“Then do you know who you are?” Alice asked.

The Blue Caterpillar took another bite from the cupcake, mentioning:

“I don’t particularly like cupcakes. But the illusion I have taken form of desires it. We are all protagonists of our own tale, but we often seek to change the world but never consider ourselves.”

“… because we didn’t do anything wrong.” Alice answered. “Why do we have to pretend to change?”

“Because time stops for no one. But in this world of merged past, present and future, the world shall stop for your guilty leisure. In here, it is a capsule of combined memories and fragrant imagination.” The Blue Caterpillar stirred curiosity in them both as they wondered whose memory did it belonged to.

It was likely theirs since they remembered the face, but its mannerism was unlike that of Agate. Suddenly, it pointed in a random direction with all its many hands.

“Realizing oneself is futile. We have many colors to paint what we wish over us before the rain washes it away. You should meet with the Cat. It seeks you, and so, you must seek them.”

“A Cat?” Alice looked up at Revy who shrugged in response.

“A cat with the broad grin. It is one of the denizens of this place.”

 

“One of the first may I add.”

 

“The one speaking to me…?” Alice was shocked.

 

“Correct.”

 

“Will you help us find the way out?”

 

“I can help you. Because it is what I owe to you.”

 

“You owe me?”

 

“I see. You don’t remember me.”

 

Suddenly, just as Alice was about to speak, the Blue Caterpillar pointed at the entrance. The world shifted immediately, returning them to the wheatfields. The yellow crops were greener here, and a vast, grassy plain could be seen in the distance.

A barrier seemed to separate their two worlds apart. The other side seemed so much brighter. The skies were dark, and countless stars shone in that place’s night sky. But it glowed a dangerous red, like a great flame was burning everything there.

“So this is what your side of the story looks like.” A voice spoke from in front of them. Their eyes shifted downwards where they saw a purple-furred cat-woman, whose paws and feet were that of giant cat mittens.

Unlike Demi-humans who only had ears and tails, she had fur in various places around her body, including her chest and pelvis which acted as clothing. The cat woman’s grin was broad as the Blue Caterpillar described, if not wider. The mischievous smile was familiar to Alice as she watched the cat woman carefully approached them.

“One side deals with teddy bears, and another deals with a weird wonderland with a queen of hatred. It’s always shifting one way or another.” She spoke with a giddy, exuberant tone that Alice instantly adored, whereas Revy found slightly annoying. “I’ve never seen one side leak to another. It’s dangerous over there, so let’s focus on your story! Cheshire Cat here! Happy to make your acquaintance~!”

“Dangerous? There?” Revy wanted answers, not more questions. “… you look dangerous. Alice. Stay close.”

“How do I put it? I know! Hehehehe~! Let’s just say that someone’s going through the ‘trial’. You’ll have to do it too, Alice. I’m surprised you passed, my fellow kitty!” She took Revy’s hands into hers, shaking them wildly before Revy claimed them back.

“Answers!”

“I’m just saying what I’m supposed to. It’s not like I understand it myself.” The Cheshire Cat wracked her head in mock pain before suddenly picking her ear with a pinky. “No point in finding reason in madness. To question it makes you both mad in comparison. This is the kind of world where you go along with its whims, or it’ll seriously hurt you.”

“So. Let’s start from the top! I’m the Cheshire Cat! You’re the… half-cat? And this one’s the girl that ate the apple!”

“NO!” Alice shouted, as Revy simultaneously growled:

“Alice, I’m going to fight this one!”

“Alright, alright! Geez. Cat got your tongue – Ok! I’m kidding! It’s… Alice and Revy. I can help you both escape!”

“HOW!?” They both cried.

“It’s easy! Completing Alice’s trial since this portion of the Escape is governed by Her’s truly. The White Rabbit is a weird person. I’m just thankful that I’m not dead yet!” The Cheshire Cat giggled, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

“… I don’t get it?” Alice blankly blinked.

“You’ll get it eventually! I’m here to help! Think of me as a guide! Or the anti-White Rabbit bodyguard! Inevitable self-destruction? Grasping onto the strands of futile hope while simmering in despair? Not while I’m around!” She beamed.

Revy’s eyes narrowed as she pulled Alice aside.

“One second, Alice. I don’t trust this thing.”

“Neither. But she smells familiar.”

They both looked back at the Cheshire Cat who swatted at a low-hanging strand of wheat. Her mouth went from a grin to a cute ‘w’ shape if that made any sense. Upon hearing Alice’s words, her ears perked up as she looked over at them with adorable eyes.

“Awww~!” The Cheshire Cat purred.

“It’s a terrible smell.” Alice coldly remarked.

“Ahh…” Her ears then collapsed.

 

 

“Hardly a bodyguard.” Revy was suspicious of the creature. “What are you really after!?”

“Like I said, I owe it to Alice.” The Cheshire Cat assured.

“Owe what?” Revy desperately needed answers. Unfortunately for her:

“… I can’t say. Because I want Alice to figure that out on her own. I’m sorry. But it is what it is. I’m your best shot at navigating through this place. It shifts on its own, but I know all the shortcuts and how to get around. So –!”

She spat in one of her hands, holding it out for a handshake.

“– Partners!?”

“… Lead the way. If you get any funny ideas, then it’s off with your head.”

“Ahahaha. Like I haven’t been threatened with that before.” The Cheshire Cat giggled.

An unlikely friendship was born. It was impossible to tell if they were Corrupted or not. Revy knew enough about the Corrupted that they weren’t exactly capable of holding a conversation like her or the Blue Caterpillar. Still, that didn’t excuse them from being dangerous.

It was a shame that they didn’t have any other choice.

The Cheshire Cat threw a fist into the air before pointing in an arbitrary direction. Then, with a voice as bright as the colors in the other world behind her, she announced:

“Towards the last tea party!”