video; backdated about a week pre-event

[shivving]

[ HELLO WONDERLAND it's your favorite grumpy murder grandpa. What's up.

Joel had been truly shaken when he'd found Ellie alone in the woods, hiding away from the world and with a broken arm she'd been too scared to even go and get treated properly. When she'd finally told him an abbreviated version of what had happened, he'd gone from feeling shaken to feeling sick.

He'd done his own research first, to no avail. At a loss and unable to make further progress on his own, he's finally caved to his last resort - asking the other residents for help. ]

How d'ya kill your mirror.

[ And don't tell him it's not possible. ]

Comments

private video;

[shivving]

[ He'd been expecting - prepared for - another tongue lashing. Half regretting the way this conversation is going already, because he never means to antagonize Evie - whether she'd believe it or not, she's probably his favorite person in Wonderland, apart from Ellie. It just happens. She inadvertently asks the wrong question or tries to talk to him at the wrong time, he gets snappy and defensive, and...this.

Only she doesn't snap back at him, despite having every right to, nor does she meekly withdraw, choosing not to continue poking the bear with a stick. Instead, she's blunt and honest, and Joel feels his stomach sink, dragging a hand over his face with a groan. He's silent for a long moment before raising his head again, and when he does, he doesn't quite look at the camera. ]

Been, uh - been drinkin'.

[ It's half apology, half weak explanation. He swallows, silent a moment more before glancing somewhat sheepishly at the camera, and surprises even himself with what he says next. ]

...Y'wanna join me?

private video;

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn is prepared to switch her communicator off just to save him the effort of replying when he does, pinching at the bridge of his nose like a man doing his best to dispel stress. He doesn't make eye contact, but neither does he really need to do so. That he isn't sober comes as a mild revelation because his hair-trigger nature seems about the same as usual.

At least he looks chagrined. More astonishing still is the offer he extends like an olive branch, clutched carefully in hands far too large to be known for their delicacy.

Arms folded over her chest Evelyn sniffs, considering him.]

...I don't know, are you going to be crude and taciturn?

private video;

[shivving]

[ Joel smiles, but there's more weariness than humor in it. Slowly, he shakes his head. ]

Can't make any promises.

But I'll try not t'be.

private video;

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn supposes that that's really all she could ask for when it comes to Joel, as it happens to be the most civil response he's given her to date. She scrutinises him for another long moment before agreeing with an:]

All right. Bar?

private video;

[shivving]

[ For a moment, he thinks she's going to refuse the invitation altogether. Not that he could blame her if she did.

But she agrees, and Joel's eyebrows shoot up in mild surprise before he nods in agreement. ]

I'll meet you there.