My eyes narrowed and I snapped. "That is none of your business you infernal man. And for your information, the splotch on my eye is a birthmark. And I happen to like its color, shape and placement. Thank you very much!"
The smile did not leave his face. "You're welcome!"
I had forgotten the madness of this place, and the stupidity of its people, one of the many reasons why I avoided living outside of the Outlands, unless business called for it. The Underlanders may be geniuses. But their never ending prattle and innocence to the normal human emotions were enough to drive even the sanest person to join them in madness. Living in the Outlands, I had developed a form of sadistic pessimism. Though I never failed at a job in my life, I always viewed my luck with a little negativity. Fate was a cruel mistress, and I did not want her to view me as overly arrogant. Because it only took a bit of her distaste to make an assassin, slip up. And I could not afford any form of mishaps to come my way.
The Underlanders may be a childish people. But when they passed out punishments, they were far from innocent. Many of my acquaintances had fallen victim to such, once I had managed to sneak into Underland to witness these punishments for myself. I had seen two; one was on the Red Queen's orders and the other the White Queen's. They had their differences but both were something I desperately wanted to avoid.
Oh I deeply apologize, I seem to be getting off track. I was about to snap at the Hatter again, but the White Queen had finished her inspection of my work. She was now coming over to speak with me. Ignoring the Hatter, I directed all attention to her. The White Queen seemed very pleased with my work. Standing next to the Hatter she spoke airily. "Your gift is quite beguiling; I must ask where you have learned your skill?"
Bowing lower I spoke. "Certainly your highness, you see I taught myself, I have traveled around this world. Seeing many things, things that one must see not hear about to fully comprehend its beauty and majesty. In my travels I was taught to literally breathe life into my work. With every work of art I leave a tiny piece of myself within the canvas."
She nodded and beckoned for me to walk with her. We left the Hatter behind; I could feel his eyes drilling into my head. However I ignored it, focusing on the task at hand. The White Queen floated next to me as she spoke. "I would like that you take up residence in my castle; you will have a room next to the Hatter. Of course I will stop by sometimes to see your art, and perhaps take it and hang it. From now on my home is your home, young Outlander."
Nodding I bowed to the Queen. "My Queen that is all I wanted to ask for. Anything I paint you may have, and anything you ask me to paint I will do so with as much passion as I can permit without dying."
This act of respect pleased her highness immensely. "And what is your name, Outlander?"
Standing at my full height I stated it proudly. "Turska Maven, you may also call me Painter.
