I've always had a difficult time trusting anything that we're told here, regardless of what part of the City's apparent administration it comes from. How often have we had the promise of home dangled in front of us before? How many times can you be snapped in and out of reality, relentlessly attacked by supernatural forces, or deal with the City's barriers crumbling in new and exciting ways before you start to eye everything a little dubiously?

But... I can't deny that the circumstances surrounding this are different, so if this actually is it, if any of you are about to go walk through a door, if it truly does bring you to another world... don't do it without saying goodbye, all right? It's not a luxury we've generally come to expect here, but it's an opportunity we shouldn't throw away.

I'm not going to lie and say that I've loved being here, that in the end I can look back and say that, after all of it, I was happy here all along. That would be cheapening what I really do want to say, which is that... I've hated the City. I've hated it in a way that became a quiet and passive background to finding myself living here for the past several years. I truly have, but as much as being here has been a repeated series of trials, dangers and trauma beyond anything a person should have to endure, there have been bright spots. There have been moments that were beautiful, days I look back on as fondly as any I spent back home, and people whose friendship has meant more to me than I can find words to say.

As terrible as things can be here, there has always been a sense of connection and camaraderie among those of us who have gotten stuck here, and even if I wind up not consciously remembering any of this, I find it impossible to believe that there won't be some impression left, that I won't feel what some of you have meant to me on some subconscious level for years. For all we've suffered through, you've made it possible for me to build something like a real life here - and if not me personally, if you and I never developed a friendship here, I can guarantee there's at least someone here who feels precisely the way that I'm describing about you.

So, as much as I'm hesitant to do so myself just yet, if you're about to head out and on the off chance that it truly is what it appears to be... you should take that knowledge with you, on whatever level our selves are touched by the City.

There are really only so many ways to rephrase the way you greet one of these weekends. I almost feel like we ought to have some pamphlets prepared ahead of time, just to run down the basics for those who haven't come our way before... this is where you are, this is how long you'll probably be here. We have guides for new arrivals, an abridged version for visitors hardly seems ill-advised. Maybe we should even invest in those "Hello, my name is" tags - it does happen often enough, after all.

[ His tone is largely sincere, though some might pick up on the slight jesting quality to it. ]

You know, for as much as the City has changed, there are always some days when it feels the same as it's ever been.


[ ooc: Fourth wall go! He's from late S3, but has some vague knowledge of later canon. Very vague. No dupes of existing House cast plz, unless you're that player. And on that note, some of you might get hit by a series-end Wilson because I hate myself. ]

I know House mentioned that my appointments were on hold for a while, so I figured I ought to come let anyone who was wondering know that I'm back at work. If you need to reschedule anything, you can just let me know.

[ Here he pauses - the rest of this is a lot more awkward, and it’s been a long time in coming. Hard to face up to having been undead - extra hard when that undeath was brought about by an assault that actually did kill you years ago. ]

I also wanted to say that I'm sorry, to anyone I injured or attempted to injure last month - the apology is late in coming, I know, but it’s been... difficult, coming to terms with it. While I do think it was fairly obvious that I wasn't in control of my actions, that doesn't really do much to change the fact that I'd like to apologize. Of course, I don't remember a lot of it - the odd fragment here or there, but not really in any detail. That means I'm not quite sure of everyone I should apologize to personally, so you can consider this apology yours if it applies.

[ He purses his lips and nods, drawing in a breath, uncertain if there's more he should add. He evidently decides not, cutting the feed after a moment. ]

[ I: HOSPITAL ]

It's fortunate that Wilson isn't near the patient rooms when things really take hold - he's down on the first floor, not too far from the entrance, walking from getting coffee back up towards his office. He's not feeling too well, though, as he makes his way back. He stops, and he steadies himself against the wall with a hand, suddenly dizzy.

There's a stinging in his neck, and he doesn't quite have time to react before the surface of his skin rips open of its own accord. The resulting gash is ragged, ripped apart by teeth forced through the flesh they were never intended to pierce. It's a wound some have seen before, though many of those who could tell you where he got it have long since left the City. He falls to his knees and the coffee to the floor.

A few moments later, and he's gone. His body rises, but none of him remains, a deathly pallor seeping into his skin as the blood seeps into the collar of his lab coat. His chest and abdomen are wounded as well, but he moves swiftly in spite of them, on the hunt as he turns back toward the hospital's exit.


