Alice's Adventures in Genessia

[madcuriosity]

Who: Alice Liddell and YOU
What: Alice wants to explore the new world she's in, not all of it goes well
When: After Doll Event over several days/the week
Where: Literally all over Genessia
Warnings: None at the moment


A: Money money money, ain't it funny [Genessia]

Alice Liddell lived in the home for children, but Alice Liddell was also the only child IN the home for children at the moment which made being in the home incredibly lonely and more importantly, incredibly boring.

Oh, the beds were fine and the meals were well enough, but it was still so quiet. And there weren't any guardians about to insist one way or the other that she attend school or lessons or any of the sort. And boredom, as was often the case with one Alice Liddell, led to curiosity about the city she was in. She decided it was best to explore! Starting first, of course, with the city she was staying in.

With plush white rabbit companion in hand, said rabbit having been bought from the money she earned answering the riddle in the newspaper and was very handsomely dressed and had christened "Basil," she made her way about the city.

It was very quickly becoming evident to Alice, however, that for most of the things she wished to do, she would need money. If she wanted to buy a new dress, she would need money, if she wished to go into the wonderful looking cat cafe, money, and while she had an allowance, she also knew she had to save it and couldn't very well spend it all in one place, a terrible thing to know but something she knew nonetheless.

So there she was, currently staring into the window of Cat's Eye Cafe counting her money in her hand and trying to deduce just how long she could spend in there, how much she could spend, and how much she would have left over to buy some winter clothes.

Of course, nothing makes for a more attractive and easy target to a thief than a child with her money right in the open.

Anyone nearby might suddenly see little Alice scrambling to get back up after having been unceremoniously pushed to the ground, and trying to chase after a man running down the street.

"AH SOMEONE! PLEASE! THAT MAN TOOK MY MONEY!" being all of 3'8" didn't exactly afford Alice a long stride to catch up, help a girl out?

B: The sound of shoes, a shadow that moves, something odd is tic toc ticking [Everglade]

It was wholly inevitable that Alice would end up in Everglade, not because she was any manner of beastie or monster herself, but because she was told about beasties and monsters and this was their place of residence.

And she was immediately curious about it all. Once she was curious about something it may as well be the hunger a vampire feels, needing to be sated no matter the costs.

So here she was, looking high and low, hugging her little plush rabbit just a tiny bit closer to her chest as she explored the city. She really shouldn't be there though, certainly not alone, and certainly not with the sun setting soon. Truly she was trying to get back over to Genessia, but Alice was currently, hopelessly, miserably lost. The more she tried to right her course, the deeper she went into Everglade.

"I- I don't think this was the way we turned..." she said softly to the rabbit in her arms. "Maybe... but we took two lefts and then a right... or maybe it was two rights and then a left..." with the sun setting seeming to get ever faster, Alice swallowed. "It all looks so different now than it did this afternoon... maybe we should ask for help, Basil?" she looked about, trying to find a friendly face, deciding on yours.

"Oh um... excuse me, could you help me, please? I can't find my way."

C: In the shadow of the forest though she may be old and worn [Fayren]

Alice was on a quest, of sorts, two, actually. As soon as she had heard about what dwelled in Fayren, she immediately had two places in mind to go. One was the Singing Meadows to listen to the flowers sing, not having had a proper conversation with flowers in quite some time. She hoped that they weren't so busy with their singing that they couldn't stop to chat for a bit.

The second, and much harder quest at the moment, was to find and speak with a dragon or fairy. Now having met two unicorns, she wanted to meet as many mythical creatures as she could, but those two were especially on her list. The Fairy Haven had been quite misleading. Not only was she not allowed in, but despite its name, she was promptly informed at the door that there weren't any fairies within, which made Alice wonder why name it that at all then?

But not to be deterred, she decided if the people at Fairy Haven couldn't help her, maybe someone who just lived here could.

"Excuse me, oh -ah, I beg your pardon, do you know where I can find a dragon or a fairy?"

D: Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare [Nova]

Nova was a beautiful city... province? Sector? Well, whatever it was, it was lovely, Alice decided, but very... sterile, in a way, and more than a bit overwhelming when you come from the 19th century in comparison to, well, all of Nova City.

So Alice decided to take a break in the Sky Gardens in her adventures of exploration, currently in the evergreen forest dome as she sat near a manmade (or alien made?) mini-waterfall. She looked at all the flowers about her and smiled. She had been a bit disappointed when she had gone to the Singing Meadows in Fayren, while the flowers were all absolutely lovely, she had thought that the singing meant... well actual singing. But perhaps these modern flowers could do what magical ones could not.

