A/N: enjoy : )
A Valuable Visitor
.
With each step the young foreigner took, the sounds of busy performers and practicing jester children grew louder and louder until reaching their peak as she left the circus forest behind.
A simple wooden fence came into view, and for a moment Alice hesitated. Warily, she eyed the sun above her, before setting her foot on the circus grounds.
'Maybe I should have stayed at the Castle of Hearts,' she mulled over her choice to come back before heading home. 'Who knows how long this day will last. And I'm sure that I'm bothering Joker too much with my constant comings and goings.'
Alice contemplated the idea of just returning to her place but finally shook her doubts off. It was too late to go back anyway. To occupy herself, she mentally went over all the impressions of the different seasons and the changes they brought to this country's territories.
After all, change was not something Alice fancied. Unpredictable like the sum of a pair of dice thrown by fate's hands, one could never be too sure where the next step would lead her. It was a silly, irrational thought, but since fate decided to bring back her old friends, then maybe, just maybe, this particular move she will come to like.
The positive thoughts didn't suit her but for once Alice found herself wondering what else this season had in store for her.
With mind deeply in thought, the young foreigner barely had any time to react as her mind seemed to be blown by a foreign force.
She stumbled and met the ground with a loud thud.
"Ow!" Alice winced holding her pounding head as her eyes searched for the source her misfortune. What she found was a red ball laying innocently by her feet. 'Just my luck! And it hurts, too…' She sat up and rubbed her ankles, checking the state of her knees and overall appearance. At least she didn't hurt herself... much.
Now, Alice was usually a rather collected young woman, at least she tried to be one, but in her current state it was impossible to think of good behavior.
'Stupid ball!'
Her head still hurt and it didn't help that the owner of the offending toy was nowhere to be found. Alice cursed, flinching when a cold shadow crept up her skin.
"You really have terrible manners, 'young lady'. Bursting into this place and using such inappropriate language just like that… what a terrible woman you are! Not cute at all!"
Startled, the young woman looked up, only to find an amused looking ringmaster with an outstretched hand, ready to help her up. The distorted, smug voice was not his, of course, and she stole a quick glance at the mask on his belt, before gratefully accepting Joker's help.
He cast her an apologetic smile."Please forgive him, Alice. I sincerely hope that you didn't injure yourself, otherwise it would be indeed quite a disaster!" Without further ado, the redhead pulled Alice up, making sure that she stood properly before brushing the dust off her apron and dress.
A perfect gentlemanly gesture, the thought vaguely crossed her mind, before disappearing into temporary oblivion. While still too flustered to say anything, Alice could only nod in thanks as she tried to reduce the damage on her clothes.
"You've got to work on your sense of balance, missy, Joker won't fall for such cheap tricks!"
"It's not like that!" Alice replied quickly, the irritation helping her to regain her voice. Just as quick as the girl could get flustered, she could start boiling with an angry flush on her cheeks, further fuelling the teasing of the insolent mask.
Why would Joker say something nasty but still look so friendly at her? She felt embarrassed enough because of her display of clumsiness, there was no need to rub it in and accuse her of such things. Truth to be told, she couldn't even blame the smiling ringmaster in front of her.
Looking back and forth between the still friendly smiling ringmaster and the grinning mask, she finally came to the conclusion that there was no conclusion at all. It could only be a trick, or was it possibly something else? There is no sense in arguing with a mask… but still she felt like addressing it like a different person.
Alice shook her head. Whether it was ventriloquism or not, it was just so incredibly irritating!
As if sensing her growing confusion, the redhead quickly silenced the talkative mask with a flick. "Joker, can't you be silent when we have a lovely lady visiting us? Your teasing is going too far."
"Hn. I can talk whenever I want." After a small pause and contemplation, the mask's wicked grin seemed to spread further apart. "Hey, Joker, you better check if she has any dangerous diseases from other territories. The girl runs around like a stray cat and we can't afford a walking bacteria factory at the circus!"
The mask only cackled as she unconsciously increased the safe distance between herself and her possible assaulter.
"You see it, Joker? She's already imagining it!"
