Queen of Spades [Millace Fiore Liddell]'s Story

Belca frowned, clearly the Queen wasn't a very good one. In fact, she sounded downright tyrannical, what with this game and ...

Something just occurred to her.

"She's a dictator, isn't she?"
There was just something in the way the Duchess had laughed when she suggested the Queen should protect Wonderland. The way she had dismissed the idea as an absurd one.

"Did you people even take part in this stupid... whatever this - " she indicated her own self and the Duchess in a swiping gesture - " - thing is willingly? Or did she force you into going along with her? And if so, then why?"

She sulked when the Duchess said she was transparent.
"Fish is fine." scowling, she marched to the table and began picking at the food. She didn't want to be treated like a spoilt little kid. Besides, she wasn't really hungry after all those tea cakes., and said so.

"So you mean there's no way to defeat the Jabberwocky except with ... the ..." she scrunched up her face, trying to remember what the Duchess had said. "Vor... pal Blade? How do you get that? And why hasn't someone used it yet?" Letting out a snort, she nodded. "Yeah, like you said, you don't need to tell me to keep a strong head."
Fidgeting a little, she added, "But th- I appreciate it all the same."

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

Millace was lying peacefully under a random cherry blossom tree in his garden - all the trees were in full bloom, even though it really wasn't their season to be so in, that was one thing he appreciated about Wonderland - and practically the only thing he did - except for the whole immortality thing. That was an added perk, especially since Alde couldn't touch him here, in his own turf.

Pink petals rained down on him, and he drowsily opened one eye, wondering what the tree was trying to tell him, before finally realising and sitting up, startled.

Why is someone here?
Frowning, he got up, not bothering to dust himself. Petals of cherry blossom clung to his flowing robes, but he didn't care.
Well, to say he didn't care would be wrong. He liked it this way.

Strolling around the garden, trying to locate the intruder - it would have been much simpler if he had just asked a tree, but he had already confirmed that the newcomer wasn't one of Alde's men - and he had absolutely nothing else to do - not that he was complaining, he preferred it that way. Milling about without any worries...... - he came across a girl lying under a tree. In his favourite patch, nonetheless.

Intrigued and somewhat annoyed by the strange presence, he walked closer, noticing she seemed to be an Outworlder. Probably here dut to Alde and her twisted games.

Alde had informed him of her 'game'. It was a sick little game, if he might say so. But he would be the first to admit that it seemed interesting, since he couldn't figure out her motive, what she hoped to achieve with this one. It was far less twisted than her previous ones, and while it was just like her to make the Chains fight each other without any reason just for her own entertainment, he would have put it beneath her to involve Outworlders in it. Besides, teleporting Outworlders took up a hell of a lot of energy, and Alde wasn't stupid enough to waste hers without any reason.

He wasn't participating, of course. As rulers, it was required of Alde to issue him a formal invitation to whatever events she held, and that was why he had been informed. Even though he was below Alde in rank, ruling over a small portion of Wonderland - the part known as ChessWorld, in fact, a portion which contained only two Chains - he was still a ruler.

"Hello." he gently called out to the girl. He didn't take kindly to people trespassing in his world, but the girl might provide him with some information.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"
But that didn't mean he would be polite to her, did it now? Especially seeing as how she was intruding on his favourite space.

Startled, Aria sat up and saw a man looking at her. She didn't hear him coming which isn't a good thing, this meant she let her guard down and Aria mentally frowned. Hearing him ask who she was and what she is doing here Aria did her best not to come off rude. "My name is Aria. I was just wondering around hoping to find the others that I saw back at the grand hall." Standing up Aria took in the man's appearance. He wore robes that flowed around him, his hair and eyes a violet color which instantly caught her attention, and he also carried fans. Of course Aria shouldn't be surprised because he resides in Wonderland, but she still couldn't help but be slightly mesmerized.

