I'm Always Wrong ; {open}

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

But maybe I could be right for you.

Sometimes she contemplated swimming, often wondering what it might be like in the water. From what she'd read, it was supposed to be delightful. But there was so much water, so many tears that her beloved Alice had wept. There was some speculation as to if Alice had actually created the sea, or if the Dodo had merely made it up. The starfish swore that they had seen her (though, everybody knew how starfish could be), and when asked about the event, the lobsters would simply shake their heads. Dinah's mouth opened, but for a long moment, no noise came out. She sighed now, twirling the brilliantly red umbrella, which rested over her shoulder. She had shed her shoes some time ago, and they lingered a some distance up the beach. Her lithe form was tucked neatly under her parasol, though, on occasion, she would dare to allow a foot to venture out. Though, she always stayed just out of reach of the out-stretched fingertips of the foamy waves that washed serenely against the sand.

If I could get my heart in the right place, and talk just a little louder.

Feeling a little bolder than usual, Dinah pressed her palms against the ground- allowing her umbrella to tumble onto the ground behind her, and she pushed her delicate frame closer to the water. Her heart was beating fast now, slamming itself violently against the insides of her ribs. The water was so close, it almost touched her bare toes as it washed closer- darkening the sand, causing Dinah's breath to hitch mildly.

But today wasn't the day. She sat back on her hands, her eyes fastening defiantly on the sky now instead. One day, perhaps, she'd go swimming. Just not today.

[White Rabbit]

you would not believe your eyes ;;

All this spare time. It was... It was maddening, that's what it was. And he had a job to do, he hardly needed any more insanity in his life! His fretting so consuming, he barely realized that he'd arrived at Alice Sea until his bare toes skimmed the water. Since he wasn't working, he'd chosen to be underdressed, a pair of gray shorts and a white tank his only protection. His previously distracted, but now fully aware, gaze lifted to. cast around, quickly landing on the only creature breathing in his sights.

She was familar, somehow, but he was at a loss for her name. He'd never met her on a task, that was for sure. That red hair, though, so brilliant and aflame... White bit his lower lip softly in confusion as he stared, gentle blue eyes filled with curiosity.

And then, quite suddenly, he gave a twitch and a look of despair. "Oh, my, p-please pardon me and my m-m-manners. That was very poor taste, very poor indeed. I do... do so hope I'm not intruding?" His thin fingers had lifted to skate along the collar of his tanktop, restless at the thought of being so unkind to this beautiful lady before him - although something about her made him uneasy. Perhaps her mildly feline features?

;; if ten million fireflies

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

Her fingers came close to the water again. Her form was stretched, bent over her knees- as if they were the only thing keeping her from actually touching the water. Her spine pressed against the back of her lovely lace shirt, and the pads of her fingertips came close enough to pop a few of the foamy bubbles as they skittered closer.Her teeth instantly claimed possession of her bottom lip- clamping down upon it as her breath ceased. Though she hadn't dabbed on even a trickle of rouge or lipstick, her bottom lip was bound to be reddened by the time she touched the water. Because she was going to touch it...

A voice, so timid and soft, much like the cooing of a morning dove- for a moment, Dinah was sure that it was her beautiful Alice, returned to sweep her into her arms and nuzzle against her... She jerked her hand back so rapidly, much like a child caught in the midst of stealing cookies from the pantry, that her heels slide out from under her. Right into the water. Dinah let out a noise. Something torn in her throat, like a yelp and a gasp. She scuttled backwards, sand now sticking to her wet extremities. The woman scrambled to her feet, grabbing her umbrella in an attempt to shield her blushing face from her Alice's gaze.Though, she found herself quite shocked as she actually brought herself to look at the perfect person before. It was not an Alice, but instead...a boy. Somebody of nearly her age, and Dinah found herself pleasantly and peculiarly speechless.

