Down the Rabbit Hole

[undergroundmods]

This event runs from 26th-29th November 2015.

"" (Watch on YouTube)

follow the white rabbit.

Maybe you took a wrong turn when trying to catch the train on the Underground. Maybe you walked down the street and fell into a manhole. Maybe you caught sight of a strange figure with white rabbit ears and followed them into misty darkness...

You've stumbled into the Other Realm, but you're no longer in London. This is Wonderland, a twisted version of the classic tale created by the fae. What's going on?

Summary
26th November 2015 is the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. In honour of this great occasion, the fae have created their own version of Wonderland... and your characters have fallen down the rabbit hole. Participating characters will be trapped for up to three days in the Wonderland version of the Other Realm.

Characters will enter Wonderland with their powers intact and they may retain any possessions or weapons that they were carrying before being spirited away. However, they will find themselves... altered. Items will become poor copies of themselves e.g. a real blade will become a wooden toy sword, a magic ring will become a cheap plastic bit of jewellery, etc. Supernatural powers and characteristics will take a turn for the absurd e.g. vampires will sparkle in the sunlight, shapeshifters will turn into either ridiculously adorable or monstrous versions of their animal forms, magic will backfire.

If your character is a member of the Seelie or Unseelie Court, then they know what is happening and they're in on the act. Have fun. If your character is not a member of the Seelie or Unseelie Court, then enjoy getting sucked into their game. When in the Other Realm, characters will enter a dream-like state influenced by the fae magic around them. This world will be dictated by dream logic: the most absurd events will seem perfectly normal.

To escape, characters must beat the fae at their own game. Some escape options are suggested below, but feel free to make up your own! If you have any questions about this event, please ask them here.

Prompts

1) I AM THE WALRUS. Fae of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, this is your game. Why not choose a part? You could play the White Rabbit, luring unsuspecting mortals into Wonderland. Or the Cheshire Cat, providing cryptic advice before literally disappearing. Or even the Queen of Hearts: off with their heads! The fae can play any Alice character, with the exception of Alice herself.

2) EAT ME/DRINK ME. What's this? You come across a cake or a biscuit with the label "EAT ME" on it. Or a small bottle that says "DRINK ME". Some of the food will make you shrink to the size of a mouse. Some of it will make you grow to the size of a house. Beware: fairy food ties you to the Other Realm and makes it harder to escape. Perhaps there's a door that will lead you out if only you're the right size to fit it... now where's the key?

3) MAD TEA PARTY. A merry unbirthday to you! Why not join the Hatter, the March Hare and the Dormouse for a most unconventional tea party. Solve their riddles correctly and you may yet be able to leave.

4) PAINT THE ROSES RED. The Faery Queen dislikes white roses. Paint them red, she says! Paint them red. Paint them all red or she'll chop off your head.

5) CHECKMATE. Even a pawn can become a queen. Avoid being captured by the Knight or killed by the Queen and you too may reach the other side of Wonderland to be crowned as a Queen. Checkmate the King and you'll win the game and be able to escape.

6) CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. Perhaps a game of croquet, an encounter with the fearsome Jabberwock or a trial of stolen tarts. Anything Wonderland-inspired is up for grabs.

Comments

[constantprisoner]

Paint the Roses Red

Sirius can honestly only wonder how he got himself into this one. Gone were the days when he could blame it on one of his friends (although it was more likely that he was the one at fault) and so he was left to wonder. He tries retracing his steps, remembering that he was on his way home, but for some reason was taking an alternate route than usual. Then he'd blinked, and found himself being shouted at to paint the roses and there had been guards with weapons and he'd said okay.

And that's where he was now. Holding a can of red paint and a paintbrush really not at all suited for the job at hand and praying that no one would notice the trail of rose petals and mutilated plants he was leaving behind him.

Beware the Jabberwock my son

Having successfully escaped from his job of painting roses, and no longer leaving a trail of paint behind him, Sirius had set about finding a way out of this place. The Other Realm was not really a place Sirius had spent any amount of time in (aside from maybe the odd dare), and had generally kept his distance. But there had to be an exit around here somewhere, right?

He made his way along a path that seemed vaguely promising (though who could tell) which lead him into a forest (that one might describe as a tulgy wood). As the path grew darker, and Sirius's hearing started to suggest that he was not alone in this forest, he was beginning to regret his earlier decision.

