Oh The Webs That We Weave
Chapter 6: Revelations
A/N: Hey everyone thank you so much for all the reviews! Sorry about the long delay in the update. My law firm has still been crazy busy, however, I am almost done with my huge project so hopefully after I finish the project I will have more time to update more frequently. Well here is the next chapter, I hope you all enjoy :-)
But the vial." Alice said in denial. "I just have to drink it once it's full then I'll be able to go home."
Alice frantically began searching her person for the vial. Where was it? She never went anywhere without it. Finally Alice's fingers brushed against the cool surface of the vial. Triumphantly she pulled the vial out of a hidden pocket sewed onto her dress.
"You see.." Alice stopped mid sentence as she stared in disbelief at the vial in her hands. The liquid inside the vial had solidified and turned jet black. She couldn't take her gaze away from the vial. The vial had been her one last hope. Reality settled over Alice. She was stuck here forever. She would never see her sister again.
Alice was startled when she felt moisture splash onto her hand. She hadn't even realized she had begun to cry again. She didn't know she could even cry anymore. Alice clutched Peter tighter to her body as an overwhelming feeling of despair weighed down on her. Peter's ears flattened against his head in sadness as he huddled closer to Alice's form.
Alice could vaguely feel Vivladi rubbing small circles on her back to try and sooth her. This action didn't do much to calm her. Her sister used to always rub circles on her back when she was upset. Tears started falling a bit faster down her cheeks.
"Oh the webs that we weave." the Queen said to no one in particular.
Both women were startled when Peter abruptly jumped off Alice's lap and returned to his human
form.
"I can't take it Alice." Peter said with sad eyes. "It hurts to see you so sad. I'm going to kill the Hatter, then you won't be sad anymore." he finished with a fierce expression.
"Wait!" Alice yelled as Peter turned to go.
Peter looked back over his shoulder perplexed. Alice was a little more then perplexed herself. Why should she stop him? If Blood was gone then she could return home. But just thinking of Blood dead made her heart stop.
"I I don't like rabbits who kill people." Alice said quietly. "How about you try to find a loop hole or something."
Peter's ears perked up and a small smile spread across his face. "Anything for you Alice." he said and dashed out the door. Alice let out a small sigh of relief and wiped away the few remaining tears.
"Why don't you let White try to kill Dupre?" asked the Queen curiously. "If he succeeded your problems would be over."
Alice stiffened at Vivladi's question. In truth she didn't fully understand it herself.
"I don't believe in violence." Alice said stiffly.
Vivladi gave her a knowing smile that Alice didn't like one little bit. Alice could feel the familiar slight burning of her cheeks and she shifted her gaze from the smiling Queen.
"That's the only reason." Alice finished stubbornly.
"He's not a horrible man you know." Vivladi continued. "Being tied to him will not be a terrible fate. Dupre will take good care of you."
"What?" asked Alice shocked. "Why are you standing up for him, aren't you two enemies?"
The Queen let out a sigh and looked out the window. "We are enemies because of the roles we hold. If there were no roles and no game we would not be enemies."
Alice was slightly taken aback by this confession. Sometimes she forgot how much the game dictated how the residents of Wonderland lived.
Vivladi turned back to Alice and smiled. "He will make you happy if you let him."
Alice huffed and folded her arms across her chest. "I could never be happy with someone who resorts to such underhanded schemes." she seethed.
Vivladi smiled gently and said, "It's been a long day, you need rest. Maybe things will not look so bleak in the morning."
"I am rather tired." Alice admitted begrudgingly.
"We'll have a room prepared." The Queen said.
"Actually I'd like to go back to the Clock Tower." Alice said while standing.
"You won't make it back to the Clock Tower in that state." Vivladi said disapprovingly. "But if you insist on going we will send card soldiers to escort you back."
"Thank you Vivladi." Alice said gratefully.
Upon opening the door to the Clock Tower Alice was surprised to find that Julius had already returned. He was in his familiar position hunched over his desk and working dutifully on a broken clock. Seeing Julius sparked up a mixture of emotions in Alice. Mainly she was ashamed that she hadn't confided the whole truth in him. He had to know by now what had happened by now.
"Julius I..." Alice started but then chocked up. She hung her head in shame and finished, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything."
Julius idly picked up another clock and continued to work his magic. Without looking up at her he calmly said, "Its not my business so don't worry about it."
His words felt like a slap to her face. It was obvious that Julius was hurt by her not confiding in him. She felt horrible, she had hurt kind Julius who was always so nice to her.
