entranceway | ☼ 01 - Video; open to action!

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☼ 01 - Video; open to action!

[The screen turns on to show a young fair-skinned blonde woman sitting in the first floor Tea Room, seeming perfectly at home. There's a rather large pile of books and binders next to her on the couch, most of which are scholarly articles or academic analysis of the world of Alice In Wonderland, as well as the book itself and all related works. Someone's been busy. There's also a few Halloween editions of popular style magazines scattered about.

Dressed casually with wavy, shoulder length hair, Caroline looks bright and awake, eternal optimism shining loud and clear, even when the frustration at her current situation comes through in her voice.]

I thought it was about time I introduced myself on here, so hey. I'm Caroline Forbes. Former Miss Mystic Falls, current Wonderland captive. Libra, ex-drama major, big fan of these cookies. [She holds one of the cookies from the tea room up before taking a bite, chewing, and pausing before speaking again. She's got a lot of energy and bounces a little in her seat.]

Okay, so, if the calendar's correct, that means I've not only missed my birthday, which sucks, [no it really sucks she's actually upset about that, but she's staying focused ok] but that Halloween's right around the corner. Which means costumes and yes, a party. I happen to be great at parties, so I've already started planning the end of the month Costume Ball. [So excite. Are you excited, Wonderland? You should be!]

But, since I'm not in Kansas anymore and, instead, living in a very real version of a child's whimsical nightmarish fantasy, I'm kind of at a loss as far as predicting the unpredictable elements, which I'm also usually great at. [She sighs, and sits up straight, pleading in her eyes.] So, fellow residents of Wonderland, help a newbie out? And don't skimp on the gory details. Is this place going to ruin our Halloween party? If so, how, and would moving the date back a few days maybe lessen the risk here?

Let me know, I'd really appreciate it.

[On a more serious note..] Anyway, what do people do for fun around here? And is anyone working on a way to go home? Like, researching this place, separating fact from fiction, searching for a metaphorical or possibly literal rabbit hole, or looking for answers in general? [Little smile matched with sincere concern and determination.] I'd like to help.

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It depends on your definition of "fun."

[She really did have a lot of energy. But that was fine. That was probably good for a place like this.]

And some of us are looking for a way out. It's just taking more time, is all.

[If there was a way in, then there had to be a way out.]

What would your definition be?

[She nods, understanding. Very much.]

Time, I get. I'm just getting started and this? [She taps the book pile next to her.] Is probably about 20 hours of reading. If I'm lucky.

[Minato tapped the headphones resting on his chest.]

I listen to music a lot.

[That was fun to him. Music was his life, he could think. Well, and there was video games and hanging out with friends. The latter though was something that he might not have to mention. Being with friends was always fun.]

We usually have a lot of time on our hands here. Save for when there are events.

Music's always fun. I'm more of the type to use it as background, for parties, cleaning, studying, stuff like that. Less for just listening.

[She blows her cheeks out when she sighs before offering a bright smile.]

Good. I'm going to need it.

[And a slight tilt of her head.] What's your name?

[Someone who knows the way his heart beats. That was pretty cool. And at least she seemed upbeat enough about being brought here. Some people weren't all that happy about it, not that he could blame them though.]

Arisato Minato. But call me Minato. It's nice to meet you.

[And since she did start it somewhat:]

I think it's okay if you plan for that party. Wonderland might have ideas of its own in the meantime.

[It always did, really. It always got its way, it seemed.]

It's nice to meet you too, Minato.

[Caroline isn't happy about being here, she's just.. Good at making lemonade out of lemons. Especially on the outside.

Satisfied, she nods.. Then she gets an idea. You can see it forming. Gears turning then a bright look in her eyes, a raise of her eyebrow. She makes her sales pitch.]

Hey, you wouldn't want to.. DJ or anything for the ball would you? I'd provide all the guidelines, you'd just need to add your own flair and keep the music going, maybe take requests. What do you think?

[INCLUDE ALL THE PEOPLE.]

I never have, but if you'd like me to, I could try.

[Minato wasn't quite sure about his own taste in music, but if she provided the music, he would go for it. Why not, right?]

What would you do then, if I can ask?

[Just curious. He wanted to know what she would be up to as well.]

