{Chapter Nine}
The First Sin
"Are you enjoying your tea?" questioned the peculiar man sat beside the weak twenty year old blonde. Raising her head, she looked into his peculiar sparkling green eyes. Three people, including Serah, were sat upon a square, glass table in the middle of the room Nigredo had decorated for her just two days ago; the surprise being more then amazing to the young woman, along with her two guests that stated many a time how they enjoyed the moving forest about them. Without Nigredo in the room, she could hear the babbling brook in the woods; the noise of the leaves shaking against each other from the sweet whispers of a gentle breeze. The chirping of the birds was an excited, high tempo song to the ears of the guests, which was a beautiful noise during their evening tea party. In the background, Serah could hear the usual ticking of a clock, but she knew it was not one of the pocket watches upon the glass table, for they had stopped at exactly six o'clock, when the party had begun. It wasn't just watches upon the table; there was a pot of tea, the china an ivory shade with beautiful roses decorated upon it that were a pink shade, along with five porcelain tea cups with plates beneath them in exactly the same decoration, though only three were being used. Four tea spoons were in the centre of the table, more then half having drips of tea on them; on the ends of the spoon, flowers had been engraved into the metal beautifully. Napkins were dotted her an there, some being used while some weren't and close to the pot of tea was a jug of milk along with a plate of chocolate cake, which was half gone; crumbs laden on the table. She loved the items Nigredo had found for her, having a strong passion for English styled things and her guests seemed to enjoy them just as much. It wasn't just a tea table in the room; there was a single bed near the window with the curtain across; the sheets cream with pale flowers upon it and there was a chest of draws next to a large vintage box filled with Serah's makeup, hairdryer and other familiar things.
"As much as I normally do," replied Serah with a smile spreading across her pallid face. The man she was speaking to was none other then Hatter; a man she had met just a few years ago. His skin had a complexion of light beige while his hair was a messy, dark copper, almost chocolate brown shade that reached his shoulders in a variety of wavy layers. Upon his head was a smart top hat, coloured such a deep red Serah struggled to tell whether it was indeed black or red! His suit was a similar colour as well, except for his dress shirt beneath his blazer which was a colour of black. Ruffles had replaced his collar, going up to half of his neck, and wrapped upon that was a necklace; a silver, strangely shaped key that Serah knew very little about. The shades around the mans eyes were so dark he looked almost as if he wore makeup, though when she asked whether he did (which offended him almost) he said no. Sometimes she wondered how little he must have slept to have such dark, almost black rings. Though his appearance at first could have been eerie, she could only see the kindness in his concerning eyes; the brightness of his lips when they curled into a smile. Sat beside Hatter was the March Hare, who looked nothing like a Hare as she imagined! Save for the two, white furred, ears that stuck up upon his head exactly like rabbit ones. Oh and those whiskers upon his pale nose. He was a cute little thing, with a wonderful smile and looked almost like a child, though he was a few years older then Serah. His long hair had bangs cut across his forehead, and was such a light shade of honey it looked almost as pure as white! His eyes, framed by thick black eyelashes were a pink shade with a sharp red pupil within them that absorbed the world about him. He dressed smartly, yet not as eccentrically as Hatter. He lacked a hat, for starters, and wore just a white dress shirt with a black netted tie along with black trousers. His hands were wrapped in gloves similar to his netted tie, but though he wore little he looked more then fine.
"Have some wine!" offered the March Hare ecstatically with a flick of his ears, though Serah could only glance about the table for a few moments.
"Hare, there is no wine," protested Serah almost with irritation in her voice for being almost tricked.
"Well then be grateful, for you can have no less then you already have," he grinned at her happily to show off his sharp fangs, while Hatter dipped another spicy tea bag into the pot. She wondered for a moment whether there would be any tea left at the end of the night when Nigredo would come collect her! In response to March Hare's sentence, however, Serah just ignored him and took a sip of her boiling hot tea that trailed down her throat lovely. She didn't like wine as much as tea or those wonderful vanilla lattes so it made no difference. Scanning her eyes across the table, she noted a small clear bottle that Nigredo had given her. Dangling from the nozzle was a tag, reading 'drink me,' with a small kiss on the end; the writing belonging to her love. The liquid in it was half gone, the other half something she would need to drink just moments before the end of the tea party to please Nigredo. As if Hatter knew somehow what she was looking at, he spoke gently.
"Curiosity killed the cat," muttered he yet in a soft tone, but Serah shot him a confused frown none the less. "Though, luckily for you that you have no died, is it not?"