[ II: NETWORK ]

When he falls, his device clatters to the floor - the video clip is brief, capturing only the moment as he rises. There is a glimpse of the monstrous being now in Wilson's place before he turns and races away down the hallway and out of sight.

Clearly, he won't be responding.


[ III: CITY ]

He finds his way into the streets of the City out the front door of the hospital. No thoughts remain in his mind; only his hunger. He moves out into the night, on the hunt.

I see we're entering day three of the City's apparent county fair. I have to admit, I'm actually surprised that it stuck around past the weekend. It seems like this kind of thing doesn't usually extend into a third day.

Of course, in light of the prolonged exposure to carnival food, here's some friendly and general medical advice. You don't need to come to the hospital for indigestion - any over-the-counter antacids should be fine, or if you prefer a more holistic approach, I'd go with some mint or chamomile tea. I would like to point out that overly sweetened or deep-fried anything is hardly medically advisable under any circumstances, but - it is a fair, and I'm not going to scold anyone for actually having a bit of fun. Just try not to overdo it by too much, all right?

And if I can't convince you not to indulge, at least let me recommend that you go with the funnel cake.

[network post: voice]

I've been convinced for a pretty long time that these weekends have a positive side, that the opportunity to see some familiar faces, even if it's just for a couple of days, is worth all the chaos. Which isn't to say that having someone here and then having them taken away so soon, a reminder of what we're missing here, isn't a cruelty... but knowing that something will end, even soon, can never negate the time that we are given.

[ Hey, he gets to see his future dead girlfriend. It's complicated, but it makes him happy in a bizarre, bittersweet, temporal-distortion kind of way. ]


[action options]

[ During the weekend, you may run into Wilson at a few places in the City. It's been a difficult couple of months, and even though their new "regime" seemed eager to celebrate, the effects of the entire ordeal are still weighing on him. But there's no shortage of things to be done, attempts at routine to be made as he tries to reclaim the impossible existence that's slowly and alarmingly become his new baseline for normal.

During the day on Friday, you may find him in or around the hospital, where he's still putting in his hours as they continue to work on getting things running back at their usual pace after the recent battles in the City.

Early on Saturday, he makes a trip to the square in spite of the crowds, perusing some of the shops in the immediate area, including a small cafe he's taken a liking to over the years here.

And if you just so happen to be a certain future dead girlfriend, then of course you can just show up when you please - whenever you do, he's making a stab at best date night that can be managed with the current state of some of the City. ]


( ooc )

It's been said a few times on the network over the course of all this that the hospital is here, and it is staffed, for anyone who needs it. With the way the situation has fluctuated, I figured it couldn't hurt to reiterate the point. We're here, for anyone who needs it - and for anyone who may be wanting anyone here to check in letting them know that.

On which note, I'm going to go ahead and turn that around - anyone who might expect me to ask after them, please let me know that you're safe in all of this. At the moment, I'm inclined to reserve any judgement or commentary on the state of the City's political affairs until after I've ensured that we've gotten through this relatively unscathed. I can hunt you down if I have to, but we're still rather busy and this seems far more efficient. If you're not sure whether I would be asking after you or not, you might as well drop a quick line anyway. Regardless of who you are or how much we've spoken, there's a pretty good chance that I'd like to hear that you're okay.

I think saying that we've had an interesting month might sell it a bit short, but I don't think I've found a better way to put it yet. There's something about the City's mechanics being so disrupted that never sits quite right. It's rarely bode well in the past.

Which isn't even entering into the rest of it. At this point, honestly? It seems the best we can do is stay attentive and be careful.

[On a lighter note, and in a lighter tone to match -]

Oh -- there's also been an isolated trend of items going missing lately. It seems like it's very localized, certainly nothing for the City at large to worry about, but it is odd.

Hm.

[And the feed ends.

Someone may find that none of his canes are anywhere to be found. It's okay, though - Wilson's not cruel. There's an absolutely lovely replacement on hand.]

There are always a few of these - curses that seem to come around with some kind of regularity, almost like traditions. I can't imagine making sense of exactly why it is some of them become annual events and others come and go, essentially forgotten. The theme of violating personal boundaries and dragging up memories for public viewing is hardly unique to this curse, but here it is again.

