(no subject)

[patchworkcat]

Who: The Cheshire Cat and whoever comes across him
What: Cheshire Cat has appeared, as he is wont to do. He's even fishing!
Where: Jabberwock Island, beach
Warnings: Cheshire is being Cheshire, and thus cryptic and mindfucky

[ Some time after they open the music venue, beach house and the ranch, Cheshire can be found on the beach. Sort of. He's waded into the water, and is fishing with his paws. Sitting patiently, he seems to be deep in concentration. ]

Comments

it's okay!

[apatheticguide]

[ ... He slowly looks up, blinking. He seems annoyed. ]

... Hello, Alice. Why do you think I can?

[ He yawns, covering his mouth slowly. ]

And what took you so long? Have you found my key yet?

[not_that_sasuke]

[It's okay, he knows a snake who is also perpetually annoyed when people bother him. He's used to this.]

Because you're here.

[...Or maybe...]

You aren't?

[If it's anything like the space the old spirit brought him to, anything goes.]

...Anyway, everyone's been trying to find it, but it's very well hidden.

[apatheticguide]

[ His expression is one of annoyance, but it's slight. He's not a very expressive sort, generally. ]

No. I'm not.

[ A blunt statement. ]

... I don't know what could be left, but you have to have gotten some leads from what you've been doing. You should try not to dawdle so much.

[not_that_sasuke]

[The snake is much the same, really.]

I don't think anyone plans to dawdle for very long. But what about you? I wasn't expecting to see you here at all.

[Whether it was in person or not.]

[apatheticguide]

I have to keep an eye on him. And I supposed that you might require my help.

[ There's a brief pause. Red eyes turn to look at Sasuke's own, now. Not just his face or body. ]

... Although, in the future, eavesdropping is rude.

[not_that_sasuke]

[Oops, caught.]

Sorry.

[He is not sorry. If they didn't want eavesdroppers, perhaps the Cat shouldn't have grabbed someone raised to do that very thing. But since Rabbit clearly knows, there's no point in beating around the bush:]

Who's the real one?

[The real Alice.]

[apatheticguide]

[ ... He knows Sasuke wasn't the only one. He doesn't care. ]

Who indeed, I wonder. ... I suppose I should mention that I find it interesting that this place is named what it is. It's just that it's not every day someone ends up here with a coincidence like that. ... In fact, I don't think anyone ever did.

[not_that_sasuke]

[This isn't the topic he wants, but it's also probably better to just go with it than try to force it back onto the original tracks.]

So that really is just a coincidence?

[apatheticguide]

Everything can be taken as coincidence when it comes to things such as this. But when you have too many, they begin to become worrisome.

[ That's his answer to that. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

Do you think it's worrisome right now?

[apatheticguide]

Do you?

[ He'll give Sasuke an appraising look. ]

You should bear in mind that you do not know these people as well as you think.

[not_that_sasuke]

I don't know anything about them.

[He's not that stupid.]

But I can't do everything by myself, either.

[And, well, if something happens to him?

...He's not too terribly concerned. He doesn't want to be here by any means, but compared to the others, he's pretty sure he's fairly expendable. What, after all, does he really have to return to anyway?]

[apatheticguide]

No. You can't. So don't be stupid, either way.

[ That's all he has to say on the matter, trying to stifle another yawn. Of boredom or something else, it's hard to say. What a lazy Rabbit. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

I'll try not to.

[...]

The "real" Alice-- will they be important for getting out of here?

[apatheticguide]

No. You have to get the World Key.

[ A simple answer. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

Then what is the real Alice supposed to do?

[Is it some particular role, or...]

[apatheticguide]

I need their help to open the Door out.

[ That's all. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

Will we be stuck here if they can't help you?

[apatheticguide]

Yes.

[ Simplistic answer. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

Even though you just said they weren't important for leaving?

[Please clarify, Rabbit, it's hard to understand when you give short responses like that-- says the equally quiet ninja kid.]

[apatheticguide]

If you wanted me to clarify, Alice, you should have asked a different question. They aren't important for leaving. They're important to leave. You will understand later. Rather than burden yourself with this, I would suggest focusing on the remaining World Keys.

[ ... It's clear he's not going to answer anything further inquiring about it. And... was Sasuke's confusion that obvious? Maybe. Maybe not. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

[Well, he managed to get a little bit of information, at least.]

Sorry. It just sounded important, that's all.

[He is not actually sorry.]