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-"Dialogue"-
("Inner thinking")
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DEPENDABLE
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Down in one of the main corridors of the prison, the part of Joker dubbed as White was making rounds and not in any particular mood. He was however so bored that even torturing some prisoners seemed more like a drag, but he might done so anyways just to interrupt the bothersome silence at the moment. He was approaching a cell when...
JOKER!
White blinked, recognizing the voice of his best and possibly only real friend. - "Oh? A visitor, have we?"- He playfully smiled as he turned back towards the direction of the voice with a cheerful smile, already curious about what kind of entertainment she would present him this time.
Aria walked with familiarity through the prison while calling out Joker, both foxes trotting at her sides. With their far more acute senses, Julius and Ace were having a sensorial overload noticing the scent of despair and death mixed with the smell of blood, dust and humidity. The smell alone was making their heads spin, Julius with disgust and Ace with excitement.
"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence at this fine hour?" - White casually asked as he rounded the corner, spotting Aria and two furry little foxes trotting beside her.
Aria approached Joker, gave him a hug, kissed him one time in each cheek and then she and Joker clashed their right hand palms, then back of their hands and gave each other a 'bro first'. - "Hi, Joker. " - She smiled happily at the redhead.
Julius let out a faint growl, uneasy around Joker. He was deceitful and wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of anyone, including Aria … as if that were possible. Ace yipped, his tail wagging slowly back and forth as he stared up at the Jester dressed in the Warden's attire.
Joker looked down at the foxes that sat close to her feet. -"Oh? Tamed foxes? Some new act you want to propose for the circus?" - White approached his hand towards the foxes so the animals could smell him, but the silver fox let out an annoyed huff and looked away while the red fox cheekily grinned, wagging his tail as he sniffed at Joker's hand in a friendly greeting but keeping his teeth showing.- "What a curious reaction." - Joker tilted his head and retreated his hand, studying the foxes rather closely with a sly smile.
"Actually… this two fluffy buffoons are Ace and Julius" - Aria sighed and dropped her shoulders while glancing down at.
"I expected as much."- White lightly chuckled, staring at the foxes. He had wondered where 'that' had gone after the executioner left. And as he suspected, Ace had taken that item with him. He crossed his arms and looked at the female mercenary. -"Care to elaborate, my dear?"
Aria played with her braid as she explained the situation to Joker, who could barely hold his laughter until she finished, and once she did, White laughed exuberantly while clapping his hands, the foxes puffing at being laughed off.
"My dear, that is hilarious!" -White loudly laughed, holding his stomach as he imagined the rest of how this curious predicament complicated the clock maker's and knight of hearts' lives and roles.
Aria leaned down and grabbed Ace, holding him up by his armpits to show him to Joker. -"However funny it is that they are a couple little balls of cute cuddly fluff, this is quite troublesome"
Ace perked and wagged his tail at her favorable opinion about their current forms and her obvious secret desire for cuddling which he pretty much planned to fulfill.
White chuckled some more; he didn't miss Aria's words choice instead of her normal techno babble. -"Let's discuss this somewhere else. Mmhh?" - He snapped his fingers and they all appeared inside Black's office.
Aria wasn't startled at all and merely set both foxes on the familiar desk before taking a step aside, looking White in the eye and then letting her friend examine her boyfriends while describing the changes and symptoms Julius had typed down the other day plus whatever she had noticed.
He smiled of course, this situation was just the entertainment he had been needing and it promised to provide him with even more fun for a little longer, maybe even settle some occurrences in this world that he had needed to check in anyways, her game among those. - "It seems they ingested it a few time changes ago, yes?" - Of course Joker knew so when the executioner had gone off, but he didn't knew when exactly had the potion been drunk. In a calm manner he began poking and prodding their little bodies, still quite strong and muscular under the dense furs.
Aria scratched Julius's ear but kept her attention on Joker. -" Ace used the potion as soon as he arrived at the tower, which could have been anything between 1 and 10 time changes after he left the prison."- Julius rubbed his face on her palm and Aria picked up the silver fox in her arms, petting him softly against her chest while looking down for a brief moment to check he was comfortable or at least more calm and leaning against her.
"Ah~ I see then. So it's been a little while," - White leaned back, holding his chin as he looked over the two role holders glaring at him quite angrily -"Well then, it truly seems you are in quite the pickle, doesn't it?" -White smiled, amused with the situation.
"C´mon Joker, I have stuff to take care off and they do too. Imagine if you were in this predicament." - She tilted her head - "Hey, if one of you were to take a potion like this would the other body be affected too?"- She began pondering. -"I actually can't picture you as a cute fluffy fox, though. " -She took her finger to her lip - "However I imagine you'd like the pets and cuddles."
White let out a laugh. - "Why yes, I suppose we would! And no, if one of us took it, it would only affect one of us. However, our sanity would remain since one of use is human, at the very least."
Ace grinned and began gnawing on Joker's gloved hand. He has learned to simply go with whatever Aria did. She was incomprehensible in many levels and he and Julius might as well not be in her plans, but it was up to them to include themselves in those plans and in her heart. She wouldn't be choosing between them but she might as well claim them. That was what mates do after all and for it concerned him that was what they were.
Joker allowed the gnawing, poking Ace's belly and even scratching the red fox.-"I have to admit, it is quite entertaining to see you like this, Mr. Executioner" - White noted, humming to himself while flipping Ace over and rubbing his belly, causing the executioner to lol out his tongue.
