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Chapter Five: To Be Continued...
"If I could heal the conflict that's within. I'll know this war has reached the bitter end."
~Voices of the Chord ~ SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]: Gemie
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[Alice's POV]
I was worried about my daughter. Two time periods ago, I heard her crying as if she had been stabbed. I figured she was going through another traumatic flashback. I felt guilty for not checking in on her. She had been acting strangely closed off lately. She probably felt that she would be burdening us if she talked about her past trauma. I wanted to assure her that she could always talk to Blood, or I if she ever needed to. On a whim, I decided to check on her.
Since her room was attached to ours', I went down a small, shared hallway and silently opened the door that concealed her room. What I found surprised me. There she was, sleeping with the twins both snuggling her on either side. As I glanced further upon the scene, I found dried bits of blood splattered upon the floor, on the Twins' uniforms as well as Rika's dress. What had happened? Then my eyes automatically went to the bandages wrapped around Rika's arms. Had she... been self-harming? I put my hands to my lips to stifle a small gasp as tears threatened to cascade down my face. I felt so fucking guilty! If only I had known. Oh Rika, I'm so sorry.
This must have been why she had taken a sudden interest in dresses with longer sleeves. That way, the long sleeves of her dresses could effortlessly conceal her self-inflicted wounds. Oh Rika, you did not have to carry this alone. I decided it would be best to talk to Blood about this. I left her room, closing the door quietly behind me. How could I approach the subject with him discreetly? He probably suspected something was up due to her odd behavior these past several time changes. Knowing him, he knows something but probably is not sure what Rika was hiding.
I sighed heavily as I returned to the sitting area part, collapsed on the couch, as tears still streamed silently down my face. I just wished I had known sooner. Poor Rika, she must have felt she had to carry that pain all alone. She should have leaned on us more. Before my train of thought could elaborate further, the double doors that concealed our room from the outside corridor and opened. In came Blood looking tired and lethargic as usual.
He sighed heavily as he discarded his white tailcoat on a nearby chair and put his hat on a hook. He ran a white gloved hand through his messy and slightly spikey raven colored hair. Apparently, he had just gotten back from mafia business, and it wore on him. He then noticed me sitting on the couch, leaning forward with my face in my hands. Without hesitation, he sat down beside me, wrapping his long arm around my shoulders.
"Alice, is something wrong? Is it something that has to do with our daughter?" he asked me knowingly as if he read my mind. I nodded quickly and explained that I had found Rika covered with self-inflicted wounds. This news did not seem to surprise him much. He merely raised an eyebrow with concern as another heavy sigh escaped his body.
"I figured something like that was going on. I was not sure but what you said has confirmed my suspicions. Rika has been acting rather sullen lately. Maybe I also should have paid more attention and should have asked her about it. When she awakes, we should talk to her? However, we need to approach this with caution. I don't want to retraumatize her and have her continue," he said, leaning back against the red couch, his hand gripping my right shoulder firmly as he spoke. Blood had a knack for reading people and situations. He could always see through me when I tried to hide my emotions. It must be partially due to his occupation. Or he was just naturally good at it. Either answer sounded likely.
"I just wish that she would have talked to us. I want her to know she did not have to carry her burdens alone," I said after a few moments. Blood nodded in agreement, understanding where I was coming from as a concerned mother.
"I know Alice. However, we must look at it from her point of view. It is probably hard for her to talk about for multiple reasons. Especially since talking about the traumatic events could most likely cause her to spiral downward into another meltdown. Therefore, we must approach her with caution, compassion, and understanding," he replied as a matter of factly in that deep knowing tone of his. Once again, I was amazed by his intuitive inside and reading into a situation. It was as if he had experienced trauma in his own life and was speaking from experience.
"Alright, that makes sense. I will do my best," I replied simply. Before we could discuss things further, Blood decided to check on Rika himself. He then discovered the Bloody Twins cuddling Rika while they slept. He noticed how peaceful Rika had looked but could not help but raise an eyebrow in concern when he discovered her bandaged arms and the blood on her clothes, the twins' uniforms, and her bedding.
"She even debated slitting her own throat. Whatever had triggered her must have been something awful," noted Blood. I came up beside him to see what he was talking about. He kept his voice low, so he did not wake Rika or Dee or Dum. I then noticed the cuts on Rika's neck. I let out another small gasp, surprised by this discovery. How could I have not noticed those before?