"I wonder if any of you can talk or if your beds are much too soft and you're all asleep. Is anyone awake by chance?" she asked to the flowers but her question was loud enough it might be mistaken that it was asked of you, which in itself was a strange question, assuming you allowed yourself to even entertain the notion of flowers talking in the first place.

E: Wildcard
((OOC: Don't see a prompt you like, make one of your own! Or we can discuss something! I can be reached at my plurk snickersnack))

Comments

A; this turned out a bit violent, I hope that's okay?

[theyseemeroland]

The yell attracts Roland, who hurries to the scene to find the girl sprawled out on the ground and the thief making a run for it. Luckily enough, the thief is running toward him; when their eyes meet and Roland's intentions to stop the man are made clear, the thief tries to dodge around him, but Roland's having none of it.

He grabs the man from behind, and the two begin to grapple; the thief tries to turn the tide with a switchblade, burying it in Roland's thigh, but Roland doesn't seem to care. His higgledies do their part too, jumping on the man's legs, poking at him with their tiny, toothpick-like spears.

By now, more bystanders are starting to get involved. There's a woman calling the police, and a large, burly man approaches the two men to break the stalemate.

Of course!

[madcuriosity]

Alice finally reaches the crowd, the thief quite effectively pinned to the ground, his hands behind his back while several people with phones are recording the whole thing. Well, Alice didn't really understand that part but she was panting, pressing a hand to her chest, her legs screaming from trying to keep up with a full adult male. Keeping up with a rabbit was one thing, keeping up with a thief was quite another.

"Thank... you... everyone," she panted. "That man... he stole all my money."

Quite a few people threw the thief a look of disgust from taking someone so young.

[theyseemeroland]

Roland is sitting off to one side, knife still sticking out of his leg. He's not sure whether or not he should take it out.

"All of it?" Roland's concerned frown grows deeper and he glances over at the man. "I don't know how long it will be until you get it back. The police might need it as evidence." If the poor girl's going to be penniless for at least a few days... that's definitely a problem.

[madcuriosity]

Alice hadn't, of course, seen the state Roland was in while running up to him. However, now next to him, she was pale and swallowed, his question lost on her concern for his injury.

"Ah! Sir! Your leg! We should get you to a hospital right away! I'm so sorry, you... you got hurt because of me."

[theyseemeroland]

Roland shakes his head with a smile.

"It's fine, my higgledies can heal it." He indicates the little creatures clustered around him. Most of the folks around seem to be thoroughly ignoring them, but considering Alice's age, she can probably see them.

"I'm just wondering if I should take it out or leave it in so the police can see it."

C

[hellorhighwater]

Neil was running a couple of errands on his way home when the kid stopped him. The Drunken Monkey had been especially rowdy during his shift, and he'd just gotten word from the agency he'd signed up with after his carnival stunt made the paper that he'd gotten a gig for some exhibition fight he had to start training for.

He was pretty stuck in his head when the little girl stopped him. She was small and slender, had the fair hair and dark eyes he was used to seeing in some of the Triton back home. He doubted she was a sea dragon, however--mostly because she was asking about dragons.

Looking down at the kid with a curious arch of his eyebrow, Neil sank fluidly into a crouch so he was closer to her level, offering what he hoped was a nonthreatening smile. He'd scared kids before--it was hard not to, at six foot two and built for the kind of fight he'd just picked up. At least the last time he'd scared a kid, it was the hoodlums in Attleton he'd been trying to scare, but he didn't want to spook this kid. She seemed sweet.

"Well, I don't think I've seen any fairies since I got here." he admitted, absently scratching his beard in thought. "Dragons, either--and I'd know a dragon if I saw one. They're everywhere in the world I come from. My girlfriend knows one, too--but I hear she's just a lizard now. How come you're lookin', princess? Need help with somethin'?"

[madcuriosity]

That... is a very tall man, Alice noted, but then, being only 3 foot 8 meant everyone over five feet was taller than her. But he seems incredibly friendly which makes her smile brighten all the more. She's not scared in the slightest, coming a bit closer to him. She offered a curtsy in greeting.

