entranceway | Video; early morning of 01/19

[The woman who pops onto the screen? She doesn't look at all pleased. She's disheveled and incredibly sore, but at least she's been able to have a shower since things have returned to normal. She'd woken up in her own bed, having muddied up the sheets -- so, okay, she's still pretty annoyed.

Still, it had occurred to her that she'd done something a little bit irresponsible the night before. It had been motivated by anger, certainly, but it isn't as if she'd killed the man -- still, she needs to get it off her chest and just make sure that he's -- you know, still alive.

She clears her throat.]

Uh, all right -- this message is especially for Alistair, or for anyone from his world -- now that this thing is working again.

I was attacked in the forest last night by someone accusing me of being a demon, so I thought that you guys might know him. I knocked him out and left him tied up outside the tavern, so I don't know where he'd be now.

[She scowls.]

And just to clear it up for anyone who might be wondering ... I'm not a demon.

[She motions to her hair.]

I mean, do you see a set of pointy horns? I have no interest in your immortal soul, okay? So further attempts to end me? Not going to be dealt with so gently.

[It's a bit of posturing since she's never actually killed anyone, but...they don't need to know that.]

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Ah, magic. Right, Alistair said that existed where you're from. Magic and demons -- and I thought this place was surreal.

[She nods at the Warden's words, though.]

Yeah, a big blue arc of light that just came from him.

And what do we call you other than that? Since it doesn't sound like you want to be called the Warden.

Your perception of things certainly expands while you're here, doesn't it?

[ Her world had expanded in a massive way when she'd been taken from Highever, and now... well, Wonderland. It's a completely different beast. ]

I'm not sure I can say, but I'll certainly find out. [ She brightens, grateful for the question. ] My name is Robyn, my lady. May I ask yours?

Yeah, I guess it does.

[And people from Robyn's world were also very polite, evidently.]

Robyn. You can call me Mystique. Have you been here for long?

Since the late summer, though not so long as some of the others.

[ The only ones from Thedas who have been here longer have been Brennan and Dorian, she thinks. ]

And you, Mystique? Which... is a beautiful name. I hope you don't mind me saying.

-- heard there's been people here for years.

[She ducks her head at the comment. She's easily flattered, all right? Clearly the women from her world have their head more firmly on their shoulders than the men.]

Uh, thanks. It's of my own making, actually.

It's been about a -- month, give or take a few days. This time. Apparently I've been here twice before, if you ask others.

There have been. [ Robyn nods solemnly. ] Three or four, even, if I've heard it right.

[ She perks up, curious. ]

Is it? Well, you made a good one, then.

[ ... Wait. ]

"Twice?" How can that be?

[She shrugs her shoulders, trying to act nonchalant. If you pretend things don't bother you eventually they won't, right?]

Got me. If I had to guess, I'd say alternate universe versions of me have been here before, so I haven't been -- but people say that others have shown up here without memories of being here before, so who knows.

[ Something like that!! ]

Oh- I know all about that.

[ She sighs, dipping her chin. ]

It isn't from Wonderland, but something similar happened, apparently, back in Thedas. Some people that I know remember someone who is supposed to be me, but... isn't.

[She feels a little bad, knowing that other people have had to deal with the same things she has.]

Totally a laugh riot, right?

[She pulls a face.]

It's happened to me at home too. Makes the craziness in this place a little easier to believe, I guess.

[ Her lip twitches at the phrasing, the sarcasm, and she nods. ]

Absolutely.

[ Not. ]

Really? [ That part actually surprises her and her eyes widen a little. ] I had only ever heard of it happening in Thedas- in our world. What... mm. Do you mind if I ask what happened to you?

Someone was sent back from the future to warn us about what would happen if -- uh, certain events transpired. He got into pretty good detail about how horrible I was in the future.

[She huffs out a breath that blows red hair out of her eyes.]

He made it sound like I was a completely different person, and maybe I was -- based on the decisions I'd made in his version of the world.

[ Well, that all sounds familiar. Her eyes widen a little and she nods slowly, relating what Mystique's said to her own experience, to hearing about her future according to some of the others, about how different decisions shaped their world- ]

That sounds painful to hear. [ Is all she says, tone soft and sympathetic. ] But... at least you can make things right, can't you? Now that you know... you can change them to be whatever will keep that series of events from happening.

[She's glad to hear the sympathy in the woman's voice. Not many people really seem to know or understand what it's like, honestly. She nods.]

That's harder to do than you'd think.

[Trask had personally tortured and killed many of her friends. Seeing past that blinding rage, the thing that had been keeping her going for so many months...it was hard.]

Have you tried?

[ Her tone suggests honest curiosity, not doubt of Mystique's methods. The other woman peers with concern at her; there's something deeper in her expression that suggests a personal investment in the subject. ]

It may be hard, but... can it be done?

[She takes a deep breath and glances off the camera. It isn't exactly a good subject to talk about, even if it's been a little while since everything went down.

She nods eventually, though.]

...yeah, I tried. I don't know for sure if it worked, but I guess if the world is still intact in a few decades we'll know either way.

Edited 2016-02-01 23:27 (UTC)

It's much the same with... well, life in general, isn't it? You never really know what sort of impact your actions will have until later. Sometimes much later.

[ Robyn means it in a kindly, encouraging sort of way, and hopes very much that she isn't just about to depress the other woman. ]

You would never have expected Wonderland, would you?

[Mystique is a hard person to depress further when she's thinking the way she is. Depression wasn't a useful emotion, anyway.]

I wouldn't have, no. And you're right. I guess I should just be thankful that I had the opportunity to even try to change things.

Exactly. Not everyone can say that they were given another chance.

[ There's still a little smile. ]

If I see the man who attacked you, I'll be sure to give him a piece of my mind.

[ c: ]

[She nods, then.]

Thank you, I appreciate it -- especially since we barely know each other.

Well, we're all trapped in this mansion, aren't we? I think we ought to help each other, when we can.

[ Since they can't always manage it. ]

-- yeah, we should. Just my thoughts.

But -- still, thank you.

Video; early morning of 01/19

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