Disclaimer: Not mine. Not at all.
Or Friday? Well it's Friday here I mean... Crazy time zones... Sorry guys. *conscious glare at self* I didn't mean to. *conscious continues to glare* Oh hush up conscious. Go snuggle with a Stayne plushie why don't you (wouldn't that be nice to have?). Nonetheless I just wanted to make to make it extra long for you all. Brace yourselves people, we're in for a long, bumpy, yet revealing ride. Hopefully that makes up for lateless? Thank you to all who are following, reading, and reviewing. Everyone one of you guys are amazing and thank you, just thank you. I really appreciate the feedback. It absolutely makes my day and makes just want to write more. It also tells me how I'm doing so get busy and enjoy! ^^
Stayne studied the Oraculum steadily whilst riding along the paths that led from the various villages of Underland, flanked from side to side by Red Knights. It had been little more than an two hours or so since he'd bid farewell to his Queen. She had looked content and relaxed as she spoke, despite the lingering tension that remained from last night's disagreement. She had insisted on studying the calendar once more, fuming over the results which had remained unchanged. Frabjous Day was upon them, and it appeared as though Alice was still out there, safe, somewhere, destined to prevail. The Queen had made it clear he was to search until the land was scarred by their trail, and that when he returned, there was not to be a repeat of last night's after hour activities, but rather all his attention was to be focussed upon breaking the Hatter for all information. She no longer cared to delay and would be studying his progress tomorrow. While tonight, she would be hosting an execution. That usually cheered her up.
However, after searching first the villages, and the part of the forest he had neglected yesterday, Stayne had returned to the Oraculum, mind whirling with thought as something began to form in his mind, gazing at the picture that marked Frabjous Day. The girl, who was meant to be Alice, her form, though covered in armor, struck his as frighteningly familiar. He had seen that day in court, long ago, as a mere tyke, defiant, short, and yet the only one who had come to his defense. Yet forever his enemy. He studied her form and its drastic change. Her slender legs revealed themselves, and her long tresses of hair seemed to flow delicately in the wind. If only he could see her face. It would make it easier to place her. The image was so small. Strange really. In that form, from behind, she almost looked like...
With that Stayne send Erebus into a gallop, ignoring as the Red Knight's hurried to catch up while he changed direction. He had to return to the castle; something was amiss.
S~s~S~s~S
Bayard had reached Marmoreal, managing to pass through the guard of the Neutral Zone with little difficulty. Most had been relieved from that duty to search for the girl. Silly things. Once there, he had spoken to the White Queen, who had most eagerly embraced him and assured him of his place.
"That is exactly where she will find the Vorpal sword." She'd said cheerfully, eyes bright and smile illuminating the already brightened setting. "You've done well Bayard. Now do rest a bit..." A moment's pause and she asked. "And did Tarrant look well to you?" A flash of uneasiness tinged her eyes.
Bayard frowned at the unusual sight. "Well my lady, and loyal as ever."
"Good." She smiled, eyes no longer uneasy and replaced instead with their usual glassiness. "Well then, once you've rested, you can prepare for your journey back to the castle. You will lead the girl back here."
"And what of my family your highness? Shall I rescue them as well?"
Mirana had paused at that. "No, dear Bayard. You must not allow yourself to be distracted. Once Frabjous Day has come and gone, all of Underland shall be freed, your family along with them."
"But my family is not safe your Majesty. Every minute they're there..."
"No Bayard. You will bring Alice here. That is your task. Nothing more. Do not be led by your fear for you loved ones. Have faith and you shall see all will be well." With a quick pet to the head and a scratch of his ear, she stood from the ground and walked back to her council of attendants, leaving the hound stilled in the constant torment that came with his duty.
S~s~S~s~S
"You;re so small."
Those had been the first words Tarrant said to her as they'd reached the rank dungeon. Alice would have collapsed on the filth covered floor in exhaustion, had the Hatter not caught her. It seemed as though there had been so many twits and turns in the hidden tunnels of the palace mice. And as much practice as she might have running off, her current size had seemed a hindrance. Everything took twice as long to reach, and double that in energy. That and the added pressure of keeping up with Mallymkun who refused to slow down or take rest, explaining that there was 'simply no time to spare'. Really, she and the White Rabbit would have made a quite pair.
