The Red Queen - (Alice In Wonderland)

Chapter 4 - Who Are You?

Alice marveled at the ever-changing spectacle of colors and sounds that filled Wonderland. Every step revealed new marvels and mysteries. Clutching the silver pocket watch tightly, it felt like the only real thing she had, the only tangible proof that out of all the fantastical, this was real. She pressed on, her thoughts swirling with anticipation.

The Blue Oracle supposedly held the answers she desperately needed. But what answers could there possibly be in this crazy dream? Despite the absurdity, her curiosity was piqued. I have to know what might happen next. This adventure has been amazing so far and is definitely better than waking up to my mundane life, just the thought of going back to that, after seeing all of this, made her want to believe that this wasn't a dream after all, but that would be crazy, right?

The path twisted and turned through an enchanted forest, the trees alive with whispered secrets. As Alice followed Finnian as he ventured deeper, she began to feel a sense of anticipation building within her. How far was this Oracle, she wondered?

Suddenly, the forest path opened into a breathtaking meadow filled with flowers of every imaginable color. In the center of the field stood a cozy blue log cabin with a wrap-around porch. The cabin looked inviting, a stark contrast to the wild beauty surrounding it.

What took Alice's breath away were the blue bioluminescent butterflies fluttering all around the meadow and cabin. They ranged in size from tiny ones landing on the flowers to huge ones as large as a dog, their wings feathery and ethereal, casting a soft, mesmerizing glow. It was the most beautiful thing Alice had ever seen, and she stopped walking to take in her surroundings with amazement and wonder.

As she stood there, Alice began to hear a soft, serene voice, beckoning her closer. The flowers seemed to sing, their gentle melody lulling her into a sense of peace and tranquility. Leaning down, she was about to pick one of the flowers when her hand was suddenly snatched up. Startled, Alice looked up to see Finnian standing by her with a look of horror on his face.

"Don't ever touch the flowers," Finnian warned, his voice tinged with urgency. "They may look beautiful and appear normal, but those flowers will lull you into a sleep from which you will find it very hard to awaken. They are the sirens of the land, singing their victims into a state of serenity. Once you feel sleepy, they continue the song until the person lays down and is fast asleep, probably never to awaken again, unless someone finds them and carries them out of the field."

Alice stared at him blankly for a moment, absorbing what Finnian had just said. Seeing the shock on her face, he continued with a reminder, "Remember, not everything in Wonderland is safe, especially after the curse, I know you are new here, so I need you to understand what I am telling you. There are dangers everywhere. You must be careful with what you try to touch, eat, and drink. Even with where you say things—walls have literal eyes and ears here, and you never know who is listening. If you are unsure of something, ask. Since you are new here, you don't know these dangers, so you need to be extra cautious. Do you understand?" He asked her concernedly.

"Uhhh, yeah... Yeah, I understand, and I'll be careful from now on." Alice felt a bit shaky from what Finnian had just told her, but she continued nevertheless. She didn't want to be forced awake just yet; after all, this was surely her brain's way of keeping her in the dream, right? Besides, there were too many things to explore, and as long as this dream continued she was going to make the most out of it, and she was curious to see what this Oracle had to say.

Continuing their way to the cabin, Alice kept her distance from the flowers, eyeing them with trepidation. They walked down the path leading to the door, and just as they were about to knock, it swept open.

In the doorway stood a woman of ethereal beauty and timeless elegance. Her bright, deep blue eyes seemed to hold the wisdom of ages, and her long, flowing hair in shades of blue and silver shimmered and changed color slightly depending on the light. She moved with a fluid grace, each step purposeful and deliberate. Her serene, youthful features contrasted with the depth of knowledge in her gaze.