Xx-7-xX

Breakfast was, so to speak, interesting. Once Alice woke up groggily from her restful slumber, she took her shower and headed downstairs to eat. Finding the way to the dining area was a lot more difficult than she thought. After a series of turns and a trip down the stairs, along with the help of several maids, she was able to arrive inside the dining room. Surprisingly, it wasn't how Alice imagined it to be. In the very center of the room was a fairly large sized round table filled with toast, jam, a plate of eggs, muffins, and all sorts of other breakfast foods. The smell of bacon reached Alice's nose and that hit the switch inside her head.

Sharon was already placed in one of the seats at the round table along with Oz. Alice took her place beside the Queen and instantly reached for the bacon. In an instant, her hand was slapped away by a fan. Alice scowled as she rubbed her sore hand while looking at Sharon, who calmly sat in her seat fanning herself gently. The girl glared daggers at the Queen.

"What the hell was that for!" Alice yelled.

"Alice, don't you know it's impolite to yell at the table?" Sharon said.

"So! I was going to eat my breakfast when you slapped my hand away!"

"That's because it's not how a lady should act."

"What are you talking about!" Alice stood up.

Thwack! Immediately, Sharon closed her fan and narrowed her eyes at the ignorant girl talking back at her. She slapped the table with her fan and abruptly stood up.

"Alice, it's about time you learn some proper manners. You will attend the tea party later and you will behave like a good girl. Besides, don't we want to show how etiquette our guest is, right Oz-kun?" Sharon threatened.

Oz cowered in fear and nodded his head rapidly. Sharon gave a triumphant smile and sat back down. Meanwhile, Alice snapped her head to the blonde boy and glared at him instead for agreeing so easily to the Queen. She sat back down brashly and waited until Sharon gave instructions.

"I thought you were on my side, Oz," Alice whispered furiously.

"Uh, sorry Alice," Oz apologized. "But Sharon's really scary when she's mad."

"Apparently, you haven't seen me yet when I'm mad," Alice retorted. "This is gonna be filed against you. If you don't take my side, how am I supposed to trust you?"

"Alice..." Oz began.

"Silence!" Sharon commanded.

The two stopped talking. Sharon regained her composure and continued to fan herself.

"Alice, I want you to follow what I am about to do. The tea party will go something like this: we sit down at a very long table, wait until the tea and food arrives, eat, and talk casually. I have a feeling that you might do something reckless later, which is why we're doing this right now," Sharon explained. "Now, watch me."

The Queen stood up and walked over by the doorway.

"When we enter the room, you have to smile and walk gracefully. Alice, stand up and do this with me."

Alice unwillingly obeyed. She went over to Sharon and walked with her. After taking two steps, she was slapped with the fan and fell face first to the ground. She immediately stood up with anger showing on her face.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ABOUT?" Alice screamed.

Another slap on her arm.

"Alice, language! You need to learn to control that quick temper of yours!"

"WHO CARES? I'M STARVING TO DEATH RIGHT NOW AND-"

Sharon slapped her again, but this time it was much harder than before.

"Ow! Would you stop slapping me with that shitty fan of-"

SLAP!

"SHARON STOP SLAPPING ME!"

SLAP!

"ARRGGHHHHH!"

SLAP!

"Alice, you are not a pirate."

"UGH YOU KNOW WHAT? I DON'T-"

SLAP!

"I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!"

Sharon was about to slap Alice when the girl began to walk away.

"It's a shame, Alice. I even had a wonderful breakfast prepared for you."

Alice halted her steps and looked back at the table which was now filled with scrumptious meat. Her stomach growled even louder and the hunger was killing her. All those meat on the table was making her mouth water. Sharon stood next to the table with an evil smile on her lips.

"Now, shall we try again?"


After the horrible lady lessons Alice had to go through, she was finally able to pass, according to Sharon, and eat her meat. In her opinion, it was worth it. Once the girl was done stuffing herself, she and Oz walked around outside in the garden.

"I can't believe you didn't stop her Oz," Alice complained.

"I told you, Alice, Sharon is scary when she's mad. Besides, she always gets everything her way, so you have to get used to it," Oz explained.

"Still! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"Haha, yeah, I still am, Alice!"

They walked past the rose bushes and sat on the edge of the fountain. Rose petals gently floated in the clear water that reflected the perfect sky.

