...

Kiyori's Point of View

I firmly grasped the blank sheet of paper within my paws, afraid of losing it for not treating it with precaution. Normally I'd fold it up, but there was no idea how to identify which one was yours if you lost it. There were already plenty of incidents, and I certainly don't want to be the victim of another one.The crowd of mice was growing with every passing minute. Aside from murmurs and the gentle wind, it was silent in its own right. Today is where every mouse of Community B's careers-- rather, fate-- would be assigned. It's thrilling, really! Knowing where you can truly get along in peace. It's enough to make me smile. Then again, I could become a tailor or a farmer. That wouldn't be fun, considering the ideas and ideal future I had bumbling in my mind.

I can still recall acquiring this strange, paper. A black cloaked stranger visited your home, and asked each one of the inhabitants your likes, dislikes, and specific questions while filling out a form. Then left. Promptly after eating some of your food, of course. No mouse would send a visitor away without refreshments, that would be considered bad luck.

"Kiyori!" Caught up in my thoughts, I was tackled by a familiar mouse. Then again, every mouse in Community B is familiar, with the same plain white fur and whatnot. The only distinguishable features of Community B are our faces, hair length, and rarely, clothing. When I mean only, I meant only. I can mistake the back of someone's head with an acquaintance or family member.

Majority of these streets and homes are similar in structure-- monochrome, even. Heck, the supposedly 'blue' sky in story books is foggy and white. You can easily get lost if you're not careful, and miles away from home. We aren't allowed to make the city colorful-- or 'disgraceful'.
Getting a clear look at the offender's face, I sighed, seeing as it was my little sister, Tori.

" Hey, what took you so long?" I whisper, staring at her darker grey fur. Yeah, I remember. Even though you can mistake mice in this Community, this one's adopted, and actually has clothes. Whether I like it or not, this sad, little community, hates originality.

"Ah, about that... I'll tell you later," She replied, hiding her cheery face with a paw, seeming to avoid my gaze. "but, ah, do you have the time?"

"Nobody has the time, that's why we're all here." I mused, looking upwards to the silver, grand clock tower. Its rythmatic ticking calming me down.

"... What do you think will happen to us, Kiyori?" Tori murmurs.

"Please don't ask me as if I know everything." I furrow my eyebrows and frown, eyeing the time. Another hour of this nonsense.

"Sorry, bro." She places her paw on her other arm, facing the ground. Oops.

"... It's fine, Tori, we'll be alright!" I laugh, grasping her paw in my own. "Every mice has said fantastic things about this. In fact, I swear we'll both be together... so, don't worry... okay?" I grinned to ease her anxiety, yet we both know that I broke my promise.

The day continues, and it seems as if it would never end. The area would gradually get darker, but not dark enough that I could not see. A parade of footsteps were getting louder, and the sound of trumpets blared from every direction in a harmonious tune. The Duke sat in a white litter (chair) lined with a golden hue, held up by many other mice. I turned my head slightly, looking towards the crowd. The mice were gawking at the sight. Perhaps, due to the unique sounds and colors.
The procession paused, and the Duke stepped out in jeweled accessories, giving a short cough.

"Ahem, as you all know, today is a very important day. As you recall, you were interrogated and have been given slips of seemingly blank paper. You were told to keep it, and I'm sure you have it, correct? Our specialists will analyze your slip, and tell you personally where you will be headed." The whispers had gotten louder, some even giggling about their new life. The Duke gave a low growl, causing all chatter to stop.
"Line up in an orderly fashion towards the tower, and make it fast!" He roared and the mice ran.

I hesitantly released Tori's paw. "This is where we.... separate, haha." I sheepishly whispered. I was embraced into a hug immediately.

"I won't forget you." She holds an object out towards me. I accept her gift and inspect the design. It seemed to be a pendant made out of an obsidian-type material, giving it a dark shimmering look. There was a white spiral traced onto it, and in the middle of it was a black jewel of an uncertain shape. I looked back up to thank her, only to find that she had already left.

"Yeah, me neither." I sighed, placing the pendant around my neck.