Checkmate
In the end, it all came down to running and hiding. That was what Sirius Black's life had amounted to.

He'd made it out of the forest, and then had simply asked for directions, and the next thing he knew he'd pissed the Knight off and was now trying to avoid him for the sake of his life. He'd tried to review the conversation, tried to figure out exactly what it was he had said that could have made him so angry. So far he was coming up blank.

He dove into a hedge maze, hoping that would be enough to shield him, and confuse his opponent long enough to catch his breath.

Checkmate!

[knightscode]

Lancelot has this nagging sense he knows what's going on, yet somehow he can't put his finger on it. He's dressed in a tabard marking him as a soldier, a playing card, with bright red hearts on it. It's a surreal sort of feeling, to at once understand a joke but be unable to explain it or escape it. His hair is flowing longer than it should be, obscurely, and he's attempting to tie it back out of his face when he hears footsteps. Instincts make him snap to attention and resume a soldierly pose when Sirius comes shooting past, and in the background he hears the hoof-beats of a horse following. He hesitates a moment before moving to follow Sirius through the maze. Whoever heard of a horse in a maze, anyway! It's far too small for such a thing. Flowers alternately cheer him and call for his head until Lancelot has a distinct, unnerving feeling Sirius is running toward a dead end and decides enough is a enough.

He turns and waits until the knight is turning his (... small? Is that a Shetland pony?) horse around the corner and forces himself to stand to attention.

"Stop!" he declares, and wills himself to sound confident. "By order of the queen! This man is late already for a game of croquet!"

[constantprisoner]

Sirius stops running when he hears a voice shouting, using the pause to catch his breath and trying to place it, since it is familiar. The less than logical part of his brain is objecting, he doesn't even know how to play croquet.

The Knight, in the meantime, looks a little suspicious, but at the same time, commands from the Queen should be listened to and he doesn't want to be the next one to lose his head. So he nods, turning his horse around before it starts to eat the maze and leaving. For now, at least.

Sirius pokes his head out from around the wall.

"Thanks," he says.

[knightscode]

"I'm a little surprised it worked."

If he thought about it, he'd also wonder why on earth he picked croquet of all things -- and why someone running away would be due to play with the queen. For the moment, though, it makes perfect sense. He's a visitor, after all, and visitors should be honoured. Probably. Lancelot gestures with a heart-tipped stick for Sirius to walk with him and offers an awkward sort of smile.

"We should get a move on in case he comes back. Are you all right?"

[constantprisoner]

"Fine, just a little out of breath," Sirius replied. He wasn't used to running that speed on two legs, and it was easier with four.

"Hopefully, he's not going to check with someone about it. Are we continuing through the maze?"

He hadn't really been paying attention on his way in, and doubted if he could manage finding his way back out.

[knightscode]

"Better than doubling back in case he changes his mind. Besides which, it seems you have a game of croquet to get to."

A game of fae croquet at that, which is sure to be rigged. He takes stock of where they are a moment before frowning and picking a route through the maze. If it's the wrong one, well, he'll take the blame -- but it feels right at the moment.

"Been stuck here long?"

Beware

[falsify]

As Sirius walks down the path, he may well get that feeling of being watched. It'll be hard to place, however, where he's being watched from exactly. Perhaps because in the Other Realm, there's little that isn't watching. But if Sirius looks up into the trees ahead, he'll see a smile in the darkness.

"Did you take a wrong turn?" He asks from the trees, "or did you intend to come this way?"

[constantprisoner]

He definitely has that feeling of being watched and if he were in his dog form, his hackles would probably be raised. As it stands, he's merely guarded and trying to convince himself that there's nothing to worry about. So far, it's not going well.

Smiles from the dark only add to that list, but it's not like he's going to show that.

"I'd like to say that it was intentional, but to be frank, I've no idea where I am. Don't suppose you'd be inclined to help a guy out?"

[falsify]

"I'm often inclined to do a great many things."

The smile vanishes from its place in the trees, and then all of a sudden he's next to Sirius. Is it more or less disturbing to see the smile with his face somehow obscured in shadow? Who can say really. But he makes a soft noise in contemplation as he looks back and forth down the path, "have you considered making a list of places you aren't to narrow it down?"

[constantprisoner]

"I could do that, though I don't see how it will help. They don't really have a lot of bearing here."

It would be one thing if he had some idea of where he might be, but it's quite another when he has no idea where he is.