Holding her umbrella in slightly trembling hands, the ginger-headed cat finally found herself able to speak. "You're beautiful." Dinah announced, still breathless as she gazed at him. She felt the need to avert her eyes almost instantly, he was so handsome, so perfect, so much like her beloved Alice. She stepped closer, forgetting instantly about her damp feet. "No..no." She suddenly announced, "You're not intruding at all, no...never. You could never intrude." Dinah promised him fiercely.

[White Rabbit]

;; lit up the world

Her reaction was unexpected, but so very like a move he might make himself. The sound of his voice had, quite apparently, startled her, and the result was a slip in the water. Instantly he scurried forwards - her face was so cat-like and didn't equal the water in his eyes - but before he could help, she'd righted herself and hidden behind an umbrella. At first, he could only stare, nonplussed. Surely she wasn't afraid, not of him. Perhaps just shy? He had intruded so rudely, when she had thought she was alone on her ocean...

At her bashful peek, White offered his best encouraging smile, complete with a little lip-nibble. She was definately from Wonderland, no mistake from her attire or her features. Hopefully she was no relative of that Cheshire, they were nothing but trouble, that Clan, with their cruel jokes... Her next words, complete with her expression, shocked him. Beautiful? No one called him beautiful, not ever. She must certainly be a Wonderlandian, to be so mad. That didn't stop a roaring blush from forming on his pale features as he still stood in a half-shifted position of assistance. He awkwardly straightened and ran a thin hand through his hair. "N-N-No, not beautif-ful, not at all." But his embarassed admonishment was forgotten at her next words. "I do so hope so, it seemed I startled you, I-I truely hope so, m-m-miss...?"

as i fell asleep

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

His smile was enough to make Dinah weak in the knees, she abandoned her parasol to shift closer- watching as a blush ignited itself across his cheeks. She tilted her head, observing him with those pale eyes, before she moved forward clutching his hands earnestly. "You're an angel." She said, her eyes locking upon his in complete sincerity. "If there are angels, surely you would be one." Maybe he'd come to help her swim across the sea, back to her Alice? Dinah's hands trembled as she carefully traced his hands, trying desperately to memorize him. She laced her fingers with his, gazing at him. He was exactly her height. She shifted, as if unable to hold still. He was so pretty. She determinedly looked back at his perfect features, resisting the urge to reach out and touch them.

Dinah's eyebrows arched, and she shook her head- her hair shifting as she stared candidly at him- her soft ivory skin shifting as she dared to smile. "You don't have to worry.." the Cat assured him, "I love you." And Dinah meant it. "I don't want you to leave." She meant that too. She took a moment to gaze across the ocean of tears, before her eyes returned to his, looking into them hopefully. "May I be your friend?" She asked, tilting her head.

[White Rabbit]

An angel...? White couldn't resist lifting his eyebrows at that one. What would she think if she knew he worked for the Red Queen? That was more than enough reason for most to distrust him. Quite suddenly, though, she clutched at his hands, and it was all he could do to not jerk away and hurt her feelings. There was no way to hide his little tremble, though. People were never this close to him. But there was no malice in her however-catlike gaze and he knew then that it would break his heart to see her naiive, soft features in distress. Still, he couldn't match her stare, and his eyes wandered.

But her words brought them back in shock. "L-Love? B-B-But you barely know me, I could be a dreadful... a dreadful person." But her eyes, so pleading, won him over. "D-Don't worry, I've got nowhere to be. I... I'll stay here, if you want." And he would, for now, at least. At her request, White gazed at her for a long moment. "W-Well," He stammered at last, "May I know the n-name of my... of my new friend?"

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

She could feel his body tremble, and she felt the instant urge to press closer to him. He must be terribly cold to shiver and shudder like that, she wanted to warm him up, that was her job. She swallowed, rubbing her thumb over the back of his soft, trembling hands. Dinah shifted closer, allowing her head to rest against his shoulder as she nuzzled his neck and cheek tenderly. "We should find you a blanket, Angel." She murmured, "You can't stop trembling." Dinah announced, in case, perhaps, he hadn't noticed. His stuttering, utterly shocked words confused her, and she tilted her head- now looking up to him once more, from his shoulder. "But, I love you." She said, her brows dipping in confusion. "You don't have to know angels to love them, it is simply in their nature to be lovable." She told him, flashing the blond a bright smile.

