ALICE'S POV

I sighed tiredly while I watched how Ace set up his tent. I knew it would end up like this, the moment the knight kidnapped me from the clock tower to go on an 'adventure'. But that's just how life in Wonderland works; one moment you're peacefully sipping coffee with Julius, the next you're lost in the woods because a certain wayward idiot. I stopped my musings as I heard approaching footsteps.

"Alice, are you daydreaming? Oh wait, it's night so that's impossible!" Ace hummed. "Hahahaha, you must be nightdreaming then!"

I rolled my eyes at his comment, not amused at all. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's just go to sleep." I stood up from the fallen log and brushed some leaves from my skirt and apron. The mere thought of sleeping on the forest ground darkened my mood even further. I sighed again.

"Oh ho hoooo!" Ace sang. "Are you so eager to sleep with me, even though I am not Julius? Wow, Alice! I'm such a luck-,"

Ace stopped midsentence and his goofy smile disappeared. I did not notice this in the slightest, however, as I felt a blush form profoundly. "S-shut up, Ace!" I began to run to the tent, past Ace, but struggled with the annoying zipper. Groaning, I gave up and reluctantly turned around.

"Heey, Ace, could you..." my voice trailed off as I took in the knight's stance. He hadn't moved since she ran past him. His eyes where focused on something in the distance, his posture tense. I looked in the same direction, towards the dark forest. Did he see something I didn't?

"... Ace? What's wrong?" I asked unsure. I now noticed how unusual quiet the forest had grown. A shiver ran up my spine. It's as if Wonderland itself stood still.

"...A new foreigner, huh?" Ace murmured. His trademark dopey grin appeared again as he turned to me. "I wonder if this foreigner is going to be as bad at giving directions as you are! Hahahaha!"

" A new-, wait what?! You are the one that got us lost. As always, may I add." I huffed and then raised my eyebrows. "Anyway, how could you tell there is a new foreigner?"

"Silly Alice, all role-holders can sense the arrival of a foreigner. We know, just like Wonderland knows..." He silently made his way to the tent and smoothly unzipped it.

FOREIGNER'S POV

The sudden appearance of solid ground beneath my feet made me stumble a bit to regain my balance. Weird? I thought I was falling, but... Oh well. Who knew falling down a rabbit hole would be such a crazy experience...

I cautiously looked around. Hmmm, night-time. In an unfamiliar place. In the middle of a forest. Great, juuust fabulous. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Don't worry, I can do this. It's just a new world. Not scary at all, right? Okay, who am I kidding. My heart is pounding at an alarming speed and my teeth are clattering. The memory of Casper's stern warning flashes to mind...

"And whatever you do, stay away from the so called 'role-holders'. They are more dangerous than any bounty hunter you have met. More dangerous than The Crocodile himself, I bet." He placed his hand on my shoulders and looked at me in such an intense way as to burn his words in my brain. I couldn't stop the tears welling up and clutched his arms. "Now go and take care, my little bird." Before I could respond, he kissed my forehead. Simultaneously he pushed me away with a strength I wasn't expecting and then I was falling.

And now I'm here. With nothing more than a little satchel and my brother's ominous words. Hmm, I shouldn't stay on one spot for long. Better find a safe place.

I began to search for a place to sleep, scanning the dark forest, but froze midstep. Wait. He didn't say how to recognise these role-holders! I groaned exasperated, breaking the forest's serene silence. Ugh, Casper, you idiot!