Re: Alice in Zero
Chapter 2 The Girl from Wonderland
A young girl with muddy blond hair and piercing blue eyes was playing with her friends Twiddledee and Twiddledum, as they spun around jumping from mushroom to towering mushroom. The sky shifting from orange, to blue, to purple, to white, then to blue again as all things in Wonderland.
It didn't make a lick of sense. However, after playing for a while she felt an odd sensation and stopped moving as she clenched her temple. Confused, both brothers asked her:
"Alice, Alice what's the matter with you?" inquires Twiddledum.
" Can't you see that she is just fine dum-dum?" Argues back Twiddledee.
"Oh really dumb Dee? She is obviously in great pain you twat." Counters the offended brother.
Just when they both rolled up their sleeves on their tiny arms to argue some more they get interrupted:
"Oh please just stop this arguing, the lot of you are giving me a headache." Snaps back Alice as her headache starts to get worse. She moans in distress as she gets on her knees pushing both of her hands to massage her temple.
Right when the brother's stopped bickering and worried for Alice she fainted and the world turned black.
There is nothing but darkness as the blond girl is drifting peacefully through what seems like a void, until some voices can be heard talking:
"What's happening to Alice, Is she going back to London?" Inquires a concerned child as she is sobbing tears at not being able to help her friend.
"Calm down Lily, We will have to wait and see, it seems Wonderland And Underland have their own ideas for our wonderful Alice." Replies back the former White Queen to her daughter, doing her best to soothe her.
"Dear Aliicee will be juust fine, after all she has the Vorpal Sword and the knack for wonderlastic nonsense. Also, remember her Nun-Fu martial arts, she is a triple mushroom black belt. Reaallly noooow we should all just relax and awaiiit her return." Drawls a lazy voice as it smokes a hookah, cloudy eyes looking at their dear blond headed friend.
"But what about our tea parties? We were just starting to test the new flavors of jub-jub? And the baubles and shiny trinkets she promised to deliver after her deals with the Bandersnatch. Oh no, oh no indeed this is quite wrong, our dear Alice still has many more tea parties to attend to. Mad ones in fact." Here a frenetic voice is heard as the sound of slurping is heard.
"We must let her know never to cross over the looking glass wherever she is going, for that is an unknown. I shall lend her my chronosphere for whatever perils and mischief our dear girl involves herself in." Uttered Lord Time as he pulled out a golden shiny sphere and sent it with Alice to wherever she may go.
"Alice you shan't forget, there isn't time, there isn't time, no matter what do not be prey to such folly as the darkness that ever encroaches us." Replied back a rabbit as they looked at their pocket watch in dread.
"No matter what happens, Alice has to begin at the beginning, and must go on until she comes to the end, then stop, rinse, and repeat." A regal voice boomed, his red crown slightly off kilter.
"She is a sight for sore eyes, wherever she goes off with her head!" A cruel and mocking voice resounds as they laugh.
As Alice is still sleeping all of this gets filtered through her subconscious as she hears a final voice intoned with curiosity and amusement:
"I wonder which direction is in store for you Alice, just don't forget. I'm mad, they're mad, you're mad, we're all mad here dear Alice. And I'm positive whatever place you are going to is even madder." Grins a certain cat as it appears and disappears at will.
"I wonder, inquire, question, if you're perhaps, the real Alice?" An amused chuckle is heard, an onerous tone is heard from a dastardly individual seeking to find the darkness in the shining beacon of life and light that is Alice Pleasance Liddell.
As the darkness surrounds Alice she squirms and desires to her upmost to do nothing but to open up her eyes and escape this bizarre and curious landscape.
And at that instant that she thinks such thoughts, a light appears and she grasps it. Making all the voices she heard and the darkness fade away a mere dream, yet her subconscious remembers it all and several dark pulses go into Alice without her knowledge.
(Scene Change)
After introducing herself she sees this odd looking fellow bump his head against the head board of the bed she woke up in. If she was a tad bit older she might have flushed at how she laid next to a literal stranger, yet she was mostly just curious of where she awoke in.
The last thing she remembers are engaging in some fun with the Twiddle twins, afterwards she was to go and play around at another tea party where she is offered wine when no wine is present. Seriously, everyone is just quite mad when the Hatter invites his friends over.
She also wanted to play around with the funny caterpillar and eat more mushrooms that made it seem like she could fly around in the sky, which she totally could do, all she had to do was eat some of them first.
Deciding to leave the strange black haired boy who was currently murmuring something about the original isekai protagonist has arrived? She moves towards the window and opens the curtains, letting the rising sun fully illuminate the room. She starts pondering:
"What a grandiose estate, it dwarfs my father's own in London, and the scenery is full of trees. I'm assuming this is private land, and not a towering mushroom in sight or any apes, lories, geese's, or eaglets."
