Chapter 10
Solar Sailor
"Is that really your name or is it a nickname?" Lily asked as Ace carried her throughout the maze. They were at this maze for what Lily felt like hours, but she couldn't tell. It was morning/dusk and sleep deprivation was hitting hard. For a long time, she didn't want conversation, but he would not shut up. Whether it was mindless conversation about people she didn't know or how his days were coming along so far; which mind you, he apparently had some bad luck all with a smile on his face. But she just could not sleep while being carried.
"Of course it's my name! I don't have any other!" He smiled back at her. Again with the smiles.
"What sort of name is Ace anyway? You're from the castle right, so is there a Jack of Heart castle?"
"Well that's not very nice. I could ask what sort of name is Lily. But I won't because I like it." They eventually made a turn in the maze that would make a difference. They were out, but facing the forest. "Oh? Where was it exactly you wanted to go?"
Lily glanced up from behind his shoulder to the terrain, then back towards the Castle. She wasn't sure where she wanted to go. Just out of the maze. He was supposed to take her to the Heart Castle originally. But now that he's away from it, maybe he could take her to the Park finally. "I need to go to the Amusement Park. That's where I'm staying."
"The Park? I think I know a short cut there." Ace pondered on it for a bit, contemplating on his many paths that he takes.
"A short cut? Would it be shorter than it took to get out of that maze?" She could almost hear the park sounds and smell the food, as well as a nice warm bath to relax in.
"I don't know about that." He laughed, almost to himself. "But shortcuts always make the trip more interesting!"
"What!?" She snapped out of her thoughts. "That's not a short cut! That's just a… a trip! An exploration!"
"Then you understand." He smiled, readjusted her on his back, and continued on, using her cane as his walking stick. They didn't go the same path as her and the Twins went down. Instead it was a smaller, less beaten path. Perhaps animals followed this one instead of people. Every now and then he would randomly turn down a different one, and she was hoping he knew where he was going. But with all the walking, Lily could tell that Ace was getting tired. Perhaps he was carrying her too long. "Hey… What about food…?" Certainly this man who claimed to do this all the time would carry some food.
"Oh? Maybe it would be a good time to stop." He paused for a moment and looked around his surroundings. Before setting her down, he went over to a flatter area amongst trees where they could rest. He lowered her to sit upon a log under one of the trees and had more of a clearing around. Finally, she could be set down and he could rest his arms. She watched as he stretched his arms back and forth, bending his back in a stretch from carrying her around. Cracks and pops could be heard. She continued watching him, even after he got done stretching. But she took one glanced out to the scenery wondering if she would spot any animals such as deer or squirrels and when she looked back at the man, he had started to set up a tent! Where?
"Where did that come from?" She asked
"Where'd what?" He paused from hammering one of the stakes, completely baffled and expecting to see some sort of action.
"Where did you get the tent?!" She pointed at it in complete disbelief.
He still paused to register what was going on until he finally laughed. "I always carry it. Why do Outsiders always ask that question?"
"No you don't! I would have known you had a tent on you!"
"Then you're not very perceptive." He smiled at her in a different way. His eyes held a different glint till he shut them with the smile and continued setting up camp.
"…Why are you pitching a tent anyways? It might turn day soon and we could be near a town. I want to get back." She was hoping she would be in a bed by this evening, and to feel safe again. Ace finished pitching up the tent and setting up a bed, ignoring her. He thought for a bit, then snapped his fingers, took off his red trench coat and rolled it up, propping it up as another pillow. Perhaps for her or for him, but to indicate another person sleeping in the tent. He set the satchel bag with the clocks inside the tent as well. Perhaps that's where the camping supplies were hiding in, but didn't seem that big to fit everything.
"We can't make it there this evening. And besides, you mentioned you were hungry. So I'm going to make you supper." He finished the setting up and walked up to her. So he wasn't ignoring her. "I can also tell when a lady is tired from the day's events."
"…" She watched him as he sat next to her. She sat on the log with her legs extended and crossed as he sat on the ground with the log against his back. He took her hurt leg gently to look at it again, taking the slip-on shoe off and feeling around the ankle. She was about to yell at him about not asking for permission and personal space, but just shut her mouth instead. Out of all the people she's met here, he's the only one she wants to yell at constantly, but she must restrain herself. If she could get as far away from him soon, she would feel better.
