MOCK TURTLE'S POV
'How are their conditions?' I write, holding it up for Miss Sakubo to see. She looks up and adjusts her glasses, glancing over it before tightly wrapping a wound around White's leg.
"They were stupid, stupid stupid." She huffs after taping up the last of White's legs. So many wounds ... it is fortunate Miss Sakubo had enough medicine to help mend their wounds. There were so many I feared that one would lose a limb or two.
'Agreed.' It was foolish of me to let them go so far but, all is well in the end. We have the antidote now and Miss Jackie will be able to be brought back to her adult self. Although, her child form is quite cute. My cheeks touch with pink at the thought, waving a hand by my hip where I was able to sketch a few dozen designs for a little girl. Cute~ I hope she allows me to dress her up without much of a fit. But, it cannot be. She will be older soon and then free to ... my face darkens with pure embarrassment as I quickly wave off the thought. To even think of Miss Jackie in the embrace of Joker is not very kind of me. But, what face would she make, I wonder, if he held her close? My mind wanders to Painter, imagining her slightly blushing face as she leans in to-
"Helloooooo Mock Turtle." Miss Sakubo calls, leaning on the patient's bed as she looks at me. I snap my head to attention, quickly writing down a response.
'My apologies, Miss Sakubo. I was merely fathoming how wonderful of a doctor you are to be able to bring back Joker from the brink of death.' I write before showing her, hoping to appease the young lady. It was not my intention to allow my mind to wander while in her presence.
"Yeah, whatever." She sighs as I glance over both of Joker's counterparts. He needs to get back to Wonderland to heal. His injuries are not life threatening at the moment but he will later die from the injuries if they are not allowed to heal in Wonderland.
'I am leaving now, Miss Sakubo. I will be back another day to play with you.' I write, my ears pressed against my head as I anticipate her disappointed reaction.
"Awe you suck!" She openly pouts before hopping off the stool and heading for the door. Ah~ I must be sure to bring her something the next time I come back. Perhaps a new lab coat or two for her? I smile at the thought and take the baby bottle filled with the green sludge like antidote before coming to Joker's sides. I gently take Black's arm before hefting him onto my shoulder, settling him there before doing the same to White who lets out a small groan.
My eyes soften as I wobble for a moment, getting my footing before walking ahead. I do not have too far to travel which is nice, but Night may be upon us soon. And I cannot open the entrance back into the Library at Night. The risk of a Forgotten stumbling into it and spreading the disease all over Heart Country is far too great. Though, I can imagine many Role Holders having a great joy with Forgotten crawling about.
Joker soon begins to weigh heavy on my shoulders as I travel down the path at a brisk pace. If worse comes to worse I suppose I can string a hammock for Joker in the trees and keep watch for Forgotten.
Just beyond the edges of tall peppermint trees the sky shudders, turning to Dusk. I cast my troubles eyes up to the sky, walking faster through the forest. Night is next and there is no telling how long it will last. Black lets out a faint grunt as I start trotting faster, digging my shoulders into their stomachs. They will have bruises alone from me carrying them and I apologize for that.
A loud, grunting groan catches my attention before I instinctively whip around behind a peppermint patty bush, ducking under the mint leaves to avoid detection. I listen to the distinct gurgles and groans of the Forgotten as he passes by, losing his way down the paths of the peppermint trees.
It is far too dangerous out here in the opening for Joker. I ... must protect him. For Jackie's sake, if nothing else. I am appreciative of her brief presence and stay at the Coliseum. After all, she gave me a name to call myself by and it is something I will hold dear to my clock.
The night remains silent as I slip prop Joker up against the base of a candy cane tree, biting the black bandages off of my wrists to reveal a rather large slight in the sleeve which travels to my elbow. The thing metal cord slips out and into my hand as I fashion a harness with their belts and hook both counterparts together, back to back. Once they are secure I silently yet quickly climb up to the top, pulling hard against the wire to start rising them up. My muscles strain and clench as I slowly progress lower in the tree and pull both Joker's up, smacking the Warden's head against a tree branch.
