File Z5287452 - No Context

[oversight]

[ While he's known for being pretty quick to assess a situation and pick up on what's going on, there hasn't hardly been time for that before Robin John Blake is addressing the network, a rather uneasy expression wrinkling his forehead, his whole being scrunched up while he tries to get used to using a video function that is nowhere near standard in his time and place. ]

Uh... Know this is gonna sound kinda weird, but— [ Believe it or not, John Blake, there isn't much you could say that the denizen of Wonderland would consider weird, but you go ahead and give it a try, buddy. ] Well... don't s'pose I'm dreamin', am I?

[ It feels like a good guess because he doesn't remember traveling, and he certainly doesn't remember leaving home, and since the last thing he'd done was attend a funeral, it could be a strange coincidence, a fabrication of his mind that's now semi-lucid, sitting here telling him how what he sees and feels can't be what's actually happening. People don't just appear in storybooks (and even if he did, it wouldn't be this celebrated tale). ]

Barrin' that, think I might be dead... [ It's mumbled in an off-hand way, as if maybe he's already considered it, but decided not to lead with that theory. Audible to the rest, even if he's quick to move on from saying it. ] But on the off chance I'm not either of those things, think someone could help me out figurin' what's goin' on here?

[ He likes to think a uniform would have added something to this request, but having just given up his badge for good, all he can do is address everyone as a regular guy — definitely not his first choice, since it usually does him no favors.

He looks like he's done, about to end the transmission, when something else occurs to him. ] —in person, if possible. Not really— Not really much of a fan of these things, not if I can help it.

[ He can't, not here, but he'll at least be content to try for a while. With luck, it won't even matter when he wakes up from all of this... ]

Be— [ A gesture over his shoulder. ] Gonna be outside for a while — out front. So... yeah.


[[ OOC: Video, audio, or action perfectly okay, just note. Will also match style. For starters, send a PM to this account or hit me up @ blakeroo on plurk. :) ]]

Comments

video;

[ofletters]

[ The world has not been particularly kind to Sam lately. The younger Winchester, who had found a kind of level calm and even acceptance during their space trip, has begun again the hollow sort of plummet into 'is it all worth it?' With the people he cares about disappearing every day, it's hard to tell what the answer to that question is.

Except, today... there's actually something good.

Blake - John Blake. One of his oldest Wonderland friends, gone, seemingly for good. ... Except, that's him over the feed, and Sam knows there's no way he'll remember Sam himself, or anything about Wonderland, and it's all obvious from the way he addresses the network -

But he still responds, trying to look no more pleased than a normal person, but perhaps coming off as a little too relieved, for his speaking to a 'stranger.' ]

Hey, man. I can help.

[ He didn't say his name, right? Better not use it. ]

You said you're out front? Mind if I join you?

video; -> action;

[oversight]

[ Nothing too strange about that, he thinks. There's no sense of familiarity save for the smile that seems a touch too warm for polite company. But really, what does he know about that? Polite company isn't exactly his forte. ]

No, that's fine...

[ He did suggest it, didn't he? But Blake doesn't say what he wants to say, thinking it better to be gracious that someone is even bothering to help him. ]

Thanks.

[ So warm, so talkative. This guy is definitely going for the most amicable arrival to date. He actually hangs up instead of staying on the line, waiting around outside the entranceway, warily fidgeting at his clothes - funeral attire, nicer than usual - the communicator, whatever he can get his hands on.

He can't wait to hear what kind of cockamamie this guy's going to come up with... ]

action;

[ofletters]

[ Before long, the tall drink of water that is Sam heads out the front doors.

Blake. It's really him, though obviously without his memories.

Distantly, he wonders if Crowley's come back, too. ]

Sam Winchester. [ He announces, extending a hand to shake. ] Welcome to Wonderland.

action;

[oversight]

Why's that sound like a death sentence?

[ He laughs a little — it's thin, lifeless, lacking humor but not lacking in exasperation. Something about the approach doesn't give much of a soft landing and John's understandably jarred. He's never even left Gotham and now all of a sudden he's somewhere unexplained, meeting new people, opening up lines of communication.

