A/N: A big thank you goes to the wonderful Orange Eye'd Wanderer (beta reading). Your help is greatly appreciated. :-)

Butcher and the Beasts - part 1

.

Alice pressed her lips together in concentration, wanting nothing more than to wipe that annoying grin, the smug smile that irritated her more than anything else from Joker's face. But oh, she would definitely win this round! 'Which one, which is it? Curse this jester and his stupid face!'

The last three cards in Alice's hand looked equally promising. The brunette gulped, she was running low on time, the single, urging crimson eye of her opponent daring her to make her move. After all, Joker was waiting, an unknown card held ready and waiting to be revealed.

It was a duel to the death, the ultimate choice of a glorious winner, and Joker was definitely not ready to give up without a decent fight. A single shiver ran down her spine, the whole tension between them growing thicker with each second that passed. Her hand briefly hovered over the card with the smallest value, her azure eyes still glued to the chequered backside of her opponent's choice.

Which one could it be?

"You should choose the twelve, Alice."

Startled, she almost lost the grip on the cards before turning her head, only to find White looking over her shoulder with an amused smile.

"Hey, Joker! You're not supposed to help her! It's against the rules!" his counterpart quickly raised his voice, before shooting a death glare towards the mischievously grinning ringmaster.

"In that case, consider us to be partners," the redhead winked at her, "right, Alice?"

"Tsk, that's utter bullshit!" The injured party seized both criminals with an accusing glare, cursing them for spoiling his fun.

"It's not like I asked for it!" Alice answered and revealed her card - the one White recommended her.

Black scowled, staring her down as if trying to burn her cards with his fiery eye. Finally, he threw his choice on the table, grumbling curses under his breath. "Not only does she use underhanded methods, the brat has the nerve to deny that she cheats!"

"Oh, it looks like we have a winner," her partner in crime happily exclaimed, "congratulations, Alice!"

"Well, it was only a simple game, anyway," she commented dryly, inwardly noting that it was their fifteenth round. It was not like she did a bad job, on the contrary, the grumpier Joker proved to be quite a bad loser, forcing more and more rounds upon his lucky opponent. She might have liked him better when he was simply an annoying, bodiless voice, but there was no going back now.

"Don't even try to fool me!" Black's crimson eye was on fire, an accusing finger pointing towards the young foreigner. "Show me your hands! Or perhaps you are hiding something under that apron of yours…"

"As if, you pervert!" the girl spat out, quickly embracing herself, as if trying to keep her clothes on at all costs.

"You're way too suspicious!"

Her stubborn resistance only ensued further pushing and pulling, the poor table in between shaking and squeaking as the battle continued on uneven grounds. The third party watched amused at the priceless show, clearly enjoying the lively atmosphere. "Joker, you cannot use force on the young lady! Don't you know, the best way to reveal the truth is to tickle her!"

The said foreigner gasped, incredulously staring at the redhead behind her. "White! Weren't you on my side just now? You liar!"

"Oh, that's quite harsh, Alice!" Despite his words, the traitor's smile only widened, fake innocence leaking through his widely spread grin as two wandering hands managed to sneak around her unsuspecting waist.

"Wha-…!" she squeaked, struggling against the tight grip with all her might. Against all odds she managed to land a surprisingly firm elbow strike against White's stomach, successfully pushing him back. However, the freedom came with a price, and with the back support gone, the girl lost her balance, hitting the green grass and turning into a mess of tangled locks, wrinkled fabric and lace.

The brunette blinked, her azure eyes adjusting to the brightness of the heavens above. 'I must be quite a pretty sight right now...' Her head span and she inwardly cursed, promising herself to never accept White's help while having Black as her opponent.

Blood rushed to her face as she took her breaths, trying to come down from her adrenaline rush. How unusual for her to be so carried away! And yet it was as if the redheads' company left her no other choice. 'It might be too late to reconsider my life choices now...' And yet, she noted, her mind was free of regrets.

For a moment, everything was silent, and all Alice could see was the blue, cloudless sky, just before the face of a worried looking redhead entered her field of vision, while an all-too suspicious lopsided grin spread across his lookalike's face. She sighed, finally getting over her initial shock. Her attempts at getting back on her feet turned into quite an endeavour, one that did not fail to amuse her shameless spectators. After a set of apologies, mostly coming from the more serene circus master, Alice found herself sitting on the bench, still frowning a little over her disarrayed state.