"How do you do, sir!" she offered and then pouted, if only for a moment, when he mentioned he hadn't seen a dragon or a fairy. Still, she goes back to smiling quite quickly. "Well, you see, sir, I was told that there were all sorts of magical and mythical creatures here in Fayren! And I've always wanted to meet them! I've met two unicorns now, and they were both lovely, but I've never had a chance to meet a fairy or a dragon! I would very much like to have tea with them, or to just chat and see what they might have to say! I'm sure they have all sorts of stories to tell!"

[hellorhighwater]

The proper little curtsy made Neil smile, and he returned the gesture by laying a hand over his heart and bowing his head--this wasn't the Five Realms, but it worked. It was entertaining, in a really endearing way. She was so little and cute and proper--damn near gave him a toothache she was so sweet.

"Well, you still got one on me: I've never even met one unicorn." he assured her with a mock conspiratorial whisper. "Know a lot about dragons, though, they're everywhere back home." He paused, his smile turning fond.

"My girlfriend, Regina--she calls me a dragon mage." he explained, then raised an eyebrow as he lifted one hand up between them, palm turned skyward.

"This is why...it's not a whole dragon, but I can show you the stuff that comes out when they breathe. Check this out..."

Carefully, Neil called on the power in his blood, coaxed it out--and in the middle of his palm, a tongue of fire about the size of a golf ball appeared. The flame was brilliant white, edged in red, with matching crimson sparks leaping at its edges. The white core itself was heavy looking, textured, weighty and soft in a way that begged to be touched.

"Careful, it's hot--obviously, but hotter than regular fire. Look all you want, though."

[madcuriosity]

"Oh, they're very lovely! Though it seems girl unicorns are much lovelier than boy unicorns, at least, Lady Amalthea was much prettier in any case than the one I met in the Looking Glass. They're both very kind though," she never did figure out if Amalthea liked plum cake, though, more the pity for it.

At the mention of Regina, she wondered, briefly, if it was Miss Regina Mills who had been so kind to her when she first arrived. Wouldn't that be a funny little trick? But then, so many seemed to know so many others despite the size of the city.

Of course, that was all quite promptly forgotten when Neil caused fire to appear in his hands. Her eyes became about as wide as a golf ball as well and she practically hurried over to his hand to look at it more closely, not even realizing she had reached out to hold his wrists.

"AH!" then looked up at him. "You're incredible, sir!"

[hellorhighwater]

The innocent astonishment tugged at something in the back of Neil's chest, something sweet and full of yearning to see that kind of wonderment come about as a result of his powers. His fire was his sword, his shield, his armor--but seeing this little girl's eyes twinkle with awe made it feel like real magic for the first time.

"Nah--just the owner of a permanent fever." he joked, nodding to the fire, and closing his fist to douse the flame just in case she forgot and the hand around his wrist lifted to try and touch it. He did, however, open his palm for her benefit to see that the flame was indeed gone and his flesh was unmarred by its heat.

"But I'm glad you dug it." he went on, turning his open hand a moment later to wrap around Allison's for a handshake. "Name's Neil. Good to meet ya."

B

[sonicblade]

Cloud was hopelessly new to everything here. But, just like any good warrior, he went ahead to do some recon. It was a new World, after all, even if he had no idea how he got here. The Everglade was one such place he found himself in and, well, he wasn't exactly lost himself, he wasn't all that familiar with the place either. Trial and error were things he was used to and he was confident in his abilities to keep him out of trouble.

Nothing prepared him for a little girl holding a bunny plushie to come out of the fog. Thankfully, he refrained from drawing his sword on her, although his hand had been upnat the hilt until she became clearer and wasn't some illusion. He sighed softly and lowered his hand.

He knelt down so as to appear less intimidating and tilted his head at her. "What are you doing out here? This isn't a place for a kid."

[madcuriosity]

"That's just it, sir, I'm afraid we're quite lost," she held up her rabbit to explain the "we" part of her statement. "We are trying to get back to Genessia proper and keep getting turned around."

[sonicblade]

The fog was only going to get thicker as the day wore on. It was a place people lived in but he wasn't going to count on it being safe for a child. He sighed softly and scratched the back of his head in thought. He wasn't too sure of the path himself.

Still, he couldn't do nothing. He nodded and pushed himself up. He held his hand out for her. "Let's get you two home, then. It might take awhile, I'm new here. Sorry."

[madcuriosity]

She took his hand readily, and he would likely notice the little tremble when she took his, trying not to let on how scared she actually had been.

"I'm still quite new myself, that's why I was exploring, you see. I can't learn about where something is if I never see it, after all."