"I really am sorry." Alice continued. " I didn't want to trouble you with my problems. It was my fault I got into this mess."
Julius still did not look up from his work. Silent tears began to leak out the corners of her already swollen eyes.
" I knew that if I told you what was going on then you would try to stop Blood and I got scared." she cried. "I thought you would get hurt and it would be all my fault."
Julius gently placed his tools down and stood up from his hunched position over the clocks. Alice still had tears coursing her reddened checks as he crossed the room to her side.
"Don't cry." Julius said awkwardly. " I never know what to do when you cry."
His words had the opposite effect on Alice. Tears started coming faster as she exclaimed, "I'm a bad person. You're always so kind to me and I hurt you. I just didn't know what to do, and I still don't know what to do! I'm in a horrible mess. But I deserve it because I'm a bad person."
At this point Alice was near inconsolable. She was full of self loathing at the moment. She had hurt kind sweet Julius and she deserved whatever fate came her way.
"You're not a bad person." Julius sighed and patted her arm awkwardly. Still Alice continued to cry.
"Its ok. I'm not upset, please don't cry." Julius implored.
"I don't know what to do." Alice cried.
Julius sighed and gathered Alice in his arms. He held her to him as she continued crying. She began to calm down in his embrace. Alice noted that he didn't make the same mistake of suffocating her by covering her mouth this time.
"I'll always be your friend Alice." Julius said quietly. "Never forget that."
"Thank you Julius."Alice said smiling against his shoulder.
"Onee-san." interrupted a familiar voice. "You shouldn't do that."
Alice and Julius instantly broke apart and turned to face the intruding voice. Both were surprised to see Dee and Dum standing in the open doorway.
"Yeah." Dum said agreeing with his twin. "You're only allowed to hug us and boss now."
"Dee, Dum." Alice said in surprise. "What are you two doing here."
"Actually there are three of us." chimed in a new voice. Elliot stepped up behind the twins with a guilty expression.
"Oh, and don't hug newbie-hare either." said Dee seriously. "He has bad thoughts about you in the bath."
"That's not true!" exclaimed a flushed Elliot and hit the twins on top of the head.
"OOOWWWW!" Dee and Dum cried.
"Don't listen to those brats Alice." Elliot pleaded.
Alice sighed and tiredly asked "Elliot what's going on?"
Before he could answer the twins rushed to Alice's side and grabbed her arms in excitement.
"We're here to take you to the mansion!" Dee said happily.
"Yeah Boss told us that Onee-san is going to live with us." Dum said smiling.
"What?" Alice and Julius exclaimed.
"Sorry Alice, but now that you and Blood are... well you know." Elliot said sheepishly with a reddening face.
"No I don't know." Alice said face heating up as well. "And I'm not going to live at the mansion."
"But you're bosses girlfriend." said Dum matter of factly. "So you have to live at the mansion."
"Yeah and we already took all your stuff there." pouted Dee.
"You did what?" Alice asked incrediously. "You can't just do that without asking."
"I'm sorry Alice, but it was Blood's orders." explained Elliot.
Alice was boiling with anger. She could vaguely hear Julius muttering something along the lines of stupid hatter under his breath behind her.
"I don't care whose orders it was." Alice said angrily. "I'm going to the mansion to settle things with Blood once and for all."
Alice started towards the door but stooped when Julius said, "You don't have to go there if you don't want to Alice. You can always buy new things."
"It's the principle of the matter." Alice said hottly. "I'm going to get my things back and give that guy a piece of my mind."
Julius sighed and realized that arguing with the woman was pointless."Be careful."
Alice nodded her head and led the way out of the Clock Tower with Elliot and the twins on her heels.
Alice flung the doors to Blood's study open. The twin doors banged open loudly and the sudden gust of wind caused by the abrupt swinging of the doors caused several lose papers to sore briefly through the air before scattering on the ground. Alice felt a slight sense of satisfaction stir within her as the mafia boss flinched slightly at her sudden intrusion.
Blood who had up until this point been attempting to get some paperwork done stared in mild shock at the irate woman in front him.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" she seethed, hands clenched tightly into fists at her side.
Blood's shocked expression turned into a cold glare as he said icily, "I beg your pardon?"
"Theft is a crime you know. You can't just take someone's things without their permission." Alice added angrily.
"Hmph." Blood snorted returning to his work. "What a troublesome young lady. Your personal items were not stolen, merely moved to a different location."