-=X=-

One by one, the mice went off inside the tower, never to exit. Each time, I nervously shuffled forward. Until, it came to be my turn. I shakily handed the paper to an unusually pale mouse, a lot brighter than Community B's white furs. She snatched the slip from my paw, taking a single glance at me. She gave me a cheery smile and started to inspect the paper. Her friendly composure was immediately replaced with rage.

"Ah, so you're one of those. Too bad, you looked like a Division S. Would've been nice to see you a hopeless mess." She seethed, frowning in disgust.

"What?--" I was cut off as she pointed towards the entrance.

"Take the corridor on the left. You'll find a beige sign with the words etched on it 'Division V', now go, scum!" I was rudely shoved into the tower, and I groaned in frustration.
Though, I'd never imagined the tower to look, well, this. Instead of gears and mechanical clockwork, it was a simple, gray room, with entrances in three directions. As much as I wish to try a different doorway, I'd not waste this opportunity with a single curiosity. Who knows, what if that lady came back and ripped my head from my body?

Left, right? Ah. I just said right, but it's left-- isn't it? Leisurely walking through the hallway, there were nothing but doors and signs above them. I started to get restless. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't go through the door I was meant to, right? My paw hovered over a doorknob. I lightly grazed it, and immediately winced at the jolt of pain surging through my arm.
I turned my paw and noticed burn marks, yet those had faded away mysteriously when I glanced at it once more. I looked back at the door, finding the knob was no longer there. How peculiar. I went on my way, walking through the empty halls.

-=X=-

I was now met with the place with the exact description I was informed of. A beige sign hanged over an awfully plain, wooden door... Like I have to complain about the door. Though if I looked closely, there was etch marks of a bizarre letter on the door. I cautiously checked the doorknob before even beginning to reach out towards it. Thinking it was safe, I touched it with my paw and quickly pulled away without any sort of pain. I gave a sigh at my paranoia, and slowly turned the knob, pulling the wooden door open with a loud creak.

Barely getting a glance of this door was leading to, I fell to my knees and a white light engulfed my vision.

- = Have you heard? = -

Kiyori's Point of View

It was strange. I was opening a simple door, next thing that happens, I lose all control of my limbs. Now isn't that a bit like a cliche written in story books? If only that was true, that'd make me some magical mouse!.. oh, but I don't want any of those fancy accessories that come along with my 'transformation'.

Straining my ears, I could faintly hear the sound of a bell ringing, and I groggily opened my eyes to observe my surroundings. There was a pain in every one of my muscles and joints, I struggled to lift myself off the barren ground. I immediately awed at the sight of colors I'd long heard about. Instead of meeting a foggy, white sky, I was blinded by a blue hue, tinted with a slight purple. In a corner of my eye, there was a blinding sphere of light that I couldn't make the color out of. It didn't seem to have just one, actually, but it contrasted greatly compared to the rest. There were clouds that appeared to be moving, but I couldn't be sure, as they moved so slowly. I looked downwards to find green grass. Green grass instead of cold, hard concrete! Either way, all the colors were breathtaking. Or maybe that's the pain taking away my breath. Wow, I'm extremely funny.

Third Person/Mice Point of View

Kiyori lifted himself off the ground, struggling to stand with his wobbly limbs. A mouse walked towards his direction, and just simply shoved him in a random direction, causing him to almost fall off a cliff. Kiyori flailed his arms in a desperate attempt to catch his footing. Once he was able to stand, he sighed in relief.

"Either move it, or lose it, scrub!" A rough voice commanded, directing it towards the klutz. It came from a dark-brown furred mouse holding a pipe in one paw. His hazel hair was disheveled, curving inwards to his ears. A dull, torn brown neck scarf was around his neck. Upon his head was a sea-foam colored hat with dark engravings, an eye patch matching the color of those carves, and six feathers as white as snow placed neatly behind the hat. He had spectacular golden eyes, though filled with anger.

"Wh-What?" Kiyori muttered in disbelief at the discovery earlier, and having to find more colors foreign to him. And for their rude attitude, that was just uncalled for.

"Look over there, scrub." The grouch pointed with his paw towards another seemingly strange mouse. It had symbols painted in green over its fur, and strange jewels adorning itself. A white aura would always surround the mouse each time it materialized an object. It seemed as if it was constructing a pathway to the other side, conveniently placed with a block of cheese. If Kiyori squinted, he could've sworn there was a faint square, but assumed he was seeing things, believing it was just a wooden box it created.

