Poison in Heartland

Sorry I took so incredibly long to update. I feel like a horrible person. T^T

I realized I was a much slower writer than I thought. I was also preoccupied with many things, some of them being: having to write a research essay on box jellyfish, hatching baby chicks, school, riot paper, volcano building project, volcano research essay, finals studying, reading book for school, and on top of all of that…waking up in the middle of the night from a nightmare, and instead of going back to sleep, deciding to watch Heart no Kuni no Alice Wonderful Wonder World to get a better perspective of Wonderland, even though it was in Japanese without subtitles, so I didn't understand a word.

I had major writers block during this, so it is not at its best.

Once again so sorry for not updating sooner! D:

Disclaimer: I do not own Heart no Kuni no Alice.

As quickly as it came, the day escaped to night by a blanket of sparkle swooping across the sky; sparkle which was quick to dissipate. It truly was the most enigmatic of phenomenon, this world she was just introduced to.

A decorative china cup was lowered to its saucer. Blue eyes were cynical. "I don't understand how that is possible. Day and night are due to the rotation of the earth and the position the sun is hitting it. I can't accept your explanation."

Together they were seated at a table, it being a tea party. There was a small chuckle from Peter White, he too setting down his cup. "You assume that I'm a demon, yet you cannot believe that space and time are different in this world." He received a sharp glare. "Well, I'm not really sure what you are anymore, but how can this place exist if it is not like a normal planet? Nothing here makes sense."

He smiled a grin that knew too much; a tap of his finger adjusting his glasses. "Does it need to make sense? Ever considered that Wonderland may be magical?" A scowl on her face, Gwendolyn looked away. Arms were crossed stubbornly. "Well, I guess I have."

A subtle look of victory within eyes of red; he got up from the table gracefully. "Well that is a start." With calm footsteps he began to leave, placing his hand on her shoulder as he passed by. "Try to be more open-minded, Gwendolyn." She was left with that, glaring heatedly at his retreating figure. She was certain he could feel it scorching into his back.

She shook of her anger and took a deep breath. There was no need to get so worked up. She herself rising from the table; her eyes scanned the garden around. So much she could explore around this place, although she had been ordered by Peter to not enter other grounds. She was staying at Heart Castle for free, so it would be best to follow their rules; although, she felt strong dislike for them.

Valiant boots treaded upon freshly trimmed grass, the scent of it sharp within the air. Gwendolyn took in a whiff, quite liking it. The slight breeze warmed her skin; ruffled the leafy hedges around her. So safe, it felt here. Within her own world, never would she have made such a mistake of darting around at night. She wondered about the vial, her mood quickly turning grim. Did it really matter whether or not she found it? It's not like she wanted to return, and she could very well die once she got there; if she wasn't already dead.

With a sigh she plopped down in the grass; the light of the moon reflecting around her. Was staying even a good idea? To dwell for the rest of her life within this place of random times, people with rabbit ears, and vials of burning liquid? She turned to lie on her side, eye lids slightly dropping. There was the presence of sorrow. Returning to her world just didn't appeal at all.

The faint rustle of footsteps on grass made her sit up. Blue eyes narrowed. There was no one she saw, however she had a strange feeling. It was one that told her to be afraid; the feeling of another watching her. There definitely was someone here.

"Reveal yourself." Her voice spoke that order, trying to be strong. She was surprised she pulled off a commanding tone. The area remained silent, no response within the dark of night. She waited, shifting her eyes and focusing her ears. Just silence; a silence too still for comfort; yet the unsettling feeling remained. She rose from her knees slowly, cautiously. She inhaled a quiet breath. "That just makes you a coward then."

Both awaited and dreaded, she finally got her response; it was a soft chuckle rising upon the breeze. Following slowly afterwards out of the shadows, a figure slipped, sword in hand. The moonlight revealed the face of a young man. He spoke, the amused tone of his voice startling her.

"So you heard me. Good job. I was just planning to give you a little scare, that's all." He had a casual and friendly face, posture relaxed. His hair was of cinnamon-brown; eyes burgundy. Never would she fall for his performance, when such a firm grip was on the sword. She felt afraid. She was certain she showed it.

Her words came out more of a challenge than she had intended. "Why are you lying when it's a waste?" The man laughed again, posture slightly stiffening. "You're very perceptive." A step was taken towards her, another shortly following. She recognized this feeling; the feeling of prey targeted by predator. She wished she had something to defend herself; anything. Helplessness was a feeling worse than abandonment.

His eyes showed precision; moment showed experience; sword was steady. If this person had wanted her dead, he could have already done it. Why get revealed, and advance to attack her instead? Nothing would be lost by bluntly asking; she didn't beat around the bush. "What do you want?"

Locks of cinnamon-brown swayed as his head tipped slightly to the side; face wearing curiosity. "I don't know what you mean." He came closer. She stepped a foot back in return. Fists were clenched. "Spill it, or I will scream." She knew it was hardly a threat; was the only one she had. She tried to suppress her shaking. She couldn't. Burgundy eyes narrowed, and observed her. Sword started to rise. She cringed away. "Stop it! I have done nothing to you!" She braced herself, but felt nothing.

He stopped coming toward her. "I change my mind." He smiled; it was the friendliest in the world. Gwendolyn stared; a couple of times she blinked. "What?" It was hard to find her voice. Burgundy eyes were bright, vibe entirely different. She had no relief. He had done nothing to earn her trust. "I have decided not to kill you. You're Gwendolyn the foreigner, right?"

