001 ☆ video

[assembles]

[When the video feed starts up, it shows a man seated at a desk in a rather nondescript room. Not much can be seen behind him beyond a bed and closet. Much more noteworthy is his face, which has a few bruises and a line of stitches extending outward from the corner of his mouth.

Despite that, he has a bright, open look on his face, though the fact that he's sitting up straight and looking head-on at his phone's camera makes it clear that he means business.]

So... had a few days to take everything in, read what information I could find. It's been helpful, it really has. [A lot of the work and investigation had already been done for him, though that hasn't prevented Steve from doing his own exploration.]

Just a few questions, if anyone can help. [And so far, most everyone has been helpful.] I can only assume there's some escape effort that's been put together here. A group of like-minded people, working together to get everyone home. I'd like to be a part of that. [It might seem overly transparent to ask about something like that over a network like this, but Steve has no interest in secrecy, especially not after everything that he's been through.]

Secondly, I've heard a lot about people being from different worlds. I'm trying to get an idea of how many we're dealing with. [He knows about Asgard and has heard vaguely of the Nine Realms, but beyond that he's clueless. He needs to determine the scope of this operation.]

Oh, and the name's Steve Rogers. I'll do whatever I can to get us all out of here. [It's meant mainly as a test to see if anyone here is going to recognize him, or if he actually has some manner of anonymity in this place.

With that said, he offers a small smile and then ends the feed.]

Comments

video;

[favourthebow]

[Kíli makes note of the injuries, since they're pretty noticeable, but says nothing to them. It's not the first time, and won't be the last, that he sees someone in this state, sometimes worse.]

I've not heard of such a group yet, and from what I have been told so far it is impossible to go back. Any direction anyone goes, this place is quick to make us lost or have us die if we go too far.

As for other worlds, I do not know from how many different places the people here are, though as I am aware most seem to come from a place called Regular Earth. [He means Earth, actually.] There is only one that comes from the same place as me.

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[assembles]

[Steve appreciates the lack of commentary about his injuries. It's a long story and not all that worth telling when he'll be all healed up in a matter of days. He figured that in the end, it was still better to show his face as opposed to transmitting only his voice.]

If there isn't a group like that, then there should be one. [He's going to need some time to get a better sense of how things work around here, but after that, he'll look into starting something up.

He's already been warned to not travel out too far, but that won't stop him from assuming there's a way out. Hidden though it may be, it has to exist.]

Regular Earth? It should be just... Earth. [It sounds like Steve's in the majority, though.] Where are you from?

Video;

[evilhandissues]

[Lindsey could swear, swear on his mother that there's something really familiar about the name Steve Rogers.

Maybe a lawyer he worked with? No. This guy is way too cut and dried to be an attorney. But he knows about different worlds.]

There's a group of people who take a census of a sort, under Evelyn Carter? [And he's one of them. See how he puffs out his chest just a little bit] They could probably give you some more concrete facts.

And you're ...going to be the guy who saves us?

Video;

[assembles]

[Evelyn? But Carter hadn't been her last name. Steve frowns for a moment, considering.] Do you mean Evelyn O'Connell? [Steve's going to have to track her down anyway, in order to thank her for saving him. He can ask about the census then. It sounds like a good idea, keeping track of the people here.] Either way, I'll look into it. Thanks.

[People always make assumptions about what Steve will or won't do, and most of the time they overstate what he's implied. He offers a shrug.]

I don't know about that, but I'll do what I can.

[He's not one for making false promises.]

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[oversight]

[ Beat up, huh? Why is it that most everyone shows up in Wonderland broken and bloody? On the bright side, this guy doesn't look like he took the hits here, and with his explanation and basic understanding already established, having a "few days to take everything in" checks out.

Nevertheless, there's something there that Blake recognizes, but doesn't quite recognize. At first, he chalks it up to Rogers' press-conference like announcement, guessing that he'd adopted public speaking like this later in life much like Blake, but even that doesn't satisfy his niggling inkling that there's more here than meets the eye.

When he appears on the network, he's looking tired, but otherwise cheerful enough. ]

Steve. [ A nod. ] Good meetin' you. Good questions, too.

