HAVE AN AWESOME NEW YEAR!

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CHAPTER 38

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Aria made no recognition of her bleeding cheekbone or her battered state and turned to the remaining faceless.

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-You heard it. Any agreement done with me tonight is unbreakable. If you drop your weapons outside and promise not to attack and promise not to tell in anyway what you just listened or will listen from me, I promise to let you go from this room unharmed after we converse.

-What do you want foreigner!? – After a few seconds of silence thats what she heard.

-To negotiate- she stated- I need someone alive to tell the story of how the roleholders sent the second foreigner on a suicidal mission to save the other most useless foreigner against big odds and against time. Isn´t that a good dramatic story with such a potential for a tragic ending?

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They quieted down and deliberated between them for a minute. Then dropped their weapons outside of the door so that she could see, and came out.

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-What do you want to negotiate? – They looked her with uneasiness and surprised how battered and unstable she looked. Something was definitely off about her, even for Wonderland´s standards.

-The dead of Alice maybe? Me causing mayhem on your behalf? Giving you an advantage with knowledge or actions? A little help tonight perhaps?... (sight) Look. I understand that you hate the conditions of this world; had it been my world there´s a very good chance I might have fought on your side. I respect and recon your right to choose your own death. Had you hired me when I began wandering in this world I would have help you end everything. But you also made the mistake of trying to kill me. Under the circumstances it's a kill or be killed problem.

-But "they" already hired you just now!

-You listened to everything.-Aria said calmly and explained in an inhumanly mechanical and methodic voice - Option A) does not necessarily invalidates option B). They hired me specifically to "Get Alice out of the amusement park or get her out of the way". Which can be the same. I never explicitly said anything about or about not "hurting, maim, murder, save, kill, etc." her. I can take Alice out of the park and away from your operation and I would technically be fulfilling my part of the deal on both conditions. Also I never said I would keep her out of harm either. Not to mention that I can sell those undeniable request if you pay me enough for it after I´m done with this. Its not as if I want anything this world may offer that I haven´t got already.

-I never though a foreigner could be… like this. – The faceless was actually somewhat scared. The girl in front of him managed to take out their group alone and had coerced all the roleholders to her will at the same time while selling out the other foreigner and maybe his world itself. She was smart and scary.

-A common perception in this world. A world that is not mine and that I care not about. And since you seek its demise then you don´t care either and would be willing to spend quite the amount since once its doomed money here will be useless anyway. But I can get a good vacation before I go.

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The faceless looked at each other.

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-Why would you be doing this?

-Because I can.-Aria said without hesitation- I told you, I´m a mercenary. I´m all for my personal profit. And they need a lesson.

-They betrayed you, right? They really hurt you, didn´t they?- The other faceless said upon rehearsing her conversation with the roleholders. They had favored Alice all over her, and as a third listener the faceless picked on immediately on how they had thrown this other foreigner aside despite supposedly loving her due to the game. It seemed that even foreigners had it hard with roleholders. They had forsaken any acknowledge of her and it was apparently enough for her to forsake them and this world in return. Such thing could play in their favor.

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Aria hesitated before shocking her head a bit. Maybe she was developing a chronic backstabbing disorder.

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-Why should I care? There has never been any loyalty to begin with. They used me for some jobs and I used them too. Simple business. Any fault would be mine for considering anything else. They are still pathetically chasing after Alice like love sick puppies. I am only a convenient commodity outside of the rules that they can use and discard. To them I am as expendable as you.- To make them trust her a bit she added a more emotional note – I however reckon that the sensation of all my work and myself being disregarded so easily is…. Not nice. But I just totally owned them which puts me as their target too. I assure you that I do not plan to remain long in this world either. But more than anything, although they hired me, as a mercenary I´m no loyal to anyone but myself and my interests. Im a professional, you get what you pay for, no less, no more. And thus I´m willing to negotiate with you.

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Aria remained looking passive and adamant outside, she held back the hurt and rage that she actually developed and didn´t even wonder when, why or how it happened. How it had constantly happened during her life. She didn´t even noticed the maddening sensation growing inside of her. She took lot of care in her words as she interrogated the men in front of her and she realized just how outnumbered her own forces really where. The situation was really bad and she needed to get away from it. From everyone. And to hell with everything!

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-Another thing foreigner. We heard that you are involved with a faceless of the underworld…

-What if I am? - Aria didn´t deny neither accepted anything, she let them reach conclusions that weren´t necessarily true or false.

