By the time Alice had gotten back to the room she had first arrived their wasn't a soul in sight. She walked towards a set of stairs with an irritated disposition. 'Whats the point of telling someone not to get lost if you weren't even going to stay in one place?' The short ascending stairs led to a rather large window with beautiful painted glass. Alice didn't bother trying to make out the fragmented picture as she sat on the window sill, put her feat up in front of her and slouched against the wall behind her while making sure to prop her injured hand up on her knee. She noticed the air was significantly colder near the window as she leaned her head against the chilly glass and saw it was completely dark out.
"Great." She whispered bitterly. Not really knowing the time zones (she may of fallen asleep during that art of Earth Science) or what time it even was here or where she lived it was impossible for her to know how late it was. The sensation of something slithering up her shoulder suddenly freaked her out before the sliver of sand slid down her arm and rested on her knee.
"Dark enough for you then?" She said with smile and poked it. It shuddered and pushed her finger away, which Alice assumed meant it wasn't a big fan of being poked.
"I see you have everything taken care of?" Alice jumped as Norths voice suddenly woke her from her daze.
"Yea." She said quickly and looked from her little companion to North in worry. "What would they think, anyway?"
"So this is our strange guest?" He said suspiciously and narrowed his eyes. Although he seemed wary Alice noticed a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Bunny doesn't not seem to be a fan. I must admit I'm a bit wary to."
"It really isn't that bad." Alice defended and gave it another poke to demonstrate. She chuckled when it twitched and jumped up in aggravation before settling down again. Upon looking up she felt slightly relieved to see a small smile on his face.
"Yes, it seems to of taking a liking to you. That does not seem to happen often."
"Often?"
"Well, more like never." He said with a wave of his hand.
"Oh." Alice looked held her hand out to the black sand and watched distantly as it twirled round her fingers and rested in her hand
"You do know that will lead her straight here, do you?" He asked.
"I don't think so." Alice paused for a few seconds before deciding that may of needed explaining. "For some reason, when ever she is about to show up or when ever she is near, I get this sick feeling, almost like that feeling when you are alone in the dark and you are telling yourself "There's nothing there, just calm down." and then you hear something move."
"Fear." North observed.
"Yea. But whenever this thing pops out, it just a a little surprising. No weird vibe, no fear, just this." She raised her hand and as she stared at it blankly.
"And yet you say this while holding the essence of fear in your hand. It is a bit hard to believe, da?"
"And yet here I am sitting in by a window at the North Pole talking to Santa Clause." She looked up with a smile.
He laughed."Yes it would seem so." Alice joined him with a small chuckle pushed her hair out of he eyes.
"It's hard to explain. It just doesn't...feel bad."
"I am almost surprised to say I agree." North replied, much to her surprise.
A few seconds of awkward silence followed.
"Though I do have strange feeling about you, Alice." North said in a calm tone.
"Really? Thanks, that just about made my day." She said sarcastically, figuring his statement wasn't exactly a compliment. "And hows that?"
"I just know." He said with a smile this time and patted his belly.
"Well that's-ow! What the-!" Alice cried out when something suddenly tugged on her hair, hard. She instantly reached behind her and grabbed whatever was clinging to her golden locks.
"What the heck?" She shouted as she raise up the guilty elf.
"What have I told you about hair and fur?" North said suddenly and grabbed the elf by its hat and held it up threateningly. The elf sheepishly put on a even guiltier look and diverted its eyes down at its small hands as it rocked back and forth in the air. "Hair and fur is off limits." The elf rolled its eyes and nodded before impatiently, kicking its feet and thrashing it's arms. North sighed and set it down next to her.
"Sorry about that. They can be a little...energetic at times." He said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Is it an elf? How do they make the toys if their so small?" Alice asked and held her arm out and away from her as the elf began to climb up her sleeve.
"They are actually quite skilled in-" North said this first part a bit over enthusiastically before covering the elf's ears and leaning in. The little guys face turned to an expression of awe as his world suddenly grew quiet. "That's actually the yeti's job." he whispered with a wink.
"Oh." Alice smiled. The elf snapped out of its daze when North removed his hands continued its climb to her hand and peeked over her finger with curious eyes and tried to get a better look at the sand in her hand.
The curious moment quickly ended as Bunnymund suddenly hopped through the doors and stopped with an irritated twitch of his ears.