At his admission that he was lacking in a place to be, Dinah straightened up, grabbing his hand once more. "I do want you to stay." She assured him, nodding with enough excitement that her hair bobbed slightly about her shoulders. And suddenly, she felt coy once more as he asked her name. Didn't he know that she was willing to be whoever he wanted her to be, if only he stayed? She fluttered her eyelashes at him briefly, before smiling. "I'm Dinah." She told him, at long last.

[White Rabbit]

Oh, but she was so beautiful, it was painful to look at her and see that mad naiivity that gleamed in her eyes. But she was harmless. The only thing that was really bothering him was her proximity. Trust was something she didn't have from him, and as her breath tickled his face, White couldn't help the shudder that wracked his body. It wasn't cold, not at all, she was just so near... Well, he simply couldn't help his reaction. "I-I think you're m-mistaken, I'm... I'm no angel." A deep breath washed over him as she stepped away; the relief at the space between them was impossible to disguise.

He could definately stay if she stayed just like that, although he doubted she would. This one was an impulsive creature, he could sense that already. "Then it's a pleasure to meet you, M-Miss Dinah." Now it was only polite for him to introduce himself. But he was scared. She would likely recognize him, and what if she ran away? "I'm White. White Rabbit."

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

Dinah stooped elegantly, to retrieve her fallen parasol- before casting it over a shoulder, offering some shade to her new friend. "I've seen an angel before." She said, looking to him once more. "And if ever there was somebody who looked like her, it is you." Dinah said, flashing him another smile. She allowed her nails to gentle trace the pads of his fingers, intending to memorize them too. Watching him sigh, she smiled again, good-naturedly. She must have warmed him greatly to get such a sigh of relief! Giving his hand a little tug, she began walking- though she didn't have any idea as to where she intended to go.

"Please call me Dinah. It doesn't have a Miss in front of it, Angel." She told him, shrugging her shoulders playfully. "I'm afraid that'd be quite a mouthful to use!" Again, she looked to him, fighting the urge to reach up and touch his hair. It looked soft. As he announced his name, her brows quirked- but she merely smiled up at him serenely. "Its a pretty name." Dinah announced, swinging their conjoined hands merrily. "It must be hard to be white in such a colorful world." Her eyes drifted to admire the parade of colors about them.

[White Rabbit]

She'd seen... She'd seen an angel? White was in amazement. Surely that was impossible, things like angels simply didn't exist in Wonderland, surely not. And he... He looked like her? He was torn between the compliment of being angelic and the insult of being feminine. Besides, he was far from perfect - his spare hand traced a scar along his collarbone. He couldn't remember where this one had came from, but it wasn't the only visible mark in his light clothing. Surely angels didn't have scars? Her soft movement over the pads of his fingers, though, tickled, and he couldn't hold back the soft, almost-gasping laughter. "T-That... It feels... Nice." Came his admission, incredulity in his eyes. Laughter... Laughter was such a rare thing.

"Oh, but... But I was just being polite. It's good manners, b-but if you p-prefer just Dinah..." His expression was anxious for her reaction, but there was none. Just that soft smile and a simple answer. "W-Well, I suppose so, yes, it can be... it can be interes-interesting." Blue eyes scanned the beach. "Where... Where are we going, Mi - I mean, Dinah."

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

Watching his face, as it seemed to shift in shock, awe, and disbelief all at once, Dinah's brows dipped and she nodded earnestly. "I have seen an angel." She assured him, "She was so fair, just like you." Dinah noticed his expression, and giggled lightly. "Perfection is neither male or female. It just is." She shrugged, swinging their hands once more as she twirled her parasol cheerfully over her shoulder. His breath hitched fractionally, and Dinah was concerned that perhaps he'd stepped on a spiny shell, or maybe a raspberry jellyfish (the most dangerous sort!) But instead, he began to laugh softly. The sound was gorgeous, and it spilled over into her lungs as well.

