"And that's everything you need to know about Heart Country." Rose nodded thoughtfully, arms crossed as she leaned back. My mind reeled with the new information.

"You're… you're a rival gang leader!? But, Rose, you're so sweet! That should be impossible!" She grinned, "Rose, seriously, stop it. You can't possibly be a rival to that mean guy, Blood!" Truth had long since climbed into my lap, snoozing comfortably against my touches. I didn't understand why, but I felt at ease around the flower-themed girl.

"I feel like I've held you here too long. Now that you know all about our dearest Wonderland, you should go explore! Alice always did, especially after my territory appeared…" She fell silent, and I stared at her. She shook her head suddenly, "Sorry, what was I talking about?"

"Alice?"

She shrugged, "Can't say the name rings a bell. Now, take your kitten and run along!" She shooed me, but stopped me with a simple, "And if you need a place to stay, The House is always opened to you, Little Miss Foreigner!"

I smiled, "I think I'll take you up on that offer, La Rosa." She winked as she stood up, disappearing out the sliding glass door. I sighed and walked out. She said that exploring would lead me to all the different territories, so I best choose a direction and roll with it. I put a hand over my eyes and spun around, stopping after a few moments and facing the sun. "I'll go this way, then." I started on my hike, grinning. Truth followed me curiously. "This dream, it seems like fun, eh Truth?"

"Certainly." I blinked, staring down at the kitten. He stared up at me, eyes wide. "Did that-? Oh, oh no. She must've slipped something into that milk she offered me…" he said, eyes locked on the ground.

"You're… you're talking!" I said happily. This dream is so cool! Truth can talk, and his voice is so cute and childish! "That's awesome, Truth!" He remained silent, until I said, "Say something else, Truth."

"There's someone over there." I giggled; his voice was so cute! "No, Marina, seriously." I looked up when I heard laughter. Quickly, I grabbed the cat and ducked behind a tree. Scary! That guy was covered with blood!

I glanced out, only to jump back and scream when a sword was pointed at my throat. This red jacket, and his smile, and the sword, and the random place he popped up at… "Ace?" He blinked before he smiled and dropped his sword.

"Alice! You've returned! Yay!" He hugged me tight, and I shoved against him.

"My name's Marina, nitwit!" I cried, pushing against his gigantic body. He let go of me, seemingly taking in my appearance for the first time. He looked crushed when he saw that I wasn't his (seemingly) beloved Alice. "I'm Marina, Ace."

"How do you know my name?" he asked childishly, pouting.

"Rose told me all about this place. She told me about its inhabitants." He nodded, though it felt like he didn't truly understand what I said. He just continued to examine me.

"You look like Alice, but your eyes and clothes are all wrong. Alice's eyes were blue, not purple, and she wore dresses, not shorts!" I rolled my eyes; Alice sounds exactly like how she was in the book and movie: a cute little girl with blonde hair and bright blue eyes in a froofy dress.

I put my finger to his lips, "I'm not Alice." He crossed his arms pathetically, making a show of how he slid his eyes up and down my body.

"You look like her…" He immediately pepped back up. "But, yay! A new Foreigner! Are you lost? Let me show you around!" he sang, clutching my wrist and picking up his sword. My smaller hand easily slid through his grasp, and I scowled.

"No way, you'll get us lost." He pouted and sheathed his weapon. "I'm exploring with Truth." I gestured to the cat on the ground.

"Pleasure, to meet you, Mister Ace." He performed what was the cat-equivalent of a bow (I guess?) before he circled the guy's legs. "You're incredibly tall."

He grinned, crouching to scratch behind his ears. "You've got a talking cat? With eyes!? Oh, that's amazing!" I rolled my eyes. "I like him, Marina." He got a feral look in his eyes, grinning up at me. "Can I keep him?" I inhaled; Rose told me to remain calm when he got like this.

I shortly said, "No." His feral face immediately fell, and he let out a disappointed 'boo!' He was just like a kid… I shook my head, leaning down and scooping up the animal.

"Marina, I can take care of myself!" he yowled. I pat his head once, and he quickly quieted.

I smiled at Ace after he stood back up. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, Ace. But I really must be going." He nodded, lip jutted out childishly. I extended my hand, which he shook. "Really, a pleasure. But, I've got a game to win. And the only way to win is to meet everyone!" I waved goodbye as I took off. I heard him walk the other direction.

Truth pouted, "Put me down."

I grinned, "You're still a baby, let momma take care of you." He bit my hand gently.