"Oh Rika, I'm sorry," I said softly, more tears threatening to fall down my face. However, Blood quickly realized this and wrapped his arm around my waist again, bringing me into his chest, comforting me.
"It isn't your fault. It is not Rika's fault either. I only want her to know that she has support," he whispered to me. I nodded into his chest, my tears stopping from his words. He always knew how to quiet my fears and sadness. "Let's leave them be for now," he said as he closed the door to our daughter's bedroom. He then guided me back toward our bedroom and we left the suite, going outside to his secret rose garden.
(Rika's POV)
Either it had been a dream, or I was half awake. I thought I had heard my parents' hushed voices talking at the entrance of my room. I surmised they must have discovered my cuts. I sighed heavily. I wished they hadn't. Now, I will have to find a way to talk about what caused them, what lead me to cut, etc. And then dad would probably yell at Dee and Dum for being in my room. I would defend them, saying they were just trying to help me which they did. If it weren't for them, I'd probably would have ended my life last night.
This blizzard of thoughts whirled through my mind as my eyes fully opened. Morning light flooded my room, illuminating the stars on the glittery wallpaper. Unlike the rest of the mansion, my room was unique slightly with its décor. Two groans could be heard beside me as the twins began to wake up as well. "Where are we?" questioned Dum, looking around, realizing that they were not in their room. His crimson eyes then met mine.
"Hey sister, are you feeling a little better?" he asked me. I nodded briefly in response. He sighed in relief. "Well, that's good. We meant what we said when we would stay by your side," he added. My eyes widened again at his words. They weren't just talking out of their asses. They really did care. Well, they stayed with me last night and comforted me and snuggled me while we slept. That proved their point well enough.
Then Dee had awoke, sitting up as he ran a gloved hand through his messy long tresses. His ponytail had been knocked askew, the ribbon that kept it in place barely hanging on. He then stretched out his long arms and limbs with a giant yawn. I sat up after him and mimicked his actions, also stretching and not realizing how stiff I was from sleeping in the same position all night. "Thank you both for... for comforting me last night and... probably saving my life," I said with sincerity to them. This simple sentence caught their attention.
"Like we said last night, little sister. We aren't letting you hurt yourself anymore. You're too precious to us. We aren't going to lose you," replied Dee simply as if the matter had been closed. In their minds it was. I nodded, not saying anything further. I felt guilty for my blood ruining their uniforms. As if reading my mind and following my gaze, Dee also added, "We have more uniforms. We probably should get cleaned up. Bedding and clothes can be replaced, you can't." His words shocked me again, he was right. I couldn't be replaced. If I died, I probably would not be revived as looping did not occur here. At least it didn't not to my knowledge.
"Anyway, we probably should head downstairs after we get cleaned up. I'm sure our boss will want to know what's going on," said Dum after a moment. I sighed reluctantly. That's right, I probably would have to talk about my self-harming. I did not know how to approach that subject with my parents. I only hoped they'd be kind and understanding as to why I have been so reluctant to talk about it.
"Don't worry little sis, we'll be beside you when you talk to them," said Dee with a small smile and then he kissed the top of my head. I smiled a little despite myself, feeling warmth flood into my chest. He and his brother meant it. I nodded, confirming I understood. Still, I could not help but feel apprehensive. I pushed these thoughts aside for the time being, deciding that I needed to clean myself up. I also needed a little time to myself, so I went into the bathroom attached to my room, stripping my bloody dress and bandages off me before climbing into the shower. I heard the twins leave the room and I assumed they went back to their own room to clean up as well.
I mulled over my thoughts as the warm water hit me. I took extra care when washing around my cuts, making sure I did not apply too much pressure, and then after washing up my body, I proceeded to do my hair which took me a little bit since I have a lot of it. Once all the soap and shampoo was sufficiently rinsed off, I stepped out and dried myself off with a towel. I sighed, looking at myself in the mirror, my own violet eyes staring back. I could see the scabbed over cuts on my neck and arms. My left arm was a bit more healed but still stung a bit, but my right arm was worse off, the cuts being fresher and more mixed in with some old ones as well. I sighed dejectedly, drying off my blue violet hair and then wrapping the towel around my body as I went out into my room to my closet.
