I nervously fiddled with my fingers as I followed the Joker's through the forest towards the clock tower. I-I had no idea this was the kind of festival that you had to dress up for. But then again Boris did mention a kimono...A-and this kimono...i-it doesn't suit me. I nervously kept pace with the Jokers flashing my eyes over their complimenting clothing.
The Joker's looked devastatingly beautiful in their kimonos.
Black wore a jet raven kimono with a red tie hanging around his waist. White wore an ivory kimono with a red tie hanging around his waist in the same fashion. They both looked like two puzzle pieces joined together by the thin connection. Both walked tall and with rightful dignity putting others to shame who dared to cross Joker's paths.
I blushed from the mere sight of their backs. I nearly dropped dead with a nose bleed when I saw them. I...feel very out of place. I don't feel beautiful at all. I know that I look alright; I'm not naive enough to think that I'm ugly. I have my good points but the Jokers...they take the whole freaking cake on this one.
"Don't you f***ing dare toil behind us." Black hissed, yanking on my arm forward. I stumbled in the wooden sandals, only held up by Black's strong hand. T-these shoes are hard to walk in.
"Black, you must be more gentle with our dear Jackie." White chided lightly, gingerly holding my other free hand in his grasp. I shuttered, refusing to look either of them in the eye.
"S-sorry. I'm not used to shoes like this." I commented trying to slip the stupid shoe back on. Black's hand swept past my face forcing me too look him in the eye.
"Don't you dare shamefully lower your f***ing head while your with us. Hold it up high and be proud you're with such powerful role holders." He boasted, smirking as my blush began to deepen. The sounds of the festival echoed through the woods drawing us closer to the celebration. White chuckled pulling me towards him. I gazed into his wine red eye as he smiled gently.
"If you stumble then that's alright. I will hold your hand the entire night and catch you when you fall," White cheekily hummed pressing his lips to my hand. I took a deep breath. T-they're right. I shouldn't act like this. It will only worry them. I forced a reluctant sheepish smile.
"Yeah. Thanks, Joker." I thanked as we approached the highly decorated gates. Faceless of all kinds were in the same sort of attire skittering about the lined booths with smiles and cheerful laughs. The paper lanterns shown beautifully all down the booths with lights strung over the top like loose spider webs. I sucked in a startled breath, inhaling the sweet delightful smells of the night. Spices and sweets of the most delectable kind were present in the air intoxicating me with their sweet presence.
"Wow...," I breathed with a smile. This looks so cool-!
"Hmph. I've seen more impressive sh*ts than this." Black criticized, disappointed with the attire.
"You just want it to be dark and dreary. I think Gowland did a marvelous job with this event-oh?" My ears perked up as my heart skipped a beat.
"E-event? You mean this is a role holders event?!" I rasped, unable to keep the panic from my voice. T-that means Blood and Alice will be here-!
"My my Jackie, why are you so terrified to hear that?" White questioned suspiciously with a knowing glint in his eye. I swallowed nervously battling my tongue to withhold the true reason for my terror.
"Ah, it's just a surprise. I haven't really seen any of the other role holders lately and meeting up with them again like this is...sudden." I said, hoping to distract him from the truth. He nodded, unwilling to push it any further.
"That's enough with the f***ing clucking, you hens. I want to go see what sweets they have." Black growled, starting off towards the food stands. Bystanders who saw him coming quickly moved out of the way in hopes of avoided the tall red head. White chuckled, taking my hand.
"Shall we?" He asked with such a sweetly serine voice that the words tumbled out of my mouth.
"Of course." I answered, taking his outstretched hand. Relax...besides, the chances of running into Alice and Blood are slim. Out of this entire city decorated place I'm sure they're off in the tea section anyway. I just need to make sure Joker enjoys himself.
