[radio] this is much worse than the subway

[goodnightlisteners]

[Cecil has never had to broadcast from a handheld radio before. It's practically a walkie-talkie. He's not even sure if this is getting out to anyone, but a radio personality is nothing without an audience. Maybe literally.]

[The broadcast sounds like there are at least four hooded figures with Cecil as he talks, all distortion and static.]

Hello? Night V--er--Wonderland? Sor--kssssss--ssional broadcast, but I'm coming to you from a handheld, and well...I'm not even--fffssssss--nyone is hearing this. Seems we're in the midst of an event again. I can only assume that all of my fellow Wonderland denizens share my current fate and are trapped in a se--kzzt--erground mines.

The signal is so very weak, Wonderland. I hope you can hear my v--sssss. I hope it brings you some comfort; some modicum of human contact in these trying times. I hope that all of you are still alive and well. There are ma--fsss--onsters about, and a dangerous-looking lake. If you are in a group, stay in your group. There is strength in numbers, Wonderland.

[There's a pause and then--since there's no Station Management around to yell at him, and Cecil is more afraid than he's been in awhile--he decides to get personal.]

Carlos? If you can hear me...if you are--zzzzfffff--lease...please be safe.

Comments

[nascensibility]

Good. That's...good.

[Evelyn pats him on the arm gently, giving him a little smile.]

I've heard that deeper into the mines there was a facility overrun with some kind of virus. Hearing voices is a symptom of that.

[goodnightlisteners]

Oh, jeez. Let's hope everyone avoids that place. I'd rather not be hearing voices on top of everything else that's happening.

[nascensibility]

Is your city like this, like- like Wonderland? Night Vale, I mean.

[That's the name, isn't it? Where he hosts a radio programme?]

[goodnightlisteners]

Oh...sort of? Night Vale can be a bit absurd sometimes like Wonderland, but we don't usually have gigantic caterpillars or March Hares. Except during caterpillar season.

[nascensibility]

Mhm,

[Evelyn nods along, sweeping her torch wide and peering down another hallway that looks just like the others, damn it, this place should have better signage.]

...I'm sorry, did you say 'caterpillar season?'

[goodnightlisteners]

Yeah, you know. Spring, all the insects come back, and then there's that one week around May when you get thousands and thousands and thousands of gigantic man-eating caterpillars?

[nascensibility]

Ah...

[No, she is most definitely not familiar with this joyous time of year.]

...I think my seasons are a little different from yours, Cecil.

[goodnightlisteners]

Oh. Huh. [He taps his chin thoughtfully.]