Where's it you said you were from?

[ There's something there. Besides the obvious, of course, but it can't really be that this guy is the Captain America, right? There must be thousands of other Steve Rogers in the world... ]

video;

[assembles]

[It's not so much that Steve took up public speaking, but more than he was put in more and more situations where he had no choice but to speak his mind -- and to his surprise, people actually wanted to listen.

Apparently, he has a presence, the sort of thing that makes people want to pay attention. Steve usually just speaks from the heart and hopes for the best, and that seems to get the job done.

He nods back at the stranger, finding it interesting that he comes out with his own question instead of answering any of Steve's. He doesn't mind telling him, though.]

From Earth. If you mean more specifically than that, I'm from Brooklyn in New York City.

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[avoirfaim]

[ You are absolutely a specimen, Steve Rogers. Your goodness shines like a beacon and he wonders what it would take to make that light flicker. He opens the connection with a friendly, comfortable smile, the sort a good doctor gives his patients. ]

You're recovering well. More than well, if my estimation is correct. How are your stitches?

video;

[assembles]

[Do you want to study this specimen of physical perfection, Doctor?

Steve is more than happy to see Dr. Lecter again and find him well, and the fact that he would check in on him only speaks to his fastidiousness as a physician. Steve doesn't do well with people worrying about him, but he appreciates it.]

They're holding up. Thank you again. I'm... a fast healer.

[He says it as if he's got a case of good genetics rather than a super-soldier serum that makes all of the processes in his body run perfectly.]

Video

[seekinghome]

::Ed leans back in his seat in the library, looking at his comm.::

Assuming one is going on, is it really smart to talk about it where people's evil twins can hear it?

::Meaning within range of the mirrors.::

I'm from Amestris. It's a country on a world that's parallel to Earth. Although I spent a year and a half living on said planet before ending up here a year ago.

Video

[assembles]

[Steve's heard mention of how some people have been here for years, but reading it off a piece of paper and hearing it from someone directly are two very different things.

He can't be here that long. He's got work to do and a friend to find and he assumes everyone else here has lives they need to be living, too.

He's considered the mirrors, but he isn't going to let that stop him from gathering people together.] They must already know we're all trying to get out of here. I doubt it's some big secret.

How did you end up on Earth? [Travel between worlds or realms seems to be getting more and more common.]

[Private Text]

[possiblymad]

[Well, well. With the spider comes the soldier. That was certainly interesting and completely unwanted. Why had he been the first here, and suddenly now they were beginning to trickle in like his presence had punched a hole in the dam of their universe? Maybe it had. Either way, he isn't fond of this little idea in the least. He's played with the spider, now it's time to play with the soldier.]

Well, if it isn't the Captain himself. Will the rest of the heroes be joining you, or is it just you and Agent Romanoff?

Oh, but do count me in on the escape plan. It will be a delight working with you, Mister Rogers.

[How kind he was to make sure that text was private, only for Cap's eyes. He's also rather pleased that he's just a phone number and hopefully incognito. He really will do what he can to keep the 'dastardly villain' taste out of his text.]

[Private Text]

[assembles]

[The only indication Steve gets that the message is private is a little lock symbol at the top of the message, but it's the first response that's had that, along with being the first response that didn't involve video. That alone makes it fishy, but maybe the sender is occupied with something else and can't devote all of their attention to speaking with him.

Though it's very clear this person knows him and knows about the Avengers. Which is hardly out of the ordinary for anyone who comes from the same time and place as him. This person doesn't seem starstruck, but they're also lending their aid, so maybe someone within SHIELD?

Which means Steve has to be careful.]

I have no idea if any of the others will be coming. For their sake, I hope not.

I appreciate the help. Who are you, have we met before?

[In the past year or so, Steve's perfected his texting skills. Be impressed.]

video

[onsilksheets]

[The bruises and stitching aren't hard to miss, but they're not what Bela is focusing on at the moment. It's his words. Steve just screams the heroic type to her; though it didn't look like he was being arrogant with it.

Interesting.]

I'm from Earth. Grew up in England but now I live in New York city. [A beat.] You're not the first person to say they're going to get us all home. Just thought I should let you know.

