[Video/Action]

[fatherlesskind]

-does this do? What about this? Helllooo?

[The video feed begins with a close-up of a gauntleted thumb and then twists nauseatingly around until there's a giant eyeball... that gradually diminishes in size as its owner pulls back from the device. Once it's farther away it reveals a large man in heavy armour with a sword at his hip and a shield on his back, looking rather put out. Alistair frowns down at the thing for a moment then shrugs and begins to speak.]

I heard I can use this thing to talk to people. People far away. I don't know if I believe it, I've never heard of magic like that. But this way it doesn't look like I'm crazy and talking to myself. Maybe.

I don't talk to myself normally of course. That would be crazy. But I do talk to myself - and little... boxes - when I get lost and wind up in a strange place I've never seen before. Especially when I'm supposed to be somewhere else doing something important. Then I might talk to myself.

[But only because he hasn't found anyone else to talk to yet and he's still trying to figure out what's going on. He isn't buying anything he's heard so far so he's reduced to thinking out loud at a little box.]

Well, I think I know what's going on here. This is the Fade, is it? I'm stuck in the Fade again.

What do you think box? Am I right? [His voice turns high pitched and squeaky and the video judders about as the device is waggled back and forth.] 'I think you are Alistair, you handsome fiend you, you must be in the Fade! Now we just have to go find the eeevil demon that trapped us here and make it let you go!'

[And back to a normal voice, the video steadying again.] I'm glad you agree and I am looking rather handsome today, aren't I? Now, let's go find that demon!

[And, companion... box in hand - and still broadcasting - he strides boldly off in search of something that looks like a demon, keeping up a running commentary until someone decides to interrupt him.]

Comments

action;

[heroica]

[ She runs into him near the kitchens.

It isn't a strange place for Robyn Cousland to be, considering that she lives on the first floor, and... eats. For once, her hound isn't with her; Oren the mabari is napping in her room. It's interesting to see the little differences in the habits of the one dog as compared with the other she'd left behind in Ferelden. Oren sleeps more than the often-alert Calen had, or... did. Vaguely, she wonders if it has anything to do with the magic closets that had produced him.

In any case, she's alone as she moves through the halls, dressed in simple robes and unarmed, save for a dagger at her hip. Maybe another in her boot. She'd just been in the process of withdrawing the device, which had been indicating some new... "broadcasts," if that's what they were called, when Alistair's voice carries through. Robyn stops stiff, eyes widening automatically in surprise; when he turns a corner, she drops the device completely. ]

Alistair! [ The communicator is entirely forgotten as her mouth falls open, though she quickly composes herself and closes it again with a sheepish, but bright smile. ] You're - Maker, tell me this isn't some kind of trick.

[ The mansion had done so much damage to their memories; she'd hardly be surprised if it summoned a demon, or some kind of shape-shifting creature. They did say that monsters and the like from their own worlds could appear, so there's a possibility he isn't really him, but... she can't bring herself to be as defensive as she should. Not yet. ]

[fatherlesskind]

[He stops as he rounds a corner and hears someone call his name, rambling cut off as he stares suspiciously at the woman in front of him. She looks rather more pleased to see him than he's used to, which is even stranger when she seems to recognise him.]

Yes? That's me. Alistair. That's who I am.

[Frowning he looks her over again. Definitely not anyone he remembers seeing before. He had said his name earlier so she could have heard it then but that doesn't explain the way she's looking at him like that or why she'd think he's not himself.]

I'm not a trick but you might be. Who are you?

[It's a strange trick for a demon to play, pretending to be someone he doesn't know but demons aren't human and don't think like people. Maybe something like this would make sense for one? It's not like he learned much about them beyond how to fight them.]

[heroica]

[ She knows the look as soon as it's turned on her. Quickly, she pales, the smile sliding off of her face and expression morphing rapidly into one of someone who is trying to shut things down. She sets her jaw, hastily averting her gaze, momentarily distracted by the enormous task of keeping herself together.

Morrigan hadn't known her. Why would he be any different? ]

Just another resident of Wonderland. [ Robyn finally says, mustering a more moderated, pleasant smile. Anyone would be able to note that there's a distinct difference in the type of smile, from one bordering ecstatic to one that's merely polite. ] You've just said your name into that device, haven't you?

[ Speaking of which: Robyn stoops briefly to retrieve her own from the floor, clutching it like a lifeline in her hand until her knuckles turn white. ]

Have you just arrived?

[Video]

[magisterium]

[Oh, for the love of--]

I'll have you know there is, in fact, magic like that to be found, though that's not what this is.

[Sending crystals were remarkable in and of themselves, but what these devices offered them was on another level entirely. It had taken some getting used to, but Dorian had learned his way around them in short order, compared to some, eager to master the technology that he'd found himself presented with.]