[falsify]

Normally the games of the Courts don't appeal overmuch to Eames, far too old-fashioned for his taste, but this seems like fun. And of course, who is Eames to turn his nose up at the chance to be obnoxious an unhelpful to droves of people in such a short space of time?

The Cheshire Cat appears most often to the lost and confused, hood up and obscuring his face in shadow, but for a smile that seems almost as though it's illuminated in contrast, he appears seemingly out of nowhere. In a tree, maybe. Or perhaps suddenly he's there with his feet up on a table when your back's turned, one that certainly wasn't there a moment ago. A soft, amused laugh may be the easiest way to know he's there. Or perhaps it's the way he asks, "lost, are we?" with seemingly little care for the fact that you may be hiding from what ever other nasties are lurking about.

[protagonized]

Simon can't say how long he's been here, but he has a distinct sense of something being very wrong (though he can't quite put his finger on it). It makes him feel even more frustrated than he already is, because after running away from a knight dressed like the Ace of Spades he's managed to get himself horribly lost. He pauses in front of a tree, idly scratching one of the fluffy white ears that poke out of his dark hair--and that feels extremely wrong but he can't place it either.

He groans.

"How the hell do I get out of here?"

[falsify]

Well that's no way to approach a stranger.

The illuminated smile only grows wider as Eames gives the dogboy a once over. "There's many ways to leave," he says, voice teasing, "the Queen would likely be more than happy to help you depart this realm, for instance."

[protagonized]

[ooc: lol oops part of my tag got cut off. Sorry he didn't react to Eames at first!]

"And get my head chopped off?" Simon asks irritability. His heart is still racing a bit after this...person appeared out of nowhere and started to talk to him. He holds out his hands to show the stranger--they're covered in red paint. "I just got away from painting roses for Her Majesty, thanks, and I'd rather not go back."

Still, despite everything, he's happy to see another human being (well, sort of, and he's not one to talk, is he?) who isn't wearing a playing card. His tail wags slightly and he's determined not to dwell on how wrong that feels because if he does he doesn't think he'll be able to stop.

"Can you help me get out of here with my head intact?"

[falsify]

"Ah, there we go." His smile vanishes as he tilts his head, considering the young man, "always good to be a little specific."

Of course it's no answer to the question, Eames has yet to decide if he'll help or not, though he's leaning a little toward 'not'. Not out of any malicious intent, it just seems like a lot of effort for no real reason. He starts to walk in a small circle around Simon, almost assessing him for any trait more interesting than fluffy ears and a tail. "Suppose I could..." He says quietly as he walks, stopping at Simon's side, "why would I?"

I AM THE WALRUS

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick hasn't necessarily been one for games in the last few years. His old Seelie friends have told him he's more serious than ever, which could be a factor into why he has decided to participate in this charade.

He's taken on a character that embodies so much about how he feels about the world right now: the hookah-smoking caterpillar. As you wander through Wonderland you may find yourself in an enchanted forest with gigantic mushrooms towering overhead. On one of these, a little lower to the ground, Finnick is lounging among pillows that seem to be part of the mushroom, smoking a hookah that similarly seems to be growing out of the mushroom's cap. His clothes are loose and comfortable but they look like they belong to a wealthy man, though they seem to give his skin a light blue-ish tint.

He is almost certainly guaranteed to rudely ignore you the first time you address him, but if you try to leave without having a conversation he will be outraged at your audacity. Play your cards right, and you may inspire him to give you a little information or point you in the right direction, but you'll have to deal with this self-important exercise in frustration first.

[knightscode]

Lancelot is tired. His feet hurt, his heart emblazoned playing card tabard is a little worse for wear but he's still stuck here.

He's struck here, and this creature is either entirely deaf or ignoring him entirely. Lancelot sighs, brushes some loose strands of peculiarly overgrown hair (when did it get so long? When did he get this costume?) and steps a little closer. He was already frustrated to begin with -- little is so frustrating as being in on a joke and yet unable to explain it or to escape it -- and this is worsening it.

"Excuse me," he says with a little more determination, "but who are you?"

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick pauses in the middle of a drag from his hookah, putting on a disgusted look as he turns to look at Lancelot. He blows the smoke out through his nose as he leans forward on his perch, looking the man up and down.

"Is that any way to speak someone who is so very clearly busy?"

