dearaliceliddel

[dearaliceliddel]

Caution was something that always weighed so heavily upon the woman of madness, whom had reclaimed quite a bit of her sanity. But never enough to soften her edges. And yet, that blind hope and ever burning curiosity could still on occasion, over power the way she was so careful. This was one of those rare moments, no weight on those shoulders whatsoever, to leave her at ease. Her hand ever so gently squeezing the Samurai's own as if to try and reassure, bring him some level of calm. For Alice knew just how worried, how tense, Jack had been ever since the mirror's fracturing.

Was it rather silly to have gone the round about way to find a repair option that meant she didn't have to leave for a little while? Yes. But this also kept them side by side, and capable of depending on one another. Without the worry of leaving one or the other.

Alice observed the building once drawing closer, seeing each various tool and item for a different sort of craft. Her curiosity wishing to know how some of these more unknown tools worked. Mayhaps one or two of them would be used for their needs? Potentially. It certainly would require more than just hammers and clamps. One of those looked something akin to a multitool machine that they had seen in one of the massive cities of this world. No doubt meant for more mechanical work-

The knocking began, and her head turned back towards Jack, meeting his gave a moment, then towards the door and the slat.

Slender hand tightened on the Samurai's swiftly, as her gaze became cool as a cucumber. Something... Was off. Alice could see fractures around people, entities, things, and this individual has way too many around those eyes. This was not someone normal, or mortal. And Alice hated that. Something felt off here and it put her on edge. And yet, she couldn't be sure without solid evidence or proof. This place looked the part, and the unknown figure sounded as much like a smith. But their intentions... Unknown.

So then, may as well bite the proverbial bullet and see where this path takes them. They had come this far already... "Two individuals whom seek the talents of a talented smith for repairs." Her voice was strong and sure of herself. Confidence in spades. Something had her on edge, but not yet on the defense. Hoping beyond hope it was a red herring.

Could this really be so simple? Few things ever proved to be easy as this, in the Samurai's experience. Still, he wouldn't dread an obstacle which hadn't even come to be. There would surely be some trial, some price asked, but they would cross that bridge when they came to it. Nothing had proven too difficult to overcome so far.

Hand in hand, the pair continued along the road toward the structure. A vague, distant shape at first, but more detail came into focus as they neared it. A house, perhaps more accurately a shack, stood by the road with cobbled wooden walls and a thatched roof. Built into one side was some kind of work area, a structure that reminded Jack of the blacksmith workshops of old. There was an ancient anvil and a stone forge that seemed almost bigger than even the old shack nearby. As they approached, Jack could see workbenches cluttered with tools and devices that seemed to range from eras bygone to advanced alien technologies, to the mystic and the arcane.

There could be no question, this was the home of a craftsman. Hopefully, as much a master of his art as rumor had suggested. Approaching the door of the shack, Jack raised a hand and gave a gentle knock.

"What?" an old voice croaked from inside.

Jack glanced aside to Alice before answering, "is this the home of the Smith...?"

A shuffling came from behind the door. A single slat was drawn away, allowing a pair of big, round eyes with red pupils to peer out. "Who wants to know?" the figure demanded, his voice thick and cracked as one who had spent a lifetime inhaling smoke.

#reanimatedmuses #Verse ;Madmess Is A Place; #;Samurai Of The East; #Kindred Eyes (Jalice) #(( rubbing hands together like the fiends we are. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

The drawn out moment, the conversation, had Alice on a cautionary train of thought. Just why had this woman chosen her in particular out of a Gotham City street? There was no shortage of odd ones in this city, let alone eccentric's or fashion's. She knew her particular shade of blue dress was rather specific, and could stand out among dreary surroundings. But this was broad daylight! Either this was someone who had ill will towards herself, perhaps hired by someone, or even knew some fraction of old facts... Or, this blonde was just someone who had genuine concern or worry.

Which was even more strange if the latter was the case.

Wait, what?