As usual, I settled on a dress that had longer sleeves to cover up my cuts. Although, it probably was pointless at this point since the Bloody Twins as well as my parents knew at this point. However, I did not want Uncle Elliot asking me a million questions although he'd probably end up finding out eventually anyways. Once more, a heavy sigh escaped my body as I put on the blue and white dress with a floral print on the skirt. I tied the white ribbons in the back. I usually did not wear shoes at all. Mostly because I found them inconvenient and there was something about feeling the ground beneath my bare feet that seemed preferable.
With that, I left my room through the door that lead into the adjacent corridor. I found the twins waiting for me in cleaned up uniforms. I was about to protest when they linked their arms with each one of mine and dragged me downstairs to where my parents and uncle awaited. Great, here we go. I was not ready for this. I gulped, trying to mentally prepare myself. We approached the long tables without any preamble. Father eyed the twins with a slight quirk of his eyebrow but said nothing as he sipped his tea. I sat down on my mother's right and the twins sat down to my right. I felt out of place as if a spotlight had been placed upon me. Everyone was oddly silent, even Uncle Elliot who was usually very animated and talking to everyone. I gulped, I wanted to run away, shrink into some nonexistent hole but that wasn't possible.
Subconsciously, I tugged on my sleeves. Very stiffly, I reached for the tea, my hand almost shaking. However, Dum caught my hand and held onto it, as I held the pot and my shaking dissipated somewhat. "Thank you, I got it now," I reassured him with a small smile. He nodded and let go and then I poured myself some tea and added a few cubes of sugar in it for sweetness. I blew on the hot liquid as I brought the rim of the teacup to my lips. When I thought it was cooled down enough, I took a sip as the bitter and sweet tea washed down my tastebuds like a flowing river down my throat.
My father cleared his throat to get our attention. I was jerked out of the little peace I mentally had built for myself and brought back to reality. "Yes father?" I questioned politely with a raised eyebrow. He frowned slightly, not out of anger but more out of concern.
"Rika, we have something we need to discuss as a family," he responded without preamble. His tone still held some concern while being somewhat firm. I gulped, here we go. Was I ready to discuss this? Probably not. I couldn't meet his eyes; I hung my head as my bangs obscured my eyes for a moment. I stared silently at my hands, not ready to relive my trauma.
"Blood, I thought we'd approach her with caution and compassion. Let her talk about it when she is ready," my mother admonished father while putting a hand on my shoulder. I looked up briefly, thankful for her telling father off. He did not push any further for the time being, instead drinking his tea while glaring slightly at the twins. They did not do anything. When I got the chance, I'd clear the air on that issue. I sighed a little as I took a helping of eggs and began to eat. I was hungrier than I realized. Guess reliving painful memories can do that to you I supposed.
Breakfast passed by without any further inquiries much to my relief. However, when we were done eating and we were all fed and watered, father had called me to his room along with mother. The twins tagged along and protested any orders Uncle Elliot gave them to take up their posts at the gate. "Not right now, we made a promise to support our little sister through this," protested Dee in a loud voice which caught my parents' attention. Mother was impressed and father raised an eyebrow with a small smirk adorning his features. His other emotions could not be so easily read. He nodded to my uncle to drop the issue for now as Elliot stammered in protest but ultimately dropping the issue for the time being.
We all followed behind father, not muttering a word until we got to my parents' room. He indicated for all of us to sit down on the couches. He pulled over a chair to sit on and faced us all, and he spoke. "Rika, whatever you're going through... you don't have to go through it alone. Please tell us what's going on. You're safe here and no matter what, I won't be angry." His voice held compassion and concern this time. I looked up at him and met his eyes with my own, slightly stunned by his words. I sighed, and admitted to that I was self-harming, lifting my sleeves to reveal my cut-up arms, my right bandaged one and my unbandaged left arm. I waited to be admonished or scorned from my mother, but it never came. She only looked at me with concern coloring her aquamarine eyes.
She leaned forward, taking one of my hands in hers. "Rika, what lead you to cut like this? It must have been something awful," my mother asked me, sadness and guilt coloring her voice. I met her eyes briefly before speaking. The twins, true to their word, put their hands on my shoulders. Elliot quirked an eyebrow by their actions. He probably was surprised by them acting mature for once. They were the same twins that thought I was stealing my mother away from them and attacked me out of jealousy. Now here they were by my side and supporting me while I found the courage to talk to my parents about my trauma. I took a deep breath before explaining what lead to my self-harming.
