but as I told you... I didn't chase the white rabbit!

[heartgatherer]

Who: The Alices and Clock
What: Open the first door and see what you find. Hopefully it's a key... maybe it's something more.
Where: World One - The Country of Clover
Warnings: General violence and disregard for life.

 '▒▒▒▒▒, you fool... it was all just a dream'...

If she could have thought that to herself, then she might have believed it. Here were the high vaulted ceilings of Clover Tower that she'd grown so used to since the shift to the Country of Clover. And yet her name was still lost to her. She could not think it... could not say it... It was as though someone had stolen it entirely, as odd of a thing as that sounded. That was all she needed to know to prove she wasn't dreaming. Then that meant it was as the rabbit and cat said-- in order to retrieve the rabbit's keys, they needed to enter the doors and the door took them straight into peoples' hearts.

This one no doubt was supposed to be her own. How else could this place be replicated so accurately? None of the others should know a thing about Wonderland. After all... this was her dream. Her messed-up, embarrassing, dangerous... oh no.

Outside the window the forest, the castle and the Hatter Mansion were all as they should be. But what had happened to the others? If they had been split up, there was no telling what manner of characters they might have met. While they should be safe as Outsiders, Clover has never seen any other Outsiders. Like this, there's no way to be sure they're safe.

Whatever's happened - this is no time to be sleeping. She needs to verify what's going on in this world and the whereabouts of the people that entered with her. If this was a true and accurate reflection of the world that she knew, then she needed to warn them of a great many things.

Down the tower stairs she goes... to investigate the fate of herself and those who had gone with her.

Comments

Somewhere in a tree...

[stolenface]

It's probably not who anyone wants to run into. The face is familiar, but the clothes aren't. Except, to maybe, Clock. But his ears--black as midnight, to contrast to his blond hair--are out in the open, and he seems to be quite content to laze about with his too-wide, sharp-toothed grin. He seems all too pleased with himself, tail twitching with contentment. It's probably weird seeing his hands, confirming that the "paws" were just gloves with claws and not much else.

Do you dare approach the feline?

[heartgatherer]

Hurrying down the path, Clock stops when a familiar pattern of pink a black flit across the corner of her vision. It's her first reaction to be relieved, ready to greet the cat gladly- however mischievous he is. But "Bo--" is barely out of her mouth before she realizes that that's not the cat who's here now, although she wasn't wrong about the clothes.

She considers walking right past... even takes a few more steps before she stops, talking with her back to him. "...no one likes a stalker." Insults aside... "Have you come to watch us?"

[stolenface]

"Nah, I came to participate. You've got a fun Heart here, Lorina. Mweehee!"

Of course he'd want to be involved with something like her story. So much mayhem, so much going on... It'll be beautiful, he thinks.

[heartgatherer]

Don't confuse heart for head - after all, this is my dream, isn't it?

[Because even now that's how she sees her Wonderland, despite how seriously she views it.]

Besides... what is it you plan to do here? If you were going to follow us, you should have just taken us to the keys from the start.

[stolenface]

Is it, Lorina?

[ Oh, he's got a nasty grin now. ]

And I'm here to be a referee. Can't have one person killing everyone else, can we?

[heartgatherer]

...

[Is it indeed. Everyone's answers regarding that topic have always been very vague to begin with. She... is starting to have her doubts.]

...referee? [Ki...] I didn't take you for the type to stop violence.

[stolenface]

It's still gonna be a slaughter. But can't have it all one-sided, y'know?

[ Yes. He is implying there's going to be a lot of death. ]

[heartgatherer]

...there will be no slaughtering if I have any say in it.

[Don't even joke about such things. How could she allow that?]

[stolenface]

[ That earns a laugh. A very loud one. ]

Sorry, Lorina. But you can't get through that fancy door without a certain somethin' from the people here. And only you can get 'em without those people just poppin' back up.

[bakegarasu]

Well. There's someone who doesn't mind approaching the cat. He looks up at the feline, the most tiny of quirks of his lips confirming that yes, he approves of this cat.

"Did you get stuck?"

[stolenface]

"Nah. I wanted in on the fun you guys're gonna have."

Why should he be excluded when he likes misery and suffering? He knows what's in store, and he plans on playing, too.

[bakegarasu]

"You, too? It seems like an interesting game."

He'd be challenging the cat to a match, but he likes cats. He'd rather not kill this one if he doesn't have to.

[stolenface]

...That grin gets even wider, almost excited.

"So ya noticed, huh, Alice?"

Oh, that's great. The fireworks are gonna start soon. And then everything will be beautiful and fun.

[bakegarasu]

"Yeah. Killing's what I do at home." It'd be hard to not notice this. And he doesn't want to kill the little girl, but... well. Everyone else is fair game, aren't they?

"Don't die too quickly. I expect more from someone like you."

[stolenface]

That earns a snicker. He clearly knows something that Otoha doesn't.

"Sure, Alice. Might wanna worry 'bout yourself, though."

[bakegarasu]

"Why?"

He never has before. Why start now?

[stolenface]

"...Good question. Guess you'll find out. Gimme a good show, won'cha, Alice?"

And with that, the Cat will take off further up the tree, disappearing. Otoha's not going to get much more information, it seems.

[dolosa]

You seem to be fully entertained.

[ Even if most people don't want to run into him, when it comes to Rei Hazama -- well. She finds herself rather amused, swinging her scepter about. ]

[stolenface]

'Course I am. This is my kinda place.

[ Lots of death and dying and suffering. ]

Fun's just gettin' started, too.

[dolosa]

Well, I sure hope you brought some popcorn then.

[ Because, you know. You can't exactly have a party without it, right? ]

[stolenface]

Nah, I'm gonna get right down in the fun with you guys in a little while. Why would I miss out on somethin' like this?

[ Where he can get out some of his own more violent urges without anyone dying on him for good. ]

[dolosa]

Oh, you plan on participating? I'm sure there's someone out there who would enjoy killing you. [ ... ] Unless that's not allowed, of course.

[stolenface]

I'm more the referee. Not much here to kill, but I guess you can hurt me.

[ He'll shrug. ]

But hey, at least it means you can hurt me without me killin' ya.

[dolosa]

I wonder if anyone will take up that offer. I most certainly won't since I have nothing to gain from it, but perhaps someone else will?

[stolenface]

Maybe. We'll have to see. Either way should be entertaining.