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

THE TOP OF CLOVER TOWER - LOCKED DOOR

[worldkeys]

[ If and when they deem to explore it, the top of Clover Tower is now home to a large golden door with an inlay of many slots with strange shapes inside it. The bottom crack is glowing faintly.

A small slip of paper is attached to the door that reads interestingly in handwriting Clock might recognize as 'vaguely similar to someone she knows' (perhaps a female of some sort?).

It can be further looked at or left alone. Either way, it is clearly locked.

If inspected, the paper reads as follows:

'I am part of all of you, inside all of your domains, yet I am excepted by one at the same time. You break me, but I continue on.' ]

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.

Re: THE TOP OF CLOVER TOWER - LOCKED DOOR

[notsogreedy]

Ankh reads the paper, looks from it to the rest of the door, then back to the paper. It didn't take him more than one look at it to come up with an answer (and he wants to roll his eyes at it because he's already heard enough talk about people's hearts here), but...

"... It's obvious, but what are we supposed to do with it?"

[worldkeys]

The door doesn't answer Ankh, as if standing in stark protest of his supposedly figuring out the riddle. IF he figured it out proper, that is.

It's just a locked door, after all! It can't speak. ... Or can it? Perhaps it's not feeling overly talkative right now.

[notsogreedy]

He doesn't pay much mind to the door's silence. He would have been much more surprised if it had said something.

As for the riddle, just saying the answer like some sort of password seems too simple, but he supposes it's worth a try. "Heart."

[worldkeys]

The door doesn't open. At all. Not even a tiny bit, Ankh.

Haven't you noticed the indentations on it? For shame, Ankh. After a moment, a voice that sounds like a sickly young woman will filter from it:

"Well, I suppose you'll do... not much of a start, are you, if you cannot even seem to tell a basic problem with your answer: you lack the keys you need. Did you not even look, not even a little?"

[notsogreedy]

Annnd it does talk. He is only mildly (but perhaps visibly) surprised. He had noticed the indentations and frankly hadn't expected saying that to do anything. The door is insulting but that just seems to be the way things are around here.

Hearts and keys, though. He's heard that before.

"Is this the way out that annoying guy was taking about?"

[worldkeys]

The door seems to chuckle at him.

"Out? Goodness, no. Out to where? ... Well, it's some kind of out, I suppose. Not the kind you're thinking of, I'd bet. Don't be silly. This is still her heart, you know. Now hurry up and go get me those pieces and unlock me, won't you?"

[mearry]

[ C-ta stands in front of the door, foot tapping impatiently as he thinks of something to answer. These kinds of riddles are annoying, it's irritating that this is necessary to finding the key.

You break me, but I continue on. What could it be? ]

...Time?

[worldkeys]

[ The door is silent. It doesn't move. Not for a moment, but then... there's a voice: ]

... Wow, you are much closer than the last person who tried. I'll accept that answer. But how are you going to get some time? I doubt you can hurry up and unlock me without some, you know.

[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]

Tick, tock. Tick, tock. There's a feeling that reaches deep inside of him, compels him - and he has to answer. He has his sword, or a sword, and that's all he needs. He heads out, intent on carrying out his mission.

'Kill', is it? Well. He's only too happy to comply. It's what he's made for, what he's supposed to do. There's nothing to say that he can't, that he shouldn't, so he won't.

The current residents of the Country of Clover should beware the Knave of Hearts... because he has no reason to stop.

[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?

[mearry]

Getting time? [ This is crazy. He's talking to a door. A door is talking to him. This is stupid, but he'll amuse it.

But at least he's a bit motivated when he's told that he was closer than the last person who tried. And if it's for the sake of finishing this situation, he'll keep on going. ]

Mm...a clock, maybe?

[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.

[worldkeys]

[ A thunk emanates from the door. It seems excited. ]

Oooh, you got it! Now where are you going to get them, I wonder? You'll need an awful lot of them.

[mearry]

Haha, these just keep getting more complicated.

[ The laugh isn't very honest, he's more so getting fed up with this door's constant questions. Now, the door has given him a riddle that he's stuck on. Goddammit. ]

A workshop? Or-- do you really need a lot of them? What if you just need a big one for everyone to see?

[worldkeys]

[ The door pauses, thoughtful. ]

I suppose I can give you a hint, since you guessed one right... well, see, there IS one bigger Clock. We need that one to put the other ones inside of the door here. Understand? But I shan't tell you where to get them. Figure it out for yourself, you have a brain, surely!