Down the Rabbit-Hole

Belca stepped in in time to see a yellow - what was the name again? - mammoth? Ah, whatever - wander off, with something thaat seemed suspiciously like a note tied to its neck.

She gave the Duchess a contemplative look, trying to judge if she was going to be upset if Belca broached the subject foremost on her mind or not. Deciding to risk it since the other seemed composed, she spoke.

"Its the Jabberwocky, isn't it? Can't your Queen do something about it? Isn't it, like, her duty to protect you all?" she said indignantly.

'Fish... eek. I don't like fish at all. But I suppose.'

Belca sighed, sulking a little. This was an emergency situation, and something within her seemed to respond readily. This wan't the time for personal preferences.

"Fish works." she said, before tapping her right foot once. "Hey, could it be? Your Queen has no control over this Jabberwocky either?" Her eyes narrowed. "What kind of a Queen can't protect her own subjects anyway? She must be a particularly shitty one."

Aria slowly opened her eyes and saw that she was once again back outside, "What in the world..." Standing up she remembered that she was in a hall but now it seemed she was back to where she started. Sighing she started walking down the hill and ran her fingers through her hair. "This is just freaking wonderful..." Hearing some water she followed the sound and smiled when she found the stream. Getting something to drink Aria continued to going straight wondering what was going on or what was going to happen to all the others that she saw. "This wonderland is becoming more confusing by the minute."

Rabbit's shell-shocked expression slowly melted to one of anger, he narrowed his eyes towards the window before looking back at Ivory. His glare faded somewhat when he saw her own eyes but hatred couldn't help but bubble to the surface. He tried to smooth out any tell-tale signs and he breathed in heavily. Wonderland had took time to regain it's former glory and he didn't want the Jabberwocky ruin that again.
Utter chaos. Thought Rabbit forlornly.
"Sorry, dear. Didn't mean to frighten you." He muttered and made a shaky smile, "It's just that I've realised we still don't know what's this game actually about."
He gazed at the girl for a while before standing up swiftly from his seat. He did a quick glance at his watch before placing his hands by his side.
"Are you finished now, child?" Asked the Rabbit hastily, "This has reminded me of the Contract Queen had spoken of."

The albino made his way to the second door adjacent to the one that led to the kitchen. He turned the knob and opened it wide open, only pure darkness could be seen from where Ivory had been sitting.
"Do come along, dear." The boy said, attempting to ease in some comfort in his voice, "We have no time to waste."
Before that horrid disease spreads into this area. Thought Rabbit.
He shook his head and waved a hand towards the girl, ushering her in.

Every inch of the room was covered with clocks. Of course there was the norm of old wooden clocks with large golden pendulums that swung, antiques with fragile glass covers and dominating grandfathers that claimed the corners as their territory. But there were the most peculiar models dotted here and there, in between those that were not. There were brightly coloured materials that seemed to glow neon in the dark room, many with intricate designs that spiralled out of control and cascaded down onto the floor. Some had several hands while there were ones who had none at all. There were a few that did not even tell the time but instead read things like "cut the grass", "visit the queen" or "have a tea party." One told the names of the dying, the names of the living, the names of those who were Inbetween. Some didn't even look like clocks, instead harbouring the appearance of ducks, flowerpots, eyes and many other bizarre household objects. Thousands of small mosaic pieces were tightly packed together onto the floor, its black and white palette create the image of a wide dial with roman numerals.The room itself was quite large but the sheer amount of clocks that filled its walls left minimum space to walk around. A small chandelier hung from the low ceiling, casting a large shadow onto the patterned floor. As an attempt to brighten up the place, hundreds and thousands of small light bulbs were placed neatly in rows, surrounding the chandelier. Their feeble glow was nothing compared to the light that uttered from the centrepiece but it illuminated the area considerably better. Not to mention each of the clocks' ticks boomed in sync, causing the noise to multiply dozenfold.This expanse and its contents was nothing short of a wonder.

Isaiah "Grey" Gris

"I'm not actually sure why we're close to tell the truth," said Grey so only Rhia cold hear, taking a seat and a bowl of soup, "I think maybe it's just the fact that I trust him.

He decided to let the soup cool for a little bit while he undid his ponytail, he was begining to get a headache from it. He almost regretted the decision as all his hair fell about his face, sighing, he flipped his hair back to one side, feeling like a woman in a shampoo advertisement and took a sip of the soup.

"This is delicious!" he said, smiling at Absolem.

Food seemed to be just the thing his stomach needed, he could feel his energy returning bit by bit. He didn't say anything else for a while and just concentrated on the soup. Soon enough it was all gone, now for the next problem. Rhia had been right, Absolem was looking a bit worse for wear and definitely needed to rest but Grey knew that if he asked the man to go and take a nap or something like that then he would just put on a brave face and refuse saying that Grey and Rhia were more important than rest.