"You're not my momma. And I'm a year old! I'm no baby…" I sighed and set him down. "Thank you." We walked forward, but stopped after a few feet when he hissed loudly. "Someone's nearby… They smell like roses…" His ears twitched.

I wandered forward, seeing light peek out between the trees. So, it had undergone one of those Time Changes Rose was telling me about. It looked like the sun had just set. Dusk, maybe? I shrugged and boldly walked forward. She told me they wouldn't hurt me, since I'm a Foreigner and all. But, I was still a little frightened.

As I broke the tree line, I saw a giant mansion surrounded by gates. Ah, that's The Hatter's place, right? I nodded, as if to assure myself. I stopped dead in my tracks. There, on a bench, sat the Hatter himself. At least, I assumed so. The hat certainly suggested it. Truth crouched down, ears flattened against his head. I inched back. He seemed… dangerous.

"I know you're there," he chimed. I clicked my tongue. Ah~ I was caught. I walked forward, next to him. He looked up, and I stared down at him. His eyes widened slightly. "You're not Alice-augh!" He suddenly clenched his hair, "Get out of my head, Nightmare. I'm not going to forget." I stared on in confusion.

What? What's he not going to forget? Alice? And Nightmare? That weird guy Rose said came to Role Holders in their sleep? Huh. That guy had the power to make them forget stuff? ...maybe he is really powerful. Better stay on his good side.

"Man, are you okay?" I asked, leaning down after I got my thoughts together. He nodded, his headache apparently gone. "You sure?"

"You're not…" He inhaled testily, "Alice, are you? A new, different Alice?" I shook my head. He smiled, though I could feel the grimness behind it. "Good. I won't have to wring your neck then." He scoot over, patting the spot next to him. Hesitantly (I mean, that last comment did leave me wondering whether or not he was completely sane… Though, he is the Mad Hatter.) I sat next to him. "So, you're the new Foreigner, eh?"

"Um… yeah. Yeah, that's me. The new Foreigner." He hummed and silence settled over us. I found that it was incredibly awkward to be around him. He had an outrageous presence, and he radiated arrogance. I've known the guy for approximately three minutes and already I'm intimidated.

"Your name would be nice."

I flushed in embarrassment. Hurriedly, I said, "Marina. Jenkins. Marina Jenkins. Marina Dinah Jenkins." He hummed again.

"I'm Blood Dupre… You came from Gardens territory. Did Miss Rose already get to you and tell you what a big, bad man I am, Marina Dinah Jenkins?"

"She said you were a giant jerkface, but other than that she seems pretty cool with you." And that you wouldn't hesitate to kill someone…

"Jerkface?" he repeated, sounding amused.

"Big meanie. Humongous butt. I mean, what she said was far less acceptable." And I don't like cursing, so. "So…"

"You're here for attention as well?"

"I'm here to play a game."

"Ah."

"She said you had a thing about making girls feel like whores." I picked at my nails, stopping when Truth looked up at me. "Yes?"

"We should probably either move or go back. I have a feeling it's going to Time Change soon," he nervously said. Ah, so I'm not the only one intimidated. Truth's affected by him as well.

"You have a talking cat."

"Yea, I do." I stood up, patting my shorts. "Hey, Mister Blood, do I really look so much like Alice?" He shrugged when I stared at him. "Do I?"

"The similarities are there. Your eyes certainly differ, though." I nodded. So maybe Peter brought me here because I look like her… But, why won't they tell me about her? He grabbed his head again, "Ah, no good… He's getting stronger." I nodded again, looking out over the hill. Absentmindedly, I wondered why there was a bench positioned right here. Shrugging, I turned back to Blood.

"Can I ask about Alice?"

"What about her?"

"Where is she?"

"She's-augh!" He groaned in pain, and I kneeled beside him. "Mister Blood? Are you okay?" He shook his head, but looked up after a moment.

"My apologies, Marina Dinah Jenkins. What were we talking about?"

"Alice, we're talking about Alice!"

He tilted his head, "Who?"

My jaw dropped. He… he forgot. Just like how Rose forgot. I've got to figure this out, as soon as possible! I might've started a dangerous game... I shook my head. Stay calm, stay calm. "It's… no one, Mister Blood. A friend…" But, if I look like her, I must be able to jog their memories somehow…

"Ah, Marina Dinah Jenkins-"

"-Marina is fine-"

"-would you like to accompany to a tea party?" Tea party? Isn't that… I dunno, girly? I swallowed when he smiled that evil smile Rose had warned me about. I nodded.