I'm afraid it's not the Fade, either. You do realize you're broadcasting this to everyone, don't you?

[He hopes so, otherwise that little display of Alistair's was-- well. Embarrassing, to say the least.]

I sought a demon upon my arrival, as well. I'm afraid you're out of luck on that front.

[fatherlesskind]

[There's a little sound of surprise - a manly sound that is not a squeak - as his box-friend starts talking back in someone else's voice. Looking at the thing again Alistair gapes at the face of the man that's appeared on it, bringing it up as close as possible to himself to get a better look.]

I- ah. Of course I knew that! I was just checking. I wanted to make sure someone was paying attention.

[Yes, totally intentional, he wasn't making a public fool of himself, thank you very much. He never does that kind of thing. Really.]

And why should I believe you? You might be a demon trying to trick me. They're tricky things, demons. I should know.

[Pointing accusingly at a picture of someone just doesn't have the same effect as doing so in person, even if that picture does move. But it's the best he can do right now so he jabs the picture a couple of times for good measure. He's not being fooled again, not this time!]

[magisterium]

[Right. Absolutely not a squeak. Noted.]

Oh, I assure you, plenty of people are paying attention.

[He does little to hide the amusement in his voice, smile pulling at one side of his mouth. For as rude an awakening as Wonderland can be, some people's reactions to their initial arrival are marvelously entertaining.]

I would make an excellent demon, wouldn't I? Handsome, charming, dazzling smile-- more winsome than most demons, I'd wager, but alas, I am merely mortal.

[He raises both eyebrows as Alistair points directly at the screen, catching his lower lip between his teeth to keep from laughing.]

Whether you believe me or not is entirely up to you. Everyone who comes here has to take it at their own pace-- you can't force belief on anyone, contrary to what some might think.

video; she doesn't look like a demon! .... right?

[deadlystar]

You might say so, but are you sure you're not crazy?

[Because he sounds a little crazy to her.]

uuhh... sure. just come say hi to this big metal stick OK?

[fatherlesskind]

Of course I'm sure I'm not-

[He slams to a halt physically and verbally as he actually looks at the picture on his talking box and sees-]

You're green. Why are you green?

[She looks almost normal except for that but... green. Not unlike the spirit they'd met in the Brecilian Forest come to think of it. Which hadn't been a bad spirit but still. He'd had the whole spirits = dangerous bit hammered home often enough that it was hard not to be wary.]

[deadlystar]

I'm from Zehoberei. All of my people are green.

[It's the simplest answer, even if it isn't exactly easy for some to believe. Still, it's the truth.]

action

[monosaccharide]

[Oh my god this poor, helpless soul, so clueless in the ways of technology. She immediately heads out to find him. She approaches him and holds out her hand firmly.]

It's a phone. It's not magic. I'll show you how to use it.

[fatherlesskind]

Huh?

[His demon hunt is brought to a rather abrupt halt by the sudden approach of someone he's never seen before, holding her hand out for- his box? Looking between her and his... phone as she says it's called, Alistair shrugs and hands it over. He can't see the harm in it and it might be handy to know how to use it.]

Sure, why not? And you are?

[monosaccharide]

Princess Bubblegum of the Candy Kingdom. Also a crazy good scientist. [She presses the button to end the feed, then pulls out her own phone. She turns it towards him and presses play so he can see the message played back for him.] See? It records and broadcasts. Everyone here got that message.

[video]

[wriggedywrecked]

[Well damn, he IS handsome. Armor and a sword and everything. Rick can at least appreciate the view.]

Yeah, uh, this isn't the, the whatever you called it. The Fade, w-whatever the hell that is.

[fatherlesskind]

[Oh! Oh, there's someone talking to him from his magic box! It does work. Meaning he just made a fool of himself in front of who knows how many people. Of course he did.... That is, if they're really people and not demons. Demons would be a lot less embarrassing, that's for sure.]

I thought everyone knew about the Fade? It's where demons live. And where they can whisk you off to and keep you prisoner. You just fall asleep and next thing you know you're somewhere else with an impostor trying to make you want to stay. I've seen it happen. This could be there.

[wriggedywrecked]

[Rick, for all that he's a gigantic asshole, really can't fault this guy for making a fool of himself to a camera. Rick does that all the time, willingly or otherwise, because who cares what a bunch of shitty strangers think anyway?]

Wow, so basically, uh, basically just st-straight up hell, then. I mean, this place is, it's pretty bad but I wouldn't call it hell. Like, not even a hell dimension. But trust me, I've double and triple and fucktuple-checked and this place is as real as it gets. Which, you know, t-take that as you will. Not a "Fade," not a simulation, just a, a f-fucking stupidass Wonderland-themed hole in the multiverse.

