[VIDEO] .-- . .. .-. -.. .--. ..- --.. --.. .-.. . ... .... .. -

[nascensibility]

Hallo. Erm. I have...multiple announcements, I suppose. One is that the book club we established months ago, which fell to the wayside when there was an unfortunate incident at the library-

[Murder. It was murder. And she found the body. Let's move on.]

-is going to start up again. I've posted a sheet on the library doors for people to recommend books they would prefer to read and discuss. Secondly, and more importantly, I know that just about everyone has noticed the riddle the Duchess left. Far be it from me to encourage the scurrilous behaviour of questionable individuals, but those of us who have been here for some time know better - when last we were given a riddle, Wonderland was plagued by all manner of unfortunate fictional monsters.

[The late and grieved Mark Meltzer, in all his investigatory influence, has left a lingering effect on his pupil and peer, who appears steadfastly determined to solve this particular puzzle before any more beasties burst forth from the Mansion's belly.

It should be noted, dear listeners, that Evelyn is planted firmly in front of her library niche, where a good portion of the wall has been taken up by papers and notes, some of them a year old and others freshly scribed, a few bits of red string linking facts and events together. Is it the work of a professional archaeologist and researcher, or a manic conspiracy theorist?

You decide.]

I've begun compiling old notes from the last riddle and put them alongside my notes from this one in the event there are connexions. There are a number of hidden words and statements, you see- the...the most evident of these are the bolded letters that form the word "mount," the green letters that spell "closet," lower and upper letters spelling "liar" and "old," et cetera. But there- there is absolutely more to this, more than I thought there was-

[She reaches for two larger pads of paper, one of which has a series of zeroes and ones with text beneath it, the other dots and dashes accompanied by tiny notations that detail the numerological meaning of the number eight.]

There is further hidden text. Holding a finger over the word "true" in the message, there appear ten figures of three dashes and two dots, Morse code for the number eight. Over the word "cost," there are dozens upon dozens of ones and zeroes. It's a binary code!

[If she looks frightfully ecstatic, it's because she loves being smart.]

I've translated it to uncover a hidden poem which may, perhaps, raise more questions than it will answer them, but I should like everyone's input. This is something we have to solve together.

Comments

[killerradiopal]

Hey, do you- do you guys ever read Fifty Shades of Grey, that sort of thing? 'Cause, uh, I tried, and I gotta tell you I don't think that guy's got any idea what he's doing. You know what though? Lady Chatterley's Lover! If you go for that you've, uh, you've got to invite me over, I'm-- yeah, I'm definitely putting my vote down for that one. Uh, anyway--

[ That is not actually why he's answering. ]

It's so weird, right? It's eights, it's just eights, and I was like 'what'? It's ten eights though, so I went up to the eight floor, and I had a look at room ten, but I didn't see anything, uhh, not on the tenth in eight either.

[ He scratches the back of his head. ]

So- so what's the poem?

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn's loathing and hostility is exceptionally difficult to come by, but she can distinctly remember a time when Philip's Mirror pretended to be Philip to try and get into her knickers. At the time his confession of ardent love had come to a much younger woman, flustered and flattered and terrified as soon as he shed the mask for something more comfortable.

Point being, she does not have fond memories of Phil, and it takes her a solid ten seconds to work through her indignation at being contacted by such an abominable creature before realising that he shouldn't be able to contact her at all.

Not unless-]

You're on our side?!

[Sorry, no thrilling riddle discussions yet.]

video.

[ganking]

I don't know if... [ well that didn't really start with the usual confidence and oogling he slams her with, as the words just kinda die off. dean's looking a little nervous if anything, most of what evelyn says in the video passing right over his head. it's way too much info for him and the riddle set by the duchess had lost him in its first verse, thanks.

but maybe that doesn't mean he'll be entirely useless through this, so he starts again; ]

This riddle stuff's usually more on Sam's end of the playin' field, but I'll help if that'll-- I don't know, help. [ if he can. and mostly because something is going down and it's not leaving him feeling too hot right now, so maybe they ( read: he ) should actually put some effort into this, you know, chop chop and all. ]

video.

