AUTHOR'S NOTE
BACK again with another fanfiction. I hope to continue improving my writing skills. I've been meaning to post this story on here for some time. It's also on AO3 if you want to view it there.
╔═══*.·:·. ✧ ✦ ✧ .·:·.*═══╗
Chapter Two
Unknown Land, Familiar Faces?
~Bernkastel~
╚═══*.·:·. ✧ ✦ ✧ .·:·.*═══╝
I woke up with a start, my heart racing. I looked around, wondering for a minute where the hell I was. Then, I remembered I had fallen into the Country of Diamond with a groan. I kind of hoped I'd wake up and this would have all been a bad nightmare. Nevertheless, it was reality, I stood up, putting my flask of water around my person and continued on into the forest. I suppose if I thought about a location, I could teleport there. I realize that probably would have been easier but I didn't know my way around well enough yet. I continued forward as it was the only likely and logical solution. I hoped I would be relatively safe as I traversed this dense forest. So far I was. Then, as I had come to Heart, I bumped into….Ace?
He was stumbling to his feet as I was, gloved hand reaching for his sword reactively. I drew my right hand outward, ready to use magic as a defense if needed. His red eyes then flashed with slight amusement. "Are you a dumb faceless? If you are then you ought to know better than to bump into a noble knight," he quipped. I had to put my left hand over my mouth to keep from breaking down in laughter. I quirked an eyebrow from under the hood of my cloak as the shadows hid my eyes. He stepped closer, sword unsheathed and raised. I gulped as he swung his long broadsword. I immediately jumped out of the way, but instead of landing….I was….floating?
Ace's wine colored eyes widened as well, pausing for a moment. "No faceless I know can float, now that I think of it, no roleholder besides maybe Nightmare can float either….who the hell are you anyway?" he said to me in a firm tone. I looked at him, my eyes meeting his from under the shadows of my hood.
"Frederica Bernkastel," I said simply not elaborating any further.
"Huh? Outsider or roleholder?" he asks while mild surprise colored his tone.
"Both," I replied simply.
"What's your role then, Frederica?" he asked me once more.
"Witch," I replied without preamble.
"Witch, we don't have any witches here in Wonderland," he replied.
"That was before I came along," I said again, he quirked his eyebrow once more.
"Show me your face," he said, raising his sword once more. I glared at him hard.
"Fine," I growled, lowering the maroon colored hood of my cloak to reveal my face. My amethyst colored eyes looked at him without much emotion. I kept my expression as blank as I could. Upon seeing my face, his eyes widened more.
"Your eyes…look devoid of emotion…how that is possible?" he questioned me.
"I don't know. Even I'm not sure how it happened. Would you believe that it seems fitting that you're the first roleholder outside of Crysta and Sidney I've seen? I met another version of you way back when. You probably think I'm crazy," I replied as I searched his eyes for any signs of even the smallest hint of recognition. None seem to filter through his expression. He resheathed his sword, standing back into a more casual position once more. He ran a hand through his short light brown hair.
"Meh, I've honestly heard crazier. Maybe you did meet another version of me. Was I handsome?" he quipped, his prior suspicious mood going away as if it had never came in the first place.
I relaxed slightly as well since he didn't seem to be a foe. "I suppose if you say so. Although I never had feelings for you outside being a friend," I stated bluntly. He didn't seem too phased by that.
"Eh, that's fine. Although, I've never seen anyone quite like you around here before. Your hair color is almost like that of Julius's. Are you his daughter perhaps?" he asked me. I gave him a bemused look, quirking my eyebrow.
"Not that I'm aware. I honestly barely know the guy outside of one conversation," I stated honestly with a shrug. Ace seemed to hum with slight interest. "I take it you're lost again?" I added, observing him as he looked around as if trying to gather his bearings. To be fair, I had no idea where the hell I was going either. Just anywhere away from the castle was my destination for the time being.
"Yeah, I suppose it may be time to set up camp again. I suppose Crysta will be pissed at me again for not being back in time but what can you do?" he replied with a shrug, pulling a tent out of who knows where and setting up camp in an unoccupied piece of ground and quickly gathered wood for a fire. He then took a lighter and started his campfire as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I suppose even in a different dimension, timeline, or country. If Ace was present, he would probably be mostly the same in his unpredictable personality.
"Well it was nice seeing you again, Ace. If you'll excuse me," I said with a polite curtsey and continued on the path to wherever the hell knows where. He waved at me and shouted for me to see him again. I waved back before I got out of his line of sight. I am surprised he didn't come after me. I continued forward until I had managed to come out into a….another small town, this time the buildings now a light brown color and all surrounding a bigger brown building that looked like it could have been a small university or museum. I put my hood up once more, walking forward.