From the comfort of Aria's arms Julius looked at the red fox and hung his own head in shame. He then looked up at Aria. His girlfriend was looking at Joker with complete trust and ease, which just served to worsen the state of his own pride and ignite a little bit of jealously. Why was his mate so trusting of Joker and not of him? Wasn't him dependable enough? He bit his tongue. Why had he thought 'mate' instead of 'girlfriend'?
White picked up Ace's paws, lightly squeezing them as Ace continued to grin and wag his tail - "They don't appear to have succumbed entirely to the poison yet."
"What poison? I tested them for poisons. They are not poisoned"- Aria held Julius up by the armpits to examine him with just the slightest tint of worry before turning back to her best friend.- "Joker they are pretty useless and defenseless and that is inconvenient to me. Also it's inconvenient to you because they are quite good at their jobs."- She twisted her lips and growled with noticeable frustration. - "It's been two days already and they should have changed back already"
In her grip Julius nodded his head, agreeing with what Aria was saying although it was not needed; it was clear enough that she spoke the truth. They were as healthy as always, if there had been any poisoning they would be dead already. He let out a low bark and found himself crushed against Aria's chest by her embrace.
"Oh? And who said they should have changed back by now?"- Joker poked her nose with a toothy grin. Arai tilted her head, making Joker chuckle- "Let me rephase dear, I forgot you don't understand indirect language"- White snapped his fingers and a cat toy that made a skirmish sound appeared in his hand. Both fox's ears moved in the direction of the toy. Joker then dropped the ball it in front of Ace, and Ace just jumped to bite it, the only reason Julius didn't was because he was being crushed in a hug. Joker chuckled.- "Their minds won't remain human forever in those bodies once the effects of the potion become permanent "
Aria blinked and didn't even notice that she was hugging Julius so tightly that he was barely breathing anymore. -"This kind of potion is supposed to wear off in 1-2 days."
Ace very brightly grinned, wagging his tail up at them, barking a laugh at Julius predicament and continuing to bite the toy ball.
" Really now? Well, something like this won't be gone if you ignore it."-Joker explained with a slowly growing smile."-The potion makes the change permanent. The victim's mind begins to degrade quite rapidly, moving at a steady pace that the victim does not notice until it is too late. Inevitably, this changes them into being the animal that was mixed in with the potion, and in this case, being foxes."
Aria's eye widened. She dropped Julius on joker's arms and grabbed Ace by the scruff of the neck to agitate the gekkery red fox in the air. To her dismay he seemed to be enjoying it. -"Ace, you idiot! You said the potion was of the fleeting effect kind! Imbecile!"
Ace grinned cheekily as his tail wagged around, and soon as he saw the change he gave her a foxy kiss by licking her cheek while doing his best to crawl on her and give love and hugs, but Aria was not buying it and slapped his rump before she growled and bit his ear, making him yelp in surprise at his mate's scolding.
"Well, perhaps now the knight will know better than to take random potions with him out of the jail." - White laughed at the scene before he accommodated the silver fox to pet it, getting close to speak so Julius could hear him but not so loud as to interrupt Aria from scolding Ace- "And you should know by now not to always trust that crazy knight, so you are as much at fault as he is. What do you think will happen with you or with Aria?"
Julius lightly growled at Joker before looking away, annoyed that he did not stop the knight at all. He had no idea Ace was going to put something like that down his throat.
A new voice came into the room.
"This dumbass took the potion from a fucking prisoner. I told that jackass that any possessions on the prisoners belong to me."- Black tsked in annoyance, entering the room and looking very tired and worn as he tossed his hat aside.
Aria held Ace in one arm and then performed her friendship salute with Black the same way she had done with White, and right after that, the red fox was removed from her grip by Black.
"Im taking this asshole for a 'talk'"- The warden snapped his fingers and disappeared before Aria could say anything.
After blinking a couple times Aria sighed, leaning closer to White and leaning down to speak towards the mask communicator on Joker's belt. -"Just bring that fox back alive, Black"
"Yeah, whatever your bitchiness, you'll get your knightly piece of rug back." Black's voice retorted.
The warden and the red fox appeared inside a cell where a prisoner was roughed up bleeding on the floor but still alive. Black dropped Ace on the floor without a care and then put his belt mask in his pocket to block sounds from reaching it.-"That's the prisoner who had the potion you took."- The warden part of Joker crossed his arms -" He was going to use the potion on some bitch and watch her slowly lose her mind and become a true bitch, but someone killed her before and he stole that clock. Now do your job executioner' - Joker smirked. He would rarely give any damn about what a prisoner had done, but he wanted to see how the executioner would react this time.
To Joker's disappointment, the red fox stretched and scratched his chin with his hind paw. This didn't matter to Ace, he began giving some annoying chirping noises until Joker was losing his patience and then the executioner finally approached the faceless and ripped the man's throat with his sharp little fangs in a few bites, getting his face completely drenched in blood.
"Finally idiot."- Joker growled -"Since you performed your duty then you don't need to be replaced … yet" - Black turned around and walked away. - "Now move your furry ass, executioner"
Some minutes later the door to the warden's office opened and Black came in followed by a red fox. The warden took a seat at the old couch at one end of it so that Aria, who was holding the silver fox on her lap, ended up in the middle between both Joker's. The red fox quickly jumped towards Aria, licked Julius in the snout, and then cuddled over the mercenary's lap. The silver fox blinked and sniffed, smelling the scent of fresh human blood on Ace.
