One incredible feat of sleep-deprived bakery architecture. [23/??? artefacts collected]

[sadfreezingbrit_archive]

[ It's the event's second night, around four o'clock in the morning.

The narration trusts that at this point everyone has found somebody to room with and is tucked into bed.

Fast asleep as opposed to completely deprived of the same ever since the event started.

And definitely not building a donut replica of Westminster Abbey in one of the conference rooms.

Nope.

Not happening anywhere at all. ]

[ ...For everyone who does not enjoy a little action at night, Philip will emerge from his building project in the morning and can subsequently be found
a.) making coffee in the coffee area
b.) drinking coffee in one of the cubicles and
c.) throwing coffee at the backstairs spiders

If you hear him humming a strange tune, well, that's just the melody his hot beverage gives off, because who needs a sense of smell when you can have a constant soundtrack instead? ]

Comments

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

I've actually heard that it depends on the side you're on rather than what-- than who you are. I--

[ --wish I could speak from experience, but I messed up killing a mirror when I had the chanceokayno, let's try sounding a little less trigger-happy here. ]

I know that one time the mirrors crossed it was because we were... well, under attack. Did you ever notice the large stain in the grass outside? Near the forest? The Jabberwock- it happened last year. [ Beat. ]

Anyway, what I noticed was- [ wasn't much because he was Clarence at that time ] was that some Mirrors died trying to fight it and... I know they weren't dead later, so it must be that or the Queen remaking them.

[ A few more beats for the heck of it. ]

If you're really curious, I... I suppose you could try talking to them. They answer sometimes if you write on the mirror or even just talk into it, but [obviously ] there's no telling what sort of answer you'll get, if any.

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

Fair enough, but I suppose that speaking with them could be beneficial.

[Talking with the mirrors sounds as though it could be an enlightening experience, and it's one that Evelyn makes a mental note to partake in. Surely there are some decent ones who can contribute data and information to the ongoing search that she and Mr. Holmes are conducting, and- asdfghfgjfksgJabberwock?]

Wait. Wait, wait...the Jabberwock? You mean the Jabberwock? As in "twas brillig and the slithy toves" Jabberwock?

[Oh my gosh, if she could see, her eyes would be sparkling with excitement.]

It was here? You...you actually fought it?

[Beat.]

You didn't happen to have a Vorpal Sword, did you?

[Evelyn's ability to remain on-topic: significantly lowered now that she has less to visually pay attention to.]

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

That's the one.

[ His forced smile falters as he remembers that it doesn't contribute to the picture. At the same moment Philip sharply berates himself for thanking the mansion for Evelyn's blindness. But how could he not when it masks his discomfort ever so well without having to move a muscle to hide it himself.

Ah, but careful with the tone of voice. He clears his throat. Twice. Once for faking interest in and knowledge of English literature he never bothered to examine beyond school requirements. And another time for forcing himself to recall things that happen while he was, in fact, not himself at all. ]

I admit I didn't exactly get involved myself, I'd barely just got used to Wonderland as it was, but--

[ Third time isn't the charm when it comes to suspicious near-coughing noises. He swallows instead. ]

There was a sword and it belonged to the Queen. I know we tried to fight the Jabberwock for days on both sides of the mirror, but in the end she killed him within seconds. [ Beat. ] Or so I've heard and it wouldn't surprise me if it was true, but... I didn't see it myself.

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

[An actual Jabberwocky. From what Evelyn remembers of the childhood stories read to her by her mother, the creature was a fantastical killer and hunter. Not something she would ever want to encounter personally, seeing as it would likely eat her in seconds.]

I hope that sort of thing doesn't happen again.

[What else did the stories mention? A Jub Jub bird? A Bander-something-or-other? She can't remember.]

Regardless, you survived. I can't...really imagine dying. I know that it's almost inconsequential here, but the thought is still markedly unsettling.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ His voice turns thoughtful, maybe a little too solemn, but by no means upset. Death, while hardly welcome, is a laughing matter in comparison to so many other things. Death is what Red chose gladly instead of the path Philip insisted on taking. But those gloomy thoughts are for another day. ]

I... thought about that and I- I can't really-- [ Let's rephrase: ] I think it's not death we're worried about. It's how we die, perhaps when and- and what happens then... if anything happens at all.

[ A pause. ] But here? It's hardly more than an injury gone bad, sometimes it's probably worse to be left alive.

[ Annnd he probably could have gone without that last part, but oh well. Something else springs to mind: ]

I'm- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dismiss your-- You're right, it's probably not something to look forward to, regardless.

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

[How they die? Perhaps that's it. The reason she's scared. Not knowing is the hard part, isn't it? When everyone assumes that the lights turn out easily, and no one considers the possibility that you might lose your life in the middle of a desert, stabbed in the stomach by a reincarnated ancient Egyptian courtesan.]

It's quite all right.

[Somehow, Evelyn isn't surprised to hear how depressingly negative Philip's thoughts on the subject are. Not that she blames him, but she still doubts that his lack of eye is the result of an unfortunate fall down a flight of stairs.]

I shouldn't be so preoccupied with it, but I do wonder. Curiosity, and all that.

[You know what that's like, don't you, Mister LaFresque?]

Either way, I- [She rubs one cheek tiredly.] -I suppose I ought to let you get back to whatever you've been doing. This event has been exceptionally draining.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

You weren't--

[ Philip blinks. He really wasn't doing much of anything and Evelyn's company-- Evelyn's company, appreciated as it may be, doesn't negate the fact that she's right and draining is a lovely euphemism for a sleep-deprived state he only expects to get worse later on.

He brushes off the impulse to encourage further conversation. ]

Um, sure. Can- can I help you get anywhere?

[libraritology.livejournal.com]

[Evelyn stands, waving off the offer.

She doesn't want to appear incapable of getting about by herself, but she's also determined to figure out how to manage while deprived of one of her senses.]

I should be fine.

[She smiles tiredly Philip-ward and sets her half-empty coffee mug on the desk behind her.]

Take care of yourself, would you?

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

Yeah. You too.

[ Oh the precious fake smiles wasted on her blindness. Sigh. ]