As per usual, White skillfully revived their conversation, soon proceeding to inquire about the young lady's further plans. Her job was calling, and there was much to do at the ever-busy Tower of Clover. The small break unintentionally turned into a lengthy trip and she was looking forward to the return to Nightmare's territory with its white housetops and equally radiant streets.

Black wrinkled his nose at her answer. "Winter? To think that you'd fancy such a wretched season! You could break your leg, get the flu - the possibilities are endless!"

"I wasn't hoping to meet you outside again, just so you know," Alice huffed. "I bet the day you come out on your own will be the day when pigs learn how to fly."

Her choice of words earned her a chuckle from White, Black on the other hand was less than happy with her accusations. "What did you just say, missy?"

The brunette was about to stick out her tongue, before catching herself just in time. Such childish behaviour was out of the question. She silently scolded herself for her carelessness. Unfortunately for Alice, the small drawback only fuelled her opponent's blazing fire.

All over again, a single, tiny spark leapt over, igniting the storm in both crimson and azure eyes.

"Don't make me get rough!"

"As if you ever could!"

"Says a brat that wears white panties!"

"Wait, what?!"

With all resolves long forgotten, they somehow indulged into another discussion, barely even remembering how it started in the first place. Meanwhile, a certain redhead watched from the sidelines, a silent laugh in his crimson eye as he tapped his chin in thought.

.

The retreating girl's figure gradually disappeared behind the trees, leaving a certain ringmaster alone with his thoughts. With Alice gone, the cards rested - long forgotten - on the table; even his counterpart vanished within mere seconds, grumbling how he still has this and that to do.

Silence.

Joker leaned back. Admittedly, resting leisurely was, perhaps, not his favourite pastime. The wait before another show, the almost heavy calmness before the rush and hectic preparations were filling the circus territory with a certain tension; now that his guest was gone, it all rushed back, numbing his senses just a bit.

"A liar, huh?"

His single red eye caught sight of a butterfly. He paused, as if listening to the soundless movements of the almost ethereal creature, so magnificent and yet incredibly frail. It wouldn't take much to reach out and catch it with ease, but...

Almost lost in the silence, he let his eyelid fall down. In an instant, the familiar darkness spread its black colour and swallowed the light-hearted sounds of nature; a second later, a cold breeze touched his face and when his crimson eye opened, the almost surreal place entered his vision in its full eeriness and glory. He faced the empty cell.

"So?" the distorted voice urged on. "What do we do now?"

"Hm, I wonder..." His finger slid across the smooth metallic surface of the bars. But as soon as it came, the brief thought was dismissed.

'There is still enough time, after all.'

With lips seemingly frozen into a wide smile, Joker dismissed the thoughts of duty, his mind returning to more entertaining matters.

.

.

.

"Achoo!"

Alice sniffed. Perhaps the whole changing of seasons finally started to affect her health? She uttered a silent curse before shutting yet another empty cabinet. Naturally, the Tower's vast supplies of medicine were scarce during the winter season, if only because of a certain dream demon's sickly state and his assistant's love for spiked food.

Quickly storming into the clockmaker's workshop and informing its resident of her departure, she snatched her cloak before checking on his caffeine supplies. The cupboards were full, all right. The said man hummed in reply, causing Alice to chuckle lightly, for she was absolutely sure that he barely took notice of what she said. Julius was just that kind of a man. With a small smile on her lips, the brunette shook her head, before slipping into her warm coat as she passed various corridors, heading straight for the grand staircase that would lead her out of the Tower.

Despite the chilly weather, there were plenty of people on the streets, lured out by the mouth watering scents of ginger and cinnamon, the air smelling deliciously sweet and welcoming the residents to take a walk. The brunette strolled along the mall, eyeing the shop windows and listening to the salesman's shouts and praise.

For a moment, she indulged into her mind's illusion of the Tower's residents sitting around a table and enjoying their meal in full harmony and cosiness of a winter's late evening. Naturally, her perfect picture of a warm family was nothing but wishful thinking and the image of three full-grown men barely suited the requirements, most certainly not with their strained faces in each other's presence.

But perhaps a good meal would lift their sullen faces? She chatted with the saleslady and bargained for a good price before leaving the market stands in good spirits, knowing well that the residents would not deny her simple request.

As per usual, all was well, until a fateful coincidence managed to overthrow her peaceful plans.