‡
What was I so worried about? With not even a hint of Alice or anyone from the hatter's mansion I eventually began to unwind with the Joker's easy presence. White held my hand the entire time amusing me with countless riddles as Black kept a few paces ahead of us. Every now and then he would spy something fun making a sharp turn and hurrying down the skinny alley ways towards whatever he saw with enthusiasm I didn't think was possible for him. White always followed without question continuing to capture my attention with every word he said. My eyes never left his flawless face as he excitedly looked about the stalls with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Most of the stands we went to were stalls loaded with sweets galore. The complete and utter captivation set in Black's eye was so hysterical I found myself in a fit of laughter as he haggled the prices down close to nothing. Normally I would step in and argue with him but he was having so much fun that I didn't have the heart to leash him. The poor bakers who suffered under his nagging dropped their prices down to below half of the original. As we walked away with bags full of sweets I caught sight of him placing a 'closed' sign over the stand before sulking away. I sighed in sympathy. He'll be alright; I've seen his large and successful bakeries before. Unfortunately for him, though, his pastries are Black's favorites.
White on the other hand relished any stand that held even the slightest bit of brain teasing. Even the small game in which you had to capture a gold fish with a tiny paper net held his fascination for about an hour until Black and I had to drag him away with a sour pout on his face. It didn't last long since other games like the ring toss and even darts captured his eye.
Black aimed with deadly precision hitting the red center with each calculated throw. White, with a mere flick of his wrist, hit the target dead center even with his eyes closed every time without fail. They're skill amazed me to no end as I sadly looked over my lone dart stuck in the poor arm of the faceless working the stand. I apologized profusely as Joker laughed hysterically before scurrying off as Joker tried to get me to play again. Eventually I was able to pull them aside from the main flow of traffic and onto a nearby bench which was out of sight for the most part. I like fun activities like this but crowds get on my nerves.
"Ah~ this is fun." I hummed, slumping in the bench. I slipped my foot out of the hard sandal, nursing my feet with vigorous rubbing.
"Ha! Especially when you hit that f***er right in the arm!" Black howled, shaking with laughter at the awful memory as he awkwardly flopped his wrist trying to imitate my terrible technique. I scrunched up my nose in disgust but a smile still held my lips from the sound of his musical laughter.
"Yeah...I feel really bad though." I noted. While we were leaving I saw him put up a 'closed' sign before heading off to a doctor. I'm worse than Black eating out all the sweet stands.
"It isn't your fault. He should have been paying attention to a young lady with no ability to throw a dart~," White chuckled.
"Thanks." I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
"This is quite the evening, Jackie." White thrummed, fanning himself with a red paper fan. My eyes remained glued to the slight beads of sweat that framed his flawless face. My heart pounded slightly faster from the intoxicating sight. Why, oh why does he have to be so gorgeous-?!
"You know what would make this even better?" Black asked with smirk.
"I agree." White eagerly grinned back to his counterpart. I shifted uneasily; this isn't going to turn out well for me I know it...
"Jackie, do you know what,"
"The best part of a date is?" Black finished. While they spoke they wrapped their arms around my shoulders with a firm grip. Even their legs moved accordingly, subtly coming before my ankles so if I tried to make a dash for it I would fall flat on my face. My heart fluttered at their restraining movements.
"N-no, I don't." I answered, apprehensively.
"The best part of the date,"
"Is. The. Kiss~," White purred. My eyes widened as I sheepishly smiled.
"I-I should've known...," I mumbled with my face turning red. I knew they would pull something like this.
"Well then,"
"Who do you want,"
"To suck face with first?" Black pried with a throaty chuckle. I shifted nervously before an idea came to mind. It was a beautiful devious plan that was sure to work; but if I failed the consequences would be terrible...
"Let's make it a game." I hastily stumbled. I might be able to get out of this yet.
"A game?" Both of them asked with immediate interest. I'll make this game so mortifying that they will not want to even play; I'll be able to get away scott free~
"Y-yeah. White do you have some playing cards?"
"You know I always do my dear." He answered pulling out his deck. I snatched it from his hands shuffling through the cards to find the three specific ones that I needed. I handed him the rest of the deck spreading out the cards.