"Right," thought Grey, "I'll just have to be firm with him."

Silently he walked over to Absolem and grabbed his hand and tried to pull him up.

"Come with me," he said before dragging the man over to the couch.

Absolem was bigger than him so it took a little effort but he was determined. Once there he pushed the man onto the couch and made him lie down.

"Now stay there and go to sleep," said Grey, firmly, "Don't make me sit on you because I will if you try to get up."

Of course, Absolem probably wouldn't have any trouble pushing him off again but he hoped that he'd made his point clear. To tell the truth, he hoped that Absolem had taken him seriously at all, Grey knew that he wasn't that great at the dominating assertive thing and the fact that he looked like a girl when his hair was down probably didn't help but he was determined to make Absolem rest, not just because of the prospect of what might happen if something bad came along but also because he cared about Absolem.

"Don't think I won't do it," he warned again.

Satisfied he turned to Rhia and nodded decisively.


Sinistra/Tweedle Dee

Sinistra shuddered, his mind stuck on the crow. It had been bad enough just hearing the story again but for Destra to actually have to tell it, he found that his respect for his brother had gone up a little, if only a little.

"R-Raven used to wear a chain around her wrist so we used to call her Rattle," said Sinistra, gloomily taking a sip of his tea, "All of the chains seemed to think it was a joke, it was like our sister had never existed. They made up a rhyme about it but it didn't really explain anything."

Moodily he began to pick at a pastry. His brother had taken the blame but he knew that it wasn't the truth, in reality he was just as guilty for causing the incident as his brother was, he supposed that this just showed that deep down, Destra still cared for him and was trying to protect him, to cover for him like he used to.


Duchess Sophie

The Duchess nearly burst out laughing when Belca suggested the idea of the Queen protecting the chains of Wonderland.

"The Queen rules over us but I don't believe that she would concern herself with protecting us," said the Duchess, "Besides, as powerful as she is, there is only one thing that can put that horrid disease in its place and that is the vorpal blade."

She raised an eyebrow as the girl claimed that fish would work fine. Belca was clearly lying through her teeth.

"My dear girl, you're as transparent as a window, if you don't like fish then say so," said the Duchess in what she hoped was a kindly tone, "I can easily change it into something else for you but I'm afraid you'd have to eat it quickly."

Really, the girl was a wonder sometimes, was it simply because she was stubborn?

"And to answer your question," continued the Duchess, taking a seat, "Yes, it is the Jabberwocky but we shall have penty of time to get away if it decides to pay a visit.There's probably no point in telling you of all people this but if we do encounter it then keep a strong head about you unless you want to become its plaything."

Moonlight looked up. "I'm sorry," she said honestly. She couldn't think of anything else to say. "I guess I was really insensitive, asking about it." Reaching out, she patted the twins' hands. "The others shouldn't pretend like it never happened... Sometimes, talking about it is better than pretending it never existed. But I guess that's your choice, I did go too far..."

Walking along the path Aria smelled an alluring aroma. Taking a deep breath she ventured off the path and pushed some tree branches aside to see a flower field. "This is beautiful!" Looking at the mix of flowers she saw a patch of roses next to a cherry blossom tree. Smiling she walked over to the tree and sat on one of the roots. Leaning towards a rose Aria inhaled once more and sighed, "I like this spot. I've been walking for a bit so taking a rest wont hurt." Resting her head against the cherry blossom tree Aria looked up at the pink petals and watched them fall giving off a tranquil feeling. "I guess this is a good part of Wonderland." Chuckling Aria continued to watch the petals enjoying the peace.

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?"

"Yes, it does hit you full on in the face doesn't it?" Muttered the Rabbit, each rhythmic boom blocking out parts of his words, "People donate them to me, they think I'll actually find them useful. As if one clock isn't enough."

He folded his arms and shook his head, causing his long ears to jerk about. He gazed at Ivory through the corner of his eyes, it didn't surprise him when he realised that she seemed mesmerized by the room. Not just because he expected anyone to be caught off-guard but just how easily impressed this child was. Rabbit suppressed a grin before wandering around the room, each muffled step made by his buckled shoes slightly out of beat of the clocks.
"It's hard not to guess that Wonderland is no ordinary place. So then most would assume that no ordinary people live here." Said Rabbit while he continued to stroll around the room, his small hands folded behind his back, "Indeed, everyone here is not normal but only a select few have abilities to stand out from this crowd. Mystical beings who walk around in human skin. This group have abnormal powers, to twist and bend reality into a shape completely unrecognisable. We are called Chains."