I flinch at the mistake and continue up, mentally apologizing each time one of them smacks their head on the belly side of a branch. Once the make it to the top I wrap the cord around the trunk and hook it in place, running a hand through through my hair. Ah~ they will both have decent headaches when they wake up from this. I draw a hand back over my waist, clutching the empty holster for the cure. My eyes widen as they shoot to the ground, spying the Forgotten from before holding the cure in his hand while looking up at me.
The Forgotten lets out a loud, wailing shout before I can whip around and land a kunai between his bleeding eye sockets. Loud snapping and crunching of branches rings in my ears as I quickly descend to the ground, grabbing the cure but not quite making it into the tree in time as another Forgotten grabs hold of my leg and tries to pull me back to the ground. D***, I'm too late. I cannot avoid a fight now. I whip around and slice the older Forgotten across the throat before scrambling up the tree for safety.
Swift fingers grab a hold of the cure and slip it right out of the holster before I can grab her arm. The Forgotten with a bright yellow Sunday dress on runs flailing into the crowd which parts for her before smashing back together again. No, the cure-! I whip up the tree and try to locate the Forgotten but she is lost in the large horde. That Forgotten had a mission. No Forgotten runs unless it is to chase down prey or is following a direct order. Did the nun set this up?
My arms lock around the trunk of the tree as it begins to sway and bend every which way from the Forgotten crushing their bodies against the trunk of the tree. I hold fast and whip my arm back before launching five shuriken into the crowd, watching four Forgotten drop as the fifth cuts through another's cheek and snaps the tendon to the jaw. How ... how could I possibly get through this without using my voice?
My eyes flash as a few Forgotten attempt to climb up the tree, somehow managing to get a few feet up before I begin cutting them down as well. I need it back. I need to get that antidote back. I will not have all of Joker's hard work go to vein!
My head snaps up as a Forgotten crashes down amongst the branches, nearly knocking me off and into the bloodthirsty crowd. They are beginning to climb over from the nearby trees?! I watch with near horror as one tumbles down the branches, breaking a few of them at the base and nearly grabs Joker before falling to his death. No, no- D*** it! I reach up to my mask and prop it up before pulling down the second fabric one. These Forgotten are giving me no choice.
"If it is the Role Holder Joker you touch, then your skin will boil and fester and your bodies burn with the hottest of flames!" I shout rather loudly, watching as the Forgotten nearest to Joker burst into flames and start screaming as they fall out of the tree. My throat already starts to feel sore as I leap from the trees into the midst of the screaming horde. They almost immediately start to converge on me before I stand up and cast an eye over them.
"ENOUGH!" I thunder at the top of my lungs, tasting blood on my tongue as every Forgotten freezes in their place. I lightly cough into my sleeve, leaving a spot of blood before swallowing down the metal tasting liquid and clear my throat.
"Those of you who are here will protect Joker with your very lives. Any creature, Role Holder or Forgotten that comes here other than myself will be torn to shreds by your very hands and teeth." I brazenly order. Even if their minds are rotten their very bodies will move as I order. Raven ... will not like that I'm controlling the Forgotten. But, I've had no other choice.
"You," I point out, spying another man in his Sunday best before ordering, "take me to where that Forgotten who stole the antidote has gone." The man's head unhealthily cranes to the side, letting out a groaning hiss before hobbling around and heading in the direction the woman went.
I swiftly follow, weaving through the gnashing of teeth and groaning crowds before breaking into the thinner packed Forgotten towards the back. These Forgotten had a purpose in coming here. So many do not travel in a horde nor do they run so quickly to a sight. Someone knew I was here with Joker and they can control the Forgotten. I remain silent, trying not to think of the culprit despite suspecting one in particular.