[ well, she's cute, that's for sure... in that preppy high school-college chick kinda way; all blond and in high spirits. but dean's not here to check that out for once, as it's what she says that has him raising a brow. ]

Wait, you're brand new and the first thing you wanna do is throw a Halloween ball?

[ huh. ]

First time I've heard the serious questions come after the.... uh, less so.

[Caroline notices that he's cute too, in that rugged older but boyish kind of way, but she doesn't focus on it either. Instead she just sort of shrugs.]

Hey, if a bunch of living poker cards show up at the ball and start hacking away at the guests with gardening tools, I think that would be pretty serious, don't you? [Tiny shrug.] I'm just covering all the bases.

Not a bad idea. Should be in every new kid's 101 Wonderland guide. [ dean has yet to see cards walking around and about though-- but he has little doubt it's not possible. ]

Either way, I don't think there's a sure way to prevent anyone from messin' with any, uh, costume stuff you might wanna pull. If it happens, it happens. Then we just deal.

[Heh. Caroline nods, smirking knowingly.] That's the usual position. Dealing. I just like to have a little heads up. I'm a planner! I plan.

Wait. We? Does that mean you're coming?

[Caroline looks a little surprised, but pleasantly so. He just doesn't seem like the Ball type.]

[ oh-- oh no, dean's waving his hands. ]

No, no-- definitely no. I don't do-- that. The whole party, costume thing. Nuh-uh.

[ yeah about being the ball type......... ]

A Halloween ball sounds fun if there is free food, but one question. What is Halloween?

[Balls mean party, meaning free food and a chance to learn more about people. He has to know what Halloween first, to see if it was something fun or not.]

[She wasn't.. Prepared for someone to ask what Halloween was. Sure, she's met some people that are obviously.. Not informed about certain traditions. But it's still weird. Especially coming from what seems like a pretty young guy.]

You don't know Halloween? That's.. Kind of sad. [It really is. No sarcasm or cattiness there. Just genuine sympathy. Someone is very sentimental about these kinds of things.]

Okay, well, it's basically a holiday where you dress up in costumes. Yes, there's free food. And usually obnoxious amounts of candy.

...Obnoxious amounts of candy?! [He almost pouted at her before registering the last statement.

If he's missing a Holiday that was about candy then yes, his life has been missing something majorly importantly ]

( so much of what caroline says soars cleanly right over lizzie's head. modern slang, euphemisms and customs are absolutely foreign to her. what she takes away from this broadcast is simple: a young lady of high spirits is both researching the nature of this world and offering to throw a party.

which, thankfully, seems to be the basic gist of it anyway. she responds with a bright smile of her own, mirroring caroline's bubbly optimism and friendliness. )

We are well-met, Lady Caroline. I am Elizabeth Plantagenet. And while I know little of this world—whether it be real or a dream, I have assisted in the planning of large feasts and the like before.

If you should need any aid in the matter, I should be happy to lend it.

[Oh my god. Is she real?

No, seriously, Caroline is thrilled by her. Lady Caroline? Coming from what seems to be a legit Lady from olden time England? This is pretty much amazing.]

Yeah! Yeah, help from you would be.. Yes.

[Staring. Staring. Excited staring. Sorry Lizzie.]

Are you-? What year are you from?

( caroline's enthusiasm is wonderful and familiar, and elizabeth takes to it so well that she genuinely mirrors it back at her, feeling the good cheer make her smile more than she has since her father's death. and that is a m a z i n g. )

Splendid! Then you and I shall plan this affair together. And I daresay it seems we shall both revel in it.

( ah yes, the issue of time. lizzie still has a hard time wrapping her mind around it; but that's not apparent as she raises her chin and smiles confidently through her confusion. )

It was the year of Our Lord fourteen-eighty-four, ere I awoke here.

[As she mirrors it back, Caroline feels even more thrilled, and thus the circle continues.]

Ugh, you are so cute! I need to learn absolutely everything about you. Starting with what you think you'd like to be in charge of for the ball.

I'm from 2012. Wow. This must be insane for you, all this technology, how we all speak so weird. Am I even making any sense? [She laughs.]