He stopped at the very end of the room, but in the centre so he was directly in the line of Ivory's view. He gazed down at the floor he was standing on, the majority of his black-and-white outfit blending perfectly to the mosaic. Through the gap in between his feet, he could just about recognise the Roman numeral that represented twelve. He tilted his head this way and that way, blinking curiously at the fragmented X and the two I's.

He lifted his head, but only slightly, so that there was a shadow under his bright scarlet eyes and his golden-rimmed spectacles glinted in the light.
"I am one of these Chains. The pocket-watch. The attention paid to schedules and, especially, not being late. Do you not know what my power is?" He said and his eyes filled with mischief, an emotion that rarely flooded into his youthful face. Rabbit raised his arms from behind him so that there were at the same height as his shoulders and he tilted his head to a point that he was looking up at the light bulbs above him. He grinned at them, open-mouthed.

"It is time," Whispered the albino and he slowly shut his eyes.

Anarchy was the only word to describe what happened next. Once his staring irises had closed, havoc burst into each dial as their long hands whizzed through their cases, rattling in their boxes. The once synchronized tick-tock, had now split into different beats from one another until it dropped so fast that it just merged into one messy sound. A few slid from the grasp of their hooks and fell onto the hard floor; small pieces of glass rocketing out in every direction. Every few seconds, a cuckoo would explode from their wooden homes, their shrill call could've made sensitive ears bleed. Wooden clocks seemed to rot until they were so weak that they could no longer hold the mechanisms inside them and crashed onto the floor. Fragile porcelain crumbled into a fine dust and floated in the air. The grandfather clocks that had already grown elderly plummeted onto the once-clean mosaic, the heavy pendulums broke free from their glass prisons. Intricate images that had took years to embed where just a small piece of the small rubble that was slowly piling on the edges of the expanse.

In the midst of this chaos, Rabbit was still in his original position; his gangly arms still hovering beside him and his fluffy head lifted towards the sky. He had not been injured one bit. The boy was completely oblivious to what was happening, his expression was that of one who was at ease. A shower of debris rained onto the ground but, as if concious of her presence, seemed to avoid Ivory creating a neat circle of filth around her.

Aria slightly tilted her head, "Queen?" She was positive that he was a man, "Now why are you the 'Queen' of Spades? I mean not to offend you in any way but shouldn't it be the King of Spades?" Seeing that the petal blew away she let her hand fall back to her side as she continued to stare at the man in front of her. Aria didn't know why but she wanted to get to know him better. Testing her boundaries Aria took a few steps over to a rose bush and gently caressed the petals, "I take it that is this your garden?" She glanced over her shoulder before turning her attention back to her favorite flower.

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?"

Destra/Tweedle Dum

He was shocked. Moonlight seemed genuinely upset about what had happened in the past and seemed like she wanted to help. The way she was acting really reminded him of Raven but there were subtle differences, still, it was nice to have someone that was almost like his sister back in the house.

"It's ok," said Destra, "You couldn't have known and now that you do it just makes us all the more closer."

He reached for a piece of maple cake, the idea had come to him in a dream long ago and now it was one of his favorite recipes. He wondered if something like this existed in Moonlight's world, no doubt he would find out when he one this game, perhaps he and Sinistra could run a bakery...if they didn't fight too often, Moonlight could help too, it'd be like the family was whole again.


Duchess Sophie

"A dictator?" said the Duchess, "I suppose you could say that, just like how you could say we were given a choice to join the game...of course, the other option wasn't really desirable either."

Picking at her meal she thought back to how the Queen had invited them all to play, Alde hadn't said anything out loud but then again, she never needed to. Everyone knew what became of those that refused any kind of invitation from the Queen.

"The Queen isn't really the type of person you can say no to," concluded the Duchess, "Lets just say, I'd rather risk playing this game than face the consequences."

The Duchess smiled to herself as Belca began to eat the fish, reverse psycology worked every time.

"Well you can fight the Jabberwocky off if you're strong enough," said the Duchess as Belca brought up the horrid creature again, "But the only real hope anyone has against it is the Vorpal Blade and lets just say you'd have to find the thing before you could use it...if you could use it."

It was clear that Alde had no intention of doing anything about the Jabberwocky so it was left to the other chains to take care of it. Would she be able to use the Vorpal Blade if it fell to her? She wasn't sure.


Isaiah "Grey" Gris

Grey squeaked as Absolem pulled him down onto the couch and trapped him in a hug. He hadn't been expecting it. He began to squirm and struggle, kicking his legs feebly as he tried to get away but even exhausted, Absolem was too strong. He froze as the man began to nuzzle his neck, it tickled and soon made him squirm even more. What was Absolem thinking, doing this infront of Rhia. Grey was glad that his hair was flying all around his face, hopefully it would hide the bright red blush that was creeping across his face. He cursed the fact that he was so ticklish as Absolem sighed, the man's breath teasing against his skin was just to much for him to handle, with a final spasm from the tickling sensation he grew limp. It was obvious that he wasn't going to be able to overpower the man. Pleadingly he looked at Rhia for help but she seemed to be just as embarassed as he was.

