Alice Nightwind faced the hooded stranger in her house with far less concern than the average girl would. "So, you want me to come and be the protagonist in your story?"
"That's right," replied the man, who called himself the Spinner of Tales. "You are perfect for the role."
"Sounds interesting. But I do have a few conditions. One, you're going to tell me exactly I'm agreeing to... Every detail. I want total honesty from you, and I don't think that's something you have any reason to refuse me."
The Spinner of Tales paused. He seemed somewhat surprised at her demand, but after a moment he nodded. "That seems... fair."
"Good. First step, let me see your face."
Again, a surprised pause. Then he slowly reached up and lowered the hood, revealing white hair and red eyes. Well, at least one red eye. His hair covered the right one completely. It was a handsome face, although there was a bleakness to his expression, as though he had gone through harsh things and been left with scars inside.
A smile spread across Alice's face. She sauntered up to him and casually ran her fingers up the front of his robe. "There's plenty of guys in this... Wonderland, right?"
His blank face twitched slightly, as if every word out of her mouth was more unexpected than the last. "...Yes, naturally." He gently removed her hand from his chest, but she just clasped it with her other hand behind her back and leaned further into his personal space.
"Are they all as hot as you?"
His visible eye seemed to widen just a bit. "...I'm afraid I couldn't say. You'd have to form an opinion on that yourself."
Alice giggled. "I can live with that. Can I have as many as I want?"
One corner of his mouth twitched upward. Apparently he was finally getting used to her way of thinking. "As long as they don't mind... And since you'll be the protagonist, I'm quite sure you'll be able to find some who won't."
Like a little girl, she clapped her hands. "Oh, good! Now, why don't you tell me what you're going to expect of me as your protagonist."
"Once you become Alice, you must stay in Wonderland forever."
She tilted her head. "I can't think of a reason why you'd insist on that, but if I've got boys to play with then I suppose I don't really care. I'm already Alice, though."
"That may be your name, but it isn't the same as becoming 'the Alice'. So that she never desires to leave Wonderland, Alice must renounce all ties to the real world."
"I'm fine with that," said Alice. "But out of curiosity, how did you plan to handle it if you got an 'Alice' who just wanted to go home?"
"What home?" the Spinner of Tales asked, wearing a devious smirk. "If Alice can't remember ever living anywhere but Wonderland, why would she want to leave?" The smirk froze as Alice held a finger against his lips.
"You might be able to erase the mind, but you can't erase the heart. If your 'Alice' felt any strong attachment to the real world, her heart would tell her she was missing something, and she would attempt to regain her lost memories."
The Spinner of Tales's face contorted into a displeased frown, but Alice leaned in and kissed the wrinkle it put in his brow, surprising him once again.
"Fortunately for you, I'm already Alice in more than name. No memory alterations are necessary for me, and I'll be very upset with you if you try. Just take me to your Wonderland... I have a feeling it'll be more of a home to me than this world ever was."
"You... have no attachments to this world?" His expression of shock was the strongest emotion she had yet seen from him.
She took a moment to think it over, then shrugged. "There's one guy who's been my friend since we were kids, but I can live without him. I suppose he might miss me... Maybe you could let him come to Wonderland too?"
The Spinner of Tales closed his eyes to block out her adorable pleading pout so he could make his decision in peace. Finally he opened them and met her gaze again. "Very well. The role of the Hatter is not filled yet... Being required to hold a tea party every day should keep him out of trouble, and yet it isn't too much to ask, is it?"
"No, that sounds acceptable. One last question, Spinner of Tales... What is your real name?"
"My... real name..." His eyes seemed to lose focus, staring off into the distance. His face gradually relaxed, becoming less stern and intimidating. "I think... it was... Louis."
