The Liar's Game
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Joker/Clover/Heart no Kuni no Alice.
A/N: Mentions of Joker/Alice, White Joker/Black Joker, Blood/Alice, Gray/Alice, Ace/Alice and Peter/Alice. These pairings can either be platonic, romantic, or one-sided.
4. Skiving
White Joker hummed as he took a step outside. "Ah, this time period will be ending soon~" he said, looking at the bright sunny day. "It's such a nice day."
April season was over and it was time for the circus's next move.
"Oi, Joker! Stop slacking off and get your ass in here!" the white mask vibrated, the high pitch voice like grating a knife across a blackboard. White reminded himself that he was used to it - that he did not wince at the sudden intrusion of his much needed peace and quiet. "Hey, are you listening to me, you twit?! Come back inside and help, damn it!"
"I heard you loud and clear, Joker. No need to shout on a wonderful day like this," he said pleasantly.
Black snorted though via the mask it sounded like a loud sneeze. "Stop admiring the scenery, there's a lot of things to move in here and you're not helping, Joker!"
White sighed. Never there be any doubt that Black was more suited to be the Warden for more reasons than one. "You're so dedicated to your job, Joker. We still have three more time periods to dismantle everything - why rush these things?"
"If you decide to skive off again, I swear-"
He did not hear what Black said as there was a sudden flash of blue dashing by at his periphery. It was not hard to guess who had decided to come play one last time. White grinned, already imagining the feel of the worn out tarot cards in his hands.
"Watch the twins for me, Joker, there's a flower in the forest that I would like to find before we leave."
"Wha - what does that even mean-"
White cupped his hands over the mask. "Shush," he admonished lightly. "You're scaring away all the lovely song birds."
It was lie and they both knew it. No birds ever come to this side of their forest. Even among the wildlife, their presence turned repulsed rather than attract.
With the exception of one, of course.
"G-get ywour hwands off me!" came the masks muffled response. "Joker!"
"Not until you behave."
"Alright, alwright! Just, get yer hwands off me - I can't breathe!"
White took his hands off immediately. "Oh, right. Sorry, I forgot about that."
"I'd permanently end you if I could, you freakin' idiot!" Black raged. "Thrice damned skiving bastard."
He laughed. Oh, this was fun. Riling up the Warden was definitely his favourite past time. Such interesting reactions he had to offer. "I love you too, Joker. I won't be gone long, so for now, I'll leave the circus in your care."
The mask did not have the flexibility to display expressions but White could imagine the sneer probably directed towards him right now.
"Screw you! Like I need you to tell me that every damn single time."
"Then I'll be off. A flower as lovely as that could not hope to find its way to me," he said, beaming a cheerful smile. From afar, it would have been a beautiful sight - such a handsome young man overflowing with excitement.
"You're off your damn rocker with those dumb metaphors of yours, Joker," the mask grumbled. "Just go find your stupid flower already. I'm out of here."
The mask fell silent.
A light breeze came into the clearing, ruffling his hat and causing the bells to jingle. Bright as it was the smile on his face, a less than chivalrous light sparkled in his single ruby eye and a long dark shadow cast over his eye-patch.
She stumbled at his sudden appearance, wide-eyed in surprise. White tsked to himself though he smiled indulgently as he helped her back to her own two feet.
A discarded flower that deserves no attention.
"Lost again, Alice?"
5. Lies
Wrapped in shadows,
And burning bridges,
Reflected in mirrors,
Tongue that only lies.
.
Senseless questions,
No need for answers,
These pretty illusions,
Are much more fun.
.
A ring around the middle,
Metal bars caging birds,
And these broken toys,
Where are the keys?
.
Suffocate - Losing,
Drown - Denying,
Choke - Accepting,
Dead - Remembering.
.
A lonely black throne,
A spotless canvas,
A mask of joy, and
A mask of sadness.
.
Love the foul Warden,
Fear the smiling Joker.
Board the shiny train,
And trust the conductor.
.
The man of many faces,
And a thousand secrets.
Lethal and dangerous,
Yet, a broken teacup.
.
A route of many endings,
Out of it, only choose one.
Happiness is relative, and
A fantasy believed by fools.
.
Laughter does not equal joy,
Only a mask to hide under.
Crying does not equal pain,
Cause' there's much to gain.
.
Joker can only be Joker,
There's no other alternative.
He who dealt out the cards,
And is discarded himself.
.
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