When I awoke, I was wide-awake, and really really well-rested. I hadn't slept that well in... I frowned, trying to think of a time. Either way, I let out a small yawn and stretched, falling back into the warm bed and curling up underneath my blankets, smiling a little. Ah, I loved sleep...even if I didn't get much of it. I can never really sleep when I want too...or need to, for that matter. I was always thinking, always processing things, and always on the move...
I felt like that if I slept, I'd start thinking bad things and end up having nightmares...
I did have nightmares often, actually, and usually about random things. But, there were those that got to me and made me cry. I never screamed, I never yelled, I never told anyone about them-I just laid their and cried as silently as I could in my bed at home...
How long would it be before Gray and Nightmare hated me, too?
Stretching my arm out, I flinched, feeling the pain in my wounded shoulders as I tugged my Iphone out of my gray jacket, quickly putting in my passcode and seeing if anyone texted me. To my surprise, there was something flashing.
One missed called. Sarah Howard.
My eyebrows rose up above my forehead, and I shot up into a sitting position, alarmed. She tried to call me? Did she really miss me!?
The door to the bedroom opened and my head shot up to look at Gray entering with my recently acquired clothes in his arms-cleaned and folded. "I am sorry to intrude, but Lord Nightmare had informed me of your awakening. I have brought you your clothes, and I suggest that you quickly get dressed into this if you wish to join the assembly."
He placed my dress beside me on the bed and placed the rest of the clothes on the drawers. I was surprised; with all the servants they had, I figured that the maids or whatever would be the ones to bring me my clothes. Nice to know that even though they're rich, they're the spoilt rich who let everyone else do everything for them. That was nice. I nodded, smiling, in a really good mood.
"Okay. Thanks. I'll get dressed in a few minutes, 'kay?" He nodded, returning the smile with one of his own, before exiting the room. However, before he left, he informed me,
"Lord Nightmare and I will be awaiting your prescence in his room."
Ah...he had to make me feel like I needed to rush, didn't he? Jeez... Now I'm nervous. Watching as his back faded from view as he closed the door behind him, I gingerly picked up the article of clothing and stared at it, making a face. I wish I had leggings...I'm goign to feel so damn naked without...wait! I jumped out of my bed and ran over to all the folded clothes, grinning when I picked out a brown pair of leggings. "Yes! I knew it!"
Not so feeling naked now. I grinned and took a shower as fast as I could, making a face as I rebandaged my beautiful sore wound. It was red around the edges with thick scabs, and it looked a bit like a crater... A small crater, but still a crater... I made a face when I remembered how it looked when I first got it, oozing with blood...
Let's stop those thougths now, shall we? I'd rather not relive my almost-death. I threw on my dress, and made a face realizing that my wound was showing. Eh, oh well. Wait...oh shit. The March Hare was going to be there...
Well, damn. I'm screwed.
I dried my hair with the towel, ignoring the pain, and brushed it. Because it was slightly damp, it framed my round face more than usual and stopped just below my shoulderblades. My bangs hung in front of my eyes until I brushed them to the side. I quickly put my gauges back in and grinned at myself in the mirror. Other than the fact that my freckles were highly visible and made me look like a brown-haired ginger-who-wasn't-really-a-ginger, especially because of my eyes, I think I looked good. I pulled my boots on once I got to the bedroom, zipping the side of quickly and grinning madly when I was now one-inch taller because they were elevator boots.
Well, time to see Nightmare and Gray now... Oh, god, I feel like an actual girl...this is scaring me now. Actually-grabbing my jacket, I slid it on, uncomfortable with my arms being exposed. I felt naked without sleeves.
I hesitated on opening the door, before just pushing it open anyway. I let out a small scream when Nightmare suddenly rushed passed me and down the hallways, Gray following suit as he chased the Incubus down the halls.
"I'M NOT GOING!"
"Lord Nightmare, please! You must! All role-holders must attend, and you out of all must go especially as you're the one hosting it!"
...This scene was actually rather amusing. I think I'm just going to go sit on the couch for the time being. After about five minutes, Gray walked back in with Nightmare held against his chest, Gray's arms holding the Incubus' arms down as they were wrapped around his torso. Nightmare was kicking his legs and screaming childishly, only to end up coughing blood mid-scream. When he was done, Gray's jacket was covered in red and Nightmare looked weaker than usual.
