[Video/Action] The Return

[agemofchange]

[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!

Comments

[agemofchange]

Exactly. I hope they can understand that much. And that can be the first step towards learning to trust each other...! We can only hope.

[teamfun]

[Oh, Steven, always be this guy. ]

I can see how you managed to make peace throughout the cosmos, my dude.

[agemofchange]

[He scratches at his head sheepishly.]

H-hey, it's not like I did it all on my own. It was a team effort! I never would have accomplished anything without every single person who was helping me to get there.

[teamfun]

Yeah, that's fair. Cog in the machine and so on, I get it. But every group needs someone they can rally around- someone they can put their faith in, y'know?

[For his group it's Clem. Absolutely and unanimously. ]

You just happen to be that someone.

[agemofchange]

[It's something he's heard a few times from several people. Such as Garnet and Bismuth... that he's somehow ended up as the leader. That he's earned the faith of the Crystal Gems... and eventually even the Diamonds. It's a lot to live up to, and Steven doesn't really want to blow up his ego, but he can't deny the effect he's had.]

I- I guess that somehow, I did end up becoming that person. [He says with a light smile.] Thanks, Louis.

[teamfun]

Sometimes it just happens. People know who's earned it- they wouldn't follow you otherwise.

[He definitely wouldn't have been the one in his group, even without Clem. Louis is a support figure and he's absolutely content with that.]

You're welcome. It really is awesome to see you again, Steve-O- even if everything is really shitty here right now.

[agemofchange]

[Steven nods along. It is weird for him, as he started off the support of the group. And somehow he became its center. He smiles warmly back at him.]

I feel the same way about seeing you again Louis. Just with less curse words! [He chuckles.] If I had to get pulled back here, I'm happy to get to see and remember you again, Louis.

[teamfun]

One day I'm gonna get your to swear like a sailor and it will b the greatest achievement of my life.

[He taught Peridot to flip people the bird, he can teach you, Steven!!]

So am I! It'd be a pretty big bummer if you didn't.

[agemofchange]

But then my dad would show up to frown and shake his head at you for the rest of your life! Are you sure you wanna live with that, Louis?

[You can't corrupt him even if you can corrupt his friends, Louis!!]

Right. I guess Wonderland took it a little easy on me.

[teamfun]

I have been many the bane of a friend's parent and I don't aim to stop any time soon.

[But it's FUN, Steven!!!]

Maybe it's getting merciful with its memory stuff? You know, while everything else goes down the toilet.

[agemofchange]

Well, you just may meet your match when it comes to Dad Universe!

[He props his hands on his hips confidently!]

Hmmm, maybe. I can't help but feel a little suspicious about any kind of mercy coming from Wonderland.

[teamfun]

He can bring it on! We can see who'll win out.

[He's laughing though. Honestly, he'd love to meet Steven's dad. An actual awesome adult. A great parent.]

Yeeeeeeeeah. This place doesn't really do mercy.

[agemofchange]

Oooh, you may regret that Louis! [He jokingly warns.

And then he nods along.]

It sure seems like it doesn't! I still wanna enjoy things, but... I'll just keep my guard up too.

[teamfun]

Lucky for me I live a life of zero regrets!

[That's a lie, he has so many regrets.]

That's the right way to go about it. Be careful, but don't let it be a giant buzzkill.

[agemofchange]

[Steven will remember that.]

Yeah! That sounds like just the right balance. [And the kind of way he's been used to being, living life in Beach City while being targeted by various gems.] We got this!