entranceway

What an absolutely delectable distraction!

[A frightening feline visage graces the viewer. While it registers more or less as a cat in shape and size, there is something particularly off about it. The eyes are too big, and the mouth gapes, full of crowded teeth pointing in all directions. It’s visibly smiling, which is something a normal cat shouldn’t be able to do. Maybe this is what cats look like in nightmares?]

Such an array of colours and textures! I find myself mourning my poor ability to see all the different shades, but oh, the sensations underneath my toes! The feeling of raking my claws over the various chairs and couches in this lovely building is nothing less than sublime.

I’ve been missing out my entire life, only able to sharpen them against the cold metal of Zone 0. It makes a most unpleasant sound, but one must endure. Hygiene is very important, children.

And they have even made me a little present. While I would prefer some fresh quarry to chase, or perhaps something to open those vexing little tins with, this device is more than satisfactory. It is made just for the charming, rounded shape of my paws.

[It kneads them against the screen, purring in a satisfied manner.]

Tell me, my well-kept inmates, what is the purpose of our prison? I was thoroughly convinced that my world had been reduced to nothingness, as my wanderings proved fruitless, and yet I am here, vibrant and alive! The puppeteers have made quite the tangle of strings here, but it does not bother me any more than any other ball of yarn, which we cats are so expert at unraveling.

I implore you to tell me all you know. I am very, very curious.

[OOC: Before playing with The Judge, please check out his permissions post! He has a particular fourth-wall breaking power that you need to know about before engaging with him.]

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Excellent. It is particularly heartwarming to hear a friend enjoyed a good meal. While you are digesting your food, would you like to hear the various 'hows' and 'whys' of this place? As much as it's given us these answers, ah ah ah.

[Because being vague as hell seems to be the name of the game here.]

You're a judge?

[Well, that was completely unexpected. Until the second thing the Judge says. It sounds familiar for a minute, but he can only remember one other guy who spoke all in... code and dialogue and whatnot.]

Hey, uh, do you know a Zacharie?

[The name's spoken a little hesitantly, like he's still not used to using the... full name.]

Finally, I have found my tutorial. While it is not your usual function, I think you will prove most capable, compared to the other confused characters wandering about here.

I'm not a charity chase. I don't need food from just anyone. Only the ones that think I'm cute, and like the way I insistently rub about their ankles.

Not a judge, the Judge. My function is singular,and I am the only one of my kind.

And yes, I do! He is a very good friend of mine. Are the two of you acquainted?

I cannot. I have a deep and personal understanding of my world, but some of its cogs and gears turn in a place beyond my comprehension.

It is so they can traverse the Zones without being obliterated by the spectres. Very nasty hindrances that they are.

I give you my wholehearted permission.

Now you only have to find me.

Um... M-May I ask where you are?

That is a very casual attitude for someone like you to have. You may not give the tutorial, but do we not perform similar functions, as guides to the puppeteer?

You may, but I will not answer. Cats never give away their location!

[Unless they're hungry.]

I could think you're cute, but you wouldn't necessarily like me either.

[So he exists on a tier below Zacharie, maybe. Able to address the Puppeteer, but not dissect the...what does Chara call it? The "bones of the world"? A block, but maybe one that makes sense.

They shouldn't have pressed.]

I'm sorry.

Ah ah ah, of course. I am not one to leave a good friend in the dark, so to speak, and it's rather difficult for the guide character to do his assigned job without all of the facts. Although you will have to forgive me if I repeat something someone has already said or the abundance of plot holes. Wonderland has not given us the full story yet.

[And naturally Zacharie's foresight worked for OFF only. He drums his fingers against the table before speaking.]

As many must have said to you by this point, this place is known as Wonderland and is ruled over by a certain Queen from a book known as "Alice in Wonderland", along with the rest of that colorful cast. Much like us the people here are from other worlds and brought to this place without so much as a polite request. Wonderland feeds off of our memories and subjects us to various events based on them. What the endgame goal of this place is, however, I do not know.

[That's about a basic of plot summaries he can give. On to the next part.]

On the other side of mirrors exists a copy of the mansion that we are standing in. It is inhabited with copies of ourselves, dubbed 'Mirrors'. The collective agreement between those living here is to avoid them.

[Zacharie does so mostly because, while his own Mirror apparently has no interest in talking face-to-face, he's heard enough to come to some rather unfortunate conclusions. But that can wait. Any questions so far?]

I don't want to repeat what you know already. But I'll tell you what I know.

If you repeat something I already know, I don't mind to hear it again.

It is no trouble. You didn't know. And it sounds as though we've had similar experiences.

A little bit.

[They've been on one end of the spectrum, that is, and it wasn't the Judge's.]

I made mistakes, back home.

I see, I see! I had heard that we were brought here to feed this world our memories, but it is interesting to hear that its shaping was based off of a book. And we have a Queen here, no less. I wonder if another child is behind all of this.

There certainly are enough puppeteers... It's a great mess, Zacharie. Some of them don't mind my meddling, but others wish for privacy, which I respect. And then I can only assume that you and I have our own strings within their firm grasp as well. The feeling is familiar enough.

That seems wise. These Mirrors are like the devils we all could have been, and I'd really rather not know their faces, despite all my natural curiosity.

Well, which is it then? You're a rather wishy-washy fellow.

[That made Minato smile just a little. Cats.]

Cute then. But what should I call you to make it properly so?

There appears to be a young girl here but I have not met her face-to-face just yet, so I do not know much about her. There is a library here if you wish to search for the book however.

[Zacharie's not going to hunt it up unless it becomes impossible. Guide characters were for hints and the like, not hand-holding.]

That it is. I have not mentioned any names because of the varying reactions. It seems self-aware video game characters are rather unique here! Quite a number of strange looks I have been given, let me tell you.

[Or maybe that's just because you're werid and a self-aware video game character Zacharie.]

It is. And although I do not have a face in the traditional sense, I highly recommend you avoid my own Mirror. I have drawn a few conclusions about him and they are not pleasant.

someone like me?

[There's that "puppeteer" thing again. Guess there's no denying it.]

i'm guessing you know a guy named zacharie, yeah? likes masks?

Oh, wait, wait. Are you a monster, too?

[But he's not from the other monsters' world, is he? Still, it's rare for anyplace to have a talking cat. Talking... Judge. Whatever he is.]

Kinda sorta. Said he's a merchant, an' he's a little weird. Always talks about helpin' the hero or being part of a game or somethin'.

Huh?!

... W-well, I guess that's true...

[Y'know, since. most cats don't talk. but. okay. she can accept that.]

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