May can't think. Her thoughts are jumbled, an unfair juxtaposition of green and red (because there's no Christmas in wonderland, she thinks) and the colors blurring in front of her – elaborate folds of velvet and silk – aren't helping her think.
A pair colored purple and blue twirl through her mind, and she vaguely recognizes the white rabbit and Paul – why are they together?
As soon as she thinks to question this odd pairing, they're gone, hidden amongst the faceless figures.
Suddenly, the music stops, and the doors are flung open. A figure, wearing a musty green cloak and a tophat, steps in, face shielded by dripping black hair. In his arms is a girl, with hair the color of fire, hanging limply. Her milky arms are askew, and her dress is soaked.
"Please," he rasps. "Can you help her?"
May sits upright. "Hatter! What are you doing here?"
The man takes off his hat, and unveils chocolate brown eyes and a concerned expression. "I saw this girl near me and my mom's house – I was setting out lunch, 'cause you know how mom is – she said something, and then something happened… It's like I blacked out, 'cause I don't remember anything. Next thing I knew, she was crumpled on the meadow. What's wrong with her, and who is she?"
Drew steps in before May can say anything. "Send her to Professor Oak. Ash, stay here – we'll discuss this. Privately. And," he addresses the crowd, "everyone else, leave."
The guests scurry away, fearful of the Queen's wrath if they disobey her pet.
Dawn squeals as she's pushed into Paul, and squeaks when he grabs her hand and drags her away. He stops when they reach a large and daunting forest, and he shoves her underneath a leafy tree.
"Hey!" she yelps. "What're you…" she stops when she realizes that he has just protected her from the pelting rain.
"Thought you might want to keep dry," he says dully.
Dawn smiles shyly. "Thank you, Paul Shinji. So, who are you? I only know your name."
Paul's eyes rake over her body – an analytical gaze – before he answers cautiously, "What do you want to know?"
Dawn shrugs casually. "Your age. What you like. Why you were at the palace," she adds.
Paul blinks. "Eighteen. Nothing. I live there."
Dawn's eyes flick up as the rain begins pelting harder and harder. "So you must work for the Queen… What's your job at the palace?"
Lightning flashes, illuminating Paul's face in the darkness. His eyes burn into her utter soul, and, like with Barry, a chill of fear and awe runs down her spine. "The executioner of hearts," he spits. "I murder for a living."
Dawn feels her stomach churn, and she screams as loud as she can.
Misty wakes to two concerned faces hovering above her. Green eyes – unfamiliar to her – simply express curiosity, but another pair of eyes – a beautiful brown – exude concern and guilt. The green eyed–boy leans back, satisfied, but the brown–eyed one leans even more forward. Misty does the same, and their foreheads bump into each other.
The boy's cheeks flush with color, and he leans, back, mumbling, "Sorry 'bout that. And for, um, making you faint, if that was even my fault, because I don't really remember what happened, and I swear I didn't do it on purpose, and…" he trails off, before smiling sheepishly. "I'm babbling, aren't I?"
Misty smiles amusedly, but says nothing.
The emerald–eyed boy comments, "So you're awake, mystery girl."
The brown–eyed boy frowns, and snaps, "We've determined that, Drew. Leave her alone."
Drew raises his green eyebrows. "Okay, okay. I didn't do anything, sheesh."
The brown–eyed boy scowls and crosses his arms, but doesn't reply to this.
Suddenly, a loud, girlish scream erupts from outside.
Ash's head whirls to the door, and he whispers, eyes wide, "Dawn."
Misty speaks softly, "Dawn?"
The brown–eyed boy turns back to her. "Oh! You're talking! Um, I'm Ash, and this is Drew. Dawn is – wait what's your name? Oh, never mind. Dawn is an old friend of mine."
Misty nods. "My name is Misty."
"Awesome," Ash grins. "Anyway, apparently, now Dawn's in trouble. C'mon Drew, Misty, let's go." He pumps his fist in the air. "To Dawn!"