A Beloved Wonderland

Once lost in memories, once memories lost- still lost. Alice Liddell, once the Outsider of Wonderland, now just another Hive City Citizen living in District Zeta. [RP blog affiliated with Citta Alveare. I follow the tag cynicwithaheart.]

[alicesoneandonly-deactivated202]

"No, thank you, Alice…for letting me have one dance with you." He wanted more, and he could feel a pang inside his chest but he knew better than to become greedy. It would only push her away and lead to more pain.

Noticing her relief and happiness, Peter put a smile on his face, hoping that it looked natural and not forced. At that moment he felt like retreating away to think, but he didn’t want to give up this time with her. Not to mention that the last time he wanted to be left alone Shizuo had been there.

…where was he?

[cynicwithaheart]

"... Peter? Is... something wrong?" This time she'd caught that there was something off about his expression. She wanted him to be happy, because she knew he wanted her to be happy; the trouble came in who could be happy with who and who without who.

[cynicwithaheart]

offourseasons:

It was one of the subjects the Japanese hated to talk about; His current age. ” Let’s… ” He trailed off a bit, how could he avoid saying his true age? ” Let’s just keep it at that I’m older than I look like ” Heck, even Italy thought he was under 20. Not allowing him to even have 1 single sip of Alcohol, bringing him juice instead. ” Though I suppose it doesn’t really matter when you can no longer age ” or die for that matter. 

He felt glad that the other was so accepting of that fact, he wasn’t even too sure how people would react to such thing. Maybe he would be more open about that fact in the future, but for now Alice would be the only one who knows that fact. ” I suppose nothing surprises you anymore, Alice-san? ” The Japanese asked her while looking at her as he smiled softly. 

Yet at the following words he couldn’t help but to blink, ” Four seasons at once? ” Perhaps he should not question it further. Still he could not help but to wonder where that suddenly came from. 

” Alice-san, have you heard of the current ongoing event? ” 

He asked her, wondering if she had already tried it out. Maybe if he would hear more stories about it, he’d be able to determine for 100% whether it was real or not. ” Apparently they’re giving us a chance to go home for a little while ” though he did not really want to remember it anymore. ” Have you tried it out before? The temporary portals I mean ” 

She should really have considered further how delicate a question that might have been. One did not ask a lady her age, one probably shouldn't ask the age of someone who may have been around for far longer than a human could wrap their mind around. Thankfully he didn't seem offended. Maybe she should learn to curb her curiosity for once... like that would ever happen.

"I can at least say that when something surprises me, the shock wears off a lot faster than it used to." Humans with animal features, doors that lead wherever one wanted them to, clocks instead of hearts, people controlling their own time and the time around them... it certainly made the idea of a country in human form a little less astonishing. "At least I can still be surprised, or else nothing would be as fun anymo-

"... Please say that again?" What? She could return home...? "They're allowing us... to go home for a while?"

Alice fell silent, staring at nothing. If she could go home, she could see... who would she want to see? What was 'home' anymore? Was 'home' where her older sister, Lorina, was? Was 'home' Wonderland? She'd given up the former for the latter, so that should make 'home' Wonderland, but... she didn't know. She didn't know anymore.

[alicesoneandonly-deactivated202]

And there went a sharp pang in his chest, causing his smile to falter. Not only did she think he was terrible, but she didn’t want to go with him.

However, she did offer him a dance. “If that is what you wish, then I gladly accept.” If he could find someone to go with him.

[cynicwithaheart]

That was a huge relief to her; Peter was someone very important to her, but the last time she had been at an event of this sort with him she'd felt smothered. For that reason she sighed quietly. She had missed his expression falling for that instant.

"Thank you. I promise I'll dance with you once." Just... not more than that.

[alicesoneandonly-deactivated202]

"So? Who cares about them! I have your presence and that’s all that matters!"

