you can go ask alyss

Alicia WhitelarkThe White KnightHey! Name's Alicia, and I run The Rabbit Hole bar in our wonderful little town. Don't believe what Jones tells you about his grimy little dive. If you want a real night out, you come to the Rabbit Hole. I guarantee, you'll have a far better time. In the Enchanted Forest, Alicia was known as Alyss Whyte, personal bodyguard to the White Queen before Chernabog's influence fell over her beloved Wonderland. Panicked that her portal-jumping magic would die under his influence, she fled Wonderland to the Enchanted Forest, where she became quite the hot commodity for anyone seeking magical artefacts from other realms, and where she also had a run in with a certain Hatter by the name of Jefferson...

[ohladydimitrescu]

[misscamelot]

[amadmanwithahat]

*He raised an eyebrow in amusement at her mention of ‘Free Shot Friday’. At least he could tell that Alicia still had Alyss’ love for a fun time, and not always considering the consequences. He couldn’t count on two hands the number of times they’d been in tight situations, only barely making it out with their lives, due to both of them having a bad habit of getting into trouble, and finding it enjoyable.*

Your niece must feel very lucky to get to experience such amazing looking places like these, even if only in stories. *He kept a smile on his face, but his entire insides felt chilled all of a sudden. He didn’t ask for a name, but knowing Regina and her cruelty when it came to her curse, he was fairly sure he already knew the name of Alicia’s niece.*

[aliciawhitelark]

*Noting the quirked eyebrow, Al had to giggle into her drink slightly.* It was a good idea at the time. Right up until Rob and his friends went streaking down Main Street and decided to skinny-dip in the fountain near the Mayor's place. She wasn't exactly happy about that wake-up call.

*her smile softened as Jefferson mentioned how lucky Paige felt being exposed to her fantastical creations. Alicia had always felt extremely close with her niece, sometimes even far closer than aunt and niece could possibly be...* Paige certainly thinks so. She's wanted one of her own for a while, but I'm yet to find the perfect idea or the right time to surprise her with it. 

[amadmanwithahat]

*He smiled again, greater than before. He would take any opportunity to spend time with her, hoping somehow it would help her remember him, and who she used to be.*

I would love to see this place filled with more than two people. *Whether he wanted it to or not, the smile on his face would not falter. Being around Alyss had always had that effect on him. At her mention of decorations, he looked around the room, suddenly feeling an overflow of memories. All of her paintings, where places he’d been. With her. With his eyes still glued to the paintings, though they weren’t really seeing the painting as much as reliving the memories they brought forth, he spoke again.* You have a real talent for painting, I must say. The places in your decorations seem so… Real. Like you could just jump straight into them. *He chose his words carefully, hoping they would trigger some reaction from her.*

[aliciawhitelark]

*she was glad to see some of his initial tension seemed to have eased, a certain warmth having crept into his smile as they had been talking. It seemed to change everything about the almost nervous demeanour he'd carried when he arrived.* It's definitely a lot more lively. Just be glad you're not likely to see a repeat of 'Free Shot Friday'. I'm not sure anyone is ready to deal with that bright idea again. *As he complimented  the paintings she'd done for the bar, Alicia couldn't help blushing slightly. She'd used her knack for art as an outlet for the strange worlds that lurked behind her eyes every time she slept, along with the notepad upstairs in her apartment where she scribbled down ideas for how to turn them into stories for Paige. But there was something in Jefferson's tone that she couldn't quite place as he mentioned how real they looked. To her, they were almost like old friends, places she had grown so familiar with that if they weren't full of giant mushrooms and talking animals and all kinds of magic, she would have stated right then and there that they were real, (but of course, they couldn't be)* They certainly feel that way to me. *she answered, after a small pause, eyes drawn back to the mushroom forest she had just finished, the dream that had prompted her decision to paint still lingering in the back of her mind.* I've made that many stories up about the places in the paintings for my niece, it feels like I've lived in them for years sometimes.

