*nervously wanders in and tips hat* So, welcome to my first fanfiction in more than a year. To those who have been following me for years, I must apologize and say that this story will not be like most of my previous ones. Which were awful and the product of unfortunate teenage angst. Anywhom. To the new readers, welcome! I decided to share this tidbit in hopes that maybe someone will like and wish me to continue it. Please, leave a review so I can see your thoughts on this prologue. Cheers.
Prologue: A question.
It was simply amazing, Alice thought as she stared down at the slumped figure before her, how men could abuse their own species so easily. The young person glared up at her through a mass of grimy, tangled hair. "Find something amusing about my appearance, Miss….?", they asked, in a tone that sparked Alice's memories of a certain lazy drawl and… She shook her head. No time to think about those left behind, when she was needed in the present. "Do you know why a raven's like a writing desk…?", she asked in return, crouching down to sit on her heels. The figure blinked and shifted slightly away, the chains around her (Alice could now tell her speaking companion was, indeed, one of the fairer sex.) ankles and wrists clanking dully with the abrupt movement. "…. Could it be…. They both have wings….?" Alice smiled, holding up a key.
"I don't know about writing desks, but I can certainly help you acquire flight…."
In a surprisingly swift move, the chained woman launched herself at Alice, bowling her over. Alice found herself pinned to the filthy cell floor, face to face to the furiously glowing eyes of a Hightopp driven around the bend. "I'll not be caged again….", the lady swore, the slightest hint of an accent coloring her cold words. Alice found herself smiling up into yet another reminder of what she had risked her life and business for. "I require a companion. One who knows of Underland… And who is willing to risk staying, should there be no other way back. You'll be free…" As she spoke, the unnatural glow from her assailant's eyes faded, leaving a lovely shade of faded turquoise in it's wake. After she was finished, the other woman slithered carefully off her, helping Alice carefully to her feet as she did so. "What is your name….?", Alice murmured hesitantly, as shackled hands carefully brush away the dust and other filth off the riding dress her sister loaned her. There was a pause, as her guide mutely held up her wrists to the noble woman. As she freed her from the unforgiving metal, Alice heard the woman speak, once more with careful dignity.
"Anemone, at your service… The Alice."