I will give a separate chapter for each territory to introduce its respective characters. just to balance out the playing field, so to speak.
Eventually, Chelle knew that she could no longer remain on top of the building. She forced herself to her feet and shuffled over to the door that would lead her down the tower, turning her back to the shining sunlight and crisp breeze.
The tower was dark. It seemed almost lonely, in a dusty sort of way. It was pretty clear that the tower was wither abandoned, or not taken care of by its resident. Cobwebs clung to corners and dust caked the floorboards. Chelle tread very carefully, praying that the boards of the staircase were not rotted.
The stairs opened up to a landing and Chelle opened the door at the other end. It squeaked loudly, causing Chelle to cringe. She glanced around the room, but it appeared to be empty. She took a tentative step in. "Who's there?" an intimidating voice rang out through the gloom. The girl flinched back towards the door, but forced herself to turn towards the source of the voice. A man stood in another doorway, a steaming mug in his hand and glasses perched on his nose. Long indigo hair fell to his waist, bound in a low ponytail. His dress seemed to come straight out of a story book: a long coat with a gold vest showing through underneath. A large clock hung from his neck and small chains of gold hung from numerous pockets on his coat. He was beautiful, if that word could ever be used to describe a man without him seeming feminine.
Chelle took a frightened step back. "I-I'm so sorry," her voice wavered. "I'm lost. I have no idea where I am, and the man who brought me here disappeared. Her answer had started out quiet and had descended until it was barely above a whisper.
"Who brought you here?" the man demanded.
Chelle shrunk back a bit; normally she was not easily intimidated, but she was in a foreign land and knew no one, or even how to return home. It had been a long day. "A mad man who called himself Peter White. He made me drink some weird medicine, but dropped the vial it was in and apparently because of that, I can't go home," she murmured, eyes watering slightly in helplessness. The unshed tears seemed to spark a reaction in the coat clad man; his demeanor immediately changed to one of nervous sympathy, as if a crying girl frightened him.
"There, there," he soothed awkwardly, trying desperately to prevent the tears from falling. "What do you mean you can't return home…unless… you're not an Outsider, are you?"
Chelle scrubbed furiously at her eyes, willing herself not to cry. "I'm sorry; I don't know what that even means. But I definitely do not belong in this world. Peter dragged me through a hole in the ground."
He man dragged his hand through his hair in agitation. "That damn rabbit," he muttered to himself. "Not again…" In a louder tone, he addressed Chelle once again. "Forgive me, Miss, what is your name? I'm Julius Monrey, the Clockmaker of wonderland."
Chelle gave him her full name, Michelle Stowe. "What does that mean exactly, being the Clockmaker?" she asked cautiously. She knew the question sounded stupid, a clock maker's profession was rather obvious, after all. Yet somehow, she knew that his job helda bit more significance from the way he had introduced himself.
"What do you know of this world, Michelle? What has Peter told you?" he didn't answer right away.
"He told me that the medicine made me a part of the game and that my role was the "Rival"? I didn't understand him, but from what I understand, I cannot ever win the Game and leave, because the vial that held the medicine is broken,"
"Broken? That can't be, an Outsider must have a way to return home. But regardless, you must be prepared to face this world. It's nothing like the world you know, Michelle. Everything works differently here; you will find that out soon enough. For now, it is best just to tell you to be wary of the other inhabitants of this world: they do not have the same morals as you, they will not hesitate to kill you, even if you are an Outsider." Julius explained.
"There are also three territories. Each are fighting each other in a bid for power, so do not get in between any fights or take a side, or you'll be killed. There is the Heart Castle, ruled by Queen Vivaldi, the Amusement Park, run by a man by the name of Gowland, and the Hatter Mansion, owned by Blood Dupre."
It all seemed very cryptic, but she couldn't press him for more details, for he had placed his hand at the small of her back, spun her back to the door she had entered from and began to push her out.
"Wait!" the girl protested, digging her heels into the ground to anchor herself. "what about this place? Where do you stand?"
"The Clock Tower is neutral. I do not take part in the feud," came the curt response. "Now, you must leave here. I cannot allow you to stay here." Her body passed through the door frame and the door slammed shut behind her, barring her entrance. Chelle gazed at the door for a few moments, but eventually descended the remaining flights of stairs. She didn't have much of a choice after all; if Julius didn't want her around, then how could she force her presence on him? She wondered if being an Outsider was a bad thing. Would it get her killed just that much faster?
She exited the Clock Tower, trying to decide where to go next. The Heart Castle seemed to be the logical choice; they might be able to give her more information about her position in this world,and maybe even help her return to her own. With that in her mind, Chelle turned west and set off for her new destination.
Aaargh... Julius is so very difficult to write for. He has a surprisingly complex character... but! on to the next set of Bishies! Onward to Heart Castle!