Alice fumed. How dare he act like she was the troublesome one. As far as she was concerned he was the source of all the trouble. With five long angry strides Alice was in front of the Hatters desk.
"I want my things moved back to the Clock Tower." she demanded.
"That's not going to happen." Blood replied never looking up from his paperwork.
She had been fuming a few seconds before but now she was on fire. How dare he do this to her then not give her the time of day. Before she could think about her actions she slammed a hand down on the document Blood was currently working on.
"I wasn't asking. I'm telling you to move my things back." she said darkly.
Blood looked at her as if she had lost her mind. As if she were the mad one rather then him. His expression quickly clouded and darkened as he stood abruptly. The sudden movement caused the chair to topple over nosily in his wake.
Blood slowly walked around his desk towards her, fingertips lightly grazing his desk as he walked. All the while his predatory eyes never once left hers. Alice tried to remain fierce but she
felt the beginning seed of uneasiness begin to grow within her. Blood stopped in front of her and looked at her cooly through hooded eyes and said,"You've got some nerve young lady. Telling me what to do in my home."
"Well if you move my things back you won't have to worry about me telling you what to do in your home anymore because I will never come back here." Alice replied stubbornly.
"I already said that's not going to happen." Blood replied coldly.
"That's not for you to decide!" she yelled. "You can't just go around making peoples decisions for them. Just who do you think you are?"
Blood took a step closer to her invading her personal space. Alice automatically took a step back to compensate in her sudden lack of space.
"I am the head of the Hatter family." he said darkly taking a step closer. Alice took another step back. "I am the mafia boss."Blood took another step which she had to respond to. "And I am your intended."
With his last declaration Alice took her final step backwards and found herself trapped between the bookcase and the unyielding body of Blood. While he had been talking he had successfully herded her to a position where she would have the lower hand. But that wasn't going to work. She was far too upset to let him have the upper hand.
"I don't want to be your intended!" she exclaimed and brought her hands up to his chest and tried to shove him away. "I don't want any of this!" she continued and began pounding her fists against his chest. She could tell from his expression that she wasn't even remotely hurting him, which caused her anger to increase. "This is all your fault!" she finished still hitting his chest.
Alice suddenly found herself facing the bookcase. So fast that she could barely comprehend what had happened, Blood had grabbed a hold of her wrists and spun her around so that her back was pressed firmly against his chest. His arms acted like a cage around her own, trapping her arms against her waist.
"That's enough." Blood said firmly. Anger evident in his voice.
Alice could feel his breath ruffle the top of her hair. Her cheeks burned red at her close proximity to Blood.
"L Let go of me." she said nervously and began struggling within his grasp. Her struggles did very little. His vice like grip was unwavering and all she managed to do was tire herself out.
"Not until you can behave." Blood said. His voice had lost some of its darkness and he had taken on a slightly deeper tone.
Alice's breathing was shaky and unsteady as she replied. "I'll behave." She wouldn't, but she desperately needed space. She couldn't think with him this close to her.
Alice gasped when she felt his warm breath tickling her ear. "I don't believe you." he whispered.
His breath on her ear brought up memories of their kiss by the fountain came rushing back to her. Her body heated up at the mere thought of it. She didn't know what to think or how to feel. Today had been such a roller coaster of emotions.
Alice let out a sigh of frustration and defeat. Rather then be rigid in his embrace she leaned back into his chest and closed her eyes. She was so tried, she hadn't rested since she went camping with Ace. She was tired of fighting. She just wanted to close her eyes and drift off to sleep and dream of a time when things were simpler and less complicated.
"Why are you doing this?" she quietly asked, not really expecting a direct answer.
Blood's arms became less restraining and more supportive. It felt like he was cradling her body to his own. In Alice's hazy and tired mind she thought that it wasn't a bad feeling at all.
Blood let out a sigh and began, "My sister was chosen to be a role holder when were just children. The two of us were very close and because of this game one day she was just ripped away from our family. Not long after I too was chosen to be a role holder, however, as the game dictated our roles are enemies and we have very limited contact."
Alice was shocked at his confession. The resentment she held towards Blood ebbed slightly away.
"I'm sorry." Alice said quietly.
"It's the way of the game." said Blood. "In this world it's hard to keep those you care about close to you. I lost my sister to the game. I suppose I didn't want to loose you too."
Alice blushed and her heartbeat increased drastically at his confession. She could feel herself softening towards him, but she didn't want that. She was mad at him. It was his fault she couldn't go home, but still...
