[Video]

[mypartnerintime]

Dear Wonderland.

[She says it like she's starting a letter. To all of you Wonderland girls and guys! She's obviously in her room, the wall of pasted-on Polaroid photos behind her, with softly lit lanterns hanging across the surface on thin wires. It's late at night- or rather, it's the wee hours of the morning. Max has no idea how much the old midnight gang of insomniacs still prowls around the network. She used to be pretty active at this time- not so much anymore.]

This is gonna sound kinda weird, but I swear I'm not off my rocker. Maybe groggy and craving for food, but not crazy.

[ Come on Max, stop embarrassing yourself on the network!]

I was just thinking that I would've graduated by now, since it's June. I'd probably be scrambling to find some sort of arts college that I can afford or that I can even get into. [Or not. Spending a year traveling and taking photos sounds great, too, but college seems pretty important.] And it sucks that I don't have school here.

But... obviously a lot of things suck about Wonderland. Nutso mirrors, certain newbies showing up, all kinds of scary mystery type stuff, nasty events. I mean, sometimes it's... just shit. [Like the past few days, for a lot of people. The network's been full of downers. Her brow furrows as she looks to the side, and her mouth curves into a slight frown.] And I'm sure some of us are bringing in a ton of messed up baggage from back home, too.

[She holds up a stack of instant photos, maybe seven or eight. She angles the stack sideways, so only the sides can be seen by the camera. The girl's still a little too shy to show the actual images.] But see this? Each one's a photo of a... a friend I've made here. People I could actually hang out with. [She waves the little stack at the screen, preparing herself for this next admission.] That's more friends than I had- have in my school.

So yeah, Wonderland totally bombs sometimes. But there's some pretty good stuff going on, too. And I know this is gonna be really hard right now, but I want to hear it- what's something you're super grateful for? Something you might never have had if you hadn't fallen down the rabbit hole? [She tries to make it sound like it's fun challenge, smiling timidly at the screen.] Cuz I'm sure you could name at least three things.

[[OOC: After the post, she leaves her room to roam around the mansion, phone light in hand. Feel free to bump into her wherever! Also, she'll be replying to all responses, even the ones after sunrise.]]

Comments

[mypartnerintime]

Yeah, there's all sorts. [Don't mind that wry look in Amethyst's direction.] So... gems don't talk much to humans?

[brainmeme]

We do sometimes... Steven definitely does. But we, uh... We used to have a fence? I think it's more for the humans' safety than anything else.

[mypartnerintime]

A fence? [That doesn't sound like it would help very much.] Are gems dangerous to humans? You guys are nice, though.

[brainmeme]

We're nice. The monsters we're always fighting and the Homeworld gems that have been trying to destroy the Earth? Less nice. It's better if humans don't have to deal with that.

[mypartnerintime]

[Monsters, again. Always with the monsters!]

There aren't any 'Homeworld gems' here, are there?

[brainmeme]

Uhhh, there's one, sorta. She's a Crystal Gem like us now, though, so it's fine! Besides, she couldn't hurt anyone if she tried.

[mypartnerintime]

The green one? What's a crystal gem? [This is Max's curiosity kicking in. She always has tons of questions.]

[brainmeme]

I'm a Crystal Gem. [This is a dangerous road to tread, now. She could end up mentioning Rose, or being asked about her, or something... But she shouldn't just dodge the question.] We, uh, we protect the planet! Rebelled against the Diamonds on Homeworld, who wanted to take over the Earth and destroy all life just to expand. I wasn't part of the original rebellion, but I help protect humanity now. We're the good guys!

[mypartnerintime]

Considering that last time I was home Earth still had life on it, I think I owe you a big thanks, so. Thanks for being a good guy. [Max looks pretty amused- peoples' worlds can really be so different.]

[brainmeme]

Heh, no problem! I mean, when I left the Earth was in danger of being destroyed from the inside out, but uh, we were working on it. It should be fine!

[Giant planet-sized gem fusion experiment waking up in the Earth's mantle and stretching so big the world collapses? NBD. It'll get taken care of.]

[mypartnerintime]

[Max's expression falls slightly, her lips pursed.] That sounds like a huge bummer. [Which is an understatement.] I really hope it turns out okay. So you can keep having burritos.

[brainmeme]

Yeah, don't worry! Leave it to us.

So, was that three? I wasn't counting.

[mypartnerintime]

I think- no, I think it was two. [She ticks them off on her fingers.] Free food and meeting new people. You need one more.

[brainmeme]

Man, okay. Um... [A pause while she thinks, tapping her chin thoughtfully.] Hm... Oh! No obligations! No one to tell me what to do.

[Until Rose settles back in as leader or something. Is she gonna do that? Hrrrmmm.]

[mypartnerintime]

[Max grins at that.]

I'm sure that's something you and my best friend agree on. Me too, sometimes.

[brainmeme]

It's pretty cool, right? I mean, humans usually have to work and stuff, so now you don't have to if you don't want to! You can just kick back and watch sitcoms from the library all day.

[Until an event happens, but we're supposed to be focusing on the good stuff about Wonderland here.]

[mypartnerintime]

[In one way or another that's exactly what Max has been doing, but it's not like she proud of it.]

I guess that's not so bad. I'm not aching to go home yet.

[Not right at this moment, anyway.]

I hope it all keeps being great for you.

[brainmeme]

Heh, yeah. Me too. Normally I hate this place, but I guess sometimes it's not so bad.

[mypartnerintime]

Yeah... not bad at all.