Black scoffed -"Any antidote made for that potion will take a shit lot of money and time, too much really and not worth it."
Julius's ears lowered against his head, clearly unhappy with this. With so much work involved he wasn't sure Aria could go through changing them back to normal any time soon.
Joker cheerfully spoke as one wryly smiling towards her seeing her grimace at the mention of money- "It will be very, very expensive."- He laughed, knowing how well her greed could play her, and if anything was going to stop her from changing the idiots back, it was the cost of it. If she still went on, there might still be a chance.
"And they already owe me much"- Aria munched through gritted teeth, her petting stopping while she estimated costs.
Julius flew up into a frenzied flurry, letting out a sharp yip, batting his paw furiously against Aria. Then, dropping all traces of pride, he leaned his paws on her chest and looked her on the eyes, dropping his ears and whining softly. Ace joined him, leaning right by his side to bombard Aria with a double dose of cuteness and puppy, or rather 'foxy' eyes.
Aria gulped and looked at them both. She tried pushing them down but her hands didn't put much force into it and almost immediately they were over her again nuzzling their snouts along her cheek and neck, giving small licks, pressing their noses against hers and giving sad whines; after a little of this she did forced them down. -"Ok, ok! Stop it. You already owe me too much, so I need to change you back so you can pay me, geez!"
Ace barked happily. Their attack had been super effective.
"It appears they've found a weakness in the great mercenary of Wonderland."- Joker lightly chuckled, thoroughly amused with the idea of his best friend settling down with two rather powerful Role Holders and what her influence could do to them.
Aria tossed her head back on the couch and let out a deep long groan.
White let out a sighing smile before pausing, - "Oh yes, Aria? I must warn you that if they stay as they are, unable to perform their duties, then new holders will be needed for their roles."- He smiled, allowing the implications of such a thing to sink into all three of them. -"So as of now, time is of the essence."
"Then I better get going. "-Aria stood up and cracked her bones. - "Thanks, Joker" -For a second she remained still. Then she waved her hand in a dismissive way - "Once this is settled there are some thing I need to tell you and a place I ought to show you"- Then she looked down towards the foxes. -"Let's go, and don't even think that I'll carry you or anything"
"Oh, and Aria?" -White reached his hand out towards her before snapping his fingers, making two slender and bright collars fall from the air and hook around his pinkie and thumb, presenting them to her while from out of nowhere behind him he pulled out a couple leashes. "It's best if they're mistaken for pets and not wild animals, right?" -He smiled. -"And if they stay like that then that won't be a wrong assumption."
Julius growled at him, clearly annoyed. So now that they were foxes, they were going to be considered as pets? After a moment of thinking it through, however, Julius let out tired sigh and relaxed. As much as it annoyed him, Joker was right. It would be bad if they were mistaken for wild foxes, and at least with collars most people would hesitate to shoot someone's beloved 'pet'.
"Thanks again Joker. They owe you one." - Aria placed the bright collars on the foxes's necks; a red one on Julius and a blue one on Ace. The red fox wiggled in place looking proud but the silver fox looked just mortified. She then repeated the strange friendship salute with both Joker's - "See'ya later. Can you please transport us above?"
Both Jokers grinned and White snapped his fingers. Seconds later Aria and her foxes were on the circus grounds and walking out of the tent and into the forest. The red fox having a leash to prevent him from getting lost.
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The bloody twins were lazing at the front gate of the hatter's mansion, ready to ditch their job, when they saw something curious approaching.
"Is that big sis?"- Dee placed his hand over his brow to see better in the distance
"Are those dogs?" -Dum imitated his brother's actions.
Aria finally arrived at the entrance, a black fox trotting behind her and a red one moving erratically left and right and hold by a leash that was tied to the bel of the mercenary woman so she had her hands free.
"Hello. Dee, Dum".-She waved her hand to greet the twins and they came to her with clear intentions of getting a hold on the foxes, but immediately the silver fox cowered behind her legs and pulling the red fox by the tail to take cover too.
"Oh, they are shy!"-Dum still tried to watch them and move around her, but the foxes moved around Aria too.
"I didn't knew foxes could be pets"- Dee looked interested and followed his bro, causing the red foxes to tangle the leash around her legs.
"Back I'm my world there was an experiment about domesticating foxes to understand evolution better, you know?" - Aria untangled the leash and then released it, the foxes staying by her feet.- "Anyways, I'm here to see Blood"
"Come in then."- Dum happily opened the gate and eyed the foxes.
"Can we play with your pets while you see the Boss?"- Dee asked, but as soon as his brother opened the gate, the foxes went inside.
"They don't like playing with anyone else"- Aria shrugged and walked in before they could entertain her more. The gate closing at her back. -"See'ya later"
Aria let out a deep breath and then looked around for her boyfriends but they weren't around.- "Ah, shit" - She imagined Ace had wandered and Julius had followed him, but at the moment she couldn't search for them despite the obvious danger for them, especially when a maid popped up almost immediately to guide her around.
"Welcome, lady foreigner" - The maid politely greeted. -"If you follow me, master Blood will be waiting for you"
("That was fast. It means Blood wants to see me too") -Aria kept her face and posture calm and aloof despite her growing worrying.-"Please lead the way. Also let your personnel know that my pets are lost wandering the premises. It would be very upsetting if I lost them"
" Certainly."