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The faceless took it as a confirmation and were deeply surprised that she had confessed to have given her heart to a mere faceless or to at least be involved with one. Maybe all that was said about her was true after all…

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-He happens to possess some items we might require. Things that should be gone forever… like the places they come from.

-Mmmhh? Like what?- Aria raised her eyebrow unimpressed.

-Like the connector earrings you are wearing. They come from the lost country of spades and they should not exist here. As we know it the other objects are a spell and a weapon from spades and a mirror that connects to Diamond.

-Co…. Connector!? Wha… how? Why are you telling me this? How do you know that?

-Because if we destroy them then the last links to those places are destroyed too. We want you to get them or destroy them for us. You said that you wanted to negotiate, right?

-You mean that Spades and Diamond are still there?

-Diamond is… more or less. About those earrings… that connector was given to a foreigner that escaped spades long time ago. The blank cards said that it is cursed and lets Joker some insights of whoever uses it in an exchange to go under their shit radar or something. It doesn´t work on anyone of this world, but a foreigner can make it work somehow.

-The blank cards? How would they know that? – Aria was not so surprised, at this point very little could surprise her, yet she didn´t believe them right away. If the earrings were a connector…? Then that raised a bunch of questions she didn´t have time to consider. But then again, it was better to consider that these guys were also using half truths. ( Never trust anyone).

-Because the blank cards are not only survivors from Diamond but from Spades too.

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Aria paused to consider that. The diamond crew had told her that even if they were killed and replaced they somehow still felt that they were not from Clover or Hearts, as if these countries reprimanded them for stealing their energy by merely existing and surviving… and then they found each other and conveyed all the truths. If there were really people that had come from Spades… from so long ago… how many times had they been replaced and restarted to know that they were leeches of life force?

Despite whatever implications that may have Aria could only wonder about how that sensation was produced and how she could make a use of them… It was too much to ponder or to even researching into the matter. She itched to find out, but it was decided, her researches were done and she would be gone soon.

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-That Is interesting. Tell me more…

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And they hasty did. They told her indeed a lot. Enough for her to reconsider and re-plan much.

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Aria sensed a humming sensation, like static electricity surrounding the earrings when she touched them with the tips of her fingers, then she took them off and put them in her hip pouch. A almost immediately felt as if something was amiss, like a void in the pitch of her stomach, a dent in her sense of security, as if she was somehow even more alone and empty than she already was despite being so full of new data.

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The warden had been hiding in the shadows behind the auditorium in a high place where he could see what happened around the stage, from there he saw Aria´s song and how she fell through a trap door disappearing from view. First he thought it was part of the show; then he heard what was happening around his counterpart and how she had screwed everyone.

Aria had been an incredibly amusing toy. She managed to make him laugh so much in her last visit when his counterpart wanted to screw her mind with some riddles and cryptic hints and she responded with more of her scientific nonsense. It was sort of creepy cute that she knew so much but cared so little, and there was some sort or pureness in her finding answers where there was none. It was not that she was innocent, but more like a complete lack of guilt (and without guilt or regrets he could not trap her); watching his counterpart being dumb folded by her answers was laughable. And it amused him lots how his counterpart had proposed her to kill Alice in front of everyone and how easily all those fools had jumped for Alice´s sake. It had been partly thanks to his counterparts offer. Such a devil dealt bet! But it was true, she didn´t care for money or small stuff in this regards. What could be a better proposal than practically a granted wish as long as it was within his power?

And how beautifully Aria had played along! It had been his fucking personal pleasure how she twirled everyone in her fingers in such a cruel form. To make everyone swear by their roles! It was like grabbing them painfully by the balls! It had been a stab to their prides, specially the damn hatter. To make him promised it by his connector had been one of the most hideous and devious thing she could have demanded. But it had been the imbeciles fault. He deserved it, not only for insulting and threatening Aria, but because he had avoided giving his connector to Alice so far. Alice probably didn´t even knew of the existence of connectors, If he didn´t gave it to her then her game wasn´t completely ended and she could still go back to her world, those were the rules.

And who would have thought that the useless mock of a king would do anything like that? Aria had closed the circle by protecting herself very well with the safe insurance clause (Even he, "Joker", was dragged too, but he would made her pay him back later in other forms), in a way it made him proud (also this was the first time ever that the prison participated in an event), and it also was enticing how she could potentially own him in every way possible. Such an interesting friend he had gained in her.

