ｏｎｅ ： ｖｉｄｅｏ

[ganking]

[ figuring out how to use the device isn't the hard part, no, it's swallowing the fact that either purgatory changed on him in what could only be described as seriously trippy as shit way, or he's in yet another new dimension. so have dean, wonderland, covered in dirt and grime from head to toe. it doesn't take squinting to notice the obvious splashes of blood either, though all of it's dried as if he hasn't changed his clothes in a while...

in his hand is a massive weapon; axe-like in shape, with a blade made of something unrecognizable but decidedly dangerous. ]

Alright, listen up. This is how it's gonna go; whoever thought this-- [ he gestures vaguely around with the tip of his weapon. ] -- was a great idea? Hand up now. You and I are gonna have a couple words, and how pretty they end up bein' depends entirely on you. [ a threat is laced in every single word. ]

Or I can always just start demandin' answers-- [ you know the violent way. purgatory kinda rubs off on you after a while. ] -- 'cause you know what? I don't have time for this. Not today. [ not when one minute benny had been going on about something or another and now the vampire isn't anywhere to be seen and his search for cas is interrupted.

which leads him to adding, after a pause; ]

Cas, if you're here for some messed up reason, lem'me know. Same for you, Benny.

[ end feed. ]

Comments

Video

[seekinghome]

Well, you're looking rather bloodier than the last time I saw you.

::And Ed's just as much of a smartass as the first time they spoke.::

Place is called Wonderland, and it likes to pull people in. Sometimes with trips home long enough that they don't remember being here.

::Guess what happened to you?::

Video

[ganking]

[ now there's an info dose. dean doesn't say anything for a beat, takes it all and then just-- huffs, unimpressed. ]

S'an awfully convenient cover story there, pal. Am I supposed to just nod and smile?

pamphlet;

[radiopalkiller]

[ There is a wall of thoughts building itself higher and higher and Philip's head, the cruelty of it all, the irony, the... somewhat more fleeting thought at a second chance.

Ultimately they all culminate in a singular decision, a point of such utmost importance that - no matter what has happened in the past, no matter what may happen in the future - it must absolutely be made immediately.

And so the answer Dean receives from the network is a single message, its text field blank, its content nothing but the scan of a single image. ]

( no reply )

[ganking]

[ and dean in turn just stares at the message (or the lack of it which is eerie okay), wariness written into every bit of his face. the pamphlet, once he decides to open it -- and figures out how -- gets a quick skim... catching the important things, though honestly he's not sure why the hell he's supposed to believe any of it. not yet.

so maybe he'll return to it later, or something. and for now wonder who the hell actually sent it. ]

[video]

[quis_ut_deus]

[He's not Castiel, and he's not Benny, but Michael is at least a supernatural creature. That's close enough, isn't it?]

Back so soon, Dean?

[Exactly how much he remembers from the last time he was here remains to be seen, but it certainly looks as though Dean's been up to something adventurous since then. John Winchester's face peers at Dean from the other side of the screen, the edges of his features a little too sharp and the expression just a little too dispassionate to really be John. Michael's never expected to be able to fool Dean while wearing his father's skin, though. Children know their fathers.]

[video]

[ganking]

[ nobody invited you, michael, go away.

except there's a face dean hasn't seen in years, though being worn by someone he never wanted to see again. it takes him no time to realize this isn't the younger version of his dad, which is why there's no warmth, no smile, nothing nice directed at michael. ]

Now there's a douchebag I never wanted to see again. [ he grips his weapon tighter, like he's expecting this to turn into a fight. ]

So what is this place? Hell? How'd you escape your cage?

video;

[fiendfries]

[ Just what she needs. Except it's exactly the opposite. She'd been under the impression that Dean had been conveniently sent elsewhere. But she can deal with this as much as she can deal with any of the bumps in the road, especially now that she's well aware of the places she messes up.

So have a Ruby who looks rather comfortable in a nice, big plush chair as she reclines and holds the device up like she's going to take a shitty MySpace picture.