He groaned and stuck the pipe back into his mouth upon seeing the other's reaction. "Clearly, you still don't understand. Follow me for the next few rounds, I'm sure you'll understand, but if you don't..." he grabs hold of Kiyori's paw, roughly dragging him in the direction of the constructor. "That's not my problem-- it's yours. Now our time's wastin'!"

After pushing and hopping through the mice with the grouch, they reached the other side. "Touch the cheese, scrub. I'll be on the other side waiting. If you know what I mean, I'm sure we'll see each other again." He commanded and left to said destination. Kiyori shrugged, reaching to hold a piece of the swiss block, only to find that his paws slip right through. Momentarily after his confusion, a larger part of the cheese was on his back, causing him to fall on his knees in shock. Lugging it back after some close falls and pushes on the planks, Kiyori enters the hole as told. He saw some of the faces of the mice that fell into the endless void, yet he could've sworn some of them had a look of joy than fear. The block that was once with him had dissipate into the air, leaving another question.

Kiyori's Point of View

I stretched my shoulders, relieved from the weight and sat down with the rest of the mice. I seemed to be in a dark room, dimly lit by a small cylindrical candle hanging in the middle of it all. It was surprisingly roomy, or perhaps is that the illusion of the darkness? It didn't matter, I'm a mouse, not a philosopher. The entrance seemed to give off enough light for the entire room, there shouldn't be a need for one. Craning my neck, I looked around to find the stranger. Finding him in a corner of the room, I scooted over to him.

"I don't understand all this." I whispered to the stranger.

"Of course you don't, scrub. I thought I told you it would take a few rounds, eh?" He grumbled, clearing his throat and held the pipe once more in his paw. "Listen up, scrub. Knowing what community you come from, your place is filled with cons and deceit. Whatever they told you in the past, forget it. It's all lies, every single one of them. From family to appearance."

"What would you know?!--" I scoffed, immediately gaining a paw on my mouth, muffling my next sentences. It's one thing to shove me off, but then interrupting me is straight-up rude!

"Shut it. If I wanted, I can easily end your life, scrub," I stopped struggling. "Now, the fancy lookin' mouse you saw? They're 'Apprentice Shamans', they help us pathetic, fragile mice survive. I can't explain every little detail in this short amount of time, but I suggest you look outside for some clarification. " Releasing my mouth, he forcefully turned me towards the way I entered.

"I don't really see anything--" A blue gigantic, deformed kind of paw with five digits, instead of three or four, 'cleaned' up the remaining mice. I winced at the sound of the screeches, and how far I could hear their bones crack from this distance. As much as I wanted to help, there was nothing that could be done. No sooner than that, it released and all the mice had seemingly dissipated into bubbles. The 'apprentice' turned around, looking in my direction with a mournful expression. It was a look I was familiar with, eyes that were dull and exhausted. The entrance closed up, and all that was left to light this room was the candle.

"I-Is that what happens... when... when our time runs out?" I stammered, my body shaking in fear.

"Yes and no, scrub. Time can't run, it falls closer, and if that thing didn't do its job, the world would be overpopulated." He mumbled, releasing his paws off my shoulders.

- = Community, Division.. Math. = -

Map : 55

Kiyori's Point of View

After that terrifying experience, opposite from the previous entrance another one opened up along with a 'ding'.

"Can't keep guiding you through all these, so you'd better struggle to live you want to know more." He walks out in a prideful strut on all fours, and I follow behind leisurely on two. I heard him scoff and I arch an eyebrow. What now?

"Tsk, this map is amateur hour, scrub. Just don't lose your footing, and you'll be fine!" The grouch shouted, and I groaned in frustration. Just because it's easy to you doesn't mean it's any easier on me! Multiple large islands floated alongside the one I was currently standing on, except that they were, well, largely spaced out enough that forced you to make an effort. I looked around and other mice started to 'hop' to the other side, while I cringed as some unfortunately fell.

