On her application for Queen of Hearts

[needsnokey]

An entirely female game?

Well...I suppose it would be best.

[Lizzie isn't up for being around a lot of men just yet.]

I do hope you know what you're doing. The Queen of Hearts is an absolutely ghastly woman, if what Alice says is true. I don't think a land ruled completely by her is going to be a good place to go.

Comments

[madcuriosity]

It is true, Lizzy! She's dreadifying!

[needsnokey]

[Huh. That doesn't look like the Alice she knows! But, then again, if the Cheshire Cat can be a human, her little sister can certainly be blond.]

So I've heard! I can't say I'm entirely eager to go anywhere named for her. But, perhaps it will be an adventure, if nothing else?

[madcuriosity]

[To be fair, you're less of a red head than her elder sister. But! Alice has met enough of the same people who are different to not be too deterred.]

You... you're going to Wonderland then? [Alice could think of no other place where the Queen of Hearts rules.]

[irrationally]

[ .. ah.. give her a moment to try and regain some composture, but it's practically impossible in the face of this-- she gasps. ]

Lizzie..?

[needsnokey]

[Lizzie frowns slightly, peering a little closer at this girl. Sorry, Alice, but the last time she saw you, you were eight years old. But, you get a friendly, if a little tentative smile anyway.]

Have we met before, miss?

[needsnokey]

No...I don't think so. My mundane tells me it's called the Gardens. But then, wasn't Wonderland a garden?

[irrationally]

[ It's difficult either way, since the last time she saw her sister.. well, that's all just a very unpleasant memory, everything about that day. ]

It's.. me. It's Alice.

[needsnokey]

Alice?

[Disbelief. Surely not, even with...what happened, there's no possible way Alice could be this old. She looks to be Lizzie's own age now,and the question of just how long she's been...gone (dead is a such a harsh word) crosses Elizabeth's mind.

Still tentative, she steps a little closer, looking into the girl's eyes now. Broken and haunted as they may be, there's no doubt those are her sister's eyes. It's Lizzie's turn to gasp now.]

It is you...

[Lizzie makes it a point not to dwell on her death and the events before it. Life (or, whatever this state might be described as) must go on, and the memories are both vague and frightening.]

[irrationally]

Of course it's me! Just.. older. [ it's been a long time since then, either way, so even her memories of Lizzie are vague, but.. she does recognize her in this girl, that's for sure. ]

It's been a long time since I saw you. [ her likeness to the Queen honestly didn't count. ] .. A very long time..

[needsnokey]

[All she can do is nod, a thousand and one questions flying through her mind. What had happened to Alice? She looked at least ten yours older, and from the look in her eyes, Lizzie suspects the worst, whatever the worst may be. So, she doesn't ask just yet.]

A very long time indeed.

[A pause, somewhat awkward.]

Before you ask, I've no idea how I'm here and not...other places. [Avoiding the topic of her actual death at all costs.]

[irrationally]

.. No! No, it's okay, you don't have to explain. [ Because even though Alice herself isn't too sure either, just.. the very fact she can already talk to her sister like this is more than enough, really. The reason behind it doesn't matter, reasons have been long lost in Wonderland either way. ]

I'm just glad to see you again, Lizzie. So, so glad..

[needsnokey]

I doubt I could, even if I tried.

[She smiles.] It's good to see you too, Alice. Strange, but certainly good. I suppose we may see each other often around this place?

[irrationally]

I would like that, even if I'm not too sure of it myself. I suppose in the end it always comes down to the wishes of these fickle mundanes, but.. .. I'll.. find a way.

[needsnokey]

Oh, come now, surely they can't be too hard to reason with!

And, if not, I'm sure there will be some way. [She smiles. Nothing quells her optimism.]

[irrationally]

[ Honestly, she's missed that optimism-- it's been some long and lonely years, not to mention filled with nothing but madness and pessimism, so all of this is like a breath of fresh air. ]

I'm not so sure they are that eager and willing to agree with us, but at the same time I don't doubt that you would be able to convince your mun, Lizzie.

[needsnokey]

Of course I could! And, between you and I, dear sister, she doesn't seem like the sort to need much convincing. I'm sure I can be more stubborn than she.

[irrationally]

[ a rare and very slight chuckle actually escapes her at that. ]

I think I know that better than anyone, most likely. [ but she means it in a fond way. ] I'll have to try and live up to that in convincing my own.

[needsnokey]

[In contrast, Lizzie giggles.]I'm sure you will. We are sisters, after all, so long as you've kept my secret about the trellis. You must have inherited something from me.