@LaniGirl
She was focusing all of her energy on not losing her mind, of slowing her breath and taking it all one step at a time. She remembered only one piece of advice from the many psychologists her dad had filtered her through and this was that no one should be expected to eat a whole feast at once. It's better to deal with things slowly and one at a time, to treat every morsel of information like it was something beautiful and alien, in need of deep examination before she could bother thinking about the next thing. This way she could never overwhelm herself, she could let big things, even world-altering information like this, slip into her pores like it was a comforting lotion instead of deadly acid.
Jasper seemed surprised at her actions and that was a normal reaction she supposed but she did wonder how much time it would take someone who remained in her company for so long to no longer be in shock when she shifted so drastically or bursted out something that was not supposed to be said or split open a knee and stood up like it was a scratch.
Although his fidgeting and awkward half-smile could also be credited to the reality-shattering prophecy he had just shared or his transformation into a literal jumpy rabbit.
One bite at a time, April. One unforgivably insane piece of information before the next.
"It’s kind of ironic, isn’t it? Alice was chasing her white rabbit through a jungle of hysteria and mine will be arm-in-arm with me, strolling through as a guide.” April paused. "Although, from what you said, I imagine we won't exactly be sightseeing. And if I am to end up at Wonderland one way or another I should like to go as soon as possible, for the red queen's wrath can't be worse then ours principals after a school fight like the one I participated in."
Her breathing was shaky but she didn't want to loose her stance, her brain was chugging along much slower now, cautiously and considering all the angles before her. She appreciated what Jasper was trying to do for them, even if it was highly unbelievable.
"I accept your conditions, obviously, I seem to be very uneducated even with how much I thought I understand about Wonderland. Will everything go in the same order as the book, in meeting people I mean? Or perhaps the movie is more accurate? And this queen of ours, is the goal to really harm her? Because I have never killed a person before, nor less a queen. I do suppose my martial art years may now have some actual purpose, and if I am to die in Wonderland, I can't express how much I'd prefer that then somewhere up here, don't you agree?" April stopped herself again, realising questions were bubbling and boiling right out of her mouth as they did when she was close to forgetting another person was present. When she thought she was alone. "Still Jasper, whatever happens now, whether this is all some intensive over imagination of my bored mind or not, I’m going to follow mr. white rabbit, you, straight down the rabbit hole. Don't worry about me leaving your side.”
April finally managed to muster up courage. She didn't care how insane she felt or sounded around Jasper, because surely his birth town was much more so and could even explain the never-ending rock concert that was the echoing in her brain. Surely, she was just as sane as the original Alice was, maybe slightly less so considering her willingness to enter a unknown world of certain danger. But she had Jasper, who may look frail to some on appearance seemed agile and wise, and Alice, well, she never did.
"We are friends, are we not?" She tried for a smile. “And before we leave I must ask. This Mad Hatter of ours, do you suppose he is still very fond of tea?”
