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

[worldkeys]

[ The door suddenly speaks up! ]

That's not an option. ... Was that speculation or an actual guess? What's your actual guess? You know the rules of Alice Worlds, right? If you're wrong too much, I'll have to punish you.

[zinit]

[Ugh, a door that has an attitude. Your job is to be opened, he thinks, not to put up a meaningless struggle.]

My final answer, then-- would be whatever is in our chests. Six of us, minus one, that is.

[worldkeys]

That doesn't count. I need the actual word. So I'm counting it as wrong!

[ Sassy, sassy door that it is, is taking a strike on you, Qilby. ]

[zinit]

[Qilby closes his eyes and listens, really listens. Tick, tick, tick: it's rhythmic, like a metronome. But a metronome wouldn't fit into the slots, no-- It's like something used to tell time, even. Time, too, would fit the riddle! (He has damned well plenty of it.)]

[Sure, there's the chance he's wrong, but--]

A clock.

[His tone is absolutely, hopelessly flat. He's so done with your shit, door.]

[worldkeys]

[ A ball of confetti suddenly pops open on top of Qilby. Just because. Why? It's Wonderland. That's why. ]

That's right. But now that you know that, how will you get the ones you need? You only have half the answer! Well, time's wasting. Hurry up and unlock me already, won't you?

[zinit]

[Qilby's looking up at this foreign sky when... Suddenly, there's really shiny confetti raining down. He jumps back and yelps like a little girl when some of it hits his face.]

Ah, shit, my eye--! [Language!! Remember your manners!! Give him a moment to flail, blink, tear up, and otherwise try to get this damned sequin out of his eye. When he finally does, he just smiles like nothing happened and says:]

Well, as a door, it's your job to open, isn't it? So we'll be glad to unlock you soon.

[worldkeys]

[ Sorry. The door was busy laughing its metal hinges off at your predicament, but it manages to compose itself. ]

O-of course. C-certainly! Though I really am glad... well. Never you m-mind, that.

[ Snicker. Giggle. ]

[zinit]

[Qilby's almost about to get indignant when it hits him - confetti just appeared to congratulate him out of nowhere, and his response was to scream as it got stuck in his eye. It caught him pretty off-guard, didn't it?]

[He chuckles a little, despite himself. Let nobody say he can't laugh at his own expense!] Alright, that was pretty funny. [He turns to leave, then says over his shoulder with a wave:] In any case, we will meet again.

[worldkeys]

[ Well, the door sort of likes you, at least. ]

Yes, it rather was amusing. I don't get much entertainment, you know, sitting here. Most of my time is spent stone-still with boring people. Good luck!