I talked about my trauma and reliving the hellish loops of Hinamizawa in June of 1983. "While the timeline was the same, the events would happen differently. Each time, I tried to safe my friends and did my best to prevent the tragedies from happening. But no matter what I did, I failed. However, we were able to break the loops once a long time ago and time was put back on the right track. I was able to achieve my goal and go to the school I'd always wanted and briefly lived a life I did not think was possible. But, one day I woke up being eleven years old again, stuck in my childish body in the Hinamizawa of 1983. I understand this does not make much sense, please take my word for it. You would not want to end up here, reliving the same few weeks repeatedly for a hundred or more years, breaking free, and then somehow being brought back and retraumatized repeatedly while you tried to break free again, watching your friends die and you could not do a fucking damn thing about it!" I explained, tears falling from my eyes this time as I relived the memories in my mind, each one more hellish than the last. I tried reaching into my pocket where I thought the fragment of the sword was to try to cut again but Dee stopped me, shaking his head.
He had me lay my head down in his lap while he stroked my long hair thoughtfully, trying to soothe me somewhat so I could continue. Mother and father did not say a word. What could they say? I'm sure what they heard sounded fantastical to them. However, despite that fact, it was real to me. After I had calmed down enough, I continued to talk about my past. They only listened with Dee stroking my hair every once in a while to remind me I had support. Dum wrapped his arm around my waist as if to anchor me to reality. If it weren't for them, I probably don't know what I'd do right now. I talked about my past as more tears escaped me, doing my best to keep my voice as measured as possible while every traumatic memory flashed in my mind: seeing my friends' dead bodies, Hinamizawa basically going to hell and being lost to madness and bloodshed repeatedly. When I finished, it felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. However, I still felt the burden of the past trauma from those hellish loops.
My parents, nor my uncle or the twins said anything for quite a few moments. They seemed to be absorbing and thinking about my words carefully. After a little bit, my father spoke, "While I cannot fully wrap my head around looping or reliving the same timeline over again. I do believe that where Rika is coming from is valid. I cannot imagine the hell she has gone through up until this point. This was why I did not want her to go back to her world nor participate in the Game of Hearts initially. I wanted to keep her safe, I still feel that way. I only wished you'd told us sooner then we could have helped you sooner, that's all."
His words hung heavy in the air before me. I nodded, not angry by his response. I knew looping and reliving the same timeline over and over seemed impossible. However, it wasn't impossible where I came from. I never understood the magic that made it happen nor the events. Some chalked it up to a curse, but I knew it was something far more sinister. The twins were about to protest about me taking part in the Game of Hearts, however a look from my father and uncle made them silent. "Besides, it looks like you've found a couple of protectors right here," my father added, quirking his eyebrow slightly as he eyed me and the twins with a careful look from his knowing emerald eyes. How did he do that? How did he pick things out of the air like that? I was going to tell him incase he said something about them, but he already knew. His ability to read a situation and people seemed supernatural and uncanny.
Silence hung in the air for several moments after. I observed my mother and father's expressions thoughtfully. They glanced back at me with mirrored thoughtful expressions reflecting in their aquamarine and emerald-colored eyes respectively. The sound of a throat clearing made by Uncle Elliot broke the momentary silence. I jumped because it was so sudden. I turned to him. "Perhaps for now, this is the best time for two certain gatekeepers to get to work to allow Rika some time with her parents," he stated evenly. The twins of course protested but one glance from both Uncle Elliot and father was enough to shut them down. They grumbled, giving me a quick kiss on my hair before leaving the room. I'd probably see them later if they snuck into my room.
Uncle Elliot who was sitting beside me and the twins got up suddenly. "Hey Rika, I'm sorry for everything you're going through. You know you can also talk to me about anything as well. My door is always open to you," he suddenly said, pulling me into a sudden hug. I hugged him back, thankful for his support.
"Thank you, Uncle Elliot," I said softly. He grinned suddenly, ruffling my hair playfully with a hand. "Take care Rika. You too Blood and Alice," he said as he departed. Now it was just me with my parents. The silence settled back once more. My father cleared his throat to break the silence once more.