Turning around she questions the black haired boy:
"Well I believe introductions are in order, I have given my name out of courtesy and respect, now what is yours, I wonder?"
Here it is seem that the youth composes himself while still appearing slightly shell shocked as he strikes the most bizarre pose. One hand with his index finger pointing to the sky, his hip slightly sticking out with his legs spread apart he proclaims:
"My name is Natsuki Subaru, butler in training of the Mathers estate. hopeless, broke, and destitute, nice to meet you Alice."
"Pfft, pardon me but you are quite the character aren't you?" Replies Alice as she laughs at the terrible self-introduction she just witnessed, making Subaru flush in embarrassment.
"Hey my poses are iconic alright!" Mutters Subaru as he just witnesses Alice not wanting to burst out laughing anymore. With a sigh he thinks to himself:
"Oh man, I threw out all logic already due to being isekai'd here, but now a supposed fictional character from my homeland is here? And it's Alice of all things, she is too innocent and curious. I must make sure to safe guard her despite how weak I am. Wait how am I going to explain her to R-."
"Good morning Subaru-kun, I hope you slept well. We need to go prepare breakfast when you're ready due to sissy still sleeping."
A sweet voice is heard as a blue haired maid with her hair cut short, parted to the side to expose a singular dazzling cyan eye enters his room after she knocked earlier. She only has eyes for her hero, and a faint blush appears as he smiles and gives her a thumbs up, as he calls that weird hand gesture.
So entranced is she when out of the blue, a pitter patter of steps are heard and she looks with wide eyes at a young girl that seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
The young lass curtsies and introduces herself once more:
"Good morning, my name is Alice Pleasance Liddell, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Here Rem is shocked as she has no words, she absentmindedly forgets to introduce herself, making the young Alice frown as she spares a glance at Subaru who is trying his best, and failing to come up with an explanation.
"Have the denizens of this manor lack the most basic courtesy? It is proper upon one greeting another to respond in kind, as this is the building blocks of modern civilization. Why in London my parents drilled in me, Alice be courteous, respectful, and always showcase your manners. Is this just not done here?"
After being scolded by a girl ten years younger than her own age, Rem blushes in embarrassment and she curtsies in kind while responding:
"Rem apologizes for her disgraceful display dear Alice, My name is Rem, and I work as a maid under the employ of Roswall-Sama."
Alice nods her head at the proper manners being displayed, and with burning eyes full of curiosity she approaches both Rem and Subaru with a plethora of questions:
"So where are we exactly? I understand this estate belongs to someone rather important?
"Also, where is the White Rabbit, Mr. Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, and the March Hare. Have they also been transported alongside myself? Well let's go find them shall we?"
Alas, Alice is a rather well behaved child, yet her inquisitive mind and burning curiosity can get the better of her, which she will surely deny as false accusations. With confident steps she approaches the door and exits out into a vast hallway with seemingly endless doors.
"Subaru-kun, just who is that bold young lady?" Inquires Rem as she feels like her world has turned upside down, then right-side up.
"That would take hours to explain and I am not even sure how she appeared here, let's go find her because she is a genius when it comes to finding trouble and mischief." Replies back a worried Subaru as he told Rem to go first while he changed into his uniform and, with bold and hurried steps they pursued the young lass.
(Scene Change)
Beatrice is inside the forbidden library, as always, she peruses another book but puts it down with a sigh as she complains:
"Ever since that fool of a man read Betty that wonderful book, I yearn to know about more adventures. These books are just not as appealing as they once were to me anymore, in fact."
With her eyes swimming in the memories of the brave girl that argued back to the Red Queen flash in her mind, the library is suddenly breached. Surprisingly hopeful, she turns around expecting it is that foolish butler that has come to tell her more stories of Alice when she freezes in shock.
In front of her eyes there is a girl that is taller than her by half a head, in a pretty yellow dress with delicate patterns. Her blonde hair is darker than Beatrice's own, yet her stunning blue eyes are almost the same shade as her own.
However, she does not have butterflies irises yet there is a very faint familiar feeling to her. As if she knows her from somewhere, right when Beatrice is about to question who she is, the other lass speaks first:
"What a grandiose library this is, there are so many books it is remarkable. Not even the Oxford library has as many as this fine collection."
Alice walks around looking at each book and thinking about how pretty the library is, a perfect place to curl up and have a good nap. Her day dreaming is suddenly interrupted by a cute voice that pipes up:
"Well who are you in fact? And how in the devil did you manage to bypass Betty's door crossing?"
Beatrice looks at the newcomer with trepidation, yet excitement. Very unlike the time a certain black haired boy got thrown away without any fuss, like is he was just an annoying pest.
