All in the golden afternoon . . .

Prompt #87 ~ Return (Drabble 42)

Word Count: 160

{{A/N: charloft had a fantastic "Return" prompt several months ago (i.e. in the spring). I've been planning all along to write something based on said prompt to be the first post in my still-not-up-yet musebox. When the Drabble Challenge came along, I figured it could be used for both. I think it works quite well for Drabble #42, hee. Of course, I couldn't keep this one to just 100 words—Alice has been working for this the whole summer! The proper drabble can be found on the official post, but I like this expanded version much better.}}

One last attempt—if this did not work, she would stop trying, she told herself (albeit sadly). Alice perched on her dressing-table (careful not to upset any bottles or sundries) and regarded her looking-glass.

She closed her eyes, wished with all her might, and reached a hand toward the glass ...

Oh, frabjous day! The glass rippled and turned misty, allowing her hand to pass through. Alice's eyes flew open at this and she eagerly stepped forward.

She found herself not in a reversed version of her chambers—as she might have thought—but in a sort of wooded meadow. Tall purple shrubs caught her immediate attention and a pair of brightly-coloured mome raths crossed the path ahead of her.

"I'm back!" Alice beamed, then set off on the path. She had no idea which part of the Realm she was in and knew just the one to ask for directions. Where was that Cat when one actually wanted him?

Prompt #40 ~ Breakdown (Drabble 37 of 100)

Word Count: 140

{{A/N: Once again, this prompt did not want to be contained to a drabble. I was able to be somewhat brutal and chop it down to 100 words for the official post. I much prefer this edited & expanded version. Also, I do rather feel sorry for Alice—she hasn't been having the best summer. It's about to change, though!}}

It happened quite suddenly.

Alice had been reorganising her room after the evening meal, straightening this, tidying that. Whilst rummaging about in her trunk, she spotted a certain sketchbook that had been hidden away where Mother would (hopefully) never find it.

This little book held depictions (mostly watercolours) of Wonderland and its inhabitants along with information about the Realm Alice would note down as she remembered.

She had been attempting to return nearly the whole summer—but to what end? Alice wondered whether she ought to give up.

(A crying-fit might not be so very inappropriate at such a time. Nevertheless, Alice scolded herself rather fiercely and dried her tears with a nearby handkerchief. After all, nothing was ever accomplished by tears—or so someone had told her once.)

She did have one more idea where to look for answers ...

Prompt #10 ~ Envy (Drabble 25 of 100)

Word Count: 133
{{A/N: I had too many thoughts for this prompt to quite contain it to a drabble. I was able to pare it down to 100 words for the official post. This is the edited and expanded version, which I think I prefer.}}

Although she knows it's wrong, and she rather shouldn't, Alice can't help but envy Lorina (as siblings often do). She's always at ease in situations that flummox Alice—perfect social graces, really. Quite proper, but still very kind; their parents could not have wished for more regarding Lorina (she had even made an excellent match!). And yet, Alice could never resent her.

Surprising as it may seem, Lorina envies her younger sister. Alice never seems very concerned about what other people might think. Likewise, she doesn't bear as much pressure of expectation (from both relations and society). While others might see Alice’s still-active sense of wonder as puerile (or worse), Lorina finds it mostly endearing.

(In her heart of hearts, Lorina sometimes wishes she too had found a whimsical world of her own.)

charloft 100 Drabbles of Summer, Part I (drabbles 1-10)

Rating: PG?
{{A/N: Quite timey-wimey, i.e. these don't really have an exact order unless specified. Also, more adventures of wee!Alice will be coming at some point. Drabble table can be found here. Feedback is lovely!}}

( Frogs, iced tea, slightly illegal croquet, &c )