The woman nodded and led Aria to a lovely back garden filled with rose bushes of different colors, and in the middle of it inside a gazebo, Blood Dupre, wearing his well-known attire, awaited by a white wooden garden set for 4 persons.
As calm as ever Aria approached her host.-"Good evening, Blood. It's been a while" - She politely greet the mafia boss.
Blood stood up from his seat.-"A fine evening it is indeed." - He polite tipped his hat and when she extended her hand to shake his, he instead leaned down to kiss the back of her palm.- "I'm pleased you could make time in your schedule to come visit."- The Hatter moved towards her seat to pull the chair for her, then retook his own sit in front of his visitor.
"I said I would come and here I am. I follow my word." - Aria looked at the table. A nice assortment of a tea set was in place with lots of small treats and pastries. A small cart at the side was ready to serve more guests if they were to arrive.
"And is your word the only reason you're here?"- Blood questioned while taking his tea cup and inhaling the scent of the tea.
"Of course not, although you surely understand how important is for a mercenary to hold up to her word." - She paused to let him enjoy the message. -" It's actually engaging to speak with someone who knows how to keep a conversation interesting"- She looked over the tea assortments and chose one of orange and cinnamon. - "Plus I have some business to discuss too"
Blood kept his smile and was about to answer when the noisy steps of someone running towards them made both underworld bosses turn to look in the direction of the mansion. Alice was running towards them, and once she reached them she stopped, panting.
"Good. I didn't want to miss the other outsider"- Alice panted with her hands over her knees, her blue dress was now less girly and less frilly. More proper and mature but still very reminiscent of her older one.
"So nice of you to join us, Alice." -Blood greeted, wearing his same aloof smile but his eyes certainly shined in a particularly adoring way.
Alice greeted the other foreigner with a nervous smile.- "Your name was Aria, right?"
"You wanted to see me?" - Aria blinked in surprise and then smiled. - "Well, I suppose it's a good thing you didn't miss my visit."
"But of course. Alice has been quite looking forward to the young mercenary coming along. So, our more crimson businesses can be discussed at a later time." -Blood politely and coolly smiled.
Aria smiled too. She had noticed Blood's slight change of demeanor when Alice arrived, and she immediately knew they had entered a small battle of wits and intentions due to Alice's presence here. -"I agree. After all, I have also wanted to check on Alice and I'm sure she has lots to say and ask."- The second foreigner took a sip of her tea. She was no stranger to diplomacy; in a way this was entertaining, except that at the moment she couldn't waste the chance or time.
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For reasons not even known to him, Ace had wandered around and now he was as lost as usual but at least he was in a fun place fill with weapons of many kinds. He had thought this was an armory but when the bloody twins came inside he considered that this was instead those brat's room.
"Did you see big sis Aria today? Her armor is so cool!" -Dum laid on the bed. -"She was also very funny at that bar. "
"Yeah! I really hope she'll let us play with her later. She's so fun to fight!" - Dee grinned in agreement.- "I wonder what else she can do"
Ace's ear flickered, listening closely to the twins since Aria was mentioned. He didn't like any other male, except Julius of course, to play with 'his' Aria.
"I want big sis to be with us ALL the time!".- Dum grinned, setting his axe down.
"Yeah, that would be so cool! We should totally win the game, brother. Then Aria could play with us all day!"- Dee agreed.
Ace of course 'smiled' showing his sharp fangs and then proceed to silently move around, activating every single thing he found in the vicinity, which of course had a lot of gunpowder. If these brats wanted to play he could play with them. In matter of minutes the whole room shook with everything exploding, and while the place was was filled with smoke, a chilling yowl was heard followed by a gekkering laughing sound coming from a red fox that happily jumped around spreading the chaos.
"Whoa! All our stuff is going off!" -Dee shouted, startled as he and his brother dove away from another explosion.
"Did you do something to them?!" -Dum demanded, coughing the smoke out of his lungs.
"What? No way! I didn't do anything!" -Dee snapped back at him.
Among the dust and debris, the twins saw a red fox looking smugly at them.
"Hey, there's a fox in here!" -Dee pointed out.
"Did it set off the explosives? That's so mean! You blew up our precious treasures!" -Dum shouted at the fox.
"I think the fox wants to play with us after all" - Dee jumped forward, trying to get a hold of the animal, but the fox was fast into dodging and evading as if it was used to it, and when it became obvious that they were unable to catch it by hand, the twins took out their axes and began chasing it, hitting and breaking even more stuff while the fox scurried out of the room and into the corridor with the twins close behind.
On another side of the mansion, Julius was walking along the corridors with his tail up, his ears alert and his fluffy fur and on edge, looking for Ace. Being so tiny and vulnerable certainly was something he wasn't comfortable with but he had stuff to do at the moment, so when he passed by Elliot Julius continued on as if nothing, not even caring about the scent of the hare and a possible prey. He needed to find the troublesome red fox and then go look for their ma… for Aria.
The silver fox may have not stopped, but Elliot did. -"Hey! Who let a wild a wild animal inside!?"- Since there was no one around it was obvious that he'd need to kick the animal out himself. With a few strides he caught up to the fox, and noticed the collar. -"So you have an owner, huh?" - When he lowered his hand to grab the fox, it swiftly jumped aside and growled at him, baring his teeth.