Clearing her thoughts Aria began to fiddle with her bracelet while keeping eye contact, "If I was intruding I didn't mean to. I was simply resting before continuing on finding everyone." Feeling a petal caress her cheek, Aria held out her other hand and watched as a petal landed in her hands, "This place is beautiful though, it's one of the good parts of Wonderland that I have come across." Lifting her gaze back to the man she lightly smiled, "May I know who you are?"

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

"My name is Aria. I was just wondering around hoping to find the others that I saw back at the grand hall."

Millace raised a slim eyebrow. She had seen others at the Great Hall? How was that possible? And yet, she didn't look like she was lying ... in fact, she looked rather honest.

Thankfully, Millace wasn't about to be fooled by appearance alone. And yet, if what she was saying was true, then this girl bore some looking into.

The girl fidgeted a little.
"If I was intruding I didn't mean to. I was simply resting before continuing on finding everyone."

He was about to tell her that whether she had meant it or not, she had been intruding all the same and that she should get out of his sight before he changed his mind, made use of the powers vested in him and turned her into a heap of petals being blown away by the wind, when she moved.

A petal floated gently down on her open palm, which she had held out. The movement reminded him so much of his own self that he couldn't help but watch her, frowning inside although his expression remained as serene as ever on the outside. He also noticed that she hadn't once broken eye contact, even while fiddling. The girl definitely had spunk, if nothing else.

Well, he didn't particularly like spunky people, though.
But if the girl was being truthful about being able to see others in the Great Hall - which he thought she was being - , surely it wouldn't hurt to talk to her for a while?

Besides, she seemed to love the flowers as much as he did, and she wasn't doing the human things - a quick glance around the garden showed him that she hadn't picked a single lovely flower, or trampled them, or poked them, and she wasn't being loud and annoying or disturbing the flowers either.

Millace sighed. This battle had been lost from the beginning.

"This place is beautiful though, it's one of the good parts of Wonderland that I have come across."

Violet eyes snapped open, head tilted to one side.

Now that she mentioned it, he couldn't see any Chains with her, and even if she did have anyone with her, only the White and Red Queens could have actually brought her inside the Chessboard.. Even their servants, the White and Red Knights didn't have the power to access this ChessBoard from Outside, unless accompanied by their Queens - and the two Queens working together, at that -, far less his Garden, which was accessible only to himself, and the Queen of Hearts, had he not forbidden her from entering the Garden at the moment due to some feud he had already forgotten, but no doubt the Queen was still fuming on. It was for his own safety, really!

A small smile bloomed on his face.
"Yes, it is." he agreed, wondering at his lack of suspicion. He would have to do something about this instant letting down of guard whenever someone treated his Garden gently. But that meant she couldn't be a harmful person. Maybe she was something he hadn't seen before, but anyone nice to flowers was worth talking to in his book.

"I'm the Queen of Spades." he gave her a wry smile. 'Queen', indeed.

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

Millace found the ends of his lips curving upwards in a sheepish smile, and caught himself just in time. This really was getting out of hand. He needed to get away and think for a moment, find out chinks in her armour that he could exploit. He didn't actually need to know what Alde was up to, but he might as well. It wasn't as if that could do him any harm, could it now? And as someone said so aptly, knowledge was power. Events in Alde's Wonderland Proper wouldn't directly affect his little Chess Board, but there was always that what if. Because as much as he hated to admit it, some of their kingdoms still overlapped ... something that was very, very unfortunate, but also unavoidable, if one asked Millace. He couldn't do anything about it as of now, and probably wouldn't be able to in the near future either.

This girl was a way into Alde's game.
The only problem was that he couldn't tell how exactly to go about manipulating her. And the fact that she was different from the people he had met so far, in that she was honest beyond logic, and completely baffled him.
Besides, there was the fact that she caressed the rose petals so gently, the look on her face one that he knw he had sported himself on several occasions ... it made him feel that little bit unwilling to use her.

"That's just how things work in Wonderland." he found himself saying, shrugging the 'Queen' remark off. In truth, there was just that little bit of a story behind it, but he had told her the bottom line : that really was how things worked in Wonderland. You didn't like it, you got the hell lost from there .... if you could, that is. If you couldn't, Alde took it upon herself to see to it that you 'vanished'. Though ... it wasn't really Alde he feared. It was someone else, someone much, much worse, and yet someone he held dear to his heart.

