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[donotcallmethis]

She has to keep her babies safe. All the tiny babies that are frozen. She wonders what they look like as she holds the canister in her arms, staring up at the mansion. This is not seestra Alison's house. This is no one's house, it is a castle. Bigger than any house, even bigger than the orphanage. Helena takes a slow step forward, wary and careful, unsure.

She cannot kill anyone with babies in her arms. Though perhaps she could kill them with the canister the babies are in. Yes. She will do this if she has to, but for now she walks in a bloody white parka, the hood up and very much looking as if she's just murdered someone. Or two or three people. Perhaps four. No one threatens babies, even babies that are not hers. Gemma and Oscar do not become playing pieces in this game, they are innocent.

But now, there is a new game. What is this, she wonders, where she was with Donnie and now she is at a mansion and there are people, many people she has never seen before. At least she isn't locked away. It's an improvement, though soon she'll realize it's still a prison of sorts.

"Come babies," she mutters to the silver canister of embryos in her arms, giving it a kiss. "We will go find someone who will tell us the answers."

later.

[Helena's found a room by now, and she sits cross legged on the floor in the empty space, holding her phone in hand, sending a video of herself out to all of Wonderland featuring a thick, Ukrainian accent.]

Hello, everybody. This place with closet gives me donuts and makes me stay.

[And a powdered donut makes an appearance, a bite taken as she chews thoughtfully, tilting her head to one side, contemplating the camera.]

There are many people here. Like rats, we are trapped? It only appears to be free. But this is not good place for me and my babies. I need my family. Tell me why we cannot leave.

[She's remarkably calm, and then she brings the camera right to her face, so that only her eyes are visible.]

Who is watching?

Comments

video

[fireheaded]

[Oh, this person seems completely normal and approachable. Antimony smiles politely at her and waves.]

There is strong magic at work here. That is what keeps us from going home. I've been trying to look into it, but I haven't found anything yet.

Do you have... babies with you?

Re: video

[donotcallmethis]

[There's a tilt of her head then, because...magic?]

There is no such thing as this.

[Never mind the fact that she's currently in a place she can't remember going to. But that has happened before.]

I have many babies with me.

video

[fireheaded]

Um... Oh, you don't believe in magic. That's fine. [It still exists, but okay.] I don't have a scientific explanation though.

Do you mean human babies?

Re: video

[donotcallmethis]

What other babies than this would there be?

[She pauses, distracted.]

I like your red hairs.

video;

[desertsage]

Are your babies okay?

[As an expectant mother, Claire is concerned.]

I mean, are they with you now?

Re: video;

[donotcallmethis]

[This one is very eager to know about her babies, which makes Helena pause, pulling the device back so that her face can be seen.]

What do you know about babies?

video;

[desertsage]

I can relate because I'm expecting a baby myself.

[She offers Helena a quick smile before adding:]

Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I was just concerned is all.

Re: video;

[donotcallmethis]

[The alarm eases off of her features, and Helena's eyes widen in surprise instead. This news makes her happy.]

My baby has not been in my stomach very long. They put it in me, but I am not even fat yet. Do you like this? Having baby?

video;

[onsilksheets]

Everyone here can see what you're broadcasting now.

[She gives the camera a small wave.]

Did you see that?

Re: video;

[donotcallmethis]

[Helena grins and gives one short laugh, pulling the device back to a reasonable difference.]

Yes, hello, I see. So, you are stuck in this Wonderland, too?

video;

[onsilksheets]

I am, yeah. Have been for almost two years now.

Re: video;

[donotcallmethis]

Two years you have not been able to escape?

[What kind of place is this, that keeps people for two years?]

I do not like this.

Action if that's alright?

[luckynumberthree]

Finding Simon out jogging at this time of day - or any time of day - isn't exactly unusual, but it's certainly gotten him a lot of strange and interesting encounters over the past few months. Today seems to be no exception as he spots the young woman in a white parka - bloody, nonetheless, cradling something he can't make out, even as he gets closer.

He slows his run, dressed pretty moderately today (for him) in blue running shorts and a white tshirt sporting the logo for a British candy bar from back home. He approaches carefully because one, she's, uh, covered in blood, that usually warrants a bit of caution and two.... No, actually, one was enough of a reason for him, thanks.

"Hey," he calls out in a friendly tone, lifting a hand in a wave. "Are you... alright?"

