YAY! Chapter 6 is up! So yes, I finally made it to Chapter 6, never would have ever thought I would ever get this far with a story, but I have!
So anyway, hope you guys enjoy Chapter 6 of Two Girls in Heartland~
Disclaimer: I don't own Heart no Kuni no Alice, everything (except Jay and Ray) belongs to QuinRose!
Chapter 6: Tea at Heart Castle and the Annoying Knight
Ray's P.O.V.
Yesterday, I got to sleep in a few more hours, before Alice (gently) woke me up, unlike Jay. Since I slept in my clothes I didn't need to worry about getting changed, I just did the simple things like brushing my chocolate brown hair that went a few inches past my shoulders, brushing my teeth, and then applying my green mascara, that never leaves my side.
After that was done I ate some lunch, cause it was apparently noon. Alice asked me if I wasn't to head over to Clover Tower with her and meet the people there. I was about to agree, when the twins popped out of nowhere and pulled me aside asking me to stay and play with them.
Normally, I'm the coldhearted type who would say 'no' and walk away without a second thought, but they than gave me the cutest, biggest puppy eyes I've ever seen and gave in. Alice sweat dropped as she watched the twins drag me to their room to play.
…
The twins for most of the time just showed me their insanely large collection weapons, making me feel really jealous. I hate having to wait until I'm 18 to purchase a weapon. They were quite shocked when I told them that and we all agreed that it was the most stupid rule in the world.
Later on, they taught me how to use a gun and throwing knives, and laughed at my horrible aim. No, seriously, my aim is terrible. I could throw a knife forward and it would some how end up hitting something behind me! It's official. I defy the laws of physics no matter what I'm doing… I thought depressingly considering the fact that it was true.
After that interesting little lesson in weaponry, we sat down and played some video games (never would've guessed they had video games in Wonderland.) thought most of the time they were teaching me how to use a controller, and just my luck, right as I was actually getting the hang of it, Elliot came barging in and yelling at Dee and Dum for slaking off.
So, I spent the rest of the day in Blood's room reading my Mark of Athena book, which I had in my bag and got almost a year ago but never picked up.
So yes, that was my day yesterday, fun with the twins, getting yelled at by Elliot, and then reading a year old book in Blood's room while he did work. Of course, afterwards I forgot to mention that Blood threw another tea party and I spent the whole night, along with Blood, observing Dee, Dum, and Elliot argue over Elliot being a rabbit, or a hare, and then carrot dishes...oh joy…
…
Today Alice and Jay came by around lunch (breakfast for me since I woke up only and hour ago) to go to Heart Castle and meet the Queen of Hearts, the Prim Minister, and (if he's not lost) the Knave of Hearts. I was excited to finally meet Vivaldi; she was one of my many role models, anime/manga wise. But I wasn't looking forward to meeting Peter, or Ace for obvious reasons.
"So, what happened yesterday at the Amusement Park?" I Jay. She shrugged and looked away trying to hid her blush. It was really obvious when Jay was blushing, cause her skin is so damn pale, and it was super funny to watch.
"Nothing happened. We just went on some rides and ate ice cream. That's all." She deadpanned. Alice and I just giggled. Jay rolled her eyes and began to walk at a much quicker pace.
Awww! She's embarrassed. Now I finally have something to tease her with~ I thought evilly.
…
The walk to Heart Castel was longer than I expected, but we eventually made it. I also noticed that some cherry blossoms were on the trees and the weather was a bit warmer than it was back at the mansion, but no quite as warm as it was when I went to the Amusement Park. I always thought April Season just happened. I didn't think the territories just gradually grew into the season. Oh well, I guess QuinRose can't get everything perfectly right. I thought as we made our way threw the maze and to the entrance of the castle.
The faceless guards happily let us in. "Welcome miss Alice and guests." The two guards greeted us in perfect sync. It was kind of creepy-no-it was really creepy.
"Thank you, is Vivaldi in the audience chamber?" Alice asked the two guards politely. They nodded.