Like before, people marched to and fro going about their business, paying me no mind again. I acted as if I was also doing business as the time period changed from midafternoon to night. Cripes, where was I going to sleep? I looked all around until I bumped into a rather tall man. He seemed to be a bit older than my father, wearing a green jacket adorned with odd accessories like a darker green sash with medals and a dodo bird on them? My hood slipped off as I tried to scramble back to my feet, revealing my face, hair and eyes. He looked down at me with a bemused expression, it wasn't cruel but more like that of a concerned uncle or father.
He offered me a hand up which I accepted as he helped me to my feet once more. Upon closer inspection, I saw his orange sash around his waist, buckles on his jacket as well as a fur trimmed collar. He seemed nicely dressed and a shovel with a lantern was held against his shoulder. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to bump into you," I said politely, curtseying.
He laughed it off as if nothing happened. He sounded as if he was in his mid-thirties, similar to that of maybe Tomitake. He had scars on the right side of his face and light sandy brown hair combed away from his face. His aqua colored eyes observed me with slight interest. "Don't worry about it, youngin," he replied briskly, his voice seeming to be coming from his chest with a deep vibrato. "Now where are you heading to miss?" he asked me.
"I…I don't know. I had fallen into this world from the Country of Clover. I do not know my way around Diamond Country yet. I'm…lost quite honestly," I replied honestly with a shrug.
He puts a hand to his chin in thought. "Hmm, well I suppose you can stay overnight at the museum for a few time periods until you figure your way around. It's the least I can do. It's just down the street, here follow me," he replied and motioned for me to follow him. Not knowing what else to do and with no better options, I followed this strange man. I didn't sense anything threatening or malicious from him. In fact, he gave off a friendly demeanor. At least, he seemed friendly enough with the brief dialogue we exchanged just a brief second ago.
Before I could comprehend more, we arrived at the museum. It had Greek styled columns that surrounded the outside as well as framed the double doors. Many windows could be seen. If I had to guess, it had at least a good two or three or more floors housed within. He opened the door and I followed him inside. Inside was a simple lobby and extending beyond that were…paintings? I made my way to investigate but he puts a hand on my shoulder and says that I can investigate the paintings later. It's late at night and we needed to get our sleep. I sighed, not arguing because, he was right.
He led me up a few flights of stairs where….a residency wing could be found. He led me to one of the guest rooms. "It's rather late youngin; I suggest you get some sleep. The room is equipped with some night garments and a shower so feel free to clean up before you settle in for the night. If you need anything, my room is across the hall. Goodnight," he said with the voice like a father. I blinked a couple times and before I could reply, he went to the room across from mine and went inside and then closing the door. I shrugged again, deciding to shower before settling in for the night…
Once I was freshly washed, changed, and changed into a nightgown, I settled into the plain green covered bed. As I settled in under the covers, I could feel sleep tugging at me and welcoming me into its embrace. I welcomed it, feeling my strength and resistance drain away as sleep took me into its arms….not letting me go until the next day….
The morning sun's rays shined through the massive window that occupied the room. I opened my eyes with a groan, rolling over to try to sleep some more. However a knock on my door kept any sleep from coming back. "Hey it's time to wake up, youngin," called that uncle like man's gruff voice from the other side of the door. I sat up reluctantly, eyes still slightly bleary with sleep, and not fully awake. I was awake, just barely. I observed the room I currently occupied. As I sat there, allowing my senses to wake up some more, I noticed a small couch on the other side of the night stand as well as a table with a couple of chairs, another couch on the other side of the massive window. I looked to my left and noticed a floating bookshelf with a row of books that occupied it as well as paintings of different types of scenery. It was a modestly decorated room, actually nice for being a museum guest room.
The knock sounded again and in a slightly grumpy voice, I shouted, "I'M up!" I heard a chuckle from behind the closed door as footsteps departed away. I rolled my eyes slightly as I stood up; making my way to the bathroom that was attached to this room. I caught a glance of myself in the mirror with my messy ass hair standing slightly on end, with my almost empty purple eyes staring back at me. I had put on a green nightgown the night before which I took off along with my underwear and clambered into the shower, allowing the lukewarm water wash over me, and made me feel a bit more aware and I didn't feel as tired as I was.