[cynicwithaheart]

"You are the world's worst Prime Minister and a terrible person, Peter White." Getting him to not cling to her would be impossible. But maybe... "If I promise you one dance, will you not expect me to actually attend with you?"

[cynicwithaheart]

And now Alice had no more reason to put off accepting or declining invitations, as well as another very valid excuse to attend.

"A ball... how wonderful..."

Balls meant getting dressed up and using extra good manners and fake smiling. All of that was a hassle she'd rather avoid. Then again, free food and good company could be denied not even by her.

[themagehero]

"Well, you’re my friend. I would want you to have a good time and enjoy yourself, and it’s quite obvious you wouldn’t want to go with that other man.

So I am sure you will be given a proper invitation, and it’s perfectly alright for you to give a definite answer.”

[cynicwithaheart]

"Haha! All right then! I'd like to attend with you as friends! I warn you that I'm not the best dancer, so I hope you're willing to put up with me!"

[cynicwithaheart]

[I am 100% sick of that old vehicle. Either the key won't turn in the ignition even when I follow textbook instructions, the headlights won't go on, the car dies, or SOMETHING has to happen every time I use it.

On the plus note, "My Future" and "It's a Wonderful Life" and "My Life" and "That's George Bailey" are all great songs... heck, the whole musical is amazing and our George Bailey's singing voice is honestly one of the best I have ever heard- and I'm a former music student, I've heard some great voices.]

[alicesoneandonly-deactivated202]

"But my love..! Why wouldn’t you wish to go with me?"

[cynicwithaheart]

"Because at the last Ball Vivaldi held in the Country of Hearts, you ditched your own duties as Prime Minister to hang off of me. People were talking."

[themagehero]

"You have no one to go with, Alice? I suppose we could always go together if you wished."

[cynicwithaheart]

"You'd do that for a friend?" There was, in her mind, nothing to equate that with going with her, considering her opinions of her own self. Still, she was touched. "I don't have an actual invitation... Is it still all right for me to give a definite answer in case I don't get one?"

[ambiter-deactivated20210320]

Look thorough, search far { Alice

[ambiter-deactivated20210320]

Any nearby spot in the restaurant, both high and low, had its space intruded on by his tangible and optical facilities alike, and the passing people around him, either walking elsewhere or pretending to employ a casual saunter to get a look at just what he was doing, were well pushed into obscurity. The presence which trailed behind him was the only one whom his clamant needs deigned to keep tagged as existent, in which that awareness led to a turn of the head and a few words, albeit, even when looking away from his path, his pursuit did not lessen by any amount of intensity.

“Ah, so, Alice…once this is over—” In front of him, a pillar hurtled its deterrence his way— and it was promptly sidestepped by an inch or so with a ‘woah’. “—I can help you find a job. I’ve been here a while, so I know what most of the businesses are.” While Allen expected, or simply hoped, this search to be rather simple and anti-climactic when stemming from her recommended process, it felt only fair to keep too long of a silence away from the both of them - or her, namely -, considering the context of her close following — finding the door open to companionship was not something believed to have been a likely possibility, which is not a mindset born of negativity, rather of conditioning.

It’s not as though he needed to get extravagant in his suggestions, anyway, should she choose to later hear them, but it was necessary to exert such manners, especially to someone so neatly tied to politeness.

[cynicwithaheart]

Light steps pattering after Allen were inaudible over the din of the crowd, of people walking and talking and living out their lives as they had since long before Alice had found herself in this city. Keeping up while still giving attention to the ground for the lost button and to her surroundings proved difficult when the crowd flowed and undulated like a living thing; dodging it all would take skill, skill she didn't have. Thus mere luck allowed her to keep in hearing range of the other.