"Yes, her majesty is currently judging the trials right now. She will be most pleased to see you, miss Alice." The one guard, number 3, said. Alice nodded and thanked the guards again, before gesturing for Jay and I to follow her.
Alice then had one of the maids lead us to the audience chamber and told us to wait outside as she announced our arrival.
We waited a few seconds and herd a loud voice say, "Well, what are you waiting for then? Bring them in!" Jay and I flinched but Alice looked calm, so I took it that this was completely normal.
The two large pink painted doors opened and the same maid who had guided us here before gestured for us to come in.
"Her majesty will see you all now." She said in a timid voice. We thanked her and she scurried off to finish whatever work she had left to do.
The thrown room was large and consisted of mostly reds, pinks, and some purple. A woman with purple, curly hair wearing a red dress sat on a large thrown resting her head on her chin in a bored sort of manner.
The man to her right had short white hair, rabbit ears and wore a checkered coat and had a large pocket watch strapped to his side looked up from some papers and grinned when he spotted Alice. "Alice my dear!" he shouted and Alice grimaced in disgust. I tried my best not to laugh.
The man left of the woman in red was leaning back against the wall. He had short, messy brown hair and wore a red jacket with a sword strapped to his side. He perked up when he saw us enter the chamber and smiled.
"Yo, Alice! Long time, no see!" he, Ace, laughed. Alice smiled and waved to him.
"You stupid knight! Don't talk to my dear, Alice, so casually!" the white rabbit (Peter) barked at the knight. Alice just glared at him and then turned her attention to the woman in the red dress, Vivaldi.
"Hello Vivaldi, I came here to introduce you guys to my new friends, Jay Kat and Ray Carson, the new outsiders." Alice said cheerfully. Vivaldi perked up when Alice mention "outsiders" and looked at Jay and I.
"Oh? So you two are the new outsiders we have heard so much about, hmm?" Vivaldi stated. Jay and I nodded.
"Well a friend of Alice is a friend of ours. Come, we wish to get to know you two more over tea." Vivaldi clapped her hands and a faceless maid walked us all to the rose gardens where a long table with a white cloth was set up.
Vivaldi sat at the head of the table, while Peter and Ace stood on either side of her. Alice sat next to Vivaldi on the right along with Jay, while I sat to her left. A maid came with tea and set it down in front of us before leaving.
"So tell us," Vivaldi addressed Jay and I, "How have you two been fairing so far in this new world?"
Jay shrugged. "Pretty well, it's a lot of fun." I nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah this place is so cool." Vivaldi and Alice laughed at my enthusiasm.
"Well, we are glade to see you like it here, have either of you decided where you are staying?" We both shrugged.
"Not sure, we're going to have to visit all the territories before we decide anything." Jay stated for both of us. I remained silent. Actually, I kind of wanted to stay at the mansion. I really liked it there, but I kept quiet, not wanting to voice my opinion.
"Oh, is that so? Well then we'll have you know that you two are always welcome here at the Castle since we have taken a liking to you two already." Vivaldi stated. Jay and I nodded.
"Thank you, your highne-" "Call us Vivaldi." "Right, sorry, thank you for the offer Vivaldi." Jay said sweetly and I nodded.
"Hey, which territories haven't you two visited yet?" Ace asked.
"The Tower.'' "The Circus" we said at once. Ace turned to me surprised.
"Wait, are you saying you've already been to the Circus?" he asked. Everyone, but Jay and Alice's eyes, were on me. I nodded.
"Yes, I ended up in the Joker's Woods, when I first came here." I explained.
"Then we take it you have already met him." Vivaldi said darkly.
"If you're referring to jingles and smiley, then yes, yes I did." I said blankly. Everyone but Peter started creaking up at my statement.
"Oh, Ray Ray…" Jay sighed shaking her head back and forth. I smiled at shrugged.
"Haha! You're one weird outsider!" Ace exclaimed. I turned to Ace and glared.
