Chapter 9 - Visit To Heart Castle
Rikki POV
I twiddled my fingers under the large table. Ace sat to my left, who was laughing, Peter to my right, looking heart broken. Vivaldi and I sat at opposite ends at the head of the table. She gave me an understanding smile, which I didn't understand.
I was walking, to the route which I thought would lead me to the Amusement Park, but it actually led me to Heart Castle. Peter had found me, saying the Queen wanted to have tea.
Word moves quick in this country. Peter had gotten depressed at the thought of Leah leaving him- giving up all hope on ever wooing Alice, so he's started proclaiming his love to Leah.. supposedly- Ace didn't seem to care. At all. Which hurt, since I would stay in this world for Ace, and Pierce, but also Ace. My brother...
And Vivaldi... who knows what she's thinking. "So, uhm, where did you hear about our decision?" There was no final decision. I didn't want to leave, Audrey was on the fence, and Leah wanted to leave.
"Where we heard it doesn't matter. What matters is that we heard it, and that you're fighting with your friends." Vivaldi took a sip of her tea. I don't know if she met I'm fighting with the inhabitants of Wonderland or Leah and Audrey, or both.
"Eh? You're fighting with your friends? Who's winning?" Ace flashed me a wide, goofy smile. I just stared at him, thinking of how could he not know, when I remember he pretty much lives under a tent. Not the castle.
This seemed too private a conversation. Something for Vivaldi and I, maybe. But definitely not Ace or Peter. "We should go. We should, but we can't." And I no longer think it's just because we don't have a vial.
"Why leave? Your friends are here." Vivaldi wasn't arguing, just helping me come to a conclusion. Of some sort. Or she might just be picking a fight, I don't know.
My mouth dried up, and I couldn't speak. "B-Because." Leah says so... I wiped my hands on my clothes, trying to wipe away the nervousness that was building up. "You see..." I couldn't say what I should, because Leah wanted to. If Leah wanted to, I would do it, for the most part. She's viewed as the leader of the trio, but since we've been in Wonderland... Vivaldi looked at me expectantly, waiting for an actual answer.
But I remained silent, unsure of everything. "Why does everyone wish to leave?" Peter started, interrupting the silence. "It's not that bad of a world." He sighed dramatically as he held his hands, lamenting his unrequited love.
"Our family is in the other world." I said automatically, looking at the pink, frayed tablecloth.
"Not yours." Ace also said automatically, not a second too late. His eyes burned against my skull, but I focused on the tablecloth, the little designs and swirls. I wonder if he knows? If he knows not everyone believes him.
Vivaldi gave Ace a glare. Did she know we were siblings? Could she guess? "You three- four if you wish to include Alice-" I'd rather not. "came here for a reason. Though you didn't come here of your own volition, you have a purpose here. Maybe a bigger purpose than the one you serve in your world?" She inquired.
I looked at my feet now, feeling hollow and empty. I serve a purpose? Hard to believe... what would Leah and Audrey think? I left them really quickly, I wonder if that was okay? Do they care? Did the Hatter's care?
"We just want you to think clearly before you do anything rash and leave us." Vivaldi finished, taking another sip of tea.
"But couldn't we just visit anytime? Since we would want to?" I asked, since I've been told we could come to Wonderland if we would really want to.
"What's the point in leaving if you're just going to come back?" Ace countered, giving a shrug. I stammered, unable to give him an actual answer.
"We aren't trying to force a response off you, nor make you stay." Vivaldi stood up, walking to my side of the table, she pat my shoulder. "We just wish you'd think before you act- unlike your brother?" She gave me a smile before giving Ace another glare.
"T-Thank you Vivaldi, but you know, I should be leaving." I stood up, tottering a little. My lips twitched up into an awkward smile, and Vivaldi just shook her head, her violet curls bouncing against her head.
"Don't be a stranger Rik-keh~!" Ace waved and replied in a singsong voice, his eyes seemed dark and his smile forced.
I just gave the three a nod as a goodbye, still feeling hollow as I left the castle. I felt their eyes burning- I'm guessing Vivaldi was concerned and Ace... I don't know what's up with Ace. One minute he acts like an actual brother, the next a cold-hearted fiend.
"Rikki! You're back!" Pierce exclaimed as I walked into his room. I headed straight for his room, in need of someone who I know cares for me. Pierce wrapped his arms around my neck as I wrapped mine around his waist and sat on his lap.
"Sorry I took so long." Was my reply, snuggling into his chest, listening to the steady tick of his clock. "I missed you." I told him. In all honesty I have, it feels like I haven't seen him in a long time.
"I missed you too, chu!" Pierce hissed the top of my head. "What's the problem? You seem sad, chu." He leaned his forehead on top of my head. At first I didn't reply, because I didn't know how to. SO many things were wrong- or was it just different?- and I don't know what to make of my emotions. I love my friends, and I'll be with them 'til the end. But I don't want to leave Wonderland. Or Pierce or Ace.
"Too many things are changing way too fast. I don't know what to make of it all or know what to do, how to feel, what to say..." My voice shook and cracked as tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision.
"I don't follow!" Pierce squeaked, I heard his tail swishing behind him as he thought about what I said.
I sighed. "It's alright. It just has to do with Leah, Audrey, and me being an outsider." Also what to do with Ace and what to do with my relationship with you, but those are more complicated problems.
"I thought you guys talked stuff out, chu." Pierce whispered.
"We ended up fighting. We haven't gotten along for a while-" Since Wonderland. "and we tend to get mad at each other with our conflicting situations and... feelings." I guess that's what it all comes down to. None of us feel the same way as the other. And we have to be unanimous or we won't get anywhere. It's either all three of us or no one at all.
"What's your next plan?" Pierce asked, his voice threaded with weariness.
"Let those two talk it out first. I'm too lazy to do anything right now." I laughed, trying to ease the tension.
Pierce chuckled above me. "So you'll stay with me the next few time changes?" Pierce asked hopefully.
"If you wish!" I lifted my head, smiling up at him. It only took a second for him to return the smile.