Having caught her breath, the Hatter placed her delicately on the ground, and looked at her with utmost curiosity with a smile that refused to falter. "Oh but it is good to see you again. You gave us quite a start you know."
"Would've been faster, but she's rather slow you know." At that Alice glared at the mouse a moment before turning back to the Hatter.
"Of course I'm small. You made me like this... And now I'm trapped."
"Oh dear, I am sorry. Didn't expect to get caught you see. Unfortunately Bayard..."
"The traitor." Mally added bitterly, who pretended to adjust her sword in order to avoid the Hatter's glare.
Alice cleared her throat, wanting to end the disagreement before it turned into a feud. "I don't care so much about that anymore. All I want to know is, have you any of that cake that makes one grow again?"
"Upelkuchen? No sorry. McTwisp might though."
The White Rabbit? Well it was worth a shot. Hopefully he'd be willing to help her after his rather erratic reaction to discovering her as being the 'wrong Alice'.
"Where could I find him?"
"There's a game tomorrow. All the Queen's attendants will be there." The dormouse added, sounding reluctant.
"A game?" Alice puzzled.
"Croquet. It's the Queen's favorite." The Hatter explained politely. "Mally will lead you there-" He ignored the mouse's squeak of indignation. "After which, you will be well enough to find the Vorpal sword, escape to Marmoreal to see the White Queen, and slay the Jabberwocky." The Hater smiled. "Bayard should be back the day after. He'll lead you off."
"What?" Alice and Mallymkun gasped at once.
"I... I can't-"
"You still trust that dog? And her?" Mallymkun grumbled. "We wouldn't even be in this position at all if it wasn't for her..." This time she met the Hatter's quickly darkening glare head on.
"Mally. I do believe the little one- no one pun intended mind- could use some new clothes. Why her current ones are on their way to becoming frumious. Do be a dear and fetch some cloth." Alice frowned at that. New clothes? At a time like this? Watching the dormouse huff something like 'Never offers to make me new clothes' as she scattered away, Alice realized Tarrant had done so to leave them alone without interruption. For that she felt most grateful. As well as a little nervous. The last she'd seen him, he'd been... Well stuffing her into a tea pot. Since then they'd been taken prisoner, both at Stayne's mercy, though only he appeared to have suffered his cruelty. He looked so very much unlike himself without his hat, with all his bright red hair sticking to and fro. So very... Disarmed. Saner in a most unnerving manner. It didn't suit him. The markings on his wrists from the chains, the way he seemed to wince as he had set her down on the ground, seating himself upon the chair and clutching at his chest and, as if he'd been wounded. It made her wonder if...
"I see he's committed no lasting damage on your person." The Hatter noted in an inquiring manner, slightly more concerned.
"Stayne? No, not really. He's been... Accommodating." Other than locking her up that is. "Did Stayne... Are you hurt?" She asked instead.
The Hatter looked up at that fro his silent musings, smiling crookedly. "No. No, he needs not lift a finger when there are others more than willing to do it in his steed. Not to worry though, it's only a scratch or two. It'll be better now though, knowing that your alright. The Resistance is underway!"
"I can't do this. I hope you know that." Alice said quietly.
"Can't do what Alice?" The Hatter asked, looking so puzzled in his vulnerability that it pained her to say.
"Find the sword. Slay the Jabberwocky. I won't be slaying anything."
The eyes of the Hatter became dull, "The Oraculum..."
"Was obviously wrong. I'm not that girl in the picture. I'm no warrior. And I certainly don't slay Jabberwockys. You'll just have to find someone else to be the White Queen's champion. I don't want the position."
"You've lost your muchness, haven't you." He said in a melancholy tone.
"My muchness?"
"Yes. In there." The Hatter poked her roughly over her heart. "It's gone now. You stand there. You claim to be Alice-" He held up a finger as she threatened to interrupt. "But you've changed. You... You've no idea... The Red Queen. Stayne. You've no idea what they've done." Shaking his head, he stood to turn his back to her.
"Wait." She couldn't stand the thought of losing a friend here. Even he was just part of a dream. "Tell me." When he hesitated, she urged on. "Please. Tell me."