Gray let out an exhausted sigh and plopped Nightmare onto the couch beside me, causing me to jump and scoot away in surprise. Nightmare let out a whine, refusing to go the Assembly. Someting suddenly hit my mind and I asked curiously, "So, what's the assembly about?"
"Whatever Lord Nightmare chooses to talk about," Gray answers, giving his boss a small glare. "We were thinking of having him inform everyone about the new foreigner in Clover."
Oh, god...Please don't. I don't want the March Hare shooting me in the face again. "Oh...Okay then." I flinched when I felt a hand on my hand, ruffling my hair, and I turned my gaze to look at Nightmare.
He said, "He's not going to shoot you again. He'll realize his mistake once he finds out who you are."
...I still feel like he's going to shoot me. But, I'll take your word for it.
Gray quickly glanced at the clock on the wall and said, "It's time, Lord Nightmare."
"I'm not going-" He started, but cut himself off at Gray's glare. The poor guy...
"Alexis, you'll sit next to me during the assembly. Is that alright?"
"Huh-oh, y-yeah, that's fine."
But it was not fine when everyone in the assembly room kept staring at me. I sat awkwardly next to Gray and fiddled with my fingers, waiting for the assembly to end so that I could leave. It turned out that the reason Nightmare didn't like going to the assembly, was because he had stage fright. He kept stuttering and repeating words-even worse than how I usually stammered. He, out of what I could understand, explained that there was a new foreigner (me) and that she was staying at the Clover Tower with him and Gray. The rest after that was a bunch of mumbo jumbo that I didn't understand as I kept zoning out.
A lot of people were actually on the verge of falling asleep, and some were already asleep. The ones who were sleeping are a black-haired woman, the March Hare, a pair of fraternal twins, and Paul. No, wait, his name was Peter. Yeah, Peter. The punk-like person from the other day-er, time period was eying daggers at the poor mouse-guy. He look so scared! I kinda wanted to hug him.
It was like when you're watching an anime, and there's that character that always has this look on their face that makes you want to cry and hug him. That was basically how I felt right now. But that cat was so mean! I like cats and all, but he keeps bullying that poor mouse! Tom was being very mean to Jerry.
...I'm just going to call them that until I actually learn their names. I looked up in surprise when I heard Nightmare snort, before stammering a quiet apology and continuing. I blinked at him, before thinking, You can do it Nightmare! Show 'em who's boss! His voice squeaked a little. Aaaand I just made it worse. Oh, that's nice.
It was another half hour before the Assembly finally ending, queing with Nightmare rushing out of the room and leaving Gray to deal with all the paperwork and stuff. Oh...dude, you're digging your own grave right now...Poor Nightmare.
"Hey! You're the new foreigner?" I looked up to see the cat from earlier grinning at me, the mouse from before squirming in his grasp as tears welled up in visible eye. He looked horrified. "I'm Boris."
"Uh, I-I'm Alexis..." I looked at the mouse-man, feeling worried for him even if it didn't show on my face. "Hey, uh, you alright...?"
"C-Cat's...Cat's gonna eat me!" He cried, breaking out into a sob. Oh, crap. Hooooh, crap. Okay, how to deal with crying people? I don't know! There's no manual for this!
"Let him go!" The man named Boris looked surprise. That surprise caused him to loosen his grip and allow the mouse-man to escape, rushing to hid behind me fearfully. "H-Hey!"
"Hey, get back here-!" I shot out of my seat and grabbed the taller boy by his shoulders, quickly moving him out of the way of the man's claws. Pun, not intended. "Hey! He's a mouse; what're ya takin' his side for!?"
"Because you're scaring him!" I could feel the taller boy trembling, and jumped when I felt him grab my arms. I looked up at his face and asked, frowning, "Hey, you okay?" Um...Comforting people...you hug them right?
He sniffled and nodded at me, attempting to smile before squeaking at the cat's glare. He froze when I suddenly hugged him-as I found him incredibly adorable. Oh, god, did Gray rub off on me? You're so cute! Even when crying...Oh, I better not be becoming a sadist.
