ＶＩＤＥＯ;

[villainously]

( the video opens with a pair of bright blue eyes, far more fur than any one creature could need, and a practically thunderous purr. it's not surprising, seeing as Hook has tried about 5 times to set the thing up to record and the damn cat keeps knocking it over. his company is painfully exposed as he scoops up the purring beast and puts it on the floor.

no he's not going to mention or talk about the cat. that's not important, all right? thanks to that bloke with cat fantasies practically all of Wonderland has a cat. that's not what he's trying to talk about.

the pirate looks tired, but anyone that knows him knows that's a 24-7 thing for him. he's been tired since he arrived, months ago. that doesn't seem to be stalling anytime soon. not sleeping doesn't help, but his busywork does, at least a little. busywork for a pirate means making maps, which means... )

Is there a proper map of this place? I haven't spotted one yet. If there's not, I've been considering starting on a draft. It won't do us any good once the place is tits up on these events, but it's not a horrible thing to have on hand.

( he rubs at his forehead, as Dave jumps back up onto his desk and paws at the many pens scattered there. )

I'd ask for a star chart while I was at it, but speaking of things going tits up, the stars here are absolutely mad. I don't remember them being like this when I arrived, does anyone know what happened to them?

( the stars running wild bothers him more than he cares to admit. stars shouldn't move nightly... it's utterly ridiculous. Dave seems to have decided that the first eight times he was put on the floor for messing with the camera were just a cute joke, and tries to nuzzle it with more of those dementedly loud purrs. the pirate sighs and plucks it back off the table to the floor. )

If anyone has experience with cartography, I suppose I'd take the help. Making a map from scratch is difficult.

Comments

[a_chipped_cup]

I don't have very much experience, but I could help, if you want?

The stars have been acting strangely lately. I didn't very many answers about why they started to fall, but it caused problems with the gardens.

[villainously]

( he can remember the last thing they worked on together. despite his temper and irritability, they'd managed to find a way to save the faeries together. he manages a smile, less of a smirk than he usually opts for. )

I'd like that. It's not too hard to learn, if you wanted to. Lots of measuring, walking about, and sketching.

[a_chipped_cup]

It might actually make me feel like I understand this place a bit more. I can focus on something other than the madness.

[Plus working with Hook had been nice. Having his support during her heartbreak had managed to get her through those early months. She couldn't say it out loud, but she needed him now too.]

video, to end }

[deathlessness]

[Oh hey Hook. Freya's head pops up over the feed because a map may be very useful to her endeavors should she have to throw together a quick locator spell of some kind.]

Is this not something we could retrieve from the closets? Or is that one of the limitations on it's magic?

[Or do you just not trust the closets, Killian, because that's a very valid response too. Freya's just curious and it's the first thing she thought of, other than her lack of cartography skills.]

[villainously]

I'm sure it'd offer you something. I'm less sure it'd be reliable.

( because the closets are jerks and he just doesn't trust Wonderland, period. )

We're captives here, no matter how ornate our cage. Doesn't seem particularly wise to hand a captive a detailed map of where they're contained, yeah?

[deathlessness]

Perhaps. But some captors are arrogant enough to believe that their prisons cannot be escaped regardless.

[Though she can understand his skepticism.]

I am not a cartographer, though if you need some help finding the details, I would be more than happy to help.

text.

[coleader]

I see you're expanding your map-making horizons.

It's Clarke, by the way.

[villainously]

what can I say, I'm consistent.
it's a good way to spend the hours and a map of where I'm stranded is far more productive than a map of a place I intend to never go back to.

( TWICE WAS TOO MUCH TBH. )

[coleader]

Judging by the map you were working on, I wouldn't want to go back, either.

If you want help, I'm here. I'm not much of a cartographer either, but it's a big mansion - another pair of eyes can't hurt. Besides, I've got lots of free time.

[ you know, because she barely sleeps!!! ]

video;

[fatherlesskind]

[Oh, hey it's this guy again. Alistair knows very little about map making or what magic is making the stars weird but after last week he knows a thing or two about cats causing trouble. And while he can agree a map would be a useful thing to have that's not going to stop him attempting to needle Killian in lieu of being useful.]

Aww, look at you two! I knew it, you really are just a big softie, aren't you?

[Not that Alistair didn't end up with a new furry friend himself. But. He's never whined about there being insulting stories written about him - stories he still needs someone to help him track down. And Purrlock is sleeping so until the cat wakes up he doesn't have to admit to anything.]

[villainously]

( LOOK ALISTAIR YOU DON'T GET IT OKAY. THOSE STORIES ARE REALLY OFFENSIVE. and he may or may not be hiding his shame from you in particular. look nobody needs to read Peter Pan, he's keeping it out of everyone's reach. )

I'm a pussy magnet, I appreciate your noticing.