[sonicblade]

Cloud unconsciously gave it a squeeze as he led her down the path he originally came from. He hoped it was the correct direction, but they would soon find out. He looked for familiar architecture.

"You shouldn't do it by yourselves."

Still, it was smart of her to try and map out her surroundings. Just like he had done.

[ Voice ] - whenever it suits you

[fondofapples]

[ As it had been a few days since she settled Alice at the Children's Home, and Regina wondered about the little girl consistently, she decided to call and leave a voice message for her, at the very least. ]

Hello, Alice. This is Regina Mills calling. I thought I'd check to see how you're settling in or if there's anything you need. Please call me back when you get this message. Thank you.

[Voice]

[madcuriosity]

Miss Regina! Hello, how do you do! Thank you so much for calling. I won some money from a riddle in the paper and bought Basil! Would you like to meet him?

He's a very handsome white rabbit! I've been exploring the city!

Re: [Voice]

[fondofapples]

[ Regina frowns, worried about Alice gallivanting around the cities with a rabbit (real or stuffed?) for company. ]

Have you? What have you and Basil been seeing? And yes, I'd love to meet him.

[Voice] -> [Video]

[madcuriosity]

Well, everything! We went to Nova and to Fayren and Everglade! We haven't tried any of the... oh ah- arches? Archways? I'm not sure what they're properly called or what they exactly are, to be honest.

Ah then just a moment! [She changes the settings from voice to video and holds up the plush of the rabbit in question, even over the video he is clearly incredibly soft looking.] Miss Regina, meet Basil, Basil, meet Miss Regina!

Re: [Voice] -> [Video]

[fondofapples]

[ Regina declines to explain the archways for now. Alice doesn't need that kind of encouragement. She'll end up lost forever. ]

I hope you were careful in Everglade, darling. It's very dangerous, [ she is saying as Alice switches to video and shows her a very soft plush rabbit. It is then that she knows how much she has grown as a mother that she doesn't refuse to engage, but instead answers ]

Hello Basil, it's very nice to meet you. I hope you and Alice have been taking good care of each other.

C: Fayren

[greatestgood]

She has such a sweet young voice! Gellert turns towards her, smiling curiously; his hands are in his pockets and his golden hair is shining in the sunlight. He looks like a young man on an innocent stroll, but looks can be deceiving. Not that she need fear him.

"A fairy I can't say - they are elusive. But I know where a dragon lives." he rolls his shoulders, narrowing his eyes slightly, "What would a child want with a dragon?"

[madcuriosity]

Even if she should fear him, she most likely wouldn't, at least not outright and not instantly. She'd need a reason and his very existence is not a good enough one in her mind.

"Oh..." she pouted a little, a bit sad that he couldn't help her find a fairy... only for her to immediately gasp and clasp her hands together.

"You know where a dragon lives? Truly? Could I meet them? Are they accepting visitors, by chance?" it took her a moment to realize he asked a question of his own. "Oh... well, all I want is a conversation with a dragon. They're supposed to be masters of old knowledge, living as long as they do, after all. I thought maybe we could even play a riddle game though... I suppose there's not really any riddle I know it mayn't have already heard... perhaps I could make up a riddle that would surprise even a dragon! Wouldn't that be grand!"

[greatestgood]

"Now, now, don't make that face." Gellert tutted and looked pleased at how quickly she bounced back, "I have a fair idea, but she doesn't look like a traditional dragon." he happened to think she was cuter that way - with her snow leopard tail - but Alice might be disappointed.

"Your impression of dragons applies only to your world...perhaps? Many worlds have converged here and the dragons could be wise or not."

Wisdom came in many forms and he celebrated all of them. Hana had struck him as more innocent than anything else and she would likely be a fine companion to little Alice.

[madcuriosity]

"Oh, my impression of dragons is my own, I think. The Jabberwocky, well, I'm not sure if HE was a dragon, but he might have been. But I've heard of all sorts of dragons, the kind that horde gold, the kind that breathes fire, the kind that speaks only in riddles, and some that are terrors to kingdoms... or well, that's what the stories say, but there are so many stories. But what is the dragon you know like? Would she mind my meeting her?"

[greatestgood]

"I like stories too. Some of them turn out to be factual if you learn enough about the past." Gellert tipped his head back to enjoy the sunshine, "Hana looks like a young girl. She also possesses some traits of a snow leopard. I asked her about it once and she said it was due to the fact that a family of snow leopards had raised her. Her kind take on the traits of their guardians. As for meeting her, I don't see why she would mind."