At so it was there that the Hatter revealed the events leading up to Horunvendush Day, the day Tarrant Hightopp had ceased to be a Hatter, the day when the Iracbeth of Crims conquered Underland, with Stayne at her side, taking the Vorpal sword in hand, and leading the battle against the resistance until today. Alice remained silent, watching in fascination at the Hatter as he relived that day, and those following. His green eyes deeply scarred with visions she could not even begin to comprehend in her short years of life. He spoke of the resistance, it's formation, the beginning of their journey into hiding and plotting. He expounded further upon Stayne as well. The Queen's right hand man, a villain, an outcast, a foreigner turned General and Commander of the Red Queen's armies. When he began to mention of the unspeakable deaths and executions, she stopped him. "Stop." Her head was spinning. Her stomach felt queasy, and her stomach churned unpleasantly. The Queen was simply... Monstrous. And Stayne, Stayne was... She didn't want to believe it. She knew he was cold, harsh, and uncaring to a degree, but she thought of that morning and the change in his demeanor, if only slight. The way the Hatter had hinted at his relationship with the Queen hadn't helped matters. In fact, it seemed to have upset her more than anything else. It was just thinking of him servicing her. Someone so... Awful. Yes, that was it. It had to be it...
"Alice? Alice!" Tarrant called her out of her reverie.
"I'm fine." She whispered, not having noticed how during their conversation they had gotten closer, until his face was mere inches from her form.
"I still don't think I could do it, even I wanted to. I've never... Killed anything. In dreams or otherwise. Besides that, I'm the size of a mouse."
"And it's a very good size indeed!" The voice of Mallymkun filled the room. The dormouse had returned, just in time, arms filled with scraps of cloth. It wasn't much. Perhaps two small dishcloths worth. Then again, she supposed three inches didn't require much material. Each had the pattern of black, white, and red in either stripes, squares, card emblems, or solid colors.
Alice turned away from the Hatter, taking the opportunity to distance herself by a few steps, and he from her, though he covered considerably more ground than her in one. "Not that it's a bad size. It's simply not mine."
"Yes indeed. One's right size is always preferable." The Hatter agreed. The dormouse huffed but said nothing, instead depositing the cloth into the Hatter's waiting hands. "Thank you Mally." The Hatter smiled, appearing cheerful once more, such that the earlier conversation seemed almost forgetten. "Now then, I'll get started on this and we can discuss meanwhile what needs be done before Frabjous-" The approach of footsteps. "Oh dear. The dinner guard."
Dinner. So soon? Thought Alice. How long had they been there? However before she had time to question it, the Hatter had already grabbed her round the waist and thrown her up high into the air towards the far away window, where she was forced to hang onto one of the bars to lift herself. Mallymkum was close behind, scurrying up the wall, muttering something like, 'Never offers to throw me up in the air...' She did not appreciate the sarcasm.
"Take her back to the room Mally! Through the gardens... Quickly!" As the sound of footsteps became louder and the gruff voice of a guard shouted. "Dinner's coming Hatter." Followed by laughter. "Stayne'll be here soon after that. And then your in for a surprise..."
"Aren't we going the way we came..." Alice spoke hesitantly fear going through her at the rather pitch black sight of the sky, and the garden below, which was no longer clear. Though more so was the thought of Stayne returning and finding out she was gone. What if he saw the music box was opened? What would he do if he found her? Would he take her to the Queen? What about Hatter? Or Mally? Would he harm them? All because of her. Oh no...
"There's no time. Hurry up!" Mally croaked, pushing Alice such that she was forced to let go as she fell towards the rose bush below. It was not so great a fall and Alice landed atop her left side upon the center of a red rose. She lay still a moment. Mally landed on the rose next to her, standing quickly and urging her to her feet by pulling on her opposite arm. Alice yelped, forgetting the claw mark from before, hidden beneath the make-shift bandage. "Come on then! Stupid girl... He'll be back any minute now." The gentle yet strong patter of hooves followed by the heavy metal clanking of armoured feet that seemed amplified over the grassy terrain alerted them to the arrival of Stayne and the Red Knights. This spurred both members into action as they ran down the vines- Mally running whilst tugging Alice painfully along by her arm until they reached the ground of the garden, which seemed like a jungle at their height. Mally took off running with Alice struggling to keep up her pace, much as they had during the afternoon following the tunnels.