I washed my hair with the shampoo and conditioner that was available, making sure to get every strand, and then rinsed it out thoroughly as possible which was a pain in the ass when it came to having hair that cascaded down past my knees. With a huff, I finished that and washed my body and rinsed that up. After about twenty minutes or so, I turned off the water and I felt better now that I was fresh and squeaky clean for the day. I grabbed the towel, soaked up the water through my long mane of indigo colored hair, and then dried off the rest of me and then wrapped it around me so I was covered up. Then, I walked out into the main room, found a brush and sat down at a vanity and brushed through my hair to get out any tangles that may have snuck in there at night.
A pang of sadness shot through me as I remembered my adopted mom brushing my hair after she helped me in the shower when she was comforting me from an emotional breakdown. A tear ran down my cheek and I quickly pushed it away but more tears cascaded down my face at the thought of my mom and dad. I wondered if they missed me back in Clover. I'm sure they did, I sure as hell missed them. I allowed myself to cry a little, releasing emotions I didn't realize I had been holding onto. The sound of a few knocks at the door jarred me back to reality and I quickly wiped my tears aside, attempting to appear expressionless as the door opened. I made sure my towel was secured around my body.
It was the uncle man who I had bumped into last night. "I didn't mean to catch you just after your shower. However, would you like to join me for breakfast after you get dressed? I'd like to talk to you about a few things," he said without preamble. I nodded and he left, closing the door behind him once more. I giggled a little bit at his amused expression. It must have been awhile since I last allowed myself a laugh. It felt kind of good after crying. I felt a little relieved after that and I got up once more after I finished brushing my long mane of hair, discarding my towel and dropped it into a nearby hamper.
I put on my usual green and blue dress as well as the undergarments that went with it. They smelled fresh and clean. Somebody must have laundered them during the night. I appreciated the sentiment as I tied the bodice around the middle section of my dress, coming to rest just under my breasts. I also put on my cloak over my dress in case I decided to go exploring after breakfast. After I felt like I was decent, I left my room. Now, where was the dining room?
I wandered around until I ran into a familiar face with similarly colored hair like mine. It was the same blueish purple color as mine, tied back with a yellow ribbon and he wore his dark navy blue coat with gold trim with his yellow-greenish vest and similarly colored dress shirt underneath. "Forgive me sir, I didn't mean to bump into you," I apologized sheepishly. However, instead of acting grumpy, he offered a hand and helped me up. His dark blue eyes widened when he saw me. "Is something wrong, sir?" I asked him with a quirked eyebrow as I stood in front of him. He did his best to regain his posture and attempted an expression of aloofness but it failed since I had seen right through it.
"No, I suppose not. You simply look kind of familiar, that's all. I don't know where I've seen you before since we've never met before. I'm Julius, Julius Monrey, undertaker and clockmaker," he said, briskly introducing himself.
I knew it was Julius even though I had just one or so conversations with him back in Clover, well Heart since his Clock Tower was located there. I also introduced myself since he probably didn't remember me as Ace didn't neither when I had met him in the woods. "Bernkastel, Frederica Bernkastel. Outsider and roleholder," I replied without going into too much detail. His dark eyes widened once more in surprise.
"How is that possible? How come I've never met you before but you look somewhat familiar despite not having any memory of you?" he questioned me in his deep timber.
"I doubt you'd believe me if I told you," I replied, turning to walk away but he grabbed my shoulder and I turned once more to face him.
"Try me, Miss Bernkastel," he said, seriousness coloring his voice.
"I met….another version of you back in the Country of Heart…just before a big battle and you also helped me during that battle. You probably don't remember and I understand if you don't since this place seems to take place in either the past or a different dimension somehow," I replied, explaining briefly how I knew who he was, well another version of him perhaps. I didn't understand it much myself.
He puts his hand to his chin in thought and said, "Hmm that is peculiar I suppose. Then why do you have similar hair color and eyes like mine?" I shrugged and said that I didn't know. I knew we weren't related…unless we were…? I didn't have time to contemplate it right now as I tried to rush off again but once more he stops me.
"What?" I snapped, somewhat annoyed now as I crossed my arms. Julius suddenly hugged me before I could protest. Why did he hug me? He tightened his hold briefly and then let go, clearing his throat.
"The dining room is just down the hall. I'll join you two in a bit," he said as if the hug hadn't happened a moment ago. I gave him a confused look but I turned and walked in the direction he had pointed, walking through a pair of double doors. There sat the uncle man, wearing a black suit, his sandy brown hair combed back, and drinking a cup of coffee. He waved me in and I sat across from him. Despite his friendly demeanor, I still did not fully trust him yet.
"Ah there you are youngin, what kept ya?" he inquired.