"Yeah, looks like it's a sprain. But it's healing." He smiled at her and patted her leg.
"Thanks… For diagnosing my useless leg…" She looked at it with an expressionless face as she removed his hand from her leg.
"You don't feel the pain, do you? How did you get that way?" He asked curiously. He recalled earlier that she said it was paralyzed.
"That is none of your concern how they got that way…" Lily rubbed her calf, shin, then rest her hand on her knee, looking at Ace. The dark haired girl didn't want to admit that she didn't know how she got them. "But if you must know; no, I don't feel a thing. So I guess I'm lucky in that the fall didn't hurt that bad."
Thinking back at when she tried to walk away at the hedge maze, she could recall the no pain feeling. It didn't feel the pain, but still gave some odd signal that made her get off it. She looked back at her leg. But what she seen was Ace's hand back to her leg, rubbing her outer calf. The slap could have probably been heard at the next territory. Ace rubbed his arm, wincing but still laughed.
"Men are such pigs!" Lily cried out. She held her hurt hand, forgetting that it was still bandaged from earlier. She was also glad she slapped with her right hand, but the sudden movement still caused pain on her left side. Especially her left shoulder.
"Ha ha! I was just trying to see if it was true!" He rolled over and got up, still holding his arm. She pulled her legs up quickly and tried to tuck them under her dress, wishing it were longer.
"You touch me again and I'll slap you harder." She glared up at him, not trusting him at all.
"I'd like to test those boundaries." He grinned as he went into the woods, mentioning that he was going to search for food. And this is why she must keep her guard up with him.
It finally dawned on her that he didn't have any food on him and wasn't really prepared for this trip. They were going to eat anything out of the wilderness, possibly a rabbit or berries! She's done this before, camping with her family. But they knew the area and knew what was poisonous and what to eat. Also she's camped prepared with bringing food and everything to not rely on the wild. This was a whole different terrain, as well as putting her trust in someone she just didn't like to begin with.
She crawled over to the tent he pitched up, finding he put her cane in there as well. If she was going to be left alone, she might as well find some comfort and not have her back exposed. It was still daylight, but you never know when that would change, and if it would turn noon or if it would turn night. How long was he going to be gone?
She began to wonder why he irritated her the most as she fiddled with the bandages he wrapped around both her hands. He's a pervert, if that counted. He was courteous and helpful like the others at least, unlike Blood. But Ace reminded her of someone… A distant family member in a way. But that should not be a reason considering many people reminded her of family. She had a large enough one. It's probably to do with feeling like someone always wants you for something. But Julius said it wasn't because of the money, and Ace didn't seem to notice she had money. After the discussion with Julius and after what happened with the soldiers, she's probably on edge. 'He probably wants something from me cause I'm an Outsider so I have to be on guard.' She reasoned.
Lily sat in the opening of the tent for some time, waiting for some sign that he would be back. She could easily fall asleep sitting up, even with the orange sky and lack of sleep. She pulled her thin cardigan tighter, and began to fall asleep waiting for him. She wanted to stay on guard, but sleep deprivation was getting to her.
Eventually, surprisingly before the time changed, she heard bushes rustling in a different direction than he left that woke her up from her light nap. She grabbed the cane, just in case. But maybe thirty yards away Ace sprang up with leaves in his hair and clothes. "Ah! I finally found you!"
"Please tell me you found something to eat!" She cried out.
"Funny story!" He trudged over to her through the bushes. She didn't like the sound of that.
"I found a berry bush, and picked a bunch for us! But then a bear found it soon after! We both lost the battle though, 'cause when I went to swing at him, I accidentally hit a beehive." He laughed in a joking manner. Lily was quite surprised with his story, but did not see any signs of him being stung. "But I did manage to get some! And two snakes!"
Lily went pale the moment he said snakes and held them up. She's caught snakes and played with snakes as a child. But now as an adult, the thought of 'eating' one! She fell silent, not wanting to show her weakness as he began to set up a campfire for the new 'meal'. He just looked so proud of himself again.