The human residents and larger servicing animals had long since gone in for dinner and entertainment, yet Alice and Mallymkun still managed to pass a wide variety of small creatures who remained. They encountered slugs that left smile trails they avoided getting trapped by, hedgehogs in hiding, small birds that threatened to bite them, frogs that were hopping to get to their pond, insects that flew by, and other simply roaming or grazing creatures that gazed curiously at the two fast paced beings who dared not slow down as they made their way along the unmarked pathways to the other side of the castle. Alice soon became dizzy with the twists and turns Mally would force her to take, and unsurprisingly this turned out to be a disadvantage when one of the late passerby's- a lady, from the look of her shoes, who's face she could place because of the darkness and height, as well as the dark cloak which covered her from head to toe- strolled briskly by, cutting between the girl and dormouse. Alice halted with a gasp, taking a step back to hide under the long blades of grass until she passed. "Mally, wait!" Alice hissed, though the dormouse took no notice, pushing forward without pause, and completely oblivious to the fact that they had been separated.
The lady seemed to stop for a moment, looking around her as she'd heard Alice speaking. Holding her breath, Alice watched as the woman shook her head finally and continued walking inside. Alice breathed again and looked nervously about. In the minute or two that had transpired, Mally would have long since traveled ahead, and Stayne was most likely half way to his room by now, assuming he took the short cut Mally had told her about, cut off from the rest of the castle. She had to keep going. The dormouse would have to realize sometime that she was no longer behind her. She would return. Meanwhile however, she could try to catch up at least. With that she began to run with all her might forward. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line...
As she walking through the seemingly deserted patch of shrubbery, she noticed something curious among the weeds that caught her eye. A trail of mushrooms speckled red and blue. Straying off the path she followed the trail until she reached a particularly large red one, perfectly round. It would have served well as a table for two with her current height, or a very cozy chair. Rather suddenly and without thought she murmured to herself. "One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter."
She reached out, took one of each side of the mushroom, and held one of each contemplatively in her hands. "Let's hope this works..." She tentatively bit into the mushroom.
S~s~S~s~S
Stayne stormed into the castle, relieving the Red Knight's as they went their separate way into the mess hall before falling into place. His black leather boots slapped against the ground as he climbed the winding stairwell of the tower, each demonstrating force in the growing tension of the air, where he would discover the state of little Margaret or if his suspicions where correct...
Reaching the top of the steps, mere paces away from the door, he stilled, listening carefully as he sensed a nearby presence. He also smelled something, strong, putrid and disgustingly familiar.
"Drusilla." He snarled, turning back to meet the face of the Lady with Large Ears. He was not in the mood for her antics.
She approached him tentatively, lowering the hood of her cloak. "Oh Stayne. I do love to hear my name from your lips. You make everything sound so... Dark and twisted." She placed her hands upon his chest, flaunting her bosom seductively. "Come now, let's have some fun. I know for a fact the Queen has no need of your services tonight. Why don't you let me serve you instead." She smiled sweetly. "I promise to be thorough."
Stayne smirked, taking her hands by her wrists as he thrust her against the wall. He noticed the expression surprise that was soon replaced by one of pleasure play upon her face as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Are you truly that desperate?" He laughed, letting her fall back, as her expression now held a rather unattractive sulk. "Go back to the Queen. You know how she despises anyone who's late for dinner. You're sure to be in trouble." He added, smirking.
"As will you. Why aren't you heading down?" She asked, brushing herself off as she stood.
"I have other more important matters to attend to."
"Oh is there something you're hiding in there?" She asked teasingly, gesturing to the room, handle on hand as she opened it a peak. "Something... Or someone?"
Though he knew she was joking, he still grabbed her roughly by the arm, tossing her backward watching without guilt as she stumbled but managed to keep from falling. He kept his hand on the open door handle ."I'm losing my patience. I give you a choice: Leave now. Or I won't be responsible for my actions."