"Yes, you are right. This indeed is my garden. Say, Miss Aria, do you know why you were brought here?" he asked, watching the girl closely for any reaction.






A red mist swirled inside the ice cavern, spiralling gently, flowing through the ice pillars, lending the whole cave and the stream that flowed out of it a pale red colour.

What was more, the mist was glowing. A red, hellish glow that looked entirely unnatural and fake, and yet beautiful and mesmerising at the same time.

It waited, and watched, biding its time, as it had been for centuries.

A voice laughed. It was difficult to tell if the voice belonged to a girl or a boy. It was more of a voice to be sensed than heard.

The laugh echoed off the cavern, shaking the pillars dangerously as everything changed.
The ice melded into glass, clear and transparent. The pillars melted away into thin air, and the red glow now, instead of seemed to be seeping in through the white walls, bounced off all directions, reflecting in the mirror-like glass.

Jabberwocky was free, and now the little fool of her brother seemed to be bent on entering the games.

My, my, this is going to be interesting. I wonder if you know what you are doing, foolish Brother.

❤ The Queen of Hearts ❤

Far away, Alde's eyelids flickered, thoughts racing in her unconscious mind.

As always, the subconscious and unconscious know of many things the conscious mind never notices or simply skims over. Alde, in spite of being the ruling Queen of Wonderland Proper, was no exception.

Something was wrong with her dear Wonderland.

There was something Alice was not telling her.

There was something she needed to know.

And her eyelids still kept on flickering, caught in an endless dream she couldn't wake from.

A small frown graced her lips, "It seems we're here for a game." Straightening her posture she faced him fully, "I over heard one of the others talking to a man with mint colored hair and apparently they made a contract with each other." Shrugging Aria chuckled, "That's all I really know so far but I know there's more to it. I mean I forgot who I am, where I'm from and I somehow end up in Wonderland." Walking closer to him she ran her fingers through her hair, "It's like someone erased my memories for their benefit or entertainment." Clenching her fist Aria inhaled and relaxed.

"Then again maybe this could be better for me." Aria looked around the garden and her expression changed, "Of course I won't make that final decision till I regain my memories." She stopped walking once she was close to him but not to close to invade his personal space. I wonder if he has another name he prefers to go by... Shaking her head Aria decided it couldn't really hurt to ask. "What's your name? I know you're the 'Queen' of Spades but what's your real name?"

A contract?...I would have to make a contract to regain my memories, can I trust him? She didn't feel any bad vibes coming from him but that didn't make him good either. It made him right about the matter at hand. Suppressing her gasp Aria knew that the reference she just made came from a play. I believe it was called Into the Woods. Mentally smiling she knew that making this contract is either going to make or break her. Did she care at the moment? Not really. Aria was determined and if she had to play the game then so be it. "Fiore I will make a contract with you."

Aria was in awe of how the contract was formed. Looking at her arm she touched it with her left hand and looked back to Fiore, "Tea is one of my favorite beverages." Sitting on the ground as well and smiled, "I'm open to converse about anything. I'm not really picky about topics." She was hoping that she had answers for what he wanted to know since her memory is still clouded and filled with blanks. At least I know my name...or so I think, I like a wide range of music because I still have my ipod, I can't help but like the fact he has long hair and has a unnatural eye color. Well this being Wonderland his eyes are probably normal here. Just talking to herself was beginning to make her head spin.

Looking at her reflection in the tea she began to list off what she knew, "I know that my name is Aria, or so I think. I like a wide range of music because I still have my ipod." She paused and wondered if she should tell him about how she liked long hair and unnatural eye colors.I want him to trust me right? So I lied and said that's all that would ruin it...I need him to regain my memories and he needs me for whatever. Aria wasn't blind, she knew that making a contract that there had to be something to benefit Fiore. Sighing she decided she would since it's suppose to help her, "I also like long hair and unnatural eye colors." Taking a sip of her drink she closed her eyes and enjoyed feeling the liquid run down her throat. Hearing him mention how Wonderland was old fashioned and the endless tea party Aria nodded her head, "My mother always made the sweetest tea when I was growing up. We would always have a tea party with my younger brother." Setting the cup down it took a few moments for her to realize what she just said. Stifling a gasp Aria looked at Fiore, maybe making a contract with him was a good idea after all.