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[assembles]

[Make this the third English lady that Steve's met in as many days. And this one's just as pretty as Martha and Evelyn. Steve's used to attracting attention by now, but he's all manners when it comes to his reply.]

I'm from New York, do you like it there? [It's not the same as it was, and Steve had taken some time away from his hometown because it was a huge adjustment, but he's still very attached.]

And I'm not surprised to hear that. If enough people keep thinking that way, hopefully it'll make a difference. [Steve's philosophy is that he'll try his hardest and hope that others will do the same. They're stronger if they're working together.]

;video - pfff mr. rogers XD /smacked

[ex_alighthouse135]

As far as I know, ever since I arrived here, most have said leaving of our own will is impossible, Mr. Rogers.

[Yes, she's going to call him that if he doesn't stop her, and then she still might do it.]

Some here do come from different worlds, but also different universes of different worlds. [If that makes any sense.] For example, I come from a city called Columbia, which is on Earth in the year 1912, but no one here from Earth has ever heard of my Columbia before.

video; everyone is calling him that omfg he needs a sweater

[assembles]

That's what I've heard.

[It's not that Steve needs that reinforced. He's heard it, he's read it, he understands that he's facing a steep incline and there's no way up.

But he'll still try.

What the girl has to say about different worlds and universes is something that catches Steve's attention, though. She's from an even earlier time than he is, for one thing, from before he was born. But more than that, he doesn't recognize a city by that name either.]

... Hmm. I know of the country Columbia, but not the city. What's it like?

( video )

[monopolies]

[ After his drinking extravaganza with Clarisse, America was distraught to find his Captain America movie wouldn't play anymore. It's only one of three films he's seen in his life and he's still not entirely sure if it's fiction or not, he still enjoyed watching it ten million times.

So when he hears a very familiar voice coming from his tablet, he thinks it's spontaneously started playing again. Yay! But the dialogue isn't familiar, and as he watches, there comes a very slow realization that this is coming from the network.

Captain America is on the network.

A star spangled hero of America is here and talking and physically real.

America presses too quickly to respond and he has absolutely nothing to say except hyperventilating incoherently. He seems to be caught trying to communicate his excitement through every language he knows because his hands fly around in broken ASL, he slurs something that might be mangled German or French, and it's getting to the point where his massive raptor is coming over to shove her face in his hair to make sure he's not fucking dying.

As with most situations in America's life, his horrible shirt is appropriate and reflects the basis of his soul.

Violently shaking his tablet, he finally manages to screech something in English: ]

CAPTAIN AMERICA I'M AMERICA YOUR COUNTRY I LOVE YOU!

( video )

[assembles]

[The hyperventilating is enough to make Steve understandably concerned, and he makes a halfhearted attempt to ask if the stranger is all right before the babbling and excited gesturing starts, and he realizes that at least one person here must recognize him.

He's waiting to try and get a word in edge-wise. (Was that French that come out for a second there?) Steve's not as prepared for the sudden appearance of what he could swear is a dinosaur hovering over the stranger's shoulder.

No, that can't be real. It's got to be some kind of hologram or other technology, or maybe just a very realistic looking puppet.

The stranger finally finds his words, and while it's not the strangest thing that someone's yelled at him, it's up there.]

Thank you. [Steve lets out a huff of a laugh, gaze flitting away awkwardly.] Really, I— I'm not sure I follow.

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[imnotsure]

[Steve Rogers really rings a bell. It rings a big bell. So she takes a moment to get into character before Holly answers the phone.]

You're going to get us out?! Oh thank god. [she sniffs] I mean I-I- I-I'm so glad someone is here and taking charge.

[sniff. sniff.]

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[assembles]

[Steve hadn't realized that any of his words would lead to outright crying like this, and so for a moment he's at a loss.

But this woman, whoever she is, must just be frightened and homesick. For someone who isn't used to their life getting turned upside-down, it's got to be rough.]

Well, I'm going to try, ma'am. I can't make any promises. Everyone's telling me there's no way to get out unless this place decides it's your time.

video

[disassembles]

[Bucky isn't quite over anything that's happened in the last few hours; not the fall, not freaking Wonderland, but he's good on his feet. He can handle... this.

