M e s s a g e 3 8

[curiousher]

[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.

Comments

[curiousher]

I'm not sure....I avoided her on Mirror Side for nearly five years before she found me, but I lived inside the vents and I'd really rather not do that again if I can avoid it. It's not a very fun life.

[She certainly got very stealthy in those years though, so perhaps it wasn't all cobwebs and crippling loneliness.]

[powerofmabel]

Yeah, I've gotten stuck in a few vents in my life, and I gotta say... Not as fun as the tunnels in restaurant play areas. Lesson learned.

[She shudders.] I just wish we could hide you under my bed or something. Then you wouldn't be lonely, and there's always stuffed animals and markers under there.

[krmvgivv]

You sure you can't at least stop by and visit sometimes? [Dipper glances over at Mabel.] It'd be kind of nice to see you more than a couple times a year.

[curiousher]

I do like stuffed animals and markers...

[She sighs heavily and sits up, finally letting Boris go back to Mabel.]

I'm really sorry. I wish I could, I really do. But...I'm still very much in danger, and if Her Majesty finds out you've been harboring me she'll have your heads too. You've been so kind to me, and I don't want that for you. Even staying this long is a risk right now.

[She clearly doesn't like it, but she tries to force a smile anyway.]

But...maybe that will change someday.

[powerofmabel]

[Mabel abandons the Duke and throws her arms around Alice, knowing that she's probably going to have to go soon. She wants a proper goodbye this time.] It will change. We'll make sure of it. Wonderland's never had anyone like my brother and me.

[krmvgivv]

[Dipper hesitates, then throws himself into the hug as well.]

We got your eyes back, didn't we? We don't give up.

[curiousher]

[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?

[powerofmabel]

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.]

[krmvgivv]

[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.

[curiousher]

You too. Take care, both of you. I'll see you soon!

[Her control is getting a bit better, as she manages not to vanish mid-sentence this time just because she had the thought she needed to go. She smiles a little sadly and waves at them, with the Duke tucked in one arm, and then she's gone without a trace.]