"I'm lucky I was able to catch these while it's dusk out." He got a fire going and started gutting and skewering them. Lily had to turn away, looking up at the sky to avoid the sight.
"Do you only get dusk or do you also get dawn as well?" She asked, trying to distract herself. Perhaps now would be a perfect time to ask.
"It's always been dusk. Noon, dusk, and night. But I guess a different perspective from an Outsider is nice. What's the difference anyways?" She couldn't see him, but could tell he paused.
"Well, mornings have a sort of similar cool temperature, sometimes colder after the night air. And it has a nice dew left over. It's quiet and peaceful, when everyone begins their daily routine. Dusk is when everyone is calming down after their day, preparing for the night. It has the same sky, but sometimes a different feel. Not as quiet." She tried to think of ways to compare the two. When you can't see the sun in the sky and when the temperature is the same all around during this time, whether it's coming from noon or night, it may be hard for him to understand. "Do Outsiders often bring different perspectives?" She asked.
"Well yeah…" Ace was poking the fire, making sure it was strong before setting the skewers over it. "That's part of what makes you an Outsider isn't it? Aside from other things that don't tick. You have a heart."
Lily looked down at him, uncertain from the tone in his voice. Were people here in Wonderland really heartless and cruel as he says? But he seemed to be holding his usual poker face, watching the flames. Ace held his hand out, offering her some of the berries he picked. Cautiously she accepted, but didn't eat any until she seen he was eating them as well. Upon tasting them, she realized they were blueberries. Maybe she just needs to relax. They remained quiet for some time, listening to the cracking of the fire and the crickets around them.
The 'meat' was finally ready and he offered her one of the skewers. She looked at it unwillingly and watched as he tore into his. Lily tried to muster the courage to at least pick at it, but chills ran down her spine and she had to put it down. She's a child of nature, but not this far.
"You don't like it?" He asked, a charred piece stuck to his cheek. She shook her head, feeling her stomach in turmoil especially after being emptied earlier. It was growling in hunger still, the berries not enough, but the thought of snake wasn't appetizing. She finally replied, "I can't."
Ace went behind her to the tent, rummaging around until he pulled out a thermos. He handed her a cup of the liquid, reassuring her that it was tea. She took a sip, tasting just plain black tea with nothing added to it. "Thanks…" Lily didn't want to admit that she wasn't feeling sick. Just that she couldn't fathom eating the snake. Or did he offer the drink as another option, knowing that she couldn't eat the meat? It was hard to tell with him. As she sipped the tea and watched the fire, she looked down at her legs again, noticing her scars.
"I'm guessing you've been shot before. Is that leg the same as the other?" Ace pointed out her exposed calf where the small round wounds were, not dropping the subject of her legs. Lily almost startled, not realizing that he was watching her.
"How would you know if they are gunshot wounds? They could be any other kind of wounds."
"We've all had our fair share of fights. They all look the same and you get used to them after a while. Alice didn't like them in the beginning, but I think she's warming up to everything." He chuckled. "They're just another loss."
"Losses? Is that what you call your men you lost earlier to come save me? In a STUPID pointless game?" Lily turned to him angrily. It set a trigger in her, not knowing if he meant losses in the war. But people should not be considered less either way.
"Pointless game? You think 'that' was a pointless game? Then you haven't opened your eyes." His smile didn't waver. "We're already lost in a pointless game. You, me, them."
"I did not get to meet 'them' personally but they risked their lives for me. My heart weeps for them!"
"Yes, your heart." Ace looked at her, he didn't look phased by the events earlier but at least he held a serious face. "But we don't feel that way, and that's what makes us different from you Outsiders. We experience death differently than you. We're replaceable. My soldiers are very replaceable. You and Alice are not."
Another slap could be heard throughout the forest. Ace's face was knocked to the side, not expecting the hand to land across it.
"Don't ever say someone's life is replaceable! Nobody's life should be valued more than another! Outsider or not! I'm certain you think like those Twins, believing what you do is not murder!" Lily couldn't help but allow angry tears escape. Her emotions took over and now her hand was throbbing from the slap across the knight's face. Ace didn't move from his spot for a moment, but he did allow a smirk to trace his lips, then a chuckle.
