Writer: beckychan
"Check mate."
"You win again, Excellency." A slender forefinger flicked the king, knocking it over and showing defeat. "It only took you eight moves this time."
The Cheshire Cat sighed, his brilliant green eyes flashing through his purple cat-face domino mask. "Why do I get the impression you weren't even trying?"
"Oh, no, Excellency!" his opponent said. "I know how much you hate that. I'm afraid I'm not very good at chess."
"And yet you challenged me to the game," The Cat drawled.
"Yes, your Excellency."
The Cat rolled his eyes and rose, long silver braid swaying. "Hare, that is almost as bad as losing on purpose. While I appreciate the gesture for what it was, I do not approve of your vain attempt to boost my already high esteem."
"Yes, your Excellency," the young woman known as Hare said, bowing her head.
"Where are Hatter and Dormouse?" The Cat asked.
"Dormouse is in the chapel garden, tending to her flowers. I believe Hatter went into town. She said she had some errands to run."
"Not thieving again, I hope," The Cat's eyes narrowed a little, but a quirk of his famous grin pulled at his lips. Hare giggled a little behind her hand.
"She might be."
"And the Tweedles?"
"They are on guard duty today."
"Very good, Hare. You may go train now. I know it's what you want to be doing, rather than indulging me at chess."
Hare bowed low, her long brown hair spreading over her back like a cloak. "Thank you, Excellency." She turned to leave, then stopped. "Excellency, Dodo informs us that the Queen of Hearts took the information you gave her to Oblivion today."
And there it was. A grin so wide, so mad, that it was said opponents who saw it ran screaming from the room.
For all the world, Hatter would not be recognized as one of The Cat's lackies if you did not already know she was, simply because of her physical personality. No one that bouncy, that exuberant would be expected to be employed as one of The Cat's personal guards. No one would expect a thief to be one of The Cat's right hands. No one but a cynic, at least.
Hatter slowed her skipping, jumping gait at the Golden Key. She looked over her shoulders each way before opening the door and slipping inside. When her eyes had adjusted to the gloom, she saw two figures in the farthest booth, both hunched over cups of tea, watching her as she approached.
"IV, King," she said, nodding to them.
"Hatter," Roxas said, and Sora bobbed his own head in reply.
"May I join you?"
"Of course!" Sora said, and made room for her.
"What news, Yuffie?" Roxas asked, his voice low, as she signaled the bartender for her usual.
"Nothing new yet," she sighed. "I'm sorry about the meeting today. Things are just getting worse, aren't they?"
Roxas and Sora sighed in response as the barman brought Yuffie her drink. She sipped at it carefully.
"What are we going to do?"
"I don't know," Roxas replied, looking glum. "What are we going to do?"
"Well," Sora cut in, "I was just telling Roxas about the Queen and chess..."