He was speaking! She needed to listen all the harder to hear him over her own elevated breathing and heart rate, let alone the city life around them. "What- was that?" Alice called, in case she had heard incorrectly. "You'd do that?" Assistance in finding a job would be a great help, for even with her time spent in this city she had failed to make many connections necessary for getting a job, or at least that was how Alice viewed it. Experience in a job did not mean experience finding a job in the first place, after all. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

She supposed, as she attempted to maintain a view on both the white hair bouncing ahead of her and the road she jogged along (for jogging was about as fast as she could go with this crowd), that maybe she should have thought sooner to ask for someone's help in finding a job. Nothing could be done about it, but the opportunity had presented itself before her now and wouldn't be brushed off.

[cynicwithaheart]

"Quick, someone invite me to this ball before I have to go with Peter." She didn't have an invitation (yet), but if she does get one and attends, she'd rather go with someone who won't fawn all over her the whole time.

[cynicwithaheart]

"There are rumours of a ball happening, and I was wondering if you would do me the honour of going with me?" Assuming he gets his invite.

"A ball?" This is the first she’s heard of it. "Doesn’t that sort of thing require an actual invitation? This isn’t like the Balls Vivaldi holds in Wonderland, Peter." Hey wait, doesn’t that mean he won’t actually have to work at this one?

[alicesoneandonly-deactivated202]

"I am awaiting one, but I wanted to ask you beforehand." Preferably before anyone else got the jump on him and asked her. Granted they would die on the spot, but he knew Alice hated that so the solution was to ask her first.

"Will you go with me?"

[cynicwithaheart]

How should she answer? Just turning him down felt wrong... "I don't have an invitation, so I can't answer yes or no yet," Alice replied.

[cynicwithaheart]

"There are rumours of a ball happening, and I was wondering if you would do me the honour of going with me?" Assuming he gets his invite.

"A ball?" This is the first she's heard of it. "Doesn't that sort of thing require an actual invitation? This isn't like the Balls Vivaldi holds in Wonderland, Peter." Hey wait, doesn't that mean he won't actually have to work at this one?

[lightmorphogeneticfield]

// Good evening, Hive City. It’s come to the attention of some that this holiday season has started.. rather grim. There hasn’t truly been any sort of merriment or revelry to be had by all. So let’s change that, shall we?

On Saturday December fourteenth, a large ball will be held in this city, courteous of Prince Edward. This is a very formal event, everyone is expected to wear their best. Invitations will be sent out and are required to gain entry. Upon arrival, guests will be given a blue ribbon to tie around their wrists as both a memento and a means to show you may come and go as you please.

This city has seemed to sap the joy out of it’s residents, spend an evening enjoying yourselves and simply being happy. We hope to see you all in attendance.//

—-

[[Alright, people, here’s the deal. This city’s been sad as hell because of the latest event and I think it’s time to have some fun, so here’s what’s gonna happen. Reblog this post once, just once, and your reblog will count for an RSVP of sorts. Once you’ve reblogged this post, MAKE SURE YOUR SUBMIT BOX IS OPEN. You’ll be sent an invitation that way.

Obviously, not everyone’s going to be here on Saturday, so the next week of replies will count towards the ball. Just tag your open with #Citta winter ball or #Citta mini event. It’s not an official event, it’s just something fun to do for the holidays to get rid of the pain and sadness of breaking our muses for a while.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or Kat! I can be found here, here, and here. Kat can be found here. If you need a skype, just ask! We hope to see guys enjoy yourselves!]]

[wingheadcaptain]

Steve could tell that he shouldn’t have mentioned the book; it seemed like something Wade would pull off, and besides, he learnt a lot listening to Tony talking about Reed’s ideas of parallel words to know that he shouldn’t disturb what is always there. “You’re welcome, Miss”, he said, returning the polite smile and letting that aside.

He nodded, understanding what she meant. Not only because he knew what happened to her in the book, but also because he missed home too, even if he wouldn’t admit it to anyone there, not really. “Nobody seems to know anyone here”, he pointed out. “But we can learn more about each other and work together to get back home eventually”. He was being so idealistic with everyone, telling them that they would get back home, mainly to convince himself. 