"You're only in the beginning." Ace replied coolly. Lily wasn't prepared for that response, staring at him uneasily. "You who can't handle simple sword and gun play… Needing saving left and right. Yes, same bracket as everyone else you say." Lily was about to yell at him again, not wishing to be compared to a damsel in distress, but then at an unexpected turn, Ace straightened himself out in a stretch. "We should probably get some shut eye before the owls come out!"
"Great, you can sleep out here with them!" Lily turned towards the entrance of the tent, searching for his coat that he made as a pillow so she could throw it at him to use outside. She could not believe he could change the topic like that. Ace looked dumbfounded and shocked at the response from her.
"That's not nice! I only have one blanket to share!"
"Well, sucks to be you! I'm not sleeping near you. I didn't even want to be out here! I wanted to be in a bed and a room!"
"Well the tent is technically…" he smiled trying to soothe her. She glared at him, not sure if he was joking or serious. She was finding it extremely difficult to argue with someone who wasn't taking her seriously.
She finally unwillingly caved, honestly too tired to be arguing this and was probably getting delusional arguing with such a mad man. Is this what Wonderland does? She mumbled under her breath how men were such babies as she fixed her hair for the night, fixing the braid she had and putting it over her shoulder. It ended up a loose, messed up braid when she was done, rushing it with her bandaged hands. "But do not touch me under any circumstances!"
"Scouts honor!" He gave a sort of salute over his chest.
It took them sometime to get adjusted in the tent. Much arguing again on who was going to sleep where. Lily insisted she'd sleep near the entrance in case he try anything funny. But Ace countered that he could never let a lady sleep near an entrance and risk danger. Plus, he gave his honor, not that it would sway her. Eventually she caved again just for the sake of sleep.
She didn't want to leave her guard down with the suspicious knight. He was being unusually quiet and complacent in the tent beside her. Possibly too quiet to be asleep already. He had his head resting on his arms, not really using his coat as a pillow, laying on his back as she slept on her side facing him. Her left shoulder away from the ground so the wounds could try to heal. She decided to keep all attire on, even her belt, in case she needed to get out quick. The tent was surprisingly dark and kept light out for the outside still being dusk. But before she could survey him more, she was drawn into her own deep sleep.
Nightmare was in the abyss, waiting for her arrival. He didn't have a pipe with him this time but sat back in a relaxed pose. "Ah! Lily! I'm glad to see you!"
She sat down and looked around, wondering what the difference between a dream in this world was and coming to this abysmal place. She looked at Nightmare, knowing he could read her curious mind. Was he going to answer it or leave her wondering?
"It's nice to see you too, Nightmare." She replied tentatively.
"I'm sure you have some questions." He smiled at her, his hand resting on his jawline as he lazily had his arms crossed. Maybe he was trying to be courteous from last time.
"..Yeah.. Am I dreaming?"
"That depends."
"What I mean is; I was with Ace, sleeping in the tent. Now I'm here. And there are times where I sleep and dream. How do you explain that?"
Nightmare gave a sort of 'hm' chuckle. "You're still next to the Wandering Knight sleeping, but also here with me in a different state. Don't worry. I'm not taking away your time."
"This place is just so confusing.." She sighed and looked around at the abyss. If she's still next to Ace, perhaps Nightmare could let her know if he did anything funny.
"Did our Clockmaker not explain things clearly?" He 'floated' his relaxed body over to her and seemed to sit next to her. Much like if he were resting in a pool.
"No, he is. In his own way." She smiled.
"A way that you're used to."
"I don't know. He may be a bit…" She tried to think of how she should put it.
"Of a crude hermit."
"Yeah. I guess you can say that. He just seems so alone all the time, so he focuses more on his work. So how would he know the answers?" She thought about Julius and how he complained about the couple times she met him and disturbed his work. He may have complained but he never gave up explaining. And he would still try to help.
"Do you pity him?"
"Well, no. Actually I admire him." She looked up at Nightmare, a realization struck. "He reminds me of someone at home whom I love very much."
"Ah, whom might that be?" Nightmare smiled, his body resting back on his hands.
