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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Don't mind if I do. Bon appetit.

[The Judge sits himself very properly, and curls his tail around his paws before he leans over and chomps into the well presented meal. You really have to nom your food when you've got a huge set of teeth like his. Still, he is a cat, and manages to keep his mouth and whiskers clean while eating.]

[Not that he doesn't lick his paw to thoroughly wash his face afterwards. It's only proper etiquette.]

[Zacharie waits for the Judge to finish. He knows that it's an interesting experience when eating with a set of teeth like his friend's and talking while eating was considered rude. So while the cat chows down Zacharie organizes his thoughts and grabs a glass of water and a straw for himself while he's at it.

Once it's clear the Judge is done, he'll speak up.]

So how do you rank it to the Meat of our world Pablo? Ten out of Ten or should I complain to the chef?

[Which...would be himself technically but hey, it's not like Zacharie hasn't done something like 'argue' with one of his mask for the heck of it.]

Very good. I am very partial to a good can of Meat from the fountains of Alma, and so it cannot compare to that, but otherwise it is perfectly palatable. The flaky texture and copious amounts of gravy are excellent touches.

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.]

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.

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 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.

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.

I think that strange looks are something you naturally garner, my friend, despite your understanding of things that others would rather ignore. [Purr, purr.] You have a certain mannerism that is all your own. Also, not even I have seen your true face, and masks engender a certain amount of distrust. But not between us, of course.

I like to think the stares are because I am adorable and my mannerisms are endearing. But yes, I do believe you are correct in your observation of masks, although I am thankful no one has made no attempt to see what is under here.

[Because guess what people can do here, rather in the game where everyone more or less just rolled with it?]

But there is no distrust between the two of us. You are my dear fur-end until the end, dear Pablo. Maiou.

[Someone could just reach out and grab it, huh? How rude. Also, they have no idea what they would be getting into by doing so either.]

Absolutely. You will always be my favorite, person-shaped construction.

[He walks forward on the table to give Zacharie a good kitty headbutt, and turns around in a full circle to rub against him, and also pauses to give him a good look at his butt, a sign of deep affection]

~1~

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