"Just Dinah, I like Just Dinah." She told him, tenderly. He seemed relieved once more, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. "We're going where ever our feet take us, White."

[White Rabbit]

She was taking such pains to reassure him that it was hard not to listen and ease into relaxation. After all, she posed no threat to him, even if her feline features were unnerving - Dinah had proved far more like a kitten than any beast that might seek to harm him. Any hurt would be unintentional, he was quite sure. At her words, clearly inspired by his expression, White couldn't help but frown at her. "But... But you don't under-understand, I'm not... I'm not perfect. It's quite nice of you to think that way, but it's simply no-not true." Her little giggle, though, had captured his heart, and her reaction to his laughter was amazing. They weren't insane, deluded peals, they were thoughtful and warm, like drops of rain on a hot summer day.

"A-Alrighty, then, Just Dinah." The words were gentle, accompanied by the first geniune smile he'd given her - it lightened and calmed his eyes like nothing else could. "To wherever your feet might lead."

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

Dinah blinked at his protest, as if entirely unaffected by it. "Humility is another sign of godliness." She whispered, as if she didn't want the school of cod swimming past to hear. She smiled once more, before releasing his hand briefly- having caught sight of a brightly colored little shell before them. Kneeling down, brushing a few strands of hair behind her cheek- she plucked it up from where it had nestled into the sand. After affirming that nothing was living inside, she turned to offer it to White, smiling tenderly. "Here, its a present for you!" She announced, before placing it gently into the palm of his hand.

Turning, she ran a head a few paces, twirling on her tippy-toes as she turned to grin back at him. "I wonder if I could walk us to the moon, White.." She contemplated, running a hand back through wind-swept hair. "Would'ya go with me?" Dinah inquired.

[White Rabbit]

He was duly amused when his protests didn't seem to bother her in the slightest, and he decided then that it would be pointless to try to insist on denying any relation to an 'angelic' creature. White knew he was far from 'godliness', but if she wanted to believe such a thing, he could hardly deprive her of it. Chances were that he'd never see her again after this day, so he'd enjoy it while it lasted, this little vacation of his... The present of the seashell surprised him, his fair eyebrows tilting upwards as the little thing was nestled into his palm. It was beautiful, in the simplest of ways, and he racked his brains trying to remember the last time anyone had given him anything. Perhaps the watch had been the last...? "T-Thank you, Just Dinah." Came his shy reply, one of his hands gently reaching out to brush the side of her face - but not before she had whirled around and danced out of his grasp. Surprise colored his expression, and then a laugh a moment later, of pure delight.

"I-I think so." WR replied, almost surprising himself. If anyone could take him to the moon, it would be this curiously innocent woman before him, with her clean and honest love. "I... I wonder how one would... would go about doing so-something like that. G-Going to the m-m-moon, I mean." His thoughtful blue eyes cast upwards to the silver disk in the sky.

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

Dinah watched his face with a gentle sort of affection, she observed him as he eyed the shell in his hand, before her spoke. And for a moment, Dinah felt as if she might faint. His hand. His beautiful, perfect, amazingly soft and pleasantly warm hand has brushed, very quickly against her cheek. She was in the midst of turning and yet, her eyes widened, and her expression softened further. Dinah opened her mouth to speak, and he laughed. A perfect laugh. Again, her heart and her knees went weak. "You can keep it always, my angel." She said, smiling tendering as she reached back to reclaim his hand. "We can take it to the moon." She murmured, glancing in the direction of Day & Night Beach.

"Why, we'd walk." She giggled, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We'd make some stairs and just walk right up. And we could slide right back down." Dinah smiled blissfully at the idea.