"Indeed in some circumstances," replied she, feeling the urge to lean her elbow on the table to lean her chin upon her hand but such manners were impolite, so instead she kept her straight posture. "Though at times I welcome the ground swallowing me whole, especially when those vulgar doctors speak to me in a way they believe they are kind – Hatter, you know how I feel distaste for them."
"Oh I know, little one, believe me that I do," said Hatter kindly before offering her a slice of the delicious chocolate cake on her plate she hadn't notice him take. Politely, she took the plate from his hands, setting it down beside her tea. The breeze from the woods brushed the steam from her cup in an odd direction; allowing tendrils of white to dance in the air. March Hare nibbled contently on a piece of his own cake; his eyes madly glancing from one person to another as they spoke. "I do wish your Nigredo would treat you with a bit more respect when it comes to situations such as these. The man speaks as if his memory is backward! Sure he should remember what happens in weeks to come for you as well as he."
"His memory is backwards," assured Serah with an almost dull tone regarding the conversation. "He remembers nothing from the future, only from the past, like me; don't forget."
"I could not," began Hatter informatively. "I remember you were going to tell me such a thing. One day my memory shall become backwards as well, I remember that much, now dear," slowly, his long fingers reached across the table, grabbing the vile of the blue liquid Nigredo had given Serah. Uncapping the top, he slowly poured the liquid into Serah's small cup of tea; the blue shade disappearing into the beverage. "Drink up, for the happiness of your future husband."
With a small smile that let out a little laugh, a shaking hand reached for the cup. Slowly she wrapped her left hands fingers around it; her ring upon her wedding finger clanging against the porcelain. With a look of panic upon her face, she slowly pulled the rim of the cup to her rosy lips. Both of her guests watched with anticipation as she shut her eyes tightly; gulping down the drink in one. Once she had done, she placed the teacup back on its plate with a large pant of air. The hot liquid slithered down her throat like a horrible snake, causing a shiver to run between her shoulder blades. Hatter clapped his hands happily, while Serah gazed at the birds flying between the branches of the woods. Barely a minute later, the pocket watches began to tick in a furious fashion, reminding the guests the time was coming up to eight in the evening. Quickly, Serah shot to her feet, clearing up the plates, while Hatter and March Hare readied themselves. Once Serah had cleaned the things up, she ran to a small cupboard in the room, opened it and pulled out a tall looking glass. Placing the looking glass on the wall near the castle, she smiled sweetly at her guests.
"Thank you for enduring our stay," smirked Hatter politely as he tipped his hat in a bow. Serah mimicked him, despite the lack of hat upon her head. "It was such a pleasure."
"The pleasure is mine," smiled Serah honestly as she walked to her guests; planting one kiss upon each of their cheeks. The strong scent of tea lingered firmly on their clothes, almost refusing to leave the fabrics. "And March Hare, I advise you to bring some wine to our party tomorrow so you may offer it."
"Why I do remember bringing it the week after next…" muttered March as he walked towards the looking glass. "Evening of good, little one," he smiled before walking straight into the looking glass. The reflection twisted upon itself as March Hare disappeared into it. Once the looking glass had settled, Serah and Hatter could both see a figure in the woods, jumping up and down excitedly.
Hatter turned to Serah and bowed once more politely, causing the girl to giggle. "Sleep well, dear," he told her before slipping into the looking glass as well. Again the mirror distorted for a few moments before returning to its original state. Just as she was about to take it away, a rattling at the door startled her from her very wits. The noises she had listened to for hours disappeared into an uncomfortable silence, which broke from a knocking at the door again. Straitening her posture as best as she could, she bit back the tears as she slowly made her way to the door. As if the doorknob were a monster, she wrapped her fingers skittishly around it; jumping hard when a knocking again entered her ears. Finally, after what felt like something constricting around her chest, she opened the door; catching her eyes with a male figure, whose hair was a short, messy chocolate shade; his eyes identical in colour yet weary and tired. He was taller then Serah, wearing a white, sterile coat with a pair of blue jeans underneath and a white dress shirt.
"Doctor Madigan," she nodded politely, speaking with her most confident voice possible though she was shuffling from foot to food uncomfortably. The mans horribly analyzing eyes glanced about her small room momentarily before settling upon the young woman clad in a light azure dress. "May I help you?" she questioned after a small amount of silence, hoping to break his trail of thought of whatever he was thinking. The birds had stopped flying between the branches, though there were two more figures in the painting but the Doctor had failed to notice them, causing a lovely feeling to well in Serah's heart.
"Yes, well," he tripped over his words, almost annoying Serah who leaned her hand against the door, politely waiting for him to speak in a correct manner. Giving up, he finally just blurted out; "Master Gaignun is here to collect you. Are you packed, Serah?"