"You'll do what!" exclaimed Grey, his eyes growing wide as Absolem brought up punishing him.

What on earth could the man mean? Surely this embarassing display was punishing but then again, Absolem probably had something more creative in mind.

"Hurry up Cheshire," he thought, hoping that the cat would make an appearence soon and rescue him.

It occured to him that maybe he could turn this against Absolem and embarass the man right back but decided against it. Absolem didn't seem like the type that could easilly be embarassed and it might prompt the man to initiate whatever the punnishment was, still, he'd be forced to do something if Absolem continued in this way.

"All I wanted was for you to rest," he sighed, as he reluctantly submitted to the man, accepting defeat.

Moonlight smiled. "See? I bet you're feeling better now." Looking down at her now-lukewarm cup of tea, she realised that she was thirsty. Quickly taking a sip, she glanced at Sinistra. Destra seems okay now, I wonder about Sinistra though...
Suddenly, Moonlight thought of something terrifying. How long will I stay here? Do I really want to go home? And if I do, what will happen to them? She tried not to let it show and instead, tried thinking warm thoughts. In the back of her mind, though, she knew that this would not last.

[Sorry for the short post, I just felt like I had to reply...]

Tea P̳̖͊ͦ͒̋ͬ̆A̝͆̓̐̓ͩ̀ͦ͒ͨ́Ȓ̸̴̜̭̙̱͎̱̏̊͋̓̎Ț̪͇͔̯͎̰͙͓̽ͣͫ̚̚͜Y̫̰͍̥̲̩̽̑̎̒

Hatter, Doormouse and March Hare had all returned to their domain after the meeting, seeking to resume the endless party, after all..it WAS someone's Unbirthday SOMEWHERE. The three chains were so engrossed in swapping seats, pouring tea and eating plates rather than the cookies that lay scattered about, that then never even noticed the sky growing darker. The wind growing colder. It wasn't until the tea turned black and oily that they blinked and looked about. And by then it was far too late.

The first to fall was March Hare, her back had been to the forest, so as the bone-lance spears out through her chest in a red spray it coats the table. Before the others can do more than gasp the bone changes, the protruding end opening like a deranged flower, and Hare is yanked backwards into the woods. Her gasping screams cut short with a wet tearing sound. Hatter blinks, absently pouring tea into an overflowing cup. The whole thing had been over in seconds. The wet sounds continue for a moment, then stop..leaving the forest mute.

Realizing the pouring error, Hatter allows another cup to pour from the pot, and catch the flowing tea before calling out, "Hare? Your tea is getting hot, or cold. One can never be sure of these things." he pauses, and shakes the pot, allowing two cubes of sugar, a spoon and a bit of milk to all plop out into the cup. "Honestly, if you were going to go for a walk you could have cleaned up after yourself.."

Hatter was mad. That was not in question.

The mouse was awake. That much was suspiring. She looked wide eyed from the sprayed blood over to Hatter, a twitch ticking just under the skin below her left eye. "We must flee! Hatter, whatever that was it just killed Mad March!" she stands, drawing her sword and moving to defend her loony friend.

Hatter just sighs, abandoning the prepared cup, in favor of a plate of cake. "You are rather excitable today. What ever is the reason it can wait, March will be along shortly, she just had to hop off. Get it? Hop. Oh my." he chuckles some, lifting the cake, only to somehow drink tea from it like a cup. "I do crack myself up."

During the brief exchange the wet sounds returned, only softer..and coming closer. Doormouse, realizing Hatter was not even paying attention moves towards the sound, blade held ready. As the figure moves from the trees she lunges forward..only to stop short- almost running March through, "Oh my goodness! March! Are you-"

She stops, as the light reveals Mad March fully; the gaping hole where the bone impaled her now stuffed with a strange black goo, it beat like a heart- because that was what it was now. Jabberwocky liked to make it so it's hosts were dependent on it for life. Separation would mean Mad March had no heart...and death would be quickly upon her. Other damage shows in ripping wounds along the Hare's face- a mock grin made from exposed bone in the skull. She was quite changed from her usual self, now a shambling monster of black fangs and exposed bone talons.

Doormouse realizes to late her mistake in hesitating, only to have two objects ram into her from behind- coming neatly out through her eye sockets...darkness and pain are all she feels as the mist seeps in. In moments she too is enslaved. Her eyes now black masses of ooze, the balls themselves transplanted into the palms of her hands. Pink hair falls out in clumps, taking skin with it..she is soon just as deformed and monstrous as the rest of Jabberwocky's minions.