He raises an eyebrow, clearly waiting for an answer, or an apology.

[knightscode]

Busy? Well, he's not so sure Finnick exactly looks busy but to say otherwise would be rude. So Lancelot simply inclines his head a little, adjusts his approach accordingly.

"Forgive me, it is only that I have been walking a long time with little hope of finding a way out. I was hoping you might know a way out or someone who could help?"

It's worth asking, after all, even if he doesn't expect a straight answer.

[thelittlemerman]

"I could," Finnick says, reclining again and taking a puff from the hookah. Something in his tone indicates that he is not going to make it easy. Much as he doesn't love a bunch of concerned mortals running around his realm like this, toying with them for a while is fun.

This one, though. There's fae magic on him. Finnick can smell it. He's mortal, but he must have lived in the Other Realm for a time, or had some prolonged contact with a fae. This is the only reason that he poses a follow-up question, something that will keep the interaction going.

"But why would you want to leave this forest? Isn't it to your taste?"

[paenumbra]

Eat Me

Matt wasn't used to all things magical. Sure, he was starting to get the hang of his ability to influence others (or manipulation, if you wanted to be more negative), but a dream like world? This was just a bit much.

He found himself in the middle of a room surrounded on all sides by doors. They were all too small for him to fit through which was incredibly troublesome. A small table sat in the middle of the room. A plate with little cakes was sitting on top, a tiny placard in front with the words "Eat Me" written in beautiful script. Matt knew a trick when he saw one but seeing as there was no other way out of the room, he found himself contemplating following the directions. He picked up a cake and inspected it, figuring to throw caution to the wind.

What was the worst that could happen?

Matt took a bite and found that the world around him was growing larger. That, or he was getting smaller. He didn't stop until he was only a few inches tall.

"Well, shit."

Curiouser and Curiouser

The strangest object Matt had encountered here was by far the mirror. He stared at the looking glass and saw a window into a familiar room. It was the apartment he shared with Simon in London. But, something seemed off. There were items in the room that Matt didn't remember owning - a chess board, a large bound book with gold leaf pages, and a package of playing cards. What were they doing there? And better yet, why couldn't he cross through the glass and return home? It was incredibly perplexing.

Matt studied the large framed mirror looking for a way to pass through. He was ready to escape the strange, mad world he'd been stuck in for days. He wanted to go home and pick up his semi-normal life. He reached out and touched the glass, watching small silver ripples spread out from his fingertips. He wondered - if he pushed harder would he be able to walk through? Was it really that simple?

Matt pulled his hand back, hesitant to try. Perhaps if he searched a bit longer another way through the mirror would appear.

Eat Me

[protagonized]

"Watch your fucking language," Simon drawled, poking his head out from one of the doors. He'd been stuck here longer than his friend (or it felt that way, at least), so he was a bit less phased by the tiny doors or the fact that he'd just lost about five and a half feet of height. It was still incredibly unsettling, but so was the rest of this place.

He gave Matt a wry smile, tail wagging slightly. "I was wondering if you'd show up. Welcome to my own personal hell."

[paenumbra]

Matt smiled the moment he heard Simon's voice. If he was going to be stuck being three inches tall, at least he'd have Simon to keep him company. "Would you prefer I use the word 'shite' instead?" Matt asked, walking over to Simon. It was then that he noticed the tail and the ears.

"What happened to you?" Matt laughed. "Is this permanent? Please tell me this is permanent. The look suits you."

[protagonized]

"Hmm?" Simon still had the distinct sense that there was very much not right about this whole mess of a situation, and Matt's calling out of his ears and tail made the feeling even worse. "What's permanent?"

He was still holding open the door--a well-kept garden was visible from the other side. His hands were covered in red paint.

"Listen--I've only just gotten away. Don't trust the people dressed like playing cards."

[paenumbra]

"Did you miss the white tail poking through the seat of your pants?" Matt bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. It was clear that Simon wasn't as amused about the new change. "I guess now would be a bad time to mention my folder of catgirl porn on my computer."

He looked over Simon's shoulder and saw the well groomed garden filled with white and red roses. A can of red paint and a ladder was leaning against one of the bushes.

"Noted - stay away from the weirdos in the card cosplay. Were you painting?" he asked, trying to distract himself from Simon's white tail. Matt wanted to reach out and pet the soft fur. It took a lot of self-control to keep his hands to himself.