[video]

[stereotypicaljock]

[It's a particular day on this imaginary Wonderland calendar that's got Jason thinking about some of the family he's left behind. He misses his father like crazy, even though he's supposed to be old enough to handle that. It makes him think about how many little kids are running around Wonderland without families of their own. It's with them in mind that he addresses the network.]

Hey, guys. Where I'm from, today's a pretty big family day, and I was thinking that might get weird for some people. So I wanted to just get the word out.

[He ducks out of frame so the video is presenting the doorframe of the Youth Center as a visual aid.]

We're gonna make sure people are staffing the youth center all day today. So feel free to stop by if you could use a little extra company. We can play some games, or eat way too much ice cream, or sit around and talk. It's your call.

[Sometimes if a father can't be around, a big brother might do.]

Comments

[henrydaniel]

[ Henry's been on the Jolly Roger all day, holding onto a picture of him and his dad. He was in Wonderland for so long, and it never would have been long enough no matter what. He speaks quietly, telling Neal he misses him, that he wishes he'd come back, filling him in on everything. When he sees the message on his phone, Henry watches the video and contemplates not going, just sticking to his own deal of remembering his dad.

But then he thinks...maybe his dad wouldn't want him to be alone. He'd want him to reach out and be with this friends, to talk to someone. So, with that, Henry teleports himself to the mansion's front doors and walks the rest of the way to the youth center, looking around. He hasn't been in here before, but now that he is, he has to admit it's pretty cool.

Wandering a little, he explores, picture still in hand, knowing now that he knows about this place, he'll be hanging out more often. ]

[stereotypicaljock]

[When he approaches, Jason's busy fiddling with his device. Draped backwards against a sofa, he's just decided to see what Billy can do to get some games installed. He looks up when the door closes itself, smiling warmly.]

Well hey there. I'm Jason. It's good to see you.

[That's important to stress to this kid, who looks beyond forlorn.]

[henrydaniel]

Hey, Jason, I'm Henry.

[ He smiles and walks closer, very carefully - because it's important to him - folding the picture of his dad up and putting it back into his pocket. ]

I didn't even know the youth center was here. This is really cool. Like, it's...more than I thought.

video

[naughty_nurse]

Um... c-can I also come?

video

[stereotypicaljock]

Well of course you can come too.

[He's having trouble eyeballing an age for her, but she certainly seems like she could use a friend.]

video

[naughty_nurse]

[mikan needs SO MANY FRIENDS.]

Th-thank you ver much!

video;

[geekorthodox]

There's a youth center here? That's amazing, that's...that's something you came up with?

[ She's still learning a lot about Wonderland, and with some of the terrible things she's heard about this place, it's nice to know people here have collaborated to develop something like a youth center. ]

Do you need anything? I'm pretty good with kids, I could come up with some puzzles or riddles or trivia games.

video;

[stereotypicaljock]

Hm? Oh, me? Nah... [Are people already trying to give him credit for something a team's been working on? Is this a superpower he didn't know he had?] Just a volunteer like everyone else here. You'd have to talk to Elena for details, but I think the person who came up with it went home a while ago.

[But of course there's a youth center. Some of the kids here are really small. They need someone looking out for them.]

As far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier. You're what, nineteen? Twenty? There's a pretty sweet theater setup you might want to check out.

video;

[geekorthodox]

Oh, okay. Well, it's a good thing, people coming together for that. It worries me a little, seeing the kids here, but people are definitely looking out for them. It seems like...people are good at looking out for each other in general here? I'm getting that vibe.

[ Her eyes widen a little when he tries to guess her age, and she laughs a little, completely flattered but shaking her head. ]

Oh, me, what? No, no, no - you're off by over ten years, but that was a super nice ego boost for today, thank you. So, yeah, I'd love to help with volunteering.

[video]

[deadshapes]

Man, it's father's day isn't it.

[video]

[stereotypicaljock]

Sure is. [So there's probably a world out there where cat people celebrate family. It's still not the weirdest thing he's had to consider here.]

[video]

[deadshapes]

[She props her chin in her hands.]

I wonder what my dad's doing right now. Probably working. I mean...I still don't understand how time's supposed to work for people back home. They're just stuck, right?

Video;

[actualwizard]

[ Billy gives him a thumbs up- or well he tried, but then he dropped the phone, did a decent fumble and oh look there's his face again, sporting a sheepish smile. Smooth. ]

Hey. I'm headed down there now. Do you guys need anything?

