The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended on the franchise of Heart no Kuni no Alice and Doctor Who. Some of the elements in the story have been incorporated belong to chaos-dark-lord but I have received permission to use them from Wonderful Wonderful Science and its sequel Wonderful Wonderful Science: Diamond Dust, as well as the original character mentioned in this segment that belongs to peekodemeeko12.
Geronimo!
Erin Oswald liked to cook and the appreciation for the mundane task grew as she prepared the final touches for a light lunch in the tiny kitchen of her apartment. The rhythm of a ripe tomato being sliced on the wooden cutting board would have sounded pleasant had her sensitive ears not detected the volley of gunfire emitting from an adjacent boulevard. Domain disputes were a common occurrence in Wonderland, as she had learned by taking a stray bullet to the stomach shortly after falling through a cross-dimensional portal and becoming acquainted with a woman from her own world named Jackie Penski.
If being temporarily locked in a dingy jail cell that smelled like piss and blood did not give Erin the impression that this fairy tale-esque world was not that wonderful, it was being confronted by her worst nightmare: Elliot March, the second-in-command of the Hatter Family with rabbit-shaped appendages. The college graduate shuddered slightly at the memory and tried to distract herself by scrapping the sliced tomato into a large salad bowl with a serrated knife.
That fear had slowly subsided as time continued to shift erratically, but only because she aided a cult called The Lullaby in awakening a horrifying creature born from darkness and madness. While it was true that she could not have escaped from the failed ritual without his help, the college graduate preferred to put distance between herself and someone from the local Mafia.
Especially when there was truly a fate much worse than death upon returning home.
Bright green orbs glanced around the apartment she had acquired as compensation for bringing back Lady A; an exclusive living facility that would be otherwise impossible to afford, if it had not been for her cooperation. Spacious and dimly-lit, the two thousand square foot flat combined modern minimalist designs with rustic elements from the Colonial Spanish architecture of South and Central America. Light bounced off brightly painted Talavera tile flooring and the burnished cherry electric fireplace, adding a warm feeling to the place.
Everything in her home was a constant reminder where the leader of the Lullaby had been raised, and the beginning of her new life in Wonderland. In addition to being given a comfortable place to stay, the Lullaby also made sure that Erin had a well-paid job at a bookstore they owned; both as a bookseller and a consultant to their printing press behind closed doors.
In comparison to the Role Holders, the Lullaby did not treat her like an ignorant child and were honest about their true intentions. Those reasons were more than enough to tolerate their fanaticism towards Lady A, whom she had not even met yet.
Once she had polished off the spinach salad, Erin looked up at the kitchen clock to see that there was plenty of time to grab a cup of hot chocolate at a nearby café before starting her shift . It took the college graduate ten minutes to find her sneakers, then another five to double-check that she had everything she needed for the next twenty time changes before locking the door and walking down to the street to work.
After several minutes of maneuvering through the crowded outdoor market on Silent Nectar Bayou that always happened every fifteen time changes as well as narrowly avoiding being grazed by a bullet from two men that were squabbling in an alleyway off Calm Flats, Erin entered her favorite coffeehouse and left with a piping hot Styrofoam cup in hand. But when she swiveled around a corner at the intersection between Main Street and Cloud Stead, the foreigner brushed her elbow against a tall man with rabbit appendages twitching between orange curls.
Purple orbs widened slightly as he peered down at Erin, followed by a bright smile that across his face before the March Hare cheerfully greeted her.
"Hi, Erin~!"
Erin resisted the urge to turn around and take the longer route to work, but that would be impolite. And who knew how the second-in-command to a criminal empire would react to disrespect? She reluctantly waved at him. "Good afternoon, Elliot."
"Wanna get some coffee? Oh, you've already got some," The Role Holder's ears drooped slightly upon seeing the cup in her hands. "Well...are you hungry? You can't start work on an empty stomach~!"
"I ate something before I left the house."
He sputtered at her response and asked if the two of them could go to the vegetarian pub for a new carrot dish that was being offered for a limited amount of time changes. Erin politely declined with an blank expression.
"I appreciate the invitation Elliot, but I am also aware this generosity it does not come without a second motive. I have told you once, and will do so again until it is ingrained in your psyche. I am not telling you anything related to the Lullaby or Lady A because I myself do not know very much about them. And I am staying out of any business relating to the Hatter Family or the other territories." Or at least as much I can. The college graduate mentally added. Blood-lust occurred every second in this dimension. And since she had no knowledge in self-defense techniques Erin always ran in the opposite direction, away from the trouble. It was better than relying on a Role Holder for protection.
But that did not mean she had to like it.
"All right Erin. But if you ever need help or want a buffer from some bastards who want to get fresh with you, I'll be more than happy to put lead between their eyes~!" Elliot responded with an optimistic smile, almost smug that she would call upon him for assistance soon.
She needed to learn how to deliberately harm another human being to protect herself. As a faithful follower to the creed of an eccentric and compassionate Time Lord, the very thought made it hard to savor the sweetness in her drink.
After the two of them exchanged their farewells to each other, Erin continued the trek to work and Elliot went to collect more protection rackets from the townspeople. Or so that the her assumption due to seeing green paper sticking out of the Role Holder's coat pocket.
But once she started her shift in the bookstore, the college graduate allowed her rattled nerves to be calmed by the scent of paper and ink as she helped the customers find what they were looking for. The majority of these tomes were novelty in Wonderland despite the fact that they have rested on wooden shelves for centuries in her own dimension. However, there were also volumes that had publication dates beyond 2040. It was another noted accomplishment of Lady A; the Lullaby were able to reproduce literature from their leader's world through electronic books she apparently carried to this place. Due to being employed, Erin could afford to purchase books at a discounted price, a bittersweet vice that had to be reigned in or else she would not have enough money for groceries and other essential needs.
Upon passing by the aisle for recently arrived books, Erin was reminded to talk to the manager about asking the Lullaby on self-defense when her bright green orbs glanced at the martial art instruction manuals. And the best time to address such an issue would be in another four time changes, or during her thirty-minute break.
"Hello, Mr. Amadore."
In her opinion, his name sounded hackneyed, but the main editor of the Zarathustra-editions did not have a choice in that particular decision and he was glad about it. His, and his brother's name had been bequeathed to him by their predecessors before Lady A had taken command of the faceless faction. Now it was a right and gift from the cult to its loyal members. If one of them were killed in the line of duty, they could leave a name behind for their replacements or 'apprentices'. Not only could a Latin-based name be inherited, but also traits reminisced to the fallen cards that had been attaining physical Latin features.
The auburn-haired faceless gestured his employee to sit in a chair that was rested in front of his desk. "Hey, Erin. There's an important note for you. If you need to clock out early, just let know and we'll work something out." Mr. Amadore explained in a grave voice that held a tint of excitement. Erin noted that he sounded much more serious than usual as he handed her a vanilla-colored envelope before leaving the small office.
Using an ivory letter opener on the desk, she tore the crimson wax seal that was shaped like an atomic model with its center resembling a Sol musical symbol and pulled out a small piece of parchment. Erin immediately recognized the handwriting. It was written by none other than the creature she had resurrected from that icy casket in the underground cathedral.
Come soon. I'll see you.
A.H.S.
Hello, everyone! I hope you have enjoyed the beginning of yet another adventure in the wonderful wonder world with Erin Oswald. Please send feedback or thoughts on the story in the form of a review. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to read the sequel of Carrot Cake!