"My dad." She could feel her heart race as she said the words. A smile traced her face as she explained. "I didn't spend much time with him when I was younger except functions. But once I got old enough and involved in the Tribe, he taught me Tribal Politics. He's been alone for so long, and grew a strict exterior. But he had a soft spot for the kids in the tribe, especially those wanting to learn the customs. May not be blue, but his hair is long like Julius's. It's beginning to gray."
"Is that so?" He watched her as she talked about this man. A smile and slight chuckle escaped him.
"Yeah… My dad and my uncle would set off fireworks during the summer or New Year. Mostly my uncle while my dad supervised. Living on a Reservation, you can get away with those things. My mum, siblings, and I lived on another side of the Rez, but got to go and watch them. Uncle always had something fun, and kept my dad's spirits high. If I were to leave here, it would be to go home to see them again before the summer fireworks show."
"You never mentioned this before." Nightmare replied. Lily looked at him confused at what he meant. "These events and your home."
"No…" She looked away, realizing she spoke too much. "We've been taught from a young age that our culture may be sacred, but we can lose it at any moment if another culture fears it. Don't share it with just anyone unless I trust them or to educate."
"Do you want to go back? Sounds like it's important to you."
"No... for some reason I don't feel any urgency to go home. I miss my family, but I feel like I'm needed here more."
"You do have an important role here." He was surprised she was opening up.
"How am I supposed to know if I'm going around blindly? You can't tell someone they are important and leave them to a quest if they don't know what to do." She glanced at Nightmare.
"Perhaps next time." Nightmare straightened himself up. "When I see you after the move."
"Move?" She slighted her head a bit and furrowed her brows in curiosity. It seemed sudden he would say that and cut this meeting short.
"Perhaps have the Clock Maker explain one last time. Or your Lodger." Nightmare smiled at her.
But before she could question more, she had to wake up.
Inside the tent was still very dark but a crack from the front opening indicated that there was daylight. She really didn't want to get up, knowing that outside meant forest. If she could just pretend a little bit longer that she was in an actual bed. Then it clicked. Where's Ace?
She jolted to a sit up position, wincing in the process, and realized she was the only one in the tent. What time was it? Or more importantly; how long did she sleep? She crawled out of the tent and found that it was dusk still, not that it mattered anymore unless it turned dark again. But there was Ace laying against the log from earlier, reading a beat up book. He stopped reading immediately when he seen her come out.
"You're awake! I didn't know if I should wake the dead!" He closed the book without putting a bookmark in to save his place.
"How long was I asleep?" her eyes tried to adjust to the light difference.
"I'd say at least four time periods." He smiled at her and handed her more blueberries. "I didn't know if I should go and get breakfast or not."
Lily accepted some of the berries and leaned against the log with him. She was just happy to accept the berries for now, not trusting his choices of other entrees. They had a quiet moment eating but when they were gone he suddenly sat up and patted the dirt and leaves from his black clothes.
"We should probably pack up camp and start on our way again. We don't want to be in the woods when the world comes crashing down." He started pulling things from the tent that needed to be out, but left the blanket and pillow in. She wasn't sure what he meant, but perhaps since he was a knight, there might be thieves or dangers that may happen. He seems to be a veteran at camping in these woods, so perhaps he knows what to expect.
As he packed everything from camp, she went to relieve herself of what she had the other day, using the cane and leaning against the trees. The pain from the fall 'last night' began to return as a reminder on what happened. Times like these she really wished she was in civilization soon. When she came back, Ace had everything packed away and he was standing by himself. No signs of the tent or anything. The campfire was in smolders with dirt kicked over it. How could this man magically store his things away with no sign of it? She gave him a quizzical look, but decided not to question it again, knowing he would say the same thing as earlier.
She hobbled over to the log one last time to check her leg. She felt sure she could walk on it more than just behind a tree, of course aid with the cane, but who knows when you can't feel and don't know what to look for? Shouldn't one know their own body? Ace knelt down without a word and felt her ankle again, turning it in different angles and rubbing certain spots. "It's getting better, but maybe stay off of it. I can carry you the rest of the way." He smiled up at her.
"I think I can manage just fine. It doesn't hurt." She replied, using her cane to get up. Perhaps saying it doesn't hurt wasn't convincing enough, but she didn't care.