I give a sigh, I better hurry then, too, huh? I walked back a couple of paces, and charged off to the next island. I stumbled to catch my footing once more, relieved I didn't fall off. I repeated this process slowly, yet not so slow that I'd be left behind to be cleaned. Miraculously, I never fell to the bottom, despite almost missing the corners of some. I did the same procedure with the cheese, something I'd never get used to for a while. The way back was more of a struggle, as I had to time my jumps whilst having the extra weight. Eventually, I'd managed my way back to the hole. It did its ordinary act of disappearing, and I glanced around to find him.

Not as if I needed to, as a paw slammed force into my back, almost knocking me off my hind legs. I rub my neck nervously.

"You did it for once, scrub!" He praised, giving a rather strange grin. Well, strange to me, considering the fact this guy barely has fun about anything. A smile could either be genuine, or this guy is planning to murder me.

"Uh, yeah..." For once? I mean, I know it's been a couple of rounds with this guy, but that's kind of insulting. I quickly shook that thought away, because a compliment from this guy is the same as approval.

"Alright, you should already know about the grouping of same furred mice in one whole community, since you're a B, correct?"

"Yeah, how did you know?" Is this guy some psychic or something? Should I be worried he can read my memories? I recalled the time when he spoke of it.

-X=-

"Class. It is necessary that you understand something about communities, and how rare it is to find one of a different nature in one. Though, some are exceptions." The teacher spoke with a monotone voice, seemingly to bore into life. Though even with no emotions in their voice, I could tell who they were talking about. I worriedly glanced at Tori, but she didn't seem to mind the unnecessary attention. "Communities are a grouping of mice. Most have a set of rules, and involves mice with only one kind of fur. Some communities allow two or more kinds. Moving on..." I stifled a yawn, but leaned on my arms. I could barely understand what they were saying. I only caught bits and pieces of information. Not as if they were important, because we're Community B! it's not as if we're going to see any other community members in the future. I think?

"... that community involves many mice... they also have a liking to..."

-X=-

"Don't worry about the little details, but Community A is the group most common in Division V, which is this division if you didn't catch it by now. Even with such a quick and unbalanced reproduction rate, they manage to remain stable by throwing themselves under the bus with an almost equal death rate. While If you were in Community X, you would be placed in extreme divisions, one known as Division B."

"Is Community A the mice with regular brown fur?" He hummed in agreement, and continued on.

"You might already know, but mice come and go very often. Think of it as an annoying 'math problem', except played out in real life. No matter how many times you add it up, it seems to be the same result, but gradually getting lower, even if by less than 1%. That's why mice tend to keep to themselves, since having others could be troublesome." He explained, huffing out some smoke.

"I see," nodding my head. I thought about some things, and realized one thing, even if it was a minor detail. "Hey, you never actually gave me a name."

"Course I did, it's 'Scrub'."

"No, your birth name." I groaned and he didn't respond immediately as I thought, but a whole minute had passed. I think it's a minute? Who knows, I didn't pay too much attention to the lectures I was given as a child.

"... You don't need it, nor will you ever, scrub."

"Why not?"

"I'm certain you would forget it once you pass on into the afterlife." He mumbled the last part quietly, but because of our god-forsaken mice ears, it was loud enough to hear.

"And what do you mean by that?!" I scoffed, crossing my arms. "You were just giving me a compliment, and now here you are taking it back! I'd understand if you said if, but you said once, implying that I would!" The other didn't respond, and I assume I probably will never get an answer. I huffed, how ridiculous. There was another entrance appearing from the other side with its familiar sound, and I went to go on with the world.

- = Why Bother Explaining? = -

Kiyori's Point of View

Ah, he's giving me the ol' cold shoulder, huh? That's fine, we're strangers anyways. Who even listens to advice these days? I was right all along! I shouldn't have listened to his words. I bump into another mouse lost in my thoughts.

"S-Sorry--" I sputter, and notice their rather strange apparel. A brown and white furred mouse, with orange spiked hair. He also has a really nice black and white tie. Of course it was nice. It was black and white! What was the most distinguishable was the fish bowl on his head, still filled with water. Not only that, his glasses were outside of the bowl, somehow managing to not slip off. His deep-sea blue eyes that shown curiosity was expecting an answer from me. All I could manage was an, "uh," could he even breathe in that?

