Return to the Rabbit Hole

Chapter 11

"Blood!" Elliot was the first to respond, "The brats were digging up the carrot garden again!"

"Carrots?" I muttered to myself, "Elliot, I thought you didn't like carrots."

"I don't, but you need carrots to make carrot dishes," he nodded to himself.

Before I could begin thinking about carrot cake, the twins began their statement in the matter:

"But Boss doesn't even like carrot dishes," Dum began.

"He thinks orange is a repulsive color for food," Dee finished, smiling smugly to his brother at his use of vocabulary.

"Regardless of my opinion, selling carrots is a good way to cover your salaries, isn't it?" Blood commented.

Elliot and the twins nodded in unison.

"Well then, it's only fair that the three of you get a pay cut."

The trio made horrified faces. Blood's attention now turned to Ace and I.

"What are you two doing here?"

Before someone could announce we were only here because we were lost, I stated boldly, "I-I came to apologize!"

Blood raised an eyebrow and waited for a few seconds. When I didn't speak, he stated with a smile inclination of his head, "Well, I'm waiting."

My face flushed, as I tried to gather the right words, "I-it was wrong of me to confront you after showing me such hospitality. Um, i-it was wrong for me to accuse you of hoarding Alice away from the rest of Wonderland," finding confidence, I continued strongly, "I can see now, that you were only trying to-no, you were-protecting her. The two of you are deeply in love and I had no right to accuse you of having any other intentions. For that, I ask-I beg that you forgive me."

I released a shaky breath. Blood gave a single nod.

I hoped that translated to "You're forgiven," and not something else.

With a cool expression, his attention switched to a new matter, "You three," he was looking at his subordinates, "are going to clean this up."

Elliot remained silent as the twins alternately whined, "But it's the stupid hare's garden! Why should we be the ones to clean it up?"

"You ruined tonight's plans, you idiots," the hare stated. He proceeded to smack each of them on the back of the head and explain, "We were going to have a tea party with Alice."

"A tea party?" I repeated through my teeth. Grown men have tea parties? I hoped my expression looked excited and not like I was about to burst into laughter.

"Yes, it was going to be the first party Alice has participated in for a long time," Blood explained with a handsome smile, "You're welcome to attend the next one, Tiffany."

My cheeks turned red, I stuttered, "U-uh, sure."

"Though, you should probably find a new friend," he paused, "before you get involved with the wrong people." Abruptly, the time changed to evening. Blood glared at Ace, "I suggest you take your leave while you're still in one piece."

The knight replied with nothing but a cocky smile. Then, he turned to me, "I guess he's right though, Tiffany. We should be getting to the castle, the Queen wants you at her tea party. We'd better hurry or she'll start beheading people."

"Okay," I replied as the blood drained from my face. Vivaldi would resort to decapitation if I don't show up?

Ace grabbed me by the arm and began pulling me towards the main gate. I pulled away and walked in front of him. I argued sarcastically, "There's no way I'm letting you lead us to the carnival or something."

"We wouldn't want that would we?" Ace smiled.

No we would not, I answered in my mind.

As we arrived at the gate, Elliot shouted, "Hey, knight! If you come back here again, you'll get shot!"

I widened my eyes and stared at Ace in concern.

He continued smiling, "Oh, don't worry. He always says that."

"That's comforting," I muttered sarcastically.

After our pleasant parting with the Hatter family, I trudged through the forest, dragging Ace behind me. I refused to allow him to step a foot away from me. There was no doubt in my mind he'd wander off. Thankfully, the trees parted and I managed to lead the way into the castle.

All too soon, I was tackled to the ground, "Tiffany! You're here!"

"Gah! Peter!" I exclaimed, pushing him off of me.

"Yes?" he answered with sparkling eyes.

"Why are you always so touchy?"

"I'm excited when I see you," he smiled, "Besides, I was just about to set out to find you because this-" he gestured to Ace "-was taking too long!"

"Sorry, I insisted we take a detour," I lied.

Ace argued, "You don't have to lie for me, Tiffany. Everyone's pretty much used to the fact I get lost."

My face heated up, "But you can't let someone cover for you once?"

Before Ace could respond, a maid stated, "I don't mean to interrupt, but the Queen insists Tiffany attends the tea party as soon as possible."

Remembering Ace's statement about how Vivaldi would begin beheading people, I shouted, "O-oh! Yeah! We should go." I took both Ace's and Peter's hand and began dragging them toward the garden.

Despite Peter insisting I'd get covered in germs from holding Ace's hand, we made it to Vivaldi all right. Her attendants quickly settled our trio in with me sitting closest to the Queen. Peter stared adoringly at me, while Ace's attention seemed to be on consuming as many calories as possible.