And yes, she does have a bag of Cheetos tucked right next to her. ]

Intimidating. We're all shaking in our boots.

video;

[ganking]

[ despite the things life had hurled at dean, there are still some things he never expects. or some people he never expects to see again. one is ruby, let alone blonde ruby, looking all smug with her stupid bag of cheetos like this is all somehow freaking normal.

which it's not. at all. thanks.

unfortunately for dean, it does catch him off-guard enough to leave him just staring, and then eventually muttering a pissed off; ]

You're freakin' kidding...

[Video]

[lightgunhustler]

Dean?!

[The initial exclamation is muffled as Jo fumbles for her phone. It's not unusual for her to keep an eye out for newcomers or re-arrivals, and if she's being honest, she's been hoping Dean would turn up again sooner rather than later -- along with Sam, Charlie, Cas and just about everyone else who knew him. She manages to steady the phone enough that the camera gives him a clear shot of her face, one that stays perfectly still for about half a second before she puts herself in motion.

It doesn't quiet register yet that he's asking questions like he's never seen the place before. All she knows is that he looks like hell, looks like he's been dragged through the mud and worse about a hundred times over and that he's been gone for too long, going by her standards.]

Benny's not here, but Cas--

[Wait, shouldn't he know that Benny's not here anymore? She draws in a sharp breath as she reaches the end of the hallway, grabbing hold of the banister and starting to make her way down the stairs.]

Are you okay?

[Video]

[ganking]

[ so far this place has been nothing but bad news. and dean, after having dealt with purgatory for too many months, really could have used a nice change of scenery, not-- whatever this is. there's a couple familiar faces, all belonging to those he doesn't want to see, could have done without, and then--

then there's her. there's jo, her voice, her face, on the screen of his phone just like the rest, just like she belongs. like she's somehow alive. ruby was dead. michael, too, but jo--

good things don't happen to him, not even when they're staring at him, asking him something. they don't happen so this can't be true, not at all, and dean's not looking too happy, not even he knows this has to be some fucked up, twisted trick. ]

Jo-- [ it slips out despite how he doesn't mean it to, and dean seems to catch on quick enough seconds later, face turning into something much more hostile. ]

Funny, real funny. [ ruby, michael, or whatever they are, this is a nasty joke and he ain't fucking happy. ] Now tell me what the hell's going on here before I come find out what you really are.

video; private;

[ofletters]

[ Sam had been saying for a while that Dean would come back, and though part of it had been to comfort both Cas and Jo, he still isn't completely surprised to see his brother over the way. What does surprise him is what seems like a Dean from a while back-- at least, farther back in time than he'd been during his last visit in Wonderland. They never seemed to be on the same wavelength. It was depressing, almost.

Despite his feuding with Dean in his own present, Sam's glad to see the other Winchester here again now. The guy'd been pretty happy in Wonderland during his last visit, having made a home, a family, friends. A real life. One he'd never seriously had in their own world, and might not get (though Sam was still holding out hope, somewhere, that his brother would find that in the future). When he shows his face over the feed, Sam looks about a year and a half older than Dean remembers, or, since Dean's coming from Purgatory, about two years older. ]

That was quick. [ Dean isn't going to remember being here; he can already tell. That doesn't stop the faint smile, the bracing himself for what he knows will be a full-scale investigation. ]

Can we talk in person? It'll be safer than the network. I'll explain what's going on.

[ As he always did. As Dean had done for him when he'd first shown up in the mansion, himself. Because that was more or less what they did, keep each other up to speed on all the impossible situations. Before he finishes, Sam checks the rest of the broadcast to see who had responded (on a public feed, anyway), and finds Ruby and Michael-- bad, but nothing he can't handle. ]

Better sooner than later.

video; private;

[ganking]

[ sam not looking like sam shouldn't come as a surprise after who he's already seen here. but it does, leaves dean wary as he stares at the feed, at his brother-- the thing that's wearing his brother's face. nobody should be that calm in a place like this, nobody should, and least of all sam.

so he ignores what he sees and goes for what's being said instead, huffing as he finally speaks up. ]

Somehow I don't think explainin' is what you or any of the face-stealin' monster squad here have in mind.