Mad Hatter sips his tea, blinking at the scene before him. In a way he knows they are gone from him, but his mind just can't handle something so...unhappy. He sighs, then, as a new figure enters the clearing- the other two backing away and kneeling. This new figure, one Hatter can remember slightly, simply takes a seat and pours itself a cup of tea. "So, it's that time already?" he asks, feeling a cold chill.

"Yes. Lets get going then. Your tea is getting C̢̗̼̝̼ͩ̓͂̆͑ͪͨ̽O̢̢̙̭̪̣͚͓̺̓͌̀ͯ͂ͥͤL̶͕̻͎͙̗͌̓͋ͫͫͪͥͤD̦̪̭̗̳̻̙̫̅̓̄ͥ̎̊ͧ͞." the figure nods, and slides the cup over. It's contents bubble and swirl, blackness with a faint haze of mist. Hatter sighs, and lifts the cup to his lips, and drinks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jabberwocky stands, the tea party over. With a nod it collects it's three newest additions and leaves the clearing...it's taint already turning the table black, rotting the wood. Cups crack. A tea pot crumbles. The grass dies in a large circle expanding from where the beast had sat. The Endless Tea Party was over.

Sinistra/Tweedle Dee

Sinistra was in a bad mood, the discussion had brought up bad memories but that wasn't the problem. He was begining to have warm and fuzzy feelings towards his brother and that was most definitely not allowed. He still wanted to destroy his brother...or did he? For so long he had blamed his brother or what had happened with the Rattle it had been the source of his enemity towards Destra but to find out that he also blamed himself when he clearly wasn't the only one at fault, it sort of made all reasons to hate him void. Still, Sinista was stubborn and wasn't going to give up the grudge he'd carried for so long so easily. In the meantime, surely they could be doing something a bit more usefull than sitting around eating tea and cakes.

"Why don't we all go out into the garden?" said Sinistra, "If we're all going to work together in this game then we need to know what everyone is capable of."

Without waiting for an answer he lead the way out into the garden and over to a training dummy that he and Destra used for target practice, this would be perfect for seeing what Moonlight was capable of.


Duchess Sophie

The Duchess looked at Belca, it was clear what the girl was thinking, at least you couldn't fault her bravery.

"I know what you're thinking Belca but trust me, if we ever encounter the Jabberwocky, run in the opposite direction," said the Duchess, "You saw how badly hurt Cheshire was, that was because the stupid cat tried to be brave a fight the Jabberwocky. Cheshire was lucky to get away."

She'd never admit this to anyone, especially not Belca but the Jabberwocky terrified her. The way it spread, corrupting everything, it was like a nightmare come to life. She wasn't sure what she'd do if the Jabberwocky decided to pay a visit, if her ability didn't have such a limited range then that would change things.

"Anyway, I've had enough of talking about the dreaded thing," she said, "If it comes, we run, simple as that, now tell me, do you know what kind of sword that is?"

Moonlight got up and followed them outside.

Destra and Sinistra made their way over to a dummy. What's this for? she wondered. I don't know if this 'game' is going to be voilent...

Ignoring her gut feeling, she stood behind the twins and waited for instructions.

Belca nodded absently, gulping a little at how serious the Duchess had gone all of a sudden.

She suddenly remembered something.

"Hey, what about the Contract you spoke of? Are we contracted yet, or does it need some special ceremony or ritual stuff?" she piped up. Now that she had finally remembered, she was bursting with curiosity. How would it be? What would it be? Did it actually serve some purpose or was it just a ceremonial thing, no good for anything else? That would be really disappointing.

With a pang she realised that her earlier ill feelings towards the Duchess had all but vanished, replaced with curiosity, excitement, and a tinge of admiration for her calmness in face of danger. She obviously didn't like the prospect of Jabberwocky's company very much, in fact .... she narrowed her eyes. Was that a hint of worry?

Was the Duchess actually afraid of Jabberwocky.

She didn't agree to the Duchess' advice that she should run away if faced with the Jabberwocky.
"Thanks, but that would depend on the situation. And this sword? Its a ... katana, isn't it?"
Strange, the name had just slipped off her tongue easily.

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

Millace smiled his sweetest smile at her.
"Wisely chosen, Ms. Aria."
With that he raised one leisurely hand. He didn't want to give her a chance to back out of their - pretty one-sided, even he had to admit - deal.

A strange, pale violet glow enveloped his raised left hand. Violet rose vines shot out of the light, which seemed to grow stronger and brighter yet softer and more soothing as time passed by, and pulsate slowly, wrapping themselves gently up his left arm, before weaving themselves up Aria's right arm, before the light started flickering and sending out pulses of violet glow all around them, enveloping the two of them in its soft warmth.