"Now, now, Joker, don't say such nonsense!" The ringmaster scolded the mask before turning his attention back to his guest in an attempt to pacify her. "Don't worry, Alice, he doesn't mean what he says."
The said girl chose to ignore the inappropriate proposal from the perverted mask (but only as long as Joker didn't truly decide to play doctor and patient with her, of course). After all, this strange entertainment did distract her from the pain in her knees.
"But you do look pale, miss. Are you feeling sick, perhaps?" Joker's concern seemed almost too motherly as he pressed his hand against her cool forehead while looking her up and down. Her eyes widened as her mind got distracted with the feeling of his large hand invading her personal space.
"Going through all the four seasons in such a short amount of time, you must be crazy! You can't try and digest so much fun all at once -" the distorted voice was now scolding her, before concluding in an uncharacteristically knowledgeable tone, "You might choke and ruin that childish face of yours."
Alice scoffed at its last remark but sighed inwardly. She couldn't deny that the mask spoke the truth. Finally, the redhead released her and she let out a relieved sigh as she regained her composure.
"Well, it is not my fault that I couldn't visit them earlier because of the snow storm," she said in defense.
The young foreigner couldn't help but be worried about her friends. The restrictions that came along with the joyful aspects of April Season made her feel uneasy about their well being. And so, she has taken the opportunity to explore the effects of that strange new season as much as she could. Luck seemed to be on her side as the day lasted longer than usual, thus, Alice ended up visiting the circus master three times in order to change the season.
"You look troubled," the ringmaster murmured, before innocently adding, "did you, perhaps, miss someone who is important to you?"
Alice blinked. The question caused her to look up and she instantly wondered why it bothered her so much. She searched for any signs of a double meaning on the redhead's face, just anything. His face showed innocent curiosity and concern, and by any means she could not detect anything that could be out of place. And Joker couldn't possibly know, or could he? About her most important-
"This is fxxxxxx ridiculous, the season has just started and you're already stressed out. Stop that immediately."
She flinched, her difficult thoughts flying apart as she became distracted with the mask's demanding voice.
"And what's with that ugly look? Stop staring holes into Joker!"
The ringmaster could only shake his head at the mask's comment. "That's some awfully inappropriate language you use, Joker, I really wish you could stop that."
But the mask was right, as strange as it sounded at first. Despite its harshness, everything made sense. Running around would not do her any good and her friends were safe and sound, after all. It was time to stop being so childish.
Alice smiled at the redhead, immediately winning his attention. "I actually came to thank you for changing the seasons for me since I've been able to see all my friends." Grinning, she offered him the best smile she could. "I'm very grateful for your service."
For a second, it seemed like Joker was at a loss for words. But it must have been a mistake of her mind, for only a moment later he flashed her a wide smile in return.
"You're very welcome, dear Alice. And please ignore his rude behavior, he is merely trying to cheer you up." With that, the ringmaster carelessly gestured at the mask, before focusing his red eye on the brunette. "Now all is left is to relax, you won't have any fun if you exhaust your body, after all."
As soon as he finished, he reached out his hand, only to vaguely brush across the shell of her ear. It tickled slightly but before her mind could even register what happened, he pulled away, showing the blue eyed girl his discovery. She blinked, and then stared in wonder at the dainty and soft flower petal resting in Joker's hand. Apparently, the little thing got lost in her hair in spring - a small reminder of the lukewarm air and gorgeous blooming trees at Vivaldi's place.
"At least stay for a little and calm down, the seasons won't run away from you."
And as strange as it sounded, just listening to him made her want to follow his advice. Again, it was her mind that made her hesitate.
"I thought I was not supposed to peek at the practice." She tried to snatch away the tiny petal but the ringmaster's hand quickly turned into a fist, denying her any access.
"Oh, don't worry, Alice. I will simply distract you." With a swift movement, almost invisible to the eye, the flower petal bloomed into a rose which found its place back in Alice's hair. "And if you keep your eyes from the backstage, then you might as well stay as long as you wish. You are always welcome here." Besides the reassuring smile that seemingly never left his face, she noticed a mischievous twinkle in Joker's ruby red eye, as if warning her to follow his advice.
