entranceway | [VIDEO] speaking as a guy who's really got it going on...

[HERE'S PERIDOT, looking like a kid in a candy store at this point, she's got her face pressed to her omnitool for a brief moment before she adjusts the screen enough so that it's not a close-up of her pores- if she had pores- and shows more of her head, and, more importantly, the hustle and bustle of the strip behind her.]

Wonderland Log #3.

We're in the middle of a new event, one that seems to be rather... recreational in nature. At first I was apprehensive. Wonderland rarely puts us in events that are meant strictly for our own enjoyment, but after careful analysis, it does appear to be exactly what it is- a, as Earth ones say, vacation.

[her voice rises in excitement] And since my defection, I have never been farther than the Earth's moon. I can only imagine how amazing the rest of the universe is when I'm not viewing it through Homeworld's lens! This is going to be great!

But fear not, my fellow victims to Wonderland's machinations. I know the wider galaxy is a vast mystery to Earthlings, so I'll be happy to act as an interpreter and guide. It may not be a system I'm familiar with, but heh. If you've seen one space hub, you've seen-

[Peridot's eyes track something on her left and she lets out a gasp of delight.] Oh my stars, what is that? Those are the most amazing shirts I've ever seen. The appearance modifiers here are so streamlined and elegant. I must have them.

[and the feed clicks off, mid-log while Peridot rushes to a clothing store to indulge her inner fashionista.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

It's like a simulation. How else do you explain why Wonderland can change its location and add and subtract details as it sees fit. Or why it doesn't extend past a certain point.

Or why the closets work!

_[Busted.]

Couldn't have put it better myself!

_{[Sans does good work. The slip-up has him grinning until Peridot hints there may be more to this story than meets the eye. He cocks his head. This might be the most he's ever heard about Peridot's home life in one sitting before.]}

Why can't you? You said it was something like a duty for you, right?

Some claim that it's magic. [ Robyn shrugs. ] Depending on who you speak with, you may hear a dozen different explanations...

Heh, I guess so. Don't know if they got anywhere like that here, but that's what I'd be lookin' for.

[Maybe ask in the store..?]

They're clearly oversimplifying it to keep from accepting the cold reality of it. People want to make the most of this place and forget that we're trapped.

[EVERY TIME]

It's a gem who creates other gems. At least that's the simplified version.

[she's quiet for a moment.]

Because gem manufacturing inevitably hollows out planets. It sucks them dry and leaves them uninhabitable for any life besides gems.

_{[Ah--

Anders opens his mouth, holds like that for a second, then closes it. Her space-faring ways and her job description are a lot more awkward than they were a split second ago.]}

Oh, I see... I see. _{[Awkward, awkward, awkward.]} For reference, which part was it that made you happy, exactly? The birthing part, or the "destroying life on earth" part?

_{[Just... for curiosity's sake.]}

[oh she'll ask all right.

she'll yell across the store with the communicator still close to her face so he gets an earful of Peri-yelling.] HEY! IS THERE A TAILOR IN HERE?!

It can be hard to accept a 'cold reality,' sometimes. [ She notes, mildly. ] Don't you think?

Maybe if you're not compelled to use logic and reason.

[stop saying birthing Anders.]

The... making new gems part. That was my job. My reason for existence. Of course it made me happy! Everything else were just consequences I never thought about, because all gems care about is spreading our empire further. I'm different now- I don't want that. But you can't destroy everything you were made to be just by having a change of heart. Pearl still wants to be told what to do by people she defers to. Amethyst still fights. It's in our build to be what Homeworld wanted us to be.

yeah, it seems really nice.... oh, uh, did you say you were from space?

Oh. You do that, uhm, y-yourself? Is it like, a special power, or through machines?

[She's so curious. Even if the words use in human terms is a silly association.]

_{[Would "resource-sucking propagation" work better?]}

But by the sounds of it, if I'm hearing you correctly you're aware of those pretty steep consequences now and don't want those, either.

_{[Because if Peridot does liken her people to an empire merrily destroying the land it conquers, it's hard not to think of darkspawn increasing their numbers deep under the earth, uncaring of what or who they taint to do it.

That's not an association he wants to draw with anyone in Wonderland, as he wants to like the people here.]}

If being your own person was easy, everybody would do it. But that's the nifty thing about free will--you're not chained to some innate nature so long as you have it.

Originally. I live on Earth now that I've abandoned my Homeworld. [dismissively, as if that will make it easier to say:] It... was a whole thing.

Oh no, we have injectors and things for that. We just control the mixtures and where the injectors are placed and various other technological bits. Impressive, I know.

[Yes.]

No. I don't want that. I like being free, and I like Earth. It's all just- hrrrgh- complicated.

[this conversation went places. she almost misses the petty bickering now.]

...do you miss it?

Maybe. [ Ah, but there's no use fighting over it. ] ... I didn't mean to move so far from your point. I only wanted to check in and see how you've been doing.

[awwkard silence]

It doesn't matter, does it? It's... not like I can go back.

_{[And to think all he'd intended was to tease her a bit about showing a maternal instinct to a bunch of sentient rocks.

To his own surprise as much as anyone else's, Anders makes an amused sound that loudens into amused laughter, head tipped back and shoulders shaking.]}

Now you're talking like a human. "Complicated" is our middle name. That might be the most normal thing I've ever heard you say. _[Um.] Well, making planets uninhabitable is less normal, but...

_{[But the rest are pretty healthy doubts to have. More than that, they're relatable.]}

That's no small thing, seeing the forest for the trees and taking a step back from this kindergartner business.

That must be, uhm, s-such a precise science, though! Literally creating life, I mean... there's so many variations. I imagine it would be impossible to keep track of every outcome.

That's... one way t' get attention.

[Despite being a confident person by nature, Dan doesn't really shout a lot and that... was impressive.]

Got any hits?

Oh. Are they expanding good?

[Isn't expanding like, balloons? Is Peridot going to blow up?]

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[VIDEO] speaking as a guy who's really got it going on...

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pokes peridot's emotions with a stick

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