"Ne, Oz, what is this place anyway?" Alice asked.

A look of surprise hit Oz, for he wasn't expecting that question from Alice.

"Well, this place is Wonderland!"

"I know that. I'm asking what it 'Wonderland' you idiot!" Alice cupped some water in her hand and let the cool liquid slip through her fingers. A look of surprise was caught on Oz's face as he thought of what to say. Wonderland wasn't exactly an easy thing to explain. He doubted anyone in Wonderland could explain exactly what it is.

"Well, I'll be honest with you, Alice," Oz began. "Even I'm not sure what Wonderland is."

"Ugh, thanks that really helps." Alice rolled her eyes.

"But I can tell you that it's a world beyond any other."

For a moment, everything suddenly seemed to blur to Alice. It was as if the world was disappearing into dust. A bright flash blinded her eyes as a vision followed afterwards. Inside her head, Alice saw a young version of her and an older girl that looked just like Alice, except a bit different. She wore a red gown with a small crown placed on her head.

"This world is beyond any other, Alice. And don't you forget it."

"...ce?"

"..lice?"

"Alice!"

Alice jumped up at Oz's voice, surprised by the worried tone and volume. Oz looked at her worriedly, shooting questions at her about her condition. It wasn't any of Alice's concern, however, since her mind was still too focused on the sudden flashback that occurred. What was that? Alice thought. That was me...and that woman. That woman, who is she?

"Alice? Are you alright?"

Oz's voice brought Alice back to Wonderland as she snapped her head at him. Her mind was still confused, but for the time being, Alice decided to just forget about it.

"I'm fine, Oz," she replied. The said boy released the breathe he didn't realize he was holding and smiled. His worries ceased a bit, but something told him Alice was starting to remember.

"Okay, then, Alice. Shall we get going?" Oz gestured his hand out to her.

"Wait, where are we going?"

"To the tea party. It's almost time, and if we don't hurry soon then Sharon will-"

"OZ-KUN!" the voice roared throughout the entire castle. The two jumped up at the sound of her superior voice and started to shake in fear.

"We should probably get going, Alice," Oz suggested. Alice nodded while shivering.

"Agreed."


The carriage had finally stopped in front of a white castle; it was the kind that you see in movies or fairy tales with the tall towers, brick walls and a garden. Nearly everything at their destination was white, with a few touches of black or some other color. Even some of the trees were entirely white. Alice scowled at the frilly dress Sharon dressed her in. The bell sleeves reached her elbows and the ruffles on her dress made her feel cramped inside the carriage. Hearts were stamped on the ruffle lines and the dress mainly had a red hue. Curse words ran through Alice's head as the carriage door opened and Sharon got out first. The Red Queen looked at Alice and gave her a sickly sweet smile, telling her if she doesn't behave properly, punishment will be enforced.

"Shall we go, Alice?" Sharon asked. Alice gulped in fear and sternly nodded her head before exiting the carriage. Together, the two walked to the door and went inside to meet the White Queen.

The castle doors rang throughout the halls as it was opened by the guards. Alice and Sharon were led by servants to the garden, where the White Queen was located. There was a large round table at the center of the snow white scenery and seated on the opposite side, facing the two, was the White Queen herself. She looked exactly like Alice, from the snow white hair to the purple eyes. Alice dropped open her mouth when she recognized the familiar face. But the thought of Wonderland stopped her train of thought and immediately rejected the idea. The White Queen smiled and waved her hand at them.

"Come over and join me," said she with her sweet voice.

The tone instantly matched a particular person from Alice's mind. At that moment, she knew there was no other person in front of her but her. Can't helping to quickly find out, she boldly walked up to the young girl, the White Queen, and stared into the same orbs that matched hers. The Queen simply smiled back, a smile so familiar to Alice.

"Is there something you want to ask, Alice?"

"I knew it," Alice murmured. "That's you isn't it? Alyss, my twin."

The White Queen laughed lightly and nodded her head. "I knew I couldn't fool you no matter what world we're in. Have a seat, you two."

Sharon gave a smile of her own and sat down alongside Alice. The three sipped their cups of tea and ate a bit of cake from the cake stand beside them. As soon as Alice politely sipped her tea, she ignored everything else and went straight to her point.

"How did you get here?" she blurted out to Alyss.

