entranceway | M e s s a g e 3 8

M e s s a g e 3 8

[The first thing anyone sees, even before the person posting...is a little pig, in one of the tea rooms. It snuffles and sniffles and sweeps the room for signs of danger, and once it is satisfied it trots away.

Then in a blink, Alice is standing in the middle of the room, pig cradled in her arms. And for the first time ever on the network, her face has wide blue eyes. She's a bit frantic, but otherwise unharmed.]

I think I'm starting to get used to doing that on purpose... Ah, hello everyone! It's...been some time, hasn't it?

[Even Alice can't seem to hide the fact that it's rather awkward to suddenly have eyes when she did not before. The pig squirms and she lets it down, as she's discovered it's wisest to listen to what the Duchess' pig wants.]

I'm so sorry to interrupt everything, but I need to warn you all! Something-- something terrible is going to happen soon! I don't want to cause anyone alarm, but it may very well be the worst thing that's ever happened to you.

[It's all distressing, and Alice crouches down to the pig's level so she can play with it's ears absently as she talks. It lets her.]

I'm afraid I still can't explain how I know, and the details are...rather distressing. But I promise, I'd never lie to all of you! I could never!

[She's adamant about that much at least. Even if her message isn't clear, there's more clarity in the way she speaks about it - she understands the importance of these messages now, in a way she'd forgotten for so long.]

Please, everyone. Take care of yourselves this weekend. I think it may be all you can do.

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I...have no idea, actually? My life's had a lot of terrible shit in it. Do I get to choose?

I would love a cat! I love cats! I have a cat at home named Dinah and she would make an excellent companion - at least, she was always an excellent companion to me. I'm sure she'd love the chance to be a magical cat if she could!

[She almost goes off on a tangent, but then she remembers the piglet nudging her ankles. She laughs a little and picks him up.]

Though, I suppose the Duke would get jealous...don't worry, I'm sure you'd make an excellent animal companion too!

Eeee! I've seen your art of her! She looks adorable.

[She giggles at the piglet, and then jumps up a little bit, realizing something.]

I do have a cat here, though! H-Hang on!

[She sets the device down for a second, sprinting across the room. A small mewl can be heard, as if a cat disturbed from a nap, and returns with a slightly disgruntled looking calico kitten in her arms.]

This is Mew Mew! I got her, uhm, last year, but pets don't really... grow, here, so uhm. She's gonna be this small and cute forever I guess.

Ah, really! I suppose I've only seen one side of her - through the announcements she makes for each of the events.

[They shudder a little bit at the thought of the Queen of Hearts.]

It makes me wonder if the Queen of Hearts was any good at all to begin with, or if she was simply...born that way?

That's okay, Alice. I don't blame you. I'd be pretty rattled, too.

If you think of something, please let us know!

[Alice hugs them both back, squeezing them tight.]

Then I won't give up either! Not that I would have, but-- it's good to know I've got friends to help me.

[She lets the hug go on a beat longer then she probably should, and then she finally stands up and brushes off her dress, and beckons the Duke over.]

We should go, I think. I'll try not to be too much of a stranger though, okay?

The girl who fell...not the most flattering description, but I like how it sounds. It makes falling seem so elegant.

[It's certainly nicer than what actually happens when you fall down.]

Likewise! it's nice to meet you as well, Ms. Lucretia.

[The Ms. seems like an important addiction. Lucretia seems like a very dignified lady to Alice.]

No, it doesn't always come to me. ...Honestly, I can't really control it at all. I was never even aware of it before.

[But now she is, and she's doing her best with it.]

I don't think so. But, if you know what those terrible things are then you might be able to figure out what's coming!

...What if making the list is the actual worst thing?

Well. I don't think that would be so terrible, but it's also not the worst thing that's ever happened to me. I supposed you'd be making a horrible list over and over and over and over!

Gross.

So whatever it is will repeat. Noted. Dreading it already.

What's the worst thing that ever happened to you, then?

Yeah, the word the people who made me liked to use was decommissioning.

[She is pretty good at keeping her expression as unmoving as possible. But the muscles around her jaw clench as she says that word. She can't keep herself from reacting. Does she feel like it's still murder to kill something you've brought to life? You bet she does.]

I absolutely count Mirrors as people, and what she does to them is murder. There's a lot that's unforgivable about how she treats them.

[Georgia wants to help, but all she can really do is put copies of her zine within reach of mirrors. The spread of knowledge has always been her greatest weapon.]

But I am curious if there's been anyone past that too.

Well, most of my memories of home are gone, so...if it was that I'd be surprised by whatever it was. But here...

[Alice was expecting this eventually, but it's still hard for her to answer, for many reasons.]

...The Queen of Hearts took my eyes. It was punishment for trespassing on Mirror Side for years and years, and it hurt so much and it left me...not myself. I'm better now, but...it was absolutely the worst. Without a doubt.

Thanks, Alice. We'll keep trying to figure out what's going on here- you just focus on staying safe.

[Mabel rubs at her eyes, trying not to cry. It's always hard to send a friend off- especially when it's to an uncertain fate.]

[Dipper puts a supportive hand on Mabel's shoulder, giving Alice an only slightly forced smile.] It's good to see you're doing so well, though. Be safe.

Geez. That's fucked.

[She's pretty clearly a little girl, although he gets the impression that's not really a Thing here after a while. But. Still! That's as bad as those elves back home...]

I'm sorry, bubula. Hopefully you won't have to go through that again.

...Actually, uh. Is that a thing? Do you, like, book people have to do this stuff too?

[Alice nods.]

I'll do my best to.

Thanks, Alice.

[And for a hair of a moment, she gets a tiny, terse flicker of something that's almost a smile. Whatever she might call it, it's grateful.]

I think I'll be okay. Thank you for worrying about me though. Please, be careful okay?

[He'll have more to worry about than she will, probably.]

[The apology is sincere enough for her and she smiles a bit.]

I suppose we are, aren't we? We can all do our best together then!

[Alice is so excited that she's practically vibrating with glee, bouncing on her heels.]

Oh my gosh, she's so cute! Hello, Mew Mew! It's so nice to meet you! You're so cute I love your little nose...oh my goodness and I bet you have the best toe beans!

[Alice coos like this for several minutes. All cats deserve such praise and babytalk.]

You know, for a little while I had a cat here as well. I named her Dinah the Second, but I'm not sure what happened to her after I got stuck on Mirror Side all those years ago...

[It's probably been almost fifteen by now.]

_{[There are probably worse ship-mates to have than an immortal little girl and a... pig??? ... who can appear and disappear at will.]}

I mean, you're the Alice--it don't get much more awesome than that. If you're tapped into this Wonderland hive mind thing, that's a point on our side!

Hey. [ Sam offers gently when the pig approaches, chuckling as it scurries back to Alice. ]

It's good to see you, too. Glad you're okay.

[ ... Well, without further ado, then. Sam removes the angel blade from his jacket, the one he'd gotten to try and stop the Jabberwocky (and failed). The one he'd given to Evie to try and keep her safe (and failed).

Maybe Alice will be luckier. ]

This is for you. I'm not sure it'll work against the Queen, but... it's a powerful weapon. I hope it'll help protect you.

[And now he's got a literal child (albeit one who is great at both puppet shows and exposition) telling him to be careful. She thinks she'll be okay, but she's worried about him.]

[This does not bode well.]

Al..alright. I'll try, I guess.

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M e s s a g e 3 8

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