Wonderland

♔ R U B Y ♥ H E A R T ♔

The chilly winds of fall blew softly through the darkened patches of forest that lay strewn across the Western Side of Wonderland, tossing dead leaves about as the fog set into the low and dank parts of wet ground, the smell of fresh rain and other assortments of plants struggling to stay in season could be smelled when passing through the various paths and trails that led to truth and lies. The trees would stand at intimidating heights as many plants grew at their bases, and the sounds of snapping twigs and the crushing of dead leaves could be heard not far from a dense patch with the Kingdom of Hearts looking overhead. For as eyes would come closer, they would witness a large and extravagant table set with half eaten sweets, and half drunken cups of tea and empty pots that lay across the table. Maids in red and white scattered about as they started to clean off the table and each one bent down by a chair here or there to pick something up that lay on the cushions. Eeriness set in over the gray skies that seeped through the branches of the trees as a soft and beautiful humming could be heard within them.

"Hmmmm mm mmmm hmmm..." this humming, of course, belonged to Ruby Heart, the Princess of Hearts who stood near the north end of the table as she dusted off a doll in her hands. The long, pale blue hair fell in lushes curls as a star was placed on the pale porcelain forehead, a smile on the doll's face as she adjusted the clothes and continued to hum a dark but sweet song that seemed to make the maids move faster around the tea table, in a calm way though, as if she were relaxing them with such creepy tunes coming from her plush, red lips. The wind playfully tossed her long, lushes red curls around her shoulders as she continued to pick and play with the Doll's attire, before she set it down on the table for a maid to pick up, and proceeded to spin around in her beautiful dress that exposed most of her fleshy legs wrapped in elegant stockings. "Agh, I just love throwing such wonderful tea parties!" she cried out with laughter and cheer, spinning more until a maid caught her and pushed her upright softly before continuing to walk around the table again when Ruby had reached a balance on her large, black heels.

She brushed some of her hair from one of her pale, creamy cheeks that were tinted red from a special blush, her long dark nails tracing over her soft skin as she bounced over towards the southern end of the table, grabbing at a brownie left on the top of a fancy dinner rack and she bit into it happily, almost groaning at the sweet and rich taste that wrapped around her tongue. "Oh my god... oh my god! Helga, what lovely brownies chef made!" she jumped in a huff, and she instantly floated it seemed over to her eldest maid, the one who had taken care of Ruby most of her life and she shoved the brownie into her mouth and the maid chewed it with a soft but surprised expression. "See!? Do you!?" Ruby said with a cheerful smile. The maid smiled back, nodding.

"Yes, your highness. They are most delicious. Thank you." She said as she began to stack the dishes back up into a basket, shaking her head in a soft smile as Ruby dashed back over to a teapot and poured the last bit into a teacup residing at one of her guest's empty seats, and she washed the brownie down with a smile tracing her lips as she threw the teacup to the right and a maid easily caught it with her right hand. They were used to Ruby's random throws and jumps and yells, used to her childish behavior and bubbly personality that seemed to make even the darkest forests grow a bit brighter.

"Your highness!" Ruby turned with furrowed eyebrows at the call of her title, her eyes gleaming red as she saw one of her subjects running up to her with a small letter in their hands. It was lovely paper with a large heart stamped on it to enclose it, and she could see faint handwriting coming from inside.

"What's this, Ralph?" she questioned and the small man nervously shrugged. Ruby gave him no time to respond in his usual stutters when he tried to explain under her questionable glare. She took it from him quickly, cutting the open with a serious expression and then she unfolded it and read it outloud in her mind, as eyes shifted to her in curiosity as to what she received. The letter indeed had very nice handwriting, dotted with hearts over the eyes to make it more... her theme which was quite clever, she had to admit.