"You call this piece of junk a knife? This is a fxxxxxx toothpick!"

A startled choke threatened to cut off her air supply, her head swiftly turning around and catching sight of the all too familiar figure. 'No way, out of all people...'

In a hurry, she squeezed herself past onlookers and various passersby until she had a good view of the jester clad redhead. Carefully, she observed Joker, undoubtedly the black half of the two, partly covered in snow and with a running nose, angrily pestering a cowering salesman of a nearby shop. Her mouth hung open, trying to make sense of the scene.

"Did I stutter or are you stupid? I need a fxxxxxx butcher's knife! And a big one. Not this sxxx."

"Please, sir, if only you would-"

"Just look at this thing, there's no way in hell-" in that same moment, Joker sniffed, the scene almost a little comical if not for his apparently enraged state. On a whim, a stupid one, for sure, Alice let her presence be known, if only to save a poor soul from the redhead's wrath. Quickly approaching the unsuspecting role holder, she could barely believe her own words when she spoke, more confident than she truly felt. "If you are looking for a knife, I can recommend a better place than that."

Said redhead turned around, naturally no less surprised than herself.

Well, at least the shopkeeper was safe.

.

Their lonely figures stamped back through the snow, the lively parts of the market long left behind, exchanged for a serene scenery of small buildings and occasional trees here and there.

"So..." she started, "would you care to explain the exact circumstances?"

"You'll have to see for yourself, of course," Joker paused, glancing back and forth between his new shiny toy and the foreigner girl, seemingly making up his mind. "...A favour for a favour, I suppose. Sounds fair enough."

Alice nodded curtly, ready to listen to whatever he had to say, mentally sending a thank-you to Boris for his weapon shopping lessons. Her conscience and sanity could wait.

"Well, apparently a certain someone thought it would be a great idea to add flying bacon to the next show! I can't believe it!" Black spat out, disdain clearly written all over his face.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It's just exactly as I said, now don't make me repeat myself."

The brunette frowned at his vague response.

"That stupid bastard though! But now I will make some nice mincemeat out of them!" A self-satisfied grin spread across Joker's lips, the thought apparently giving him rather pleasant feelings.

"That doesn't make any sense at all..." Alice shook her head. 'Well, not that I'd care. I've had enough trouble lately, anyway.' Whatever the redhead was speaking of was probably not of her concern.

She toyed with her locks for a bit, staring at the road ahead. They would part their ways soon, the young foreigner thought, she could already see the snowed in sign with the golden letters. Tower of Clover to the left and Circus Forest to the right - by now she knew the carved words by heart.

The brunette glanced back at her companion. "So, Black, I was wondering when the next show is going to take place?"

For a moment, the redhead stared at her intently, as if suspicious and trying to decipher her ulterior motives. Alice expected a snotty remark, anything but the slightly awkward pause. However, before she could question him, he answered in his usual, non-explanatory way.

"Soon."

"When, soon?"

"I already told you, didn't I? Or did you finally lose the last bits of your brain? Just as I thought!" He sniffed again, cursing under his breath.

As if on purpose, the redhead evaded any further questions, not giving the girl even a single glance. From the side, his left eye was covered by the dark cloth of his eye-patch, denying her any possible conclusions. His lips were straightened in a line and she could only guess that he considered the conversation to be over.

Despite it all, Alice noted, Black was easier to read than White, but still he had his own mask that only confused her furthermore whenever she tried to decipher his words' meaning. It was as if everything he said was painfully obvious, and she felt helpless and angry for not understanding the apparently simple matters.

She meant to ask more, but in that same moment, her shoes sank deep into the snow and she felt herself stagger, then sink into a small hole in the ground.

"See, that's what I mean! At least look where you walk, or was that another stupid damsel-in-distress-act?" Despite the harsh words, he grabbed her coat by the neck, easily lifting the girl like a light doll. With the chivalrous act done, the redhead walked around the stunned girl, stomping along the way towards the Circus Forest.

The brunette was left standing in indecision, watching Joker's gradually retreating back. After a few steps, Black turned around and captured her gaze with his single crimson eye. "Are you coming or would you rather freeze your butt off?"

Tower of Clover or Circus Forest.

One day her curiosity would be the end of her. But still, there was no way she'd let him ask her twice.

.

Perhaps, in the end, it was a mistake on both sides. Joker was careless enough to reach out his hand, and she was too blind and took it. Or maybe it was the other way around.