"Al...ce no!" The sound was faint, and yet his ears seem to catch it, if only briefly. He could have sworn he'd heard the name, 'Alice'. "Stupid girl..." He couldn't be entirely sure. The sound was coming the garden. At that moment he looked upon the dresser where the music box was, as he'd suspected, unlocked, and ajar.
"Margaret..." She was gone.
"Who's Margaret?" Drusilla's petulant broke through, as she took a step into the room.
Turning his back on the sound, he growled and grabbed her roughly once more, tugging her along with him until they reached the end of the stairwell. "OUT! Or I'll make all other threats seemed childish in comparison." He watched the flicker of darkness flash through her eyes before she left, watching long enough to see her run down the steps that led to the main hall where super would be held. When he was sure she was gone, he ran to the opposite stairs directly into the garden, cloak billowing behind him.
S~s~S~s~S
Mallymkun was beyond unnerved, backtracking frantically through the grass in search of the girl. How on earth had they gotten separated? Why was she in the mess in the first place? Oh the Hatter would be so disappointed. The Knave would...
Just as she reached the patch of grass where she was most certain they'd separated, her hearing picked up the words. "Let's hope this works." From a familiar female. Running towards it, she found the girl just as she bit into the mushroom. "Alice no!"
"Mally! You came back!" Alice stumbled out, dropping the pieces and running towards her. Mally was looking at her with the most peculiar expression. If her fur hadn't been white, she was sure it would have been paling from the fear that showed in her eyes. "I was so worried since you ran off so quickly. There was this woman and she..." She stumbled half-step, clutching to her stomach. "I... I think I feeling a tad ill..."
"Stupid girl..." The mouse whispered knowingly. "Hurry, we have to go find-" The dormouse's tail suddenly stiffened, and she became tense. "Oh dear." Large thumping footsteps approached them, and they seemed unwilling to stop. "Alice, come, we must..." The sight of a dark, burning eyes of a large figure seraching round the ground met them. "Go." Mally quickly ran into the long blades of grass, leaving Alice behind who was beginning to sway, and sweat uncomfortably.
The full figure of Stayne came into view. "You." He hissed, his black boot stopping before the tiny creature as he bent low, staring mercilessly. "What are you doing out here? How did you get out?"
"Those are very good questions. Which I can't really answer. I just don't even know where I am exactly. I'm not myself you see. Everything looks so much larger from down here. And I'm rather lost... Could you tell me where I am?"
Stayne frowned at her rambling, though it didn't stop him from asking. "How did you escape?"
"I... I... It's kind of cold isn't it? Is it supposed to be cold? Mother would tell me to wear a coat to prevent a chill, but I haven't got any. Not that it'd fit me very well. Though I don't think you can sick in dreams. Can you? I've recently found that you can get hurt apparently, but does sick really count as hurt?"
"Margaret. Focus. How did you get here?"
"It's hot... Isn't it hot? I feeling rather faint."
Stayne placed a finger on her forehead, feeling its icy chilness and sweat. "What happened?" He tilted her head up with a finger, looking at the dilated pupils, and face, which was now a ghastly white, studying her as she seemed to struggle for breath. "What happened." He shook her urgently. "Margaret, what happened?"
"I feel dizzy..." Her eyes began to flutter shut, her breath became shallow and she stumbled forward towards the ground. Stayne reached out and caught her pale form in his hands, balancing her on his palm as his fingers cradled her delicate form. His eyes darkened with worry and he shook her again. "Wake up!" He growled his fierce tone calling her to consciousness. "What did you..." Looking down, he noticed the mushroom, beside which were two portions, one of which had a bite mark on it's surface. It was in that moment that the nausea finally caught up with Alice, as her stomach contents gave in and she threw up all over his gloves.
"It didn't work..." She mumbled.
"What didn't work?"
"The mushroom. I didn't grow..." With that her eyes shut.
"Margaret... Margaret..."
As her world turned black, Alice swore she heard him say her name.
S~s~S~s~S
Alice moaned and shifted as she awoke, frowning at the unwelcoming light that shone through the darkness of her for once dreamless sleep. Memories of before were more sudden than before, though there was still a cloud which hung over her thoughts, menacing and cruel in ignorance. She studied her surroundings, recognizing herself to be back in the room, lying upon a seat cushion. The mushrooms... It hadn't worked. She was still small. Where had she ever gotten such a silly idea? Mushrooms that make one grow... But then how had she gotten there?