Of course, this one does have a potential bright side, if you're lucky enough to have the City issue something that's worth hanging onto instead of mass producing your best Risky Business reenactment. We all have moments we don't really want to share, that we don't want to be made public for scrutiny, but we also have moments we look back on and wish we had captured, people we wish we had reminders of with us here. It honestly can help to remember that it's a mixed bag out there.

[And switching it up from being too serious, he gives one tongue-in-cheek addition:]

There is also a risk of paper cuts, so you might want to take an umbrella if you go out.

Oddly enough, the first instance of this particular event I was here for has been the worst for me, thus far. I suppose, by the City's time, that's about four years ago now. It's been longer by my count, but to be honest, it's a little disconcerting to even try to keep track of that.

At any rate, when you go through enough of these they start to just become part of life here. Like a drastic, sudden spike in tourism that often comes with a few acquaintances and even friends - some of which have been developed exclusively over the course of these days - who are, of course, welcome to say hello. For those who haven't been here before, welcome to the City. I do realize that how terrifying it can be to find yourself here, but you'll probably be headed home before long, right back to when and where you came from.

For those of us on this side, the best option has always seemed to be going about your day and taking the visitors as they come, so that's precisely what I'm going to do. Besides, I somehow doubt the hospital would appreciate me calling out right after a massive population spike.


[ooc: Open for fourth walling!! Please no duplicate Wilsons, and no duplicates of current House cast without player's permission. Love face-doubles. Love all things, basically. Tags will be delayed as I'll be out today, but this is a SUPER backtagging friendly zone.]

You know, I've barely had a chance to begin catching up on what I've missed in the few weeks I was gone. Not that I expect otherwise; life in general doesn't typically slow down for anyone and, as with most things of that nature, that proves to be even more true in the City. Of course, it's not really a complaint, either - just a fact.

So. Here we are again. By now, I've run out of other ways to say it, so it seems best to keep it simple. Welcome to the City. Let someone know if you need anything; I know not all of you are here of your own volition, and just because you aren't trapped in as long-term a sense as the rest of us doesn't mean you're any less deserving of help, food, and somewhere warm you can go for however long your stay. If there isn't anyone you know here, I'd highly recommend going to the Welcome Center and asking for Penny. And, Penny? If you need a hand, don't hesitate to let me know. I'm off today.

And, as always, if you're inclined to say hello, feel free. I make it a general rule to refrain from biting.

Well... ever since pre-school, at least.


[ooc: Same as ever, basically anything goes but no duplicates of in-game House cast without permission, please! Wilson is from late S3 but has already been spoiled on some things via previous fourth walls. VERY BACKTAG FRIENDLY because life is still hectic here. ♥]

[He had been asleep when he left, a few weeks back, in the middle of the night, and gone back to the world he hadn't seen in years. Not much time had passed, though, and having gone back to the moment he'd last known, he was under some unusual circumstances; having been dosed by a certain friend, crashing off of that.

As soon as he did manage to fall asleep, back home, trying to sleep off the headache in his office there, he shifted back, slept the rest of it off in his City parallel, his office in the hospital here.

When he does wake up, he isn't quite sure what's happened. Going back and forth was fast - subtle, disorienting. Asleep when he left and asleep when he came back, gone for a matter of hours on his end in a state of... "compromised" consciousness, at best, he's not sure if he left, if he dreamed it, or of anything.

After a few minutes to shake off the grogginess and get to feeling a bit less disconnected. He does turn on the device, hesitatingly.]

Yes, I do realize this is probably one of the dumbest questions that's been posed to the network, but...

[Short pause, with a breath here. Yes, it's stupid, but when you're going to ask something stupid... just go for it.]

Can anyone tell me whether I was gone?

[The video comes on with the device resting on a table, as Wilson - wearing a loose t-shirt and jeans, a far cry indeed from the button-downs, ties, and dress pants one may be more accustomed to seeing him wearing - is standing nearby, being measured. One arm, then the other, then his shoulders, he moves and shifts, turning as the stylists working on him request.

Because this man, fresh out of rehearsals, is getting fitted so they can alter his new suit for tomorrow's big show.

As they finish that off, he steps to the side and scoops up his device. Just before he turns it off, a question for the stylists can be heard.]

Now, my accent color is definitely going to match her dress, right? I mean, of course you know how they are about visual presentation.


[ooc: So... so cursed.]