[mood music : we're all mad - natasha bedingfield
[disclaimer : i'm betting mr. carroll is coming back to life as we speak just to hit me over the head for this. i do not claim to own these characters, or the idea of wonderland itself, nor do i make any money off this story. although, you know, if i did, that'd be wicked cool.
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I am Hope.
I know, I feel, I want, I pray; I am more than a simple feeling. I am Desperation, and Denial, and everything lovely. I am a far cry from Disenchantment, although sometimes, when I'm not looking, it still manages to find a way in.
I am Hopeless.
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"Hello, pretty."
"..."
"Are you even awake?"
"Yes... Yes, sir, I'm sorry. Hello."
"Mm..."
"Sir?"
"You're impossible..."
I gave a soft sigh, feeling the wind brush through my hair and up against the back of my neck. I shivered; It was warm, but the air today gave me an awful feeling of apprehension. There was something in the breeze that made me want to hide.
I breathed in through my nose, exhaling slowly as I said, "Yes, I know, sir," waiting as he pressed his lips to my forehead, curling my head confortably under his chin as I stared across the expanse of open field. Stalks of grass swayed to and fro, some frail ones breaking in the light wind, as strange birds flew across the cerulean-coloured sky, barely more than streaks of black and red, mere smudges to my eyes. Dark, dusty blue-grey clouds painted the sky, looking as if they would, at any moment, swallow the light and finish the sky forever.
The afternoon was slowly giving way to evening, although there would be no brilliant sunset tonight, no marvelous pinks and oranges to bid the day farewell. All of Wonderland was expecting a storm, and I would be just another onlooker to the mighty power about to be unleashed.
He wrapped his arms around me, quite an easy task with how small I was, and quietly kissed the top of my ear, which twitched in response, causing him to chuckle. I couldn't help but smile, he had a wonderful laugh, almost childish but still incredibly endearing.
Gently, he leaned back, pulling me with him as he laid back agains the weeds that crackled beneath his weight, me curled up happily with my head still resting atop his chest. This was nice, I had to admit to myself as he stroked the back of my neck. It was nice to be taken care of, to be treated so well. I knew it wouldn't last, but I was okay with that. He'd been so good to me...
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I woke up the next morning feeling horribly abused. My sides ached, and it curled onto my side as soon as sleep left me, willing the pain and the pounding headache to go away.
Rain tapped gently against the window beside me, so close I almost flinched as a particularly large drop hit the glass, and just past stream of water, I stared out into a grey, grey world. Alice must be having a bad day.
That girl, I didn't particularly miss. She was rude and stupid.
"Mary Ann?" I mumbled, and then a little louder, expecting her to come rushing into the room as soon as she noticed.
Although, as I looked around, I realized I'd missed one very crucial detail.
This wasn't my room. Nor was it any one of the rooms in my house.
Which meant Mary Ann would not be there to assist me.
I sighed and rolled over amidst the decidedly high-quality sheets, shivering against the cool air, and found myself staring into a pair of brilliant ruby eyes, wide awake. I allowed myself a small smile. "Were you watching me, per chance?"
Well, that explained a lot.
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The King of Hearts was rather like a vacation compaired to his Queen. He was constantly even and calm where she was pouty and loud. In all honesty, I only worked for her, and my loyalties lied with her and no one else. Still, that didn't stop her husband from indulging every once in awhile.
Their relationship was a confusing one, I knew. Governing Wonderland was far from an easy task, although everyone knew, the Queen ruled Wonderland about as much as Hatter wanted to become a mathematician (which, in case you didn't know, wasn't very much at all). King simply sat back and let it all happen, let her behead whoever she so chose, just as long as she didn't do anything too irrational. Forest creatures were easily replaced, and cards grew back. Thus far, she'd never managed to sentence anyone of any true importance. Secretly, I suspect her husband is a great deal more sane than she is, and only keeps her happy with innumerable squirrels and foxes and regenerating cards simply to keep some sort of balance in order.
She was the Queen, and she called me Rabbit, Messenger, Cotton-Tail, whatever she happened to like on that particular day. I was her husband's lover.