However one thing did stroke him. How spitefully angry she had sounded but didn´t seem to realize. It had been great to know she was really capable of such, but it had stung for some reason. Maybe because she was his plaything, whatever emotions she really had belonged to him and he wanted all of them just for himself. Or maybe it was that she had dragged him too… it didn´t matter.

He knew she was quite capable at surviving despite being a foreigner, but, when the gunshots were heard and the communication had been lost he found himself already on his way to look for whoever had dared to break the rules… again… in his presence, and he would make sure his prey would suffer for long, not only for breaking the rules but for endangering his plaything too.

Those were his thoughts when he was forced to a stop by the sudden lack of the earrings connector´s sensation he was already used to. One moment it was there and the next it was gone, like it had been rip off him, he couldn´t sense her at all. He would be lying if he said it hadn´t worry him just a little bit and the foolish notion that he was even slightly worried about someone else angered him. Even if it was not his, the connector was a link to his role and domains, and more importantly, it could not be taken off by anyone but her unless she was killed or her ear was ripped or something… She was not dead and she was not gone… yet; so she was either in a lot of trouble or she had discarded the connector. He didn´t know which was worse.

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Aria simply let the faceless men go the way she had come and blocked the tunnel entrance after they promised to tell the story. She gave them just enough time to negotiate with the other joined factions. If they accepted she expected them to retreat 2 songs before the event ended and leave a sum as big as possible in certain place. Once they were out she considered her options and saw a map of the control points in a wall. She concentrated on an underground route and focused on control room for the water attractions, it was only 2 points away from her position. A plan formed in her head. It was drastic and a cruel. Potentially very efficient and profitable.

She turned on her own radio.

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-Here Commander Shepard. – She told with a male-ish voice (she had stated that such voice and code name was for general orders, any with a female voice and codename "primal key" was to be considered top priority). She informed everyone of the situation of being outnumbered and by whom and then issued a direct order – Get away from any water source, evacuate to adjacent points if you are near one. Abandon silence and lets rock. CRESCENDO DESOLADOR! Once they name the finalist of the event, fall in silence and go behind the curtains. Cambio y fuera.

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That had been the signal for total annihilation and then to evacuate as if they hadn´t been there in the first place. No prisoners were to be taken. As much damage as possible was to be caused. The plan was to snipe out their leaders and shoot down the escaping foes causing a commotion while remaining as hidden as possible, now they were going to rise hell. She was itching for a fight, she was in need of physical action, she wanted to destroy as much as she could just to see how much damage and confusion she could cause, but she also wanted to get over with the mission, settle things and go back to her world. Then she took her cellphone for the command line before continuing her way via the tunnels

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– Song 3! Continue your way as planned. Song 4 you are to led some of them to the partitura. We still need info. Partitura, get ready! Primal key on way too. Cambio y fuera.

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ALICE´S POV

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What the hell is going on!? This men will tell me nothing. We are just running somewhere while everyone else is fighting around. Where are the roleholders? Are they alright? Why aren´t they stopping this? Don´t they know what´s happening? Who is this commander Shepard? Does Aria knows him? It´s as if she has something to do with this!

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-Would you play with me? – The jester kid said with a somewhat twisted smile.

-No! Who would play in a situation like this?! – I answered sharply and regretted how I screamed at the kid who only hugged the cat tighter.

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I finally noticed were we were heading, towards the mirrors house. Once there we were ambushed but from the mirror house another group came out and covered us so that we could reach them. Once we were inside they blocked the entrance. They were from the same group.

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END POV

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The roleholders were bickering amongst them while the show continued because they couldn´t exactly try to kill each other under the circumstances even if they really wanted to.

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-Mission status: on going - A somewhat deep and undistorted female voice creaked from the intercom, the kind of voice that could be used for a hot line.

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-CHU! Rondo… is that you!? – Pierce ran to the intercom.

-Who else? – She sounded monotone but at the same time had an angry and annoyed undertone.

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-Aria what´s happening? – Nightmare said. The demon actually surprised everyone by being serious.- How are you…

-I already told you. And I´m working on it. I shall reach your desired target soon. –She bluntly cut him off.

-And what will you do once you reach her? – Peter asked. Strangely he was not worried about her not reaching Alice. He grudgingly respected that once Aria Hadron took on a job she would follow successfully with it no matter what. What worried him was what she would do to his loved one once she reached Alice.