"We're pleased you were in time for tea, Tiffany," Vivaldi said curtly, "Or else, we'd have made you stay at the castle until our next chance."

Though her last statement intimidated me a bit, I smiled, "I'm happy I could make it too. I'd rather be having tea here than at the Hatter's."

"Why's that?" the Queen answered with amusement.

"Blood kind of creeps me out."

Peter chimed, "Well, I'm glad that Tiffany came to see me!" In an instant, he was embracing me again.

"Um, no offence Peter, but I'm here because Ace told me that if I didn't arrive soon, the Queen would've started beheading people," I muttered.

Vivaldi sent an icy glare to her subordinates, "If we were to behead anyone right now, it would be these two-" -I stiffened- "-but sadly, our guards are not skilled enough to perform such a task."

I sent a sarcastic look in Peter's direction, "I never knew you were actually dangerous, Peter. I just thought you were trigger happy."

"W-what would make you say that?" he said looking flustered.

Ace, taking a break from snacking, smiled, "Remember when I left the castle with her after she first arrived?"

I laughed, "I swear, I thought both of you were psychotic."

Peter, overcome with his hatred for Ace, remained silent.

Ace on the other hand, burst out, "Though I wonder, how did Peter get you to agree to sleep with him after just getting here?"

"EH?" I shouted and turned bright red.

"You are going to regret you had ever said such a thing!" Peter whipped out his gun and pointed it to Ace's head. Before the shot could go off, I pushed the arm holding the gun upward. The deafening crack echoed off into the sky.

"My God! We're at a tea party, could you two at least pretend to be civilized?"

Vivaldi scowled, "Such tasteless fools, we would take great pleasure in removing your heads."

I sighed and fanned my overheated face. Something told me I'd never succeed at pacifying the violence of this world. There were a few silent beats where tea was being sipped.

Out of the blue, Vivaldi asked, "Tiffany, you'll be staying here for the next time period, correct?"

"Sure, but, um, what's so special about it?" I asked blankly.

I thought I heard Peter choke on his tea. Vivaldi responded coolly, "It's necessary for all role holders to attend the carnival."

"Oh," I murmured. I couldn't help but be a little disappointed. I really did like carnivals…but mostly because I wasn't convinced Joker was as 'evil' as people kept characterizing him. So he messed with one person, isn't a joker supposed to be a trickster? Also, isn't his 'victim' supposed to be the one who claims when the joke has gone too far?

Peter's attention shifted from making sure he could breathe to latching back onto me, "You don't have to worry, Tiffany! I'll return for you as soon as tomorrow's evening arrives."

As charming as that sounded, I muttered, "I wasn't worrying. Actually, I was wondering. Is the carnival open even when the role holders don't have to attend? I mean, I know what happened with Alice is bad, but Joker doesn't seem that dislikable."

My reply was an array of concerned expressions.

"Tiffany, are you feeling well?" Peter said, taking my face in his hands.

"Yes?" it came out sounding like a question.

Ace sent a glance of amusement over Peter's shoulder. If the knight was planning to speak, he was never able to. Daylight abruptly brightened the castle. Vivaldi ordered a swift clean up of the party. I felt rather distant as I was escorted into the foyer of the building and the three role holders exited the castle. The majority of the building's staff soon followed. I stared feeling broken and empty.

Instead of dwelling on the melancholy of the situation, I decided I should do something proactive. Considering Vivaldi had mentioned all the role holders were gone, there really wasn't much to do. I inhaled deeply and released a yawn that echoed off the castle's marble. Maybe I should sleep.

After a laborious and time consuming search, I managed to find a guest room. I flopped onto the bed and slept.

After what seemed like a short, blurry moment, I opened my eyes. It was still daytime. I assumed I had slept through a time period or two. Surprisingly, Peter wasn't here. Hadn't he been all excited about meeting me after the carnival? Without gussying up, I wandered out into the hall and noticed a pair of maids talking in hushed voices down the hall.

"Excuse me," I interrupted, "Do either of you know where Peter is?"

The one on the left frowned, "Lord White is still at the carnival."

"Isn't that odd though? Does that mean it's the same time period since he left?" I pondered more to myself than anyone else.

"It is!" the other maid exclaimed, "I can't remember a time period ever lasting this long."

I looked at the floor and thought to myself. All the role holders need to attend the carnival. All role holders have faces. Even though I'm an outsider, I have a face. Maybe…My head flew up, "I'm going to go check something. Thanks for clarifying things for me." I waved to the maids and headed toward the exit.

A/N: Yay? A chapter? XD The next one will be exciting. I promise! ;3