"This is a one shot deal alright?" I said, making sure that they wouldn't try to find a loophole.
"Stop f***ing around and tell us what the game is." Black impatiently snapped. I grinned.
"I don't know...the stakes are pretty high Joker. Do you think you can handle it?" I asked knowing that they would be suckered in. Their puzzled frowns curled up into devilishly handsome smiles at my challenge.
"Of course." Joker taunted. I smiled at their compliance. Good; they're all in. Let's see if my little wager will work.
"I hold in my hand the jack of diamonds, the jack of spades, and the Ace of Clovers. White is the red and Black is the spades and I am the clover. Now the game is this; you will pick the cards and whoever gets the clover I will," I paused before quickly adding, "kiss for as long as you like." They both smirked, loving that part.
"However if you each pick your own or each others," I moved my two pointer fingers to one another, touching them together, "You will have to kiss each other." I waited eagerly for their responses as their facades dropped into infamously good poker faces. I grinned; I've won. There is no way that they'll take that chance-
"Deal." Joker simpered acting as though what I said was nothing. I froze, jerking back.
"W-what?! Seriously?" I shouted, looking over them both with a new eye. I-if they don't mind kissing each other th-then does that mean-?!
"Stop your sick fantasies and let's play." Black grinned as he reached for a card. I pulled them out of his reach still in shock from their agreement. White chuckled.
"Don't get the wrong idea dear. Since we are the same being we don't mind physical contact with each other. It would just be like...well, kissing myself. Or in other words it would be like poking yourself in the stomach. We have the same body and emotions so his body is mine and mine is his. Nothing wrong with that now is there?" White horribly explained with his twisted logic. My heart was still stopped in its tracks. That's...
"T-that's sick...," I muttered.
"You're taking too d*** long!" Black barked snatching a card from my hand as White smoothly snuck his fingers beneath to catch the other. My jaw dropped as I gawked at the card in my hand. Oh good hell...
"Boo~ that's irritating." White huffed, flipping his card over to reveal the jack of spades.
"Well f***." Black huffed, tossing aside the jack of diamonds. My jaw hit the ground. T-they won't seriously...would they?
"H-hey...you're not seriously going to...are you?" I asked with a shaky voice. The two Jokers getting in on with each other...oh gosh...
"Well, a bet lost is a bet lost my dear." White hummed. Black cupped White's cheek tilting him his way. White smiled emptily as he intertwined his fingers into Black's apple red hair with a seductive tint to his lustrous eyes. Their gaze turned definite determined to follow through with the bet. My eyes grew wide with shock as White leaned forward without the slightest bit of hesitation.
It was so horrifying that I couldn't turn my head away; it was like a car crash so gruesome that it will scar nightmares permanently into your brain but you absolutely had to watch to the very end no matter what.
White tilted his head back as he moved his lips mesmerizingly and in synch with Black's mouth. White wrapped his arm around his counterpart's waist and shoulders as Black mirrored the intimate gesture. They pulled each other close as if this sort of affection was normal. My jaw hit the ground as they pulled back slightly, making a show that tongue was being used in the slimy exchange before reconnecting their lips. The pure ecstasy that was clear on their face and calm, half lidded eyes...
My heart amassed into a chaotic mess. K-kissing...they're kissing each other. As in with tongue and- touching and-lips a-and more tongue and-and-! The strangest throbbing consumed my body as I gazed over the shocking sight. Their slightly flushed faces, unmoving gaze, perfectly moving hands...my face grew with the blush threatening to expel excess blood to shoot out of my nose. Time lost all hold as Joker kept his eyes on me, assessing my blushing reaction. With a smirk they pulled back from each other with a messy trail of saliva linking their lips before it was wiped away.
"How was that my dear? Was that 'hot' enough, for you?" White smirked as if he just made some connection that I was unaware of. I staggered back.
"K-kiss...that was a kiss...as, in lips and touching-and-tongue-and-more-tongue-and-!" I hysterically tried to explain what I just witnessed but sanity had left with all its bags packed and a one way ticket to hell.