"You owe me a new pair of gloves."
Alice startled at the voice which her addled brain couldn't quite place in that moment. "What?" She slurred.
"My gloves. You threw up on them, right before you fainted."
Alice groaned, not understanding the words. Threw up? Fainted? What had happened?
"You escaped." A menacingly growl made her jump in her seat, answering her unspoken question. She winced at the headache that began to ring through her ears at the motion. "Ugh." She held it steadily in her hands, hissing at the pressure it caused on her left arm. She began to tighten at the make-shift bandage, but stopped as the sight of black filled her vision. Alice looked up to meet Stayne's cold eye.
Neither speaking, he reached down to tug away at the filthy, dried up cloth, ignoring her gasp as in one motion, he revealed the sore and reddened skin of the infected claw marks.
"Bandersnatch claws... At least they appear like Bandersnach claws... However, that'd be quite a trick, seeing as there are three and someone your size would most likely be shred to pieces by one alone. Very peculiar, isn't it?" He smirked menacingly. "Though I suppose we all have our secrets. And this one served you well... It did save you after all."
"I don't know what you talking about." Alice spoke with much more confidence then she felt.
"I'm talking about the poisoned mushrooms you ate."
"Poisoned?"
"Yes, poisoned... Didn't you mother teach you not to eat strange foods?" He growled lowly. "You could have died!" She had never seen him look so menacing, so frightful, so... Concerned. "And then where would we have been? You would have died in seconds had it not been for the Bandersnatch's toxin. It's so much more potent you see, completely absorbed it. However I'm afraid the side affects might become a bit more intense." He said, smiling as he watched her hiss in pain from his touch. "Too bad I've no skills as a Healer. But perhaps..." He reached out, wrapping his fingers tightly around the mark. "A gentle hand will sooth it." At his touch, she gasped. "You know, I could have sworn I heard someone say the name Alice, while I was outside."
"You heard wrong."
"Did I really." He glared, changing grip.
"Stop it."
"Why should I, Alice..." His grip tightened.
"Don't me call that. I'm not Alice."
"Tell me your name."
"Margaret."
"Tell me your real name."
"Margaret Rose." Alice said desperately.
"Somehow I just don't believe you."
"Please..." Tears were beginning to brim around her eyes.
"Now now little one. You can it. Say it and I'll let you go. Just tell me your name."
The pain was becoming too much. "It's Margaret I swear." She croaked, eyes becoming unfocused as she prepared to pass out from the intensity. "Please Stayne. I can't..." Ilosovic let her go, watching her fall back against the cushion in temporary relief whilst he threw her a cool cloth to wrap around it. "Thank you..." She whispered, smoothing the marks roughly. "I'm sorry I escaped... I had to." She said in silent confession of her crime, though she dared not mention the name again. He might not know. He might just be speculating. Then again, he might not. "What now? Are you going to take me to the Queen?"
"I don't know." Stayne spoke with a sincerity that surprised even him. "How did you escape?" Stayne asked tersely, returning to the role of interrogator.
"I didn't think any of this would happen. It just did..." Alice mumbled pathetically, avoiding the question.
"How did you escape?" Stayne turned back to face her, eye's flashing in irritation, and Alice knew she would have to say something.
"I... I went to see the Hatter." She answered instead. He looked at her with that eye. That eye that he had that made her shiver, trembled and fold over when he looked at her that way that he was looking at her now, dangerously and with unspoken consequence. "He was making me new clothes..."
"That's not what I asked."
"And I assure you it was not accidental." Alice snapped back, eyes closed. "Are you going to take me to the Queen?"
"I have shown you mercy, which I'm no longer certain you deserve." Stayne spoke contemplatively. "It would be a just reward for your disobedience." He enjoyed the flicker of fear in her eyes.
"Please... I promise not to escape again."