... She was just concerned? Well one best say that pig snouts fly-

Emerald eyes blinked once, twice, before drawing closer to the passenger side door. One slender hand resting at the open window as she leaned closer to have a look at just what had been presented on the others phone. A photo of a man with a larger nose, blonde hair, an impossible to miss top hat that held the signature card upon it's side. Ah yes. The man that called himself 'Mad Hatter', otherwise known as Jervis Tetch. She had heard much about him, and witnessed once or twice him in Arkham it's self. Not that this woman needed to know that much. News stations and news papers were after all quite prolific with reporting these sorts of things. A good thing too, because Alice's expression became a mild scowl.

"I have not met the man, no. Not personally, thank goodness for that, as I hear he is rather unhinged." Better to use that word than the typical 'Mad' as it were. Especially when trying to pass it off. "Reports say he's not currently a problem, however, that can be taken with a grain of salt in this city, I suppose. But I understand your concern." Those green eyes lifted away when the phone was put back into the others purse, slowly nodding her head in understanding. This... This was an incredibly strange turn of events for the day.

The serious expression became one of confusion. "I... Well, no, I have my own dresses. This happens to be my favorite." And her most comfortable. Although the ride... She glanced upwards at the sky, seeing the clouds. It was no doubt going to rain eventually. "... I might accept- but t'would be rude of me to intrude? Surely?"

No one was ever just this kind or offering.

Alice didn't know whether to be relieved or even more concerned by that answer. The other woman seemed lucid but she knew well enough how convincing mind control could look to someone not under its influence. Then again, it wasn't exactly Tetch's style to just let his costumed help loose on the streets where anyone could see them in the wild. So there was a shadow of doubt that this was something nefarious.

Still... It wasn't as if that made it a good idea to walk around Gotham in what looked like a costume. Themed or otherwise. If Jervis didn't know about her, he might learn of her and that was attention no woman wanted. If not the Hatter, someone with a bone to pick with the costumed criminals might see her and lash out. Now, Alice didn't know for certain that this stranger wasn't some criminal... But she had hope that maybe she really was just lost and confused and didn't realize the situation she put herself in.

"A ghost- Oh. Ha- No. Not quite," Alice chuckled anxiously, fingers drumming on her steering wheel. "But not that far off, actually."

She glanced up and down the street at the pedestrians walking toward and away from the women talking. There were some odd looks thrown but for the most part there was that trademark Gotham apathy. So far so good. Alice reached into her purse and pulled up a quick photo of a familiar blonde man with a large nose and a top hat. She turned the screen outward and leaned across the car to show the other.

"You haven't met this man yet, have you? This is going to sound so rude but, if this man sees you out on the streets, dressed as you are, it could end very badly for you. Gotham isn't safe for people who stand out," Alice lowered the phone once she was sure the other had gotten a good long look, " Do you need a change of clothes? Do you need a ride so you're not out on the streets alone?"

#yieldingdreams #;An Alice For An Alice; #;Wondrous DC; #(( I am so sorry this is so laaaate. )) #(( have a confused and tempted Alice for your Alice. And so the besties begin. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

Alice and Alice. Besties and sisters

#yieldingdreams #(( THEY ARE BESTIES AND FOUND FAMILY SISTERS )) #(( I simply love them your honor. )) #(( polar opposites in almost every way. )) #(( and yet they are entirely understanding and get it. )) #(( they are a package deal friendos. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

Where once the silence of the world could settle heavy, bring her mind into an ever active tizzy of sound, thought, presence of others not entirely of herself... Now, it was blissfully muffled. Quite a bit of comfortable existence within ones self, healing for Alice, as well as the trust of the Samurai at her side. Once quite the solo warrior, a wonderland tangled mess, with someone so very dear and close? Twas unheard of, before any of this had come about.

How funny some things coule be. They say that similar souls draw those like themselves, or similar minds even. But no doubt none would have guessed the madness of it all through reality bending it's self could still be so very true.

Barely there brushing of touch, prompting a twitch of a pinky briefly. And then there it was, the larger hand slipping within her own. Fingers wove between one another in a perfectly imperfect way that somehow just fit. A single squeeze from her hand given in silent appreciation. To think how fearful she had been of physical touch, now would never hesitate for the simplest of them, with her thumb carefully brushing across Jack's own. Taking in the comfort of the rough skin known through battle that could devistate an enemy, yet capable of such a gentle care, a warmth of the ever beating pulse that nothing seemed to be capable of stopping.

