[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

[luckynumberthree]

[ He grins brightly, because if there was ever something to put a smile on his face, it was talking about Jo. ]

This past New Years, actually. The big party in the ballroom was our reception-slash-celebration. And her name is Jo. She and I run the bar together up on the fifth floor.

[mypartnerintime]

Oh man, I probably missed it. I showed up here in January. [And they run a bar together! That's so cute.]

And you only met her here? Wowser, Simon, that's... really cool. [She gives him a big grin.] It's literally something out of a fairy tale.

[luckynumberthree]

You probably just did then. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll throw another big party for it next year. [ He grins. ] And yeah I did. I've been here about two years now, she's been here a while longer. It does sorta feel like a fairy tale most days. I still have to randomly pinch myself.

[mypartnerintime]

[At some point Max should wipe the girlish grin off her face, but seriously this is too cute.]

Me too, but I don't pinch that hard. [Her smile falters slightly.] I bet it gets kinda hard with all the events, though.

[luckynumberthree]

[ It's okay, he's grinning like a besotted idiot himself. ]

It takes practice.[ He teases her lightly about the pinching, then grimaces at the mention of the events, because yeah, those have been rough lately. ] It can. We both come from some pretty crappy places where survival's a challenge though, so we're better equipped for it than some. But even then, this place throws curve balls that no one can really anticipate or prepare for.

[mypartnerintime]

Especially the ones that mess with your head. [She frowns in sympathy.] Then it's probably like dealing with a whole different Jo. Or Simon.

[luckynumberthree]

[ He makes a face. ] Trust me, no one wants to deal with a different Simon. Why mess with perfection, after all.

[ He's joking.

...Probably. ]

[mypartnerintime]

No, Simon, no one wants to deal with a different version of you. [She says dryly, but she's smiling.] Especially when there are zombies around. Thanks again. I still owe you.

[luckynumberthree]

[ He grins and waves it off. ]

You don't owe me anything, we're good. You or your friend ever need help, you let me know, yeah?

[mypartnerintime]

[Well, she still owes him in her mind.]

Sure. And uh, if you and Jo ever need anything, too... Maybe if you want a picture together or something? Just hit me with a text.

[luckynumberthree]

A picture, huh? You a photographer?

[mypartnerintime]

Oh, yeah, sorta. A wanna-be.

[She leans to the side and points out her photo wall.]

I love taking photos, so if you ever need one... I'd be happy to.