Afterwards, she allowed herself to be swept away, passing the closed stands and few practicing performers here and there. They all seemed to have fun and it was hard not to take a peek. But she did her best, of course (and Alice always stayed true to her word, at least as much as she could).
After a while, Alice noted how the ringmaster deliberately chose the round-about ways and smaller paths, navigating her through the labyrinth of tents and temporarily closed stands with ease. The grounds were littered with toys and props of all kinds, making it hard not to step on them. Noting how her companion seemed to avoid them him with ease, she felt almost envious that she couldn't quite do the same. Or perhaps, it was less of a skill but more of a certain indifference that filled his steps?
If she didn't know any better Alice might have thought that he was leading her astray so as to confuse her already puzzled mind. Then again, it was probably exactly what he had in mind.
While contemplating the questionable circus master and the worth of this endeavor, Alice almost missed it when they finally left the shouts and cries behind, ending up in a small, green field at the border of the circus forest.
The neighboring trees created wonderful shadows and seemed to invite tired souls to rest under their canopies, while the grass was almost begging to be sit upon. Only the tops of bright tents and scattered wooden boxes here and there reminded her that her feet still stood on the circus territory.
"Sit down, Alice."
She thanked him curtly and plopped under a nearby tree while the redhead chose to lean against a storage box that was conveniently placed beside them. Silence filled the air as Alice closed her eyes tiredly. A fresh breeze caressed her face as she quietly relished in the warm and calming atmosphere. The sounds of the nearby forest mixed with giggles of small children and practicing performers entered her ears.
'What a lovely place. Who could have guessed that the circus has such a... calm side, as well.'
Her calm demeanor seemed to evaporate, however, as soon as realization entered her mind.
"Joker, am I not keeping you from your work?"
He chuckled, already guessing where the conversation might be heading. "Not at all, cheering you up is also a part of my role, is it not?"
The girl narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "You... are not slacking off, are you?"
Her suggestion was met with merry laughter and she immediately regretted it.
Alice sighed at her own foolishness. She wasn't dealing with a certain bagworm, after all! "I'm sorry. You were nothing but helpful to me, and yet I said such a thing. I hope I didn't bother you."
In response Joker's face softened as he carelessly shook his hand in a dismissive manner. "Not at all. If anything, I am really happy about your visits."
Still, the ringmaster's reassuring smile did not seem to satisfy the doubtful young foreigner. She briefly studied the redhead, however, without any success. "Are you sure? I did visit you a lot today."
"Well, you can't help it, right? As long as you feel honest about your wish to see the different seasons, I will be at your service." To emphasize his point, he made a theatrical bow. Obviously, the gesture looked a little strange due to his sitting position and Alice couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Her reaction seemed to further stretch his already broad grin.
"There is a time for everything, Alice," he reasoned, "and now it the time to forget your worries and enjoy yourself."
She couldn't find a reason to object his wise words and briefly marveled at his talent of putting her mind at peace so easily. But then again, it was most likely in Joker's nature to be able to achieve such amazing results.
With that, she leaned back against the tree, feeling relief wash over her whole being.
While her azure eyes half closed in bliss and her mind went into a soft slumber, her fingers started playing with a blade of grass.
Her worries seemed to evaporate as she smelled the fresh air and the calming rustling of the trees above.
In contrast to the extreme weather conditions in all the other territories, this place seemed to be perfect with its luke-warm temperature and pleasant atmosphere. The sun seemed to stroke her skin lovingly, unlike the blinding hot rays of light at the Amusement Park, where midsummer had a tight grip of the local weather conditions.
To keep herself entertained, the young foreigner chose to mull over the exact season of the circus territory; it was perhaps something between spring and summer. Joker was lucky to have such well-balanced weather at his place.
The girl let out a content sigh and stole a quick glaze at her suspiciously silent companion.
Joker's single eye was closed, the chest going up and down in an even and steady rhythm. The faint breeze played with his reddish locks and she briefly admired the twinkling light reflexes on the golden chain that loosely hung around his neck.
Apparently, Joker was dozing off, without a care in the world.
'Well, there goes my quick return.'
For a moment, she contemplated whether to leave or stay but chose to wait anyway. Joker did tell her that time flowed differently in this place. She failed to believe that this was indeed the case but what choice did she have? And, most importantly, it would be inappropriate of her to disappear without saying goodbye.
