite topic.]

Yeah! I'm super lucky. I mean...she was here before I was. She's been here since she was eleven. Um...obviously she's had trips home and aged some since then. It's not that weird. But I feel really lucky to have her around. And in my life in general.

[ Bree can't imagine what it would be like, to have come here at eleven years old, away from her parents for the first time? Or maybe they'd be here; who knows. ]

You know, my mom told me she was here once and left. When she came back she was twenty years older than she had been before. This place is insane. And I'm glad you have someone you really care about here with you. Makes everything easier, I think.

[ There's no way Bree would have survived Randall alone. ]

[Of course, Clem had been without her parents long before then- as they all were. Most kids in the end times were very suddenly orphans. But then, he guesses, Clem often finds someone to fill the space of 'parent'- even here.]

Twenty years? jesus, That's a long ass time to be away from here. I think I'd forget where everything was. I only went home for like two weeks and that was hard enough to adjust back to. You mom's gotta be some kind of trooper. Nice you got her here, though.

[Family is important.]

It sure does. Whatever crazy bullshit the mansion throws at, I know I can deal with it with her around.

[ Going from thinking she'd never see her again to suddenly having her here has been incredible, and now she knows there's a future where they're all together. ]

You know, we kind of lost track of our game, but I'm enjoying talking to you. I'm Brianna, by the way. Or just Bree.

[He chuckles a little.]

Guess we did. But hey, I'm not complaining. I'm enjoying talking to you too. Name's Louis. On occasion just Lou. [He'll wink at the screen. Like he's the funniest guy ever.]

Well, I can officially say it's very nice to meet you.

[ She smiles at him, properly amused by him and genuinely glad to make his acquaintance. ]

And you've done a really great job of distracting me from my own thoughts, so you're kind of a personal hero right now.

Likewise.

[This is what he does best, distracting people from the awful bullshit going on in their own heads. He's glad he's managed it again. ]

What can I say? I do what I can. Glad to be a distraction for a while. I'm always good for those.

If I can ever return the favor, let me know? I actually can be a pretty good listener. I don't always try to persuade people to play slightly introspective games with me.

[ She smiles, just a tad sheepishly. ]

[That makes him laugh.]

Hey now, playing slightly introspective games is the best way to get to know people. I'd swear by it. [He flashes her a patented Louis Wink.] But sure thing. I'll bear that in mind.

Edited 2019-05-15 18:36 (UTC)

It was really, really nice to meet you. I'm sure in a place like this, we'll talk again.

[ For now, she should head back to her room, and she gives a little wave. ]

See you around, Lou.

Given we're all living in the same house like some insane reality TV show, I'd put good money on it.

[He grins, giving a little salute.]

Later gator.

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