As he always did, Liam woke with the sun. Wearily, Liam rose from his bed and made his way to the bathroom. Liam rubbed his eyes and stretched as he looked at himself in the mirror. Scars covered his body, and what little was unharmed was covered in tattoos. Liam smirked at himself. What would his parents think? More somberly, what would Madoka think? It had been years since Liam had seen her, almost two whole years. He couldn't though. Liam loved her too much to... to tell her what he had done. It was his fault. Everything was his fault. If he hadn't been so weak, he could have saved them. "Stop it." Liam told himself, his golden eyes staring back at him from the mirror. "You did the best you could. It's not your fault. It's
theirs..." The Core had ended Markys's life. Liam had done his best to defend it, but even he wasn't strong enough to save him from them. He still wasn't strong enough. He would be though, one day. One day, Liam would watch the Island burn. Every Core, every building, and every broken promise. Until then, he had work to do. Liam quickly showered, dressing himself in his cloak and usual garb. He did, however, opt to wear more comfortable black leather boots. In case, the situation called for it. Liam needed to be prepared to move quickly. After he had eaten a small breakfast, Liam quickly wrapped Lunatic in white bandages, and stored his weapon within its case. At that, Liam slung the guitar case over his shoulders, locked his apartment behind him, and made his way to Wonderland.
It was certainly a forlorn place. Left freestanding on the south side of Minimum, the Wonderland was a simple, white building. Most of its windows were smashed, and the sides were all painted with symbols of the Landers. Some were rather clever, others were just moronically phallic. Usually, most people avoided this building like the plague, but not Liam. He walked, rather calmly, through the front doors and into the shadowy, colorful depths of the Wonderland. This was, usually, considered a death sentence to any other Hiatus, save for the Landers. They weren't the most powerful gang in Minimum, that honor fell to the Sonics. They weren't the smartest either, that was the Candy Crush. They weren't even the wildest or most destructive, that was Air Gear. So why? Why, then, would people much rather visit any other gang building in all of Minimum than the Wonderland? The answer was simple: the Landers, apart from the Core itself, were the most feared group of people in all of Minimum. Their Leader, the Chesire Cat, was the cruelest, meanest, most terrifying woman in the whole city. Her Error was really just to reinforce that fact, she didn't need it to send shivers down your spine. Her commands were reason to demolish entire city blocks, her whims started wars, and she was Liam's leader. Liam waved to the Landers he was friends with as he made his way up the stairs and down the corridors that lead him to the scariest room in all of Wonderland: Cat's room. Liam was her personal bodyguard. This wasn't because he was the most powerful Hiatus in the Wonderland, nor was he the fastest, or the smartest. Instead, Liam was far more vauable. He was the most experienced. He'd been there the longest, barring Kaleb. He was, however, without a doubt, the most loyal Hiatus in all of Wonderland, and possibly, in all of Minimum. Liam took his place beside the door, never daring to peek inside, for fear of what might happen to him if he did. Liam may have been a scarred veteran, with years of experience, but he wasn't looking to die anytime soon either.
They day began rather simply. As it became closer and closer to Tea time, starting roughly around ten o'clock, the Landers became more and more... rowdy. Their revelries became louder, wilder, and more destructive as it approached noon, until the noise managed to worm its way up to where Liam now stood, at Cat's door. Liam had warned them. He told them that making so much noise while the Mistress was still sleeping was a bad idea. Even worse, to be starting the Tea Party so early, and without the Mistress? It was a dangerous game to play. However, the newer recruits ignored him, and he refused to repeat himself. It was their mistake really. If they should turn to gibbering buffoons, locked in their own heads with fear, then it was no concern of his. In fact, Liam almost hoped it might happen. Not only would it create a stronger sense of discipline within the Wonderlander ranks, but it wouldn't be anywhere near as annoying to have to deal with every morning. After issuing his warning, Liam stood patiently against the wall, awaiting the obvious consequence of his peers' actions.