"Man, you are stubborn." Ace rubbed the back of his neck, sighing. She smirked at him as she began to head out, putting more reliance on the cane than before. They slowly trekked on, Lily trying to find some recognizable path that may lead them to any territory. Ace followed loosely behind. They finally made it to a larger walking path, much like the ones she's used to. The even ground helped, but she was getting exhausted fast from the uneven animal paths. Couple times Ace tried to offer carrying her, possible to hike up the speed. But she refused.
They eventually came to a gate that looked familiar. The Hatter's Mansion. She cursed under her breath, wondering why she didn't recognize any of the paths leading to it. She could have avoided this place. Looking around, it did not look anything like the forest she departed from just the other day. Perhaps if she could turn around and take another path to the Amusement Park.
"Hey! Knight! You better not be lost again!" A voice called to them from the parameter of the exterior wall. They both looked at who was angrily calling, noticing that it was Elliot. Her heart sank, not wishing to interact with anyone from the mansion.
"I'm not lost." Ace waved at the angry rabbit. "I'm just following little missy here."
Lily froze, realizing he just blamed her for getting them lost. Elliot came up to them, realizing Lily was there too. His anger towards the knight ebbed away once he seen her. "Lily! I'm glad to see you again, but what are you doing with this moron?"
"Hey Elliot…" she reluctantly replied, then turned to Ace. "If you knew where we were, why didn't you say anything?"
"I thought you knew where you were going? You seemed pretty determined." He smiled at her. A smile that she was getting sick of.
"You should know not to follow him." Elliot interjected glancing sideways at Ace. "That man can't find a way out of his own head."
Lily didn't know whether she should yell at him for leading her astray, or just give up in defeat. Not like she knew from the beginning with his helpfulness. But the animal trails should have been a red flag. Instead she sighed. "I should have guessed…"
"Were you trying to get here? Where were you headed?" Elliot asked.
"I was trying to get back to the Amusement Park." She went over to one of the pillars of the gate, deciding to lean against it to conserve her energy. Her legs and body were already aching from the walk and then standing here talking with the men.
"The park is gone." Elliot looked at her puzzled as to why she wanted to go there. "The move already happened."
She looked at him confused, not sure she understood. "What do you mean the park moved? Is it like a circus?"
"The circus is a different territory. And if the circus were here, so would the Amusement Park." Ace answered. Lily was really beginning to get confused. She furrowed her brows in confusion, looking back and forth at the two men.
"Why is the park gone? It couldn't have picked up and left!" She tried to imagine the large rides being taken down and put in vehicles. But the buildings were permanent and built into the ground. The park was sturdy.
"No, we moved. We are not in Hearts anymore." Elliot looked around at the woods surrounding them. Again, Lily looked at him puzzled. None of them were making any sense. Elliot smiled at her. "We're in Country of Clover now."
She tried to fathom how they were in another country. They were in Country of Heart, now Country of Clover? Is it just a title? Did the Queen of Hearts lose her castle and now it's become Clover territory? But this knight next to her seemed to not care. He didn't care about his men either, but shouldn't he care for his Queen? She eventually muttered that she still doesn't understand.
"Man, now I have to remember all new trails again." Ace thought offhand.
"Don't you mean get lost again? Do it that way!" Elliot snarked. She could tell that his patience with the knight was worse than her own. At least they had that in common.
"If the Amusement Park is gone… then can you at least take me to Julius?" Lily looked to either man. She honestly didn't want to stay at this Mafia Mansion, and Julius's place was the only other place she knew. She could feel safe there, even with his attitude. Plus she had more questions for him.
"I'm afraid that's gone too." Ace answered, looking off into the woods. He didn't hold his usual cheerful attitude.
"Good riddance." Elliot remarked as well. "Why would you want to stay with the Mortician anyways?"
Lily looked at Elliot confused, not familiar with that term being used. How can a clock maker be a mortician too? She's never seen him handle anything dead. Ace also didn't meet Elliot's gaze. Lily decided not to answer the question, honestly not sure what her answer would be. She didn't want to tell Elliot her questions for Julius; she also didn't want to express how she felt on this Mansion they were in front of now. She was not comfortable saying that she didn't feel safe there with three residents already tried to kill her.