"Chuu?" He asked, eye widening in surprise. "A-Ah, you-you don't hate mice?"
"Haah?" I pulled away and looked up at him in confusion. He actually wasn't that much taller than me... Just by a couple of inches. "I don't think I do. They never caused me any problems or anything." It was true. The only people I knew that had problems with mice were my dad and Sarah.
His eye brightened as he exclaimed, "Then I can kiss you!" Wait, what? The boy quickly leaned down towards me, but Boris shot out a hand and caught him by his collar before he could do anything. He squeaked, staring horrified at Boris. "C-Cat!"
"No molesting the foreigner, mouse!" Boris ordered, before getting a hungry glint in his eye. He gave a grin. "You're my lunch." The mouse-boy looked like he was going to faint. Um...okay, then.
"No fair! We wanna play with the new outsider, too!"
"Yeah! Boss is always hoggin' big sis; we wanna play with the new one!" I turned my head in surprise to see a pair of red and blue twins running at me. However, the March Hare-a twinge of fear went down my spine-caught them by their collars and lifted them off their feet before they could tackle me.
"Not so fast, brats." Yeah, I really didn't like this guy. "Leave her alone. You need to head back to the Mansion and actually do your job!"
"Boo!"
"Chickie rabbit is so stupid!"
"What was that!?" The March Hare demanded, narrowing his violet eyes angrily at them.
"Um..." I took this chance to step back and hide behind Boris and the mouse-boy.
"Ellie!" Mouse-boy cheered, brightening at the sight of the March Hare. Oh no...please tell me he and the madman aren't friends?
"My name is Elliot, Pierce." Ah, so that's the mouse-boy's name...
What kind of name is Pierce? Then again, what kind of name is Nightmare? Wonderland's so weird. I like it, though. Minus Elliot. He's mean.
"Hey, where'd she go?" Elliot look around in confusion, and he felt a little less menacing. His shoulders slumped and he looked visibly depressed. I felt bad. "I wanted to meet the foreigner and apologize..."
"For what?" Boris asked, causing the mouse in his grasp to let out another week. Elliot paled and scowled, grimacing to himself.
"I shot at her thinking she was an intruder."
The twins wasted no time in insulted the man, causing him to revert to being a jerk and yelling at them. I didn't want to leave now... I'm just going to hide out here behind Boris and Pierce...
To my displeasure though, Boris reached out with his other hand and pulled me out from behind him, causing me to squeak and cry out in protest. I stumbled forward and froze, tensing as I stood up straight and looked at Elliot and the twins. Elliot's eyes widened at the sight of the bandage on my shoulder, the ears on his head drooping down as his shoulders slumped. He looked like he was going to cry.
Damn it, why is everyone here so adorable when they're about to cry!? Why couldn't I look that cute when I was crying? Oh, right, because I'm me, that's why.
"I'm sorry... I thought you were an intruder, and when you ran away like that I assumed you were a spy caught in the act... I didn't think I actually shot you. I'm sorry."
Crap, what is with all these people and the waterworks? I don't know how to comfort people! Waving my hands in front of me frantically, I dismissed his apology. "It's-It's fine! Really! So, uh, you can stop crying now, please..."
He looked down at me a little hopeful, asking, "Really?"
"Y-yeah! So, uh, stop crying now, please." He smiled widely down at me. "Like, my shoulder barely hurts at all! See!" I reached out an arm and masked my pained face with a grin, acting like I couldn't feel anything. I poked the bandage and smiled, "No pain! I mean, it hurt when it actually hit me, but I feel like my shoulder's totally fine now! So, don't worry or anything!"
The twins looked at me excitedly.
"How much did you bleed?"
"Did you almost die?"
I was surprised at the questions and said, "Uh, I-I bled quite a bit, got found by a faceless doctor dude, and I-I'm not quite sure. I don't think I almost died. It was just a gun shot wound to the shoulder..." Then again, there were quite some fatal gunshot wounds. I shouldn't be taking this too lightly.
"The foreigner's a child? Interesting." I turned my head to see another really tall guy with shoulder-length black hair with bangs that hung in his face, and jade green eyes. He reminded me of the really pretty woman from before, whom I suspected was the red queen. "What's your name?"