Just as abruptly as it had began, it ended, leaving only violet rose vines interspersed with roses and bordered with the stray sakura petal etched on his arm, disappearing right above his wrist into the sleeve of his robe, but he didn't have to check to know it had gone around his whole arm. Just how it went up Aria's, creeping around her right arm.

"There now, we are bonded. You will be bestowed upon with a power that will be revealed to you when the time comes. For now, maybe we should rest a little and get to know each other better? After all, we are going to be together for quite some time, it would seem." he chuckled lightly, waving one hand in the air, making a teapot and two beautiful teacups, all embroidered with green and golden vines, appear on a low bench which placed itself in their middle, sitting gracefully down on the ground.

"I do hope you care for tea, it's all we have to drink around here." he said, smiling.

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.

Pit

While the Jabberwocky's main self was away, it had not left the pit unguarded. A tingle, a warning- something was in it's domain.

With a sudden shift, perspective whipping back to the pit, the beast allowed one of it's 'pets' eyes to open. What looked at first to be three mounds of rotting flesh, set in a triangle around the pit's mouth, were in fact three guardians: Left over from the last time Jabberwocky had been free- Chains. Gryphon, Dodo and The Mock Turtle. The poor creatures had been taken by the Jabberwocky last time, and sealed away with it this whole time. Over the years it's whispers had driven them mad, made them break to it's will. Long thought dead, or lost..they had simply been cast off in the haste of sealing away the monster. They only knew hate now, and pain.

"A̡̙̯̖͗̈̾̊̉̆̒̋͠ͅW̬̠̤̯̝͓̗̽ͯ̈A͚̪̖̋ͧͧ̐̉̊K̞̮̖̘̗̭ͨ́E̫͍͒̋ͥ̑̆̏N̘̻̓̾̏̍.̣̒ͣ̒̅̚͞" the voice commanded- and echoed across the dead forest, every tree whispering the word, every blackened mouth on every creature. To take the blade, to free it's power, one would have to face the true power of the Jabberwocky- Alice or no..she would find herself at an impasse: Enter it's realm and face possible corruption, granting the creature her powers- which it would use to wreak havoc, or she could wait, and try to send a gathering of sane Chains in- even should they fail to free the blade..they may distract the creature enough to slip in. Either way...there would be no sneaking about, it knew all that entered it's lands- every tree was a spy, every creature a mouth. It saw the red mist through a thousand eyes, and grinned crooked teeth from a million mouths. "Ä́ͮͮ҉҉̨͔̥L̺̪̒̊̑͆̚Ḷ̛̬͔̱̜̺͇̳ͦ̐ͫ̐L̷̸͓̭̩̥͍͚̯̺̀ͭ͊̑Ĺ̡̺͔̦͇̦̣̲ͭ͢L̘̔ͭͦ͛͋̈́͜I̶͂̅̈́̈́ͣ̂̏̌͘͏̳̩͔̩͉͈̩C̬̹͚̰͂̄̎Ȩ̳̱̦̱͚͎̊̍ͪ̐̉̇ͧẼ̻̣̬̺̺̬̝̆͂̊̎̈͂̐E͍̮͇͕͔͈̻ͫ̈̎̀Ḛ̣̞̀͂ͯͩ̋̏̋̄͡Ẹ̝̯̟̪͚̠̎͑͒̌̉.̯̫̰̬̀ͦͣ̾.ͪ͆̔̍ͨ҉̫̩͕̥͕͉͇̬"

The girl's mind may be god in her Wonderland, but this place...it was no longer hers, it was an extension of the pit- the Jabberwocky's realm. Every god has a devil, and in this case he was on his home turf. The three mounds stir, as a blackened beak, a bladed paw and a skeletal wing rip free from their casing. The three ancient Chains were clearly changed.

Gryphon was the first to free itself, it's beak allowing for a swift tearing of it's mound- what emerged however was hideous; filth encrusted, with tumorus growths sagging from various points. It's claws gleaming like black diamonds, while it's beak looked caked in burnt mess. Wild eyes scan the area, swimming with black goo. Deformed, it's wings mere stubs, now just ruined bones. With a sound of rage and misery it screeches into the sky.

The Turtle and Dodo follow in rapid succession, each spilling forth in a torrent of gore. Mock Turtle looked to be even more mixed up than it had in the past. It's head was a snakes, while it's arms looked to be those of a tiger. The shell had grown spikes, in the fashion of a Snapping Turtle, while the legs bore hooves. A long tail completes the mutant, scorpion, with a massive sting at the tip. Dodo however still was a bird, though with far less skin, and more bone showing. Of the three he seemed the least horrible- until it opened it's beak. With a sound like wet meat sliding across a parking lot it's tongue slaps outward, revealed as a skinless arm. As if it was over there, the hand opens, revealing both an eye and a mouth in the palm. Jabberwocky was madness, and it's minions displayed it.