"You can stay here, if you want to part ways with this knight." Elliot mentioned the inevitable. "I'm sure Alice would love your company."
"Aww, but you guys already claimed an Outsider. She could stay at Heart Castle." Ace piped up.
"Heart Castle? I thought we weren't in Heart anymore." Now it got real confusing. Both looked at her, much like she was the crazy one.
"That territory is still with us. Which is where you should be Knight." Elliot glared towards Ace, whom just smiled at him.
"I'm escorting the lady." Ace continued to smile.
"Well your escortion is done here. She's in our territory now, and thus Hatter responsibility. You will end up getting her lost again." Elliot replied, putting his hand on his gun in the hilt, which Lily didn't notice until now. Ace didn't move, just continued to play his poker grin. Lily had to think of something fast before a serious fight began and someone would end up hurt, or killed.
"I really don't need to be 'escorted'. If this Mansion or Heart Castle are my two choices, I can make the choice myself." She straightened up from leaning against the pillar.
"You don't want to stay here Lily?" Elliot cried out, his hand leaving his gun.
"And I thought I was doing a good job as a knight." Ace replied.
"Well, there is another territory you can go to, but would you really want to?" Elliot glanced away to a certain direction in the woods. He didn't look too happy mentioning it, possibly losing her to another territory, but at least it's better than giving her to the Queen. "Clover Tower…"
"Clover Tower?" Lily asked. So there was a third option. Hopefully they are not crazy.
"It's where we hold conference with that Bag Worm." Elliot sighed, not happy to the thought of conferences coming up. "So you would end up staying there eventually."
"Bag Worm?" She repeated again. She knew she's heard the term before, but couldn't recall for whom.
"Well, you might like it." Ace smiled at her. "You can relax without worrying about gun fights."
This piqued Lily's interest even more. Elliot looked at her confused. Did she really have an issue with guns?
"…I want to go there…" Lily tried to sound confident in her decision, but still faltered. Was she about to make a mistake? And would these men get upset that she didn't want to go to either, even though she felt uncomfortable? She didn't want to run across Blood nor the Bloody Twins, and she feared any thoughts of what the Queen of Hearts would be like if she's anything like Lily could imagine. But she's also choosing a big uncertainty with this unknown place.
She looked at either of the men, wondering if they would allow her to go to this place. Will either of them decide for her that she should stay with them? Would they take her to Clover Tower? She knew now that she couldn't trust Ace's 'escorting'. But could she trust Elliot, being the Mafia and his other members not showing the best character? Perhaps this is where she should part ways?
"If that's your decision, who are we to stop you?" Ace was the first to break the silence.
"Well, I was planning on headed that direction eventually…" Elliot glanced away, crossing his arms. "Maybe I can take you so you don't get lost on the way. The move is still happening, so nothing is stable yet."
"I suppose I should part ways and head back. I might get lucky and get there in less time periods than usual." Ace replied offhandedly. He reluctantly turned to the maiden, but a smile still traced his face. "I can't wait to see what this Country has in store for you. The game has changed."
Lily remained silent, not sure how to take the last comment. Elliot remained to the side, watching them. Eventually the lost knight turned to the woods, headed back. Elliot called after him, frustration evident again. "You're going the wrong way idiot! Seriously!"
Ace waved back, and to 'fix' his mistake, he walked off the trail into unpaved wilderness. Elliot sighed heavily as he watched him, completely giving up. "We'll leave soon after I know he's gone. Don't want to run into him on the way and I lose my patience again."
"Is he really that clueless?"
"Clueless or just an idiot. Either way, it's best to stay out of his way." Elliot continued to watch the woods. After a few moments of silence between the two, the March Hare eventually looked over at the young lady. "Shall we head on?"
Lily nodded tentatively, sincerely hoping he won't be like the rest of the Hatter family and her life isn't in danger again. She also realized she was back on the road without a place to stay. She was really beginning to wish for stability again.
~.~.~
AN: I'm trying to make these chapters long to get through it. But also I will be testifying and attending a long court (murder) trial very soon, so I probably won't have much time on my computer. So I leave long chapters for you guys.
~Phyrra