"A tea party sounds fun!" I forcibly said. I clapped my hands together for emphasis on my cheerful words. "Who'll be there? More Role Holders?"

His mouth formed an 'o' as he looked at me. "You know of us Role Holders?" I hummed my response. He sighed, "Rose told you, didn't she?" I nodded cheerfully. "She certainly didn't hesitate to get cozy with the Foreigner." I rolled my eyes.

"So, this tea party. Role Holders or no?" I asked, standing up. Truth jumped on the bench, then into my arms. I held him close when Blood stood up.

"My number two, Elliot March, will be there, as well as my twin gatekeepers. They're all Role Holders." Elliot March… March… Okay, think here Marina. The Mad Hatter partied with who in the movie? The March Hare! And what lovable (at least in the movie) set of twins are in Wonderland? Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum! So, the Hatters include (but are not limited to): Blood Dupre (The Mad Hatter), Elliot March (The March Hare) and the twins (Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum).

Wait… if he's a hare, will he have ears, too? I looked up at Blood, who stared down at me. The awkward atmosphere seemingly melted when he forgot about Alice… It's not that he still doesn't seem like a giant jerk, but he seems less… something. Stressed? Worried? Anxious? "Any questions before we get to the mansion?" he asked.

I said the first thing that came to mind in an effort to create conversation. "Yea: how do you manage to fight Rose? She's so nice!" He snorted. I looked up at him, confused. "She's so nice! She offered me a place to stay and explained everything about Heart Country to me!"

"She's nice to those she likes. To my agents, however, she is… less than favorable." He stared off to the side. "But, she offered you a place to stay? She certainly is on top of things. Had I known you were here, I would've gone and swept you off your feet." I rolled my eyes, glancing at the mansion. We were getting really close!

"Let's not say that, 'kay?" I said. The mansion seemed to suddenly jump closer, for we stood at the gates. I looked back up the hill, squinting when I saw the bench (quite literally) get up and walk away. "You see that, Truth?" He nodded. "Huh."

"That bench is a bit of a tricky one. Refuses to stay in one place for too long." Blood opened the gate, grabbing me by the back of my shirt and tugging me through. "Follow me." I did as he said, taking in the beautiful scenery around me. The gardens were almost as beautiful as Rose's… I grinned; I really adored Rose, even though I had just met her.

The bushes and hedges were trimmed excellently, forming a pathway. My feet padded against the ground loudly, compared to his precise movements. "This place is beautiful!"

"Thank you."

Truth jumped from my arms. "Marina, I'm going to go explore, okay?"

I turned to him, stopping in the middle of the pathway. "You remember how to get back to Rose's?" I asked.

He performed the cat-equivalent of a smirk. "I'm a cat, remember?" I rolled my eyes. "So, is that a yes?"

"Yes. But be back at Rose's before the end of the next time change." He scampered off happily, leaving Blood and I alone. I turned to him and grinned, "He's an adventurous little thing, huh?"

He hummed, "Seems he is."

After a few more minutes of walking, the sky suddenly shifted into a dark night, which left me grasping for something. No lights had kicked on. I nearly screamed when someone came up behind me. "Hey, Blood, who's this?" I turned around, eyes still adjusting to the shift in light, and squinted up at the tall male. He was as tall as Ace, if not taller! And were those ears I saw peeking out the top of his head? This must be the hare. Immediately, I turned to find Blood, but he had disappeared into the night. The hare-Elliot-sighed. "Come on, Blood, where are you? It's tea time." He nudged me forward, hand on my shoulder. "So… who are you?"

"I'm Marina," I introduced.

He hummed, "Marina, Marina… Nope, not a Role Holder name I'm familiar with. There a new Role or something?"

"No, you idiot." Ah, there he was! "She's a Foreigner."

Elliot gasped, "A Foreigner?" No Alice comments? Had he already forgotten her?

The lights decided to click on at that moment, and I was blinded. I bumped into something (which felt strangely like a pulled out chair) and fell. The hare caught my bicep, pulling me up and staring at me. His face became hard as he stared, violet eyes sweeping over my face. I took the time to examine his hair. Huh, it's orange, but his ears are slightly more brown. Weird. Looks soft though.

"Do I know you? You look familiar." Probably because I look like Alice, and your memories are calling out. Ah, whatever. I shook my head. "Are you sure you're not a Faceless-turned-Role Holder?"

