((Hi, everyone! (Boy does anyone even read these?) I just thought I'd make a quick update in case the power does decide to die out on us for a few days. Along with announcing that, I know a bit of you are confused about the identities of the characters-the Cheshire mostly-so I decided to clear this up. Everyone I have introduced so far-and probably every character I will-is human, even the Cheshire. (Yes, I know that sounds odd but my mind works like this. :0) The Cheshire is pretty much just an odd-looking humanoid creature with the Cheshire grin. Perhaps if the power does go out, I'll try to draw a few sketches to help ya'll visualize.
Welp, that seems to be it. So without further ado, Chapter 9! Hope ya'll enjoy!))
Chapter 9: Till Death Do Us Part
A tornado was set loose in Alice's head, pulling thoughts and ideas from here and there and stringing them together in a jumbled mess that not even the most intelligent person could comprehend. She was beginning to feel sick and wanted nothing more than to wake up from this horrible nightmare and find herself in her bed in the small, three person ranch-styled house, along with Mrs. Bran baking cookies as Mr. Bran read the local newspaper at the kitchen table. She wanted to be able to return to her life before her journey down the westward path, before her stumbling down the mountainside staircase, before the fire engulfed her house and her only family; and before the Cheshire entered her life.
But no, she couldn't entirely say she wished that she never met him. Although she could assume that he had somehow led her into this mess, he had also proved assistance when she needed it most. If she was upset, lonely, or even endangered, he was right by her side helping her weather the storm.
And so, her decision was made. Although her being a "wanderer" meant possibly endangering the Cheshire if she picked his kingdom, she knew she had no other choice. The Cheshire had proved to be a reliable and trustworthy friend, and she would display the same. She knew that as scary as a competition for power seemed, she was going to stand by the Cheshire and do her best to protect him. After all, he was all she had now.
Before Alice could part her lips to answer the Queen, the Cheshire seemed to pick up on her decision. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw him turn his head toward her ever-so-slightly and nod nonchalantly; assuring her that she had made the correct decision. Almost instantly, a wave of comfort flooded over her in a way that could only be brought along by the Cheshire himself.
"Have you come to a decision?" the Queen asked.
Alice nodded bravely and swallowed back whatever hesitancy she held. Yet before she could answer verbally, the Queen spoke up once more. "So which kingdom did you choose?"
Alice's thoughts stumbled over themselves for a minute. The Queen must've known her choice to begin with, but was throwing a curve ball by asking for the name of the kingdom, not who the ruler was. Thinking back to the trio's speech, Alice recalled the three kingdom names: the Heart, Club, and Spade. But which one did the Cheshire belong to?
He obviously wasn't of the Heart kingdom. Alice had eventually put all the puzzle pieces together to come to the conclusion that the woman before her was the Queen of Hearts—quite literally. Now all that she had to choose from was the Club and Spade. She had a fifty-fifty chance upon guessing, but who was to say she'd end up picking the right one?
Her eyes glanced over to the Hatter, who had lost interest for the time being and went back from pouring tea from cup to cup, occasionally halting his movement to take a few sips of the tea. Air, a voice within her whispered feverishly. The Hatter is air.
But what did that mean; the Hatter is air? Was he simply not a human, but a mirage of some sort? No, that couldn't be it. No matter how mad Wonderland seemed, Alice knew everyone was real, she could feel it in her veins. But what did air have to do in accordance to the kingdoms? Air wasn't a kingdom, after all.
Air; think back, Alice. Remember, the voice hissed. She closed her eyes, trying to drown it out. Think back? Back to what? Back to your world, Alice, the voice answered.
Then, Alice recalled the night she had spent at the kitchen table with Mr. Bran. She was ten at the time, but the memory was still vivid as if it happened but a few days ago. Mrs. Bran was behind the stove cooking up gingerbread men; it was around Christmas at the time. A few of Mr. Bran's friends from the fire station were crowding around the circular, oak kitchen table laughing and having a good time. They'd often come around every other Friday night to play poker together.
Alice was in a blue nightgown, shyly poking her head out from the hallway. Mr. Bran noticed her and called her over with his cheery chuckle. "Come, Alice. I'll teach you a little about cards," he said, beckoning her over to his knee. He lifted her and set her upon his lap where she could more clearly see the cards.
"Rodney, don't teach her to gamble," Mrs. Bran reprimanded light-heartedly from her perch behind the stove.
"Ah, I'm doing no such thing," the husband replied with a wink.
Soon, his arthritis-ridden hands became nimble once again, and shuffled through the deck of playing cards. He gathered four cards from the deck and displayed them face-up for Alice to see. "This is the heart suit," he announced, tapping a finger on the Queen of Hearts. Its element is water, and it represents love and spirituality." Sliding his finger along to the next card, he tapped it as well. "This is the club suit. Its element is fire," he said dramatically, widening his eyes in a way that made Alice giggle. "It represents inner wisdom."
"What's this one?" Alice had asked, pointing to the spade with tiny fingers and a curiosity that could mimic that of a tiny kitten.
"Ah, the King of Spades," he announced. "Its element is," he paused and blew into Alice's blond tresses, making them dance against her cheek.
Air! Alice's eyes snapped open to reveal the trio staring intently at her—minus the Cheshire of course, who already knew of Alice's decision and instead calmly stared down the teacup in front of him. Alice was almost curious to see how the Cheshire would down the tea with his eternal grin, but she decided that adventure would have to be saved for another time.
"I choose the Club kingdom," Alice announced, confident in her decision.
The Queen raised her eyebrows ever-so-slightly before nodding her head in what appeared to be her acceptance of defeat. "So you're very serious about this child, aren't you, Ches?" the Queen questioned, turning to face him.
The Cheshire drew his attention away from the teacup and directed it toward the Queen. Although his eyes were still eclipsed by the shadow of his cloak, Alice could envision them sparkling mischievously like a cat's gaze locked on an insect. "Why yes, Your Majesty," he responded, rising to his feet. His movement beckoned Alice to obediently stand up beside him, in which he drew her into his chest. "I'll be serious about her until death do us part."
