The morning came far too quickly, and Emma was even more tired when Wilbur woke her. She opened her eyes to a bright open window she despised more than she did when she was awake.

How strange, sleeping within a dream, but all of this was strange. She was in a strange world, surrounded by strange things, following around a rabbit man who called her Alice.

She gave a half smirk as she sat up.

Wilbur was buttoning up a white shirt, and was surprised to see her sit up.

Unconsciously, Emma's eyes went straight to the scars that lined the exposed skin on his chest. Some were light with age, others dark, newly recovered ones. It was rude to stare, but she couldn't help it.

Color began to rise in his cheeks, and he turned his back to her. "I-I… I'm so, so sorry, Alice. I thought you w-were still asleep."

"N… No, I just woke. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He turned back around. "I got you something to wear… It belongs to the innkeeper's daughter. It might be a bit big, but it'll do." He motioned to a folded pile on a worn dresser.

"Oh, I, thank you…" Emma stood up, walking over to the dresser. It was a blue dress with fluffy petticoats. She felt her stomach bunch up. She'd worn dresses like this hundreds of times. Period costume after period costume she has been forced into and she was sick of them after five minutes. She would definitely dislike this one.

She hadn't even noticed that Wilbur was dressed in what also looked like a period costume. He had a tiny pair of glasses that sat on his nose, along with a frilly button down and a finely tailored bright red vest that contrasted so severely with his porcelain skin, not to mention his tousled white hair and those ears of his. She wondered if he had a tail, but that would be a bit forward to ask.

Wilbur was fixing his red tie when he said, "I'm going to leave the room for a few moments to give you a chance to change. Once you do, I'll be back in to help you with the ties, if you need it."

"Okay, thank you, but you don't have to leave." She had gotten used to lacking modesty around dressing before strangers. She had been costumed before men before. "It's not a bother, really."

"I'd prefer to stand outside." He stammered, blushing again. "Just knock on the door when you want me to come back in." He quickly stepped out before Emma could put a word in otherwise.

She sighed, pulling off her sweatshirt and the tee shirt she wore, looking at her body in the mirror at the rickety vaity at the edge of the bed. She could see her rib cage and her hip bones poked out of the top of her sweatpants. She was getting too skinny again. When she woke up again, to the real world at least, she would have to eat something to gain the weight she needed for the stupid part. She sighed, pulling down her sweatshirt. She grabbed the blue dress, pulling it over her head. It wasn't too bad, the length just above her knee, but she did need Wilbur to tie the back for her with the corset-like top.

"Wilbur…" She called, knocking lightly on the door. "Could you come back in please?"

She opened the door for Wilbur who slipped in quickly. He seemed a little on edge, something that made Emma a little uneasy.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, I… Nothing! Nothing's wrong." He gave her a little nervous chuckle. "Er, let me." He motioned to the dress.

Emma turned for him, looking at him through the mirror. She pulled her hair over her shoulder. He began to tighten the laces and the dress began to hug her torso. It did look pretty, no doubt, but she still didn't really want to wear anything very costume-y. And she was not going to wear those ridiculous petticoats.

"There." Wilbur smiled. "We've got to be heading out, Alice. I have a friend of mine that I hope you can stay with for the night while I get everything at my own home sorted out." His hands made his way to her hips, a little awkwardly. Emma gave him a bit of a look but he didn't notice. "I hope you won't mind my not staying with you tonight. I don't really want to leave you…" He put his chin on her shoulder.

His breath was on her neck, sending chills up her spine.

"Wilbur?"

He suddenly stiffened up, standing up straight and taking a step back. "I'm sorry! So sorry. Dear god, what has gotten into me. We have to get on. I'm sorry, Alice."

What an odd character, this Wilbur is… Emma was astounded by the depth of the character in her dream. He was considerably attractive, in his own sense. Obviously a strange version of a "dream" boy, she supposed, even though he was a rabbit. There was just something exceedingly… Strange about all of this. Especially him. The cat girl's words rang in her head, confusing her even further.

The forest was completely insane during the day.

Insects of all shapes and sizes passed by innocently, completely ignoring the citizens that lined the streets chatting among themselves.

They didn't turn to look at Emma or Wilbur, though. Not a single one.

"Where close to palace. When we get within the grounds, I need you to hold my hand, okay?" Wilbur said quickly, looking at his watch. "And do not look a single person in the eyes. Do not stop if you hear anybody call you by anything. Understand?"

Emma nodded, having trouble keeping up with him. She noticed tall brick walls ahead, which must be what surrounded the palace.

"You're going to stay with two acquaintances of mine; Hector and March. They're fine men, just a tad mad, if that is the term for it."

"Mad?"

"Yes."

"I don't want to be among mad people…"

Wilbur laughed. "Oh, my Alice…" he grabbed her hand. "I've really missed you."

Emma gave him a half smile, unsure of what he was laughing about. It was so odd to have him keep saying that.

They continued walking, hand and hand until the palace gates.

"Keep your head down. Don't look at the gate keepers and don't answer them if they say anything to you." Wilbur whispered as they walked to the kiosk in front. There were two people there, two short men who looked exactly alike.

"Wilbur!" one exclaimed.

"Where have you been?" asked the other.

"I've been on business. Open the gates, please." Wilbur replied in a flat tone.

The two laughed, and Emma made sure to focus on his feet as to not accidently look up. She didn't want to risk disobeying what Wilbur said, in fear of what the cat girl said. She needed Wilbur in this dream, otherwise she would get lost and this would turn into a nightmare very quickly.

"Who's this pretty doll?" One of the other men said.

"A real gem, she is." said the other.

"She's my… um… my…"

"Don't tell me!"

"She's your girl, isn't she?"

Wilbur's palm began to sweat. Emma could tell his nerves were rising. What was going on? This was such an odd dream! Where in her mind did this come from?

"Yes, and I really need to be getting home, could you please-"

"Oh, don't let us rain on your parade!"

"I just hope she can slip out of that dress in time for you!"

The two laughed and Wilbur stiffened up, squeezing Emma's hand a bit tighter.

There was a loud clanking noise, the sound of lock tumblers working together, and the gates began to open. Wilbur began to move again before Emma could really react.

She stole a glance at his face, which was completely red. He was easily embarrassed, wasn't he. Maybe he was strict gentleman? It made a considerable amount of sense.

A gentle rabbit man! Emma would have laughed if she wasn't in the situation she was.

They walked quickly, not a single person stopping them or a single word uttered near them. She wanted to look at the buildings the passed, and even the people, but she was forced to watch the cobblestone path at her feet, until they got to a building that Wilbur slowed down before.

"You can put your head up, now." she did. "Now, be careful of what you say here, okay, Alice? Hold your tongue. Hector was a bit forgiving the first time you two met, but I doubt he'd be as forgiving this time."

Emma nodded, looking at the building. It was a hat shop. Did shops like this still exist? What century did this dream take place in anyway? Maybe the 19th? It did look like what she had seen in the pictures in her classes… But she wasn't completely sure. She did keep quiet though, not sure that asking a question like that would make very much sense in a dream.

Wilbur held the door open for her and she enter, not prepared for what was inside this shop at all.