+ some wonderlands are kind

[NYE_Invitation.jpeg]

[Bright and early the morning of December 8th, crisp, embossed invitations will be delivered to every resident in Wonderland - provided that they have a door to deliver to - and for those who might have missed the physical missive, convenient digital copies were sent just as well.

Hosting some sort of holiday fête these last few years has become something of an anticipated exercise in planning and Wonderland tradition, as it were, for Evelyn. While she has never strictly moderated the dress code she does think it would be nice to see people in their best when ringing in the new year, hence the gentle suggestion in terms of attire, but she hardly expects it to be adhered. Black tie is more aspiration than reality.

The public address also serves as a reminder to her that two months have passed since her last network-wide announcement regarding far less savoury subjects, but Evelyn committed to the project and she isn't going to stop no matter how uncomfortable it makes others and herself.]

I, ah-

[Predictably she is at her desk, rifling through unconventional work (arrangements for the upcoming party, a series of notes regarding gifts she needs to acquire for other residents, and the like).]

I hope that by now you have all received the invitation I left - if not, I've attached it to this recording - regarding the soirée I intend to hold on New Year's Eve, Wonderland willing, I know things are unpredictable here. But I very much hope to see residents in attendance, because as I'm certain many will agree, we could use some levity.

[Evelyn takes a deep, businesslike breath and exhales shortly, reaching for a pen. An empathetic creature at heart, it is difficult for her to demand information from people when she knows that the information itself is hurtful, traumatic.]

...in considerably less festive news I should like to remind residents that I am still keeping track of lost lives. Please contact me if the last couple of months have been unkind.

[One last reassurance:]

I'll be here.

[Replies to this are CLOSED, please see OOC note at the bottom of the post!]



In the wake of our most recent event and regarding the fate of those who lose their fifth life, I would like to propose a new series of data collection on mansion residents. It is my opinion that the instatement of a “death watch” - that is, an archival record of extant resident deaths that have occurred - should be created and maintained, and would serve as a valuable resource for the protection of those who are at risk.

[This is the difficult part: persuading people to share this sort of thing about themselves, knowing what it does to others and how it can hurt, is no easy task. She believed as much when she first spoke with Shepard on the subject, and believes the same now. Evelyn herself does not like to offer personal information unless asked, but knows the burden of carrying that suffering on one's own and how easily an environment can fall to fear.]

I understand that this is very private, very personal information. I understand it is traumatic, and not something that many people want to share. Therefore it is incumbent upon me to stress the critical severity of this situation, and assure you that you are not alone.

I myself have lost four lives here.

In disclosing as much, I hope that others can be swayed to believe in the efficacy of this database, and would urge residents to volunteer their respective death tolls to build the record. Residents who submit information to the watch on their numbers may do so to me privately, if there is concern about embarrassment or persecution from peers.

[It is a valid concern, and one which she has agonised over.]

Commander Shepard’s confirmation from the Queen of Hearts that those who are remade after their last demise are conscripted as spies is extremely troubling. Regardless of the veracity of the information given its source, we as unwilling residents do not have the luxury of allowing for that liability. For those concerned about their safety, I will be actively working with the commander, who is well-equipped to establish and manage security procedures once the record has been transcribed and analysed. This is a living document, and is expected to require additions over time.

I am aware that this is a drastic measure, but a measure worth taking. Please feel free to direct all responses and queries to myself and Commander Shepard.





[OOC NOTE: I realize this is a hot button issue as has generated a lot of replies, which is great! In order to keep myself sane, I'm going to have to cut it off here and request that no one else respond in this post. Messaging Evelyn's inbox is cool if you want to drop a line there instead, but replies will be slower there.

Anyone who did not get to respond in here before the cut-off, I'd really like you to at least drop a comment HERE if you believe your character would still share their information with her. Thank you for understanding!]

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A little over a year ago I provided the mansion with an instructional...brochure of sorts, to better orient newcomers and in particular those who are not from what can only be considered the "modern" era.

[One great unfairness about Wonderland is its tendency to forget that a number of the people living in it are not from time periods that utilise microwaves, for example, or even know what they are. The learning curve is steep for the temporally disadvantaged.]

Seeing as these sorts of publications are only successful when circulated and given the appropriate communal response, I think it only fair to extend the offer of amending any aspects to account for the amenities people may add to our shared residence in the future.

I'm going to leave a number of these in the foyer and on reading tables in the library, but would appreciate it if others would assist in forwarding the file to new residents should in-person explanations become untenable.

[All this just in time for the recent appearance of the dormouse on the network, heralding another event - it makes this particular announcement the more appropriate, since she hasn't been as public a figure lately for personal reasons. Evelyn collects herself for a moment before continuing, because as a long-time resident it is incumbent upon her to broach the issue if only to gather perspectives.]

...additionally, I would like to hear opinions on the notion of holding a public forum about mitigating damages - not necessarily the public safety issue as discussed in previous network announcements, but approaching the aftermath of disasters, both wrought by Wonderland and its residents.

[Only in part does this come from a place of emotion, but the greater percentage stems from practicality. If people are to peaceably live in the same spaces then it must be a team effort, from all sides.

Herself included.]

This is not to rally a police force. This is not to encourage mob-like behaviour. This is to calmly, openly discuss the subject of accountability and greater communication.