"Uh, Alexis. You?"
"Oh, my apologies." He said and smirked, placing a hand over his chest as he bowed slightly, "My name is Blood Dupre." Staring at his hat in awe, I realized who this guy was. Before I could stop myself, I pointed at him and exclaimed with a grin,
"You're the Mad Hatter, right!? Dude, that's so awesome! Do you really like tea as much as Nightmare and Gray say you do?" I love tea. I always wanted to meet someone who drank as much tea as I did-if not more. Tea was pretty much the only thing I drank on a daily basis-unless we ran out and I was too lazy to make some more. Then I just drank water. I tried some coffee though...it wasn't that good. Blegh. I'll only drink it if I'm desperate.
"I love all tea. Do you like tea, Miss Alexis?" Ooookay, that was scary.
"A-Alexis is fine. And uh, yeah, actually, I do. I drank it all the time back in my world."
His smirk seem to widen as he said, "I think I'll invite you to one of my tea parties in the future. I'm sure there's much we could talk about." Suddenly, a hand slapped him lightly on a shoulder. A small female hand, belong to a petite and slim girl with cream-colored skin and honey blonde hair. She wore a blue bow in her hair with yellow accents, which brought out her bright blue eyes, with the help the matching dress and apron. She was pretty.
"Blood! Be nice to her!" Blood looked down at her with a raised eyebrow, and I tried not to laugh at the scene. "Dee, Dum, don't-!" However, it was too late as I felt people tackle me. I stumbled and fell flat on my face, crying out in pain.
"Brother, brother, we got her! We got her!"
"Yeah! You're our new sis, now!"
I turned my head and looked at the pair of twins on my back in alarm. These two were the Tweedles? "I'm sorry, what? No!"
They pouted at me and protested in unison, "But you're too big to be a little sis, an' you're too small to be a big sis! You have to be our sister!"
"I...I already have a brother. And-And, uh, I barely know you. So, therefore, I can't be your sister. Besides, ain't that one chick your big sister!?" I pointed at the blonde girl, who I have deemed as the "Alice" of this world. "Alice, right?"
The girl looked surprised. "You know me?"
"Nope." I told her, popping the "p" with a grin. "Just figured that since there's a Wonderland, there'd be some chick named Alice, too."
"Your grammar is deplorable," Blood commented, despite his amusement. I pouted and said, all the while trying to push the twins off,
"I can't speak it, but I can write it! GER OFF OF MEEEEE!"
Thankfully, my attacker came to my rescue and lifted the twins off, walking away with them despite their protests. Thank you madman!
"Alexis, Alexis, I missed you so much! To think that you came here and disappeared from my clutch!"
"Hah? Gyah-!" I jumped and let out a startled squeak when a pair of arms wrapped around me-the same pair of arms that grabbed me and dunked me down a rabbit hole in the middle of the girls bathroom. "H-Hey, uh, Peter! What's up?"
"Peter!" Alice looked enraged. She was glaring at the white-haired man who was currently lifting me off the ground. My eyes widened in alarm and I screamed, kicking my legs frantically as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Put me down, put me down, put me down, put me down-!" Peter did so in surprise, setting me on my feet. His arms were resting around my shoulders at this point, as I was quite abit shorter than him. I was still tense, mainly from the surprise hug, and relaxed slightly when my feet were on the ground. "I-I'm sorry! I-I just don't like it when my feet are in the air."
Peter looked confused for a moment before understanding lit his features. "Ah, you're afraid of heights and all their creatures, but you shouldn't worry about it despite their features."
...Is he saying I shouldn't be afraid of falling to my doom? Okay, let's go with that.
"Um, okay."
Suddenly Alice had grabbed Peter by the rabbit ear, causing him to flinch as pain formed on his face. She was angry. "How could you just go and bring a child to Wonderland like this!? What about her family!? She has parents!" Peter start to look a little guilty. "What were you thinking?"
"I-I actually only have one parent. And a brother. And, like, four friends, so...He wasn't being all that mean. Besides, I like it here." I cut in, trying to make sure poor Peter didn't get anymore abused then he already was. "So...stop hurting him?"