-That is for me to decide. But ask me once more anyone… and I will make you torture and kill her yourselves… how does that "fEeLs"? – One could almost feel the growl and wicked delight of her response.- And may I remind you that it is against the rules to attack a neutral recognized party? So please remember that I´m officially a neutral element under armed peace terms formally recognized by Hearts, Clover, The amusement park, the circus and the prison.

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All the bickering persons fell into silence. Never could they have though that a foreigner could ever come up with something so cruel and vile. But it let them know just how angry she was even if they weren't sure about what. They realized that despite their interaction with her, they didn´t knew her half as much as they had though and they had never seen her show true anger or many other emotions (or anything non science or money related for that matter), much less her true capacities or potential. They didn´t knew what she was really capable off either but they knew she was not going to show restrain.

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-Aren´t you a real villain then? To think that a villain of your world could ever end up like a villain here.– Blood wanted to kill her very slowly.- I really expect to see you when you come and get your payment.

-El burro hablando de orejas… You are no hero either Blood. And don´t anger me more cause I´m a master of cruel and unusual punishment and I can come with even worse. I may be many things oblivious to many things, maybe, but Stupid definitely not. You don´t scare me Blood, I´ve seen way worse back home. There is nothing you CAN do that would scare me. Death? Torture? Ask Joker. That wouldn´t work on me and in any case I don´t expect to see any you again if I can avoid it. I have ways to contact you without me being present. – She then sighted but her tone was mocking and arrogant– Look Blood… I have nothing against you or Alice or anyone. If anything, this guys that want Alice dead are also going for me and they are your enemies too. You should be happy that I´m dealing with them.

-Wanna play "enemy of my enemy" speech? Such a vile character you are- Blood would not cease.- But what can we expect from someone that sells herself for money and favors.

-Andate a la re***** que te **** *********** pario! So says a mafia boss! (AN: Obviously no one understood that) I don´t care, about you or anyone, just remember that personally I´m no one's enemy. All things considered, I´m just a lonesome and cornered girl trying to survive in a strange world that I can´t completely comprehend. And I WILL use any and all means I must. At least and unlike you I´m not making the mistake of taking things personal. I may have almost done so earlier but this contract has thankfully managed to prevent me from getting involved on a personal level.

-What do you mean? – Elliot was as confused as the rest. She was making no sense.

-I will not get involved with you at any personal level, heck, after this job I will not get involved in any way at all. Not anymore. To think that I almost fell for that… - Their inability to comprehend that she was speaking about her interaction with them only served to anger her more.

-WHAT!? You can't do that sis! – Dee and Dum were shocked after finally catching on.

-Maybe this world has finally bore me. I just experienced a catharsis moment that is phasing to a memetic mutation. I have more important stuff to do back in my world. GAME OVER!

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And the communication was cut.

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Aria reached the control room for the water attractions quite fast. The room was bigger than other control rooms because it included the water plant, bigger machinery, elevators, stairs and hanging corridors that to her looked like taken out of a videogame factory. Strangely there was no one there.

She looked for the control valves and access to the water deposits; the door to those was actually hermetically sealed in case of an overflow. She repeated through her radio for her forces and allies to get away from water sources and to activate the "drums" (bombs) they had set, if possible the ones their foes had set too and try to catch as many in the blast as possible (Rule number 1 when making a bomb: Always make at least 2), she turned on everything and threw the amateur gas pellets she had cooked with Bertha (who now was part of her fans and forces) on the pipes and sealed the doors after getting out.

This was gonna get her lots of money really easily; the gas would be moved through the pipes system to all the water attractions and fountains killing quite a bunch of the unsuspected foes that the roleholders would have to pay her for.

If the information the faceless she had let go was true at least practically, she was outnumbered by a couple thousands or at least a few hundreds, they had wanted to do things as big as possible and had been set near the main attractions in the park, this was a huge revolt; unlike her own allies who were hiding in scattered corners. Once her Bombs went off the pandemonium would begin and at least all foes in the water park would be eliminated.

Aria considered how drastic her tactics had become during her short stay in wonderland. She wasn´t as violent before was she? Heck, she didn´t even carried guns and relied on her stealth and trusty electric rod; and now she was loaded with them… the situations had forced her to she concluded. Adapt or die and maybe a bit of the so called madness from this world had rubbed on her. Hadn´t she snapped already a few times already?

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The intercom creaked once again. The roleholders had remained somewhat silent since her last words. Each one in his own musing and thoughts.

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-Mission on go… - She was beginning her phase, but it was cut by her screaming- DIABLOS!