Elliot pulled back his hand and gulped while taking a step back, all his instincts suddenly wary. He was really uneasy at the small canine as if he was a bigger predator. Clenching his teeth Elliot braved up to the dark beast in front of him. - "Growl at me again, rat, and I'll put a bullet in your head." - He threatened but he couldn't shake the feeling of extreme unease and he couldn't figure out why.
Julius obviously growled, he had never liked the march hare and his current situation didn't help his mood. When Elliot once more tried to approach and grab the Fox, all the tension in Julius finally snapped and ceded to the instinct to get this cheeky prey. With a yowl the silver fox pounced, biting Elliot's hand and making the hare yelp and also get overwhelmed by instincts, causing Elliot to turn tail and run with the wild fox giving chase just like the dormouse would run from the chesire cat.
Out in the garden, the tea party was going on. Alice had been eyeing the other foreigner, but her questions had been half generic and just chit chat so far until now that she had gathered enough confidence to ask the other foreigner more personal questions. -"By the way, how was our world before you came? I can't seem to remember everything well"- Alice lightly laughed.
Blood looked towards Alice, setting down his teacup on the table. -"That means you are loving it so much here that it's not even worth remembering something so old and boring."
Aria observed Alice's consternation.-"Alice, what you are asking is if I've also been forgetting about our world or my past, isn't it?" - Aria went straight to the point while ignoring Blood's stern gaze. - "Unfortunately I have no answers for you in that regard."- Before Alice said anything, Aria continued. -"I destroyed my own 'memories', if you could even call them that, even before I came it this world, and my circumstances in the time before being brought here are complicated." -
"Oh.."-Alice, disheartened at this, looked down to her tea with both hands holding it.
"Think nothing of it, Alice. Not because she is a foreigner can she answer such questions." -Blood said, gently swirling his tea around in his cup. "Do you like the new brand? It's a black tea with a bit of cherry in it."
"Don't shove it aside Blood. When you deal with a foreigner you dont deal with just her, you deal with her past, her world and even her country's history." - Aria grabbed a slice of carrot cake. -"In any case Alice. This world does plays with you, but that's something you accepted. A little dream that you don't want to wake from"
"It was her own decision. I don't think that should warrant sympathy." Blood said with a smile, glancing down at his Alice.-"Why worry about the past at all? What matters is the present and the game."
"But without the past, how can you be who you really are?".- Alice asked with a frown.
"A foreigner's past is part of who she is Blood."- Aria took a sip of her tea to make a dramatic pause and change the topic. -" In any case… I was also thinking on asking you to come with me and Vivaldi on a girls day out in the near future. I need to buy some clothes and stuff, and it would be fun to do so with other girls. Plus we could have a word"
"A girls day out with the queen? Sounds rather dull."- Blood sighed off to the side, not seeming bothered with the idea.
"As I said, It would be a GIRLS's day out. Even I need some shopping spree, criticizing which color is worse, and some general bitching every once in a while; and I imagine Alice too needs a girly talk every so often" - Aria looked at Alice.- "Of course we could also join for coffee, si?" - The mercenary added, giving a clue to Alice about her own blood's heritage that went lost into the first foreigner.
"Sounds good."- Alice smiled liking the idea.
"Joining for coffee of all things? More so when you can have exquisite teas here at the mansion? If you want to chat with Alice you're welcome to come every so often"- Blood clearly wasn't keep on the idea of Alice going out for coffee, or perhaps it was who Alice was joining with, but he also appreciated the real pastime intention of the mercenary, otherwise the woman wouldn't have mentioned inviting the queen of hearts.
"Relax Blood. Nothing I say will change the fact that you won her game. " - Aria adopted a meticulously practiced 'relaxed' pose. She was finally ready to cut off Alice and ask Blood about the antidote she had come to get. She set her cup down on the table and looked at Blood-"The tea has been indeed exquisite Blood, but there is something I need to ask you about..."
Just then, Elliot came into view running towards them while being chased by a blackish fox, causing Blood to burst into laughing, Alice to stare in shock, and Aria to stand up. When Elliot spotted Blood, shaking from laughter as he put two and two together as to what happened, the march hare deeply blushed in embarrassment before he gathered his wits and whipped around, taking aim at the fox.
Aria's eyes widened and her suit sent electric impulses to make her move even faster than she could naturally react, allowing her to jump in front of the shot directed at the fox and take the bullet hit in the stomach that stopped her movements.
Alice screamed seeing the other foreigner faltering down, but she wasn't the only one affected. A chilling snap down his spine brought Julius to his wits as he saw Aria fall back against the ground. He quickly dashed over to her, standing by her head and whining as he tried to get a better sense of her state. She was wearing armor so he knew she was alright but he couldn't help but feel anxious.
Aria stood up, an impact mark on her armor and her eyes glittering with unnatural green light.- "That wasn't nice, Elliot"- The mercenary stood up and examined the rounded impact mark on her armor before turning around to Blood -"Now Blood, there is some business I need to speak with you about… in private. So perhaps we should head to your office."
The silver fox that was whining at her feet and leaning his paws over her knees, was lifted up by the merc and cradled over her chest and between her breasts, where he rested his head on those pillows looking pretty smug and comfy, happy that Aria was fine.
"Are you alright?" - Alice nervously asked, about to approach her but Blood stepped besides her, keeping Alice back.
"Yes, although I'm sure I have a purple hit over my stomach" - Aria sighted and rolled her eyes- "That's why I hadn't stopped wearing armor in this world."