Finally, the disturbance was too great. The Cat had awoken. "
Fools!" Cat exclaimed as she stepped out of her room, two strands of her hair pulled into the usual braid as she made her way down the winding staircase of the tower, the morning sun already streaming through the windows that now lighted the abandoned tower up in a dim, muted light. As Liam followed behind her, he forced himself to suppress a smirk. Watching Cat become angry with someone who wasn't him was rather enjoyable. Such notions had to be hidden, however, lest he incur the Mistress's wrath. "
Do I have to remind you of the time?" She yelled at them all furiously, silencing the revels instantly. Attempting to assuage his leader's anger, Liam spoke. "
Of course not Mi'lady. It's not even noon yet, Wonderland knew that already. I tried to warn them that you wouldn't be pleased, especially when they started the Tea Party without you. I suppose they simply couldn't wait any longer." At that moment, Liam couldn't help but smile softly at his Mistress, the Chesire Cat. Never, in his wildest fantasies, would he have imagined the Queen of Hearts to be this physically unimposing. His Mistress was a powerful, terrifying woman, that much was certain. However, there was something to be said about the way she threw tantrums like a little girl. To be entirely fair, she was much younger than him. Liam forced himself to suppress a chuckle. She was even rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
Cat placed her hand on her forehead. Groaning, she turned to Liam. "
Don't give me that look." She gave Liam a glare before turning her strides. Despite the glare, it did not hold any distaste, but simply a look of annoyance that usually came with her morning tantrums. As she addressed him, her words cloaked with venom, Liam had to suppress another chuckle, he couldn't stop himself from smiling. It was just her way. He knew she wasn't actually angry with him, but he didn't dare say otherwise. The she really would be angry with him. Liam shuddered at the thought. Instead, without saying a word, Liam adjusted the guitar case on his back, then drew a pinched line across his mouth, zipping it shut. Her thoughts now aimed for the small locked door on the left side of the room. Cat's every step was accompanied by the heavy dress swaying at her feet, the train of which dragged along the ground. The room that opened from the small lock in her hand appeared sinister, but its contents were anything but such. With a few moment's hesitation, she placed her hand on the large can before her, handing it to Liam as a small smile lingered on her lips.
As the revelry descended into it's usual madness, Liam made occasional glances at the clock. It was high noon, almost three o'clock. It was nearly time. As the clock struck two thirty, Liam took a single step forward, and leaned over, placing his head over Cat's shoulder. He was still a good distance away, so as not to earn a slap from his mistress, but close enough that their conversation would remain private. "
Mi'lady, it is now half past three o'clock, precisely. We should be going now, or else we will be late for the arranged meeting at the Truce Zone." Liam said simply, just low enough that she would be the only one to hear him. Once he had finished, Liam took a step back, at his usual spot behind his mistress.
At Liam's words, a hint of confusion flashed across Cat's eyes before realization dawned. It wasn't surprising that her eyes immediately blazed with anger at the sudden reminder of the event that was doomed to take place for the day. Liam was smart to take a step back, for her arm immediately flew up, missing his head by inches as she pulled herself up from the chair. Her palms slammed onto the table, and their sudden motion, along with the noise, silenced the room. For a few, long seconds, the only sound that could be heard was the sound of Cat's breathing; angered, ragged. It took Cat a moment before she calmed herself, but her eyes still retained that cold glare she had held ever since the Tea Party started. "
Kuni!" She yelled, demanding the presence of her lieutenant. The silence lingered in the room as Cat remained motionless for a few seconds, her hands scrunching up the table clothes with frustration and annoyance that she did not bother to hide. "
Liam." Her eyes flickered toward the loyal member, the anger in her eyes still blazed despite the cheery atmosphere the room was soaked in but a second ago. "
You're with me. Let's go." Typical Cat, her voice not even allowing a hint of question to her demand. When she directed her attention back to him, Liam merely nodded, silent, stoic, and compliant. It only made sense. The Savage Nymph would have followed the Chesire Cat's bobbing tail until it no longer possessed the strength to fly. Even then, it would have walked, crawled, and dragged itself across the ground to ensure her safety.