[nascensibility]

[Frankly, Evelyn is impressed that Dean has not immediately lunged for the raw nerve that is Evelyn's tolerance (or lack thereof) of his more unruly behaviour. It is more than evident that he is shaken - she can only assume he's already lost someone to the Mirrorside, which it appears has made him somewhat easier to deal with.

If only Dean Winchester was this aware of himself more often.]

...I would appreciate it, [she replies sincerely, chewing her lip.] Although- [EYENARROW] How do I know you aren't your Mirror?

video;

[oversight]

[ While he's actually much more interested in inquiring about the book club, Blake finds that no matter the strength of his resolve, there's some part of him that can't bring himself to set aside. Curiosity gets the better of him and he answers her message fairly soon after her excited outburst. ]

Didn't happen to catch the song that was playin' at the end, did you?

video;

[nascensibility]

[Honestly? Evelyn would also prefer to talk about the book club, but there are more pressing matters at hand and she isn't keen on barricading the library and taking survivors in if the Bandersnatch gets out again.]

I thought it sounded vaguely familiar, like something from a composer I once listened to.

[An Italian opera composer, perhaps? It's difficult to remember.]

video;

[fiendfries]

[ The way this message started out, Ruby was expecting something a little less informative. But really, it's clear that this woman is a valuable resource. (No doubt one she's neglected to tap up until now, but she can change that.) ]

Well, well, well...and here I thought book club was just for nerds and the lonely hearts club. Sounds like someone's been doing their homework.

video;

[nascensibility]

[Such sarcasm! Much rudeness! All of which is wholly unappreciated, as evidenced by Evelyn's unamused expression.]

Is this an idle thought you happen to be dropping in my general vicinity, or a backhanded compliment?

[Either way, no.]

I've been here for three years. I know what I'm doing.

action;

[avoirfaim]

[ God, he does love watching the human mind at work. He'll admit he's curious about the riddle, but not this curious, and nowhere near as invested in the result. What he wants now, more than anything to do with that sword, is to see those notes of hers up close.

If he sees her line of thought, which he would believe is rather well thought out, perhaps he can find the sword first. What would happen then, he wonders?

He doesn't respond to the video, instead joining Evelyn in the library later on in the day with a tray. On said tray are two cups of hot tea and finger sandwiches. Far less messy than scones, and who has the time for scones when there's meticulous work to be done anyway?

He doesn't make himself known right away, assuming for the moment that the sound of his shoes against the floor announced him well enough. He just looks at her papers and follows the string with his eyes. ]

action;

[nascensibility]

[Of the strong opinion that everyone should be invested in the results of this venture - particularly since Wonderland's already tenuous harmony depends upon it - Evelyn has thrown herself headlong into picking apart the riddle. Partly this is because it is something that needs to be solved, and partly because she needs something wholly distracting that can pull her mind away from dwelling on Hannibal's words and Alana Bloom's appearance. (Having the tendency to wallow in unfortunate feelings Evelyn has steadfastly resolved to overcome them if at all possible.)]

Hallo, Hannibal,

[comes her greeting without looking up from her work, a little lukewarm but not unkind. They have spent enough time together to warrant the intimate knowledge of pace and footsteps, his stride purposeful but not offensively loud. Frankly, Evelyn is relieved to have someone else here who might be able to work out some of this meshugah.

She sets down her pen, rubbing one cheek and giving him a tired smile when she finally makes eye contact.]

...you didn't need to bring refreshments.

[Although she certainly will not refuse them.]

action;

[tastythoughts]

[ What frenetic energy she's giving off. Like a small, excitable Welsh terrier. He does hope that pissing in glee at her own cleverness isn't next on the menu, Will rather hoped to keep his polished leather shoes unmolested.