"Oh please. That was just like if you were to smack your f***ing lips together and fold your tongue on itself. Nothing wrong with it." Black eased, thoroughly enjoying my horrified state.
"I-I don't think I'll ever be able to think of you in the same way again...," I trailed off, unable to wrap my mind around what just happened. I stumbled down the alley as Joker laughed maniacally at my behavior. T-that was just not natural...A flicker of brown hair caught my eye. I looked up, turning rigid as a cold spear shot through my spine. In the crowd walking towards me was the one couple I did not want to see in the least.
A-Alice...
She was wearing a black kimono with girly flowers that matched her smile adorably. My heart ached with guilt as she drew nearer with Blood escorting her. I-I have to say something. I have to apologize for the awful things I've said. I need to make things right again-!
"H-hey Alice-," I called out, waving my hand sheepishly. Her laugh became a little louder and obviously forced as they walked right past me. S-she...ignored me? My chest tightened painfully. So just like that our simple friendship is over? Finished? Because of a drunken tirade that made her end in tears. I...did our friendship mean so little to her...? White's hand wrapped around my shoulders quietly pulling me in the opposite direction. I leaned back, as if to follow Alice but my crumpling body wouldn't allow it. I trembled, unable to fend off White's comforting arm. I leaned on White as my throat closed up. Is it really...over? The one and only somewhat sane person in wonderland is no longer my friend...
"Fickle two faced f***ing sl**," Black growled loud enough for her to hear. Her posture stiffened as her head slightly turned with a single tear running down her face. She's crying-!? Blood whipped around with his machine gun in hand and a murderous glare that stuck me to the ground. My heart leapt into my throat; he wouldn't-!
His gun lit up the night with a barrage of bullets. I screamed and fell back as White's whip cracked furiously in the air. My head snapped up, shocked to see the deadly projectiles scattered harmlessly over the ground. Behind Blood was Elliot and the twins with wide eyes, also shocked by Blood's advances. Blood's sneer alone was enough to make my blood run cold. I stood firm, struggling to hold a vicious glare of my own.
"Stay away from my Alice." Blood hissed with a commanding voice. I opened my mouth to respond but a savage chuckle from Joker's lips silenced my comeback.
"Stay away from my Jackie." Joker returned with a deathly frightening voice. My head shot up spying the murderous intent lying deep within their eyes. J-Joker...Blood's infamous smirk arose as he lowered his now cane, calm enough to express his livid emotions through words rather than actions.
"I see...quite impressive work you've done getting the Joker's under your fondling fingers." Blood said, shooting the insult in my direction.
"So? What would that matter to you Blood?" I returned with equal ferocity. This was supposed to be a relaxing night!
"Oh? Quite feisty now that you have your little b****es beside you. But do tell me; what sort of coitus did you perform in order to have leashed the Jokers themselves? You must be quite flexible." Blood purred. He's seriously calling me of all people a sl*t?! I'm still a freaking virgin-! Alice's puffy eyes flickered towards Blood in a reprimanding way but made no motion to speak. I cringed in disgust holding my tongue. Letting the man fight her battles is...just pathetic.
"Why wouldn't she be?" White countered, "She's in the favor of one of the most powerful role holders in all of wonderland. Why wouldn't she speak her mind and be proud to stand beside me?" I glanced up to White as his hand over my shoulder lightly squeezed. He's right. Blood can't do anything to me while Joker is here. And Alice...I warily glanced over Alice with an inward sigh. She's safe. Joker promised not to acknowledge her unless-
"She should be ashamed to be with someone like you, Joker!" Alice haughtily returned. I bit my inner cheek mentally hitting myself in the head. Well crap.
"Says the faint hearted b**** who sells her love to anyone who will accept it." Black hissed, eagerly turning his rage on the small girl. I immediately snatched Black's hand, digging my nails into his flesh.
"Black!" I hissed. "That's enough."