My ears remain stiff and alert as I follow the rather slow moving Forgotten down a path I've only been down once before. That Forgotten ... wasn't taking the cure to Raven's nest, was it? My tail twitches nervously as I glance from side to side, trying to see if there is an ambush of Forgotten. Not that I will stop at that but ... I do not wish to fight with any of the Role Holder's here.
The Forgotten stopped before shuffling around, as if struggling to decide where to go before stomping at the path of brown Graham crackers. A crack forms and heads straight deeper into Candy Forest, directing the Forgotten where to go as his head lolls around upon his neck.
My eyes narrow as I watch the Forgotten travel down that path in particular. It must have been Raven that summoned the Forgotten here and, through the Forgotten, me. He probably heard about what I was doing in the Looking Glass and I doubt he will be accepting of it. But, I am at no fault. It was Joker who gathered the ingredients, not I. I only gave him direction in this land. But, I shouldn't be so surprised Raven wishes to speak with me about this matter.
The Forgotten groans once more, making his way to a tower in the middle of Candy Forest. The Forgotten stops, staring at me as though expecting me to enter the tower. This will be rather interesting. I walk to the door and give the thick handle a quick tug to make it pop open. The hinges ominously creak as it swings open, revealing a dark room that was only lit from the moonlight outside. The soft padding of footsteps catch my attention as I stare at the stair case, watching a young woman with solemn eyes come down.
"Cyan ... ," she softly says, gently skimming her fingertips over the railing. My tail stop moving, my ears pinning to my head. I did not know Painter works for Raven. She stops at the bottom of the stairs, staring at me with a beautiful gun in her delicate fingers. No matter how many times I come to the Looking Glass I am always surprised by something.
'You work for Raven?' I write, showing Painter the notepad. Oh no... Painter is the last woman I want to injure in this. If I must ... I will slip her into a deep sleep so that I may speak with Raven. I will not consider harming a hair on her head, even for Joker's sake.
" ... everyone is always so surprised by that. I guess you'll think differently of me, huh?" Painter says as she stares at the paper with a blank look. It was as though she was deprived of emotions, like she was a different person. "Not like I care."
'I am startled, yes, but my thoughts of you are unchanged. May I see Raven?' I politely write, worried about her response. I have a feeling Raven will not let me retrieve the cure so easily.
"Raven assigned me to guard the tower. He's watching us as we speak. I believe he wants me to best you." Painter explains in a monotonous tone. "Ha ... he wants someone dead." I remain silent before writing on my notepad.
'I apologize but I will not be the one dying today.' I write before tucking the notepad into my shirt. I will not have anyone die this Night. I only need the antidote so there is no need for unnecessary violence. She holds the gun up with a sweet smile.
"I know you won't die. You're very strong. Sometimes, I wonder... if Sculptor was alive, would you two be a match?" She places her finger on the trigger, pointing it at me, "here you go, Raven, one corpse."
BANG
I keep my gaze on her, hearing the Forgotten behind me fall as Painter lets her arm fall to her side. She is too kind, following Raven. I walk towards Painter, gently moving my mask up. I will not hurt Painter but I need that antidote.
She stepped out of the way, diverting her gaze away from him, "Someone died, Raven. So... I did my job." She softly says as she steps out of the way, diverting her gaze from me.
I pause as I pass her, gently leaning down and kissing her on the lips with the fabric mask between us. She is so sweet and kind that I cannot help but want her. She remains stiff as I pull back, gently cupping her jaws in my hands as I press my covered mouth a little more fervently against hers. Before she can react I pull back, satisfied with the brisk contact. If I could have anything in the world I would choose to forever remain by Painter's side. But, since I cannot, I will last with a few stolen kisses and treasure the warmth of her mouth against mine forever.
"Thank you, Painter. And now you may sleep a beautiful sleep and dream more wonderful dreams." I softly order, wrapping an arm around her waist to catch her when she falls. I don't want Raven ordering her around while I am here. So, it is best that I 'defeat' her now. Her eyes flutter closed as I direct her down, letting her slide against the wall before sitting her on the step. I gently let her go, braving one last little kiss before starting up the stairs. I do not wish to leave her but I must.