"Oh I assure you. You won't." With that he grabbed her, placing her on the inside of his coat pocket, finger pressed against her mouth tightly in an order of silence. They crept towards the dungeons. The journey ran smoothly, such that Alice hardly noticed anything at all. Her senses were focused upon the beat of his heart beneath the coat pocket. Each beat serving as a call to war, in the otherwise quiet dungeons Instead of stopping at the Hatter's, they turned into another hallway of cells. into the other cell, where another creature lay, a frog dressed in a maroon suit and bow tie, mumbling to himself in silent prayer, with a man dressed in grey-black robe, axe in hand whilst he sharpened it. The executioner. The Queen and two of her ministers looked on. Both human and looking rather bored with the setting, chatting amongst themselves until the moment came, and the executioner signaled that he was ready. Stayne remained in the shadows, Alice stood still, eyes transfixed upon the sight as the executioner stood and motioned for the frog to sit his head upon the stock. The amphibian did so without question, resigned to his fate. "Off with his head." The Queen said in a bored tone. The blade went down, and the frog's head went off.
However, Alice didn't see that part, Stayne, who's eye had been fixed on her reaction, just as the blade went down, had taken her up and covered her form with his hand, pressed her tightly to his chest, hiding the sight from her innocent eyes. He hushed her, feeling her shake beneath his hands with tears of forced silence. "You understand don't you..." He murmured lowly. "That is why you won't run away again. Because if you do..." He let the sentence hang. He had wanted to teach her a lesson, but had felt slightly sick at the end. The sight of her growing anguish stuck in his mind. He tried not to dwell on it, and instead placed the concern over the fact that should she be caught, he might as well, as then all his plans would be unraveled. However, none of this explained why he found himself doing his best to comfort her, or the discomfort at her tears. Nor his sudden displeasure alongside disgust at the sight of the headless body and pool of blood that polled in a trail towards the shadows where he stood, missing his boots by inches. He focused instead on the scene as the head of the frog was wrapped, ready to be launched beneath the moat with the rest. Iracbeth searched out to smile at him, meeting his eye as it and his face were the only thing visible in the shadows. Her eyes showed victory as well as apprehension as she waited for him to return to his duty with the Hatter. With a silent bow of his head he turned respectively away.
Back at the rooms, he deposited of her on the bed as he reached for the music box. Alice continued to say the mantra: "I want to wake up now." She'd begun soon after they'd left the dungeons. Alice waited for him to approach so she could climb in, but was surprised to instead feel the warm touch of Stayne's finger upon her tear-stained cheek, forcing her to meet his steady gaze. However his expression seemed almost... Guilty. What was most strange was when she felt him run a finger through her hair. He sighed. "You will stay here until I return." He let her go, closing the door behind him. Alice, tired from the day's events, surrendered into longed for oblivion.
S~s~S~s~S
"Oh I've failed terribly Tarrant..."
"Now now Mally, no need to be so glum. I'm sure it'll be just fine..."
Both voices quieted at the sound of familiar boot steps and Stayne came into view.
"Aren't you on suspension rat?" Stayned barked, watching as the mouse stood straight and scurried off, mumbling to herself as usual. Tarrant meanwhile looked positively joyful, irritatingly so, as per usual.
"Ah Ilosovic, how lovely to see you again, though the circumstances are less than favorable in such formal settings. I found some spare time and cloth earlier and thought I'd make a little present for Margaret. It's just her size. Perhaps you would be so kind as to-" Suddenly the Knave's fist, filled with a the pent up frustration and anger Stayne struggled with, struck him squarely across the face. The Hatter was taken off guard, falling to the ground while the miniature dress dropped carelessly along with him.
S~s~S~s~S
"Here. A present from the Hatter." Stayne threw the tiny gown to Alice upon entering the room, not having bothered to look at it. He merely stumbled in to take a drink from the whiskey of mead nearby. From behind him, he heard as she stretched with a yawn and blinked herself awake. "Thank you." She spoke silently, the words reflecting more than she could understand.
Nothing had come of the Hatter. Both of them could venture a guess as to why. However, it had not stopped Stayne from attacking the Hatter at all angles. "You will come with me tomorrow." He spoke with another swig at the glass.
"What? Where?" Alice spoke, suddenly alert as she stood upon the bed.
"To the garden for croquet. The Queen demands all her most trusted advisers' presence. Though I will not stay long."