The white girl sighed and shook her head. "Really, must you get to that now?"

"Yes, I need answers. I'm too damn confused about this world so cut the crap and just-"

SLAP!

Alice touched the top of her head where she was recently smacked by Sharon's fan thanks to the Red Queen herself. The girl glared at the Red Queen whilst the Red Queen simply gave the girl a menacing smile of her own. Fear suddenly crept up inside and Alice unconsciously shivered inside.

"Alice, did I not tell you to be polite?" Sharon kindly asked. The host watched in amusement, for she was seeing someone else than their elder sister tame Alice. The rude girl scowled but obeyed.

"Tch, fine fine," Alice muttered. She sat up straight and placed her hands on her lap. This time, instead of shooting questions at her twin, which she really wanted to, she took a deep breath and sighed. Here is for all that stupid training, she thought.

"So, there was something you wanted to ask, Alice?" Alyss said, still amused at the past events. The opposite twin narrowed her eyes since she knew her sister was enjoying this.

"Yes, of course," Alice replied lightly. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you, how did you get here?"

The White Queen chuckled, unable to hide her amusement on the matter. Seeing Alice be so lady-like was all brand new to her. This Alice was definitely a surprise to her, but the sister could tell that inside, Alice was cursing to no end.

"Well, if you must know," Alyss paused. She stopped talking and suddenly began to stare past her. It was almost as if she was in a trance. Alice impatiently waited and wondered what is keeping Alyss from answering. She glared at the silent figure in front of her, not noticing Sharon had left the table. Her eyes tried to gain her sister's attention when she noticed a slight image on Alyss's eyes. It was difficult to make out but all she could tell was there was supposed to be a person behind her. Alice turned around and saw nothing but the doors that lead back to the castle and the plants around them. She stared back at her twin in confusion, wondering what was happening. Finally, the white girl blinked and nodded her head. Forgetting the manners or lady skills she learned, Alice bolted up from her seat and looked intently at her sister.

"What was that about?" Alice brashly asked.

"What was what about, Alice?" Alyss replied as if nothing happened.

"That. You were just sitting there, staring behind me like there was someone there when there wasn't," Alice retorted.

"Oh, I didn't realize that. I thought I saw a butterfly passing by but I guess it was my imagination."

Alice looked at her skeptically. She knew her sister was hiding something from her, but she wasn't going to waste her time asking about it any longer. For one, her sister easily evaded her questions and switched them to a different topic. Everything in this world was confusing Alice. She was desperate for answers. Sighing, she sat back down and sipped her tea. Alyss noticed the sudden change and figured that Alice had decided to give up on the subject. No matter how much she wanted to explain to her sister, she couldn't. At least, not now.

"This is an order," Alyss recalled the voice in her head. "You are not to tell Alice anything about this world. Wait for her to find me and everything shall be explained."

"Alyss!"

The White Queen jumped up in startle and looked at Alice. The girl silently fumed for being ignored once more and decided she finally had enough. Getting up from her seat, she turned around and began to walk back into the castle.

"Alice!" her sister called.

"What!" she yelled back.

"Where are you going?"

"Definitely not here! I'm getting out of this place!" Alice didn't care if her sister looked surprise or angry at the moment as she marched out of the castle, still wearing the dress she found highly annoying. It didn't matter if Sharon was going to hunt her down and torture her later on for her behavior. Without knowing where to go, she headed into a green colored forest right in front of the castle, out of the White Queen's territory. Once again, she was on her own.

Meanwhile, Sharon approached the saddened girl left sitting alone on the table. She sat back down and took a small bite of the cake she didn't finish on her plate. Alyss noticed Sharon and glanced at her direction. The Red Queen simply swallowed and took a sip of her tea before looking back at her.

"What is it, Sharon?" the White Queen asked.

"Nothing at all. You should've told her she'd have to find out on her own instead of evading the subject," the Red Queen replied.

"I wish I could've told her. She looked so confused," Alyss looked down to her hands on her lap.

"You were like that the first time you came back," Sharon pointed out.

"I know..." Alyss whispered. "I know..."

Sharon stood up and dusted herself for any crumbs on her lap. She bowed in respect and pushed her chair in.

"Thank you for the tea party. Now, if you don't mind, I'll take my leave." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the White Queen with a thousand thoughts running through her mind.