As the vision or the "memory" of someone else came to the mind of Serafia, the first thing she made sure to remember was the name 'Doctor Madigan'. To say it was peculiar to have such thoughts ringing through her mind as she walked down the dark streets of Second Miltia, where the sky was so grey it looked as if it were about to rain (Serafia had seen very little rain in her life – the only storm she experienced was in the odd world). She walked on pathways along larger ones where the cars drove, leading her to the main heart of the City. A sign had told her she was walking towards 'Sector One'; whatever that was. The pathway, against the road, she walked upon was like a bridge, with another road beneath her but little did height bother her; it only bothered her when she was dangling in a rabbit hole like a few days ago. Despite the aches in her legs from walking for so long, Serafia was proud of herself for throwing away her fears and walking away from Gaignun who was not helping her a bit. She couldn't bring up the thoughts she had of Serah, who she assumed was her copy in this world; Gaignun's wife, which almost made sense for she had been close to being the wife of Noir one day but the only thing that didn't make sense was the fact she was experiencing her memories. Or she was going utterly mad; Serafia had no idea but she prayed they were the memories of the other, older woman. She wanted to know whether the woman was dead or alive or even where she had gone to, because of that conversation and the biggest question of all was what was she doing conversing with Hatter and the March Hare? The March Hare was perhaps even crueller then King Albedo himself! Yet she was speaking finely with him at the tea party table!
"It seems," muttered Serafia aloud to herself for she cared not who heard her; "Things are going to get a lot more peculiar in this world. Hm – I do wonder what to do. Do I find Hatter first or try to find that Doctor Madigan?" a few drops of rain stopped her for a moment from doing anything; how odd that was! With a little smile on her face, she continued to speak; "But if I find Hatter first should I just ignore the thoughts of Serah and continue on my way back to Wonderland? But that looking glass they walked into … is that the gateway back?" for she had never actually thought of how to return to Wonderland, especially because coming to this world had been achieved by diving into a pool of tears she created, followed by the rabbit hole and then through one of the doors in the small hallway. Suddenly, a wide smile appeared on her face as she punched the palm of her hand like the solders in the army did when they gained an idea. "I shall find Hatter first, perhaps even along my way find out where Doctor Madigan is and then we shall find that room Serah resided in, gain some answers about her, though curiosity did kill the cat I suppose…Maybe I shall leave out finding the answers, though the entire thing is rather odd … No, we'll leave that and find answers to questions we need to know. But as long as we have that looking glass nothing else is to matter."
Just as the rain began to pour from the heavens, causing the smile to widen on Serafia's face for she minded the rain just as much as she minded comfits, she noticed a peculiar, yet familiar figure walking along the road opposite her. The figure was pending towards her eerily unhurriedly, causing the smile to slowly disappear as she frowned. Two more oddly shaped figures followed and a constricting feeling came over the queen as she stopped in her tracks; noting how each figure, which she soon realised to be a man in armour, held a large spear. The first man's spear was in the shape of a spade, while the other two's were clubs. Gulping hard, Serafia quickly checked behind herself; nothing else there but the odd car driving past her. When the men emerged closer she could see their armour decorated in spades and clubs; the name of King Albedo printed along their left arms in such fancy writing it was difficult to see. Their armour was far darker then her armies; the steel looking almost black in the already dark light. Feeling her heart in her throat, a sickening feeling overcame Serafia as she stared at the three members of King Albedo's army. Her breath shook in the wet air as she literally forced herself to breathe; unsure of what to think as her mind felt like it were all over the place. The was no Noir, no Gaignun, no Hemi or Caden or even Hatter to protect her this time, but she told herself as strongly as possible she needed them not. The first of the three was just feet away from her now, and in a second's decision, she imagined the spear in his hands being nothing but water. And such a thing worked! The spear he held so dearly onto disappeared into nothing but water, which splashed upon him and the ground; washing down across to Serafia's feet.
"Troublesome girl," the man hissed angrily, causing her to take a small step back as they stopped walking. "Where is your guardian, I do wonder?"
"I haven't the faintest of clues," replied Serafia with a breathless voice though she tried her best to stay strong despite how much her body was trembling. The tips of her fingers felt numb from the lack of circulation in her body, which was panicking along with her mind."I am Queen Serafia, I demand that the other two of you lower your weapons otherwise I shall have to lower them for you." She remembered when Hatter had demanded she lowered the gate, or he would lower it for her, which had supplied the inspiration for her demand.
"We fear not a little girl," the main man told her with a small smirk, before another spear appeared in his hands. "Worry not though, for we will not kill you, Serafia. We only wish to take you to the King."
Shaking her head, Serafia took another step back but they closed the space she had created by taking one themselves. "No, I shall not allow this to happen," she whispered. A few tears dripped down her face, though they could have been easily mistaken for rain drops.