'But still, to fall asleep just like that…'
She furrowed her eyebrows at the question that suddenly entered her mind: Was Joker sleeping? Or was he just pretending to be asleep?
Joker was an excellent performer, from what she had seen, so feigning sleep would be nothing compared to his other abilities. For a second she contemplated whether to pinch his nose and make sure that he was not deceiving her, but quickly dismissed the silly thought. Eventually she gave up on her doubtful thoughts and stretched thoroughly, before leaning back and relaxing once more.
It wasn't so important anyway.
What mattered was that, at the moment, she felt at to ease in his company.
.
At last, it was time to say goodbye, as Alice did not fail to emphasize after fretting over the green stains on her backside and sighing when Joker laughed it off, promising that they will soon vanish without a trace.
The jester children bid her farewell, some of them refusing to let the 'interesting young miss' leave their place. But all good things must end, as Joker reminded them with a lifted finger, and so eventually the young foreigner was left standing alone with the jovial territory's owner.
"You have so many people to take care of and so much to manage, I really respect you because of that," she confessed with honest admiration.
His lonely ruby red eye widened slightly, before a large, gleeful grin spread across his face. "You are indeed a very kind hearted young lady," with that, he lifted his hat and bowed humbly, the small bells emitting a soft jingling sound that lightened the atmosphere, "thank you very much for the praise."
"Well, it's the truth, after all," Alice reasoned while he straightened himself. "Anyway… I apologize if I seem too tired to enjoy anything. I promise to be more grateful next time!"
Finally, she took a last look at the bright circus tents, illuminated with the warm lights of the setting and yet unmoving sun. "It must be really nice to live here, though," Alice murmured silently while admiring the solemn evening atmosphere. "It is a very happy place."
"Yes, a happy place indeed."
The tone in which her companion spoke caused her to stir and divert her eyes from the picturesque scenery.
A sudden gush of wind blew his red locks apart, toying with them and as she turned her attention back to Joker. A distant, hazy look seemed to find its place upon his face as a soft smile rested on his lips. In this single moment, every trace of childish laughter and joyful sounds of a large crowd disappeared, seemingly eaten away and turned into a big nothingness. And in the midst of all this, his lonely crimson eye was looking back at her.
Unable to trust her vision, the brunette closed her eyes and opened them immediately afterwards.
The air was still, all traces of tension blown away, the restored sounds complimenting the happy circus setting.
"Is something wrong, Alice?" Joker inquired in an easy-going manner, apparently noticing that the girl had been staring far longer than appropriate.
The brunette shook her head in response. "Oh… it's nothing, really," she said before casting a last glance at the circus. After a moment of thought she finally announced her leave before stepping onto the road that would lead her back to the Tower of Clover.
However, she was stopped by a hand catching her arm and holding it tightly. Thoroughly surprised, she stared in wonder at her arm before looking back at the circus master with a silent question in her azure orbs.
"Young miss, although you probably should know by now that you are always welcome here," his red eye looked intently into her blue ones as he continued, "I figured that I should remind you, just in case."
.
She couldn't understand what it was that made her feel strange, perhaps it was just a trick of her tired mind? And yet Alice was unable to forget what she witnessed just minutes ago as she walked back on the path out of the circus forest. The young foreigner felt almost compelled to look back, just to check if she was being followed, but chose not to.
Alice let out a silent sigh. She couldn't help but feel like her life will turn into an emotional rollercoaster. Not that it wasn't unusual, considering her past experiences in this mad country. She was left figuring whether it was a good or bad sign, a single thought crossing her confused mind.
'We barely know each other and yet I feel like I will come again very soon.'
In between all the confusion and puzzlement, one thing Alice knew for sure: there was still much to learn about her new acquaintance.
.
.
.
"You are in a better mood today, Joker," the jester clad role holder commented while intently observing his counterpart.
Exactly thirty time turns after their first show and three time turns after her last visit, the ringmaster found Joker occupying a sunny place behind the circus tent while going through a variety of circus props. The darker Joker barely used them, that is, if the jester was able to persuade his counterpart to take care of the circus show. It was not like Joker despised the circus acts, in fact he liked them, as long as they were according with his taste.
