Hi.

I promised a chapter before Valentine and here it is. Enjoy

Oh yes, If you are +18 in age, I suggest you to read the M rated one-shot for Julius befoer reading this.

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You will also notice the cross references to the fics "Carrot cake" by Sleeping Moon, and to "Unconventional Players for a Game of Hearts" by Coy Serum, so check those out ;)

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CHAPTER 14: PLANS AND EXPERIMENTS

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The faceless faction known as 'The Lullaby' , had grown in size, riches and power since they took the now forgotten foreigner and white neck mercenary, Aria Hadron Scherzi, as 'Berceuse', their boss. Controlling production and supply chains, getting monopolies for "foreign" products and activities, providing new kinds of entertainment, replicating more advanced knowledge, techniques and technologies... All tricks and management introduced by said foreigner had allowed them to create an underground network for goods, jobs and favors. All was thanks to her.

Barely a little after Aria had arrived into Wonderland, their old boss was killed during a casual raid after an event. Back then, they were nothing but a nameless minor group. Not even decent criminals. Smugglers at much who specialized in 'getting stuff'; and without a boss, they had been about to lose their reason to be; and not having a reason for existing in this world was a huge transgression of the rules. They didn't want to die. Or worse, be taken out of existence into the prison and face the nothingness they were.

In a desperate act, they had asked the foreigner to be their boss. It took time for her to accept the status they had given her, but she turned out to be the best possible boss. From nothing, she gave them a rightful place and name in this world as a faction like no other was. They were no bogus crime syndicate or small black market business. They expanded in the shadows of all the territories, like movements from a symphony, filling every and any power vacuum or market, operating in total secrecy behind the curtains in her behalf.

Even Wonderland itself had acknowledge their status as 'her' faction when their second and third in command, faceless men called Biggs and Wedge, had pledged their loyalties to her; getting tattoos in the form of musical clefs, that contained the foreigner's own blood and essence as active element of the magical ink that created a bond with her. Without their boss knowing, and using the blood samples the mercenary foreigner had been extracting from herself; the rest of the faction had followed the example and gotten a quaver music note tattoo somewhere in their bodies; a tattoo that drew towards them her mana. No matter how faint and diluted the main ingredient was in the ink, it gave them the connection and sense of belonging that persisted as true even when Lady Aria and their peers disappeared into Diamond. When the storm came, the Lullaby members with a tattoo had not forgotten about her.

How could they? They existed because of her. She had more than saved their lives, she had given them new existences.

They were someone and they were important to her, even if she was a lot more than important to them. Not only had she done all that for them, mere faceless. As a foreigner she had given them far more, and even without the game they would have loved her. With her knowledge and actions, they respected her to the point of idolatry. As their boss, their loyalty was ensured and enhanced.

She was theirs. In a way, it was as if they had won the game, they had gotten the foreigner and they would do anything to get her back.

In all territories this side of the mirror, the organization had posts, businesses and hidden headquarters. In the Clock tower's territory and under the big public library and bookstore they have founded; their main quarters were reachable by the underground tunnels and galleries whose entrances were hidden in all the Lullaby's businesses above ground.

This particular headquarter also served as the big factory and press for the mysterious, yet highly successful, "Zarathustra editions"; that under the motto "A Book for All and None", printed exclusive literary material from the foreigner world, and supplied the Lullaby with knowledge of all kinds from the books their boss has salvaged from entire libraries of her world; also providing a nice revenue thanks to the publishing of the most successful pink novels in Wonderland; series like "A foreign tale", a series of (sometimes erotic) romantic adventures of their boss and people from this world, mainly the role holders but with faceless too. In truth, like other works it had served as wonderful means of propaganda, recruitment and misinformation.

Currently almost all the members were packed in the forum and auditorium, a greek-like arena with high ceilings and circular laddered seats. At its center, the "Berceuse", title given to the leader of the faction, had just informed all the gathered faceless that the presence of their beloved founder had been confirmed by a soldier from Heart Castle, employers from Clover, and by the head medic from their clinic in the Clock Tower's territory.

Voices from all the seats arose. They rejoiced at the return of their true leader, founder and object of their devotion; however, they were outraged to hear of how hurt she was. To them she was more than special. She had given them a reason for existing and she had done it so that the rules accommodated to them. Had she not agreed to be their boss, had they not been near her...

The Berceuse knew that now that their boss was back, it was time to map their future actions. That was the main objective for this gathering. Everyone had a voice even if the last decision was from the top female; her, the 'Berceuase'.

"So basically everyone already knows...."- Ava, a buxomed bartender from Clover had gathered a lot of gossip while serving patrons at the establishment known as 'A Weary Flamingo'.

"Yes. Clover knows because the Lizard hurt her in the Clock Tower and took her into this own tower. At the castle, the knight went to search the records and even went to get the files from the prime minister's office."-The Berceuse explained- "But more strange is that the 'The King', of all people in Wonderland, seems to not have forgotten either. That must be investigated " - She crossed her arms while looking at the delegation from Heart's. They would make sure to find that out.

