entranceway | + Best Foot Forward +

[ When the White Queen comes into view she is no longer bustling about. In fact, she is sitting, a bit slumped in her throne chair. Her hair is going every which way but that’s not exactly the important part.

She is not in color.

No red lips.

No pure white hair.

No white dress glittering in white diamonds.

The queen is no longer in color. She is black and grey. No colors, not even white. Just black.

And grey. ]

Oh, my darlings. This...debacle has taken quite the toll on me. As you can plainly see with your very own eyes. But, everyone who should not be here has now gone back to their own homes and times and everything is now right and correct.

[ She lets out a soft wail of what could be regret. ]

I’m so sorry. This is all my fault! I only wanted to have a good party and decorations and then finally a feast. On, I wanted us to have such a splendid feast. But, it was more important to fix things, you see. This is still your home, for as long as you are here, and it should not be broken.

[ She shifts, letting out a heavy breath. ]

I do need to apologize beyond my own weak words, darlings. And as a token of my apology, I am throwing all of the Reals a New Year’s Eve ball. You’ve had so much chaos on your side and for that, I truly, truly apologize. It will be a formal affair so dress appropriately please. Your ball will last from 8 p.m. through midnight. There will be food and drink and decoration, though not quite as much decoration as if I hadn’t...

[ Here, her chin trembles. ]

If I hadn’t...

Broken things.

[ Pull. It. Together. Things will go better next time, at least...that’s what she has to tell herself. ]

Anything that happened was only because I wanted things to be home away from home, if I could, for all of you.

[ She looks so tired; she is tired, and she sighs heavily. ]

I think I should sleep. Yes. Sleep for quite a while. Please. I very much need to rest. I need rest.

[ And with that, the video feed ends. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kokichi stares at his phone for a good, long while...

What was that thing talking to everyone on the video? The White Queen looks like she stepped out of one of those old silent movies. Can he talk to her? Or Alice, what happened to her?

... He finally gathers the courage to send a video to her.]

Hey, Queenie. What happened to Alice-chan?

I must admit, I've no idea what you mean.

She's perfectly fine.

Wow, you're not asleep yet.

Can I talk to her?

....I am not her go-between. Why are you asking me?

You hired her?

What does that have to do with whether or not she can speak to others as she wishes?

Look, I just want to know if she's okay, okay?

Absolutely sure.

Then I suggest you get into contact with her and not me.

Okay, wiseguy, how can I get in touch with her?

You are very rude and that is not the way to gain information from a Queen.

I'm afraid you will need to figure it out on your own. I'm quite tired.

Goodnight.

[Georgia frowns.]

Is a ball a good idea? Pretty sure a better apology would be you not stretching yourself again so soon.

[Her tone is flat, matter-of-fact. She's not judging, exactly, just asking. She does have reason to be concerned.]

The ball will not use more than mediocre amounts of magic.

[ She says this with a tired wave of her hand. ]

It would be just as if someone on the Real side used magic to throw the celebration.

[That doesn't really mean much to Georgia, since she has very little concept of how magic works and how much strength it takes.]

Still seems like a silly risk for a party. You've literally used so much magic you're colorless.

I do appreciate your concern. But food and drink will hardly be more stressful than an every day use of magic. I'm sure with sleep, I will be back to my true self in no time at all.

[Georgia's not sure she believes her, but when it comes down to it, the White Queen is a grown woman who can make her own choices.]

Before you rest, there is one fairly urgent matter we need to discuss. The Core.

[ The Queen very much looks as if she wants to slide right out of her throne and to the ground. ]

The Core is fine. I'm not sure what needs to be urgently discussed.

I'm more concerned with what's trapped in the Core. Or at least, what's supposed to be.

[She leans in. Her expression serious.]

Is the Jabberwock secure?

[ Well, that gets all of her attention, and the Queen sits up more, frowning deeply, just as serious as Georgia. ]

Unless something catastrophic happens, yes. The...[ She has a hard time even saying the name. ] Jabberwock is secure at this time. It doesn't seem that my miscalculated amount of magical use has done anything to cause it to appear.

Good. Seeing the Core floating around uncontained had me concerned.

[She's still concerned. Between her memory problems and the fact that she just overextended herself and broke Wonderland, the White Queen is not the most trustworthy source.

But Georgia hopes the White Queen's right.]

Wonderland was...in flux, but the Core itself was never in danger of letting anything out.

[ That's the only thing she's said with confidence the entire conversation. ]

[Georgia frowns for a moment, looking at the White Queen hard through her sunglasses. After a moment, she nods. At the very least, she believes the White Queen believes herself to be telling the truth.]

I'll take your word for it.

[Not like she has a choice.]

Be careful.

+ Best Foot Forward +

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