( between the two of them, they surely have enough charm and good spirits to fill this entire estate. elizabeth becomes increasingly bright-eyed and animated, thriving in a discussion with someone so much like herself. )

I thank you kindly. As are you. ( from her tone, it's a compliment. and she enjoys those! ) Very well! So long as I might learn more about you, in kind. As for my duties, I do enjoy cooking. Although, I have seen what passes for a kitchen here and find myself most confused! And if you like, I would aid with decorating the ballroom, as well.

( 2012?! lizzie might gape had she less of a handle on herself. as she does, her reaction is to widen her eyes and laugh along with her new friend. )

It is. But I would learn as much as I might in order to catch up. ( her mouth twitches upward into a smirk. ) Your accent is not one I have heard before! And some things, I believe have flown over my head. Such is natural, I would assume. Perhaps I might learn about the customs and manner of speech in the future by speaking with you further.

I would like that.

Okay, first thing - we definitely need a costume ball, so ace idea right there. Second, welcome!

Not that most people are happy about being here, but Wonderland's not so bad. Sometimes. [ Kinda. ] As for a way home, we've got people here who have been around for years and haven't found a way out.

[ Discouraging, to say the least. ]

The fun thing depends on what you like to do - I'm a lady of games, books and larping, but that's not everyone's thing.

[Caroline smiles sweetly in reply to the welcome and the enthusiasm. It falters somewhat around the mentioning of people being here for years, but she doesn't let that kill her spirit. Those people weren't her, and maybe they didn't want to go home as much as they needed to in order to Make Things Happen.]

Larping? Is that the whole deal where you go out into the woods in costumes and roleplay in the not-kinky way?

[She was a drama major. She's been around some major dorks. She's heard of larping.]

Hey, kinky's a choice always. Haven't really run into any huge Larping orgies, though. [ She can't say she's disappointed - she's met a few neckbeards in her day. ] There's something rad about taking on the role of a Queen leading her army into battle. Even if the battle involves fake weapons and maybe little beanbags to use as magic.

[ Also, working out battle plans can actually be fun, who knew? ]

My philosophy is always don't knock it 'til you've tried it. Or at least jump into a renaissance fair sometime, because that's like larping: the mild version.

[Tea rooms aren't exactly Toothless' haunts, usually, and they contain delicate things that Hiccup usually tries to herd him away from. But Hiccup is gone, now, somehow, which Toothless still doesn't understand. And so the Nightfury is now prone to wandering just about anywhere in the mansion, on the off-chance that he'll stumble upon his viking.

He does smell food, too, which motivates him enough to stick his head and a large part of his long body through the door. There's an unfamiliar scent of a viking. Someone new, maybe. Caroline's back is to the dragon, and so he sniffs for only a moment before, very carefully, stepping forward to lean his head upward.

Lacking hands to sneak a cookie from where they sit, Toothless snakes his tongue out to sweep one from the plate and to his mouth, where the crunch will certainly alert Caroline to his presence, if she hasn't heard him before.]

[Perusing the network, taking sips of magically refilling tea, and thumbing through a magazine, Caroline's more than distracted. But thanks to supernatural hearing, the blonde vampire notices something behind her and freezes. Whatever it is, it sounds distinctly not human, so she freezes, looking for a place in the room to vampspeed away.

When the.. Dragon - holy crap is that a Dragon? - steals the cookie with his tongue she's up and out of her chair, zooming across the room to press her back to the wall in a fraction of a second.

She stares at him,amazed and a little frightened.] Wha-?

Are you..? [She regains the use of words and speaks fast.] Is this one of those Wonderland deals where you're friendly and you talk or are you craving charred human flesh, cause I gotta tell you.. Not human, here.

[In that fraction of a second, Toothless' green eyes widen to the size of saucers. His cookie is only half chewed as he takes a few wary steps back. Having a new viking around means that she might have abilities he's not familiar with, and that might mean getting hurt.

But there was food. Food is important. Important enough to risk life and limb.

He blinks at Caroline, watching her for a very long and concerned moment. But she doesn't charge forward with a sword, and so Toothless trills high in the back of his throat, trying to be reassuring.]

I think I'm going to like you.

( There's a smile across the video. They'd met at her own party and wasn't it just fitting that there'd be something else now? )

As for fun I go for movies, coffee or spa days.

