Chapter 9 - Nuisance
Rikki POV
"No...! Stay!" I had finaly gotten back to the amusement park after running into the man with the blood soaked cloak. Now I was trying to head to Heart Castle and Pierce was trying to stop me.
"Pierce, I'm coming back..." I laughed nervously as the boy clung to my arm, which was weighing me down.
"But you visited Hatter Mansion before and now you're going to Heart Castle! Why not stay here for a bit?" Pierce whimpered. He was afraid Boris was gonna eat him, since I was apparently the only one who could stop Boris.
"Pierce... I have to visit other people as well." I reminded him and myself. I had to continuously remind myself that this is a dream and the only way to leave it was to interact with people and refill the vial.
Pierce finally let go of me but he looked depressed. His tail was between his legs and he slinked away sadly. My heart pange guiltily. I didn't mean to sadden Pierce, this was just something I had to do.
But I had to get a move on as I went from the Amusement Park to Heart Castle. I wasn't sure why I wanted to come here... but I felt the need to.
"Are you Rikki?" A female asked as I entered the castle. She had a long red dress with the top being a heart-shape that went over her head. She had black curly hair and a staff covered with hearts.
"Y-Yes!" I stammered, feeling like I should know who this woman is.
"So you are one of the foreigners that blasted White talks about... Anyways, we are Vivaldi, the Queen of Hearts." Vivaldi introduced herself, smiling slightly.
Peter talked about me? Woah. "Nice to meet you Vivaldi." Awkward. What do I do now? I'm not sure why I even came here, I just... something pulled me here, but I had nothing to back me up other than the fact that on a sudden whim I felt the need to come here.
"You rang Your Majesty?" A man in a red soldier outfit with a light brown sheath clipped to his waist appeared beside us. His caramel hair barely touched his blood-red eyes, which were glinting with amusement.
"Did we? We now forget why we asked for you, you insolent Knight. But be useful and show this young lady to White." Vivaldi waved before she set off, probably to work.
"You..." The man was looking at me strangley, his crimson eyes shone sorrowfully, and were widened slightly, his mouth slightly shaped as a small 'o'.
"I'm Rikki." I stuck my hand out to fill the sudden awkwardness that had fallen upon us. The man immediatley took it and when I looked up, his eyes were shining with the same amusement as before and was smiling widly.
"Of course you're Rikki! I know who you are!" The man laughed. I was slightly shocked, did Peter talk about me that much? When I didn't respond the man frowned. "Do you not know who I am?" He asked gently.
Still in a state of shock, I blinked unexpectedly. "I'm sorry! Should I?" I laughed nervously, which only seemed to cause the man pain.
"Ace... my name's Ace..." Ace frowned, obviously disappointed. He continued to hold my hand as he showed me to where Peter's room was... or not?
"Are you sure you know where you're going?" I asked uncertainly. We already checked several rooms to only find guest rooms.
"Nope!" Ace laughed, continuing to tug me along.
"Then lets ask for directions!" I insisted, trying to get my hand back, but Ace was a lot stronger.
"How boring. This is funner!" Ace laughed as we continued to trek aimlessly through the castle like blind mice.
"Stop!" I groaned just as Ace opened a door, pulling me inside. The room looked like any other guest room other than the fact there were a few tattered sheaths here and there, a blood-stained bag and... a blood-stained cloak and a blue face mask.
"Oops, forgot to hide those..." Ace chuckled nervously.
"Y-You're the man who collected the clock! The one who threatened me with the sword!" I ripped my hand away from him, and pointed at him accusingly, glancing to make sure the sword was safely sheathed.
Ace frowned and his eyes blazed a crimson fire. "Yes. But is that all you remember me for?" He growled. What is he saying?
"What are you talking about? I never met you before in my life!" I yelled, taking a step back, growing cautious from the new emotion that was blazing in his eyes.
Ace looked at me as if I was ludicrous. "Wha-? I'm your brother." He whispered, narrowing his eyes to mere slits.
"W- you can't be! The only sibling I have is my half-sibling Zac!" Duh! This is a dream! None of this is real- I need to calm down. Ace is probably just talking to hear himself talk. But both of us flared with anger, but then Ace calmed, his mouth twitched into that goofy grin that held slight sadicism.
"Ace! What in the blazes are you doing? I hope you aren't harming dear Rikki!" Peter bursted through Ace's room.
"Hurt her? Why would I ever hurt dear, little, precious Rikki?" Ace taunted. He no longer showed any anger, but seemed to be full of jubilation and glee.
"You mad man! Stay away from her!" Peter started to tug me away from Ace's room. "Why that man, thinking of harming you!" He growled, growing visibally angry.
I couldn't help but think of what Ace had said. He probably was insane, after what he said, as there was no possibility that we were related. It was some sick joke he was playing, and I won't join in.
"Please forgive that fiendish man for giving you a scare." Peter apologized for Ace.
"I-It's fine. I'm fine." I was interupted by a maid who whispered something into Peter's ear, then hastily scurried away like a frightened mouse.
"It seems you're wanted by Audrey, my dear. If you wish, I'll take you there." Peter frowned, his ears drooping slightly.
"Thanks Peter." Though I really had no idea why Audrey suddenly needed me. I had just left the mansion not even a time period ago... What could be so important that she needed me so immediatley?
But even so, I couldn't get Ace out of my head. I needed to tell someone. Anyone. But who?