A.N. One more chapter, then we're done. c:
Alice stared at her reflection, breathing heavily. It was now or never, she doubted her bathroom excuse would last much longer, and she couldn't think of anything else to get alone. She took a few deep breaths, staring at the ominous liquid in the vial.
She knew, deep in her mind, that she probably shouldn't be drinking it. She didn't know where the advice came from, it was like it just floated in her mind. Don't accept things from strangers. Maybe her mother told her? But who was her mother? The thought disturbed her. Maybe this liquid had her answers.
With that fleeting thought, she pulled the cork out of the vial and drained the liquid down with one gulp. The moment it hit her tongue, heat radiated. It burned it's way down her throat like lava, and she could feel it travel all the way down to the pit of her stomach. Burning the whole way. She could practically feel the beginning of blisters in her mouth and throat.
She felt the wetness of tears streaming down her face, and looked in the mirror. For a brief second she worried about her makeup, as it started running. She opened her mouth to see no blisters or heat burns. There was no trace of blackness in her mouth, which mildly surprised her.
The heat was still in her stomach, but much less intense now. She could even feel the heat radiating from some droplets that were still rolling down her lower throat. She leaned against the wall opposite the mirror and waited to see what happened.
The heat, predominately in her stomach, was almost radiating. Spreading across her body. The heat lost it's intensity as it spread, so it wasn't an entirely uncomfortable feeling. It was just, odd. She blinked a few times, and looked in the mirror, hoping for some guidance.
Her same pale reflection stared back at her, not at all changed by the liquid. She left the bathroom, disappointment heavy in her gut. She didn't know what she was expecting, but that surely wasn't it. Nothing was boringer than nothing.
She walked back to her room, and allowed the maid to fuss over her make up, yet again. She honestly did feel bad about ruining her eye makeup for nothing. Especially when the maid had to apply so many layers just to make her look normal.
While the brushes and creams were put on her face, she chewed over the strange man's words. He had called her Alice, a completely unfamiliar name. But, now that she really thought about it, it was somewhat familiar. And the way the man looked. He looked completely crazy in a delightful sort of way. There was something comforting about him.
If she thought hard about him, she could almost loosen several facts about it. Maybe she had met him before, a really long time ago? She wasn't used to having stores of information about anyone, so it was most curious.
"Ah, there, we're done. Now don't you look beautiful?" The maid's voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked at the face in the mirror, and couldn't help but agree. With the proper amount of makeup, she really could be beautiful. "Now, I'm just going to disappear for a second, to bring you back a bite to eat. Any requests?" Alice smiled politely.
"Anything's fine." The maid nodded and with another kind smile she hurried out of the room. She couldn't believe her luck.
She waited a few moments after the maid left to start formulating any sort of plan. Jonas. She had to find Jonas and ask him about that man. Hopefully then she would get some answers. She didn't notice it at the time, but her mind was clearer now than it had been, well, since ever.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She looked to it, wondering why the maid was back so soon.
"Ivory, dear, I know I shouldn't be here, but I just had to see you." Jonas's voice came in a hushed whisper. She stood and quickly walked to the door. She took a deep breath and opened it, knowing she probably shouldn't.
To say Jonas looked handsome would be a severe understatement. Alice blinked a few times, comparing him to the man she had seen earlier. Between the two, well, that wasn't even a fair contest, honestly. Jonas's beautiful eyes were gazing into hers lovingly, and she wondered fleetingly why she ever doubted him.
But, there was something else there. Something she hadn't before noticed. He almost looked a little… Aggressive. Dominant, almost angry? A look she remembered seeing a long time ago. Why she didn't remember before now she had no idea but couldn't help but think it had to do with that black liquid.
She remembered seeing that look before. She was hiding behind Tarrant, scared out of her mind. It was the day he took her away from Tarrant. Oh god, what has she been doing?
She inhaled quickly, taking a shaking step back from him. Think. She had to think. Tarrant hadn't left her too long ago, chances are he would still be on the castle premises. He wouldn't of just left her there. She knew him.
If he could get into her window he could probably get into other places, too. Her heart thudded against her ribcage harshly as she formulated a plan. It was weak and a long shot, but she had to have trust in Tarrant here. He wouldn't let her down.
Jonas looked at her, confused.
"What's wrong, dear?" He asked, slipping his hand in hers. Okay. It was now or never. She smiled sweetly.
"We're not suppose to see each other.. The maid will be back soon," she said softly. He smiled down at her.
"I suppose you're right, but we'll be seeing each other again in a matter of hours. I just wanted to say I love you." He leaned down and kissed her softly on the mouth. His touch burned, but for totally different reasons than Tarrant's did.
"I love you too," she eventually willed herself to say. He smiled, kissing her again, and quickly headed off down the hall. Another minute later the maid was back, carrying a tray of soup for her. Alice eyed it nervously.
"I don't think I could possibly eat," she said, letting worry into her voice. "I think I'd get sick, I'm painfully nervous." The maid nodded understandingly.
"I still say you should try at least a little, dear. You're so thin," Alice smiled at her. She truly was hungry, but there was no telling what was in that soup. More of the clear liquid, perhaps? She couldn't risk it, not now.
While Alice was being held captive in the castel, she had no way of knowing what was going on in Wonderland. She had no way of knowing a revolution of sorts was being planned. If she had known how important it was for her to drink the black liquid, she would of the moment it was handed to her. Because, quite honestly, they were banking on it.
Tarrant smiled proudly at his little group. Bayard, always the Alice fan, had volunteered immediately for a resuce mission. His pups, now grown up, were in on it too. Bayard's knowledge of the castle had been very helpful. Even the Bandersnatch had volunteered, much to Tarrant's surprise. Mallymkun was there too, to throw in ideas where she could. He knew she was really mainly there to oogle him, but she was good with a sword, so he wasn't complaining.
"Well, that's that then. Let's get this plan into motion," he said, to much applause from his group.