'Princess, you run faster then the bugs can fly!' she recalled one of the frogs telling her as she ran around the courtyard, abiding Hatter's rule to learn to run. Firmly, she gave a face of determination as she pushed away her fears, pulling out four cards from her side. She cared not for what they were, and imagined their sides were as sharp as knives; their corners pointed like a spear and in an instant they were. "You can tell uncle Albedo that he's bitten off far more then he can chew," and flung one of the cards to the Cardsmen, wincing when she heard the squelching sound of it sliding through their throats. She wanted to faint, to run away from the blood and she hated herself for causing them pain but she had to fight; she had to kill them to save herself as well as Wonderland.
To say Hatter was even livid from the actions Noir had done was an understatement by miles. Despite the fact the irritable rat (or toad as Serafia called things) had used a different name during the 'broadcast' as they called it (on Wonderland a broadcast was conducted in a far different manner, but five days after being in the abnormal world Hatter was finding himself adjusting rather well if he just ignored the curious questions in his mind and took the planet as it were) he knew it was him from that twinkle in his eyes to the aura about him he could see through the glass screen on one of the tall, white buildings. The man, for his disobedience and betrayal to Wonderland was going to be put to death and Hatter would have been fine to do such a thing in the streets, in front of the people that found him to be 'mad' as it were. As the other men of the army would say, he would indeed 'eat him alive' and eat him with joy he would. He could only imagine the trouble he was causing his poor Serafia, which angered him even more. The girl was naïve to disloyalty, always believing there was good within people when there was not. The only person in the world she was allowed to trust was Hatter and that trust wasn't as good as he wanted it to be for he wasn't even at her side, protecting her from vermin such as Noir. Even before Serafia had been born, he knew time and effort spent on her protection would be far greater then other members of the royal family. Serafia was the most precious of women, of even people, he had spoken to or knew existed and now she was somewhere strange; hopefully not in the downpour of the tedious rain and in the safety of somewhere, away from Noir. As time had passed, even while hiding in the shadows, he felt emotions drift into his heart that he tried not to think of. When it came to the beginning of the fifth day, the start of the second day he had to take extra care where his feet landed, he began to realise what the emotions were. The need to have her protected mentally, to make sure she was happy (which he had felt on the second day) twisted into a little guilt (though he ignored that – he was trying his best) along with a sense of missing her. It was like something was absent from his mind, which after some contemplating he realised it was the girl that looked just ten years younger then her, while who was hundreds of years younger. He missed the laughing she did at anything or anything; how he had to keep on extra guard whenever she found something curious (he knew in this world he would need to keep an extra, extra eye upon her – almost a leash nearly if it were possible). He missed the wonderful world of Underground Land too; wherever he was wasn't exactly his best taste. Walking down the pathway, against a road, he sighed outwardly; feeling a little better as he walked underneath a bridge; sheltered from the rain.
As he passed through the bridge, he heard a sentence ring through his ears over the splashes of the puddles and the fierce hiss of the rain, which was soon followed by a loud crash of thunder; "No, please, I hadn't meant to cause such a thing! Oh why won't it work! Work, work!" the troubled voice caused the eyes of Hatter to widen as his legs darted from under the bridge with haste. Taking some steps back, he looked up; the rain dripping into his face miserably as he saw a girl clad in grey clothing, which he could see stained in red, shuffling from one foot to another near the edge of the pathway. Long tendrils of wet blonde hair curled down her back; sticking to her face at the sides. Instantly, he knew the woman stood at the top, panicking so much he could see the trembling of her body. Excitement came over the Hatter as he watched her for a few moments in almost disbelief; his Queen stood in obvious discomfort as sobs escaped the back of her throat. Five long, long days he had been searching for her and there she was; stood in the rain wearing such simple clothes that were damp to her bones, with blood upon them for some bizarre reason. Never had he wanted to find her in such a way; he hoped she had been inside for her days, but he assumed she had spent her time in the streets searching for him. Disgust lingered in his chest for himself but he pushed away the emotions, concentrating on the condition in hand.
"Queen Serafia!" he yelled up to her, causing the little girl to jump out of her skin like a skittish animal. Her hands flung up to her chest, allowing him to see four cards shaking in the wind, yet they were tipped sharply with what he assumed to be blood. What in the world had his Queen done?
"Hatter…" she whispered breathlessly, being overcome with an array of emotions. Quickly, she glanced from the man she cared so much about to the dead Cardsmen upon the floor; her most terrible deed in her life. Biting the corner of her mouth, she wasted no time to dart from the bridge; away from her protector in a fit of tears.