But then again, he'd asked for this, hadn't he? Broadcasting himself was the first step and if he's at all uncomfortable about it now, he really only has himself to blame. He could have just as easily kept his mouth shut.

Uncertainly, he shakes that offered hand, looking up at the rather hulking individual casting shadows on his short-ass self. ]

Nice to meet you, Sam. Name's Blake. John Blake.

/SLAMS INTO YOU - action

[sorryitasedyou]

[ There are some things that Darcy can be poised about. Some things that she can maintain an air of detachment or be logical... Where she isn't impulsive and emotional and letting her feet go before her brain. Blake coming back to Wonderland for real isn't one of them. She's already moving when his face pops up on the screen, listening to his speech pattern in a not creepy way to confirm it's really him as she goes before stopping herself because she hadn't exactly set out with a destination in mind.

Front doors. Outside.

Her steps shift and she fights the urge to run, brown curls bouncing with each hurried step before she reaches the entranceway... And stops. She composes herself, ignoring the voice in the back of her mind running through all the what-ifs that could happen. It's a solid minute before she actually slips outside, clearing her throat softly before offering a smile. ]

Uh-- [ Should she wave, extend a hand to shake, nod? Oh god, she didn't plan anything beyond 'don't word-vomit at him'. With him not knowing who she is, this should go much better than the last time he just popped in... Right? Sure. Of course. Quickly closing her mouth and trying to keep her expression light and semi-neutral, and probably failing, she opts for a sorta standard speil. ] --Hi, I'm Darcy. Consider me a sort of welcome committee. Kinda. I mean, I think I'm in the top 10 of people who've been here the longest so I guess that puts me on the committee... [ And she's rambling. ] Anyhoo, I can give you a tour or if you would rather have a cup of coffee I can take you to my coffee shop and answer some questions there. Wonderland also has a brochure that one of the residents made. It might help.

[ Or I can leave you alone is left unsaid because it's not really a thing she wants to do if she can help it because she's missed him so much. And with everything that's happened and dealing with the aftermath of the mirrors, it'd be kinda nice to just chill with a familiar face who has no idea what he's missed. ]

action hiiiiiiii

[oversight]

[ It's one hell of an info-dump without being too informative, and as Blake gets halfway to waving back, he's already trying to discern some key information, trying to make sense of this sudden tirade. ]

Why don't we slow it down a little, yeah?

[ It's the cop in him coming out, that part that's ready to assess a situation, to calm everyone involved as best as possible in order to get answers. Something about Darcy gives him the impression he ought to — something about how she strings six things together in succession without truly providing any answers. ]

When you say "brochure" together with "welcome committee," it sorta gives me the feelin' this is some kinda a vacation spot...

[ Please note his very dubious expression. If she tries to sell him that one (or a timeshare), he's going to cut this conversation short pretty quickly. ]

<33333

[sorryitasedyou]

[ Yeeeeeeeeeeeeah, this is all a little overwhelming for her. Sorry Blake. She backpedals the word-vomit as best she can, knowing that expression and deciding on a different approach. ]

Okay, yup. Sorry. I get a little - This-- It's a long story.

[ FOCUS ON THE PLACE. ]

Definitely not a vacation spot. Pretty much the opposite, in fact, unless you consider kidnapping with no way home a vacation. [ She sighs, shoulders relaxing a little as she settles into a less tense state. ]

We've all kind of adapted and are tryin' to make the best of a bad situation, one that kinda hits epic suck levels at times. But, you get to meet some pretty cool people. It's not all crappy. [ And one day, maybe she'll show him the cookbook... But she's not sure he's ready for that. ]

audio;

[screwedontight]

[Due to recent events, Seth isn't entirely up to people things. He's not entirely up to being very humane either, but damn he's bored. Besides, people should be warned of their new life.]

You aren't dead. Dead would probably be easier. Also, if your dreams are like this, I wouldn't fucking want to know what your nightmares are like.

Welcome to Wonderland, where the loonies run the bin and the locals have all been kidnapped.

audio;

[oversight]

[ He's a bit relieved for what amounts to a regular phone call. It allows him an opportunity to do something with his face — specifically, emote. Of course, that does him no good when he scoffs a little on the other end of the line. Strangely enough, there are times when Seth's sentiment about Wonderland is on the nose for how John's felt about Gotham City. ]

Yeah, thanks for that...

