Thread: Whiffling Through The Whimsy Wood, To War-torn Wonderland We Go (AlphaWolfQuin & DA)

One, two...one, two and through and through, The bars were cold and taut. And rested she, imagining tea, She wept for a land she sought. Alice mumbled the little rhyme over and over as she bumped her head idly against the bars of her cell. Shivering, cold air swirling about her slight body, she let her blue eyes drift up toward the small slit in the wall that mocked and teased and promised fresh air. But there was none of that in Looking Glass Prison . The name of the place alone was a joke and she couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the irony. Stilling herself, she twisted her head, stringy blonde strands falling in front of her porcelain pale face, she caught sight of the guards standing watchproud and tall. What did they have to be proud of, she wondered? They were nothing but the warden's minions, mere lapdogs doing his bidding while he sat somewhere quiet and comfortable snacking on something delicious. Another shiver ran through her, her arms moving about her middle. Standing upright, she took a step back and tilted her head carefully studying the two men beyond the bars keeping her confined. What you looking at, bitch? one of them growled, but Alice refused to wince. She'd seen far meaner, nastier things than this brute. Unable to help herself, Alice just smiled and turned away. The guard merely grumbled incoherently, but his obscene insults were clear enough to Alice's ears. It had been ten years since she'd fallen down that strange and dark sewer that had somehow appeared in the yard. How the thing had gotten there, she'd never quite figured out. But, she'd be damned...she knew the thing had been real! Ever since her return, no one would believe her stories. But her time away had left her forever altered. Night after night, she'd been plagued with haunting dreams and during wakeful hours she could hear all their voices calling her back. It made her head hurt...her heart hurt! How she longed to return to that strange and curious place. That...Wonderland. Several times Alice had tried to find a way back, but it was of no use. The strange sewer that had brought her to the land of wonder had vanished and, with it, all the wonderful people and creatures she'd met. She longed for adventure, for freedom, to be in a world where she could be accepted as herself and not hide away in some locked room. A strange bitterness clung to her heart as she suddenly thought on her parents, their decision to have her locked away after she'd tried to go public about the sewer tunnels leading to Wonderland. But they did! They did! She knew that they did! Oh frabjous day, it brought dismay! She sobbed into the night. It came to pass, shackled fast, She'd never see the light. But there was no way to prove what couldn't be seen. Many nights she'd wept, calling out to the Hatter and the one who'd playfully called himself the Cheshire Cat. Where were they now? How she missed them, longed for them. Just once, she'd like to hear their voices, see their faces. She often dreamed that they'd come to her, their hands reaching out to touch, to feel. But every time her eyes opened...nothing. Her heart twisted and the room felt colder still. Moving to the far wall, Alice leaned against the hard concrete and slid down until she was finally sitting on the cold, hard floor. Tears began to sting her eyes. Tears she'd hoped would never fall again over her lost Wonderland. Unable to hold them back, she buried her head against her knees and shook with silent sobs. As she cried, she could hear the guards laughing at her despair. Bella Whitmore tapped a slender finger against her chin, her face contorted in thought. The mirror had shown her something strange, something curious, something... Mick...Rabbit, Bella giggled at the endearment. You have work to do. She turned on her heels, her gauzy white gown swishing about her delicate form as she all but floated across the room. Her arms were gracefully held out to her sides as though she were dancing, ready to twirl and she halted the moment she reached her mirror. Her brow furrowed and she pointed to the shiny, shimmering object. Look there, she almost whispered, her full lips turned up into a smile. Of course, Bella knew full well that neither man could see what she saw. That was part of the gifta blessing and a curse. Ah, the gift of visions and foresight. Bella laughed, her blonde tresses falling prettily over her bare shoulders. You see nothing, don't you? Again, she laughed and then began to hum. Moving away from the mirror, she crossed the room and sat down upon a throne chiseled out of white marble. I didn't even like mirrors when I was a Pawn, she continued. But over time, I learned that they can be quite helpful. Her smile broadened, but her eyes remained sad, serious. You two need to fetch us someone who's been gone for far longer than she should've been. Though it's been only months for us, years have gone by for her. A knowing expression crossed Bella's face and she wondered if any lurkers might be eavesdropping. The castle of White was a large place, full of secret rooms and hidden corners. She knew most of them, but her Knight knew them all. You must retrieve our darling Alice Liddell, Bella prattled on. Though you'll hardly find her to be a ten year old child any longer. She giggled, a hand moving to her mouth to quiet her laughter. Go, find her. Bring her back to me. We're in desperate need. The tunnels were dark. They were always dark and so very damp! Lizzie Heartland stepped in a puddle of water that made a splash and rendered her feet utterly soaked. Damn it! she whined, her voice frantic. She glanced over her shoulder and peered into the darkness. The banging sounds that had been following her had stopped. She hoped that was a good sign. Or maybe her mind was playing tricks? It was always playing tricks! Not wanting to waste any more time, Lizzie grabbed hold of her tattered skirtsskirtsdark hair mussed and billowing behind herand forged on ahead. She had a destination in mindsomewhere safe... Clover .