[ so whatever the real plan? dean's ready for it, no matter what the pamphlet he'd received had said about this place and it supposedly taking people from their home world. ]

Hope you had another strategy as backup, buddy.

[ if dean was paranoid before, it's nothing on what purgatory has done to him. ]

video

[naturalbornleader]

[There's a look of mild concern on Krissy's face but she isn't about to ask if Dean's okay. Obviously he isn't. Instead she just arches an eyebrow, waits until he's done speaking, then replies a tone as casual as possible.]

Any chance I can make it on the exclusive no ganking list, Dean? Being kidnapped sucks enough as it is.

video

[ganking]

Krissy?

[ color him surprised, though he's starting to think continuous surprises are a norm here. but at least, whether she's real or not, she's something of a positive sight. even if she's just a kid who is sorta kinda on her way to being a hunter.

emphasis on sorta and kinda. ]

They got you too?

video;

[oversight]

[ There are no words for the relief born in John Blake's heart at the reappearance of Dean Winchester. Before Dean's disappearance, and for more than a year, they had shared texts, and late nights, and one, they'd even managed a ridiculously unsafe high speed trip around Wonderland in that sleek black Impala.

More than that, though, they had connected on a level that means a lot to John, on a level that's ensured in its absence that he's felt half-crippled for weeks. It's especially important now.

There are clues — obvious clues — that Dean doesn't remember Wonderland. He isn't griping about being pulled back here, or asking to get in contact with the resistance, but it's much, much easier to believe that could just be... forgetful.

It's a fool's wish, but John's never been short of those. ]

What's so special about today? [ Said carefully, but with some very small hint of levity, as if he's searching for a humorous hook here — some sense of the friendship they shared. ] Happen to know it's not your birthday. Not here, at least.

[ (Maybe unnoticed is a less obvious attempt by Blake's better sense to place this Dean along his own timeline, just in case he really has forgotten everything.) ]

video;

[ganking]

[ amongst the sea of familiar face, there are the few he doesn't recognize. dean's not entirely sure which is better at this point anymore, because on one hand he knows how to deal with those he knows ( be they real or not ), but the strangers-- he can be to the point with them, and maybe get some actual answers.

maybe.

this could all be some stupid game, for all he knows.

at first dean stares at blake like he's saying something stupid. what's special about today? how about the fact that he's in some new, messed up dimension filled with shit he doesn't know if to believe or not, and--

and it just ends with him narrowing his eyes with wariness. ]

Pretty sure that's the weirdest thing anyone's said to me so far. [ and that's saying something. ]

Obviously you think you know me, but who the hell're you?

Video

[pottershotter]

[James has been concerned ever since he learned Dean went missing - Dean of all people. But, it had happened before. And the last time it happened he'd come back in a week and remembered everything just fine.

But then a week became two and then three and it seemed more likely that he had left for good this time. So, James is genuinely surprised to see him pop up on the network, looking worse off than he remembered.]

Woah, easy there! None of us want to be here either, so need to go waving anything sharp around, Dean.

[He doesn't look particularly threatened by it, but he humours him a little and puts his hands up defensively, like he's trying to ease down an angry animal.]

Haven't heard of a Benny, but I know Castiel's around. And I promise, you've actually got all the time in the world - time's all wonky here; it doesn't move.

[Not the most comforting thing or believable thing in the world, but a fact of living in Wonderland that Dean would have to get used to again.]

Video

[ganking]

[ yet another person dean doesn't recognize, offering bits and pieces of info that does nothing for dean's mood. wonky time? great, sounds like hell and that's something he's not too happy to start thinking about, so instead dean just eyes the kid on the screen... ]

What the hell do you mean it doesn't move?

[ might as well ask though. ]

And who the hell're you?

video;

[digophelia]

[Perplexing, indeed.

As she appears, she won't help matters any. Alice is older, but still in her classic attire. A pinafore apron and blue dress. Of course, minus the blood. She heaves a sigh.]

I'm afraid if any of us knew the real answer, we wouldn't be in this situation.

video;

[ganking]

Comforting. Really.

[ but then he squints at her, and while dean might not be one for kid's fairy tales, even he has to ask the; ]

What's with the costume?

video

[grewuphuman]

[Oh hi there, Dean. Adam's been hoping you'd show up. He's super curious about you.