Dear Miss Heart,

I am most honored to inform you that you have been invited to a wonderful party that will be held in celebration of the royals coming to power over Wonderland. Since this party is meant to be enjoyed and not deem any violence, we ask you come unarmed and in good spirits to the Wonderland Gardens this evening at around four. The Party will have guests from all around Wonderland to honor all the royals, and we hope that you will attend on time. There will be many assortments of tea, sweets, music, and of course, plenty of roses and other various of flowers to gaze over and toys to amuse you.

Please, come with respect and kindness towards the other guests of the party and make sure you enjoy yourself. Remember, these gardens are neutral and any violence there will result in harsh consequences, which we all know would not be very enjoyable. So, if you do feel like you're going to crack, please exit the gardens.

We hope to see you there. I, myself, am looking forward to meeting you very soon.

Sincerely,

D.L.

Ruby blinked a few times, her long curled eyelashes beating against her precious face as she stared blankly at the letter before a small smile curled upon her lips. "Ralph, bring the coach around in an hour. I have a party to attend to." she said, smiling even more as she stuffed the letter into his hands and Helga instantly followed after Ruby as she walked down the stone path towards the back gardens where the Kingdom was.

"Your Highness, what was that?" She asked, struggling to keep up as Ruby tried to slow her pace for the older maid to keep up with her.

"An invitation to a party, Helga. A party at the Wonderland Gardens." she said. Helga raised an eyebrow.

"For... you?"

"No. For all the royals. But there will be tea, candy... treats and music. It sounds oh so much fun." she said and Helga's eyes went wide, a soft hand laying on her arm which was Ruby's indication to stop and look at the wise woman. Ruby rarely let anyone touch her, and Helga was one of the only ones who hadn't been smacked or kicked for it.

"Are you sure it wise, Ruby? You know there has been so much tension between the kingdoms since they came to rise... do you think it would be safe?" Helga asked with a concerned look which made her jaw lock and her lips tighten as she gave a sympathetic and worried look to the Princess. Ruby smiled at her, putting her own hand on Helga's with reassurance.

"The Wonderland Gardens is neutral, and anyone who disobeys is faced with dire consequences. I am most eager to attend, Helga. But, I will bring a few guards if it troubles you so. Don't worry about me." she said, letting go of her hand and walking away down the path again and then glanced back over at the maid with a small giggle. "Besides, I'm the Princess of Hearts. Everyone is afraid of me." She said, winking with a finger going across her neck to indicate an inside joke of her mother's old habits. It honestly did scare some people, and Helga could only give a tired smile as Ruby skipped her way happily down the path towards the giant castle that lay just beyond the bend.


[Alright, all royals get two posts before posting again. You get one post to get your letter, and the next is getting ready for the party and arriving. Creatures or advisers also get two posts, hearing of the party or what not. Dealers will already be there, so you may post your character setting up or conversing with the other dealers. Once everyone gets in their post/posts, we can form a loose posting order and fully begin. I will be posting Regina's and the Hatter's entrances in a different post.]

Metal brushed against each other, the harsh sounds of their continuous contact filling an over-sized hall. Tapestries depicted past events, stories of victories and losses alike lied against white stone walls where watercolor reflections moved across their surfaces. The bodies stood at horizontal angles, a foot moved forwards, solid against the ground but not yet made of led. His blade looked downwards, arm extended, the edge made for cutting facing the flank. On one side a display of tension began to bubble. His enemies swift movements were far from being amateur, or rusty like he had earlier claimed. A wicked smile twisted across the antagonist's features, he was enjoying this.

Outside the sky's snow was being pulled towards ground, the people of the North were no strangers to the callous weather. They bundled in thick coats made from the region's beasts, ones without such luxuries covered themselves in as much cloth as they could afford. The castle itself sat in the center of it all, it's walls almost as white as the frost itself, and bright red flags contrasted against it - a proud display of the Coat of Diamonds. Behind thick crimson curtains we find a woman dressed in an elaborate uniform, the white of her dress going against the red apron the dwindled into intricate lace, cascading off the edge of the ensemble. Her hand held a letter, and her eyes held the twinkle of excitement.