"Ace if there is one thing you should know about me, and your life may or (most likely not) depend on this one bit of information; I. Am. A. Weirdo." I deadpanned. If I had a dollar for every time someone called me "weird," I'd be a millionaire by now. I thought quietly to myself as I sipped my tea. Ace just laughed at my comment.
After that, Alice and Vivaldi began to chat about random things. Peter tried to throw in a word or two here and there, but glared at Jay and I for the most part. Jay was arguing with Ace and I continued to disappear into the background…as always.
Nothing really exciting happened, except for when a faceless maid dropped the tea set and Vivaldi said 'OFF WITH HER HEAD!' I automatically perked up when she said this and Jay face palmed at my reaction. Unfortunately, Alice convinced Vivaldi not to go through with the order.
"Umm, Vivaldi?" I asked. Vivaldi looked to me curiously, probably surprised that I had spoken at all.
"Yes, what is it?"
"When you order for someone to be beheaded, do the soldiers use an ax or a guillotine?"
There was a very awkward silence after I stated my question. Alice sighed and shook her head, while Jay once again face palmed and mumbled something inaudible. Ace and Peter just started at me, probably also surprised I actually said something.
"Hmm…in all our years as Queen, we have never been asked such a question…still we have the soldiers use an ax. What may we ask is a guillotine?"
"Oh that's easy! A guillotine is a wooden devise with a sharp steel plate inside of it and is used for beheading. Very popular in Europe from the 14 century to the 18th, I think they even have a whole museum, or at least part of a museum dedicated to the contraption in France. But my information could be a little spotty." I said. Vivaldi nodded, interested in this conversation.
"Hmm…how does it cut off someone's head?" she asked. I paused, not really sure how to describe it.
"Umm, here I can explain it better with a diagram. " I said pulling out my GIR bag and pulling out my mini sketchbook and pencil. I then flipped to a random page, made a quick but realistic sketch of the mechanism, ripped out the page and handed it to Vivaldi.
She looked at it in surprise. "You see, you stick someone's head in that hole, than another person let's go of a rope bringing down that slate and cutting the head clean off and into that little basket bellow." I said pointing out every little piece of the process.
Most of the faceless soldiers and maids tensed as I was explaining it to Vivaldi. Don't know why though, I was just showing her how a guillotine worked. I highly doubt she will consider using it.
"It's interesting, but it looks like something that would be a pain to clean, so we shale stick with the ax." Vivaldi declared. I nodded, yup, I was right.
"Hmm…I guess that sound reasonable. It probably would make more of a mess than an ax would, and I can tell, you're not the type of person who likes messes." I said agreeing with her. And she nodded.
"Yes, messes are most annoying. Tell us do monarchy's in your world use this contraption?" I shrugged.
"Well, monarchy is not quiet as popular as it use to be. Most countries have switched over to a democracy, or something along those lines. Communisms is also a big thing, but I think that might be dying down as well, but I do believe there are still some countries with a king or a queen ruling them. And along the lines of a beheading, well, it's very unlikely since the death penalty is hardly ever used any more. The court will most of the time will just throw a person in prison for the rest of their life." I explained from what I knew.
Vivaldi nodded. "We see. Is your country ruled by a king or queen?"
"Nope, I'm an American! We have democracy!" I said giving her a thumbs up. She started at me for a moment, and then started laughing. I laughed along with her. It's official. Vivaldi is the most awesome I've met so far!
…
Vivaldi and I had eventually moved on to topics other than beheading, or any kind of execution. I told her about my world and Alice added in a thing or two and we both compared some of the things that had changed over the years since she came here.
Apparently, Alice had been in Wonderland for a good five years, even though to her it only felt like one, and was surprised by the change in technology and how drastically violence had risen over the few years she had been gone.
But unfortunately, our tea party was ended when the time changed to night. Vivaldi looked up at the sky in disgust.
"How dare the night ruin our tea party. Oh well, there is no helping it." She sighed clapping her hands. The maids appeared and cleared the table and we all got up.
"White! Lead our guests to the guestrooms." Vivaldi ordered. Peter nodded and gestured for Alice, Jay, and I to follow.