"There you are! Didn't we say not to get lost?" He said as he quickly hopped over to them and stopped next to the wall.
"I didn't get lost." She snapped. As they quarreled the elf climbed into her hand and tried to playfully grab the sand in a hug, only to have it dissolve and solidify again a few inches away from it on her knee. It promptly followed it and the little game of chase and catch went on for minute or two without anyone noticing.
"Hmph, so that little buggers still here is it?" He said after taking a small step back. "So what are we gonna do about that." He spoke this last part as he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms in a "tough guy" stance.
"It's not doing anything wrong-"
"Yet." Bunnymund interrupted her. "It's probably acting all innocent 'cause that want it wants you to think it is."
"Your just being paranoid." Alice muttered and slumped even further int the wall.
"Didn't you see that bloodthirsty nut job we were runnin' from? You would be worried to if you weren't so busy being all wide eyed and whimsy!" Alice's expression grew angry as his voice got louder.
"Friends, friends, lets not fight. We are here to discuss right?" North said and held his hands out to them. They continued to glare at each other but neither of them spoke. The elf who had took notice of there heated conversation stuck its tongue out at the bunny, who didn't seem to notice.
"Now Alice please start from begining."
"The begining?"
"Yes, when you first saw this woman." North replied.
"Ava."
"Yes, Ava."
Alice sighed and began to retell the events that passed the night before and earlier that day. As Alice explained the part where bunnymund came in he quickly added. "And she broke my boomerang! Right in two! Snapped right in half..." he slumped a bit as he mumbled this last part.
"Yea that was the obviously casualty of today." Alice said sarcastically.
"Hmph." Bunnymund nodded his head in agreement leading Alice to wonder if he actually caught her sarcasm. Alice noticed North's expression furrow as she struggled to explain the strange moment when they tried to escape from the sand that was pulling them into the water.
"Does this mean you can manipulate the nightmare sand?" North asked as he subconsciously stroked his beard. She wasn't sure if it was the look they were giving her or the tone in his voice but she suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"Well I...I didn't..." Alice stuttered.
'What exactly did I do?'
"I don't know what happened. All I know is I was trying to stay alive." She shoved her trembling hands in her pockets and tarted to stare blankly at the air in front of her.
"Aren't we all." Bunnymund muttered without taking his eyes off the floor.
"Alice," She knew by the tone of North's voice this wasn't going to be good, "This is very dangerous matter you are involved in. This isn't like Sandy's dreamsand. Nightmares are like a cancer. It can take hold and consume you." Alice continued to stare ahead as she took in his words before looking back out the window
"It's night out... does that mean Sandy will come by?" She asked in a sullen voice. North sighed and pinched the the top of his nose below his eyes, obviously not to content with the subject change.
"Well, night actually lasts about six months here, but recent events might drive him to make a visit, so perhaps."
"Well if I'm gonna be waiting then I'll need to make a call."
"Your welcome to stay of course. What region do you reside in?"
"Um...I live in the U.S..." Alice said slowly, not really used to being asked that question.
"Hmmm...I see. Yes we will arrange for phone call."
A yeti suddenly approached holding a sleek brown box and shuffled his feet impatiently as he handed it to North.
"Ah yes! About time to." His mood seemed to change so quickly Alice was barley able to keep up.
"I usually do not approved of opening presents before Christmas but I think we can make tiny exception. Just this once of course He said with a wink and pushed the box into Bunnymund's paws.
"For me?" He said cautiously and held it out as if he expected it to explode. Alice sat up and crossed her legs with a curious smile, savoring the alarmed expression on his face.
"What is it like some kind of knitted sweater or somethin..." He muttered and tried to peak into the box without opening the lid too high.
"Not quite..." North said with a smile and crossed his arms. The bunny's curiosity finally got the better of him as he opened the lid and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Crikey!" He exclaimed and held up two smoothly polished grey boomerangs bound in a red bow. There where designs along the arch that looked similar to the markings on his fur "You made me a new boomerangs?" He held it up in the light and examined it's edges with a gleam in his eyes similar to that look a kid would have when he gets a new toy.
"Enchanted boomerangs." North corrected. "I noticed the old one seemed to be loosing their effect, most likely due to age, so I figured you would be needing a new one. Though I didn't think it would be this soon."
