video; lost in a sea of broken things

[screwedontight]

[It didn't take Seth long to figure out a few things. For one, he isn't in a goddamn parking lot anymore. That is the first big clue he has that something was wrong. Instead it looks like someone's great Aunt's attic, complete with some creepy ass dolls, doilies tangled up in a box and a lot of dust. The latter of which is smudged along one cheek when the camera comes on.

It isn't his phone, and Seth isn't really bothering with finding out who owns it. Obviously whoever put him in this attic is waiting for him to find it, so why disappoint?

So there is one smudged, angry man holding the camera up with skills that do not speak of a selfie queen.]

Okay, this is cute. No, really. I mean, whatever you drugged me with? I don't even have a fucking hangover, and the attic? A nice touch. Except this is fucking bullshit, and when I make my way through this crap to the door? Someone's going to fucking pay.

[As he speaks, his voice raises, harder than the cutesy tones when he started.]

So looks like you've got...

[He looks away from the camera, eyes narrowing as he judges the distance.]

Let's say about fifteen minutes before I dig my way out of this and start demanding answers.

And a new fucking suit because this dust? This shit is never coming out! And there's a tear in my jacket. What the fuck is wrong with you? Whoever you are.

Comments

video;

[seeingthings]

[ oh shit ]

You're about to have the child protection brigade on your ass any second, brother.

[When in doubt, act like a smarmy asshole.]

Need some help?

video;

[screwedontight]

Protecting them from what? Me smashing these devil dolls? I'm helping their fucking little minds.

[Which is definitely proving his brother's point.]

I'll get to the damn door. Or fall through the fucking floor. What I want is answer. This your doing? Or your little girlfriend because I called her a freak?

video;

[seeingthings]

More like they'll be protecting their virgin ears. Just giving you a head's up. You could try being grateful.

[Now he just looks extremely offended]

No, Seth. I didn't do this. You don't seriously think you can blame this shit on me, do you?

video;

[screwedontight]

[Seth stops in working on clearing out the path to the door.]

Are you really giving me a potty mouth lecture? Maybe their parents shouldn't let them on whatever network this is.

[Not quite catching up to speed on Wonderland. Not yet.]

Honestly didn't think it was. Santanico... [He'll blame her for famine and floods if he could.]

No, I don't think you did this, but you obviously know something I fucking don't. What? Someone poison the dinner? I thought the fucking roasted vegges tasted weird.

video;

[seeingthings]

[Time to avoid half of what was just said...]

I know something you don't because I've already been here a couple of months. I'll wait while you fucking let that sink in.

[Video]

[unpreach]

[The parting of Seth and Kate hadn't exactly been on the best of terms, her watching him walk away as she stood there, covered in the blood of her dead friend. At the time, Kate hadn't been sure if she'd ever see him again, let alone how she'd feel if she actually did.

Her expression guarded as the feed flickers to life, Kate raises her eyebrows at the Gecko on her screen.]

Seth?

[Though it shouldn't sound like a question, not really. She knew it was him the second she saw him and if there was any doubt? The half-dozen 'fucks' pretty much sealed the deal.]

[Video]

[screwedontight]

[Okay, that hurt. Sure they parted on bad terms. Well, worse terms for him. She'd had the car, and most of the money, but then he hadn't faced what she had either. But still, her questioning it like she didn't even recognize his face?

Yeah, that hurt.]

That entirely depends on what your next words are going to be if I say yes.

[Because that's the grown up answer.]

[Video]

[unpreach]

[He did look different to the last time, though. Gone was the beard he'd cultivated through lack of giving a damn and there was a clarity to his eyes that she hadn't seen in a long time. Richie had told her he'd gotten clean but she hadn't entirely believed it until seeing him now.

She should be happy, but the selfish, very un-Christian part of her, resented it a little. For months, all she wanted was to see him stop poisoning himself and as soon as she was gone, he did.

Her jaw tightens at his response, gaze dropping away from the camera on her phone, Kate pulling in a slow, steady breath as if preparing herself to go into battle.]

I had to be sure. [A slightly defensive edge to her voice.] This place likes to play tricks on people.

[Video]

[screwedontight]

[Sure he looks cleaned up, but how many devastatingly handsome men in tailored suits does she know? Wait, he knows he doesn't want that answer.]

Because it was that hard to tell? [Though that gives him a few more questions.] What place and what kind of tricks? Look, last thing I know Richie and I try and work things out over dinner and then Santanico is trying to choke Sonja and then I'm in some dumb ass attic.

[Rambling as he tosses things aside, making his way to the door, and not thinking about bringing up Sonja probably not being the best idea.]

[theothermrgray]

[Ugh, a horrid thing lurking in the attic? Dorian isn't exactly amused by the reminder, but at least this man could probably reasoned with.]

Sir, if you would calm down before you start tearing up the attic, I would be happy to inform you all about this lovely nightmare we're all trapped in.

[screwedontight]

[Reasoning may happen. With some shots and a new suit. Sadly neither of those were to be had in making faces at creepy dolls. Seriously who bought things like that for their kids?]

