After Layna walked a little bit, back into the forest area, the chattering sounds of the March Hare died down. It did not talk long after that for her to hear the snickers of the Cheshire Cat beside her. She gave the invisible Cat a side eye, "So, where were you the whole time?"
He began to fade back into existence, hovering in a relaxed manner, "Around."
Feeling that he wouldn't specify, Layna asked instead, "Did you enjoy watching me at the Mad Tea Party?"
His grin widened, "Oh, yes. It was quite enjoyable. Not the best performance, but you did impress me a bit here or there."
Layna rolled her eyes, "Glad you had fun." She came to a stop, sighing and glaring at the floor, "God, I almost fell asleep back there. I still feel utterly knackered."
The Cheshire companion flipped upside down, "To be expected."
Layna gave him a look, "Yeah, since I have to deal with that annoying personality of yours."
The Cat gave a gasp, as if offended, "I'm hurt. And, here I was, watching over you. I guess no good deed goes noticed."
Choosing to survey her surroundings and weigh her options, Layna came to some conclusions, "I don't think I'm in a state where I can handle meeting the Queen of Hearts right now." Cheshire Cat's smile twitched at the mention of the Queen, but Layna continued, "I'm too tired. I actually need some sleep or else my reflexes and mental capabilities will be shite—and I don't want my head cut off."
The female teen took a deep breath, begrudgingly stating, "Could you… watch over me while I … nap? I don't feel like going to the Hatter or Hare's homes to rest."
Cheshire Cat's face seemed frozen, baffled even, before he gave a laugh, "Not expected."
Layna gave him a glare as she felt her face become hot in embarrassment, "Oh, shut up. It's just that I'd rather not be completely vulnerable while I sleep in a place I've never been before, even if I don't trust you. You're the best option right now."
Still snickering, Cheshire Cat gave a thank you, teasing the frustrated outsider.
Layna just moved forward, trying to find a decent spot to just rest a little bit. She settled down on lusher grass that had some fallen leaves about along with a few large rocks she could lean on.
She gives Cheshire Cat one more glare, "You better behave yourself. No shenanigans."
He gave a snicker, but nodded, nonetheless, "I will await for you to wake." The Cat touched the ground for a second before jumping into the trees with an elegance that made Layna scoff.
Layna watched him for a few more seconds as he settled himself in one of the branches, taking a look-out position. She worried he'd end up taking a catnap, too.
"Don't worry, Alice. I'll keep watch."
Layna couldn't really see is expression but chose to take him at his word, not like she had much of a choice. She made sharp comment as she closed her eyes for sleep, "I'm NOT Alice." Not a moment later after she closed her eyes, the exhaustion took over her body, and her world went black. However, she's pretty sure she heard her companion comment back, a small laughter in his voice. Hah, here she thought he had dropped the whole 'Alice' thing. Guess she shouldn't have kept her hopes up.
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It always hurt whenever she got hit or thrown around, but what hurt more were the words thrown at her. The guilt would always weigh her down, chipping away at her very being and sense of self. She didn't mean to. Really. If she could've been better, she would've. She always tried to stay out of their ways, especially after what happened. Bad things always happened when she was around. But, she always felt bad when she felt the need to run away, too—what a coward. What a spineless child. She knew it was wrong, that they shouldn't act like this, but she sometimes can't help but think it's warranted. She doubted she'd survive if she did run away, anyways. How weak.
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The sounds of crackling caused Layna to groggily open her eyes. Her heart was beating fast, knowing she just had an unpleasant nightmare.
"Oh, are you awake?"
Layna heard a familiar male voice and shifted her eyes towards the source. Cheshire Cat was on the ground by her, a camp fire blazing and providing warmth against this dark and cold. Still, her sight was blurry, and her mind wasn't fully catching up. She opted to stay quiet, not wanting to trouble herself so much when she still felt so exhausted.
"I started a fire. After all, the dark isn't a very pleasant thing."
It was strange how soothing Cheshire's voice was to Layna at the moment—it made her heart calm down. Granted, it could've been the fire, too, since it felt like a familiar hug of comfort.
Layna shifted a little before closing her eyes again. A little bit more sleep was needed, perhaps straight back into her nightmare. Hah, 'nightmare.' She wasn't really afraid of some 'nightmare' when she had faced worse, been through it enough times, in reality. At least in a 'nightmare,' she doesn't get any more bruises.
"Sleeping again? Alright. Sleep well, I'll continue to watch over you… Not Alice."
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"YOU CONIVING, NASTY, OBNOXIOUS, SHIFTY, THOUGHTLESS //CAT//!!! I should've known it was //you//!"
Layna jolted awake at the sound of shrill yelling. Trying to quickly get her bearings, she stood up and tried to figure out what was happening.
Alert, she noticed a new person stomping his way over to her location. He looked like a middle schooler, still having baby fat on his scowling face, and the slightest bit chubby. Seems like he hadn't had his growth spurt just yet. However, the most noticeable thing was the black birthmarks on his medium beige face, a larger one upon his forehead and a smaller one on his left cheek. That and the mouse ears upon his black hair and tail the followed behind him upon his black pants. This darker color scheme definitely contrasted his brighter upper attire of a light blue dress shirt and white, buttoned sweater vest.
Cheshire Cat, on the other hand, didn't seem too bothered or surprised by this development. He smiled like he usually did, but there was a bit of hostility in it even if it didn't match the new comer's level. If anything, Cheshire's smile had a smug ting to it.
"You really should learn to control your temper, Mouse. It could get you in trouble." There was a warning in his voice that both Layna and the Mouse noticed.
The Mouse quickly moved to stand behind Layna, his confidence seemingly dissipating despite his still open hostility. Still, he spoke up against the Cat, "You know very well that //I// was supposed to see Alice //first//!"
Wait, what?
Layna looked over her shoulder to see the Mouse. Did that mean she was supposed to start at the beginning of the book? But, she already skipped a few parts. Wasn't the White Rabbit the first character the Alice in the story met? But, he's busy, at the Hearts' Castle. Would it really hurt to go straight to the Queen of Hearts?
"This is why no one likes you. You always mess with things that shouldn't be messed with, you mangy Cat."
Layna took a peak at Cheshire Cat again, seeing his smile getting sharper. However, she wasn't able to comment before she felt herself aggressively tugged backwards by the arm. Layna hissed in pain, trying to get out of the grip the Mouse had her in, but he didn't let up, dragging her away from Cheshire Cat.
"Arre, come on, we have places to go. Really, you've never had any smarts or tact, Alice."
Layna opened her mouth, but Cheshire Cat spoke first, "Not Alice!" Layna actually looked backwards surprised, only to see the Cat was no longer there.
The Mouse gave an eyeroll, "Blech, what utter bakwaas is he spouting now? Really, Alice, you should've met with me first. You can't trust that vulgar Cat."