To his credit, he doesn't grin like he normally would. Not just yet at least. His tone is awfully casual, though, considering the threats just levelled at him and the rest of Wonderland by someone who would actually do his best to follow through on them.]

You can threaten all you want but I don't reckon you're goin' t'be gettin' anymore answers than the rest of us. 'Specially cause whoever is behind it isn't all that worried 'bout bein' hurt. Not even by a wicked lookin' weapon like that one.

[Adam pauses then and finally does smile faintly.]

Castiel's here though. Some place. M'sure he'll speak up soon as he spots this.

video

[ganking]

I'll give 'em something to worry about, trust me. [ he's not one for sitting around and doing nothing, not if some messed up son of a bitch is having a laugh over all of this. ]

Great. And who the hell're you?

video;

[hypercompetent]

Dean! Hey--dude, you're, uh, a lot bloodier than the last time you were here, oh god, wow.

[ ...well that's not what Stiles was expecting when he heard that familiar voice over the network. He's brandishing weapons (okay, that's a little more familiar) and looks like he just got put through the wringer and a half. So, cool. Stiles holds both of his hands up like Dean isn't on the other side of the video feed and not able to point said weapon at him, and it takes him half a second to realize; ]

...you have no idea where you are, huh?

[ This is the second time he's seen this happen to someone in the past week. You leave Wonderland, and you come back with no memory of ever being here. It's seriously screwed up--and also making Stiles realize pretty quickly that the friendly conversation that he was envisioning is probably not going to happen.

Especially considering, you know. Giant axe thing. ]

video;

[ganking]

[ teenagers. great. exactly what dean needs. and yet another case of familiarity he has no idea what to do with. either he really is suffering from some kinda amnesia and what everyone is saying is true, or.... he's actually on the right page and this is some good old massive trick.

that he could so easily fall for. but won't. ]

Wonderland, right? There's a story that'll take some sinking in. Not that I plan on believin' it for one minute.

[ said with all the determination of a winchester!! ]

So save yourself the convincing speech, kid. I have enough of that to deal with.

[video]

[builditstrong]

[He stares at this post for quite some time before replying. He sort of hadn't been acknowledging just how hard the last Dean's departure hit him until now that he's seeing him again. But is it even the same Dean? This one sounds like he's never seen Wonderland before.]

...Dean? Yer...back?

[video]

[ganking]

Nope, wrong. Never been here before, no matter what you or the rest of your posse keep telling me.

[ snippity snap. but he's getting tired of this, of being told he's back in this place when he's never seen it before. ]

[video]

[thepointisdolphins]

[Oh, huh. Dean is back. Crowley sort of liked Dean, even if the last time they spoke Dean was sort of threatening Crowley over the whole demon thing.]

Oh trust me, this place is overflowing with your lot. Winchesters and angels and demons oh my. [He sounds mildly accusatory. Your world sucks srry2say. And your angels suck even worse.] Castiel is here, and fine, last I heard. Sam as well.

You don't remember this place at all, do you?

[video]

[ganking]

[ WOW accusatory tone is not missed, and it has dean on edge immediately which is something of an aftereffect from his grand old time in purgatory. ]

Does it look like I remember? [ B[ ]

Sam, Cas-- that's awfully convenient. Only I'm not 'bout to just accept that they're here-- it doesn't make any sense.

[goesdown]

Of course Feathers is here. Where the hell have you been. People who aren't me have been worried sick.

[ He's thinking of Blake and as much as he can't stand Dean, he'd been making headway of some sort. They'd been getting closer to working together, hadn't they? Almost getting along in their own way. Really, though, he's mostly angry on Blake's behalf at this point, because Crowley was just starting to think that maybe the bastard really was gone and that his life could be simpler without him. ]

[ganking]

[ if there's one demon, there'll be another, and another, and another. much like with angels, as dean's finding out. so to see crowley, dean's not even surprised at this point, though he really could have done with someone else. almost. ]

Not here, which is about as much of your business at that's gonna be. [ huffhuff. ] Don't get too happy for them, I'm not staying.