"And what are we going to do Berceuse? She is in a bad state. Quite hurt and in desperate need of rest. But worst of all... we don't know how is her mind. What if she forgot too? We don't know what she went through and her mind could be quite strained." - The old doctor, head medic at the hatter's mansion and director of the Rapanui clinic, held a cigar in his hand and had quite the worried stance in his old frame - "Although it pains me to delay her welcoming, my professional opinion is that for now we should not approach her directly until she has healed enough, and we confirm the state of her memories. "

The Berceuse nodded and sighted as everyone keep talking amongst their groups. - "The rumors have run around. So everyone knows that there is another foreigner. Clover, Hearts and the Clock tower know she was here before, and the hatters at the very least suspect it. But we can't risk our anonymity or our Lady's safety. For the time being she ought to rest and heal at the place she has graced with her presence. "

No one liked that.

"Our lady has chosen wisely. The clock tower is neutral and secluded enough."- Ava the bartender reasoned with her group - "Plus, everyone knows that the knave is the strongest role holder and the lover of the mortician. We know that the Clock Master has given his protection to lady A. , so that means that the knight will respect and enforce it too."

"And how can we make sure he doesn't try to harm Lady A?! We all know that there are too many loose screws in that guy's head, oi? Remember when he was around the other outsider?!" - A younger member of the congregation, a chef specialized in foreign food, interjected hotly with a displeased frown. His associates standing near him nodded in agreement and began to vocalize their objections with other factors.

"Not to mention that the Clockmaker has his own fair share of enemies, and it will only get worse when April Season comes around!"- The main editor from Zarathustra editions said.

"Yeah that's right!"- A young weapon smith apprentice called out.

Just as the Berceuse was about to cut the growing argument short, a loud 'tap' resounded across the marble floor. Everyone looked up and saw a white-haired woman dressed in black, standing next to the doctor with a cane in hand. Thanks to her skills, this woman had managed to get to old age, but it had caught up to her and at some point she had received extended damage. Despise that, she had been deemed still useful and important by lady she was an instructor for the highly trained 'special' personnel of the lullaby.

"Silence. What kind of example are you setting for the Lullaby by arguing in such a manner? Or have you fools already forgotten that we 'are' much more civilized than those wretched Role Holders who wave their guns and care about nothing except winning the game? And that is 'something' we cannot allow to happen to our leader!" - The wizened lady glanced at her adjacent companion, the old doctor, with a disappointed frown. - "Are you absolutely certain that these gentlemen were well-trained under your care before setting them loose in Wonderland, dear? It appears that their tactless comments need some...refining."

The doctor shrugged and took another whiff of his cigar before respectfully gesturing to the faceless who had been silent the entire time. "We have all said our piece."

"Does anyone want to add more?"- The Berceuse asked. Everyone expressed their varied opinions and no 'tenth men* was need. The Berceuse took a decision.

"We will not present ourselves to Lady Aria yet. We will wait for her to heal before we inquire about her mind and memory. And to ensure her safety regarding the roleholders, the Lullaby will take control around the clock tower's territory, while keeping the other holders away from her by all our unconventional means; even if for that we have to blow up half their territories to keep them busy and distracted".

With the decision taken, they discussed and planned actions. After that, all delegations returned to their respective territories, while at the turn of time change, in the clock tower, after sleeping for who knows how long Aria woke up sore and alone in bed.

She groaned and immediately noticed that her wounds were bandaged and treated properly. It was obvious that she had received professional medical attention.

Examining her wounds the sore foreigner scowled, knowing that she wasn't in any condition to run away or fight. Much less go and look for lost relics. Not to mention that at this point, all the cover of her anonymity had been undoubtedly been blown away, and all role holders would be prying soon.

Things were piling up and she needed to act fast before it all caught to her. She needed to know if something traumatically hard would or would not trigger a role holder's memories of her, and she could think of only one thing, one action that was extreme enough on that line. Something that she wouldn't care much about, but that would mean much to her chosen test subject. If that didn't work… She needed to try it. Whether it worked or not, it would provide with all the answers she needed and the proper info to formulate more questions and plans.

In another place in the same tower, Julius was in his office working when the door opened. When he looked up the clock he was holding fell from his hands as a bright blush made it's way into his face.

Aria took a step into the room and didn't bothered to close the door behind her. The white neck mercenary looked sexy and provocative. She was wearing only an ebony knee-length dress, that had puffy short sleeves, lined with gold ovals etched around its edges and hem; with a leather belt that coiled around her hips and hiked up the material, giving the Role Holder a nice view of her black-and-white stripped stockings that showed her well defined legs.

He gulped down and barely managed to articulate.-"Are you feeling better?"

She walked towards his desk with a sinuous movement from her hips that agitated the extremely short skirt and showed that she was also using a garter belt to hold up the stockings. Her voice wasn't distorted and it licked the air was a deep and sexy feminine tone.- "I can't really answer that question properly without a definition of 'fine', but under the contextual circumstances that you ignore or forgot… Well, I'm still alive."

"Those clothes are indecent on you."- Was the smart thing he said. It was obvious that he'd like to see her out of them.