A smile spread on her face as she heard the Duchess list off so many weapons, completely at ease. She wondered why the other knew of such things, but why should she care? Talking about steel and blood made her feel much more at home than her - sh couldn't help thinking of the word 'foreign' - kindness and sensitivity.

"I have tried tantos and dai katanas, not wakazashi though, but I feel the most comfortable with this." she raised her slim katana. "Its not too heavy, its simple and clean."

Apparently even though she had forgotten her past, it had a way of catching up with her through unexpected interactions. Not that she was complaining but ... something told her she was just fine without any memories of her own.

Belca was startled at the sudden 'whoosh' and even more so at what appeared, staring at the thick volume pointedly. Anyone could tell the Duchess liked her drama, but really? Really?

Being a sensible girl herself, she found it rather unnecessary and overdone.

A wave of bitterness washed over her, gone as soon and abruptly as it had appeared.
You wouldn't have found time to be so extravagant if you had grown up in the real world.

Narrowing her eyes, Belca reached for the pen.

"I really should read the fine print, but it's not like I have a choice, right? Why delude myself?" she shrugged, speaking aloud mostly to her own self. For some reason the words sounded useless and fake to her own ears.

Trusting someone this easily, you really are a fool.

'Go away.' she sulkily told the voice in her head. It wasn't like she was trusting the Duchess or anything. WHat she had said was true, even if it rang false right now. She had no other choice than to sign or go wandering off all on her own in an unknown land - which would have been pretty fun if something like the Jabberwocky hadn't been running around.

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

Fiore nodded, looking a little absent minded as he stared at the rose bushes surrounding them but actually paying attention to the girl, smiling a little at her comment about long hair and unnatural eye colour - was this a contributing factor in the girl's readiness to form a Contract with him? - before he heard the surprise in her voice and looked sharply at her.

"I take it the last two sentences mean you just remembered a part of your memory?" he offered casually. To keep things smooth and casual was the best way to make the mind lower its guards. If their conversation was flowing naturally, bits and pieces of her past might come back to her - just like this one obviously had.

Thinking back, something else piqued his interest.

"An I-pod, you say? Would you mind telling me what exactly this I-Pod is, and what it does?"

From her words, it must have something to do with songs and though he liked silence the best, he was also somewhat fond of music. He couldn't remember such a device when he 'split', so to speak, from Reality. Even though he had the power to visit his real world at any time - just like his sister, Alice - he preferred to stay in his own little world - or to be more precise, his own little garden. It was comforting and familiar and it was everything he could ever want.

Aria nodded and grabbed her i-pod, "This device stores music, anything you want you can put on here and listen to whenever you want. I have classical, pop, rock, heavy metal, country, punk rock. Well anything besides rap and gosspal." She held the i-pod out to Fiore after turning it on and smiled, "You may try it if you like." Aria didn't understand why she felt the need to make sure he was happy or pleased. Never before had she felt compelled to make sure that someone liked her. This was a new feeling that she had to learn to cope with before her composure broke. Taking another look around the garden she still couldn't believe how lucky she was to stumble across this place. It truly was amazing and she wouldn't mind to stay here. Would Aria admit that to anyone else? Of course not. This was a thought that would stay in her mind for as long as she wished. "One of my favorite classical songs is Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven."

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

Millace took the ... thing, I-Pod, held out towards him somewhat hesitantly. He wasn't very good at adapting himself to new ... anything, really. He tended to react badly to change and newness, which was why he had carved a world for himself within Wonderland, his own safe corner where nothing from outside could reach him.