"You heard her didn't you Jackie? She acknowledged us first so our little deal was made invalid." White countered never leaving his gaze from Blood's narrowed eyes.
"Deal?" Alice asked, cross. I gritted my teeth. Crap...
"Joker." I vehemently hissed, gaining their attention. "Don't stick your nose into my business! Alice," I continued looking her right in the eyes with a gentler voice; attempted, at least, "Can we please continue this in privacy?"
"You-," Blood began with narrowed eyes.
"Fine." Alice grumbled, giving Blood a quick squeeze of the hand before letting go. My heart squeezed; what? She has to get reassurance from Blood to see me? Me? Who's been supportive of her and has tried all that I can to help her? What a jerk...I sucked in a deep breath, shaking off Joker's hand and walked side by side with Alice down the trail. She kept a steady gaze to the ground not even brave enough to face me head on. I clenched my teeth struggling to seize my seething fury. We continued for a good ten minutes, reaching the outer skirts of the festival. She quickened her pace before stopping short a few feet ahead of me. I froze in place with narrowed eyes. Will this lead to the destruction of our friendship? I-
"Jackie." I froze in place gulping down my fears. Relax. I knew this was coming didn't I? If I stay friends with her...if we stay friends it will only hurt her. The Jokers are sure to get involved with her again especially if we keep butting heads. It's only a matter of time before they take it too far...I shuttered, frightened. I can't let that happen.
"We've grown apart wouldn't you say?" Alice began with a very adult voice with a slight quivering to it.
"You bet." I growled. She's too kind to utterly decimate our relationship. It's safer for her if we part ways. A clean cut.
"We...are very different. Besides the fact that we are both foreigners we have nothing else in common."
"You can say that again." I sourly hissed.
"I...Jackie, I still want to be-,"
"Hell no." I spat as my heart was crushed to a pulp with the hurtful words. Her spine stiffened as she turned around with a horrified expression. I kept my focus just behind her head on a furry boulder; if I look into those eyes I'll crack and say I still want to be friends. But we can't; she'll only get hurt.
"Why...," She whispered with tears already beginning to trail down her cheeks. I avoided her doleful gaze and sneered at her pathetic state.
"Why would I still want to be friends after all that's happened? Just...just leave me alone, Alice." I somberly said as she began to sob. I felt my own tears beginning to glisten my eyes before I quickly turned away.
"But...but I like you, Jackie. I really, really like you-!" Alice whined shooting up a few octaves. I gritted my teeth continuing my way with led feet.
Stay away from me.
I will only hurt you.
Don't trust me.
It will only destroy you.
So please...
Please just stop being so kind to me.
I jumped as a savage, nail on chalkboard scream shattered the sky. I spun around catching sight of a large mass of fur and claws broke away from the shadows of the forest. Alice's eyes grew wide with fright as the bear like creature lumbered towards her whipping its long heavy tail and forth. Drool slobbered over its pushed in snout, dribbling between long nail like protrusions from its cracked lips. It slipped out of the forest breaking the cobblestone with his mere weight. I froze on the spot unable to move. T-that thing...what in the heck is that-?! My heart stuttered as it slowly lumbered its path towards Alice with calculated steps.
"A-Alice move-!" I spat keeping a weary eye as it's gaze flickered towards me. She trembled like a mouse caught by a cat on the ground unable to move in the least That idiot-! I kicked off my sandals heaving one at the creature's head. I-I have to get it away from here and the festival! The creature barely recoiled from the attack, switching its target. It knelt on its front paws preparing to pounce. With a terrifying shriek it leapt into the air right at me. I dove to the left tumbling before landing on all fours. The creature's long serrated claws skidded helplessly over the cobblestone path as I dashed into the woods dancing around the edge to make sure it followed me. It rolled over, smacking its side into a building before retaining its balance. It snarled and trampled over the stones right at me. It's nails scraped against the rock like nails on a chalkboard sending a frightening pit in my stomach. Screams erupted from a passerby's throat before I sprinted into the woods with the creature hot on my trail.