[ Elena had sort of insisted that he be a presence down in the youth center in case anyone needed something or someone to talk to, and Billy did actually like being a surrogate big brother. He did have experience after all, and the kids here were much less annoying than his siblings- or so he told himself in an effort to miss them less. ]

I was thinking about throwing on some movies if anyone wants an hour or two of pure escapism.

Video;

[stereotypicaljock]

[The smoothest. He bites his cheek to keep from laughing, but the smile persists despite his best efforts. Jason loves every single one of his awkward bros.]

I think we're good for now, but people are starting to trickle in. It'll probably be good if you've got something already rolling when they get here. This group seems pretty shy on the whole.

Re: Video;

[actualwizard]

[ He better. Mostly cuz he probably attracts awkward bros like flies to honey...bees to honey? Something to honey. ]

I can do that, have any suggestions? I was going to say Star Wars but we seem to have some new residents here that might not enjoy seeing themselves in a movie.

[like247]

[It's a little less about Father's Day and more about having signed up to help with the place that has Wendy wandering in that day. Sure, let's go with that because it was easier than thinking about her family.

So instead she's wandering through the Youth Center, checking things out.

Curious, ice cream cone in hand as she spends some time in the middle of the room, taking in the area around her.]

Not bad. Not bad at all. Pretty cool.

[stereotypicaljock]

[Oh, absolutely. There is definitely no level of projection at hand in a situation like this when it comes to volunteering. Jason totally gets where she's coming from.]

I know, right? There've been worse places to hang out.

[action]

[saved]

( Peter's already here, signed up to fill in whatever needs filling in, which has usually been his role in the Youth Center ever since Bonnie started it up all that time ago. He's nearby when Jason records his video post though he wasn't in the shot of it. )

That was good of you to let everyone know.

( He's sure some of the younger kids are struggling. Maybe Jason is too. He seems the type to help others more than to talk about maybe needing to talk too. ) Is it... weird for you that today's Father's day?

[action]

[stereotypicaljock]

[He shrugs lightly, casting his eyes away as if that will deflect the praise.]

Not really. This is just one of those days that can be a reminder, you know? There are a lot of kids who've never even been away from home before they came here. The whole thing's bound to be scary for them.

[And then Peter asks about him, and he shakes his head, doubling down on his own blandness. People stop asking once they have enough to fill in the blanks themselves.]

Nah, I don't have any weird hangups like that. No big traumas to report. [And then, just to deflect further:] What about you? Any big dad stories?

action }

[meanestgirl]

[If he happens to wander into ice cream parlor, Kimberly will fix him a nice sundae, because eating your feelings is totally the way to go on this one right?

Right.]

I miss mine too.

action }

[stereotypicaljock]

[Oh, he makes it a point to wander in that direction as often as he can think to justify it. This is his favorite place to wander, when it comes to visiting his favorite girl.

He settles in front of the sundae, and has only just reached for a spoon when Kimberly does that thing where she cuts through absolutely everything to find the heart of the matter. Pun only half-intended.]

Was it that obvious?

video

[fancylad]

[Father's Day generally came with an expensive brunch and the expectation of a card. Angus was very bad at Father's Day, a fact his mother would helpfully remind him of often, but he usually got to see his grandfather today.

Well, not anymore. Not even at home, anymore. Angus bites his lip.]

I didn't realize there was a youth center... Any kid can come?

[Even him?]

video

[stereotypicaljock]

Sure can. You never know when someone might need a friend.

[Even him.]

Think you can make some time to swing by for a little bit?

[action forever]

[drummeintheface]

[Greg's confused at first. A family day? But he sees what everyone's talking about and it all makes sense. It's Dad's Day and Dad isn't even here.

So he takes this guy up on the offer. He likes the Youth Center anyway, but it's extra nice when he's feeling a little sad. He makes sure to send a message to Wirt in case he wants to come too-- he's got two dads to miss.

But he's not super surprised to find Wirt isn't there when he arrives. Wirt usually stays in his room when he's sad. So he looks for the guy in the video and taps his arm to get his attention.]

Um. Do you want to play a game with me?

[He feels weird. He doesn't know how these feelings work. His cheeks are hot.]

[action forever]

[stereotypicaljock]

[Oh well hey there. You're a little guy, aren't you? Jason had no idea Wonderland took people this small. He sets down his device after the tappening, giving this tiny child his full and undivided attention.]

I would love to play a game with you. Is there one you already had in mind?