He's shoveling some food into his mouth even though he's not really hungry, thumbing through the messages on his phone when he catches sight of a familiar face. His shoulders sag a little with tension he didn't really realize was there.

He studies the little recording of Steve, half-listening to what he has to say. He looks bad. Not just the bruises - and it takes a hell of a lot to bruise Steve these days. He leans closer to the phone and touches a button on the screen.]

Y'know, Steve, you're supposed to hit the bad guys with your fists, not your face. [Not impressed with you, Cap.] Where are you?

video

[assembles]

[All things considered, Steve thinks he's been handling this whole Wonderland thing pretty well. A large part of that is due to his life being this level of insane lately, but waking up in a whole other realm isn't even the worst thing that's happened to him this week. Add in the fact that he's got Natasha here, and he's dealing.

Or had been, until this moment. When his phone beeps with another call in response to his message, Steve grabs for it without thinking much of it. He's had plenty of replies, what's one more?

And it's Bucky.

Not the Winter Soldier, but Bucky. With his hair cut in that same, familiar style, he looks exactly the same as on that snowy day that they'd stormed the train.

It isn't him, and even though Steve's in complete control of his senses, for a moment he wonders if he's somehow losing his mind and making up things that aren't there, overlaying someone else's face and voice with that of his lost friend.

It's too real for that, though, and so as he tries to control his breathing, he grips his phone hard enough that he swears it's going to crack apart and sends the impostor the kind of glare that could cut through glass.]

What is this, your idea of a sick joke? [Illusions are possible, Steve's seen them with his own eyes. Someone's trying to play a trick on him, and in light of everything he's been through, it's the absolute worst method they could have picked. He still has a perfect mental image of Bucky's face hanging over him as a metal fist came down again and again and again, and as much as he wishes he could replace that with what's appearing on his phone right now, he knows it can't be real.]

[digophelia]

[Actually, Alice hasn't really put forth the effort to leave. This is home to her, but that doesn't make her want to at least provide some information. She isn't that cruel.

Not yet, anyway.]

If I'ma assuming correctly, we may come from the same world, but a different decade. Not only do others come from different worlds, but different times.

[assembles]

[At least different times is something he's been through before. Not that Steve wants to go through that all over again, but if everyone here is from varying times and places, at least it means they're all on the same page.

He's not the only one out of time.]

So, then... when are you from? [Steve smiles briefly. He gets the feeling he's going to be asking that question a lot.]

Video

[sun_goddess_sacrifice]

I am not altogether sure....

[She's trying to figure out how to answer the question of origin, but her understanding of the greater world was thin.]

I am from the land of the rising sun, but before here I resided in a place known as Gensokyo, a country of fantasy separated from the rest of the world hiding in the unseen. I know not how that compares to others, as my understanding of the modern day Japan outside this barrier is lacking for comparison.

Video

[assembles]

[Land of the Rising Sun. Even back in the 40's, that had been a nickname of sorts for Japan. Steve's surprised that a girl from Japan would speak such perfect English, but maybe it has something to do with this fantasy world that she's talking about.

Before all this, Steve wouldn't have known what to make of the term "fantasy world," but that seems to be exactly what Wonderland is, so who is he to question it?]

So... how did you end up in this Gensokyo? [Did he butcher the pronunciation on that? Hopefully not. He's picked up a fair amount of German and French as a result of the war, but not so much Japanese.]

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[becauseihaveto]

[Abby takes note of Steve's injuries but doesn't comment. It's none of her business.

She simply sits, as still as a statue, staring at him for several lengthy seconds with an expression that's virtually emotionless before she finally replies in a soft, even tone of voice.]

It isn't just different worlds. It's different versions of those worlds, too. [a pause] At least, that's the case with Earth.

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[assembles]

[There's something unnerving about how absolutely still this girl is, and Steve can't help but notice. He's not going to say anything, since that would be rude, but it does catch his interest.

It's almost like she's waiting for him to say something, but before he can find any words, she finally speaks up.]