Raven is awaiting my arrival.
It feels like the light from below is sucked away and I aimlessly walk around in an inky darkness. My feet touch upon the ground, but there is no ground to see. Nor walls, nor ceiling, nor nothing of the sort.
Only a dark void of unpleasant sounds.
I hear the ticking of clocks surrounding me, so many that I cannot think without a tick interrupting a small thought. Looking around, I spy many clocks floating around and ticking randomly, not in unison at all.
The sound is upsetting and disheartening, in a way. Like a ticking symphony where the end is only eternal sleep. Time, slipping through the fingers of grace and falling, falling down. I take a deep breath, shaking off the maddening feelings threatening to push me over the edge of insanity. I listen intently, staring at one portion in the darkness.
"Raven." I say, nodding in Ravens direction. The portion of the darkness distorts, opening up like a door to reveal some light on this bleak illusion.
"You're...sharper than I thought, Cyan. Good for you." Raven says, stepping into the room. I simply nod, not wanting to use his voice anymore than I have to. I ... do not like forcing others to do my bidding. It's not right. I reach into my shirt, pulling out a notepad.
'Why have you brought me here?' I hold it up, showing the notepad to Raven.
"To teach you a lesson, you spoiled man." Raven chuckles, his wings lightly ruffling. The man stands on top of a pillar, looking down at me before stepping off. His wings spread out to gently allow him to float down to my level, only flapping a few times before smoothly landing in the odd space. The moment he lands the look in his eyes change. "You've betrayed our deal, Mock Turtle."
'How so? I have not once laid a finger on any Role Holder here with intention on harming them.' I smoothly write before holding it up, making sure to write big enough so Raven can see it at the distance they are at. But, then again, he has the eyes of a bird which are extremely keen so my consideration does not matter. I was expecting this sort of accusation from him.
"It is true that you've not laid a harmful finger on them, but you had helped the Joker, who harmed them and everyone. That, Mock Turtle, is aiding in harming them," Raven sighs as he slips out the cure, screwing the top open, "and I'm quite angry at such a thing. You do understand I was quite fond of you. Strong, intelligent... Kind. Talented."
'I am aware of your affection for me.' I write, holding it up for him to see. Affection ... ah, I should use a different word. I quickly flip the notepad back around, face touching red with embarrassment as I rewrite what I mean.
'I too am fond of you.' I write, once against holding it up for him to read before quickly taking it back and scribbling out the words. I stand quiet for a few moments, ears pressed against my head as I try to think of a better way to describe what Raven means.
"And your modesty. Let's remember your modesty," Raven says as he rubbs his temples, "pardon, but my affections lie in someone else. Please don't mistake it for that. I'm fond of you as a friend."
'I realize this. I could not think of a better way, but your meaning came off perfectly clear.' I apologize as I make a bow in his direction. I had not meant that in the way it sounded.
"Stand straight, Mock Turtle. I want you to see this." Raven sighs as he stares at the cure. I look up, darting my eyes from the cure and back to Raven's face.
'Please stop.' I write, eyes locked onto the cure. Joker ... worked so hard to get that cure for his lovely wife. Raven would not think to waste all that hard effort, would he?
Of course he would. He's 'Raven' after all.
"I do not appreciate you coming onto this land and doing as you please so freely, Mock Turtle." Raven says, popping the top of the bottle off. My eyes widen as he holds it out, locking eyes with me before sweetly smiling. "So I am sorry to say, but your time here has been in vain." He says before pouring Jackie's medicine out. "I do not mean for this to happen. Know that, Mock Turtle."
My lips part as I watch Joker's hard work pour out over the ground from one man's decision. Raven ... why tempt me to anger as so? I resist the urge to rip off my mask and demand for his reasoning by force but resist as I calming write my thoughts instead.
'Why did you do that, Raven?'