"No, no, it's quite alright! I was just talking to my friend, Tar!" He cheerfully replied with a smile. clasping his paws behind his back. Despite being in a bowl filled with water... his gurgles came out as clear distinct sounds. I shouldn't expect logic to exist anymore...

"Tar?" I question and tilted my head, not finding any mouse alongside the fish bowl.

"This fella!" He reached out holding a scaled, slimy, living organism... Which was also a fish. Though, I have to admit, that rainbow tint was pretty, but those pure black eyes are horrifying. It seemed to be staring right into my soul. I shivered at the thought of meeting the fish all decayed, bone and all, if I ever died. For now, Tar was creepy, but pretty at the same time.

"Oh. My name's Kiyori, y-yours?" I stretched out my paw with a broken grin, and the guy shook it harder than with a pair of maracas at a party.

"Mayo!" ... As in 'Mayonnaise'? The condiment that looked similar to ranch? Yeah, I remember trying it, but this guy doesn't even look like he's from my main Community. Wait, of course he doesn't, he's not even one color, he's multi. Actually, would anyone even have that name? It's rather strange.

"Really..?" I asked in disbelief. Mayo nodded in agreement, the smile never leaving his face.

"Scrub! What are you doing?!" Ah, here comes the royal pain in the arse.

"Conversing, what does it matter to you--"

"No, I forbid you to speak to him ever again!" He bluntly replied and I hummed in question, pausing for a dramatic effect.

"Nah." I replied.

"What?!" Wow, he looks flabbergasted. How hilarious!

"Why should I stop when he's being so friendly?" Plus, you aren't my father. I shuddered at the thought of him reading bed-time stories, telling me meaningless "I love you son" comments, and worst of all-- telling me to do my homework with a stern glare.

"There are things you shouldn't know, scrub." The mouse muttered, gritting his teeth further into the edge of his pipe.

"Oh, like your name?"

"Don't even start right now, scrub!"

"Yo, sorry to interrupt-- I think we should move on. You hear?" Mayo interrupted, and I sighed. We both nodded and headed forward in an awkward, tense group, pattering across the poorly made bridge that was created. In a way, we were acting like children. We almost fell off because we were so quiet that the disciple didn't notice us when it was summoning anvils. Doing the usual routine with the phantom cheese and back, the deaths included, the entrance was now closed again. It was silent, and I'd decided to break it.

"Question, if everything I've learned, seen, felt, was a whole charade, then what's our history?"

...

"This geek, Mayonaisse, will know, scrub."

"I already toldcha, it's Mayo! And if I'm the geek, then you're the bully of the universe." He angrily retorted, and paced around his spot thinking. Mayo snapped his digits and faced towards me. "Well, I suppose I'd start with the 'Shamans'. I'm sure you already know that they're actually all apprentices, far weaker than the original 'model'." I nodded.

"So far, you've only seen the green ones. Spiritual Guides. They are usually larger than normal mice, so it's easy to tell the difference. They also love helping others, I mean, really love. That's why 'Guide' is in their profession. Some of them have necromancer abilities, such as living twice or costing their life to resurrect others, but you have to know one thing. They all love apples. All of them. Bribe them with green apples." Mayo took a sip from his bowl, and continued.

"Eventually you'll find light blue ones, Wind Elementals. They are by far physically faster, lighter, better grip strength, and are trained to support themselves with wings and rockets. Something you should know, they can easily ice you. Rather, kill you. But, most of them are laid back and are forced to help. Just don't annoy them."

"Next, the reds, real Nerds-- I mean-- mechanics. They excel in both construction and demolition. They have an extremely large area of range, and can easily conjugate things from afar. They are also mice you do not wish to mess with. But, if you wish to try to earn their favor, simply talk to them about blueprints and of the sort." Mayo sighed, causing bubbles to float up to the top, causing me to almost laugh.

"And then... very rarely, disciples of the yellow Wilders and purple Physicists will show up, but when you see one I'll explain it in as much detail as I can to you, Kiyo. If there's anything I can tell you about them right now, is that both of them are creative in their own right. Though, I doubt they are in Division V."

- = Rainbow Trials = -

Kiyori's Point of View

The mean mouse was laying on the ground with his arms behind his head, while I was leaning on his hat. Surprisingly, it hasn't poked me yet. I was fidgeting with my paws, until I decided it wasn't interesting anymore.