He frowned a little. He had never actually thought very deeply about why he hated change. Was it because he was afraid of losing the things important to him?

....more likely, he was simply too lazy to deal with change. That sounded like him alright.

Adventure and curiosity had always been Alice's and Vivaldi's strong point, not his.

Still, he took the I-Pod from Aria's hand, turning it around and pressing a button....

Soft music filled the air. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata?

"Ah, this happens to be one of my favourite pieces as well." he spoke up, unable to hide the little excitement from his voice, before he remembered who she was, and that he must behave in front of her. He couldn't let her get under his skin, for all he knew she could be part of some new plan of Alde's. The woman had always hated him ever since he broke into her territory and created the Chess Board, breaking away from Wonderland. Honestly, the Queen of Hearts was a spoilt, air-headed, vain, egoistic brat.

Realising he had a gloomy aura about himself thanks to his dark thoughts, he shook it off, taking another sip of his tea, letting the music play on till it ended.

"It truly is wonderful, the advances made by the world ...." he trailed off, as if just remembering Aria was still there. "Ah, and weren't you saying something about unnatural hair and eye colour earlier? I think you will find Wonderland much to your liking if that is the case. Many Chains have strange hair and eyes .... there was a Chain in Wonderland with turquoise hair, and another with pink ... I think. I can't really remember, it has been so long since I have set foot outside the Chess Board - or the garden, really."

Aria smiled at his comment, "Yes, unnatural eye and hair color are one of my quirks." Taking a quick sip she set the cup down, "I like things are not normal because it's different, unique, exciting." A small blush stained her cheeks, "Sorry, I just like going against the crowd." Standing up Aria stretched and enjoyed the gentle breeze, "You mentioned the Chess Board, is that where I am?" Curiosity got the better of her since this was a new world that she had to adapt to in order to remember who she is and why she's here.

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

He hid a smile. Typical youth ... always with the rebelling, non-conformity ... but wasn't non conformity a way of conforming, and rebellion a mere way to fit in too, just like not believing in anything was a kind of belief in itself? However, he let it be. It wasn't really any of his business what the girl did, as long as she served her purpose to him. The rest was her own choice, and he wouldn't interfere as long as it wasn't causing him any inconvenience.

"Yes, that's where you are. How and why you found your way here and were actually allowed in are things we shall leave for further contemplation in the future." Although he had a strong suspicion his sister had something to do with it he didn't voice it. No one knew Alice was his sister - or rather, no one in Wonderland knew there was an Alice at all, save Jabberwocky, but that .... thing was completely another matter.

Dismissing thoughts of the dark, tainting beast, he smiled at her over the rim of his teacup, having finished his tea and seeing she had, too.
"Would you like to follow me to my home? Its not grand like the other Chains' homes or anything, just a little cottage ...."
He looked at her, waiting for an answer, a little smile playing on his lips at the thought of his haven without him being aware of it.




Belca let out a strangled little cry that died in the back of her throat when she saw the ... the ... really, she had no idea how to put the sight that greeted her eyes when she went to the window on hearing the ... voice.

At first there was the stench, slowly growing over-powering as seconds ticked by, then there was a squealing ruckus as all the pigs and momeraths ran inside, and then there was a voice that was just wrong.

And then there was this sight.

Belca could say with some pride that while she might not be the bravest person in the world, she would definitely count as being braver than normal. However, this horror that presented itself in front of her eyes....

She was broken from her stupor by the Duchess pulling on her arms. She could see the Duchess cry as they ran out, dooming the others and leaving a burning house behind them. If it were under other circumstances, she would have berated the Duchess for sending them to their deaths, but somehow, after seeing that, she just understood.

"Don't cry." she muttered, for once embarrassed at herself and her lack of feminine comforting words, "It would be even worse if you fell in their hands. I mean, you are obviously powerful enough to be a damaging tool, and since there's no way for you to stop ... stop it, then ... I mean, there's nothing else you could do, so... And I'm sure." She went on with a sudden surge of conviction that was only half-faked, "I'm sure there must be some way to help them ... return, you know? Because even if they have been tainted, they're still who they are deep down."