This is nice...

Ah, toughts brought back into the foreground once more, with the shape being spoken about upon the backdrop ahead. Though bright the sunset may be, it certainly didn't take away from the obvious location ahead. How wonderful. "Finally. That certainly must be it, I see no other option. For once, t'would seem we've managed our way without much trouble." Other than the occasional machine of course.

Alice allowed her shoulder to nudge against the Samurai's own briefly, before walking with a new found determination forwards, hand in hand. Together, they could handle anything, be it the most minor of inconvenience, or the most terrible of foes. A simple little repair for a tool was easy.

Ever logical, was Alice Liddell. He didn't say it, but Jack knew he would pay whatever fee asked to repair this mirror and get things back to...

Well, 'normal' had never been in the stars for either of them. Not since childhood... Perhaps one day they might find it. But that was a quest for another day. For now, they would have to settle for as normal as their lives got.

Silence settled between the pair. A not uncomfortable silence. Jack was ever the silent type, but words weren't always needed between the pair. They could come days spend hours at a time without a sound passed between them, but it still felt as if they conversed the entire time. Through glances, through touches, even in nothing more than their mutual presence. Such a calm, peaceful quiet was almost enough to finally quell the Samurai's agitated nerves.

The hand which hung idly at Jack's side felt her own nearby, rough and battle-bruised knuckles brushing ever so slightly. Without thought, an instinctive muscle memory, his hand turned to take hers. Fingers entwining effortlessly. It was a further comfort, sure evidence that they were together, side by side as always. And together, they could do anything.

The fork in the road came and went, the pair carrying on on the left path, toward a dull red sunset.

At last, Jack spotted something. A shape up ahead. His eyes squinted against the dying light, and as he made out the shape of some man-made structure he held his free hand aloft to point it out. "There. That must be it."

#reanimatedmuses #Verse ;Madmess Is A Place; #;Samurai Of The East; #Kindred Eyes (Jalice) #(( ominous jojo words in the background. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

Alice walked with a confidence in her every step, unphased by anyone who might stare at her in confusion, or try to even speak with her. The woman was on a mission. While each thought went down the mental check list of the steps to handle while there yet remained daylight, her focus was not at all lacking. Green eyes sharp as a blades edge, and taking note of every little movement. One must be ever present when in Gotham. 'To be aware of where the axe might come from, to keep your head attached!' An irritating inner thought of that lovely inner voice, yet it held water all the same.

Better to not be caught unawares.

Especially if traffic was going to be that troubling today... The sound of honking and screeching tires behind herself somewhere down the road spoke of that much. Perhaps Crosswalks would be perilous today, best take the trains- No. Nope. No trains. No subways. The idea while useful, and certainly a great deal faster, still made Alice's skin grow clammy and her blood to rush with fight or flight. It could be sucked up for a dire circumstance, but that was most certainly not right now. The very thought of even daring to take one of those railways of any kind was... It brought back unpleasant memories. Even if bitterly cathartic.

Before another internal debate could spark, the sound of a car pulling up near by made her glance for a moment- then to focus entirely on the blonde woman now calling out to her through the opening window. That certainly wasn't odd, not at all, let alone in this city of all places... It was enough to spark the never ending curiosity to bring Alice to a slow stop when this car ended up parked safer. Leaving the woman in blue to perk one brow as an expression of confusion graced her features. She... Was speaking with her? No one else had that attention...

One brief glance about, then making eye contact once more. "I am okay...? Fairly certain, last I checked." She spoke with a calmness about her that spoke she was entirely in control of her faculties. That english accent was entirely natural. "I've no need to help right now. Might I counter and ask are you quite okay, ma'am? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

It was another beautiful day in Gotham for running errands. The sun was shining, -but you couldn't see it- the birds were singing- somewhere else- and there was a cool breeze in the air... Blowing smog and chemicals in your windows. Alice had a small list of things she planned to accomplish on her day off. Stores to visit, people to see, prescriptions to fill. All the things she couldn't do during the week. All in all, a very uneventful day planned.

