Hey.
-Static
/*\
The Red Queen of Hearts was not a patient woman.
Admittedly, she knew that the Prime Minister would not be back soon at all, but at the same time...what was taking him so long? Surely it was not that time-consuming a task to evaluate a wall. However, if he were to run into trouble, that would be a very different story...it would severely push back her goal. She silently mulled over the consequences and her alternative plans as those around her demanded her focus.
Her face looked stern and attentive. She glared down at the floor beneath her throne, though she barely listened as a faceless guard called out the crimes of the girl on trial below. It hardly mattered what she'd done, or how much the Queen actually heard, the decree would always be the same.
"Off with her head."
If only she could do that to Alice's Role.
/*\
Edith shrieked as the gunfire reverberated through the wood, her voice muffled by the fabric of her pillow and sleeping bag.
"Edith?" A familiar voice questioned, sounding slightly concerned.
"Knight?" She responded, still frightened out of her wits. Tears streamed down her face and her ears were still ringing. She had never seen a gun without safety measures before. Her father had never held one, nor had Charles. The nearest interaction she'd ever had with one such object was observing them through shop windows, as no one she knew owned one. To hear such a dangerous weapon so close to her person...
How could she not be crying?
Ace opened up the tent and tried to get the girl to sit up, but as he started to recognize the rigid shaking as the suppression of harsh sobs, he soon realized his efforts would yield no favorable results.
The little girl was scared and crying, and being him, well...
Despite his happy and courteous facade, this wasn't really his area of expertise.
You are hopeless. A feminine voice drawled, and went silent.
No help? He asked irritably. Couldn't the voice at least offer a bit of advice?
Would you listen?
Fair point.
"Hey," He murmured, lightly nudging the girl's shoulder to get her attention. She momentarily fell still. "It was just me." He stated gently, "I was hunting for some food. Don't worry, nothing is going to get you out here."
"Why should I believe you?" She asked softly, barely audible, voice cracking. Ace chuckled,
"Because for the time being, you don't really have any other options." the statement was spoken with the utmost kindness and humor, but the girl still stiffened.
It was going to be a long trip North.
/*\
The circus performers nervously chattered among themselves, their anxiety tainting the air. Though the storm had been availed, and a certain amount of peace restored, they were not stupid. Every single worker had once upon a time been captives in Joker's prison. Those who were good and obeyed the Warden's wishes got to wear the title of performer, and so they knew better than most.
They knew more than they had a right to, and they knew they were not out of danger, not yet. Joker, being the only person capable of handling the situation, needed to do something, and he needed to do something soon.
The faceless, after much debating, looked to their new spokesman, and watched as he nodded and walked away. They had chosen a tall, middle-aged man to be their representative, and he approached the Ringleader in a fearless manner that inspired both dread and awe among his peers.
"Joker," He addressed brusquely,
"Yes?" The more cheerful of the two responded, completely oblivious to the serious and reproachful tone the man harbored,
"What do you intend to do about the Jabberwocky?" The Harlequin tilted his head, in a simultaneously challenging and innocent manner,
"...Sorry?" And the faceless man sighed,
"I apologize for bringing up the matter, but the others are worried. We know what she is capable of, and what she might do if she's not properly...dealt with."
Joker was a bit taken aback. Few had ever had the courage to stand up to him where important matters were concerned, so this was a rather new experience for him.
He didn't fancy the feeling.
He was seriously considering killing the disrespectful half-wit when the mask on his belt spoke.
"He has a point."
The Harlequin had never felt so betrayed in his too-long life.
/*\
The twins stared up at the wall pensively. What were they to do?
"Should we attempt to cross it?"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Sis wouldn't be mad."
"It's not sis I'm worried about." Dum shot his glance to Dee.
"Then what are you worried about?" He questioned, and then his brother pointed up at the turret on the right.
"Them."
Ah, yes, the gargoyles. After a little bit of thinking, Dee got an idea.
"We might be able to lure them into a game..." And the twins glanced at each other.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" The agreement was confirmed with a pair of manic smiles.
The poor gargoyles never knew what hit them. It took but two minutes for the two to outmaneuver them, getting one stuck in a tree and sending the other on a wild goose chase after a flare. By the time it realized the boy holding the sparking red stick was an illusion, the Bloody Twins had already dashed into the woods, sprinting away from the wall and towards the tower.