"Look how aerodynamic-and the curve and weight of the elbow..." The bunny mused, not paying full attention to Norths details. "Cant wait to try these babies out." He suddenly became aware of the stares from the three around him and cleared his throat and stood up straight. "Erm-thanks. Appreciate it."
"Don't mention it." North said with a laugh and clapped a hand on his furry shoulder. "Now Alice if you will follow our friend here we will get you to phone, though you might have to wait awhile for the call to go through."
"Right-o." Alice said and eagerly jumped off the window ledge. She began to follow the yeti to the door when she suddenly heard Bunnymund yell, "Duck!"
A second after she ducked her head a boomerang whizzed over he and circled back to it's owner. She quickly spun around and sent him a glare filled with razor sharp daggers.
"Just tryin' it out." He said with a coy smirk.
~0~0~0~0~0~0~0
On their way to their destination Alice passed more yetis, busy at work, and even glimpsed into what looked like a rather large kitchen. As the yeti led her down another hallway he approach a gap in a railing of the balcony and suddenly disappeared over the edge. Alice's eye went as wide as a lemurs and she ran up to the rail, expecting to see something horrible below her. She felt a A sense of relief washed over her when she saw him standing perfectly safe below her motioning for her to come down. She sent him a look that said 'Are you crazy?!' before spotting a golden pole that descended down to the ground for what looked like miles to her. 'There is no way I'm sliding down that.' Alice thought nervously as she peered down at the ground. She wasn't one to be squeamish around heights, but she also wasn't one to press her luck. The yeti crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatient as he looked up at her and once again pointed to the ground. Alice groaned nervously and carefully began to climb over the edge. 'Would it kill these people to install elevators or maybe just get a ladder?' Clinging tightly to the pole she looked down at the ground and slowly loosened her grip. In a matter of seconds the wind rushed past her and Alice found herself slowing down inches above the ground before dropping off. The yeti gave her a quick thumbs up before turning and leading the way yet again with marching behind him, her feet light and with a small dash of pride for her small feat.
They finally arrived at a smaller room and that was scattered with papers and wires and the yeti sat down and began to fiddle with a switchboard. A few elves that had been following them along the way quickly began to surround Alice, one going as far as to try to take her boot. After a few quiet minutes of struggling with the mischievous creatures the yeti was able to get a hold of the number requested and quickly handed her the phone and walked out of the room.
"Anyways..." Alice muttered as the door closed behind him, a little confused as to why he departed so suddenly. The phone was quiet for a few moments and she sat down when she started to fear no one would answer.
"Hello?" Relief flooded over her when the familiar voice chirped over the phone.
"Alo? Can you here me?"
"Alice? Why does your voice sound weird? And why does it say International Calling on the I.D.?"
"Um, I'll explain later. What time is it?" She asked urgently, sitting up and straitening the cord out as an elf tried to jump up and grab it.
"Uhhmmm-8:13 Why?"
"Ok great." Alice said and decided to stand up as another elf began to climb her leg in an effort to reach the phone cord. "I need you to call Ashley and tell her I crashed at your place."
"Why? Where are you?" A hint of worry tainted in her voice.
"I'm fine, really-will you get off!?" Alice shook her boot in the air and the elf lost his grip and fell to the floor but promptly began to advance again.
"Whats wrong? Is someone with you?" Alo said quickly when she heard her outburst.
"No-no, everything's fine..." Alice said with a fake laugh and stepped to the side to avoid the elf. "Just a very annoying cat." She said as with as much emphasis a possible as she leaned down and picked up the elf and set him down on a chair.
"I thought you don't have a cat?"
"Would I be asking to cover for me if I was home?" Alice snapped.
"Oh, right."
"Can you please call her for me?"
"Yea yea, but What do I say if she wants to talk to you?"
Alice thought for a moment. "Just tell her fell asleep, she knows I was up early so she'll believe it."
"Okay you clever little girl." Alo said in a playful tone. "You sure you're alright? This isn't like you..."
"Yea absolutely, I promise I'll explain later."
"Is it a boy?" She asked teasingly.
"What?-no! No it's nothing like that."
"Sure, sure. Just make sure to fill me in on the details later." Alice could practically hear her wink.
"It's not a boy, Alo." Alice sighed, placing her elbow up on the desk and putting her face in her hand in a dramatic facepalm.