"That's the best answer I can give you right now." finished Blood abruptly.
"Thank you for telling me." Alice said still blushing. Her emotions were in such a whirlwind and she was so tired. Blood hugged her closer in response then released her.
"You're tired." he said. "I'll show you to your room." He said that she was the tired one, but Alice could detect the tiredness in his voice as well. What did he have to be tired about? Maybe scheming was more tiring then she thought.
Alice sighed and followed Blood out of the study. She would argue with him more about moving her things back to the Clock Tower once she was properly rested. They continued in silence down the hall until Blood stopped in front of a door and pushed it open. Alice followed Blood inside the room and her eyes widened in surprise.
The room was extremely large and lavish. It was decorated in various shades of pink and purple and fashionable furnished. Alice noted that her things were indeed in the room. Her cloths were in the closet with additional clothing as well.
"Do you like it?" Blood asked from behind. Alice quickly turned to face him. "Its beautiful." she started uncomfortably. "But I'm not living here."
"Oh I see." Blood said leaning against the door and smiling. "You'd rather share my room. I'll have the maids move your things next door to my room."
Alice's face was bright red. "That's that's not what I meant." she stammered nervously.
The Hatter smirked at the reaction he caused in her. He reached out and grasped her hand bringing it to his lips. "I'll be going to take a bath now, but if you'd like to tell me what it is you meant you certainly may join me."
Alice reddened more and pulled her hand from his grasp. Her heart was fluttering madly. "No thanks, I'm going to sleep." she said.
She couldn't deal with him anymore, everything would be clearer once she was rested up.
"Very well." he said. "Sweet dreams." with a final smile he closed the door behind him, leaving a very confused and tired Alice on the other side. Alice kicked off her shoes and collapsed on the plush bed. She would just take a short nap then she would be off to find Blood again and demand her things be sent back. Alice fell asleep in mid thought.
Blood poured the sake into two cups on the floating tray he used while in the bath. Mutely he handed one to Elliot and downed his own drink in one gulp. Elliot swished the liquid around in his cup and stared down at the spiral it was creating.
"What's the matter Elliot?" Blood questioned. "I've never seen you hesitate to take a drink."
Elliot's ears flew straight up in alertness and Elliot lifted his gaze to Blood in surprise.
"Ah, it's nothing." Elliot quickly said while following Blood's example and downing his drink.
Blood cast Elliot a disbelieving look and began refilling his cup.
"It's just that, was it really right to force Alice to move here?" Elliot quickly questioned.
"She's safer here." said Blood darkly.
"Safer?" Elliot echoed.
"Living with the mortician is dangerous. She was too close to the truth." Blood explained.
"But why does it matter Blood? She's part of this world now, she should know how things work." Elliot questioned perplexed.
Blood downed his second cup of sake before answering.
"Several reasons. The first of which is the faction that tries to destroy the clocks. I've heard that more groups are forming to try to prevent the afterimage from doing their job, as well as preventing that knight from collecting the clocks."
"I've heard that there have been a lot of bodies found by the castle lately." said Elliot conspiritously. "Do you think it's part of that faction?"
"I'm not certain." Blood replied. "However, it's only a matter of time before the group attacks the Clock Tower and all the clocks held there. Seeming how the mortician is the only one in his profession it s inevitable"
Elliot nodded his head in understanding. "What about the other reason?"
"It s almost time for the Enforcers visit. I don t want him knowing that Alice knows the entire truth. He may think it's too dangerous for an outsider to know so much." Blood said seriously.
"You think he would kill Alice?" Elliot asked incrediously.
"If he felt she was a threat." Blood replied.
"But Alice hasn't broken any rules!" Elliot exclaimed. "He doesn't a have a right to do anything!"
"It's true that his role is to ensure that the rules are followed, however, it is also his role to protect the order of this world. If he felt that by Alice knowing the truth she could disturb that order according to his role he could attack her." Blood said.
"But Blood" Elliot said. "You've never been one to follow the rules or your role to a T. Are you sure this is the safest place for Alice?" Elliot questioned nervously.
Blood glared at Elliot and replied, "Your lack in faith of my judgement is bordering offensive." he said coldly. "We can protect her better here then any other territory can. After all, we are mafia." Blood finished smirking.
"I'm sorry Blood." Elliot said repenativly. "You would know the best seeming how you've faced him before. Aren't you a bit worried that he'll look for an excuse to come after you again though?"
Blood looked Elliot dead in the eyes and said, "I'm not afraid of the Jaberwock."