[Video]

[outofthebreach]

[ Brennan's actually outside training when the message comes through and he has to take a moment to process it because.... well. That's certain a far different side of the king he's never gotten to see.

When he opens the video feed, there's a hint of laughter in his tone as he grins into the feed. ]

Well, yes, you are actually looking rather handsome, for a fiend. But you're not in the Fade, I'm afraid. The Fade is much more green anyway. Very spooky. Not at all pleasant. Not that this place doesn't have it's faults, but we're usually fairly free of demons and landscapes that make no sense whatsoever.

[fatherlesskind]

It's my natural, rugged good looks. [He nods sagely, grinning briefly in return before going on-] How can you be sure it's not the Fade? It can look perfectly normal when a demon is trying to trick you into thinking you're somewhere safe. Not that I've ever fallen for that kind of thing. [Or been taken in really easily by such a trick. Not him.] But I've seen it happen. And you could be a demon trying to trick me.

[Alistair doesn't sound like he really believes it himself any more. It's becoming less and less likely, given more than one person has told him the same thing but he's still trying to hang onto the increasingly thin thread of hope that all he needs to do is find and slay the demon and he can get back to the important business he's supposed to be taking care of right now.]

video;

[coleader]

—Demon, [ she sputters, still unaccustomed to hearing such things. Clarke had met a woman with pink skin, and yet she still struggles to accept demons as reality. ]

Alistair, was it? I'm Clarke. [ Under other circumstances, she might have given a small wave, but she's still shaken by the thought of demons. ] This isn't the Fade.

[ Truly, she has no idea what the Fade even is, but Clarke is certain that it isn't here. ]

Welcome to Wonderland. I can't promise there aren't any demons, but I haven't met any yet.

[fatherlesskind]

That's not reassuring you know. [Demons popping up unexpectedly were even worse than demons you saw coming.]

I'd really like it if this was the Fade though, not some place I've never even heard of. [He knows how to escape the Fade. Mostly. Find the demon, kill the demon, go home. Simple. Dangerous but simple.] Are you sure you might just not know that that's what this place is? Demons can be tricky.

[He's honestly not sounding too hopeful there but it's worth a shot, isn't it?]

[agentxthirteen]

You'll find more here than demons - Alistair, was it? And I wouldn't worry about the box being magic - it's just technology. It allows us to contact one another. Unlike the closets. To the best of my understanding, those are magic.

I'm unfamiliar with the Fade, but I can tell you that this is Wonderland.

My name is Sharon, by the way.

[fatherlesskind]

If you were trying to make feel better you really need to work on that. Something like 'no, Alistair, there's no demons here and all the cheese you can eat' would have been much better. And leave out the bit about how somethings are magic and others aren't when I can't tell the difference.

[But he is going to have to look in these magic closets now and see. Once he's done with his still very magic-like talking box. And the people trying to offer advice that he's not being very grateful towards.]

video;

[bloodmagics]

I agree, you are looking rather handsome today.

[Hawke answers offhandedly, a grin on his face. He's yet to meet Alistair, so all he has to go on is the tales, and the fact he shares the same name and knows what the Fade is.

But considering several people think he's supposed to be a woman, he's not going to assume anything besides the fact this newcomer is from Thedas.]

Do you make a habit of getting stuck in the Fade, then?

[fatherlesskind]

[Well, he's feeling rather good about himself. That's the second person to agree with him. It would be better if it were an attractive woman doing so but he'll take what compliments he can get.]

I wouldn't call it a habit. It's not like I run around looking for demons to whisk me off to the Fade or something. Buuut it has happened before. And I've seen my share of demons outside the Fade. [But, more important than that-] You're from Ferelden!

[Finally, someone from home, even if he doesn't know them. It's something.]

[video] (sorry this is super late!)

[ivehadbetter]

[Well that there is the king of Fereldon, Isabela never forgets a pretty face afterall. Especially one that's royalty. ]

Do you usually make tiny boxes tell you you're handsome? I can assure you this is not the Fade, at least because I've been assured this isn't the Fade.

[And she's inclined to agree since last time she was in the fade it was a lot more green and she was offered a ship and no one here seems to want to give her a ship. ]

there's no such things as late, just less early

[fatherlesskind]

Only when it's true.

[Because he is, isn't he? Actually, never mind, best not ask. He might not like the answer.]

Everyone seems to be assuring me of your assurance. Which is a pity because I'd be much happier if it were the Fade.

[He's resigned to it not being such and being stuck somewhere much more difficult to escape by now but it would have been better if it were. Escaping the Fade he knew how to do. (Mostly.) This place not so much and he did have a Blight to stop.]

Do I know you? You look a little familiar....