I hope, she added mentally to the end of her sentence.

It probably wouldn't help the Duchess - after all, she knew far more than her about the Jabberwocky and possibly would have known if there was a hope of recovery, but Belca felt she had to say something to the other woman.

Hearing him offer to go back to his home Aria nodded, "That sounds wonderful." Sitting here in the garden was amazing but going back to his home Aria could hopefully rest. She finally began to feel the effects of walking for a long time and could use a few minutes or an hour to sleep. Her eyes drifted to him and Aria wondered why he wanted to make a contract in the first place, not that she would change anything, but he never really said why did he? Mentally shaking her head Aria would ask that question later on when they've more time to be around each other, after all she needed him to trust her.

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

As he led Aria towards a tree with greenish white flowers* in the centre of the garden, Fiore briefly wondered if this was a smart move on his part. Not even the Chains in his own domain knew of his residence.

He waved a hand, taking a sprig of the greenish white flower and blowing on it gently, watching the small flowers float back towards the tree. Almost immediately the rose vines creeping up the tree shot outwards, before creeping around an expanse of air, winding together to frame an arch made of seemingly empty air.

"This way." he called out, stepping through the arch, taking her hand in his to urge her inside and prevent any questions or hesitation.

Immediately the arch closed, leaving the two of them standing in a pergola latticed with rose and ivy vines, stretching for as far as the eyes could see.

"Rose is one of my favourite flowers, if you can't tell by now." he intoned, laughing a little.

After a while of walking, they reached another arch like the first, except with ivy vines mixing with the rose framing the arch. Stepping out, he ushered her in past the two lantern trees bordering the arch, and down a lane of trees with yellow, violet and red flowers, disregarding the occasional little benches placed along the sides.

"That pergola is a magical one. No one can go out of here or come in without my permission. Even if someone caught the trick of opening the arch, they would get lost in the pergola, walking to their end, so if you feel the need to go outside, please tell me first so you do not suffer such a fate." he told Aria, voice serious, before taking on a lighter tone. "Ah, here we are."

Before them stood a small Japanese style ( he could safely say he had a particular liking for the Japanese culture, they were always so elegant in their decorations and lifestyle - if you discounted some things, of course. But then, nobody could be perfect, could they? ) cottage, led to by seven small steps, all dusted with flowers from the trees bordering them, overrun with flowering vines and hedged with flowery bushes, all in full bloom. Of course, everything in the Chess Board was always in full bloom - it was his world, after all.

Leading her inside, he gave her an apologetic smile.

"I am afraid my home is not very grand or magnificent. I do hope you will find it comfortable enough, though."

He opened the sliding door for her.

Aria followed and was in awe the whole time they headed towards his home. Hearing his comment about roses she chuckled, "I like roses as well." When the cottage came into view she admired the flowers and stepped inside. "The style is Japanese correct?" Looking back at him she gave a sheepish smile, "I like the Japanese culture as well." She was about to continue when part of her bangs fell in her face. With a huff she moved her hair out of the way by placing it behind her ear. Feeling some grime from sweating she grimaced, "Could you please tell me where your bathing area is?" Aria was use to being dirty from what she could tell. If didn't then she was sure to have noticed it sooner, but she didn't want to be filthy in Fiore's home or presence for that matter.

Belca nodded at both Destra and Sinistra, though she couldn't help but be a little confused and a tad irritated at their strange way of speaking. But she figured she would have time to both satisfy her curiosity and be blunt later on, when they weren't being chased by, you know, random things that were potentially injurious to their health - mental as well as physical. Honestly, she would rather kill herself than be tainted by . . by that . . . that thing.

"Belca." she breathed out, keeping an wary eye on the Duchess.

She flushed a little at the Duchess' weak smile, before scowling and turning away - it was so obvious the woman was still trying to cover up with a smile. She hated people like that the most - people who always had to be strong, had to protect others no matter what the cost was to themselves. People who sacrificed themselves for others. It was just plain wrong and unfair. Like Sinistra and Destra, who now offered to go back to buy them time. Really, what was up with these people? Hadn't they heard of the word 'comradeship' or the proverb 'United we stand'? Fuming under her breath, she followed the Duchess and the other girl - Moonlight, was it?