…
Peter showed each to our rooms that were a few rooms a part from each other. He first dropped off Alice and offered for her to sleep in his room.
He only got punch and called a pervert in response.
He then dropped off Jay, who thanked him and closed the door without looking back. If she had, she would have noticed the little glare he gave her. I frowned. What the hell is this guys problem?!
Finally we made it to my room at the end of the hall. I turned to Peter and nodded. He just stared at me in response.
"If you have a problem with me and my friend than say it." I said blankly. He huffed.
"I don't trust you two around Alice. I was with Nightmare when he was picking out two new outsiders to play the game, but why he picked you two, I'll never understand." I blinked.
"And why do you not trust us?"
"Because, whether the other role holders realize it or not, you two are more dangerous and violent than you two seem, and if put in a bad position, you can both do a lot of harm and could possibly hurt Alice. I don't want to see that happen." I just stared at him, before giving him a quick flick on his forehead.
"Baka! Jay and I would never hurt Alice, she's our friend, and I refuse to hurt my friends in any sort of violent matter that would cause them serious harm. The same goes for Jay. We know when to hold back." I growled.
Peter rubbed his forehead and clicked his tongue in response before walking away. I opened the door to my room.
"I hope you can live up to your words." Peter whispered. I stood in the doorway for a few seconds, before closing it behind me.
"That's one annoying rabbit." I sighed and got changed into a nightgown and hopped into bed.
"Because whether or not the other role holders realize it or not, you two are more dangerous and violent then you two seem… I frowned as I thought about Peter's words. Did he know about what I did? What really went down at that conference last month?
…No, that's not possible. I shook my head I snuggled further into the soft pillow. It's all in the past and won't ever happen again. I thought as I closed my eyes.
…
The next morning, I learned that Alice and Jay got tired of waiting for me and went on a head leaving me alone in the castle. Apparently both Alice and Jay tried to wake me up at least three times on their own, and when that didn't work they went as far as to get Peter to fire off a few gun shots in my room and I still slept soundly. Vivaldi came in screaming when she herd the gunshots go off and I slept threw it all.
Realizing that I wouldn't be waking up any time soon, Alice and Jay headed back to the tower while Vivaldi, just to make sure I didn't fall into a coma, had ordered a doctor to come in and check on me. I woke up only a few minutes after he left and saw that it had just changed into evening.
I left my room and met up with Vivaldi who was relived that I had woken up. When I asked her why she was so relived she explained to me the whole ordeal and that I should get an alarm clock. Believe me, an alarm clock wouldn't solve anything if I was able to sleep threw all that…I sweat dropped.
So now here I was lost in the maze at heart castle trying to find my way back to the mansion. After all I had promised I would play with Dee and Dum today, but it didn't look like that was happening any time soon.
I sighed in defeat. Damn! Why the hell is this maze so flipping big?! I mean they could have at least put in one of those maps with a 'you-are-here' sign on it! I thought bitterly. I should have asked Vivaldi for directions before I left…
Don't get me wrong! I'm not directionally challenged like Ace; as a matter of fact I'm pretty damn good with direction. Just not with maps or anything and I only get lost when I'm in a new environment, like right now…
I tried to jump high enough so I could see over the hedge but I always come a few inches short. Damn my height! Why can't I be tall like Jay or Alice? I mentally sobbed. Jay's about 5'6" or 7" mean while I only come up to a good 5'4"! On a good day that is…and today was not one.
I growled and tried to climb the damn hedge, which was much harder than it looked. I had a hard time getting a good grip on some of the branches in the hedge, but I was successful. Then using my limited knowledge of gymnastics, I lifted myself up and was actually able to get onto the top.
I steady the upper half of my body onto the clean cut top of the hedge and looked around. I scanned the area but saw no sign of the exit. I sighed and shook my head. I must be heading in the opposite direction. So I tried to slowly turn around, lost my footing, and fell.
I quickly shut my eyes waiting for the hard impact but instead I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist and shoulders. I opened my eyes and saw that I had been saved.
