[she chuckles a little sadly] Yeah, it does seem like it. Which sucks.

Ehhh, popularity seems to be overrated. My sister's popular, but she's not happy.

[which was true. and the Cassie in the portal seemed to know about things which hadn't happened for Lexi yet. she didn't understand how and couldn't explain why]

Well...thanks. I'm glad I reached out the other day.

[it really was Lexi's defense mechanism of choice. she'd even had it pointed out to her back home, but old habits were hard as hell to break. she wasn't sure if she could, not entirely.

but she smiles, relieved] Right. I want it to be a popular place. I think it can be?

Yeah, and why the hell did he change the name from Wonderland to Underland? What point did that serve other than "hey, look, this is my bold and brave interpretation, one almost nothing like the original books!"

I'm glad you are.

It can? I think it can, anyway. And I am right about that.