"A-Aria, why did you jump in front of my gun?" -Elliot asked, startled by how fast she had moved in front of his bullet; all to protect a little fox.
"Because I protect what is mine." - Aria didn't hesitate for a second in her words even though she didn't noticed the deepness of what she had said. What she did noticed was Alice looking at the fox in her arms and she hugged her fox tighter.
Alice blinked, surprised before leaning a bit closer and observing the fox before smiling.- "It's so cute! Is it your pet, Aria?" -Alice curiously asked with a cheerful smile on her face.
"Yes, he's mine."- Aria enclosed the distressed fox in her arms, the hit on her stomach a reminder of their vulnerability and how much they depended on her at the moment.
Julius squirmed, wanting to hold Aria closer and protect her but since he had no arms, the best he could manage was cuddle close to her. While pressed up against her skin and deeply inhaling her scent, reassuring himself she was there, he noticed all the scents in the nearby vicinity and catching on Alice and Blood having each other's scents mingled so deeply together that it was obvious they were mates. Rather than concentrating on this scent, Julius instead smelled his and Ace's scent on Aria, mingled and entwined within her own even if not as deep. He cuddled closer to his mate, wanting to hold onto her tightly and never let go.
"I never took you for an animal lover, Ms. Aria" -Blood lightly smiled in amusement.
"You heard Alice. They are cute. Plus they serve as test subjects"- Aria kissed the fox forehead.
"They?" - Blood asked with a raised eyebrow.
An explosion made everyone turn and look to the Mansion which now had a large hole in its side as the bloody twins came charging out of the smoke, axes raised and bringing it down over a spritely red fox.
"One of yours, I assume?" - Blood questioned, covering his dear Alice as Aria took off like a bullet towards the twins, clearly nearly having a heart attack as the red fox leapt in between their blades with surprising ease.
The moment Ace saw Aria he happily yipped, standing still with his tongue lolling out of his jaws and tail wagging while the eyes of the twins glinted, bringing their axes down onto the fox.
"Yeah, we got him, brother!" -Dum eagerly shouted.
"Yeah!" -Dee grinned while Ace stood there like an idiot and happily yipped at Aria.
Aria dropped Julius and unsheathed her forearm blades, dashing forward and then sliding towards the red fox. She slid along the ground and as the fox jumped to land on her stomach she crossed her arms over it in an X form to intercept the twin's axes with her own blades, all her muscles electrified to tense up at a maximum and her sensors ready to diffuse the energy of the hits towards the surface area on the floor. In the same instant, the fox landed where Elliot had shoot her, the blades connected and Aria gapped, a fraction of a second later, her suit made her do a backflip from her position, twisting the axes and tossing them out from the hands of the twins while she rolled back and into a crouching position with her arms and blades aside. Her forearm blades sheathing and the red fox happily yipping on her lap.
"Wh-Whoa-!" -Dum cried, startled as he stumbled back.
"So cool!" -Dee shouted, both of the twins having eyes shining in excitement. -"Big sis, you have to teach us how to do that!"
"Yeah! Can you show us?!" - Dum cried as they both ran over to her excitedly, all murderous intentions gone.
Aria bit the red fox's ear and then checked to ensure he wasn't hurt, which he clearly was not. She then looked at the twins. -"I don't think I can teach you how to do that guys, not without inserting electrodes in you spinal cord" - She sighted and then hugged the red fox a bit too tight, and when she saw his idiotically happy face she bit his other ear and set him down on the floor.
"That sounds cool too!" - Dum shouted with glowing eyes.
"How do you do that?" -Dee asked with a smile.
"HEY! BRATS!"- Elliot barked at the twins, making them turn to him with looks of annoyance.
"What do you want, chicken rabbit?"- Dum demanded with a pout.
"Yeah, butt out! We're talking with big sis!"- Dee seconded, waving his hand and motioning for the chicken rabbit to leave them alone.
"Chicken?!" -Elliot growled, going over to them both and scolding them rather thoroughly while they stuck their tongues out at him, only enraging him more.
Aria, using the distraction to her advantage, slid away from the arguing henchmen and walked towards Blood. The foxes trotting behind her.-"Should we go to your office, Blood?"
At this, the silver fox jumped on her arms and she leaned a bit sideways - "Crawl onto my shoulders"- She told the silver fox and it obeyed. She then opened her arms and the red fox jumped over, cuddling between her breasts with a happy sigh as she hugged it.
"I concur. The riffraff is making it difficult to concentrate." -Blood sighed, turning towards Alice but finding her over by the twins and scolding them for chasing after the foxes like savages.
Aria turned to Blood.-" It would be better to talk business and forget about this little incident"
Blood agreed with a smile, righting his hat on right-"Elliot, escort Alice back home. After you and the twins apologize to Ms. Aria about almost killing her precious pets."- He smiled, glancing at the two foxes in amusement.
The three of them bowed down in her direction, the twins not apologetic at all and Elliot, overly apologetic.- "Sorry." -They said at the same time.
"See you later for that shopping trip, Alice. Elliot, Dee, Dum… later too."- Aria followed Blood with the silver fox secured over her shoulders and the red one tucked in her arms. As she passed by Elliot, Julius growled towards Elliot before licking his lips with a grin.
