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[jivitadana]

[Winter was now over and spring had just started. Minato kind of missed the snow, but at least the weather was cool and comfortable instead of being too cold. For a change of pace as he wandered outside, now that the space event was over, he decided to head to the Checkerboard Hills. He hadn't been there often. It was time to check it out again.

That is, if checking it out meant doing a once-over on the checkered patterns from dark to light, then ending up laying in one of the darker square patches, his comm device off to the side as he looked up at the sky.

It's spring here and spring at home. School would be starting again, if he were there and time progressed.

Were these questions even fair? Did he have too much time on his hands, playing around with or thinking about 'what if' in a place that may make him forget his existence here at all?]

..... Would you rather be dead at home or alive here?

Comments

[bloodmagics]

That's the ideal.

[But they both know it has an impossibly low chance of happening.]

Wonderland has given us plenty of reason to hate it, but it can still be a lot better than where we came from. Even without the chance to see our loved ones again.

[jivitadana]

I think I don't mind it so much either because time doesn't move.

[If it did at home and people noticed, that would be a problem. A big problem. Moreso for some people than others, but still. That was messing directly with other worlds even more than what Wonderland's interference was doing now.]

[bloodmagics]

[Hawke gives a low laugh.]

If it did, I'd be a lot more worried. The world I come from isn't... the safest, on its best day. I think I'd spend so much time worrying about everyone, I'd never get anything done.

[He still worries, because Wonderland is Wonderland and you can never trust it.]

[jivitadana]

Can I ask what makes it not safe?

[If he could. A lot of people did come from worlds which weren't all that great. But did they want to share about it?]

[bloodmagics]

Dragons, Darkspawn, spiders the size of horses...

[His light tone might make it sound like he's kidding. He's not.]

[jivitadana]

[Oh, jeez. That does not sound like anyone's idea of fun at all. Maybe. Depending on the person. But wow, so many worlds were just so different from his own.]

Darkspawn. Those things eat humans and carry a disease?

[Of some sort? Something like that?]

so at some point I wrote this tag, thought I posted it and didn't actually... post it....

[bloodmagics]

That's basically it.

[Even if he knew that they turn people into Broodmothers, he wouldn't tell Minato. Some things are better left unknown.]

Every so often they swarm the surface in what's called a Blight. It's... [He swallows the lump in his throat.] Personally, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

No problem! I'm cool with it ^-^

[jivitadana]

There's no way to cure it, is there?

[Not that he had heard of, anyway, or could recall. Still, it didn't sound all that great. He hoped that it didn't happen here in Wonderland because even though he'd worry about Garrett having to deal with it at home, it'd be more worrisome if it happened here too.]

[bloodmagics]

Mm, there is but... it's a tightly guarded secret, unfortunately.

[But.]

A few of the others from my world here know, at least.

[jivitadana]

That's good, in case it ever happens here.

[Minato didn't mind not being told. If someone could cure it, then that was fine. Events might not last that long, but knowing someone could potentially take care of a problem was reassuring. But then he did have to ask:]

Have you had any events based on your world here though?

[bloodmagics]

Once! Nearly a year ago, now that I'm thinking of.

[Wow it's been a while.]

A set of tunnels called the Deep Roads opened up near the edge of the grounds, and it's where the Darkspawn make their lair... I don't think they broached the surface though.

[jivitadana]

[A year. That meant that Garrett had been here for longer than a year and had forgotten something.]

If they stayed under ground, then that was best for everyone. Did they harm anyone though?

[bloodmagics]

Oh, definitely. Wonderland decided to liven things up by compelling us to enter the tunnels to find treasure.

[jivitadana]

As expected of Wonderland. You haven't died though, have you?

[bloodmagics]

I've come close a few times, but so far, no. You?

[jivitadana]

[Minato shook his head.]

No, but if it happens, then I'll just wait to get resurrected.

[That was basically all they could really do if it did occur.]

[bloodmagics]

[He probably shouldn't, but Hawke gives a laugh.]

I suppose that is all you can do.

[But he's been wondering.]

Did you get the answers you were looking for?

[jivitadana]

[Minato nodded and gave him a smile.]

I did. Thank you for helping me find them.