[makebeliever]

[amadmanwithahat]

*He reached for the glass as she handed it to him, accidentally touching her fingers in the process. A bolt of lightning ran through his arm, as if the touch had once and for all confirmed she was really there. He took the glass from her and took a large sip from it. He really hoped he wasn’t giving the impression that he didn’t like her presence, which was beyond the opposite of the actual truth. If it were up to him, he would simply sit there and look at her, reveling in the fact that he hadn’t really lost her after all.*

I guess I just didn’t feel like being at home, that’s all. I’ve spent too much time at that place lately, and I can’t stand being there more than I need to. And on my walk I happened to come across this place, and thought I’d stick my head in. *He felt like he was rambling on and on, but he couldn’t stop himself. Alyss (Alicia his mind tried to correct him, but he wasn’t listening) was too easy to talk to. It felt as natural as breathing.*

[aliciawhitelark]

*the light touch of his fingers against hers as he took the glass seemed almost familiar, as though they'd shared hundreds of such small touches before. The thought was nonsense, of course, and Alicia dismissed it almost as soon as it had crossed her mind, despite the continued niggling that something more was going on than she was truly even aware of.* Well, if you ever feel as though you need to get out of the house, you're more than welcome to drop in whenever you like. *Something almost akin to confusion washed over her as soon as she'd spoken. Where in god's name had that come from? She wasn't entirely sure, but just having Jefferson around seemed more natural than she could explain. She took a sip of her own drink before continuing, in an attempt to hide at least some of the confusion that had struck her.* Though I will say the bar's usually busier than this. I just decided to do a bit of decorating before properly opening up. 

[amadmanwithahat]

*Realizing that she didn’t recognize him, hit him harder than anything he’d tried. And he’d been knocked out by a firm swing of a telescope. It was his Al standing there in front of him, but it wasn’t. Someone else had taken over her body, locked away the real Alyss, replaced her with this Alicia person. He thought Regina had been cruel, locking him up with all of his mistakes to taunt him for years and years. But this, making such a remarkable and thoroughly beautiful woman forget the wonders she caused, the bravery she’d shown, the good she’d caused, was truly cruel. 

Part of him wanted to hate Alicia, but at the same time he wanted to reach out and feel if her hair was as soft brown as it had been when blonde. To see if she still fit his arms as perfectly as she had back then. More horrible than realizing the love of his life didn’t know who he was, was coming to the realization that she didn’t know Grace either. She didn’t know that she was the mother of the most amazing and gentle girl in all of the worlds. She didn’t remember the greatest wonder she’d ever been part of. Feeling like he was about to burst, he bit the inside of his lips, trying not to show just how much sorrow his mind was filled with at the moment, he nodded stiffly* A glass of whatever is the strongest you have would be preferred, thank you.

[aliciawhitelark]

Sure. I think Juni should have something tucked away. *she smiled slightly, sensing something of almost unease in Jefferson's attitude and hoping to reassure him somewhat. The mosre she pried back into her memories, the fuzzier they seemed to grow. There was one memory of them meeting to discuss the bar, but after that, nothing. Though, even as that thought had crossed her mind, it was quickly dismissed; an even blurrier memory of rain and green buildings and laughter with Jefferson lashing across her mind too quickly to properly take anything in. She shook her head a little in an attempt to clear it as she made her way behind the bar, adjusting the paint brush keeping her hair in a bun slightly before she grabbed the good bottle of whiskey Juniper liked to keep hidden for 'special occasions' and a couple of glasses.* So, what brings you into town this afternoon? Other than visiting the bar, of course.

[cailinseaclaid-deactivated20160]

[amadmanwithahat]

*Jefferson narrowed his eyes at the voice calling back to him. It sounded so much like… Like her. He shook his head free of unpleasant memories. Feeling strangely uneasy, he tucked at the ever-present scarf around his neck, hiding his scar generously given to him by the blasted Queen of Hearts. 

He was watching the direction the voice had come from, not knowing who to expect. And the person who turned the corner was indeed unexpected. It was her. Alyss. Alyss he’d traveled worlds with. Alyss he’d fallen madly in love with. Alyss he’d had the most beautiful girl in the world with. Alyss he’d lost. ‘She can’t be here!’ his mind shouted at him. ‘She died!’ But she was, so she hadn’t. Her hair was brown instead of the white-blonde it had been, but it was her expressive eyes, her lips had that ever-present smile on them, just as he remembered. He stared at her in shock for a moment, knowing she’d asked a question, but he couldn’t find his voice. He couldn’t even blink, fearing she’d disappear if he did. After taking a couple of shallow breaths, he managed to speak. Although he felt like the world had stopped moving, and was spinning, at the same time. He stuttered and talked quickly* I’m Jefferson, and I… I felt like I should actually see this place, being an investor in it.