She almost slammed into the Duchess' back as they came to a sudden halt, stopping herself just in time. Eyeing the Duchess suspiciously, Belca wondered what had made the other change her mind. Whatever, something told her it was better to keep that particular piece of knowledge till absolutely necessary, mostly because she had the strongest hunch that her weird day was just going to get a whole lot weirder, and more life-threatening.

Holding her own katana at ready, Belca eyed the Moonlight girl. She didn't want to sound vain, but she felt herself hoping that she could hold her own against the other girl ( though she shouldn't probably be thinking like that - she wasn't her opponent, they were allies right now ). She would really hate it if the Duchess regretted having chosen her over the other, politer and easier to work with Contractors.

There was nothing as bad in the world as being unwanted.

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

"It's just outside, behind the hedge on the northern side." he pointed it out to her, "You might find it a little difficult to bathe though - you see, it's a spring, although I doubt you would have cared much about heating the water anyway." He added, remembering the always pleasant temperature and weather of the Chess Board and especially his own Garden. He liked his bath water with a tad bit of tinge of chill, too warm weather always gave rise to dust and sweat.

The bathhouse was segregated from the main cottage by some ten yards of a small stone path, covered with wisteria vines. Made of stone, it's roof cut off directly on top of the little pond formed by the water gushing up from the spring. Like the rest of his home, it too had a comfortable, dreamy feel, even if it wasn't very grand.

"If you want to bathe in hot water though, there's a hot spring on the other side of the stream." he tagged on, referring to the stream running through the Northern side of his house. "If you walk up the stream for a little while, you will get to a bridge. Cross the bridge and you'll find the hot spring on your right. I could show you if you wanted...?" he left it as a casual offer, not wanting to embarrass the girl.

"The spring will be lovely. With the weather like this I don't think the hot spring would help." Aria was grateful that he asked if she wanted him to show her. She would die from embarrassment if she got lost trying to find the spring. "If you could please show me that would really help. I hate it when I get lost." Just as long as he showed her then left to where he couldn't see her then she would be fine. Oh don't think like that, he's not a perv for christ sake Aria! He has his pride and honor that's for sure since he's the 'Queen' of Spades.

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

"Of course. Why don't you wait outside?" Millace replied, standing up, "Give me one minute to bring you some clothes and a towel."

He came out of the house with a stack of fluffy lavender towels that smelled faintly of the flower whose colour they shared and a simple black kimono.

"I am afraid I don't exactly have clothes that would fit you in my house, so I brought you this instead. It's a simple one-layered one, all you have to do is to put it on and tie this sash." he pointed out, not sure she knew how to wear a kimono, and he honestly couldn't see her asking for his help with dressing herself. He felt himself blush a little at the thought. That would be .... embarrassing.

Noticing her own blush, he couldn't help but tease her. "Don't worry, I won't watch you." he smirked, "Unless of course, you want me to."

With a small chuckle, he floated down the stone steps, leading her to the bath. "Just joking."

Aria could've sworn her jaw hit the ground from his joke. It didn't help the blush that now grew ten shades deeper, and the fact she now knew he noticed her own. Oh how wonderful, he knows what I was thinking about. How embarrassing! Following him down the steps Aria did her best to calm down and not think about his comment anymore. Like he said, he was joking, nothing more. So why couldn't she let it go? Shaking her head Aria looked around trying not to stare at Fiore.

"I think I'll be okay since it's only one layer. If it were more then we would have a problem." Aria heard her bracelet jingle as they walked and couldn't help but wonder if her family was missing her. Did they even notice she was gone? Suppressing a sigh so Fiore wouldn't asking questions Aria inhaled smelling the scent of water. "Have you always lived alone?" Glancing over to Fiore she hoped that she didn't bring up a sensitive topic.