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Once in Blood's office, the hatter took off his hat and sat on his chair while Aria set the foxes on the couch and went to sit sideways on the edge of the desk. Blood leaned forward, appearing rather professional as he smiled in Aria's direction, Aria returning the smile with equal professionalism.
"So what can I do for my fair lady?" - He teasingly asked, seeming a bit more at ease now that Alice was not around.
"Don't you think it's time that you let Alice see the real colors of this world? You are married already and she should learn to accept all this if she's going to stay. - Aria eyed him and shrugged. -"Just a tip. Nothing more."
"I don't like the young lady in my crimson colored business. It disturbs her." - He lightly laughed, amused. -"It is amazing how Alice hasn't been tainted by the likes of Wonderland, unlike you who has delved right into it. However, I find your attempts to unravel this world rather amusing."
"Ignorance may equal innocence in her case. But she is still a foreigner for however long that lasts."- The mercenary chuckled - "Make of this what you will, but know that I didn't delved in it. I was already in too deep since back in my world. You could say that I am the one tainting Wonderland"- She flickered the light on her eyes for a second and then slowly shook her head. -"I wasn't lying or kidding when I said that a foreigner brings her past with herself"- She tilted her head, her eyes forming a ring of light around the iris that increased and decreased its size for a couple seconds before fading into her normal olive green color. She smiled.-"However, it seems the second part of your game of hearts is going well for you, so don't mint it too much."
"The second part of 'my' game of hearts?" - Blood raised an eyebrow, this was indeed interesting.
"As you know..."- She started, getting up from the desk to lean against a bookcase instead-"... the game of hearts ends with all that jazz about the connector and such.-" She waved her hand before crossing her arms. - "Then comes the real challenge when you play against yourself and against time. " - She of course omitted that he was also fighting against Alice's past, impulses and despair. A foreigner's love was mere biological love. -"You seem to be doing well."
"More so than you in your rather shaky relationship."- Blood lightly smirked.
"Shaky or not it's a convenient deal, that's all. And as a deal, I uphold it firm enough."- She kept her smile, for some reason at ease now, liking that the foxes were actually listening to this .- "At least for the time being. My mind does crave some intellectual stimuli and not just physical exchanges. "
"Well then, if those two boring sods ever grow weary on you, I would not mind being used as a sort of mistress from time to time. In comparison to those brainless holders, I could blow your mind." -Blood playfully offered, subtly letting Aria know that he was now aware, or perhaps had been for some time, of her little rendezvous with his Alice at some point.
"I won't deny that you are very entertaining, Blood"- Aria chuckled. -"Alice choose you for reasons beyond you looking like her ex. That was just an extra aid. But she just might like some female company every once in a while. After all, a girl knows what another needs and wants."
"It did not stop her from running into the arms of a woman." - Blood sighed, seeming amused and almost jealous at the thought. - "Seeing as you have entertained Alice in her moment of need, it would only be fair to give you the same should you grow weary of your lovers." - Blood offered with a teasing smile, glancing over to the foxes on the couch.
Julius huffed in annoyance as Ace rolled around on the couch, tired after playing with the twins so much. Having the disadvantages of being a fox certainly made things more interesting. There were quite a few times where he could have sworn he was going to die to the twins. He hadn't gotten such fun for a while, but seeing Aria tossed herself like that into a fight had been quite … flattering, arousing, entertaining? He liked it but he didn't. It was weird.
"Until my deal with them is over I have an exclusivity clause with them. If you like to join the male harem you'd have to discuss it with them first." - Now that she had gotten his curiosity it was time to talk for real. -"Perhaps we can speak in more detail later. Im sure you'll find some of my knowledge interesting or at least a tad-bit useful."
"I have plenty of time at my disposal; so speak away. I am curious about what you desire of me." - He looked at her and leaned back on his chair. Then he remembered something.-"However, I am curious about something. Why did you send that little red jewel my way?"
Aria answered honestly.-"Because it's in my best interest that you can keep Alice alive and safe."
"Anything less than that would not be on agreeable terms with me."- Blood stated in a lighthearted manner but his seriousness was certainly nothing to be tampered with.
"As a foreigner, whatever happens to Alice is a case of what might happen to me and vice versa." - The mercenary shrugged her shoulders; the cold rational logic in her plans and words was undeniable. -"Which means that there is a lot of data I can get. Alice's progression regarding her integration to this world shall be interesting to observe and record; as much as how the later parts of her game develops, which also poses interesting hypotheses regarding your own adjustments in this phases of the game."- A weird glint shone in her eyes. -"I've been wondering how you've been changed now that all of her game's effects have concentrated into you. "
"As am I, Aria. Unfortunately, in order to get such information from me then you will have to give me something of value." - Blood playfully smirked, not yet naming his price for that information.
"You don't need to tell me anything. I'm already analyzing things. I see what you can't and I only need you to remain alive for longer. If you can protect Alice that will be enough, by giving you that red shard I'm ensuring that"- Her face turned his way and she stared into his eyes, her own orbs shining with a purple shade lens.
"You sound quite cold for someone about to ask a favor of me."
"What makes you think I need a favor?" -She leaned closer.
"The mere fact you are here tells me that. Normally you avoid doing business with me or any other holder unless you needed something." - Blood smiled ominously. - "So what do you need?"