I twisted and turned through the trees making as many turns I could without tripping over myself. I never looked back; the barrage of wood snapping was enough evidence. With each swipe of its paw it missed by inches digging into the defenseless trees without trouble. It's really aiming to kill me.
But I didn't care.
Who cares if I die? I've lived a plenty good life to the best of my abilities. I've been close to death so many times that it's not a scary possibility anymore. That woman has desensitized me to the concept of death ever since I could remember. I'm a nobody. Who would care if I died? Certainly not my mother. No, rather, she would be more than happily kill me if she wasn't in that insane asylum. And my brother probably would be happy to see me. My father too. None of my friends would shed a tear. They're probably stoked that I've missed so much school. Alice will be sad but thoughts of me will soon be replaced by Blood. All of the other role holders will be able to concentrate solely on Alice when I'm gone. And Joker-
The breath caught in my throat.
Joker...
A blood curdling scream erupted from my lips as a searing agonizingly fiery heart blasted across my back. I tumbled over the ground smacking my head into something steadfast. Mud clung to my body as I blindly looked around the sideways trees and brightly flashing lights. The creature roared charging right at me. I scramble to my feet barely passing two feet before it's claws tore into my side. I shrieked as it playfully batted me across the field with a demonic hiss. I rolled to a disoriented heap as the thing pounced into the air jaws wide for the final attack. Joker...
I'm sorry.
A flashing blade cut into my view with a dash of red. The creature's eyes grew wide as he swiped it over the monster's chest. It screamed and leapt back, angrily lashing its tail back and forth. Ace is strong; he can take it. I have to get back to Joker-! My limbs twitched, unable to follow my demand to move. I yelped as the agony tore through my back, rendering me absolutely useless. T-this hurts too much...With a final scream the creature turned tail flitting back into the woods. Ace stood ready for a few moments before dropping to my side.
"Jackie...you're an idiot." He reprimanded lightly. I smiled through the bone crushing agony. Still such a happy idiot...
"Hm." I hummed. He sadly chuckled casting a doubtful glance over my back. Even through his facade I could see him cringe. My eyes weakly narrowed. It's bad.
"Am I going to die?" I calmly asked. Even through the gruesome agony my voice was clear and lucid. I wonder why I feel so at peace? Maybe it's the adrenaline? He hesitated, pushing his cloak against the extensive wounds.
"I'm not letting my heart die so easily." His smile became very strained as he applied pressure. I winced and whimpered loudly unable to deny the bodily function.
"Please...," Ace whimpered. I glanced up to his face.
"Please what?" I lightly asked trying to keep it light. Don't be sad...it will be alright. You'll live on and then be fine.
"Please don't die." His voice quivered as his face turned desperate. I huffed painfully trying to think straight.
"Why not?" I playfully teased, grimacing. I never thought I would be able to act so coolly while I'm dying. It must be adrenaline or..something like that.
"Because I love you." He admitted, pushing his lips to mine. I jumped slightly, unable to move away from the knight. I closed my eyes as a sleepy spell began to erode away at the edges of my eye. Ace is kind but...I can't love him. I already love Joker. He pulled back slightly, littering my face with pecks of his passion.
"I can't." I muttered, letting my head rest against the ground. His eyes widened slightly before settling on a poker face.
"I see...then it's true that Joker is your lover?" Ace asked, keeping the pressure to my back. I sighed. He's asking me that in this kind of situation?
"No he is not." I answered. I wheezed slightly unable to keep up with the demand for oxygen. Ah...this hurts.
"Then I still have a chance." Ace confirmed with a deadly tone to his eyes. I huffed, unable to move in the slightest. Am I bleeding out? My throat constricted, unable to answer him. This...it hurts...the trees smeared together as Ace's face was lost in the foliage. I sighed unable to suck in another greedy breath. My body tingled painfully.
It really hurts.
‡
END
So what do you think about Ace's confession on her deathbed? Sweet or overused? Let me know what you think~ REVIEW! :D