A Final Goodbye:
(1911 A.D., The Pale Tower, Old Wonderland, the Realm of Ishrakie)
While Ishrakie is resting, Alice decides to do the same and heads for the hot tub in her quarters. She breathes in deep, letting the soothing steam do its work as the bubbles massage her every muscle and crevasse. Time fades as she becomes lost in the relaxation.
*****
"You know you really should not stay in for more than an hour at a time," explains Cheshire, waking Alice from her tranquil bliss.
"First off, it has not been an hour, and second, does anyone knock around here?" replies Alice sarcastically.
"You are right. You have actually been in there for forty-five minutes, which is yes, less than an hour, and as for the knocking, why would we do that," answers Cheshire in mock confusion.
"Forget it," continues Alice, climbing from the bath and towelling herself off.
"You know you did a brave thing today. You surprised me. I have spoken with Ishrakie, and she has instructed me to give you something as a thank you for your courage," continues Cheshire.
"Oh yeah, what's that?" replies Alice, putting back on her clothes.
"A chance for a final goodbye, if you wish it."
Alice stops for a moment and then finishes getting dressed.
"Do you mean I can go see my family one last time?" asks the now fully dressed Alice.
"Through meditation with me and the aid of this tower, I can astral project your mind back to your home and allow you to see your family one last time."
Alice thinks for a moment about the offer, but only a moment.
"Let's do it," replies Alice firmly.
*****
Time and worlds rush by in radiant blooms of green and blue until at last things slow back to normal and Alice's feet meet the soft gentle sensation of cool grass. She can see a familiar nearby footbridge that spans the water and points the eye to a swath of grass bent and pressed by frequent feet. The trodden path curves around a pregnant cherry tree and into a lush garden. Wildflowers and rosemary press close to a trellis gate engulfed in morning glory. The sun inches toward the treetops. Shadows fan out from the groves. Despite all her promises to herself, Alice begins to cry. It's my home! That's my sister's garden, she thinks to herself.
"Well, no and yes. Or more precisely it was and is," Cheshire appears beside her once again in the form of a purple-striped cat.
"Your mother and sister are already asleep. Which is lucky, for in sleep they might be able to hear you if you speak to them," explains Cheshire as he twirls away nearby.
Alice glides through the air behind him, slipping ethereally through her sister's bedroom wall.
"Where would you like to take them?" continues Cheshire, popping his knuckles.
"Take them? What do you mean?" asks the young girl, confused.
"You are going to meet your sister and mother in a shared dream. Might as well take the opportunity to see the Great Pyramids or Dieter Schmidt's Bratwurst Stand. Both marvels in their own right."
"No, just have it be here. Out in the garden," replies Alice solemnly.
"My goodness, what does she see in you? No imagination at all," presses Cheshire, complying as instructed.
The world rotates and spasms for a moment before jerking back into position as Alice finds herself standing in the garden looking out at her mother and sister playing nearby. Mid-day heat carries the scent of thyme and lilac. Bushy flowers of all colours angle up and out like spectators in a coliseum. The garden seems a lot larger than she remembers. She proceeds forward, passing a clump of sunflowers.
"Hello, mother, dear sister," chimes Alice gleefully, causing her mother and sister to turn and take notice of her.
"Oh, Alice! Emilia and I were just trying to decide who would make the best husband for her. We have got it down to either Jeremy Strongbottom, the mayor's nephew, or Stefan Willoughby, who always wears the best jackets," replies Alice's mother playfully.
"I've never met these men. Aren't you interested in where I've been? I've been gone quite a while, haven't I?" counters Alice coaxingly.
"Well, yes, of course, we worried, but here you are now so why dawdle on such things?" replies her mother dismissively. The tone of her mother's words makes her shrink a little. She pushes past this feeling and grabs her sister's hand. Alice smiles at her, eyes wet with tears.
"There are so many things I want to say, but I don't have time for it all. I came to tell you I'm not coming home."
"You have been gone so long. I've worried about you. I've missed you," cries Emilia, resting her head softly against Alice's shoulder.
"I know. I've missed you too, and I have had such a hard time where I've gone, but I need to go back. I can't explain, but it's important. There is something I have to do, but first I need you to know just how much I love you and how much I will miss you. I know you are going to grow into an amazing woman, and I am sorry I will not be able to see you down the aisle like I promised I would when dad died. I need to know you forgive me, please."
"I love you so much, big sis. You always took care of me. I do not understand any of this, but if you say it matters that much, then I forgive you," replies Emilia, wrapping her sister in a firm, loving embrace.
"I am sorry, but it's time to go," whispers Cheshire, climbing onto the blonde girl's shoulder.
Alice nods as Cheshire flicks his tail and the world bleeds away. The words she had left to say don't seem that important anymore. Alice awakens, but she does not open her eyes, trying to savour the warm love of her sister for as long as possible. Soon, the moment fades as the feeling of the tower's heated stone on her back and the fabric of her dress against her thigh grows stronger. She lets the moment go, but tucks away the memory for a later time.
"You should get some sleep. Tomorrow, training begins," declares Cheshire before leaving Alice alone in her bedroom so that he may go and check on his master.