Here, Alice looks straight at Beatrice and her face lights up in excitement, she hurries over and grasps the drill loli's hands. While the cute Betty is flummoxed at what is happening, Alice begins speaking:
"Oh dear, what a joy to meet a fellow kindred spirit, I can sense that you enjoy day dreaming as well, am I correct? Yet, why do I feel you are so attached to this place?
While it is a remarkable library, we could be outside having adventures and sleeping under trees, gazing at the river and triumphing over obstacles in the way of our gay fun. Also, what do you mean by door crossing? I simply thought that this door seemed like the most fun and opened it, and indeed I was right."
Gloated Alice as she had a proud smile on her face, the impeccable mannerisms being forgotten in the face of meeting someone interesting.
'Why, that just sounds like utter nonsense! Besides a certain annoying fellow, no one should be able to find me that easy, I suppose. And what is this about kindred spirits, I do not sense you being a Spirit unlike myself."
Huffs the loli yet not in annoyance, as she has felt joy at the sudden companionship, she is also rather curious about this person and follows up with:
"Well my name is the Great Spirit of the Forbidden Library, Beatrice. What is your name, I wonder?"
Her Alice snickers and has a rather fun queer thought, she remembers how Subaru posed and proceeds to do the same as she shamelessly states:
"My name is Alice Pleasance Liddell, I am unsure of where I am, have no currency, and am utterly lost. Yet, fret not my dear friend, for it is when one is lost that they find the right way to move forward!"
"Wai… WHAT! You are Alice? The Alice from Wonderland?" Sputtered out a flabbergasted Beatrice, one of the rare moments her words failed her.
Alice forgoes all her manners as she laughs so hard she clutches her stomach and responds:
"Oh dear, mum always told me not to let fame get to my head. However, I am finding that quite difficult at this moment. I wasn't aware that Wonderland was known by anyone but myself.
Since even my parents, and siblings told me I was acting quite daft. Yet, my cat always believed me. Sweet Dinah, how I miss thee."
Alice gets sad about her missing cat, and surprisingly it is Beatrice that comforts her:
"Do not be so sad Alice, for fret not there is Bubby in this mansion. I will be sure to introduce him to you, in fact. Also that annoying man lied to Betty, he said that Alice in Wonderland was just a children's book back in his homeland."
Alice tilts her head in curiosity and just then, Subaru manages to barge in with Rem in tow. His face lights up as he sees Alice and he sighs a breathe of relief while talking:
"Alice, please don't just go wandering off anywhere, since you may get lost. This mansion is huge and the people living in it are not many."
Beatrice has had enough and goes up to Subaru while holding hands with Alice, who is just gazing at everyone with curiosity. Rem decides to stay by the door in case the annoyed spirit launches her hero out through the library again.
"Listen here you sinful liar, Alice is right here, in fact. You read the story to Betty and said that the book is a work of fiction. Well then, if it is truly fiction how in the devil am I standing right here next to Alice, I suppose?" Questions Beatrice as she is offended at the idea that this new friend of hers is just a figment of Subaru's imagination.
Here the black haired boy sighed as he tries to think on what to say. Carefully, gingerly, he takes out of his breast pocket the faded blue book. And hands it to Alice who takes it in a puzzled manner and begins flipping through it.
Her eyes grow wide in shock as she sees all that she has already accomplished, from falling down the rabbit hole, to chasing after the white rabbit, meeting the Cheshire cat, having a mad tea party. To finally growing so tall and bursting through the castle as she grew outraged at the plump Red Queen leading a deck of cards that tried to behead her.
While she I reading all of this, faint lights start shining from Alice and the book, pulsing, converging, and blending in together until finally Subaru, Beatrice, and Rem have to cover their eyes due to the sheer amount of light blinding them.
When the phenomena stopped they all looked in shock as Alice seemed to have a faint luminescence shining throughout her body, until it finally muted and her skin color turned normal, the book nowhere in sight. Rem was the first to speak:
"Just what was that?"
"Betty is unsure, Alice are you doing alright, I suppose?" Replies back the drill loli as she got close to her friend and squeezed her hand.
Alice looks down at her hands and the memories she had from the void come flashing back, specifically the one questioning if she is the real Alice, alongside a myriad others. She replies absent-mindedly:
"I am unsure Beatrice, I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Subaru." Both Beatrice and Alice look up towards Subaru and she finished saying:
"I'm unsure if I'm the real Alice. But it's no use now, to pretend to be two people! Why, there's hardly enough of me left to make one respectable person!"
Here Alice starts crying and before they even know what happened the whole forbidden mansion in seconds had been flooded by her tears, and rem and Beatrice are able to anchor themselves up with a spell from Beatrice who for once wasn't concerned about the Library but more so for her confused and lost friend.