It momentarily debated it's course of action, and made it's decision. If they could trick the gargoyles, they would most definitely be able to survive the mountain's citizens. The statue wasted no time in it's pursuit.
/*\
You know, the voice lilted, You could have just opened a door.
I thought you said that wouldn't work!
I said it probably wouldn't work. You could have still made the attempt.
What would my chances have been? Opening the door into the tower as opposed to the storm?
I'd say...about a hundred to one.
That's why I didn't try.
Boris quickly dismissed the Cat and focused on his current predicament. He had felt victorious for but a moment, as it had only taken seconds for him to realize the true extent of his mistake. It was taking him towards the tower yes, however he was also getting nearer to the storm.
If he even touched the corrosive clouds he would gain some serious injuries, if he were to actually go through them, chances were he would not survive. He needed to find a way to get the statue to release him.
Fast.
That was when he remembered the object in his pocket. Right, the gargoyle was only holding one wrist. He could get to it, but he needed to be sneaky.
He wouldn't be able to actually hurt his captor, but he just might be able to startle it.
/*\
After some arguing, the Harlequin gave in to the Warden's demands. Fine, he'd up the deadline.
"Alright, I'll do it sooner, but not right now."
"Why not?"
"Because she still hasn't given up hope. We can bend the rules but this would be too close to breaking them. I'll give it two more days, then I promise, I'll pay her a visit."
"You'd better." The Warden snarled, pacing. "You know that if she descends too far in her insanity..." The other half was confused. Why was his counterpart so worried? The Harlequin leaned back on a rail, silencing a laughing prisoner before he spoke.
"Yes, that would be a bad thing and we'd have a real problem on our hands, but I highly doubt we'd be unable to handle it." The Warden still looked unconvinced, and then it clicked, "You don't mean to tell me, Joker...are you actually afraid of her?" He asked reproachfully. The Warden snorted and rolled his one eye,
"Absolutely." He growled, "Even if you might not, I remember what happened last time. We're still recovering from the damage the last one caused." And he shot a glance to a deceptively normal-looking cell.
He had a point.
"...Alright." The Jester surrendered, "I promise that within the next two days, I'll approach her with the deal." The Warden nodded,
"Good. You remember how to get into the tower right?"
The Harlequin almost felt insulted.
/*\
I was hoping we could use the rabbit as bait, but the cat works too. Pity. I always liked him better.
What are you on about? The host answered,
"Clockmaker?" The white rabbit spoke, attempting to get his attention, but he was only waved off.
"The Role has something to say." He growled, and the prime minister fell silent. Conversing with the Role was often useful but...they had minds of their own. If the Clockmaker was currently battling with his, the rabbit would respect his space.
It could, after all, be in Alice's best interests.
Approach the empty turret. The Role commanded.
Why?
Humor me.
Cautiously, Julius followed as the Role dictated. It was arguable that this might be nothing more than a waste of time, but...it wasn't like he had a better idea.
He walked towards the pillar that the empty turret sat upon, and stood but two feet from the front of the impenetrable marble as the Role had directed.
Now what?
See that round brick? The decorative one with the winged serpent?
Yes.
Press it.
"What are you doing?" the rabbit called. Julius ignored him and pushed the stone.
I swear, if this is you just being an ass again... And he heard a faint click. Indeed, the circular rock had moved, falling back into a hidden crevice within the wall. The whirring of gears sounded, and the marble stones separated themselves. They moved away, brick after brick folding back on themselves, until a rectangular door opened. It was just tall and wide enough to allow the Clockmaker through to the other side. Feeling especially appreciative for the actual help, he hastily ducked in, and the rabbit moved to follow.
However, by the time Peter made it to this trick door, it had already closed, appearing as nothing but a pillar once more. The rabbit repeated Julius's actions, pushing in the circular stone, but there was no sound. No gears, no moving bricks, nothing. Why hadn't it worked a second time?
"Why...?" He spoke aloud,
Because, the Role answered, That door is a privilege. Only one person can use it. And with a sense of unbridled frustration, Peter suspected he knew exactly who the Role was talking about.
The Clockmaker.
Precisely. It stated, You, like the cat, will have to find another way in.
Peter huffed in annoyance, his ears flattening. Back to square one it is.
/*\
I didn't give up on this story, as you can plainly see! I just needed a little break from it. I was having trouble piecing some plot elements together, so instead of presenting you with a crappy filler, I stepped away from it and thought over my ideas. Please leave a couple of reviews!
-Static