As the gang marched to the Truce Zone, Liam felt Cat's eyes flicker upwards at the members that followed her. A silent warning for Liam. Any misconduct or weakness, any at all, would be punishable by immediate death. While she fully trusted in his abilities, the other members that were gathering here today could crush them all, easily, if they put their mind to it. Liam merely nodded, continuing to walk silently behind his Mistress. Every so often he reached up to adjust his guitar case, so it would sit more comfortably upon his back. He adjusted the zipper at the top of the bag as he walked. The resulting opening was just wide enough to stuff his fist into at a moment's notice, should things go poorly, though, hopefully, they wouldn't. Unfortunately, Liam had no more time to mentally prepare himself for the meeting. They had arrived.
As Liam walked down to the main floor, his mind was racing. This was a meeting of all the biggest gangs in Minimum. The slightest provocation, and war would erupt, bathing the city in fire. As he walked alongside Kaleb, behind Cat, Liam begrudgingly admitted, the person to make that happen was, most likely, going to be Cat. Her hatred of Ryota was well-known by every single Hiatus in all of Minimum. She opposed him at every turn, defied him, fought him, and hated him with every fiber of her being. Her eyes caught his as they gazed at the small group's destination. She was nervous, but simultaneously confident beyond all belief. She defied anyone to lie to her, to tell her no, to look at her wrong. She was, in Liam's eyes, the only person who would ever command his respect. She would be, from now until forever, the only one for whom Liam would ever kneel. Everyone else would have to kill him first. It was times like this that Liam remembered why he and... he and his partner, had chosen Cat. She was, in a word, fearless. She was proud, she was regal, and she was terrifying. Liam nodded as she caught his eyes. No other words were necessary. They both knew exactly what was going on. Thinking quietly to himself, Liam smiled. "
Let the madness begin..." Liam only smirked, but in the back of his mind, he was worried. It wasn't something many people could feel, but Liam knew Cat the best. She was just barely holding back her anger. If she had truly allowed herself to rage, all the fodder class Hiatus in every gang would have fainted by now, their worst fears coming to life in their own heads. With Liam's voice, a faint smile rose on her lips accompanied by a chuckle that eased their tension slightly, something perhaps only Liam was able to achieve in such a situation. A mischievous look flashed in her eyes. "
Commence the Mad Tea Party." She said simply. With that, her signature Cheshire Cat grin flashing wide for all to see. Her anger temporarily forgotten, or so it seemed, Liam relaxed, but only just. He didn't want to get too comfortable just yet. Preferring to stand, Liam took his place behind Cat. Sitting was a position of hesitation. He needed to be ready for anything.
At Cat's signal, Ryota's second in command and the lieutenant of the Sonics, released his error. His eyes glowed faintly, and his body was surrounded by a powerful pulse of bright blue light. It faded fast, but the gesture had not been lost on Liam. The meeting had truly started, and each of the four gangs were made to have one member each release their Error. Looking to Kuni, Liam waved his hand in a nonchalant manner and smiled, speaking just loudly enough that only Cat and Kaleb would hear him. "
Please, do remain seated Kaleb. You and Cat are the aces, after all. It would be best to keep such cards hidden until the appropriate time, no?" Reaching behind his back, Liam produced Lunatic from its case,
slamming the business end onto the ground beneath him. The resulting crash silenced his gang mates. The Landers, arguably the loudest present, weren't being obedient or compliant. They were scared. As Liam's error activated, his eyes flashed a dangerous shade of gold, and Fox-Fire licked up the length of Liam's blade, consuming the bandages that were wrapped around Lunatic within seconds. The fire's cool temperature chilled the south half of the room to a mere twenty degrees Fahrenheit in seconds. As the bandages fell away, the fire quenched itself, there was nothing left to burn. Once the fire had gone, the room's temperature returned to normal. Liam's Error was still active, and he was ready to use his powers at a moment's notice, but the only way to tell was in his eyes. They shone with a dim light, like the reflection from an animal's eyes in the dark. With the proper etiquette observed, the meeting began. Liam's face showed no emotion, but he listened intently to all that was said, and committed it to memory.