"Whatever you saaay." She taunted with a sing song voice. "I'm calling you tomorrow though."
"You better." Alice threatened. A depressed nagging feeling pulled at her heart as she noticed their conversation begin to end.
"See ya later."
"Yea. Later." Seconds later an audible click traveled across the line and then silence. She sat there with the phone still pressed against her ear, hoping maybe she would hear something, or maybe someone would randomly call and tell her what to do. The static suddenly was cut short when an elf managed to get his hands on the cord and yank it out. She picked it up by the bell on the top of its hat and held it up as it busily gnawed at the cord, paying her no mind.
"You are extremely annoying." Alice said in an unamused tone. The elf ignored her until she plucked the cord from its mouth and gave him a little poke.
"Are you trying to get electrocuted?" She half shouted. The little man narrowed his eyes and Alice extended her hand away as he tried to reach for her hair. After putting the elf back down she turned to leave when a pen suddenly hit her shoulder. She turned around with a look on her face that can only be described as the look a tiger has after being poked and saw the elf holding his arms up in the air with a pouty expression on his face similar to that of a kid wanting to be picked up. Alice sighed and stood over him with her arms crossed and gave him a stern look.
"Do you promise not to pull my hair?" She asked strictly. The elf lowered his arms and thought for a moment before nodding his head quickly and stretching them back out. She wondered if he had even understood her question but finally broke when the elf began to do little jumps.
"Fine. But hands off the hair." She said and picked the elf up again, making sure pushed her hair to one side before placing him on her shoulder and heading for the door. In front of her three more elves started to jump up and down with their arms outstretched.
"No." She said and stepped over them. Disappointed whines followed her out the door and the elf on her shoulder turned around made a rather loud raspberry at them as she left the room. Her surroundings where busy and no one seemed to pay her mind as she wandered past the yetis tinkering with toys and rushing past her.
'Now what am I supposed to do?' She was beginning to get tired of asking herself that question. In fact, being rather useless was starting to get on her nerves too. It felt like she was merely stumbling through life, not really getting anywhere or affecting anything. Even though pretty amazing things where happening at the moment, it didn't really seem like she had any control over anything. She would probably be dead if it weren't for these "Guardians" showing up when they did.
'Guardian.' The word had a nice ring to it. Almost a noble feeling. Alice sat down with her legs crossed on a bench against a wall and watched the room buzz with an almost detached feeling. The elf on her shoulder hopped down and stood on her knee with his arms crossed and gave her an irritated expression, making Alice smile.
"What are you looking at?" She chuckled and gave his bell a little flick. The elf swatted her hand away and pointed in the directing she had been heading.
"I'm not a taxi you know. Besides even if I was I wouldn't know where to go." She sighed. The elf studied her for a few moments and plopped down with a ticked expression.
"There's no pleasing you is there?" She asked before noticing something brush by her neck.
"Here." She said and reached up for the sand that lingered on her shoulder in an attempt to cheer him up after remembering how interested the last elf was. The little guys expression went from unhappy to mesmerized in an instant when she lowered her hand to show him shifting darkness. After a few seconds of stillness Alice was worried nothing would happen.
'Well do something.' She thought irritatedly and the sand suddenly began to shift and take form. Alice's eyes widened as it compressed into an exact copy of the elf.
"Well that's new." She observed and raised a curious eyebrow. The elf was certainly more responsive than her as he reached up and poked the dark doppelganger on the arm with a smile that could light up a whole room up. The replica twitched before leaning down and poking the elf back, though it lacked the smile and cheery attitude. Alice realized it was actually very creepy looking. Even though it looked just like him, it was absent of color, expression, and well...life. There was something very dark about it. A small feeling of ease came over her when the sand in her hand suddenly scattered and settled back into a noodle like appearance, much to the elf's dismay.
"Sorry little guy but I don't think there's much I can do about it." She chuckled with a sad smile when his pouty face returned as he poked the sand but received no response Alice suddenly noticed something move out of the corner of her eye and diverted her eyes from the scene in her lap. Her smile instantly dropped when she saw Sandy floating a few feet in front of her with wide unblinking eyes and a very alarmed look in his face.
Shit.
I cant imagine Sandy would be to happy if you were sitting with an elf, on a bench, playing with nightmare sand. Anywho, new chapter soon. so stay tuned. :P