"Come over here Rika," he said to me, patting a spot next to him on his left. I got up from the couch that was facing them and went and sat beside my father in the spot he indicated. He simply pulled me into his lap, wrapping his strong arms around me, and had me lean against him. Without realizing it, I broke down crying again and buried my face in his vest, my tears staining his clothes. He simply ran his gloved through my hair. I felt as if everything had been building up once more, only to be released out into the open again. I felt safe as my father comforted me while my mother looked on. My eyelids drooped and I felt sleep pull me under in its welcoming embrace. All the events of that time change had melted away...
I once again found myself in the dreamscape of the nebulous void. I looked around, walking forward a few steps. Appearing from out of a golden light was the short silver haired man from before. He had probably been watching over me in other dreams I've had, but this is only our third or forth time interacting. "Welcome back, Rika," he greeted me with a bow as he landed just a few steps in front of me.
"Hello, Mr. Dream Man," I politely replied. He merely chuckled at the nickname.
"My name is Nightmare. How rude of me to not introduce myself before," he amended, smiling once more. Nightmare huh? A curious name, he did not seem like a nightmare in the literal sense. He was quite nice and charming.
"Why thank you, Miss Furude or should I say Miss Dupre since Blood took the liberty of changing your last name since we last talked?" he replied, reading my thoughts with that uncanny ability of his. I still was not used to having Dupre for a last name. It seemed so foreign, but I did not question it as it was my father's wish. I sighed softly, sitting down as my current dress bloomed out around me, creating a pink flower like look. He sat down beside me. I imagined being back in Hinamizawa, a peaceful version of Hinamizawa down by the river where we released the cotton balls for the cotton drifting festival.
It was a peaceful landscape as the water drifted by silently, the wind blew through the trees. It was a simulated warm summer day but just right where it was not too hot. It was just right to be out and about. Of course, this was merely a forgery created from my memories. "This seems to be a nice place. I take it this is where you spent a lot of time with your friends in the previous world?" Nightmare inquired and I nodded, not facing him as I watched the water flowing by, the simulated sun glittering off the blue surface peacefully. The grass blades moved as the wind blew them.
"Yeah, it was where I had one of my last peaceful memories before everything happened," I replied, not elaborating further. If Nightmare could read my mind, he could see my thoughts and memories as well as I could. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the painful memories of tragedy and murder, watching as my friends fell one by one to this damned supposed curse. Damn whoever had dragged me back into that hell! DAMN THEM!
At this, Nightmare put a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. I turned to him, giving him a small smile of thanks. I calmed down somewhat, taking a deep breath to center myself once again. "Wow, I had no idea it was ever that bad. You have been living with these memories for over a hundred years, yet reliving the same period over and over? I had no idea. Never in my years as being a dream demon had I heard of such a thing. Sure, some tragic events but nothing like this. The fact that you have made it this far is truly a testament to your strength, Rika. I know you probably don't think so, however it is the truth," he said to me. My eyes widened at his words. I had no idea that what I had been through had made me "strong." I never really thought about it that way before. I only thought about it as surviving and living with the painful mental scars for many years.
"You're safe now. Blood has made sure that you can't go back and be subjected to that madness anymore. Alice also cares about you deeply. That's why they took you in so readily. They wanted you to finish growing up, knowing you had a loving family. The twins took a while to come around, but they did. Now, they don't want to leave your side," he added as if reading my thoughts again. "I AM reading your thoughts young one," he admonished me playfully. We continued our discussion for a long time afterwards, watching the river just outside the Hinamizawa village go by as day faded into midafternoon. "Soon, it's time for you to wake up. Great things await you here," he said cryptically before he disappeared. Then, the world of Hinamizawa and the river faded, and I was once back in the reality of Wonderland.
I awoke with a start, breathing hard, and drenched with sweat. My blurry vision soon came into focus the longer I stayed awake, my purple eyes looked around the room. I noticed I was in my parents' room. I found myself on my parents' bed, laying between them, with both my mother and father's arms around me, buried beneath a blanket. The events from the prior time period replayed in my mind. I did not feel as on edge as I felt like some of the psychological weight I had been carrying was lifted somewhat.
As if reacting to my thoughts, my hand glowed with a feint purple light. Above me materialized crystal like fragments that floated above me and my parents. I could see the events of the last time period replaying inside them. I also saw Satoko in the Fragmentary Passage talking with an unfamiliar figure. She looked vaguely like Hanyuu except older and taller. Her horns were intact, she sat on a chaise lounge of red velvet, looking vaguely interested as she talked with Satoko.