"Do you think they'd make a great rainbow, Kiyo?" I perk my head up, since, well, all this dialogue is getting kind of boring. What was the question? Just kidding, me.

"Probably, if they were in the correct order. Or maybe not, I'm the one you don't want to ask a question of colors to." I replied and Mayo hummed, tilting his head sideways back and forth happily, water leaking out.

"I have time left for one more detail." Mayo said, emphasizing the word 'one'.

"Mayonaisse, you aren't going to tell him about that boring, short story, are you?" Mayo grinned at the mouse who gave a groan, tilting his hat lower, and then Mayo looked back at me.

"The 'Shaman Dispute'. The Wildling and Physicist shamans never got along with each other. Well maybe in the beginning, but their relationship turned sour. I'm certain the two of them would be there, arguing. Their personalities always disagreed. Wildling was always irritated by the Physicist's attitude. I'd describe it as: 'A tiny nature kitten's quarrel with the psyched snowstorm.' The analogy itself, I admit, is confusing... but in a way it's kind of true." I raised an eyebrow in question, and Mayo raised five digits.

"In that group of five, there were two sides, and a neutral being. Believe it or not, Wilders and Spirituals got along extremely well, despite their size differences. I think it was due to the fact the Spiritual could deal with the Wilder's tiny, yet annoying personality. You would probably expect the Technician to be the neutral boundary, but was actually on the Physicist's side. I know you don't know this yet but I'll say it anyways. They have up cannons, so that's a thing? The Wind was quite normal, and didn't care for much. I mean, I think I told you his personality was pretty laid back. So, If you ever find yourself on a dual shaman map, which you probably will, I suggest you take note in what their 'color alignment' is. Otherwise, you're going to have a bad time." I nodded absentmindedly, and Mayo sat next to me having a conversation with Tar.

- = X = -

I sighed. "So, I've always wondered... where does the cheese go?" I ask, clenching and releasing my paws, bending them in ways that create a pop.

"To *-*." The darker mouse replied as if it was a normal thing to say. Which it isn't-- because that isn't even in our native tongue!

"Not to be rude, but what language is that?" I try speaking it with my mouth a few times, but I can't manage to get the sound.

"...Right, well, we'll introduce you to her next time, Kiyo. For now, don't dwell on it." Mayo replies, shining the bowl on his head with a cloth, minding the fact that the water does not spill. Where did that cloth even come from? No point in questioning it, I suppose.

"Alrightie then," I sigh, leaning on the pointed hat once more, "if that thing even exists." I mutter under my breath.

- = Questions and Questions and Questions. = -

Map: 61

Kiyori's Point of View

"Oh, such an easy map! This one's simple, Kiyo, no need to rush~!" Mayo clapped his paws and skipped along the grass until he was at a patch of blue and red flowers. He then proceeded to sit and pick off the petals, mumbling words I wasn't sure of.

"If you say so." I walked off with the rest of the mice, approaching closer-- but was dragged yet again-- away from the crowd. I turned and huffed. "What's your deal, brushie?" What kind of person simply doesn't take the easiest chance there possibly is?

"Brushie..? Don't play games with me, scrub. I don't like board games. Someone always loses an eye. Just watch and learn what could've happened." He grumbled and I hum in agreement, not wanting to upset brushie. I watch the mice gather the cheese with a laugh as they leisurely chattered away, and I gradually get irritated.

"There's really no point in waiting--" I said, immediately followed up by those traumatic wails of help. It seemed they were trapped within a wooden cage. No sooner later, they were pushed off the edge. By us. The deformity snatched the mice up in its ordinary routine. Bubbles and all that dazzle. I can still remember their horrifying faces... At first they were absolutely excited. When the cage appeared, their faces contorted with fear and desperation. The memory is a lot worse than I could describe. "This isn't right." I muttered in guilt.

"Nothing really is, Kiyo." Mayo replied calmly, hauling a cheese off.

"Now get off your kisser and run, scrub." He hissed and I did as I was told-- well, not entirely-- I walked my way there and did the magic trick with the block. After that, I was yelled at once again, forcing me to scamper back to the start. Upon entering, the cheese was gone, again. The entrance did its thing as well. How fun. The pain afterwards; however, is not.

