entranceway | video;

[ When Sarah comes into view, she's sitting with her elbows on a table, fingers steepled, and she actually looks Very Serious™ while contemplating how best to phrase her question. The conversation has come up privately, and she needs to have a full understanding of one of the parts of Wonderland she's never bothered with - the Vendors. ]

Hey. I know everyone's kind of consumed with what the dormouse had to say or...didn't say. But I really want to see where everyone falls regarding opinions on the Vendors.

Since we can't pick the memory they want, that means somehow they can rifle through our minds to pick the thing they want to take. And it'd probably have to be something meaningful or impactful. If I ever, for whatever reason, had no option but to use the Vendors, I could lose something like the birth of my son. I'd have no choice or say in the matter.

[ Her reason for using the Vendors would have to be extraordinary. Something involving Kurt or Ray and dire circumstances. ]

Anyway, my actual question is...how do we know, if the Vendors can access our minds and memories, that they or someone or something else doesn't do that all the time, on a constant basis? If Wonderland does actually use our memories to fuel the things that happen here, does that mean our brains are constantly being...I don't know. Monitored???

I'd really like some opinions on this.

[ Sarah isn't paranoid at all usually, and she'd say this is more concerned than paranoid, but it feels like such a violation of privacy that she can't help asking the community at large. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, look. Someone's finally askin' the real questions.

Edited 2017-06-22 23:16 (UTC)

I mean, someone has to, right? I know it doesn't get us the hell out of here any faster, but it feels weird to get...I don't know. Complacent?

Weird is not the word I'd use. I prefer stupid. It's stupid to get this complacent.

Well, okay. You have a point.

[ She generally tries to keep from calling anyone here stupid. They all have their reasons for it, whether there's nothing better for them at home so this is homier than nothing or being dead for good, or they're just that mellow. ]

How long have you been here? And do you know anyone who's used the vendors?

[it's okay, Sarah. Rocket thinks everyone is an idiot.]

Three years. And if they have, they ain't said anything about it. I figure that's the kind of business people keep on the down-low. If I had to go that far, I sure as hell wouldn't tell nobody.

Is that like a...shame based thing?

Nobody likes broadcasting they got that desperate for something. It's like a big neon sign that says "I'm a big sap- take me for all I got."

[ HMMM. ]

Even if it meant, say, saving someone you love?

Especially that. What? You want everyone to know what your weakness is?

That's valid. So, you'd use them, just not tell anyone. If it came to that, I mean.

[ She can see his point. ]

But I don't think it'd make you a sap. Just someone who cares enough about someone to give up a part of yourself.

I'd try not to get that desperate, but yeah. Maybe. [He can't really think of a situation that the Vendors would even help with. That can't bring people back from the dead if they're not even here. They can't bring people here, which he'd never ask for anyway.]

It's a fine line between the two. If you give up that much for somebody, you better damn well hope they won't take it for granted.

[he's such a cynic.]

If I ever got that desperate it'd be for a small number of people I can count one one hand. I'm not there at this point, I just wanted to know more about this thing that's...there and no one ever questions much about this place. Except how to get home.

It's like everything else- all part of the frickin' puzzle. 'S why this place is the worst kind of prison.

Spoken like someone who has a lot of prison experiences to compare.

[ There's a slight smile on her lips when she says it, though, and she appreciates this particular conversation. ]

Twenty-three and a half, if you don't count this one. [so cheeky.]

Well, we probably should. Or we could call this half of one too, and make it an even twenty-four.

[ She offers a lopsided smile, shrugging one shoulder. ]

You seem very accomplished.

[most people haven't done as much as he has at age eight okay.]

I'm an overachiever. Even saved the galaxy twice. This place just eludes me.

This place is definitely not the place for you. That much is clear.

[ Saver of the galaxy? Twice? He should definitely be out there doing whatever it is he does best. ]

Which is, again, why I keep getting stuck here year after frickin' year. 'Cause it loves making me miserable.

[HIM PERSONALLY.]

Maybe you should try reverse psychology-ing your way outta here.

[ Obviously if that were a tactic that worked people'd be flying out of Wonderland, but hey, she has time to be cheeky. ]

I'll get right on that.

[he can be cheeky too X(]