( the tone of his voice says he doesn't appreciate it that much. )

Any relevant thoughts? If you want to talk to the cat, you're welcome to come and take it and have a rousing conversation. The two of you would get on swimmingly.

video

[normandysbest]

The stars... move. [Of course. Of fucking course they do. God fuckin damnit.]

Of course this place would make no sense to the extent that the stars move.

[villainously]

You've not noticed that? Aye, they move, nightly at that. I think there are familiar ones but it's impossible to tell when they relocate every night.

( his understanding of stars is quite basic, but he knows quite well that they shouldn't move this fast. )

Everything is mad around here, why not the stars to boot.

video;

[henrydaniel]

[Not at all because the player is trash, Henry hasn't had a chance yet to really talk to Hook on the network, and he's not completely sure when he's from. But as far as Henry knows, doing pirate stuff is cool, and even if making maps isn't easy, he can at least help with something.]

Maybe we can work on a thing together? I mean if you still wanted to show me how to do pirate things.

Also, 'tits up' is the best expression I've ever heard, I think.

[GONNA SAY IT TO REGINA WHEN THINGS GO BAD ONE DAY.]

[villainously]

( whoops. he still needs to work on making his pirate lingo pg-13. )

If either of your mums ask, you didn't hear that one from me.

( not like it's on a public network post or anything, right? it'll be totally fine... )

I am always happy to teach you the ways of piracy. We'll turn you into a right rapscallion before you know it. I don't suppose you were getting lessons from me the first time I was around.

( because it wouldn't do to re-teach what he's already taught... that's weird to think about. )

[interspatial]

Though they won't help you achieve your goal, I'm happy to offer you the old star charts and up-to-date scans tracking the movements. So far my data hasn't yielded much other than that it's entirely random, unfortunately.

[villainously]

I'll take the old ones, if you please. Perhaps they'll stop this nonsense sooner or later.

I thought they were random, but it's impossible to really track it, even with my spyglass.

( he's precious, trying to track stars with just his eyes... )

[1908]

A map would be wonderful, especially for newcomers. I wouldn't mind helping.

[villainously]

That's true, yes. Easy to get lost in this place. I've been here months and I still think so.

I'd appreciate the help. Do you have any experience with cartography?

Video

[pottershotter]

[Huh. That's a project James hasn't touched in an embarrassingly long time.]

I might be able to help with the map bit! I've been working on something on and off, but I got a bit distracted by a combination of other projects and getting married.

[Yes, he'll happily shoehorn that into any conversation he can, even with someone who won't remember him.]

If you've got enough takers, I could at least give you a copy of my map of the other side of the mirrors. That one's a bit harder to chart out unless you happen to get stuck over there, and who knows when that'll happen next? It's a work in progress, but it'll be a good head start, I think.

[villainously]

( getting married. does everyone just run about getting hitched in this place? Hook has nothing against marriage (unbelievably, since he's a pirate), he just feels like this is not the place for it.

that said, he knows that's not the right thing to say to a proud man who just got married. )

Congrats, mate. I can see why that'd slow any map making.

( that said, he is enthused about the idea of already made drafts. )

I'll take whatever you care to share. Starting from scratch was a bit of a daunting prospect.

( video )

[shitloaf]

[ A map is... a really good idea, actually. Something he hadn't thought of but it makes perfect sense. For things. And stuff. ]

Not the best at it, but done enough explaining and rough maps to throw in a hand if needed.

[villainously]

I'll take all I can get, frankly. Making maps are a bit of an arduous process, after all. My last from scratch took centuries and for obvious reasons, I'd rather not spend that long at it this time. ( now he knows Neverland like the back of his hand, though... it'd been practical when he was stuck there. )

And you are?

video;

[krmvgivv]

[There's a solemn looking 13 year old frowning thoughtfully at the question.]

The problem is the entire place isn't reliably laid out as it is. Have you been down to the caves? Mapping those is a nightmare. But you're not the first person to try it. I've got my own attempt, I've got one that's about as accurate as you can get.

[A beat.]

Um, not to assume or anything, but do you... need me to explain how to open attachments before I send it?

[villainously]

A risk of the location, as it were. I'm sure the stars aren't the only things set on changing.

( he knows the library goes on holiday every once and awhile, for example. which is very annoying but less frustrating to him than the stars. )

I'll take it, lad. ( he seems relieved more than anything that he doesn't have to start over from scratch. it's a pain and a half, and... ) Attached to what?

( that's probably a yes. )