entranceway | [Video/Action] The Return

[Action]

[Steven finds himself quite literally dropped back into Wonderland.

Specifically, he falls into a patch of flowers in the garden. He quickly panics as he notices the flowers he's inadvertantly crushed.]

Whoops! I- I got this! [With that, he starts to... kiss each crushed flower individually. But with each kiss, there's a sparkling effect, and the flower is restored back to perfect condition.

After a few of those, he freezes up as it finally hits him.]

...Wonderland. I'm back in Wonderland!

[One can find him while he's fixing up those flowers in the garden, or while he's on his way back to the mansion in search of his friends.]

[Video]

[And eventually he'll make contact over the network. He beams at the video feed and speaks.]

Hello, Wonderland? This is Steven... Steven Universe! Remember me? Because I sure remember you! [A confused blink.] Am I supposed to remember you? ...Well, I do anyway! I guess I'm here again. It's... kinda been a few years for me back home, since the time that I was last here. Anyone know how long I've been gone in Wonderland time? What's been happening - solve any more mysteries? How... has everyone been doing, in general? I'm - okay, I wish I was back home, but it's still nice to be here!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm sorry but I'm afraid I don't. From what people have told me, it's a recent thing that started happening to people who come back.

[ She's still not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. ]

Wonderland has been... alright so far. It's the same as I remembered. I've been back for about a little over a week and so far there hasn't been any events yet.

Huh! Sounds like Wonderland's really starting to change things up! I'm glad you haven't had to deal with an event yet.

But since this is Wonderland, it shouldn't be long until one comes along. ...Unless that changed too!

That's what I thought too. Hopefully, the changes are a good sign of things to come.

[ She wants to believe, even if it's difficult because it's good ol' Wonderland. His concern does make her smile, it's a nice gesture. ]

That's very true. Apparently events do still happen but the last few haven't been as bad as before.

[ Positivity ho!!! ]

[That's a lot of positivity! Steven appreciates it, but he still feels wary at the same time.]

Well, that's good to hear. I sure hope it stays that way! [After a pause, he goes on.] It's... good to appreciate all the nice things, but we should be careful, too. You never know when Wonderland will change again.

[He's learned that happy endings don't come easy - nor do they last forever.]

You're absolutely right. [ As positive as she wants to be, it's better to stay as prepared as possible. ] Given how strange this place is, it's best to stay on guard.

[ She can't help but suddenly giggle a little. ]

It's a really mature way of looking at it. You sound like you're a veteran of this place.

I do? I feel like I've been here long enough to be called that. It was only... [He shrugs meekly.] ...kind of a year and a half maybe? ...That's no time at all!

Heehee, you're very humble.

[ What a pleasant person to talk to! ]

I believe that a year and a half is quite a while, there's a good number of events that take place. And a lot of things can happen within a year.

[He sighs.]

Yeah, you're right. A lot sure did happen! I guess that does count as a pretty long time... It sure feels like I was stuck here forever.

B-but, y'know, maybe things'll be better this time around!

Mm, yeah. I know the feeling. I wasn't here as long as you but time did feel like it dragged on.

[ Although it might seem a bit negative, there's a sense of nostalgia in her voice when she says that. ]

I'd like to think so. Besides the number of people here diminishing, I'd like to think everything is heading in the right direction.

I guess that does make me look like the veteran between the two of us... [He admits with a weak smile.]

I like to hope so. But hope's just part of the solution. We still have to keep looking for ways to improve things even more, and to find a way to stop Wonderland from messing with all of us.

[Video/Action] The Return

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