That's... what I've heard. [He lets out a sigh.] So what is your Earth like?

[video]

[kickassqueen]

[ Holy crap, is that Captain America?

Be cool, Charlie. ]

I could try answering some questions! If anyone hasn't beaten me to the punch yet. [ Hi, Cap, have a friendly red head who is smiling real huge because it's Captain Frakin' America and she's wondering what other kind of superheroes will drop in now. ] I'm Charlie! Only been here a few months, but it feels like a bajillion years. Seriously, time is ultra weird here.

[video]

[assembles]

[Between all of the people who've showed up and told him that getting out is impossible, it's nice to have someone who's a bit more cheerful. Not that Steve expects for prisoners to be cheerful, but he'll take what he can get.]

Nice to meet you, Charlie. Maybe you can tell me more about the time being weird thing?

[He's already encountered some of that, since he and Natasha had been slightly off in terms of what point in time they last remembered. It sounds like there's a lot more to it than that, though.]

( video )

[severedheads]

[ If Nick Fury ever whispered to Lucy Steel "Trust no one" she would already be ahead of the curve. Everything has been so awful for months that it's hard to come to terms with the relative normality of Wonderland. "Normal," of course, being a lack of super powered terrorists hired by the President to steal the corpse of a holy man.

Cobwebs have collected in the empty void where her sociability skills used to be, so it's with great effort that she forces herself to talk to anyone who looks like they're in the realm of knowing things. ]

From what I understand, there are infinite parallel universes. Though... those applied to my world. A "root" world from which infinite parallel dimensions with the same people resided. Looks like this is a different circumstance entirely.

[ Which might be promising because her world is a fucking shitshow. ]

Do you... do you need a doctor? [ She points to her own face to reflect the bruises on his. ] I've heard there's a decent amount around here.

( video )

[assembles]

[Infinite parallel universes? That strikes him as a bit much, but if that's how it works where this woman is from, then Steve's not going to tell her that she's wrong. Still hard to imagine, though -- an infinite number of Steve Rogers. And everyone else.]

Sounds like you've got plenty of experience with this kind of thing, then.

[He wishes he could say the same, but even an alien attack hadn't completely prepared him for being dropped into the setting of a storybook.

He's managing, though.]

Already saw a doctor, he stitched me up pretty good. [He quirks a smile at her.] My body will take care of the rest. [There are a lot of perks to being a super-soldier, and fast healing is one of the best of them.]

( video. )

[alayne]

[ the girl sits in one of the tearooms with a book open in her lap. alayne listens to him speak and tries not to hope too direly. he might not succeed, mayhaps he is lying; but he speaks of home and she dares to imagine.

it is a mistake, she knows; people can stir hopes and they can easily crush them. it is a mistake but she speaks anyway. ]

You are well met, Stever Rogers.

[ he is not a knight; but she knows knights can be the opposite of good and gallant; she has long stopped believing in their valor. Perhaps one can find those in simpler folk, even in an odd realm as Wonderland. ]

You would hear of our realms. May I ask why?

( video. )

[assembles]

[Well met? It's awfully formal, isn't it? Steve doesn't mind, but it is worth noting, as it either means she's from some other world or she's far, far into the past.

Her question is a fair one, and he offers a small shrug before responding.]

Well, until recently I pretty much only knew about the world I'm from, Earth. Found out lately that there's life on other planets, and now I'm here, where people are supposedly from other worlds. I'm trying to figure out just how many there are.

[Or at least how many are represented here. Though the whole alternate universe thing makes things even more complicated.]

[Video]

[cursebreaking]

A few dozen worlds, maybe more. Maybe we just haven't seen any hostages from some of them yet, but the number of worlds Wonderland can pull from seems to be unlimited. Hard to tell.

[She pauses for a beat. She can't talk about resistance things too openly here, not where anyone could hear it, but the Dean that lead them is gone and the resistance is left in the hands of those who would pick things up and keep moving. She knows she wants to, and James is of the same mind.

No reason to bring everything to a halt just because they need to reorganize.]

About that group -- we should talk. Just not like this.