[manicuredangel]

Oh dear... [Aziraphale and Dean hadn't had any pleasant conversations in the past, not really. But seeing him like this... And he clearly doesn't remember Wonderland. It reminded him of when the Doctor returned. He dithers a moment.]

Dean, was it...? I'm sorry to say we weren't well acquainted before, but welcome back nonetheless. Though I suspect you don't remember a thing.

Er... Can I help you to a warm bath somewhere? And perhaps someone to tend to your potential injuries?

[ganking]

[ ...................................................................well, there's a first offer for everything. ]

Right, 'cause I have a time for a bath right now. How about you just point me to the nearest exit instead?

[video]

[unregenerate]

[ She knew it was only a matter of time. Meg really needs to start placing bets on this shit when people vanish - people like the Winchesters, anyway. ]

Have a fun vaca? [ It's not a serious question, of course, though she does have to raise an eyebrow at the state of him. ] Looks like it was a circus from Hell.

[ Which gives her a pretty good idea of when he's from. ]

Your boyfriend is here, no worries. Can't say the same for your other one.

[video]

[ganking]

[ and meg. by now dean should start asking who isn't there, since everyone seems to be popping up slowly but surely. he doesn't look entirely displeased to see her, she had helped them last he remembered after all.... and she definitely beats ruby.

ignoring those boyfriend comments, too, thanks. ]

Better that way. [ as much as purgatory was constant combat, benny might be better off there. ]

So you too, huh? Is there anyone they didn't drag to this joint?

[video]

[kickassqueen]

[ Charlie is oh-so-late to the party, so she's figured he has some of the down low on Wonderland. Maybe he's feeling a little less...rough. Or something.

Regardless, she's grinning when she finally gives him a little poke. ]

Good to see you around, pal. What's one Winchester without the other, right? [ Translation: she totally missed you, bro. When she got over the whole guy with Dean's face killing her thing. ] Bet you got all kinds of people offering help.

[video]

[ganking]

Charlie, hey. [ there's a face he can't associate with anything bad, and the relief on his is about as visible as it's gonna get at this moment. they could all still be lying, be monsters or some such, but for now he'd rather just believe they are who they appear to be.

it makes some of this easier. ] Wasn't sure I'd ever see you again, but... here you are, just like the rest.

[ and a pause. ]

Offerin' help maybe, but only 'cause they're all expecting me to remember this place.

[ and he can't, not even if he digs as hard as he can for any kind of recognition of this place, nothing comes up. ]

[video]

[justrunsasaloon]

Dean.

[Relief and questions, all in one. But she can't help it...]

Better still have me on speed dial, boy.

[video]

[ganking]

[ with jo, comes ellen, yet the surprise is still there, always. after everything that's been said and done so far though, he just stares for a moment, fights back the wariness and instead offers the smallest of smiles. ]

Always, and you know it. Hey, Ellen.

[video]

[freewill]

[Of all the days that Castiel would fail to keep a close eye on his phone, fate would have it be this one. Though he would argue against it being fate and prefer the explanation of bad luck.

A new announcement from a new face (though it had been an oddly scaled one) had given Castiel reason enough to search the mansion and grounds for any sign of something changing. There's no denying that an event must be on the horizon. Castiel's never been able to prevent any of the others from running their course, but that won't necessarily stop him from trying.

And so it's only after another patrol (and after Dean has received plenty of replies to his initial message) that Castiel checks his phone and sees a face he hadn't expected to return nearly so soon, if at all.

It doesn't take any time at all to place Dean, considering the way that his face is covered in grime. That's a particular kind of dirty, and after spending so much time down in Purgatory, there's no mistaking it.

Seeing that is the nail in the coffin. Wonderland's taken Dean and erased not only every memory he has of this place, but even more than that, turning back the clock on him a significant amount. No Naomi, no trials, none of that has happened for him yet. As if this wasn't all complicated enough.

As always, Castiel cuts to the chase. He needs to see Dean face-to-face. A phone message isn't good enough, not at a time like this.

So when he sends a reply, he looks both hurried and guarded.]

Where are you?