She rolled her eyes and put her palms over the desk before leaning forward, almost causing her bust to overflow under his gaze. Rarely had she used this type of 'diplomacy' skills, but she versed in them by definition if not by practice. - "And you can't but keep looking at them." –She moved back and sat on the desk, looking at him with little interest. - "These old dresses were the only clothes available. If you remember, I didn't have the chance to go shopping."- She crossed her legs. – "But you do like this dress. Why else would it still be here?"

"Alice liked it."- He said and almost bit his tongue.

Aria's eyes narrowed very lightly and she almost sneered – "Still Alice this, Alice that…" – She then dramatically rolled over the desk so that she was on all fours facing him.–"You still like Alice... But what if you liked me more and you don't even remember it? Wouldn't that be very cruel to me?-She began crawling towards him, giving Julius an erotic angle of her well-endowed bosom.

"What do you think you're doing!?" - He looked perplexed, exited and even scared. Most noticeable, he was paralyzed and unable to move from his chair.

("Pathetic, predictable male...") - She reached the edge of the desk, and slid her legs aside to sit on the edge in front of him. Then she spread her legs and slid down to sit over his lap.

He gulped down. But before he could say anything more, she put her index finger over his lips and captured his gaze with her eyes. - "I thought of a way to see if you remember... and if you don't, then at least we'll have fun."

He held her by the shoulders at arms length, trying to determine if she was drugged. -"Why are you acting this way?"

She began unbuttoning his shirt, and he put his hands over hers to take them away. She very slowly closed and opened her eyes in response- "C´mon Julius. You are man, aren't you? Plus you are a roleholder and I'm a foreigner. You want this."- She made small circles over his chest with her finger, before leaning forward to rest her bust a little on his chest while inhaling deeply his scent. She raised her head to look at him calculatingly. –"Just wanting to win the game is not enough to succeed in it..."

This was a bit too much for Julius. Oh yes. He wanted this. But still, this was too sudden. Just a little while ago she had refused him to touch her and now she obviously wanted to...

His trail of though was lost when she emitted a moan of desire and rocked her hips over him. She put her hand over his chest right over his clock and looked at him slyly, then she purred– "I learned this trick about clocks and foreigners... Trust me. You will find it VERY interesting"

With those words, her olive green eyes lit into a digital hue and the nape of her neck itched with a shiver that extended below her skin and across her spine as she activated her secondary synchronization mode, normally used for sending electric binary wave impulses to technological devises; but that she had learned, could also get a reacting signal back from analog devices like clocks. Like hitting an object with a directed sonar wave. It held one wish, one command, one word 'remember'

Julius groaned and recoiled in the chair while holding tightly onto her arms as the pure sensation overwhelmed him like nothing he had ever felt. It was the sensation of the game amplified thousands of times. Reverberating throughout his being and resonating with his clock. Every wave she´d produced, was absorbed by his being. He felt strong, powerful, victorious, maddened, desired, triumphant, wanted and loved. He lost conscience of his surroundings. This was wonderful but it ached deeply. And he so very much wanted to drown himself in the sensation. Without being really aware of what he was doing, he put a hand over her waist and the other on her back to pull her towards him.

She huffed from the effort but still smirked at the effects.- "Congratulation my test subject. You have been entitled a power boost relayed by the procurance of mana energy deal by the directed fake "love" of my persona. A taste of what winning a traditional game of hearts means..."- Aria chuckled but he didn't even noticed. - "Do enjoy it? I estimate that I'm adding a couple years of quantum chances to you, Mr. God of Life. Now lets continue the experiment..."

And next, she crashed her lips on his into a passionate kiss that deepened the effects and caused his being to bask in glory, as his body fell into turmoil and his mind went into rampant disarray overwhelmed by remembrances. Like a tsunami trampling over a dry shore, the Clockmaker was hit with a wave of recollections that had been hidden from him in the darkest corners of his mind. A veil was being lifted and his memories returned all at once.

Julius didn't knew anything. He was just there, he simply was and everything was starting to take the appropriate shape and place in his mind. But when a loud sound of something crashing on the wooden floor, tear his attention from focusing his mental processes; in an instinctual way he turned towards the door.

His eyes widened and his mind was overwhelmed even more. There in the doorway, with groceries spilled on the floor at her feet, was Alice Liddell.

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*"the tenth man policy."- When nine people agree on something, it's the tenth man's responsibility to disagree no matter how improbable the idea. (The best mentined time is in the book (and the HORRIBLE movie that has nothing to do with the book but the title ')

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Ain't the lullaby crazy? (If you wanna see how crazy they are willing to be, you could check the fics from other authors I mentioned at the top) It seems that no matter what a foreigner does, she causes changes intending it or not. For either good or bad.

And surprise, surprise! Aria was ready to do anything and everything, down and dirty to see if he could regain his memories. Damn it Alice, aren't you inopportune? XD

What do you think they will react? Will Aria's experiment succed?

BTW, I also released a few days ago the M rated one-shot for Julius. Check it out if you haven't but remember that the M rating is for a very mature reason. .. Hey!? I that M-shot were to have happened in the story, how do you think it would affect things?

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Well, as always, 5 reviews for the next one. I especially appreciate when you point out all mistakes.

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