[cynicwithaheart]

Get back home... The words wiped both the thought of the book and the smile from her face, replacing the latter with a pensive and almost wistful expression. "I don't even know what 'home' is anymore," she remarked, more thinking aloud than anything and repeating her earlier thoughts. "I decided to stay in Wonderland, but now I'm here..."

No, it was no use dwelling on depressing things, not again. With a shake of her head, Alice once more focused her attention on the much taller man, putting a smile back on. "It would be wonderful to leave here, though. I don't think I could ever think of this city as 'home,' and if I could help anyone leave, I would."

[cynicwithaheart]

Shopping to Clean }|{ Open RP

[mastersnowdrift]

Snowdrift nodded after a moment. He was honestly not certain as to how long he’d been here, but…it wasn’t more than a month. “I’m still considered a bit of a ‘nobody’ in terms of status. Which makes sense. I haven’t been here very long.” Snowdrift admitted, the groceries shifting.

He observed the way she held her broom. “You appear to have formulated a good technique for holding those awkward items.” The Pandaren chuckled aloud. “I understand what you mean as far as tracking your time here, though. The hubbub of the city sweeps away any sense of time beyond the hour. And if you don’t have a clock on your wrist, well…” Snowdrift’s voice trailed off and he shrugged. “Things get a tad more difficult.”

It was strange. He’d adapted quite well to not having any of those conveniences. “In Pandaria, we relied on great gongs being struck every two hours or so to tell the time. We don’t have these…’wristwatches’.” Snowdrift smiled. “But we made do. I think a gong would be welcome, considering just how chaotic things are here…” The Shado-Pan Blackguard Master shook his head.

[cynicwithaheart]

"A wristwatch?" She had never seen such things before finding herself in Wonderland, and thus the idea was still a little new to her. "They'd be completely useless in the last world I was in, but maybe I should get a watch here and put it on my wristband!" remarked Alice half jokingly. She held up her wrist to show the blue and white lace band that matched her dress, something that a watch would neither stay on nor look good on.

Some thought was given to a gong as a method of telling time. "I have a feeling a lot of people would protest to a method of telling time such as a gong sounding every hour," she began to say, getting no farther than "I have a feeling-" before stopping and considering once again. "Similar to clock towers tolling the hour, then? I wonder why there aren't such things in this city. Perhaps they aren't needed because everyone has one?"

[offourseasons-blog]

Japan nodded in response, ” Yes, yes I do ” he really enjoyed the other’s company as it was clearly something else compared to what he’s used to. Those who he can consider his friends are very different than her. She wasn’t like any of them and it felt good to talk to someone that isn’t a country. 

”    ! ”

Ah, this is what happens when he stops thinking about his choice of words. He should have been more careful when he said that. ” Yes and no ” he replied, this time thinking more about what he’s going to say next. ” I am the personification of Japan   the country ” He had gotten more careful with saying that he is the personification of a country simply because it caused a lot of confusion and…a rather awkward situation between a different friend that he has made here. ” To put it simply, I am the country in human form ” a hesitant pause, ” Though I’m much older than the average human ” after all a country does not die. 

” It’s not easy making friends with people who have a much shorter life span than you ” 

[cynicwithaheart]

She wasn't going to question his response; if he was comparing her to others, especially others here, maybe for once she should take someone a little more seriously when they thought such a thing about her. It was one thing to be told that by people who ALL thought highly about her, and quite another by someone who had seen as much as he appeared to have.

And if it was true that he was a country... then Japan truly had seen a lot. "I don't know how old 'much older' is," she began, slow and with much thought, "but it has to be a lot..." Wasn't Japan several thousand years old? Or was she thinking about China? Alice liked nonfiction books... she just didn't do well in geography.

Pushing that thought aside, Alice laughed softly. "I've seen a lot of really complicated things since I ended up in Wonderland; a personification of a country is no more confusing to me than four seasons at once!"

... That was a strange thought... when had she even seen four seasons at once? Again, Alice dismissed the thought.