[video]

[ganking]

[ so far, he's gotten plenty of confirmations that cas is here, even if benny isn't. cas, who he's been searching for in purgatory for a good long few months now, is here, in this place. it's not a surprise anymore, not when he's known since he started looking for his friend that cas is still alive, unlike so many others here. but there's still a sense of relief on his face when he finally sees him.

and a failure to actually figure out what to say, past what is being asked of him. ]

I, uh-- out?

[ there are obvious difference dean can see even on the small screen of the phone. things that he doesn't remember from back home, before they'd ganked dick, let alone purgatory which is bound to dirty up even the cleanest of clothes. but there's no time to comment on that, none of it, so he does the only thing he can right now, and turns the screen so it displays his surroundings to the angel. ]

Near a mansion.

[ or the mansion, which he still hasn't dared approach. but then it's back to cas, and dean looks every bit the part of someone who wants to say something, but doesn't. nothing past a short, confirming; ]

Meet you here?

video;

[onsilksheets]

Seems like you can't stay away for long, hm?

[Just her luck really. It also appeared that he didn't remember his time in Wonderland.]

video;

[ganking]

[ now there's a face and accent that takes him way, way, way back. it's a little jarring, seeing her here even if he's finally starting to come to grips that people from all over time and death can be here. ]

You know me, can't let you or anyone else have all the fun. [ "fun" ]

S'been a damn long time, Bela.

[video]

[lowkeyangel]

[Welp, isn't this interesting. Dean's back. Gabriel thought he would be, except... well, that sure is a lot of grime.]

Dean-o, did someone tell you the grunge look is back in style? Because they were lying.

[He smiles.]

Let me guess. You don't remember a thing?

[video]

[ganking]

[ if you're expecting surprise, you're outta luck, gabe. dean's already heard all about the angel squad's that's in town, and he's not looking too fond of you showing up either. ]

What gave it away? Was it the threats and the lack of, I don't know, buying all this bullshit?

video;

[heavensmostadorable]

Dean Winchester?

[With the number of people already here, the arrival of Dean doesn't surprise him, as new as he is, himself. In fact, he's one of the few who doesn't even know that Dean was already here before, if that manages to be helpful at all.]

Are you alright? You're covered in blood-- ...Do you need help?

[After everything Dean did for him, even if it was ultimately futile, Samandriel is more than happy to offer his assistance, should it be wanted.]

video;

[ganking]

[ dean's looking tired by now, aggravated and just done. ]

Lem'me guess? You're another old friend from this here fine establishment? Well, sorry pal, don't remember you or anyone else, so get in line for the story sharin'.

[ sorry, wiener hut, he doesn't know you yet. ]

[video a little while after his initial freak-out u feel me]

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn was, of course, surprised to see that one Mr. Winchester had returned to Wonderland so quickly, but like many others she was frightfully concerned about the fact that he had forgotten his memories.

Again.

And was covered in blood (that should have been the first concerning thing, really).]

I...understand you've probably gotten a lot of explanations about this place by now.

[God. She can't even imagine what Philip must- No. Best not to go there. Not right now. She schools herself into keeping an even tone.]

Do you need any help settling in?

[video i feel u]

[ganking]

[ well if nothing else, there's a pretty face to look at. dean's definitely looking tired by now, what with info being slammed at him from every which side and people claiming he should remember this or that.

but he doesn't, and her question gets something of a strained smirk. ]

Won't be doin' any settling in, sweetheart. Save yourself the trouble.

video;

[rues]

[ clarisse, for one, doesn't actually recognize dean, but she likes his attitude. this is a guy she can respect. plus that weapon? cool as shit. she's a little bit jealous, it looks totally awesome and she kind of wants one. color her impressed. ]

I like your style. You make that [ you know the giant ax thing in your hand ] yourself? Nice workmanship.

video;

[ganking]

[ it's somewhat jarring that someone is asking about other than what he remembers or believes, and for a dean just blinks at her... and then finally realizes she's talking about the weapon. it gets a brief glance from him, and then he focuses back on her, smirking some. ]

Pretty sweet, right? But no, didn't make it. Picked it up from someone who, uh, lost to me.