[aliciawhitelark]

*The longer Alicia found herself looking at her guest, the more there was some niggling sense of familiarity with him that didn't seem to want to go away. Though as soon as Jefferson said his name, she suddenly placed him, a fuzzy memory of a meeting to discuss opening the bar returning to the forefront of her mind.* Oh! You're Jefferson. Right, of course you are. *She couldn't help cringing slightly at not having recognised him sooner, and stepped forward, offering her slightly less paint-smudged hand for him to shake.* I'm Alicia, but Al is just fine. And I guess you know the Rabbit Hole *She gestured at the bar with a slightly sheepish smile, all too aware of how awkward she seemed to be sounding when the guy who had given her the chance to open the bar had dropped in for an unexpected visit.* Can I get you a drink or something?

[aliciawhitelark]

OO8.

Raised by nobility in the White Court of Wonderland, Alyss was taught various things befitting a young lady of standing - including defence should bandits, bandersnatches or even a rogue jabberwock occured - before she was chosen to train to become the Queen's personal bodyguard. One of these talents that seemed to stick with her, even into her cursed state, was her knack for art, (while dreams of her old portal-jumping days have clung to her throughout the curse too). The Rabbit Hole and the stairs down to the bar have plenty of designs that come from her dreams of trips to Wonderland, but her personal office and even the landing between her and Juni's apartments have plenty of murals of the other places she's seen (there's an Emerald City piece on her front door that she's particularly proud of).

[amadmanwithahat]

*With his hands stuffed thoroughly into his coat-pockets, Jefferson was on what had become his daily walk around town. After having been cooped up in the same house for decades, being outside was a nice change. He was walking, not focusing on where he was headed, his mind filled with thoughts. Both about the past, and the future. He looked around, noticing a sign with a familiar name. ‘The Rabbit Hole’. He’d seen the name on some papers at his house, and they’d  told him that he was an investor in the place. Why he would even care for some random bar was beyond him. But his curiosity could not be sated, and he walked down the stairs, and opended the door. Since he was apparently putting money into this place, he thought he might as well meet the people he was investing in.*

“Anybody here?”

[aliciawhitelark]

*Hearing someone coming down the stairs into the bar, Alicia had been expecting Juniper to come breezing back in with lunch from Granny's and some sort of treat from Tea-Lightful, but the male voice that rang out as the door opened was something she hadn't been anticipating.* Yeah, just a second. *Putting a finishing touch on the part of the mural she had been working on - two figures; one in a pale blue dress and another with a top hat - she set down the brush and stood up, coming around the corner from where her store-room door canvas was tucked away to greet her guest. Though as she took in Jefferson, she couldn't help being struck with a wave of familiarity telling her that she'd met her visitor somewhere before.* Can I help you?

[makebeliever]

[aliciawhitelark]

*Perched on one of her bar-stools with a paint-brush in hand, Alicia had spent most of the morning in her bar painting a new mural on the door to the store room - a mushroom forest with two castles on hills in the background; one red and the other white. Stretching as she moved from the position she had been sitting in to detail the multicoloured forest of fungi, she couldn't help yawning slightly. She wasn’t even entirely sure what had led to her having such an unrested night, but she could remember the same vague images of running through the forest while desperately trying to find someone she'd had on and off for the last few weeks. Tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear, she couldn't help but sigh* God I need a break.

Al's outfit, b/c why not? :3 (Though she has a paintbrush in her hair keeping it in a bun rather than a fancy pin)

[fyhousetargaryen]

[aleriehightower]

Emilia Clarke in the Spike Island Trailer (x)

[aliciawhitelark]

OO7.

Back in the Enchanted Forest, Alyss ended up with two engagement rings when Jefferson did ask her to marry him. The first, was a rather obnoxious looking gold thing with a huge ruby lifted from a heist in Asgard with the question popped while still buzzing from the rush of a job well done, and the second was a small silver one with a sapphire and blue topaz flower that he got her later on before they were married. She still wears the second one on a chain. Part of her knows it's something important which means she can't bear to be parted from it, but thanks to the curse, she has no idea of its significance.

[makebeliever]