And letting the jester children run around in panic wouldn't do, after all, he knew that his counterpart's patience was rather thin.
And so it was quite a surprise when he found Joker in such a place, casually sitting with legs crossed upon one of the large wooden boxes. It was good that these things were usually scattered in a remote area, far from the public's eyes, for the prison warden's uniform was slightly unsettling compared to the bright scenery around him. The backstage area was unusually quiet, but it was nothing new for both redheads. For a few minutes, the jester clad Joker simply watched as his counterpart busied himself, noting the heavy silence that hung in the air. Finally, he decided to speak again.
"Polishing the throwing knives so thoroughly…" he murmured quietly, "it's not often that I see you so eager and motivated to do these kinds of chores. I wonder… should I be worried?"
"Shut up."
The conversation was cut short as the grumpier redhead continued to concentrate on his task until he slammed the nearby box with brightly coloured targets, obviously sick of his activity.
"Impatience is a sin, did you know that, Joker?" the jester commented, to which his counterpart huffed in annoyance.
"I have no need for your crappy advice."
Seemingly unfazed, the happier Joker continued, "I am glad that you are looking forward to our next performance. Why don't you join us, since you seem so eager?"
"Too troublesome," the prison warden retorted in a noticeably deeper voice, his eyebrows furrowed in slight irritation. "You know as well as I do that we have some business to attend to, Joker."
"Ah, indeed, we have." The redhead sighed almost too exaggeratedly as he pondered on his counterpart's suggestion. "It is a pity, really, but there is nothing we can do about it, I presume. Another time, then."
His mind seemed to be in the clouds as he casually lifted a stray plush cat from the grass and examined it without paying much attention. "It would be nice if she came back soon, don't you think so?"
Now, this caused his counterpart to look up for a second. "You mean that brat? Damn, she better bring something good next time she decides to come. You should let her pay or something, she's a freeloader!"
"My, my, are you still angry because you never got to taste those gingerbread cookies they sell in the winter season?"
"So what if I am?!"
The jester clad Joker let out an exasperated sigh. Joker might as well overcome his laziness… but no, he would only do that if the reward was good enough.
And yet Joker always watched from afar, listening to every word that was spoken between him and Alice. The jester knew that he also became gradually accustomed to the girl's regular visits.
Day and nights passed, but Alice always came back, if not for a card game, then just to visit him and talk. Sometimes her figure appeared at the circus without any special or meaningful reason.
Alice was just that kind of a girl and Joker happened to like that a lot. It was only natural that the other Joker felt so, too. And it was not like he counted the days they spent together, most certainly not.
'Hm, it would be really amusing if Joker…' The redhead hummed, his mind concocting ideas that made his grin even wider. "Why don't join us next time Alice drops by, Joker? After all, you seemed to have fun as much as I di-"
The sharp knife, swishing past the redhead's ear with an astonishing speed, miraculously missed the ringmaster by a mere inch, getting stuck in the tree behind him. The ringmaster's smile didn't falter during the whole ordeal.
'Joker wouldn't miss anyway.'
"Hn, maybe," the warden clad Joker snorted in response. "Would be unfair if you got all the fun while I slave away at that damn place."
His happier counterpart chuckled lightly. "Don't be like that, Joker, actually I am very hard-working, if you haven't noticed it yet."
"Whatever." The warden clad Joker leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head, looking like he was counting the clouds in the sky.
The ringmaster mustered the darker Joker while going through his own thoughts.
Finally, he sat the almost forgotten toy down before taking a good look at the wildly scattered boxes and props.
"Well, I might as well work on the new acts for the meantime," the jester clad redhead nodded his head, approving his own idea. "After all, we've got to keep the public entertained."
"I suggest that we do something super spectacular like a sword fight on a tightrope," his counterpart grinned almost maniacally, thinking of how much fun it would be.
"I think we better avoid that," the jester clad Joker interrupted his planning. "Knowing you, I fear it would be too harsh for the young ladies and we don't want to frighten our audience too much."
"Damn it! You're way too boring, Joker."
He chuckled lightly. "If you say so."
.
.
.