[ At least someone is a little more directly answering his questions. Everyone else seems to want to do the whole get-to-know-you thing, when he's quite frankly more interested in answers right now. ]

—but I don't remember bein' kidnapped. Don't remember gettin' here at all.

audio;

[screwedontight]

[Seth figures people showing up are dealing with enough without some cold hard facts. It had made it easier for him.]

Yeah, I didn't remember it either. No one does. No sign of being hit over the head, no taste like you've been drugged. Not a damn thing to clear it up. I was running on wormhole for a while, but way too many showing up just since I got here to believe they're all just tripping over one.

No one remembers how, and the answers that start adding up aren't likely to make you much happier. Go with wormhole.

action!

[agentxthirteen]

[ Oh, no.

Normally, seeing Blake again would be considered a not-bad thing. Not necessarily a good thing, mind, given that their first encounter had been her shooting him after he'd been bitten by a zombie. But by the end, they hadn't been enemies. He'd even told her some things she doubts he'd told many people at all. She still isn't entirely sure why he told her. Maybe he just appreciated that he'd been willing and able to shoot him. Maybe he'd been losing his mental capacity toward the end - God knew he'd been in Wonderland long enough, and had seen enough, to do so.

But now he's back, and the timing couldn't be worse. She knows he probably can't remember that he'd lent her his notes, but she doesn't think he's the sort to calmly accept that she has no idea where those notes are now. Maybe she's just projecting. Wouldn't it be great if she were just projecting?

Still, maybe he can help her rebuild her notes. Maybe he still has that skillset he'd mentioned.

There are several ways he could be useful, actually.

She doesn't bother responding to his video, instead heading straight outside and looking around for him. She knows what he looks like, what he sounds like. He probably doesn't realize that.

She makes a beeline to him and holds out her hand. ]

Blake. Sharon Carter. Do you remember me from the last time you were here, by any chance?

[ It's unlikely, but it would be great if he still had his memories. Even if it means he remembers who last had his notebooks. ]

action!

[oversight]

[ It doesn't escape him that she knows him name outright, but it hardly matters that he didn't include it in his message, because he is apparently some type of familiar face around these parts. ]

Ah. Sharon, hi.

[ He takes her hand, shakes it firmly, retreats back on himself, his arms crossing high up on his chest. He's not uncomfortable per se — after months under siege in Gotham, even this feels a bit like a breath of fresh air — but he is a little perturbed that his reputation apparent precedes him. ]

This place isn't ringin' any kinda bells with me other'n the obvious. But I guess I'm not the only one that's not from 'round here.

[ Or the only one who's come back. And now he has to wonder who Sharon Carter is and who she was to him, not to mention who he was the last time around. Is this what it's like to live in the shadow of an older sibling? Blake doesn't have one to know, but it sticks in his head despite that, make him relate enough that he doesn't get too sidetracked with all the implications. ]

action!

[agentxthirteen]

[ No bells rung. Damn it. She'd hoped he would remember something.

Hoped, but not expected.

She gives him a nod. ]

Near as I can tell, all of us are from somewhere else except the Wonderland characters.

[ She crosses her arms, unconsciously mirroring his own stance. ]

So.

You still Batman?

[video]

[voiceinthedark]

Oh my god! Blake!

[Sam can't help himself at first, but he remembers just after the words have escaped him and looks intensely awkward.]

Um, I mean... hi? Welcome to Wonderland.

[He's pretty glad that Crowley isn't here still. he'd be pissed as hell about this.]

[video]

[oversight]

[ No hiding that slip-up. His expression remains as passive as possible, but like Sam, he can't quite keep it all in. His eyebrow twitches a little, practically an accusation all its own. Twice now he's checked to make sure this isn't some kind of hidden camera show. Twice he's come back short and questioning his sanity that much more each time.

This is really going to take some getting used to, isn't it? And he hasn't even heard the worst of it yet. ]

Y'know, people almost never welcome you somewhere you wanna be... [ Said in almost a grumble. ]

So, what's your name since you know mine?

[video]

[voiceinthedark]

[Sam gives him an apologetic look. Ooops, maybe he should learn to tamp down the enthusiasm.]