Because he is arriving in person. Not announcing his presence as he usually does, but he didn't get a good looksie the first and last time he was over on this side of the mirrors; apparently subjects that couldn't give two matches to rub together for the Queen of Hearts are still modestly bound to her rules. Will sees this as an opportunity to admire the local fauna in their natural habitat.

Will's footsteps glide, not keen on drawing the excited puppy woman's attention, but very interested in the desk that seems to have been abandoned for some time. Will's shirked his usual black, drawing a long line in the desk's top before humming and taking the liberty to step behind it and draw the seat out.

Hm, comfortable too. What a good find to fortunately be abandoned. He needed a good seat to thumb through is book selections in. ]

super creep, super creep, super creepayyyyy

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn is a bit preoccupied at the moment, worrying the tip of her thumb with her teeth as she faces the wall, frowning, frowning, frowning. Riddles were never her absolute strong suit and she relied a great deal on Mark to pick the logic out of the nonsensical while she brainstormed about metaphor and euphemism, which puzzles like this tend to employ in spades. Not having him here to buoy her feels wrong, a little crack in her foundations that she thought she had plastered up but now appears as though it's gotten damp and started crumbling away tiny pieces here and there.

Mark's presence was a reassuring constant and given that they had solved the last Wonderland riddle together Evelyn is of a firm bent to do this with him in mind, gathering the masses instead of allowing people to go off separately the way they did the last time, which led to a great deal of bad blood (both literal and figurative).

So deep in thought is she that she only starts when she hears the quiet hum of another person making himself at home, and Evelyn turns to see-]

Will!

[He's been off since yesterday, which she assumes is the result of Alana Bloom's network-wide transmission, but she does not make to point it out. When Will wants to talk, he'll talk.]

You startled me.

[Odd that he's settled at Mark's very dusty desk.]

Come to help with the puzzle?

[video]

[kickassqueen]

[ Smart ladies are always the best kind of leaders. Especially in this kind of adventure. ]

Sign me up for the riddle solving committee! Not that I've gotten far, but I'm gonna park up in the library...since it's, you know. Less full of bad things. [ Like dead bodies. ] There might not be an answer in the books, but that kind of environment can only help the brain gears churn, right?

[ She taps the side of her head, grinning. Yeah, she's totally on board with riddle stuff. ]

[video]

[nascensibility]

Honestly, I'm just happy to get some fresh eyes on this. I feel as though I'm losing my mind running over the same possibilities.

[She also tried listening to Rossini's Thieving Magpie excerpt again, but all it managed to do was make her feel more anxious about her lack of progress.

All these clues and no way to find a cohesive answer.]

[video]

[selfrespecting]

[A book club is a nice idea, and something Martha might have been interested in if there weren't greater issues at hand. Like this riddle. Martha had been present the last time a riddle showed up in Wonderland, had barely escaped an encounter with the bandersnatch and had healed the wounds of others not so lucky.

This is something they need to figure out, and soon, especially given that the sword's at stake. Martha feels a bit like they're being made to jump through hoops, but this is the first real lead they've had in months.]

You have a good mind for this sort of thing, don't you? [Martha's impressed. Didn't Evelyn and Mark solve the riddle the last time as well?] What's this poem you've uncovered? Does it shed any more light on the situation?

[video]

[nascensibility]

[Believe you me, Evelyn would much prefer to be discussing book club and literature were it not for the possibility of the Jabberwocky's reappearance hanging over her head like a miserable storm cloud.]

Erm. A little bit. Not as much as I'd like.

[She clears her throat:]

Though eyes I have, they have no sight
I can't be seen in black of night
If I move left, then you move right
In looking glass, I come to life.

[A beat.]

As best I can tell, it describes a reflection.

[ Voice ]

[onlyhomemade]

How very clever of you, I would've never figured out the second poem.

What is it, if you don't mind me asking?

[Trying a new approach with this one. He has a feeling outing himself to her immediately will have her hiding her clues. He's hoping she hasn't seen his broadcast just yet. Even so, perhaps he can persuade her.]