"Ran into Julius, that's all," I replied briskly. He quirked an eyebrow at my reply as he ate a bite of eggs from his breakfast. He then
"Ah, a lady of few words aye?" he said as he waved for a maid to serve me a plate of eggs, pancakes and bacon and he poured me a cup of coffee and passed it to me. I accepted it with thanks, taking a sip since it was hot. I eyed him dubiously over the rim of my coffee cup and then I sat it down, taking a bite of pancakes without much comment.
He mirrored me and ate a few more bites of his own food, eying me as well. The slightly awkward silence was broken when Julius sat down to my right, poured himself a cup of coffee. "Aren't you going eat, Julius?" questioned the uncle like man.
"No, got too much work to do," he replied abruptly as he took a sip of coffee. I was too lost in my own thoughts to care about either of these two men. I wondered if father was here along with….two familiar faces as well? If Ace and Julius were here, that meant the Hatters were here too. Crysta mentioned them once in passing. My heart slightly twinges at the thought of her rough kiss. Did I kind of….enjoy it? Perhaps I did, I didn't know. However, Julius's eyes met mine once more. I set my fork down and stared at him back.
"Can I help you, Julius?" I asked him with slight annoyance coating my voice. He sighed, quickly looking away. It was if he wanted to say something that was on his mind. I shrugged and went back to eating breakfast, then paused and drank some more of my own coffee.
"Tell me youngin, what's your name? We didn't a chance to exchange names last night. I'm Jericho Bermuda, head of this museum as well as the grave keeper of Diamond Country. What brings you to Diamond?" he asked, addressing me as his blue green eyes met my purple orbs.
"Frederica Bernkastel, fell down a rabbit hole from Clover and I ended up here. That's all I know and briefly stayed at Diamond Castle for a time. Outsider and roleholder," I replied, giving as little information as possible. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to disclose I'm a witch unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Hmm, that name is a mouthful for sure. How bout I call you Rika? Is that fine with you?" asked Jericho. I shrugged slightly.
"I suppose if that suits you," I said as I sipped more of my coffee. Julius stayed silent as he drank his own coffee cup. He ended up having a plate of pancakes at Jericho's instance. I had a feeling he didn't get enough to eat and I could see crow's feet under his eyes too. Probably wasn't getting good sleep either. Hmph, I can relate to that some nights when traumatic flashbacks invade my dreams. Usually, they include me dying in some horrible fashion. I shook my head to get those thoughts out of my mind. I then tried to put on an expression of indifference, however Jericho and Julius eyed me dubiously with quirked eyebrows, clearly seeing through my façade. What was it with these damned roleholders reading my expressions like an open book here?
"Something wrong, Rika?" asked Jericho in a concerned voice. I shook my head no but they weren't convinced.
"I know you're hiding something, Bern," said Julius who spoke to me.
"Forgive me if I don't want to go into detail about it. Let's just say neither of you would believe me and I don't trust either of you well enough to tell you," I stated bluntly, standing up and turning to walk away, however Julius stopped me by putting a hand on my shoulder again. I let out an exasperated sigh, not bothering to hold back my annoyance.
"Something is clearly bothering you, we could hear you shouting, "No SATOKO!" at the top of your lungs while you slept. Clearly you were having a traumatic flashback of some kind," he replied, not convinced by my carefully masked words.
"Let's just say some shit happened, and it still bothers me. I…I had to kill somebody I thought was my friend to keep her from killing more people. She…killed somebody I loved and drugged my friends back in my world and made us kill each other so she….could…try…to have me all to herself….she even killed me I don't know how many times….yet somehow I'm still here," I said, probably saying too much in front of what were probably total strangers. However they didn't seem shocked by it. Julius merely pulls me into another hug as if I was his daughter or something.
"That wasn't your fault…you did…what was necessary. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you," he said, trying to comfort me. I let my guard down somewhat and clutched his blue coat and cried into his chest. He had the same comforting presence as my adopted father did. Yet, something felt slightly different….I couldn't put my finger on it. He petted my head and allowed me to cry it out and continued to hug me while I cried…mom used to do the same thing sometimes. I missed her and dad and my friends in Hinamizawa too. I hoped everyone was doing ok…and free of that damned curse.
When I felt like I was cried out, I allowed myself to let go of Julius. "Sorry you had to-"I began but he cut me off. "Don't apologize for freeing up your emotions. If you don't allow them to come out sometimes, they will get the better of you," he said. Mom had said something similar to me along while back. I nodded, guessing my charade was up. I turned around, wiping my face with the corner of my cloak. Jericho only smiled at me. It wasn't mocking but one of a friendly family member.