Alice stared down at me with a deep frown, obviously disliking what I said, but released his ear reluctantly. Peter frowned and rubbed his aching ear, saying pitifully as he looked at Alice through rejected red eyes, "I was the one given an order, but I wasn't the one who decided to hoard her. I was the one sent to fetch and take, make her drink the potion remake, and have her play this game for her sake. I've seen her, I watched her, but only now decided to grab her."
Wait...so those feelings of being watched for three weeks was because Peter was watching me in his bunny form? Well, that's a lovely. Please, don't mind me as I imagine myself banging my head against a wall for allowing myself to get stalked. Just what I always wanted. I had two total stalkers in my life-one back in Elementary school who wouldn't leave me alone because he liked me, and another who also wouldn't leave me alone in Middle school because he liked me. Then again, the second person liked anyone with a chest that breathed air.
"Well, the new outsider certainly is popular, isn't she?" I looked up and saw the woman I suspected to be the red queen. Dark curly hair and violet eyes...She and Blood really remind me of each other. I'd of thought they were siblings, but they were on different territories of the power struggle, so I very highly doubt it. She smiled at me, and I felt rather envious of her looks. She was gorgeous. "We are Vivaldi, the Queen of Hearts. We are pleased to meet your acquaintance, Alexis."
Oh! She's speaking in third person. That's cool. "Oh, uh, p-pleased to meet you, your, uh, Highness-Majesty!" Which one meant Queen!? Ugh, why did I have to forget now!?
She smiled even wider at me. "Aren't you just adorable? We think we will get along just well. What say we leave these frivolous men to bicker amongst themselves while we have a talk and get to know one another?"
Crap. I want to say no, but I don't want to get beheaded... Damn it. Of course I'm stuck in a crossroads. Fine... I'll hang out with the Queen. She seems nice-ish. "Uh, sure..."
"Hey, no fair!" Boris protested, suddenly reminding me of his existence. "I want to hang out with Alexis, too!" Pierce squeaked, still crying, from being in Boris' grasp. Vivaldi turned her with a huge smile, about ready to either hug or pet Boris, but screamed at the sight of Pierce. The poor doormouse only cried harder.
"R-RAT!"
"I-I'm a mouse..." He sniffled, before bawling again. Oh, damn it all, what is with all these people crying!? I can't take it! I'm going to end up crying at this point as well if they don't stop soon. There was laughter, and I turned my head to see a man with red eyes, a red coat, and brown hair vanish out of the room. He looked like the person Nightmare and Gray told me to avoid. Fun. Well, at least I actually know what he really looks now.
...And I'm just going to sneak out and attempt to find Nightmare and Gray, but not before this...
Boris let out a small cry as I suddenly grabbed his tail, pulling on it, and making him lose his grip on Pierce as he whirled around to glare at who done it. I was already walking out of the assembly hall. Pierce was running away with tears in eyes, crying loudly as he left the Clover Tower. I saved a life. I feel good now.
I laughed at my thoughts as I tried to find Nightmare and Gray, before wondering if it would be alright if I explored the country a bit. I usually prefer staying at home, but...It's not like I have much to entertain me.
It took about ten minutes before I found Gray and Nightmare arguing over paperwork in Nightmare's room again. The two were so ridiculous. I was rather hungry, though... Was there any leftover chicken?
Alexis, how long until you beat the game? Sarah texted, causing me to frown as I took a bite of my food. A pain hit my chest and I swallowed, blinking the tears out of my eyes. I was starting miss everyone even more than before, and I wasn't sure how much longer I would be able to hold up this tough act in front of everyone. I had a feeling I was going to break sooner or later, and that it was going to be in front of a lot of people. God, I hate that annoying feeling you get in your gut when you feel like something bad was going to happen...
I have no idea, honestly. I told Sarah, placing the palm of my hand over my mouth as I tried to hold back a sob, breathing in deeply. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself, not wanting to burst out into tears. My shoulders shook, and it took a few minutes before I was finally able to calm down. I was going to be fine. As long I don't get into any trouble, or think about it, I'll be fine.
I hope...
I quickly put my plate in the sink and washed it, and headed off to attempt to find my room so that I could change into comfier clothes. A T-shirt and pants, maybe...or shorts. Whichever I'm really in the mood for.