[ Voice ]

[nascensibility]

[The fact that this particular message has been relegated to voice only gives her pause - Evelyn had already met one Mirror today, and she's been wary of them since her first impromptu visit to the Mirrorside over a year ago.

She hasn't forgotten.]

...have we met before?

video;

[whele]

[For the most part William is just going to squint, thinking it over and looking really impressed at all the work this woman has done. She's obviously smarter than he is, William shaking his head as he tries to grasp it.]

Binary code is really specific. I wonder why they used that?

video;

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn thinks that she is very smart, and she wouldn't be wrong, but decoding nonsense is a lot more difficult than she anticipated.

This time around, she's doing it without the assistance of a long-gone friend.]

I...have absolutely no idea. A great deal of this is practically unintelligible.

[undealt]

The wonder of the written word wielded by someone who knows how to use it- so much nuance in such a simple, easily overlooked place.

[He's a bit more impressed with this Duchess than he was before.]

I can't say I've ever been fond of riddles, but I am quite adept at examining the fine print, as it were. The riddle within the riddle may be more my speed.

[nascensibility]

I would call it nuisance over nuance, but then, I've been here for several years.

[One can become a bit jaded to the novelties that Wonderland provides.]

The second riddle is:

Though eyes I have, they have no sight
I can't be seen in black of night
If I move left, then you move right
In looking glass, I come to life.

Sounds a bit like a reflection to me.

text;

[radiopalkiller]

[ It is now Friday morning. Somebody on the other side wants to go home. He has been checking on everybody else's progress as much as his situation would allow, but not made much on his own, until: ]

PLAYED THE SONG AT THE END AGAIN - GOES ON FOR 7 MINUTES AND 84 SECONDS

[ 7 and 84 is hastily underlined. The rest of the sloppy handwriting may be familiar to Evelyn as well. ]

text;

[nascensibility]

[It is now Friday morning. Someone on the Real Side would like to stop feeling like an incompetent ninny because she can't figure out what the Hell she's supposed to be doing. It isn't until she sees a familiar script in one of the library's mirrors that Evelyn stumbles to her feet from her slumped position on Mark's desk.

She wondered when she would hear from him.]

7 minutes and 84 seconds doesn't make sense. The musical piece itself is cued for 8 minutes and 24 seconds -- are they not the same thing?

[video]

[coldhardy]

[Elsa is a blonde woman in her early twenties. Just at the moment, she appears to be outside -- greenery is visible just behind her.

She keeps her back to the side of the maze that she's following.]

I'm interested in the book club. [A humorous note enters her otherwise sensible voice.] I imagine we're going to be putting that aside for the time being, though.

What's the hidden poem?

[video]

[nascensibility]

[...Evelyn does not think she has ever seen someone so pale in her entire life.

Although it should be noted she grew up in Egypt.]

Though eyes I have, they have no sight
I can't be seen in black of night
If I move left, then you move right
In looking glass, I come to life.

No one's had much success figuring it out thus far.

[audio] SOON TO BE KEVIN

[goodnightlisteners]

Ah, Evie, that's amazing! You're so smart! Eight...seven...there's an awful lot of numbers in there. What does the binary translate to?

[audio] SHRIEKS LOUDLY

[nascensibility]

I'll send you the poem!

[She made a little text version, so that she wouldn't have to keep reciting it, and so that other people could examine it as they liked.]

Though eyes I have, they have no sight
I can't be seen in black of night
If I move left, then you move right
In looking glass, I come to life.

We've all mostly come to the conclusion that it is referring to the Mirrorside, but I'm lacking any other insight.

[anomaliiiiies]

Oh! Book club sounds wonderful. I'm getting a little tired of only looking at a few things.

[you have her attention]

I'm heading up there.

[nascensibility]

I could certainly use the help - I'm rather data-driven, interpreting this properly has given me a right headache.

[Oh, right. Book club.]

The- um. The list is getting fairly extensive as well, please feel free to look at it.