That was, until a sight on the opposite side of the road yanked her back harshly into her memories. The woman on the side of the road held Alice's attention even after she continued down the road. It was like seeing a ghost. A blue dress and a white pinafore standing out against the gloom of the city. Alice could barely see the woman past her clothes- The forest through the trees, if you will. The sight had made her blood run cold and a chill ran up her spine at a sight she had hoped to never again see. On herself or any other woman in this city. So many feelings surged through her. Fear, disgust, shock, but more than that some kind of combination of empathy and compassion.

Alice's foot slammed down on her break and she whipped off the road, sending cars behind her swerving and blaring on their horns. She barely heard them. The blood in her ears was thrumming as she pulled a u-turn and backtracked, hoping that by the time she made it back, the other woman, this mystery "Alice", would still be there. True, there was a chance it was already too late. Tetch might have already gotten his claws into her.. But on the off chance he hadn't. On the off chance this woman truly didn't know the danger she was in... Someone had to do something. Alice couldn't watch another woman walk into that kind of trouble. The girl code simply wouldn't allow it.

"Excuse me!" Alice called, rolling down the passenger side window as she pulled up alongside the woman at last. Her car slowed to a roll beside her, pulling into an empty parallel parking spot. "Ma'am? Hi. Sorry to bother you... Are you okay? Do you need help?"

#yieldingdreams #;An Alice For An Alice; #;Wondrous DC;

[dearaliceliddel]

"Boops you say...? Not unlike a cat? Hm... Cheshire should have fun..."

"However-"

"I shall merely sit aside and enjoy watching this silly little madness unfold."

#(( a little post about the booping of april fools day. )) #(( just be so god damn amused. )) #(( Alice will be drinking tea while my main gets harassed. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

Fates were a funny thing. Having drawn two impossible souls across time and space, as children, into a place of magic and impossibilities, into Wonderland. Folding Paper Cranes and Paper Stars. Languages they could not understand, but could understand movements, looks, and laughter. Friends of impossibility made possible through a different place and time- until never seen again. Each living their own lives, their own trial. And the Trauma that came with either life to live. Similar in so many ways.

Only to be brought into one place again through a simple crossing of paths, once more in Wonderland. Now having Alice here in this other world and future time. Old friends forged into new ally's.

Alice never commented on how concerned or worried the Samurai had been, knowing full well what was on his mind since the intial damage. She herself had the same thoughts quite often. It wasn't a question of if it would reach a head, only a matter of when. And the how, she supposed. Hopefully it would be the so called individual in question.

A quiet hum slipped free while that little device was powered off, instead put away into one of those shoulder bags she had taken to wearing while here. At least this one hadn't been destroyed yet in battle. "Agreed." Never was wise to be out late on the roads when someone was out to get you. Nothing was ever truly safe in this word. And the lack of proper cover other than the thin tree lines and mangled stones of the road? Not a lot of options.

"Who knows? I doubt they would be human, so the request could be anything... Considering the region, I'm going to guess a hunt for supplies or tools? Reimburse the... Smith, whom ever they are, for whatever they use?" It sounded logical enough. They couldn't exactly pay proper coin, short on it as they were, and didn't have anything of the usual value. But doing an odd job here and there wasn't unheard of. "I'd like nothing more than a proper rest after all this. And my weaponry back." Alice had been locked with just her knife for quite some time now, since the damage of the mirror. Not for lack of capability, absolutely not. But rather for cautions sake. Prefering not to pull from Wonderland while anywhere near it.

How quickly things could change. And yet, how slow and gradual change could also be. So many moments in the samurai's life had been sudden and drastic alterations in the course of his life. Aku's attack on his home had come so suddenly. In an instant he had been flung through time into this evil-ruled land.

But he had spent years upon years training and learning between those moments. And had spent who knew how long since his arrival in his search for a way home.

And then there was Alice. In another strange and sudden twist of fate, he had encountered a woman as battle-worn and as lost in many ways as himself. But their bond had grown so gradually, time testing and proving the strength of their comradery, their devotion. And now, after so long spent wandering alone, Jack had come to find a true companion in Alice.