"Why?" No, tomorrow was her chance. She had to find McTwisp. She had to become big again.
"I'm not certain if I can trust you alone." He frowned. "I'll have to think about it..."
With that, he grabbed onto the music box, holding it open with thought. Alice dared not hesitate as she climbed in. She awaited for him to click it shut, startling when he placed his dark silk handkerchief within the box between the beads and cuffs. "It might be cold." With that he began to close the lid.
"Wait." Alice squeaked. "What happened to her."
"Who?"
"The Duchess. What happened to her."
Stayne paused and looked thoughtfully out the window as he recalled. "She was one of the Queen's... Friends, at one time."
"A friend?" Could such a cold creature have friends?
Stayne chuckled. "Of sorts. They visited one another. The Dutchess for tea. The Queen for croquet. They tolerated one another." He smiled grimly. "The Queen would lock her in the dungeon on occasion..."
"She would imprison her?"
"Yes, but unlike most irritations, the Queen never threatened to cut off her head."
No rather, at least not with meaning. Rather, it was a kind of joke between the two. The Duchess would burst into rambunctious laughter, and the Queen, while taking offense at the mockery, would occasionally be seen giving the rarest of smiles at the Dutchess in such settings, though no one would dare comment on such a sighting. They were such opposites. The Duchess was bubbly and joyful. The Queen, foremost and absolutely... The Queen.
"What happened to her?" Alice's voice brought him back, returning to her original question.
"They're no longer friends."
She had been one of the Queen's closest friends, her only friend really. Her favorite, one might say. However, as with all relationships with the Queen, the time came when it too had to end. It was shortly after the death of her husband, when the Duchess, who was outrageous in all senses, had begun to comment to the Queen of his own person. She was oblivious to the relationship which they shared, a rarity among the court, and had taken liberty to tease the Queen of how if she did not take the young lad, she would be more than willing to accept him as a lover for a present. They were always giving each other presents. 'A bodyguard, perhaps'. It had begun to play upon the Knave's nerves, and most importantly, the Queen's patience. That, and the conscious of the Duchess, which did not settle well with the other members of court, who had been replaced with people of darker passions, with more ambitions intentions and motives. Animosity grew for the irritatingly bubbly woman from court. With direction from Stayne and 'yes men' that acted as council, the Queen took action.
The duchess had looked on mournfully that day, smile maintained in place, directed at the Queen with understanding that it had to be done. It was a show of strength. To release all past relations, and begin anew, in the world of terror under her reign. There was no room for conscious or sympathy. To all it had appeared a rather cold execution, void of feeling or empathy. No one but Stayne and the Dutchess had noted the lack of glint in the Queen's large eyes, the flash of guilt, the tremor of her red lips, and crack in the pitch of her voice as she said the fatal words of. "Off with her head..."
The Queen had watched on frozen in shock as the customary applause by the courtier's sounded, eyes transfixed on Duchess' head as it rolled onto the ground. The second person who had truly loved her for herself had died at her hand. She had not allowed even Stayne to comfort her that night, wanting to be left alone in her loss and self turmoil.
After becoming the Queen's new favorite, and the Duchess now disposed of, Stayne had gotten the Duchess' old guest room, inside of which was the music box, a gift long forgotten from the Queen to the Duchess herself. It stood there, as a reminder that no matter how close, no matter how safe one might seem, one was never safe in the Red Queen's kingdom. Never...
"I..." Alice tried to grip the implications of what he was saying. She looked as though she wished to ask something else, but thought better of it. Instead Alice lay on her side, upon the soft cloth. "Goodnight Stayne." She whispering, watching as he slowly closed the lid.
"Goodnight... Margaret." He would not condemn her yet. He had no proof. However, his instinct told him with absolute certainty, that he could not trust Margaret Rose. There was no doubt in his mind of the reality of his suspicions. She was Alice. Though it seemed so utterly impossible, even in a world where impossible was the norm. She was such a little thing... One word, one move, and it would be over. But that would not suit him at all. No. He wanted to play out this game well to his advantage. However as with all, it was a deception. And as such, it was only a matter of time until it revealed itself in its entirety. A part of him thrilled at the idea of her silent destruction, while another part of him, longed for uncertainty.
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