closedish } alice got lost and I guess that we really can't blame her

[choosetruth]

Who: TEAM MIRROR EXPEDITION: aka Georgia, Shaun, Jay, Tim, Alphys, Minato, Kayo, Satoru, the Cheshire Cat.... maybe some special guest stars?? we just don't know.
Where: MIRROR SIDE and THE CORE
When: 9/20
Rating: PG-13 maybe?? Probably some swearing, probably some horrors, we'll see.
Summary: Jay's got a map to the core. Kayo and Satoru have a compass that leads to the rabbit hole. Time to see what answers can be found.
The Story:

[Starters will go in the comments!]

Comments

[alltheways]

[The Red Queen chuckles.]

Perhaps I can do something for you, as you have done something for me. It is always best to repay one's debts, especially if that debt was solicited.

[She glances around, then reaches toward the nearest mirror, touching its surface. The glass, transparent from this side, ripples from the point of contact.]

Please use this route of egress.

[sciencelizard]

[Alphys hastily shoves her equipment back in her backpack, looking towards Tim with worry, but it seems like the new Queen's given them a way out. Less distance to carry him, which is good. But that still doesn't answer anything.]

T-Thank you, we-- we appreciate it. But please, tell us if... if it was just you. I don't want to have released anything that could hurt people.

[Perhaps too general of a statement, seeing as she should probably know better than to trust any resident by now. But this Queen got her Alice's eyes back, and she was able to help her. She doesn't want to be responsible for releasing some horrifying beast that could eat them all.]

[choosetruth]

[She's not going to tell them anything useful, will she? Georgia isn't surprised, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating.] I'll have to include something in my article. A concrete answer is always better than "Red Queen declined to comment on whether or not we're all going to be snack food."

[alltheways]

Now is not the time for uffish thought over uncertain questions. Though I will tell you that I am all that has emerged.

[The "for now" is implied in the gravity of her tone.]

[choosetruth]

[Uffish?? Never mind, she can look it up later. This is why she records everything.]

Thank you.

[The for now is heard and noted, but Georgia nods, satisfied. Also for now. She nods at the others, looks over to Shaun, then touches the Mirror surface carefully before taking a deep breath and stepping through.]

[postictal]

[The question of whether they can truly trust that she'll be capable in getting the kids back to safety is still hot on his tongue, but he lacks the means to articulate it other than the brief, desperate look he shoots in the Red Queen's direction.]

Just...make sure the kids make it back okay.

Please.

[They never should have been stuck over here in the first place.]

[But on the other hand, he has Jay to contend with, and if he doesn't get them both back now, it's likely they'll end up tripping over something even more dangerous in the interim. So with a meaningful glance at him, Tim consents to reach out to touch the glass. It's like stepping through a sheet of cool water, only it doesn't feel the least bit damp.]

[If Jay will follow, he'll step through.]

[burntvideocassette]

[After a moment's hesitation, Jay reaches for the glass, the tips of his fingers barely breaking the surface.]

[It's a bizarre feeling, but Jay forces himself to push his hand through up to the wrist.]

[He looks back at Tim. You ready?]

[adaptiveimmunities]

[Shaun untangles himself from the disaster twins and motions for them to go ahead. Jay should be able to get Tim the rest of the way through. He's not going anywhere without George.]

[postictal]

[Yeah. He's ready.]

[It feels like a betrayal, that they're still leaving the kids behind. If they don't come back soon - then he's coming after them. Or he's finding someone who can.]


[It falls across his shoulders like a cold trickle of a cracking egg - cascading down his face, down his back, chasing his spine. But he walks through nonetheless. It's not like drowning. He doesn't even need to hold his breath.]

[He opens his eyes on the Real side.]

[sciencelizard]

[Alphys is still nervous, but she looks back towards the Red Queen as her party departs, making sure she's got her data catchers running for this experience, too.]

Thank you. F-For all your help.

[She thinks for a moment to ask the Red Queen to help Alice, but she can't determine quickly enough if it's safe. If she's safe. So she follows everyone back through the mirror, to the Real Side.]

[choosetruth]

[George glances back at the Queen.] I will get my answers, you know. Whether or not you give them to me.

[It's what she does. She offers Shaun her hand. Together.]

[burntvideocassette]

[Jay crosses over at the same time as Tim, awkwardly stooped to support the weight of a guy a few inches shorter.]

[Whatever the mirror's made of, he can feel himself breaking the surface tension. It should be wetter, colder, but it's the same temperature as the rest of the room, and it doesn't cling to him the way water does. Still, he can't suppress a shiver once they're both all the way through.]

[adaptiveimmunities]

[Shaun takes George's hand and squeezes it a little. Together.]