One, don't call me sir. Only people that call me sir are clerks and the fearful and what the hell is there to be afraid of?

Who the hell are you? The welcoming committee? Let me guess. You work for someone from south of the border with a specialized diet and no manners when they eat? If so, no thanks. I know about the nightmare and fuck all if I'm going to be trapped in it.

[Video] Should have clarified that sooner.

[theothermrgray]

[Wait, WHAT? Dorian frowns in disgust.] Definitely not! I would sooner have my own head cut off than be associated with whatever barbarians you're referring to.

[He speaks with a proper British accent, a far cry from anything that would be found in Mexico. His attire, too, is too prim and proper and dated to be found in any sort of drug cartel. And what sort of clerk spends too much time preening himself?]

I am Dorian Gray, not a cowardly clerk. And you are?

[Video]

[screwedontight]

[There's something about that reaction that makes Seth smile.]

Well then, like you already a bit more. You probably should go with the close shave around the collarbones if that's ever an option.

Huh. That's one helluva name. Name's Seth Gecko, and unlike before this place, that's not going to mean a damn thing to anyone here.

video;

[beatupgrass]

[yep that's a raccoon.

yep that's a raccoon with a screwdriver, idly leaning against something while his communicator is propped up against something, angling for that "just decided to skype while working" look.]

It's time for everyone's favorite part o' the week. New guy yells and threatens the people in charge, and feels like an idiot afterwards when a hundred people tell 'em he ain't where he thinks he is.

Welcome to Wonderland, dude.

video;

[screwedontight]

[For the longest time Seth just stares. How could he not? At length, he snorts.]

One, I don't plan to feel like an idiot just because you're all singing the same nonsensical song.

Which brings me to two. [A good person with tact would handle this carefully, for Rocket's sake if nothing else.] What the fuck are you? Animatronics? Is this Disneyland?

[beatupgrass]

[THAT'S ONLY FUNNY WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE MECHANICAL BODY PARTS, SETH.

you'd think he'd learn not to turn his video on, but after that whole thing with Rebekah ages ago, it's just safer this way. but boy if it doesn't make him twitch.]

See... That's the kind of thing that gets a guy shot on his first day.

[screwedontight]

[Yeah well when he's facing talking animals that aren't wanna gods dolled up like snakes, what the hell is he supposed to think?

Well, it's Seth. It would have been a smart ass answer anyway, no matter what.]

So that makes this place any different than the rest of my life how? Let me guess, you don't have a brother.

[Sorry Richie, but now he's just throwing everyone under the bus.]

Also I don't remember there being a raccoon in Alice in Wonderland. Unless you're what they meant by march hare, because that the hell is that?

video;

[powerofmabel]

[okay first of all that is a lot of swearing and she had to cover her ears through most of it, but she's fine. she's good.

...okay all she took out of this was:] Whoa. We have an attic here. Man, I really skipped out on the exploring.

video;

[screwedontight]

I don't recommend you come up here. Just a lot of junk and creepy things I'm pretty sure are possessed or some sh...

[Dammit, why does he care, after all? Yet he does.]

How old are you?

[powerofmabel]

Fourteen. Technically. Wonderland time is weird.

Buuuut I'm completely immune to creepy at this point.

[that's definitely why he asked how old she is, right??]

[screwedontight]

Weird how? I mean, you were born fourteen years ago, right?

No one is immune to that, but seriously your parents know you're talking to a stranger who may actually be a danger on some weird internet connection?

[Video]

[littledhampir]

[Somebody looking mildly amused, may not be the most comforting thing when you first arrive in Wonderland but then Rose isn't exactly considered a valued member of the welcoming committee.]

You get your ass kidnapped and one of your biggest concerns is your suit?

[Video]

[screwedontight]

[Seth isn't even phased by the question as he gets to the door, pausing to tug it open before looking at the device.

At which point he shifts, straightening his tie and probably will later wish he knew about that smudge on his cheek.]

Yeah, that's my concern, because see, eventually I will either not be kidnapped and looking like I've been rolling in the dirt. Or I'll still be kidnapped and my one good suit, and only clothes, will make me look like a bum. Neither of which I want.

Also, Hi. I'm Seth.

[Video]

[littledhampir]

[The very same smudge that Rose could point out to him but... doesn't.]

Oh, you'll be on the kidnapped train for a while. They aren't really big on the short stays around here. [Rose nothing if not blunt when it comes to explaining how things are.]

Rose. [Flashing a wry, half grin at her device.] I usually save the 'nice to meet you's' for days that don't start with a kidnapping but - [She waves a hand in the air, as if to suggest the 'nice to meet you' was implied.]

And I'm guessing nobody has explained the magical closets thing yet, huh?

Re: [Video]

[screwedontight]

[Of course not, and appreciates it as well in that moment. If just that he has no way to get rid of it.]

You know it doesn't much ring as a kidnapping and more like stepping through... what is it that they call it? A wormhole? Like that.

Give me enough days and you might not want to say hi. [Because he's already considering what he's going to do in retaliation for this.

Except now she has his attention.]

Okay what? And if that's a euphemism for the bathroom, it's a little princess girlie.