All the more troubling, then, when they found her anchor had been damaged. The one thing which could pull them apart, after so many trials and battles had failed to. The samurai tried not to let his concern show as they searched for a solution.

Not much further now! Jack glanced at the holo map in Alice's hand, glad to know it had guided them in the right direction so far. This 'smith' had been easy to find, at least compared to the search for time travel. Still, Jack found it hard to feel completely at ease just yet...

"We should make it there before nightfall," the samurai mused. "We've made good time. What do you suppose this..." Man? Woman? That hadn't been made evident in the rumors. "This person will ask in exchange for their services?"

#reanimatedmuses #Verse ;Madmess Is A Place; #;Samurai Of The East; #Kindred Eyes (Jalice) #(( Oh yes we are the dangerous ones. )) #(( No one should trust us ever with these two. )) #(( I am loading the proverbial guns. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

@gothamsaved

Libraries. Ever a location of endless curiosity, calm, and freedom for Alice. Usually that is. However on this day, the 'North Owl Library' was not somewhere the woman had gone to for leisure. It was with a great determination of research, discovery, and truth, that had Alice in the back aisles of the many book cases. Narrower area's and far more quiet. Not many people would care about boring or mundane pages nor the information on them. Dry history, old legal reports, various information on buildings or families, that was allowed to be public knowledge... But it was a matter of finding it.

That was exactly what had the woman in blue here today.

Having combed over several books and pages already...

She was becoming mildly frustrated.

So many missing pages, taken out, removed- hacked! And yet others just simply missing whole slot locations. But it was all coming together piece by piece just the same. Alice's notes and photographs of what she had found thus far proving it was not a fruitless endeavor at the very least. Drawing her further towards the quiet back where even less librarians would go.

Until finally she comes across something far more interesting- a book, with the name 'Liddell' on the side of the spine. It was a book of whatever the family owned, their history in the city, family tree... One little book hidden away.

And out of her reach.

Alice looked up at the top shelf of the L section, narrow as it was. With a displeased scowl. Of all the things to slow her down, it was a lack of height... How very simple, and so much like her luck. Green eyes darting around to check for perhaps a stool, step ladder, something... Instead, to see a tall man, in a suit. Seeming to be looking into some things just as she.

Desperate times...

"Pardon me, sir." She calls out, her voice quiet, and english accent clear as a bell. "Could I trouble you for help? I seem to be a tad short, and can't reach this book here." Her arm lifts, slender hand motioning towards the notorious L book higher above, and tucked away as if someone meant to hide it from sight.

#gothamsaved #;Wondrous DC; #;Young Bats Tired Bruce; #(( As promised here you are. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

@yieldingdreams for Alice and Alice

This gloomy city, ever chilly and dreary, was never a mercy upon those weary.

Alice took a deep inhale and pinched her brow. Collecting her thoughts once more into coherency. Blasted all, she was cold and ached, it certainly wasn't great for her mind to focus and not just try and lock onto anything else as a means to avoid feeling the aches and pains. That's what she got, she supposed, for trying to stay moving in the night to find a better place to stay other than the run down church ruins. She at least had managed to find a place with hot water, to get a shower. So she felt nice and clean for the day ahead.

Didn't make things perfect.

She accepted today would simple be mid, at best, so may as well get something done. First order of business was try and get her hands on some old records, and pull some funds from her bank account. Never too much to track, just enough. And so, she began her walk through Gotham with the sun high, albeit through some clouds, to get through things. Blue dress swaying gently with the occasional breeze of the traffic pulling at the air around her or others near by, apron weighed down by a few items in her pockets.

Not the most optimal of ways to go about this, but would have to do for the time being.

#yieldingdreams #;Wondrous DC; #;An Alice For An Alice; #(( lets gooooo! )) #(( finally some Dc shenans. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

@townofcadence from: Here

Quite the interesting sort, wasn't he? Alice had to admit, she did find the most odd of sorts, no matter the where or when. This was no different. And certainly she couldn't ignore the gentle little fractures of splintered reality around this other individual, but wouldn't speak it out loud. Just observe with curiosity. Even more curious was how he seemed so... Calm, with a woman looking like her with a knife.