She laughed as if everything was a joke meant to entertain her. Satoko, appearing as though she was eleven years old like when I remembered her in Hinamizawa talked with the unfamiliar older woman. She had an impish smirk coloring her features, her violet eyes glowing red as if she possessed the power of a looper.
"Eua-san, I can't seem to find my dear Rika anywhere. She has disappeared," Satoko said to the woman. She turned her catlike pupils to Satoko, keeping her enigmatic smile.
"Oh, the cat disappeared. Do tell," she drawled languidly.
"I don't know how it happened, but my dear Rika cannot be found anywhere. I am not sure how to proceed, Eua-san. I need Rika in order to achieve my happy goal of us being in Hinamizawa together forever. Therefore, I brought her back to June of 1983, to break her once more and make it so I was the only one she could rely on. However, since she has disappeared, that remains unattainable," Satoko went on, crossing her arms angrily. My own deep violet eyes widened in shock. This is how I got back to Hinamizawa? She DRAGGED ME THERE!? I was so furious that I could explode. However, I did not want to wake up my parents.
That thought came too late as I could hear my dad and mother grumbling awake. Satoko's voice could still be heard grumbling on. I did not pay attention as angry tears threatened to cascade down my face. My mother's eyes opened, and she turned upward to see the fragments, her aquamarine eyes widened in surprise. "What...What is going on?" she asked suddenly, sitting up. She then saw my glowing hand. "Rika, did you somehow summon these...fragment like things?" she asked me with uncertainty. I nodded, explaining I did not know how I did it. I was merely remembering the prior time period's events and I somehow summoned these. Satoko's eyes could be searching as if I would suddenly turn up beside her. However, I waved my hand and made them disappear because I did not want to see anymore.
Father soon woke up after mother, he could feel my body shaking as angry tears blinded my vision. "SATOKO...SATOKO... DRAGGED ME BACK...HOW...COULD SHE...!? Did that woman give her the power to loop? How... could she do that to...me...all for some sick joke? What the fuck!?" I yelled, fuming as my anger burned red hot through my veins. My own eyes turned a bright red like the time I talked with Keiichi when he was asking me if he was going to be punished by Oyashiro-sama's curse. My father immediately wrapped his arms around my trembling form and pulled me into his chest.
"She can't hurt you here. I don't know what's going on but you're safe here. You're safe here with me and your mother. Please, tell me what's wrong," he said calmly, his voice firmly grounding me. My eyes stopped glowing and I blinked a few times.
"I somehow... used magic and discovered my former friend had been responsible for dragging me back to those hellish loops I told you about last night. I don't know how she did it. I assume the woman she was talking to gave her the power to loop. I was just angry from discovering that suddenly, sorry father," I replied, my voice no longer holding the anger but instead reflecting my disappointment and sadness instead. I buried my face inside his chest while I spoke. My mother stroked my hair thoughtfully as she listened in as well.
"We don't know what happened. But you're ok Rika. Please be ok, Rika. I'm sorry," she spoke softly as if what I had witnessed had been her fault. I turned to her, feeling a little better since getting my feelings out.
"Mom, it is not your fault. It's Satoko's. She was my best friend. I trusted her with my life and my deepest secrets. We were childhood friends. She helped me escape hell before only to drag me back. I don't know what I did to make her go that far. If I could tell her, I would apologize. I would apologize for whatever I had done," I replied to my mom, tears still streaming down my face as I spoke. My heart ached; I probably would not have the chance to tell her. All I could do now was hope that the universe would relay my feelings.
"She can't hurt you here. Please calm down, Rika. Take a deep breath," said my father as he still held onto me. I did take a deep breath as he instructed and I sighed, closing my eyes. He was right of course. He released me when he was sure I was feeling a little better. He wiped my remaining tears away with his hand, smiling softly at me. I relaxed slightly, my heartbeat turning back to normal. He then turned to my mother and spoke, "Perhaps the mortician would know what's happening with her. It is unusual that somebody would start displaying signs of magic."
"Perhaps. However, don't Role Holders have limited magic themselves?" my mother asked my father. He sighed for a moment before he spoke again.