The three furies waited- should the mind of Alice come towards the pit, they would be waiting- while the smaller creatures of the forest would pose no threat to the body-less mist, three of the oldest Chains infused with Jabberwocky's taint would be much harder to battle. Not to mention the beast itself...it would not stand idle while someone went after the Vorpal blade...it was not stupid mind you. It had planned ahead, leaving three of it's most powerful thralls behind as guards. It would do one well not to underestimate the beast- it was violent and crude..but ever so smart.

♠ The 'Queen' of Spades ♠

Millace smiled benevolently around, directed more at the garden than this child sitting across him. He did nod appreciatively when she stated that tea was one of her favourite beverages, though.

"Personally, I fail to see what appeal alcohol or coffee holds to the Chains. We in the Wonderland are usually old-fashioned, and tend to lean towards the more traditional beverages. I am sure you have heard of the Endless Tea Party? But even before I was a part of Wonderland, I have always preferred tea over anything else." he calmly intoned, sipping at his tea, wondering if he should really have added that last sentence. But it was important she gave him her whole trust, and what better way to achieve that than try and make her sympathize with him? And what better way to have someone sympathize with him than to portray himself as someone who has lost something? That trick always worked, he had been employing it from the first time he came to Wonderland ...

"I am sure we could find a range of things to discuss, I would request you to tell me more about yourself, but that is rather impossible, isn't it? So how about you tell me what you do know about yourself? Anything might help us in trying to recover your memory ... bits of it, anyway."






Alice stopped abruptly, sensing the presence of her Chains... no, that wasn't exactly right. She sensed the presence of three of her own, oldest Chains, tainted by the Jabberwocky.

This was exactly why the Jabberwocky had to be sealed. Spreading Its filth all around ....
The mist swirled in agitation, making stray swirly patterns stray people might have found beautiful had they been viweing her from a distance. Unless they were too creeped out by the whole red coloured mist thing, of course.

Only Alice knew that if someone had actually dared to reach out to these misty patterns she was currently making, they would find themselves with razor-sharp cuts along the point of contact.
Calming down somewhat, she considered her options. Apparently Jabberwocky wasn't going to let her carry out her aim without oppositiong, going to the extent of leaving Its possibly strongest thralls in guard.

......

What a bother.

Now she could go in, and most probably be trapped in that filthy taint once more, plagued by the nightmares she had tried so hard to throw away, or go back without the Blade. Seemed like Jabberwocky had marked this ground as his home.

Or she could turn back. and forget all about the Vorpal Blade, and settle for having the Jabberwocky out and failing in her real objective.

Or she could call out the Chains and risk them instead.

No matter how she viewed it, the last option sounded like the best.
She turned back, mist rolling back, seeping beneath the dark corpses of trees gradually, mind reaching out to the ones connected inherently with hers.


I'll take the Blade back, Jabberwocky, no matter who I have to sacrifice in the process.

Isaiah "Grey" Gris

Grey didn't think his eyes could get any wider but was soon proved wrong when Absolem whispered in his ear. he wasn't sure he wanted to find out what wicked things the man would come up with. With satisfaction he watched Absolem close his eyes, pleased that he'd soon go to sleep.

"Oh no he didn't," thought Grey in alarm.

Absolem appeared to be falling asleep but he didn't appear to be showing any signs of letting Grey go.

"Well at least you're enjoying yourself," muttered Grey as Absolem pulled him closer.

If the man wanted to use him like a teddy bear then fine, as long as he got some sleep. With a sigh he tried to look out the window, if he craned his neck he could just see Rhia and Cheshire reuniting outside. He would have gone to meet the cat too but it didn't look like he'd be going anywhere for a while.

"Fine, if he's not going to let go then I might as well get comfortable," he thought, "I guess I'm kind of tired even after my fainting spell."

Shifting gently he rested his head on Absolem's chest and closed his eyes. He could hear the man's heart beating, it was probably just his imagination but was it getting a little faster? Imagination or not, the thought brought a smile to Grey's lips.

"I should totally braid his hair to get back at him," mumbled Grey sleepily, not caring if Absolem heard him or not, "I think it'd be worth having to endure wicked things."

Listening to Absolem's breathing he began to fall asleep.

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.

Sinistra/Tweedle Dee

Smiling at Moonlight he pointed to the training dummy.

"All you have to do is just hit it in any way you can," he explained, "It'll show me and Destra what you're capable of, I'll go first so you can see how it's done."