"Oh, thanks!" I said turning around only to find Ace smiling down at me. I shuddered. Damn! It had to be Ace of all people! I rather have been saved by Black! Or not saved at all!
"No problem. Saving a damsel in distress is a knights duty." He said cheerfully. Still smiling I might add. I honestly have nothing against Ace other than how annoyingly cheerful he is, and his smile. Even when I was reading the manga; I always found how optimistic he was really disturbing.
I then realized how he was holding me with one arm wrapped around my waist and the other crossing my chest and holding my shoulders. I blushed and glared at him.
"You can let go now."
"I know~" my eye twitched. Was this guy trying to piss me off? Cause that won't go over well with me. That last time someone did that I landed them in the hospital and the only person who can piss me off and get away with it would be Jay. Mostly because I know she can beat me up without a second thought.
"Well, I would very much appreciate it if you would let go now." I said trying to remain calm. No, I won't let this guy get to me. Remember Ray; he's pervert likes to piss people off for his own amusement. Don't give him the satisfaction.
"Aww~ but I don't want to~" he said pulling me closer to him. I growled and tried to get Bert out my pocket so I could stab this pervert. I struggled to try to escape but his grip was too strong.
"Let go now! Damn it Ace this isn't funny!" I shouted. He just laughed like I said a funny joke.
"But I'm having so much fun watching your expressions change from being mad, to scared, to desperate. And what's the rush anyways? Got a date?" he teased, but I didn't hear it. I started seething in anger when he said I looked "desperate".
I was not desperate. I was pissed off and now he was going to pay the prices. I quickly turned my body around and falcon kicked him on the side of his head leaving a large red mark. He quickly dropped me and fell.
I landed on my feet and quickly took Bert out of my pocket, pinned him to the ground (well more like sat on top of him) and held Bert to his throat, drawing a little blood to show him I was serious.
"Let's get a few things straight between the two of us: one. Never deliberately try to piss me off for your own amusement. Jay is the only person I allow to do that. Two. If you ever try to sexually harass me again I will kick your ass into next week. Three. Don't ever call. Me. Desperate! Got it?" I shouted.
He looked at me for a moment but then smiled and nodded. "Good." I said getting off him and slipping Bert back into my pocket. I then went back to trying to climb the hedge and find the exit.
"What are you doing?" Ace asked standing up and brushed the dirt off his jacket.
"Looking for the exit, why? What does it look like I'm doing?" I sassed. My eyes widened realizing what he might say. Ace smiled and opening his mouth to reply but I stopped him before he could.
"You know what; don't answer that. I have you were about to say something really weird and perverted that might make me to kill you." I said quickly. But he just continued to smile away watching my futile attempts to climb the stupid hedge.
I growled. This was getting me nowhere and that annoying knight wouldn't stop staring at me. It was beginning creep me out. Damn it Jay! Why couldn't you and Alice have waited for me to wake up? I mentally sobbed.
I stopped trying to climb and looked around for something that might be useful in my escape. But I saw nothing but Ace, and I knew very well I couldn't trust him for directions. If I were Alice this would be around the time Peter would jump out from behind a random bush and lead the way out.
But I'm not Alice and it didn't look like Peter was about to randomly pop up out of nowhere and save the day; mainly because it was quite clear he didn't really like Jay or me.
I looked up at the sky realizing that even if I found the exit now I still wouldn't make it back to the Hatter's Mansion before night fall and I will have broken my promise to Dee and Dum. I frowned feeling really guilty. I hated breaking a promise to someone; it was one of the many things I could never stand!
A few minutes later, Ace and I both perked up at the sound of gunshots going off. And they didn't sound to far away. OMG PEOPLE! I almost cried with joy as I ran to the gunshots point of origin with Ace not to far behind.
…
It only took a few minutes to find Peter surrounded by a bunch of dead card soldiers. His back was to us so when he heard us approaching he immediately turned around and pointed his gun at us. But even though he saw that we weren't some random soldiers, it didn't look like he was going to put the gun down.