"Yes, that is true. I want to show you two something. Alice, help Rika pick something out to wear. I have something I need to show her. You've seen it before, but I feel it would only be appropriate that Rika know about it too," he said cryptically in reply. What the hell was father talking about? Before I had a chance to ask, mother guided me to the closet and helped me pick out a dress for the day. As she handed me the dress, I tried asking what father was talking about. She did not answer me as she raced about. I sighed, taking the dress into my room to put on, pondering what I had witnessed in the fragments. I would like to know how I summoned them in the first place. I never had magic, at least not to my knowledge.
These thoughts raced through my mind as I sat the pink dress from the day prior in the hamper, putting on a blue and green dress with a similar ring pattern of my mother's dresses, and tied the ribbon in the back. As usual, I did not wear shoes because I did not really care for them. I liked feeling the ground below my feet. That and I had just gotten used to not wearing shoes. When I was presentable, I went back to my parents' shared room. Father and mother were waiting for me. He took my hand gently and guided me out of the room. Mother followed close behind, knowing where father was leading us.
He led mother and I though the mansion to the doors leading outside. I registered the vastness of the Hatter Residence as we walked outside, it seemed as if you could fit a couple small countries within the grounds and still have some room to spare. The grounds of course were well manicured with flowers of every color, primarily roses, with giant fountains not too far from the vast Tea Party tables. He took us even further to the edge of the grounds where a forest with thick trees obscured something. Guiding us through, looking around to make sure we weren't followed, he walked forward, still holding onto my hand. He finally let go when we got to where we were going.
Behind the trees lay a hidden rose garden. I thought the flowers in the general courtyard gardens were nice. These seemed to be extra special. As far as my eyes could see, were roses of every shape and color. This space seemed to be separated by a level or two that seemed to house a small round table with chairs like what you'd find at a fancy bistro café. A swing hung on a tree in the middle with an ornate pattern, roses seemed to be carved in the cobblestone below our feet. I was blown away by the beauty and tranquility of this place. It seemed to be a place that held some special significance to my father.
"Few have seen this place besides your mother and one other. Now you have seen it since you are my daughter. However, I have another reason for bringing you here Rika. Hold out your hand," he spoke after a moment. While feeling somewhat confused, I held out my unoccupied hand. He let go of my left, using his cane as a wand and vines began to grow around my right hand, up my arm, with rosebuds appearing. As if watching a timelapse, the rosebuds opened and shortly appeared as full blooming roses. Surprise had colored my features. He chuckled slightly when he noticed my face.
"Alice was surprised at first when I showed her. I wanted to show you that Role Holders are capable of some kinds of magic. Maybe not anything more, except objects turning into guns but that's about it," he explained. My eyes reluctantly left the roses tied around my right arm and met his. They held something different when he was explaining his magic to me. "I personally help these roses grow with this magic. I only allow certain people who are special to me to be here. Otherwise, nobody knows of its existence. You can come back here anytime you want. However, the twins or anybody else must not accompany you. Is that understood?" he added, and I nodded. I would not give away this secret garden. It's too precious, even to me. It meant a lot to me that my father wanted to share it with me.
"I understand father. I will keep this place a secret. It is a very beautiful place and very peaceful," I replied, looking around. Somehow the roses I was holding on to turned gold. My father and mother's eyes widened. Did I... make them turn gold? "I don't understand how I'm suddenly capable of magic," I added, surprised.
He put a gloved hand to his chin in thought. "Hmm, I'm not sure. I have a feeling that a certain mortician might know. Maybe we should accompany you to his tower? You probably don't know where it is, do you Rika?" he replied after a few moments. I shook my head. I haven't been outside the Hatter Mansion's vast grounds. The Hatter Mansion grounds alone would probably take a whole year or more to explore on their own. Was SHE within me? I shook my head, denying that thought.
The golden roses floated away from my arm and settled themselves nearby within a patch of vivid red roses. My father appeared to be impressed by my sudden magic that seemed to have piggybacked off his own. "Very impressive, daughter. You may have a knack for magic yet. Have you used magic in the past?" he asked me suddenly. I shook my head no. Of course, I was revived throughout each loop somehow, perhaps that may have had something to do with it. So many questions swam in my mind, making me a bit dizzy. My father grabbed my shoulder to keep me from falling. "Relax, we will look into this matter. I think we have an appointment with the timekeeper," he added cryptically. Just as I was about to ask, he only smiled, leading me to a table to sit down and my mother joined us for tea.