Always :D

[donotcallmethis]

Helena hasn't quite made it inside yet, no matter what she's thought she wants to do. She trusts nothing, and she needs her family. Sarah or Alison, even brother-sister Felix. They know these things, how to understand.

When someone waves at her, she raises a hand in a half wave. She doesn't know him but he has hair that's like a movie star. She likes it.

"I do not know this place. But I think it might be bad." Her head tilts in a silent question: Is he bad? She's had enough of bad people for now.

YAY! :D

[luckynumberthree]

He lets his hand drop as he approaches, still being careful not to project anything that might be seen as threatening. One volatile interaction with a new arrival had taught him his lesson well, so he tended to err on the side of caution now before there were suddenly deadly weapons aimed at vulnerable parts of his anatomy.

He tilts his own head as he surveys her curiously, taking in the thick accent and placing her as best he can. "It depends on who you ask, and where you come from. Some people say it's pretty bad. but I come from a place that's worse, so this place seems pretty great to me. Most days, anyway. You're in Wonderland. My name is Simon. Are you hurt? Do you need a doctor?"

Was any of that blood hers?

[donotcallmethis]

When he asks if she's hurt, Helena laughs. It's somewhat unsettling, but there's a childish quality to it.

"No, movie star, I am not hurt. People think they can threaten babies, but I show them there is no hurting children. Now they hurt no one, ever." Using one hand, she makes a chopping motion. "I use paper cutter they like so much to teach important lesson."

She laughs again, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, then the smile drops. "Wonderland is in books. This is not a real place."

[Video]

[vampdetective]

The answer isn't as simple as we might like it to be.

[Angel's not unsympathetic; new arrivals are always a little disoriented, but at least people are usually willing to pop up and assist them. He's sure he's not the first one, so he'll be careful to avoid repeating information she may have already received-- but there's something about her message that catches his attention, more than how comfortable she seems to have made herself, more than the powdered donut.]

Babies. Your children came with you?

[Depending on who she is, babies could mean any number of things, but he'll go with the obvious first. Nobody has ever brought a child along with them-- and if that's the case, a small part of him is envious.]

Re: [Video]

[donotcallmethis]

[People have been very curious about her babies. There are no babies here, she's realized in conversation. That makes hers more important.]

I have many frozen science babies with me.

[Which doesn't at all sound alarming.]

You are dark and handsome.

[Video]

[vampdetective]

Uh-- thank you. [Awkward, though it would have been the same if he'd been offered the compliment by anyone else. He never did well with those.] Frozen--

[Frozen science babies. That's a new one on him.]

How does that work, exactly?

video;

[powerofmabel]

I'M WATCHING! ME! MABEL! Hi! I'm talking to you from the phone!

[So enthusiastic, Mabel. Look at her wave at the camera.] Welcome to Wonderland!

Re: video;

[donotcallmethis]

[A children; Helena likes children and she smiles, pulling the device back a bit so that her whole face is visible again.]

Hello, Mabel. How cute you are.

[She waves then, and realizes she should give her name, too.]

I am Helena. Did you mean to come here, to Wonderland?

video;

[powerofmabel]

[she presses her fingers into her cheeks.] I know. It's a curse.

[Her hands drop, but her grin doesn't fade, and she just shrugs it off as if the question isn't that big a deal.] It was kiiiind of an accident, but now that I'm here, I'm making the most of it. It's pretty much amaaazing.

[stoptheviolence]

[Brittany is watching. And smiling warmly, trying to seem as welcoming as possible. Even to her, it seemed obvious that this person was brand new. New and confused. Even her English sounded a little confused.]

[She could so relate.]

No rats, I promise.

But there are plenty of other animals here. Nice ones. Do your babies like animals?

[donotcallmethis]

[Helena has to pause and turn her head to the side a little, looking at the canister. Hmmm. Do her babies like animals?]

It is hard to say yet. Perhaps they will like dog or cat. When they are born I will get them whatever animal they wish to have.

[Because one day they would have to all be born, wouldn't they? Never mind that she hasn't explained these are all frozen embryos.]

[stoptheviolence]

[Her brows furrowed for a moment, confused, wondering what precisely Helena was looking at.]

Oh, you're still pregnant?

You don't look it. I mean, when Quinn was here, her belly button was already sticking out.