Odd one, this. But eager, clearly.

His jacket was rather lovely with it's detailing and the back of it.

A smile came upon the woman's face at the counter compliment of style, prompting her to gently take hold of one side of her dress, and curtsy low, other hand lightly lifted in the air with the large knife. "Why thank you, that is quite kind. I am not a... Cosplay, as you say, this is merely my normal element of dress. Albeit sometimes there are shifts. I much prefer blue."

The Vorpal Blade was slid away as she knelt down, allowing the object to slip cleanly into the hidden sheath inside her boot. Once more safe an unassuming. Alice standing straight once more to meet the gaze with this other individual. "Yes, it has some weight to it. But do not be fooled, it is faster and lighter than one might assume at the end of it. The blade's edge is lighter than the handle."

#Verse ;Madmess Is A Place; #townofcadence #;Muttering Madness; IC #(( jace is baby. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

@reanimatedmuses for Samurai Jack

It had been quite some time, simply traveling together. Samurai Jack and Alice Liddell had become quite the pair, rarely leaving the other's side for any extended period of time, mostly in tune with the ability or talent of each other, working as quite the team. Friends gained along the way, foes felled. But them two? Not defeated, at least, not entirely. Sure, injuries come and go, rest required, tight moments that seem hopeless, but nothing ever to bring a true end. Stubborn that way.

Twas during one of those moments of desperation and near failure for the both, that had caused damage upon some of their gear. Some had to be sent away. But one item in particular couldn't simply be removed, or replaced. Doing so meant that Alice would have to go with it as well in order to ensure it was properly fixed at it's core.

The Mirror.

That hand held little mirror made of silver and shining glass. What once could turn Alice invisible, she had given up as a means to be an anchor. A way to always teleport back to Jack's side no matter where in Wonderland she may be, or where in the fractures of reality. It had unfortunately took some damage and cracked the surface. The moment it happened, Alice had felt as if a splint drove into her head. Enough for concern. Investigation revealing it was slowly leaking magic, but holding strong. Unfortunately it did leave Alice at a disadvantage of power. A simple tight wrapping and tucked away kept it safe for a time. Jack and Alice finding ways to slowly seal or patch the item without having to leave or take who knows how long away.

This was what had the two walking down an old an abandoned cobble stone road towards their next town. Alice holding up one of those odd items, called a 'holo map' of some sort. She had figured out how to use it and copy all their drawn maps onto it for ease. Out of the two, she had taken quite easily to this odd technology of this time and this place. Once having a chance to learn of course.

"Ah ha. Another couple miles, and we will reach the fork in the road we've been looking for! A left there, and we should be able to find the smith we've heard of." Someone of magical talents to restore magic of items and broken relics, to their former selves. Was their best bet.

#Verse ;Madmess Is A Place; #;Samurai Of The East; #Kindred Eyes (Jalice) #(( WE'RE BACK. )) #(( No one is ready. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

i finaallly got to play one of my dream games WEEEEEEHEEEEEEEEE

#Alice Liddell #Alice Madness Returns #;Wonderland's Wardrobe; #American McGee's Alice

[dearaliceliddel]

Is it mad to pray for better hallucinations

Alice: Madness Returns

#Alice Liddell #Alice Madness Returns #The Vorpal Blade

[dearaliceliddel]

tea time! 🫖

#Alice Madness Returns #Wonderland Aesthetic

[dearaliceliddel]

"T'would seem extended periods of time away, or asleep, have become something of a habit."

"Certainly hope this isn't a vice..."

#;Muttering Madness; IC #(( Guess who is alive. )) #(( ive missed so much. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

"Do not push my Samurai to say something he does not wish to... Honestly, the audacity..."

#dashboard commentary #(( poked over here for a moment because she wanted to comment. )) #(( Alice misses her friends. ))

[dearaliceliddel]

A practice at a more traditional anime art style.

See the full image here.

#Alice Liddell #Alice Madness Returns #American McGee's Alice