"Why don't you get the answer out of me, Mock Turtle. It's as easy as saying two words. I certainly won't answer you through your weak reply on a piece of paper," Raven smirks. I carefully study his face, unable to understand what he wishes for me to do. Does he want me to use my voice on him? But I don't understand why.
I merely remain silent before tucking my notepad away and turning away. This room is an illusion. If I retrace my steps then I will reach the door. I do not want to use my voice on him. Or anyone. Painter ... I had reason. I did not want to see her get hurt, or see that fleeting pain in her eyes as Raven orders her to kill me. If he were to hurt Painter before I just might murder him. The very man who gave me this cursed voice.
"You know...Cyan is an interesting name. Painter told me about you so very fondly. So very lovingly when I came to see her," Raven says before laughing, "honestly, I do not see the charm in such a name."
I freeze as my fingers touch over the cool metal of the invisible handle. Why does he tempt me so towards anger? He knows what I can do so why force me to use it?
"It's a very foolish name. Quite stupid."
"Why tempt me towards anger, Raven?" I ask. My words ... are absolute. He knows that anything I want to know I can squeeze out of him. I can snap his wing with a mere few words. So why does he pry into my mind?
"It's a simple answer, Mock Turtle. My Role drives everyone mad. Mad as a Hatter, without the charm," he laughs before looking serious, "and as long as I drive others mad, I also look for pain. If not to hurt me, then I hurt others. Isn't this a pitiful Role?"
" ... only if one thinks that." I say, knowing those words, depending on how Raven takes them, could send him spiraling into depression. So much can go wrong with a few misplaced or misused words ... it's sad, in its entirety. "Are you asking me to deliver unto you pain?" I ask, feeling blood from his throat touch his tongue before swallowing it down and take a few deep breaths.
"Now wouldn't you like that," Raven smirks before holding his hand up, "I've given you that Role, that power, and does it not give you grief?"
"Not the kind which grief is given unto you, Raven." I answer before turning to face him with doleful eyes, "you are, Raven, the last Role Holder I would wish pain upon. Your existence, your very life, is that of agony and torment, in which you must hurt others to confirm to yourself of feeling, of the which you believe you do not have," I say, walking up to Raven before sadly cupping his cheek and staring into his eyes, "how this Mock Turtle pities you, Raven, and your tortured existence."
"My existence is the very thing that keeps this Wonderland alive. If I could only end my existence but not Wonderland's, then maybe I could repent and cause no more harm. But there is no happy ending for Wonderland. It simply does not gain it."
"We live as we choose and play the cards we have been dealt, Raven." I simply state. I have read, well, ate many books and know this to be too true. There is no happy ending. "But ... a foreigner defies that, doesn't she?" Raven pauses before laughing, stepping away from me as he clutches his head.
"A Foreigner?! A Foreigner can defy this! Defy what I do to Wonderland!? If they do, then they are too good for their world."
" ... perhaps so." I simply answer before placing the mask over my face. I've ... spoken too much for today. My throat is aching and burning from this little conversation. "Do not interfere with my collecting of the ingredients. I will not lay a finger on the Role Holders, just as I have promised." Now I must recollect the ingredients after putting Joker to rest back at the Coliseum. I ... am bothered that I must single handedly collect the ingredients but I will manage.
"You're in no position to tell me what to do. If it were up to me, I would have challenged you to a fight, but the day grows late." Raven sighs before the tower around them disappears. Soft grass brush against my feet as I open my eyes to see the middle of Candy Forest.
I quietly adjust my mask, glancing around the field. Raven must have taken Painter with him. As for who he loves most ... well, I have an awfully good idea as to who that is. I turn towards the forest and head back to Joker, my mission a failure. I will go and bring Joker back to Wonderland before hunting down the ingredients myself.
It's the least I can do to make things right what Raven has wronged.
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Awe~! I feel bad for Cyan, having to do the dirty work again. What do you think will happen in the next chapter? 10 REVIEWS for the next chapter~!