"My lord." Her words echoed across the hall, her figure standing between open sculptured doors. A sword stopped an inch away from the opponent, their eyes glued to the tip, his on the girl. The blade lowered and the older man breathed out in relief, letting his shoulders relax, his arm and blade lower. His rival cheekily hit his side with his sword, the harmless practice weapon doing no damage, only bringing surprise and irritation to the unsuspecting victim. The girl's lips pursed, curled into a small smile as a young man dressed in a brilliant red and white suit walked her way, his own eyes flickering with bright emotions as well.

Prudentius Diamond wrapped an arm around her shoulder, the prince had a few inches on her, making it easy for him to brush his lips against her cheek. She giggled and pushed the post into his free hand, the other being preoccupied with her strawberry blonde hair. "What is this, my dear?" He held the post at a distance, examining the red, wax diamond shaped seal on it between two thin fingers. The woman beside him pressed her lips together, their painted crimson color matching well with her porcelain skin and rosy cheeks. She knew her prince didn't expect and answer, it was proven so when he ripped open the seal, his dark brown eyes traveling across the borderline artistic written words.

"We hope to see you there. I, myself, am looking forward to meeting you very soon." Prudence's arm slid off and away from his maid, instead using his right hand to trace over the letters. "Sincerely, D.L." His fingers rubbed against his chin as his mind pondered what had been suggested of him. Who was this D.L. fellow? Had he met them somewhere before, in the past? It was clear to him that the mystery person had some form of power, or riches, even both. Even so, his mind held no such records of such a person. Then again, he didn't remember everyone's name. There was a blur of people that he had come in contact with from his several grand parties that he had thrown, surely he couldn't memorize half their names, let alone all.

A laugh escaped from him, and the letter was pocketed. "It appears that I will be the guest of a marvelous gathering, where not only I will be present, but the remaining three rulers of our land will be attending as well." He stepped forward and twirled, spinning until he was facing the messenger once again. "Is it not simply the best news you have heard all day?" The woman shared his smile, but the forgotten man behind them shook his head in disapproval, walking up to the servant and her master. "Do you really think it to be wise, my lord?" Prudence frowned and turned around, crossing his arms in front of him not unlike a rotten child. The man seemed to notice the look in prince's eyes and the dangerous rage boiling beneath them. He backed down, knowing that it wasn't cautious enough of him to speak so boldly. As for the maid, her expression quickly turned nervous, as their ruler was more than temperamental, even the smallest of offenses could cause him to lash out.

"I'm only requesting for you to be weary, my lord." Just like the Prudence's smile returned, his body approaching his other servant until they were standing toe-to-toe, and he reached upwards and placed a kiss on his cheek as well. "It'll tread carefully, and bring with me my best guards." A finger reached upwards and quickly bopped the man on the nose. "Like you." He took a few backwards paces before facing the doorway once again, leading the way out of the fencing room and into a corridor lined with paintings. "Besides," He paused at the bottom of a stairway as a chuckle escaped his lips. Fingertips traced down the center of the railing, trailing over the groves. "Only fools assume I cannot kill if I'm unarmed. If the party turns sour, I will show you my ability to take care of myself."

He glanced backwards towards his servants, who looked at him with knowing fondness, having long forgotten their fear and anger. "Let us have some fun." Without another word he ascended up the staircase, his white shoes barely making a sound against the thin rug that covered the center, dyed to further pull together the color pattern of red and white that he was so fond of. White to represent the snow, innocence and purity. Red to remind those of blood, anger, and desire. The news had arose a feeling of elation in him, the emotion ran through his veins, burned inside of him and the castle was soon filled with the sound of giggling. He could no longer contain his joy; for it was such a high degree of delight, gaiety, and mirth that was brought down upon him. The event couldn't come soon enough.