Meanwhile, Subaru wades through the rooms filled with tears, dodging books and tomes, until he heard Alice speak again while sobbing:
"Oh dear I'm so sorry Beatrice for the utter mess I have left in your beautiful library. I wish I hadn't cried so much! I shall be punished for it now, I suppose, by being drowned in my own tears!"
"I won't let that happen Alice, grab my hand!" Shouts Subaru as he manages to get his head out of the water caused by the incessant floodgates that are the tear ducts of Alice.
Here she puts on a brave face and while still crying, the tears have begun to stop leaking as much and she stretched her hand until it clasped with Subaru's very own. He pulls her against his chest as the both get carried outside the library with Beatrice and Rem in tow.
Finally Beatrice uses her yin magic and connection to door crossing to seal the flooded library. While everyone was panting for air except Beatrice Subaru speaks to the shivering Alice:
"I'm unsure how you got here, yet I found myself in a similar circumstance. Torn away from home and landing in an unfamiliar land. I don't care which Alice you are, only the one in front of me is the Alice I care for. If I brought you here by reading your story without knowing the consequences yesterday, then I will take the responsibility and you and I will be together. I shall not let any harm befall you. So just trust in me ok?"
Alice calms down and looks at the determined gaze of Subaru and she manages to pull a cheerful smile and she hugs him back while saying:
"Everything has been queer today, yet I accept your gracious words. Thank you Natsuki Subaru, you strange fellow with mean eyes, thanks to you I finally remember who I truly am."
"That man does have rather scary eyes, I suppose. Hmph, well it is partially Betty's fault too if you find yourself here Alice, however I will also be there to help you. It will take some time to restore the library back to its previous condition anyway, yet I find myself caring more for you than what has transpired, in fact."
Says Beatrice as she pulls Alice away from Subaru and gives her a pat on the back, as she has read in her books that friends do this to each other yes? Oh well, it feels good anyway.
Right when everyone was going to discuss what to do next a voice with an accent is heard:
"Weeell what do we haaave here?"
Alice turns around and finds herself gazing upon one of the most peculiar individuals she has ever seen, both here and in Wonderland.
He has an absurd amount of makeup, appearing to look more like a clown than whatever he is supposed to be. Dressed in purple attire, with each eyes being different colors, one shining blue as the calm of a lake, and the other a yellow orb like the sun at dusk.
Rem apologizes and says:
"Rem is sorry to have bothered Roswall-Sama, and will proceed to clean up this mess at once."
However the margrave waves her off as he continues, his sole focus on Alice:
"Nooo, neeed Rem-chan, it is fine to clean it up later, I believeee introductions are in ooorderr." With a flourish he bows slightly to Alice and states:
"My name is Roswall L. Mathers, Margrave, owner of this estate, and Court Magician of the fiiinee country of Lugnica. And whooo are you my dear?"
She curtsies in her soaked yellow dress without minding the mess in an impeccable manner and replies back:
"I am sure of myself now thanks to Natsuki Subaru, your butler and a tremendous help to regaining my memories. My Name is Alice Pleasance Liddell, The New White Queen of Wonderland, Slayer of the Jabberwocky, Wielder of the Vorpal Sword, and good friends with Lord Time. If I may ask a singular question?"
Roswall is shocked at all of these titles thrown around by what seems like a young lass, yet when their eyes meet he senses a depth that he cannot comprehend, despite living and swapping bodies for centuries. His senses are in high alert as he feels that this new individual may be a thorn to his plans with his precious pawn Natsuki Subaru. Yet he doesn't forget his manners as he smiles creepily and says:
"Of course, your Majesty. You may ask me whatever you pleaaassee." He will entertain her and try to find out just what is Wonderland, if it may aid his future plans he will not hesitate to use it.
Here he sees Alice smile as a sword materializes and is pointed at his neck at speeds he could not comprehend and a yellow shining orb shines it's light on the Margrave, making him unable to even move as Alice asks her question:
"I am growing Curiouser and Curiouser, as to why it seems you have a greedy book that is a great threat to my dear friend Natsuki Subaru?"
Author's Notes:
Second chapter developed as usual, with me having a bare concept and just going with it. Now certain things will tie in together later, and this was a blast to write.
Again, the Alice I am using is a mish mash fusion of lore, the Lewis carol books, Alice unto madness, the Alice in wonderland insanity book series and my own thoughts. This is not attempting to be a faithful recreation to Alice, I am keeping her traits when able to and using new ones from other sources such as how her curiosity and desire to explore has led her into many issues and troubles in the past. Mischief prevails with this Alice.
Alice and Subaru alongside everyone's favorite drill loli Beatrice will be having adventures together and it will be very fun to write the royal selection.
Thank you for reading, Oteycri000 signing off.