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Then noises of fighting, gun fire and even some explosions were heard before the intercom connection was lost, not even a couple of minutes after and explosions made the ground shake. The roleholders, save for some, took the moment of confusion to leave their post and all hell broke loose in the park.

All the hatter scattered outside immediately. Boris opened a door and disappeared through it with Gowland and Pierce. Grey disappeared even before Nightmare said anything. The incubus had to stay because he was neutral and so did Julius, while Vivaldi remained in her seat the king had stopped Ace and Peter from rushing out to order them to protect the foreigners no matter what and get them unharmed to safety. Joker disappeared too after hearing that.

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JULIUS´S POV

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What´s happening!? She´s… really angry. I know she hates it when people compares her to Alice, but this time she could be in dan… she IS in danger. She was right all along, but she is taking this too far. What does she wants really? Answers? Knowledge? Money? Power? What!?

Because I am neutral I can´t interfere right now even if I want to rush out too. Besides the event is still going on and we can´t do anything until it ends. It´s the rules.

Aria… Her presence in the tower has been different than Alice´s. More like Ace´s, but she isn´t intruding, well, no unless something catches her curiosity. And Ace have been more cheerful since she appeared and less psychotic (unfortunately but also more horny). She may be a little arrogant, egocentric, narcissist, rude and uncouth but this went too far. Normally she´s so… calm and rational… and her coffee is good.

Why did this went so wrong?

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ACE´S POV

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Not fun, my Mercy is not gonna play with me or Julius anymore. I should go and get her, even if that old creep ordered it, as a knight I ought to go mmmhhhh….

If they kill Alice, Julius would be upset about that, I know he fell completely for Alice too. But Aria is different; this time it was more perfect, just the three of us in bed was nice. We were so close to my trio. Would Julius be more upset if Aria dies instead? :(

My mercy is also funny, she has that pretty miserable and despairing aura all around her but she does not feels miserable or despairs. Should I have killed her? I didn´t want to get lost in her game but I ended even more lost anyways… how pathetic.

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GREY´S POV

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Fuck no! How did we end up in this situation? She´s… She´s as bad as I was!

Just when I thought things were going fine everything had to go to hell! Damn it!

I need to get her before anyone does or before she does something very drastic. I know she can bend this. Many times in the past I found ways to screw my targets and whoever hired me. I bet that she knows how to, and now she is more than willing to do so. I also don´t exactly to know what she meant by showing us why she is not a frontal fighter.

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NIGHTMARE´S POV

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Why would that damn clown suggested that in the first place? Its pretty disturbing that Aria went along with him and now this happened and both she and Alice are in danger and something bigger is going on that we don´t know about! Not even Vivaldi knows it.

Still we can´t leave. The rules say that at least one from every territory must be judges, Gowland being somewhat of an exception.

Now I´m worried. I´m really worried. I never figured out what´s the deal with Aria but if she really is like Grey used to be I fear the worst.

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THE TWIN´S POV

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DEE: Big sis is in such danger… Maybe we shouldn´t have played like that. Now I´m stuck as judge here. Will I get extra pay from this? I hope my bro gets Alice before sis does and gets to sis Aria before the boss does. New sis´s fun I really would not like it if the boss kills her.

DUM: Let's see if I can find sis or Alice before anyone does. It´ll be fun as long as the boss does not orders us to kill Aria sis. She´s fun! Alice never played with us. Alice is cool and nice but she is too frail and never understands us. Aria is a cool playmate, she even let us taught her of our games and she didn´t cringe like Alice does. We would like to play more mature games with her, but we have to find her first.

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PIERCE´S POV

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Chu…. Rondo is ending her game? Can she do that? I don´t want her to leave, but I don´t want anything bad happening to Alice either, chu. Maybe I can get her away from trouble? But if I do would I be in trouble?

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PETER´S POV

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Alice is in danger again! And it´s all the hatter´s fault!

It´s strange how I trust that this monstrous villain of an unforgivable woman will get to where Alice is. When did I fell so low as to recognize and respect her capacities!? Oh dear Alice, what has happened to me in your absence! I will rescue you and impart justice on those who dare even think of harming you!

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BORIS´S POV

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I know Aria is not that bad. That Bunsen kitten convinced me of that and a cat knows those things. He even made her petting sound great! I´m sure she was not petting me properly when I asked her… maybe I should have tried in my other form. Next time I will…. Will there be a next time? As soon as Gowland knows what´s happening I can connect a door and get there. To either Alice or Aria. I just hope we get them in time.