[Video]

[assembles]

[It's good to get some idea of the hard numbers here, even if "a few dozen" is pretty vague. Steve still appreciates the woman's attempt to give him some concept of the scope of what he's dealing with, though he wonders if there would be any use in actually cataloging where and when everyone's from.

After all the secrecy Steve's had to tackle lately, he has no problem reading into what she's saying. They can't talk over the phones, because anyone could be listening. He gets it, even if he's got to curb his frustration at realizing that he hasn't yet escaped people watching from the shadows.]

All right, then name a place. [He's done his fair share of exploring by now, he can meet her wherever she wants. Whatever it takes to get some more information, he's there.]

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[nascensibility]

I'm glad you're feeling better, Mister Rogers.

[Sadly, Evelyn doesn't get the funny reference, but they're probably in the same boat about that. Either way, she's outrageously relieved to see that he's recovered well - for a man who lost so much blood so quickly, he's done a swell job of getting himself back in order. Ahem.]

...or do you prefer Steve?

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[assembles]

[There's been a lot of "Mister Rogers" going around and Steve hasn't picked up on it, no. He hasn't delved too much into children's programming when it comes to catching up on pop culture, unfortunately.

He hasn't wanted to demand that people call him Captain, considering most people here are civilians and the rank had always been sort of shoehorned in anyway.]

I'm doing much better, thanks to you. And Dr. Lecter, of course. [He smiles brightly at her.] Steve is fine. Rogers is fine, too. I'm not picky.

How've you been holding up, Ms. O'Connell? Or do you prefer Evelyn? [Right back at you.]

[Video]

[psalmed]

My name is Lia de Beaumont, Monsieur.

[Because introductions are only polite and there is zero recognition in her eyes. Only a polite smile on her face.]

Escape attempts seem to be frequent but they always fail. There is also no type of...police force. Unusual, rather.

Forgive me for being rude, but are you well?

[Video]

[assembles]

[A French name, and yet she's speaking English. Just like the other girl who was from Japan. Steve's starting to get the feeling that things are not as they seem here. Well, obviously, but specifically with regard to language.

He doesn't necessarily think they need a police force, but a group aimed toward searching for a way home might be useful.

She seems concerned, and so he's quick to wave her off.]

Don't worry about me, I'm a quick healer. I'll be fine. Could I ask you, Miss Beaumont, are you from France?

video ∿ i'm so sorry this is so late feel free to ignore and we can handwave :c

[cinnamonie]

[ the view of his face is what has her responding, first, more so than the message he's sending to the network as a whole. she can't really help the way her gut reaction is to make sure he's okay, even if he obviously is, and there wouldn't be much she could do. ]

You're hurt. [ she's worried, sorry steve. ] Have you been down to the clinic yet?

[ and then she'll shift a little, realizing that there's an entire rest of his post to the network that she hasn't taken into account yet. ]

I'm sorry but I won't be much help with the escape efforts. I would talk to Emma, Emma Swan. If anyone would know anything about that, she would. [ there's a level of fondness to her tone when she mentions emma, a smile, but then a blink and she's continuing. ] As for the worlds, I would say a good amount. Just about everyone I've spoken to here, beyond those I know [ or supposedly know ] from home, everyone's from a different one. And they all vary fairly widely on laws and rules. It's enough to make your head spin.

[ and then mary margaret is giving him a small smile. ]

It's nice to meet you, Steve. I'm Mary Margaret.

video ∿ like i would pass this up PSSH

[assembles]

[Steve isn't surprised that a few people have expressed concern over him, but he's quick to brush it off. If he wasn't in a state to handle himself, he wouldn't have made this announcement in the first place.]

Yeah, that was my first stop when I got here. [For good reason, as he'd been half-dead upon arrival.]

I've already talked to Emma, she seems to know what she's doing. [It looks like Mary Margaret here is probably a friend of Emma's, which Steve makes a mental note about. Slowly but surely he'll get a feel for the different relationships and groupings here.]

I'm kind of finding the same thing. With the different worlds and the head-spinning, I mean. It's nice to meet you too, Mary Margaret. I've gotten... quite the welcome here. [Which is a good thing. People aren't completely beaten down, it's a good sign. Gotta keep morale up.]