Third Person/Mice Point of View

"The cheese is gone. Again." Kiyori sighs in annoyance, crossing his arms.

"Stop worrying about the little details." Brushie cleared his throat. "Oi, Alice, how much do I have?" A puff of spiraling smoke appeared. By the time it dissipated into mist, there was a glowing, blue orb. Upon closer inspection, it was a smaller being in a foreign shape. Its large cyan eyes assumed it to be a female. It didn't have any ears, nor a tail like regular mice. Though, it was blue all over and had five digits that did not look like paws. The being stretched its arms, and turned its neck towards Kiyori.

"Heyyo, grumps, it's-- Woah! You never mentioned your new lackey here!" The supposed Alice cheered, floating in front of the white furred mouse's face.

"I was going to--" Brushie quibbled, but was interrupted by her.

"Ah, I both envy and pity Community B. Name, hon?" Alice hummed, expecting an answer from Kiyori.

"What--"

"Name." She interrupted once more, with a bit more strain to the word, a glint of anger within her eyes. Kiyori backed away slowly, afraid of upsetting her to lengths unknown.

"... Kiyori" He mumbled, gaze looking away from the blue creature.

"Fantastic! So, Kiyori, you're a sad measly 11 cheese. Can't buy anything, really. You know my alias, Alice, but truthfully, I'm *-*, nice to meet you!"

"How can I understand that-- if you don't mind me asking..?." Kiyori inquired, and Alice deadpanned.

"Alice, the guy'a new and needs a few pointers. Help 'im out?" Brushie whispered to said being. She sighed and placed a hand(?) to her forehead.

"They aren't usually free, but with your case... I'll make an exception. This once. So, fellas, what does he already know? Except history, I know Mayo can be a nerd."

"Maps, Shamans, Communities, and a part of Divisions."

"Fantastic! You told all the boring stuff. Anyways, there's plenty to know of, but also not enough time!"

"Ehh? There's lots of time! You're not making another excuse, are you?" Mayo asked in discontent.

"Haa, yeah, I am. But I have to make sure the oven isn't on! Wouldn't want the cheesecake to be burnt, now would we?"

"Stop avoiding it. You're just like one of those lazy, horrible authors who write for a living." Brushie grumbled, giving a puff of smoke.

"Alright, alright, get off my case, fur-brain!" She replied, gritting her teeth. Alice faces towards Kiyori, hands(?) clasped behind her back. "First of all, I'm not a mouse. That's pretty clear. Also, I don't have paws. These are hands. Five digits? Similar to that thing that takes and bubbles mice when time's gone? Oh, and before you interrupt, no, I am not that hand." Alice sucked in a breath.

"Mm, so I'd actually start with fashion. Community B never had much... 'dazzle'. You noticed that a long time ago, correct?" He nodded in agreement. "How almost every mice has clothing in this place? That's because you B folk are plain boooring!" Kiyori winced at a pathetic insult to his pride.

"Right, what does this have to do about anything--"

"Mayo comes from Community T. A common fishing society. In fact, they're hardcore fish enthusiasts, just some a little more than others. Your old grouch, the one you nicknamed 'Brushie', is from a more, well. How do I put this? A dangerous area called Community CX. Please, don't confuse this with '(x'. Besides that, that one specific area is filled with mice with awful pasts, and usually known to be sent to Division B and S. Kiyori, you know how there were three hallways in the beginning of your version of the clock tower?" Kiyori nodded.

"What about that place?"

"Well, you see, people from Community CX have a hard time following directions. That's why most of them end up anywhere but Division V. And, because that guy--" She points to Brushie. "followed directions like a nerd, he ended up here. Which is extremely rare, for your information. So, now I'd like to ask you a question, Kiyori. How well were you in Geometry back at the Community?"

"Not too bad... Why?"

"Can you see this shape?" Alice whispered to him, eyes narrowing.

"Excuse me?" Kiyori asked, not quite catching what she said.

"... Don't worry about, got to go, tell ya later! Okay? Peace out you tall folks~!" With another puff of smoke, the being was gone, leaving actually more questions than before with Kiyori.