Aria chuckled again, not intimidated in the least. "On the contrary Blood. You are the one who can benefit a lot if I decide to do crimson colored business with you."- She smiled smugly.-"But I'm not here for that at the moment. Unfortunately I'm in a bit of a hurry. I wanted to come speak about some general business but that will have to wait for the next occasion." -She sighed, a calm smile on her lips. -"For the time being I'm searching for an item. The antidote for a potion to be exact. Developing it would take quite a lot of time, so it would be easier to merely ask you for it."
"Oh? How rare of a request to ask of me." - Blood smiled, amused. - "And what makes you believe that I would possess such a potion?"
"As if 'The Hatter' wouldn't have it."- She eyed him through the corner of her eyes, a knowing smile in the corner of her lips. -" You are smart, Blood. Most likely you figured out already that in the past game I worked for you on developing various potions." -Aria knew that's some little flattery was never bad during negotiations.- "I want two doses of the antidote for the B-15 potion"
"I had suspected as much. But for the B-15?" - He mused with a smile but his eyes appeared a little troubled. - "That in itself would cost you quite a beautiful mint."
"But not even half of what 30 gr or 2 pills of the red jewel cost."- She smiled .-"The B-15 potion I helped develop is a copy of an old recipe, so the antidote might work for the original one too"- Aria uncrossed her arms and set one palm against her hip.-"So it's worth a try at least"
"Experimenting with potions you are unsure of can lead to disastrous results; which mean you are quite desperate." - He gleaned from her asking such a thing as he glanced over to the foxes - "Am I to assume those two foxes are perhaps… associated with you in a relationship way?" - He asked, appearing quite amused.
"Perhaps." - Aria answered just to be indirect, but Blood seemed already amused at this.
"Humor me, Aria. What would such a lovely young mercenary want to do with the clocks of two Role Holders?" - Blood questioned with a wry smile, - "It's quite odd that you would be greedy enough to desire two Role holders, don't you think?"
Aria blinked at him and tilted her head in confusion.-"Why do you think I want anything, much less anyone?"
Julius and Ace both rested their heads on the armrest of the couch, clearly tired from the action packed day they had but still listened intently to the conversation; even if they were too tired to respond at the moment.
"To come and make a deal for something so expensive just for them, proves you must love them quite a lot." - Blood teased with a rather maliciously smile.
"It's merely in my best interest to change them back" - Aria remained aloof. - "They owe me money. A LOT of money."
Ace yawned although only Julius understood he had said 'And cookies'.
"Well, regardless, it is impossible to keep both of them. Only one Role Holder can win the game." - Blood lightly mocked while glancing at the foxes. - "Regardless, it is very hard to win the game. It makes me wonder if those two can do it at all."
"Don't waste your time wondering, Blood. I am playing a different game with this world regardless of the game of hearts."-Aria pointed at the bullet mark left on her armor over her stomach.-"I just took a bullet to save that fox."- She pointed at the black fox with silver underfur- "Think about it this way. Would Alice be able to do the same for you? Could she? And what if she did?"
Julius listened intently to their discussion, shifting around and whining in discontent while Ace cuddled up against his side and fell asleep, tuckered out from his play fight with the twins.
"Why don't we speak more privately?" - Blood suggested with a wry smile. Soundlessly she nodded, following Blood into the soundproof side room and leaving the foxes on the couch.
Some lengthy time passed and the foxes were getting worried. While Ace laid on the couch rather lazily, Julius paced back and forth, clearly quite anxious and annoyed while the mafia bosses were inside. The suggestions Blood made earlier irritated Julius more and more. They were spending quite some time in there and it worried him. A sudden urge to mark what was his overtook him as he trotted to the end of the couch, raising a leg and relieving himself in the corner of the couch. For the mild moment, Julius felt smug for claiming something of Blood's before pausing, realizing what he was doing and quickly retreated with his tail between his legs, staring at the stain that sunk into the coloration of the couch before he huffed. With all the things Blood has put him through, this is the least Julius could do to repay the mafioso.
Finally the door opened and Aria came out of it fast and looking quite flustered, breathing hard, and sporting a somewhat red face, while inside the room Blood looked her retreat with a smirk. The hatter was also looking flustered and he was noticeably not wearing his tie or vest and his smug smile was betrayed by his hard breathing.
Aria quickly grabbed both foxes, tossing Ace over her shoulders and carrying Julius in her arms before making her way towards the door, briefly turning back.- "See you later, Blood"
"But of course. I look forward to your next visit, Mistress." - Blood lightly teased.
Aria hurried her way out of the mansion, and as soon as she was out of the place and of hearing sight she dropped the foxes on the floor. She was breathing hard and a pinkish tone tined her cheeks when she growled with distress. -"Never, ever, under any circumstance should we speak about what I had to do to get the antidote here, understood!?"
Ace and Julius both looked up at her, unblinking before tilting their heads at the same time to the side. Ace sleepily kept leaning, falling against Julius and prepared for a nap while Julius turned his head the other way to get a better look at her.
"Alright, drink up" -She took out a couple small bottles and grabbed each fox, opening their mouths and shoving the liquid down their throats. She set them back on the floor and waited, her hand covering her face and her foot tapping on the ground. Of all the things Blood could have asked of her, of all the actions he could have make her do, he had forced her to say aloud and in a very corny way how much she loved her two idiotic foxy boyfriends, repeating the phrase and elaborating it until she, in his opinion, finally got it right for his entertainment, which also ended when he burst out laughing, unable to contain it any further.
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Not much to say this time. Will appreciate all reviews and Im working on finishing this up :3