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About Julian

As a child, Julian was always a bit of an outcast. It wasn't so much that he was mean, nor so much that he was considered a 'nerd'...it was rooted in a much pettier reason.

You see, the boy's family was really rather poor. They didn't have much, but what they did have...they cherished and made to last. Julian himself wasn't an unhappy boy because of it - in fact, he was really a very cheerful little thing.

It didn't matter to him that his clothes were always too big, nor that he always looked a little bit on the scruffy side...he would survive school, ignore the kids who made fun, and never expected any sort of offering in return...save for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, perhaps, and the love of his parents.

In fact, Julian never had any real toys to play with - and he really didn't mind very much. He was easily kept happy with a pen and sheet of paper - already printed on or not - with witch he would draw, or scribble down his childish fantasies. He was a very bright boy with a very vivid mind, and loved to create what worlds he could fit between the margins of an old newspaper.

One day, however, on his birthday, Julian got a surprise - his parents had bought him a real present. You see, Julian had discovered the library at a startling age - and books were a wonderous thing. Imagine, then, his glee...upon owning a brand-new book of his own - a paperback copy of "Alice in Wonderland."

SO Julian grew up, reading from that beloved book almost every night. As he grew into his teens, his clothes began to look more and more awkward - like bags over his too-thin form. His schoolmates grew out of the more carefree ways of just calling him names...opting instead to bully him. It would be a lie to say he didn't care when he was pushed around...but he was a nervous boy, and didn't know how to handle the prospect of getting stuffed into a locker.

Still...he was really a lot smarter than many of them. Not quite a 'nerd,' but not quite 'cool,' either, he invariably spent his lunches in the corner of the cafeteria, or in the library, if he didn't have any lunch to bring. During these years, he began to discover that his studies were really quite advanced...so on occasion, he would do other students' homework for a dollar or two. It was never much...but it was enough to buy him lunch for a couple of days, or to help his parents.

On his 16th birthday, Julian recieved his second and most valuable gift - a silver pocketwatch that had belonged to his grandfather. He was so touched by this (being a very sensitive boy) that he swore a solemn vow, then and there - as soon as he was old enough, he would leave for the city...to become a writer (of children's books, because of his own fond memories), and to take his burden away from his parents.

And he kept the vow - as soon as he graduated, he moved into a run-down apartment in the slums, taking odd jobs to pay his rent and trying to get his work published. Unfortunately, his work was just a shade too odd...too eerie, somehow, to be accepted in the world of children's literature. Therefore he was stuck in a strange sort of limbo...not really upset, but not really very happy, either.

But living in the slums carried danger...and for someone so frail and nervous (and perhaps a shade naive), it was PARTICULARLY dangerous. One night, while walking home from one of his odd jobs, Julian was mugged. When the muggers were unsatisfied with the money, they beat him, leaving him bruised and sobbing with pain in an alley.

The bruises healed...but Julian did not.

He shut himself in his room for a couple of weeks, shaking and in a state of paranoia. It wasn't long before his...kinder...neighbors noticed the way he was acting...and hauled him in to be monitored behaviorally.

Those were the most frightening nights of Julian's life. He cried, he screamed, he kicked the walls of his cell...there were even moments where they had to put him in a straightjacket, and throw him into a padded room.

On the fourth night, Julian began to realize something. The doctors were waiting for him to improve...that was all they cared about and all they wanted. So maybe...if he looked okay, and acted without any aggression at all...maybe he could get out and back to his life.

So, on the fifth and sixth days, he acted perfectly cheerful again. He smiled at the doctors, speaking in intelligent, light tones, and generally tried to show no signs of fear.

On the seventh day, they let him go.

Ever since then, Julian has had the nervous habit of smiling - because somewhere in the back of his mind, he believes that if he smiles and acts like he's happy, then he will never have to be "broken" again, and never get locked away.


...So life went on, much the same as ever...he would do his odd jobs, get refused by publishers, and never have quite enough to eat. He carried the beloved Alice paperback with him everywhere, tucked safely into his belt under the back of his shirt, and read it every chance he got. He wore the pocket watch with pride, only grinning and shaking his head at those who called it 'girly.'

His life wasn't perfect, but he survived, trying to make ends meet.

But at the age of 22, Julian would get an invitation that's a little too good to be true....

The Other Islanders

James Brodstrom: The helicopter pilot who brought me here. He...he seemed a nice enough sort. Very dedicated, maybe, but nice enough. He apparently has children back at his home...I wonder if I'll ever see them?

Dr. Moreau: Haven't seen much of him...but something about him gives me the heeby-jeebies. It's just...he seemed almost like he was toying with me.

And now that Ambrose has told me...what we're here for...I don't know what to think anymore.

Ambrose: My downstairs neighbor. The first of the others brought to the Island that I met...and the one who told me what's really going on here. I don't want to believe him, however nice he seems...but...it's looking more and more like I won't have a choice.

The Carpenter. He's a nice enough sort...first person I have met as well. He seemed a bit on the nervous side...but I can't hold that against him, I do suppose. I think poor Julian gave him a fright.

"The Dude": Second one I've met...and yet another person who's already started to...change. I'm really not liking my chances. Still, nice guy...I just wish he would get the hint that I'm JULIAN, not Julianne. It was kinda funny at first, but now...well...I wish he would figure out that I'm a man.

Aubrey Lockheart: Not sure what to think of her, really...she seems nice enough, but she DOES work for Moreau. For whatever reason, I'm not feeling very...angry towards her. She doesn't seem to want to hurt anyone, after all....

Ian Campbell: Well, he also seems nice enough...had a lot of deep questions and murmured to himself a few times. Can't quite say why, but he makes me nervous. He also mentioned 'Julianne' - but thankfully, could recognize that I'm a guy.

Colche: Poor thing seemed so nervous around me at first, but she seems to be a sweetheart. I hope she'll let me be her teacher - I think she would be a fast learner.

Amaya: A very sweet girl...I really hope I haven't scared her too much. We got to talking, and she said she would like to read one of my stories...I just hope she's still okay with me after...my episode....

The Chimney Sweep. Sweet girl...if not a little edgy. I do think she disliked me...a shame. Definitely a sweet child, yes.

Dr. Madison Moreau: She seemed...nice...but I get nervous around psychiatrists. I wonder what happened...one minute, I was in her office...then I wake up hours later in my room with a headache.

Ugh...the Queen of Hearts. I didn't get to land my attack...but hopefully she got the point. I will not allow her to remove Julian's head...never.

Emerwyn: She was so nice to me...and she wrote me a poem, after only seeing me for a moment before. I hope I'll see more of her - she was rather a comfort to me....

Hmph. I didn't think Alice's older sister would have made it here to spoil the fun. If she doesn't keep her distance, I'll have to teach her a lesson...but for now, the lesson is all Julian's.

Important Dates

The Cheshire Cat

Classic:


Disney:


American McGee's Alice:

Silver Tabby Images

Reserved

Original Writing Prompt?