A New Player

This was a dream... Laurel knew it was a dream, because nothing seemed odd. And that was the oddest part about this dream...

She had 'woken up' to find herself in a dense forest. Of course, that was when she knew it was a dream. There were no forests of any kind near her city, so that was out. "Curious and curiouser..." she muttered, the irony not lost on her. "Now where's that damn rabbit?"

After pinching herself a few times, it was clear she wasn't going to wake up until the dream was finished. "Better start walking then, Laurel."

In a matter of minutes, she heard a harsh cry from above. A massive black bird was flying over her head, and soon settled on a branch in front of her. "You there, girl. Tell me... Why is a raven like a writing desk?" the bird sqwaked, in a weirdly human way. She sighed wearily. "This dream is becoming so unoriginal. I've never even read Alice in Wonderland!" The bird ruffled its dark wings and seemed to mirror her sigh. "Girl, you need to tell me. Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

She threw up her hands in exasperation. "I don't know, ok?" She glared at the bird, but it didn't seem to bother him. "You'd better figure it out if you want to leave here. Lest the Red Queen want your head. Because if you don't-" Another cry rang low, this one filled with agony. The bird fell to the earth near her. Her breath hitching, she quickly ran over to where it lay, coated in blood. With a feeble croak, the black feathered thing shuddered, its eyes already glazing over. What had happened? The bird had irritated her with its cryptic words, but it shouldn't just die like that-... !

~xxx~

That isn't how the dream is supposed to go...

~xxx~

She heard leaves crunching on the ground, the sound making its way toward her. "Well, that was close!" a new voice spoke up. "Can't have Bluejay there giving away trade secrets, can we? Would you be Alice, my dear?" She glared poisonously through wet eyes, wanting to scream at the man who had arrived, spat at the bow he held lazily at his side, take it and shoot him with it-... Instead, she spoke through teeth gritting so hard they already ached. "Why did you kill him? I'm not Alice, you idiot. My name is Laurel, although I don't expect your brain to remember it." He sighed, seeming a little bored, as though she'd said something completely obvious.

"Yes, yes, I know. To be an Alice, you don't exactly have to have the correct name, although it does make it seem more authentic. I do hope you'll win this time, Miss Laurel. I'll be certain to remember your name until the game ends, and another Alice comes. Or maybe... one won't" he added slyly. She bristled at his tone, and the confusing concepts.

"Wait... what do you mean, 'win'? Is this some sort of sick game? Did you kidnap and drug me or something? I swear to God-..." Her voice had climbed in volume and pitch with panic, and he'd cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Now now, swearing isn't something a lady should do." The man's dark eyes sparked with mischief. "Besides, it does little good here. Do you think this dream is simply a figment of your semi-concious mind, Miss Laurel?" She scoffed.
"Isn't that the definition of what a dream is? Just who are you?" Again with the secretive smirk. "It depends on what you believe, Laurel. If we are indeed just a dream to you, then we must comply to your beliefs, because it is all you know." She made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort. "You're avoiding my other question. Is it a dream? And am I supposed to believe you're not going to haul me to the 'Red Queen' at a moment's notice? I'll ask one more time, who are you?" Her voice was thick with sarcasm at the name.

He toyed with the last question, giving a soft hmm before replying. "Who am I, my dear Alice asks. Does it sting that she forgets my face...?" He said to himself. He turned his attention to her, and his mouth quirked into a smile. "I am not an enemy, be sure of that. No matter what. There will be far, far worse as the game progresses. I am simply another imaginary phantom in your 'dream', wishing for this game to end. So, I'll help you get the high score." He winked, and she made a face. "That's... better, I guess." She started with surprise, and remembered what this 'non-enemy' had done.

"Why did you kill the raven?" Anger flared up again, brighter after his obvious attempt to gain her trust. He read her expression, and seemed hurt at the notion. "Oh, don't look at me like that. I had to. He was a glitch, a cheat code. And those are strongly frowned upon." His tone had turned grave. "You would have been disqualified, disposed of, and a new Alice would come. I said I'd help you win, and I intend to do just that. Besides, Bluejay will be back when- if" He corrected himself. "The next Alice comes, he always is." Chills went down Laurel's spine at the words 'disposed of' but she shook her head and sighed.

"Alright... so what do I have to do to win?" she asked, standing up to brush dirt and dead leaves off of her jeans. He blinked once, and proclaimed imperiously, moon-gold hair falling into his eyes. "You must profess your love to me." She mirrored his blink, and rolled her eyes. "Yeah... no. Game over, already. That must be a record for you, hm?" His face was full of mock hurt. "Is it such a horrid thing? Well then, how about this?" He stetched her a deep bow before straightening. "Come with me to the White Queen's court, milady, and you will be informed of the rules. By the way, have you ever played chess?" He asked, and she shook her head. "Well... I suppose I can show you on the way. You'll need it." She ignored the sadronic grin that accompanied the speech, and the small part of her mind whispering not to follow him, but spread her hands wide and said wearily. "Lead the way."

"Come along, miss Alice, we've no time to waste. The white rabbit will be sorely displeased if we are late." His smirk widened at the remark, as he pointed north. She nodded once, and started forward, but stopped for a moment, before wrapping her arms around the man's waist. "Love ya, random person." she teased. It seemed the only expression he could manage for the moment was shock, as she let go with a smirk of her own. He cleared his throat. "Yes, well... that time I was joking. Don't go getting any ideas. I tell that to every Alice that passes through." He shifted, but his smile turned genuine as he added, "And that's Julius to you, miss Laurel." He strode past her, and her smirk never wavered. Things were going to get interesting, she mused.

~xxx~

Let the games begin.

~xxx~