Gwendolyn tried to calm the pounding of her heart; utter disbelief. She gasped in a deep breath. "Couldn't you have just asked me earlier?" Smile still remaining, he shook his head with a laugh. "I thought you were a trespasser." She stared, stunned. "Trespassing?" She felt anger rising. "You call that an adequate excuse? That whole 'scare the pants off Gwendolyn act' was completely unnecessary!" He disagreed. "Oh, I really was going to kill you, but not before I confirmed it or not. You didn't act guiltily, though. That I what made me realize you were her. "

The shake of her head in disbelief; she laughed quite bitterly. "You're psychotic." Burgundy eyes slightly narrowed. "We get a certain trespasser quite often. Now come with me, you are a guest so I will escort you back to the castle." He held out an open palm for her to take. His posture was nonthreatening, no bad intentions. She glared at him for a second, before shoving the hand away. "I don't need some escort; especially an escort that is the likes of you. Seek out psychological help." She started to stomp away.

He called after her, voice very serious. "Wait, give me a second!" Grass-covered boots stopped for a moment. She might as well. She face him witch a sour expression. The man reached into his coat and pulled something out. It was the smallest of objects, shining underneath the moon. "This is yours isn't it?" He had it grasped within his hand. Blue eyes widened, curiosity taking over. "Is that the vial that Queen Vivaldi was talking about?" Ace gave a nod of his head. "It is." He held it out like he had the palm.

Gwendolyn hesitated before stepping back to him. She now felt guilty for being rude; was now in another's debt. "Oh, thank you." It was spoken very awkwardly. Her smaller hand reached for it, but in the quickest of movements it was gone. Her head immediately snapped to above her. "Hey!" Smaller fingers darted to grab it, but it was held up high to the left. A low chuckle from the man; smile devious, eyes of burgundy narrowed. "You have to repeat something after me first. You have to say: "I'm sorry Ace, my skilled and valiant knight, for being such a brat." His tone was arrogant. Oh, the power of provocation; it could play another like a puppet on a string.

She gave a growl, arms crossing with great irritation. "Alright, Fine! I'm sorry Ace, my skilled and valiant knight, for being such a brat." His devious smile warped to a smirk. "That wasn't sincere enough for me. Oh well, looks like it's now mine." With a turn of his body, He started to depart; larger hand shoving the vial into his coat.

Gwendolyn was shocked. It took her four seconds to re-collect her mind. Her feet launched to trek angrily after him. Fist shook in the air. "Hey! I did what you said, so give it!" He looked back at her, burgundy eyes all amusement. "Didn't you listen? That wasn't sincere enough for me." His every word made her fume.

She stopped herself before she got any angrier, or moved to smack him. That was something which would solve nothing. She attempted to calm herself; inhaled several breaths. It did little. Speaking through gritted teeth, her tone was sharp. "Go ahead, keep it then. I don't particularly care either way." Her voice held apathy. Ace looked at her disbelieving. He returned the blade to its sheath. "You're not serious."

There were several ticks of silence. He finally spoke again. "You are serious?" She nodded, ebony hair swaying as she did so. "I don't want, nor need it anymore." He looked at her quite funny, shaking his head condescendingly. "You sure are strange."

Blue eyes hard, Gwendolyn ignored his remark, storming away in the other direction. Her feet stomped. She could feel burgundy still watching her. Instead of acknowledging, she pretended he was no longer there. She didn't need the stupid vial.

She was calmer now; the sun shining down, making the water beside her sparkle. Regret had set in a while ago, but she couldn't just return and request it back. A sigh exited her lips. How immature she could act. It was an embarrassment.

Muddy boots trekked across gravelly rocks and soil. The flow of the shallow river was soothing. She continually switched between walking along the side the shore, and splashing through the clear water, her white coattails barley avoiding it. She decided she would take a dip in it sometime. The trees above provided tranquil shading, birdsong filling the area around. She couldn't stop marveling at how similar this world was to hers.

She wondered what the man, Ace, would do with the vial. If he broke it, did that mean there was no chance of going back? Did that mean she would have no choice, but to stay here forever? Blue eyes closed for a heartbeat as she shook off the thought. She would find a way to get it back eventually. Even if in the end she chose to stay, at least she would have had a choice.

She stopped; taking in a startled breath as she remembered. She wasn't supposed to leave the grounds! How had she so easily forgotten? She scolded herself, immediately deciding to backtrack. The quick turn of her feet imprinted deep half-circles into the soft mud. Would Peter and Queen Vivaldi be angry with her? If she was quick, perhaps this incident would go unnoticed. She sped up, the air loud as it passed her ears, the mud sucking at her boots. Her footing was chosen rashly, steps unintentionally uprooting a small weed; something insignificantly overlooked in her haste. She darted as fast as she could.

The weed had been clinging to the shore by only a few roots; had been swaying patiently, and enduring the continuous pounding delivered by the flowing water. The river didn't hesitate to swoop it up, dragging it along, until the water pushed it ashore the other side. It would eventually resume to once again worm its roots into the ground, but for now, it lay sprawled and half-drowned in shock. Beside its new home, rested a second set of footprints, much larger and deeper than her own. They were quite fresh.

Oh my goodness! I finally finished it. Yay!

If the scene with Ace seems kind of random, it was originally going to be Boris, but Ace fit better, especially after three re-writes.

I am going to apologize once more for my lateness. Sorry! T^T

Oh, and flamers are welcome! :D