I'm Sam Yao. And sorry. Just... people go missing a lot. Not often they come back.

[Video]

[cisskabob]

[Don't worry Blake, this particular person isn't someone who knew you before, or who has any passing familiarity with you. She's just friendly and helpful. Or trying to be, because she doesn't feel like she did anyone much good during recent events.]

You're not dead, and not dreaming. Think of it as a... pocket dimension or something. Like Narnia. Except it's not Narnia, it's Wonderland, as in Alice and. There's actually a brochure, if you want it. I don't know if anyone's given you the run down yet?

[Cissie gives a smile and a brief wave.] I'm Cissie. Hi.

[Video]

[oversight]

[ Well, okay, Cissie might be rambling a bit like the rest, but at least Blake's frazzled mind is finding what she's suggesting to be plausible. It's outside the scope of the world as he knows it, but just because Gotham didn't have its own portal to another dimension didn't mean another dimension wouldn't open up a portal to Gotham.

What? He's watched a few sci-fi movies in his time... probably. ]

Hey, Cissie, thanks for gettin' back to me. Take whatever you got, sure — advice, whatever. Anything. [ Coping mechanisms would help, too, but who asks for that? He shrugs at the camera, a little lost. ]

Name's Blake. John.

[Video]

[cisskabob]

Hi John. Uh, Mr. Blake? [Have a sheepish grin. Her mother probably taught her manners along with all of those other ridiculous things. She definitely took those etiquette classes, even if she's tried to forget as much as possible. When is she ever going to know what a shrimp fork looks like.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand.] I can send it electronically, or if you want a paper copy, I can bring one to you, whichever's easier for you. As far as advice goes? I've only been here a few months, so I'm still pretty new myself. But there's definitely an adjustment period, especially if you're not used to... weird stuff. Like pocket dimensions. [That's a joke. You can tell by her very self-deprecating smile.] Or alternate realities, or magic being real. Even if those things exist where you're from, maybe you don't experience them first hand, and it's still weird when stuff starts happening.

[Video]

[mrsarcastic003]

Welcome to Wonderland, Mr. Blake. I'm Tim Drake. [They've never met, so there's no recognition in Tim's face or voice when he speaks. Just polite introduction.] It looks like other people have the orientation part covered. I just wanted to add that there's a current events publication put out by one of the residents called The Shattered Mirror. It's available in the library if you want a more compact version of what's going on and what's been going on than searching the network, which can be... a lot. [He grins a little, because he's totally the kind of nerd that will read the 'zine and the network.]

[Video]

[oversight]

Someone started a newspaper...

[ What in the world? He supposes people will do whatever they need to in order to get by, but the last thing he can imagine himself doing is settling in enough that he feels like writing about it.

He runs a hand down his face, thinking to himself that this whole ordeal is already starting to overtake the last six months of weirdness he'd experienced (although, as a whole and at present, it hasn't surpassed the historical weirdness of Gotham City in his lifetime... yet. ]

Drake- Ah, Tim, nice to meet you. Thanks for the info.

This an open network- um, an open line? Do you know? Can anyone see what's goin' on with anyone?

[Video]

[mrsarcastic003]

[Well. Gotham is pretty weird. Someday they'll figure out they're from the same city and swap stories.]

There are privacy settings, but if you're not using those, it is an open network, yes. [Wry grin.] It was how I got your name. I'm one of the nerds that reads as much of the network as he can.

text;

[mimic]

[ Peter remembers what it was like for him when he first arrived here so of course he's going to get in touch with the newcomer, even if he's a few hours late. Wonderland is... something alright. Months later and he still hasn't gotten used to being here and he doubts he'll ever get used to it. ]

Hey. I'm Peter. Welcome to Wonderland, I guess. You doing okay?

text;

[oversight]

Not really, but thanks for asking.

Nice to meet you, Peter. My name's John Blake and I'm sure it's no surprise all of this has given me a big damn headache. Where can a guy buy a Tylenol around here?

text;

[mimic]

[ He could tell poor Blake to simply wish for it from the closet, but obviously he's already going through enough so: ]

I've got Tylenol in my room. Feel free to come round. #407, first floor. Door's open.