"Positive."

He smiled cheerfully, "Well, Miss Foreigner, it's nice to meet you!" He motioned for me to sit in the chair, so I did as he instructed. He pushed the chair in. Blood sat down next to me, Elliot across from us. I noted blankly that a chair sat on either side of him. For the twins? Probably.

"Where are the twins? I'm excited to meet them."

"They're probably moping around since I scolded them for not guarding the gate," the hare sighed. "They were acting stupid."

"Shut up, stupid chicken rabbit!" I had to keep myself from snorting at the new voice's insult. Rabbit? Well, hares are like rabbits, yea. But he wasn't a rabbit. I stared off at the owner of the voice, seeing a set of twins. They had dark hair, parted in opposite directions beneath their hats. Their eyes were blood red-I could tell from where I sat. They each wore a uniform, one blue and the other red.

"Wow," I murmured quietly. They were incredibly cute!

The red one slumped against his chair, sticking his tongue out at Elliot. "Stupid weakling rabbit!" he teased.

The blue boy matched his brother, slouching in his chair and sticking his tongue out. "Acting all high and mighty!"

"You… idiots! Can't you behave!? We have a guest!" the hare cried, gesturing to me. The twins blinked at me. Then they smiled and extended their hands.

"It's nice to meet you, Big Sis! We're Dee and Dum, the Bloody twins!" I placed one of my hands in each of their palms, and they shook them furiously. After a few moments, Blood cleared his throat, signaling for the boys to stop. They let go of my hands (which I put in my lap) and sat back down.

Faceless maids scurried out after a moment, setting tea cups in front of each of us and quickly filling them with tea. I picked up my fancy red cup, blowing on the liquid to cool it down. After it had cooled sufficiently, I sipped from it. I swallowed it, attempting to stifle my frown. It was far too bitter… It needs some milk and sugar. "Do you not like it? It's earl grey."

I set the cup down, "Do we have any milk? And sugar?" He sent me a confused look, but clapped. A maid scurried out again.

"What is it, sir?"

"Milk and sugar." She nodded, walking back to the mansion. "It'll be but a moment, Marina."

The twins let out 'ooh's and stared at me. "Big Sis, your name is Marina?" I nodded. "That sure is a pretty name!" I shrugged; it was pretty, I guess.

The maid returned with milk and sugar, which she set in front of me. As she turned to walk away, I grabbed her wrist. Even without eyes, she looked positively frightened. "I just wanted to say thank you." Her frightened look fell, and she smiled.

"You're welcome, Miss." I let her wrist go, and she walked away.

"You don't have to thank them. They're just servants," Elliot chimed. I shrugged again.

"It's rude not too, back where I come from." They all stopped sipping their teas, staring at me.

"Ah, yes. Where you come from. Pray tell, what's it like where you come from?" the Hatter asked. I tapped my chin before I grabbed the milk.

As I poured it into my tea, I said, "It's a little peculiar, even to me. But, we each have a role in society. Everyone does. And everyone has a face. There's no Faceless servants. On top of that, it's bad to kill people where I'm from, so there's no killing for fun. Well, I mean, some people kill people for fun, but they're insane." I put the milk down and poured two spoonfuls of sugar into the drink. I sipped from it, finding it to my liking. "My world is very dull compared to yours. Wonderland has a certain je ne sais quoi to it. Different and cool and peculiar." I drank more of my tea, finding the small cup empty in a few gulps. I nodded, "It's been nice joining you guys for tea, but I better head back. Rose'll be worried that I've been out for two Time Changes."

I stood up, but Blood grabbed my wrist. "Why don't you stay here?"

I grinned, "The mansion is pretty, but I like The House much more. It has a cozier feel. Besides, it would be rude to go back on my word. I said I'd stay with her."

He nodded, sipping his tea and releasing my arm. "Then, can I offer Elliot's services for tomorrow?" I tilted my head. "You came through the forest, so it's obvious you don't know Wonderland very well. There's a pathway that links everything together."

Oh! So he's offering Elliot's help? ...does the hare not mind being forced around? I'm going to have to learn about their positions… I nodded though, "If it's not a problem with you, Elliot." He grinned.

"Not at all, Marina!" I smiled and waved my way goodbye, trying to remember the way. I found it after a few moments, walking back onto the main path. I scanned the area, using the faint light the mansion produced. There was a path that headed towards Rose's place… Better follow it.

A yawn escaped my lips. I'll finish exploring tomorrow, with Elliot.