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BLOOD´S POV

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Just wait a little longer Alice, I´ll save you. And then I´ll kill her and all those fools.

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ELLIOT´S POV

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She´s playing too dangerous. Blood is boiling, he will try to kill her, I´m sure. But… Alice…. Alice is in danger and despite everything Aria is on her way to her. But Aria is a foreigner too. She´s not as strong as any of us. And if Aria does not chose to help Alice… There are many more offers to save Alice so I´m sure she´ll help her. But what could she want from us? I hate to say it but Blood really shouldn´t have taunted her.

I don´t know what to do or think or… or anything!

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VIVALDI´S POV

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Such a terrible outcome it will be regardless of how it ends. Wonderland will lose at least one foreigner. We admire how well our Aria handled all these fools and sealed such deal. But we dread her choose of reward at the end. Yet we suspect how dire things have gone behind the curtain. Dire enough for the king to step up and act. We fear for Alice too, but not from Aria harming her.

We feel it and its such a horrible thing, one heart has been closed and lost tonight.

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GOWLAND´S POV

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C´mon which room was she in! and what´s going on everywhere!?. To think that anyone would attack tonight!

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THE KING´S POV

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Go forth paws of wonderland. Play your roles and your parts!

Aria my dear, you have played splendid. I dread that you may leave us soon,My offer to you was sincere and remains still, but you must finish what must be done. What must happen. Foreigners are the axis of change in this world, for good or bad, for better or worse. Things have gone beyond our control and for the first time in long, there is a change that the wheel will turn in wonderland and we will move forward.

We shall see what occurs.

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Yeah, she´s being a jerk on purpose, worse is that she wasn´t the primmest example of mental stability to begin with. But indeed she has become progresively more and more violent, brutal and direct in her tactics, probably part of feeling cornered and in danger constantly. Andrick summarized it very well when he said they were shell-shocked and no amount of teraphy could ever help; and indeed she has snapped a few times already, although the clearest example was the food incident with Grey, she has also went somewhat ballistic or too science loving, heck, she doesn't even care about hiding her voice anymore (she´s mocking them, its like saying to them that she deems them so little that is not worth the effort) they surely never predicted that allowing her a neutrality status on that karaoke night might come back (to bite them in the ass).

And now she´s going completely bonkers and just don´t gives a damn any more. Just when she was about to really start playing the game and perhaps let herself be loved and open up herself a bit more this happened :(

Poor girl, and because she does not understand that she´s hurting she just translates it into anger. Has anyone ever heard something like "May the gods protect the kingdom from an angry and heartbroken woman?" . Well, "May something protect wonderland from her" because she can be quite dangerous. If not because of her personal strength because of everything else. I´m not sure myself, What do you think would made her more dangerous? her knowledge? the economic and logistic support she has gathered? her ability to move like a ghost? her lack of restrain and consideration?

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I think a little explanation about those oh! so mentioned earrings might be due. They are indeed a connector but it became a sort of magical relic, I won´t enter in details until later for how it came to be, but what it does is it gives a sort of camouflage on whomever uses it against joker´s intended shit; he is supposed to taunt, try, confuse and whatever the foreigner and force her/him decide to stay or leave wonderland. It comes natural to them. But the earrings extend and aura of Joker himself to whomever wears it and thus Joker is not forced to act but how he really wants regarding the foreigner. In a way it frees Joker from some of the pressure and cliches of his role; however because it extends the influence of his role he gets a glimpse of the person wearing that fancy jewelry, sort of like how he always feels his counterpart. It also happens to be a really old thing with barely any magic left, but when she putsit on she turned it on and started powering it herself, and when she does her synch or projects her artificial love (aka: focus and intent) what she does is strengthen the connection and that´s why Joker feels a slightly stronger sensation, but because its termporary and artificial it last just so long.

Whoa! Quite the long explanation for such a small thing, ne?

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In case, if anyone wonders why she even bothered to report the status of the mission it was to keep them indecisive. Letting them know that she was alive and getting close to Alice´s location kept them assured that things were progresing, and so they were uncertain as if risking moving on or not, that or maybe she also wanted to listen to them and what they had to say, not exactly like a hope because what was done was done, but at least to reassure herself of what she planned.

Also those were some of the thoughts of the roleholders regarding her and this situation. Not everything because that would make this way too long (If you think somethings off or too OC tell me to correct it).

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And have a great year! ;)