( Okay, facials and manicures in her room with her bestie. There really should be a spa )

[She smiles brightly. Yay, being liked!] Well, good, cause I was going to ask you if you wanted a job for the ball.

[Wait wat. Say it's true.] There's a spa here?

There isn't exactly a spa but there should be. I just get things from the closet and relax with a friend.

( It was good enough temporarily but a real spa would be better )

What sort of job?

[ Are you for real right now, Vampire Barbie? ]

I probably shouldn't be surprised that your first act after being kidnapped is to throw a party. But really?

[Oh she's for real. She's very much for real. This is how she deals, okay? She throws parties and makes events and if people have a good time at them, she's happy.

Caroline replies proudly.]

Yes, really. Have you seen the Ballroom? It would be a crime not to take advantage of it.

You didn't go to a single dance in High School did you? [That's so sad bb. How can you not like dances. idgi.]

[ ..... ]

As that would involve going to high school, no, no I did not.

[.... Oh. Caroline feels bad for her. She really does, for a second.

But then she goes and just says what she's thinking as she does.]

That explains the social skills.

[...gdi Caroline]

[ Wow. Woooooow.

Except even Hayley can admit that's hilarious and just starts laughing. ]

And here most people blame that on the whole being raised by wolves thing.

( caroline's enthusiasm isn't exactly infectious, kate's been having a hard time getting excited about much of anything, though the small comforts from home have come the closest. still, the idea of a party is almost too good to pass up. something to distract her from thinking about her family. something normal in a place that is anything but. )

A costume ball? Is that different from your standard Halloween party?

( sorry, caroline. she doesn't have a whole lot of experience with parties. )

[She notices. But Caroline remains positive. Just loses the big bright smile and downgrades to a quiet, sweet one.

People like Kate are the exact reason why she's doing this.]

Pretty much. A little more on the formal side, but essentially it's about getting into costumes and dancing to themed music and eating festive food. And Halloween's definitely the best holiday for that.

( a true humanitarian and woman of the people, caroline. she'll just need a little more time to....notice/accept that. this place is a lot to take in all on it's own, alright? )

We never really had anything like that back home. Halloween parties were basically just bobbing for apples, and stuff.

( can you smell the homeschooling in the air, caroline? )

Caroline? [ oh my gods, she's back! she's a sight for sore eyes. she seems a lot more positive than the first time they met, joined by the loss of a shared companion. only it dawns on him slowly ( like it usually does ) that she's not the same girl. she's introducing herself to the whole network as if she's a new arrival and maybe it teaches him more about her than he knew beforehand, but it still makes his heart ache to think he has a friend returned to him only to realize that she doesn't remember him.

his smile dims down while he scrambles to find something else - anything - to focus on. ]

I, uh. I don't know how great any of us will be at predicting disasters. Wonderland has a way of throwing everything off whenever it wants. But a party could be the thing this place needs to brighten up.

[That... Is odd. It's almost like he recognized her?

Caroline peers closely at the boy on her screen, lines forming between her eyebrows in curious suspicion. But then his whole thing changes and Caroline sits back a bit.

Weird.]

That's the idea!

Hey, uh. Did you..? Do you recognize me or something?

[Caroline hasn't run into anyone who has told her that she was here before yet. Congrats, Percy.]

It's a good one. [ he's great at thinking on his feet. but lying? not so much. it's hard to make up a cover story when he feels so crestfallen. he doesn't want to lie to her. it's not as if they can't be friends again, right? if they get off on the right foot that is. ]

Yeah. [ an apologetic look. ] I tried to change the subject when I realized you wouldn't recognize me. Didn't work out so great. [ he's already been through this act with a friend from home, one that actually has reasons to believe Percy's telling the truth. ] I don't how else to say this, but you've been here before.

You know, a party sounds like an excellent idea.

[She's been here for months now and aside from the beach day, this is the first fun suggestion she's heard on the network in... well, it seems like practically forever. Even if Kate hasn't been here nearly that long.

Doing something fun and stupid could make for a nice change pace. Maybe even a necessary one.]

I'm Kate Bishop. Superhero and fellow Wonderland captive. Nice to meet you, Caroline.

Why are you and Elena so comfortable with being here?

[ S q u i n t i n g so hard. ]

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☼ 01 - Video; open to action!

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