I sweat dropped. I'm starting to think my chances of finding a way out of this maze alive would have been much larger if I didn't come rushing over here… Peter continued to point his gun at us; watching to see if we did anything. When we didn't he just sighed and lowered his gun. I let out a sigh of relief I didn't even know I was holding.
"What do you two want? As see I'm very busy here." Peter asked coldly. Ace just shrugged.
"I don't know. I'm just following her." Ace laughed pointing to me. I growled and stepped on his foot. Hard. But he didn't seem to react.
Peter then turned his gaze to me. "Well?"
"I forgot to ask for direction out of the maze and since I am well aware that this one," I pointed to Ace. "Will be of no help, so when I heard the gunfire I came over here to see if there was anyone who could give me some directions." I explained calmly. Peter sighed and shook his head.
"Please don't tell me that you are just as directionally challenged as him." Peter said transforming his gun back into a pocket watch. I shook my head.
"No, like I said; I just forgot to ask for directions. This is just a new environment for me and I need to get used to it. That's all.'' He nodded and gave Ace and I directions out of the maze.
When we got to the exit Ace said that he was heading to the tower and said goodbye. I nodded and watched him walk off in the wrong direction probably heading for the Amusement Park and sighed.
I looked up at the sky and could already tell it would be nightfall very soon so I ran in the direction of the mansion hoping it wasn't to late.
…
I reached the mansion gates a few minutes after nightfall and saw Dee, Dum, and Elliot all head inside. Good, I didn't miss them.
"Dee! Dum!" I shouted. The twins quickly turned around to see me and smiled and then ran up to me. Elliot turned to see me and walked up as well.
"You came!" Dum said excitedly.
"Yeah, we thought you weren't gonna come." Dee added sadly. I nodded trying to catch my breath. I had never run so much before in my entire life. NEVER. So I was really out of breath. After a few minutes of wheezing and trying to catch my breath I was finally able to explain my absence.
"Sorry about that. No one at the castle was able to wake me up. Not even Vivaldi's screaming I might add, so I didn't wake up until sunset and since I forgot to ask of directions, I got lost in the maze and then I spent the next half hour or so trying to get out along with Ace. Then we ran into Peter who us the direction out of that labyrinth, and here I am." I explained in one breath.
The twins and Elliot just stared at me trying to process what I had just said.
"Well must not have been fun." Elliot mumbled. I nodded.
"Yes being lost and alone with Ace almost half an hour is not something I wish to experience ever again." I said darkly. He nodded.
"Well, it's to late to play now, so" Dee started.
"We'll all play tomorrow!" Dum finished. I nodded that sounded like a good idea.
"Hold on a minute! You two slackers have work tomorrow!" Elliot shouted. Dee and Dum just glared at the hare and pouted.
"No fair!"
"Yeah! We didn't get to play with Ray-san today!"
"Well that's to b-"
"Umm…Elliot? Would it be okay if I hung out with them at the gate tomorrow, while they work?" I asked. Elliot thought about it for a minute and shrugged.
"Only if you make sure they don't leave their posts." I smiled and the twins cheered.
"Thanks Elliot." I said happily I felt really bad about not showing up until just now. He blushed a bit but nodded.
"Yeah well whatever…but if they ditch I'm not letting you do this again!" he shouted. I nodded and looked at thee twins. They swore that they wouldn't ditch, though I highly doubt they meant it.
I sighed, knowing that they were probably already plotting something right now and from the look on his face, Elliot knew it to, but he didn't say anything.
"Now that that's settled," he said turning to me, "you might as well stay the night since you're already here." I nodded
"Thank you, Elliot." I said even though I wasn't really tired. I mean, had slept for a little over half the day. So when I got to my room I got changed into a nightgown and looked through my bag for something to do.
And there you have it Chapter 6! Took me a lot longer to type, upload, and edit than I expected, so sorry about the late update! And also please excuse any grammatical errors!
Anyways as always:
Please R&R~