Slowly he walked a few meters away from the dummy, bouncing a few stones in his hand. He stood with his back to the dummy and then suddenly spun around and launched the stones in quick sucession from his caterpault. As he had expected they all hit the dummy right in the center of the head, one after the other.

"See, just show us your moves," said Sinistra.


Destra/Tweedle Dum

"We also have abilities," said Destra, "You should develop some of your own soon too."

Looking over at Sinistra he nodded, Moonlight should probably see what their ability was. Forcing himself to calm down he began to focus. Silently he raised his hand towards the training dummy with his eyes closed. He was perfectly still for countless seconds. Suddenly his eyes snapped open, glowing silver as a murder of silver crows exploded from his hand and began to swarm the dummy, tearing at it mercilessly.

With a shudder he dropped to the ground and the birds dissappeared. Wrapping his arms around himself he began to shake violently, there had been more birds than he had expected. He wished that he could get over his crippling fear of birds, it wasn't any comfort that Sinistra suffered the same. He turned to gaze thoughtfully at one of the many birdhouses that adorned the cottage, if only he could go back to a time where he still liked birds and the Rattle was still here.


Duchess Sophie

"You're absolutely correct, that is a katana, an excellent sword, especiallly for your style I'd say," said the Duchess, "Although I'm more fond of using a wakizashi and tanto in combination, I'd suggest a dai katana but that may be too heavy and those are really just a bit much."

She sat there smiling for a moment, lost in thoughts of weaponry and martial arts. She couldn't remember why she knew so much about them but they certainly came in useful for her stories. With a start she remembered the contract.

"Oh yes, the contract," said the Duchess absentmindedly, "Well technically we're already contracted, don't you feel the bond? Still, it wouldn't hurt to do something official just to be safe, maybe it'll awaken your abilities."

With an extravagant wave of her hand a thick gothic volume appeared on the table before her with a quill and a pot of blood red ink. She had always love a touch of drama.

"Well now, all you have to do is sign your name and everything will be splendid," she said to Belca cheerfully.


Isaiah "Grey" Gris

He was just about asleep, he could sense a dream just within reach, all he had to do was wait a little longer and then...his eyes shot open, Absolem's remark had cut through the sleepy haze and forced him awake again.

"I wasn't being serious," he mumbled, shifting around a little, "Besides, I think braids would suit me better, I have the hair for it."

Satisfied he settled down again. This time sleep was faster in taking over and before he knew it he was somewhere inside the realm of his dreams.

The broken chess board sky raged around him, a furious tempest ravaging the wasteland so it became even more desolute, his tarot cards lay at his feet crumpled and tattered, drifting surprisingly gently in the violent breeze which whipped the branches of the tree he stood under around like a crazed puppet master. All around him lay bodies, some he recognised and some he didn't. Was that a hint of mint green he saw? What had happened here? In the distance he saw what could only be described as a seaside town but it didn't look right, it seemed to be sinking unevenly into what would have once been the sea but was now just a dusty crater. Why was everyone around him dead? Even Absolem, the man who had promised to protect him. Tears filled his eyes as he sank to the ground, a horrible noise forced it's way through the storm as a huge dark shape began to race towards him. The wind picked up, threatening to lift him into the air, desprerately he grabbed onto the tree, crying out in fear. He was terrified, he was sure that the noise belonged to the Jabberwocky, any moment now he'd either be killed by it or carried away by the storm. He felt so hopeless as he clung to the tree. He was shaking...

Through the haze of the dream he realised that the tree he was clinging to was warm and softer than it should be but he couldn't understand why, it just made him cling on harder as he shook violently.

Moonlight's eyes widened in awe at the twin's abilities. Turning to Destra, she saw the pain in his eyes, and wished that she could do more to help him. "Maybe I should have a weapon or something?" she suggested tentatively.

Destra/Tweedle Dum

"As you can see, neither Sinistra or I are big fans of birds," explained Destra, "To tell the truth, they terrify us so it's unfortunate that our ability has something to do with them."

He looked at the girl, twirling one of his knives around gently in his hands. It probably would be a good idea for her to have a weapon but what would she suit? He began to compile a mental list of weapons, surprisingly he wished that the Duchess was there. Despite being a pain to deal with she had a vast knowlege on weaponry and martial arts, she'd be able to pick something for Moonlight in no time, still, he should be able to do just as good a job.

"What kind of weapon do you think you'd be most comfortable with?" he asked, trying to keep himself from laughing as he imagined Moonlight trying to wield a zweihander. "My thought would be something smallish and light so you can use it fast."

Several weapons in particular came to mind like a whip or rapier. He was sure they'd find the perfect one for her soon.