[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

[fatherlesskind]

Well, that's just great. So tell me, are you part of the crazy too? Because you're seeming a little strange right now.

[No weirder than some people he knows so far but that's not saying much.]

[wriggedywrecked]

I mean, i-i-it depends on how narrow-minded and judgmental you want to be about the, the definition of crazy. But if I'm crazy [and he is] then I'm my own goddamn brand of Wonderland-free Original Flavor Rick crazy, you got it? This, this whimsical bullshit is not my scene.

[fatherlesskind]

I believe you, I do! You have a special kind of crazy all your own. No arguments here. So I don't have to worry about ending up like you if I'm stuck here too long, that's comforting.

[wriggedywrecked]

No one ever has to w-worry about becoming me.

[Yeah.]

Has the rest of the super helpful welcome wagon assholes g-given you the spiel yet? C-Cause one thing I'm not is w-EEHHRRUUHH-elcoming.

[fatherlesskind]

[Did you just belch at him? Ew.]

Not welcoming? Perish the thought!

[Yeah.]

I think I have the basics thanks. Unless there's some big secret only you know that you're offering to share.

[wriggedywrecked]

Buddy, I don't even know you, wh-why would I keep secrets if it had literally no advantage whatsoever?

Main things to know is, is about the closets, the mirrors, and the events, so if you've got all that covered you'll be fine.

[fatherlesskind]

Mirrors? No one's actually said anything about those. What, are they all cursed? Or magic? Do they talk?

[wriggedywrecked]

K-Kind of a cursed magic evil twin deal. There's a second Wonderland on the other side full of Made-In-China rip-off versions of us all. And some bullshit fake queen.

[fatherlesskind]

So there's another me there right now? Doing evil things?

[In a mirror world. Well, why not it makes as least as much sense as anything else.]

[wriggedywrecked]

That's pretty much the gist.