"It's ok Rika. We aren't your enemies here. Come sit, finish your breakfast and you can talk about it if you want. Or if you don't want to, that's fine too, it's up to you," he said and I sat back down to finish my breakfast. He talked about his work of being a grave keeper. I quirked an eyebrow at his explanation as he talked, didn't the bodies vanish in Wonderland, I had asked him. "Well yes and Julius here fixes their clocks. However their loved ones often bury their possessions they had obtained while they were alive as a way to commemorate their existence. I overlook the graveyard and guard it against grave robbers and thieves. Well me and some men keep guard a lot of night time periods," he finished. I hummed, clearly interested.
"I also run this art museum here as well. The graveyard and museum are my territories. The damned Hatters keep trying to take some of my land but we manage to barely keep them from taking it most of the time," he added, leaning back in his chair as if what he said was the most natural thing in the world. My eyes widened once more at the mention of the Hatters. They sounded more ruthless then they did in Clover and Heart. I probably better take care if I visit the Hatter Mansion here in Diamond. If they were ruthless, that means that Dee and Dum could try to kill me without a second thought….however, I was equipped to fight if necessary.
"If you're thinking about going to explore Diamond Country, I'd recommend staying clear of the Hatter's territory. It's dangerous to just go carelessly strolling up to their gates. Those Bloody Twin gatekeepers will gank anybody without a second thought," said Jericho as if he was reading my mind.
"I second that, stay away from the Hatters if possible," mirrored Julius's words in reply. He was acting like my father…I was very confused by this. Julius back in Heart didn't act like this, why was this Julius so concerned? We only met a little while ago. I tried to question further but he got up, poured himself a fresh cup of coffee and left abruptly, leaving Jericho and I behind in the dining room like space.
"Julius was acting a bit…odd. I wonder if he thinks you're his daughter or something but is afraid to admit it. Hmm, who knows? Anyway, I heard that you pissed off the Queen of Diamonds, word travels fast. I overheard some of my workers talking about it, care to elaborate Rika?" said Jericho, facing me once more.
"W…..WHAT the FUCK!? Firstly, she came on to me, tried to trap me and accumulate me as part of her "collection", whatever the hell that is. Then, she fucking kissed me! I merely pushed her away as a reaction. Maybe I overreacted….but she kissed me, not the other way around," I retorted, heat rising to my cheeks as I fumed.
Jericho merely laughed, a booming friendly laugh erupting from his chest. "Well….did you…enjoy the kiss regardless of it being uncalled for?" he asked me, leaning forward with a sly smirk on his face. This only infuriated me further.
"W…WHA...No, of….." I hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Of course not," I huffed, crossing my arms. My heart pounded at the mere thought of that damned kiss. Did I actually enjoy it? I looked down, ashamed, "Maybe I did….for a moment," I confessed, dropping my angry façade. Jericho merely laughed again.
"No need to feel ashamed, if you liked it you liked it. Don't be ashamed at such a thing. I support you either way. Don't worry about it," he replied, his smirk dropping into a smile. He also put his arms behind his head and leaned back slightly in his chair in a relaxed manner. I raised an eyebrow again at his odd behavior. It didn't seem fitting with him dressed so sharply; however he seemed to not give a damn so whatever I suppose.
"Did any soldiers from that fucking castle come looking for me?" I asked suddenly. He leaned forward once more, assuming a more normal posture.
"Hmm, not that I know of, I assure you you're safe here," he replied, still maintaining his smile. We finished our breakfast without further talk; I asked him for a map of Diamond which he obliged for me. He put the map on the counter and I looked at it carefully….
"Here in the top left corner atop the cliff is obviously the castle and the surrounding town and grounds. I call that "Dia Town." Over here," he said as he pointed to the top hat symbolizing the Hatter Estate in the bottom left and the town in-between, "is obviously the Hatter Mansion. I'd strongly advise you not to go near here," and he took a marker and crossed it out. "However, the station, graveyard and museum are safe. I'd obviously stay away from the Diamond Castle as well as its town. I doubt you'd want to attract attention there," he then circled where it was safe to go like the museum, train station and surrounding areas. I think I could make my own judgement on what is "dangerous" and what isn't. However, I bit my tongue as I took the map with thanks.
"You're welcome youngin," he said, ruffling my hair in a friendly manner. I grumbled lowly under my breath but he ignored my annoyance. He really acted like an uncle. "Make sure you come back before the next night period just to be safe, ok?" he added. I nodded as I departed, pocketing the map, refilling my water flask and he gave me a small handful of berries to snack on while I adventured. I thanked him as I put my long curtain up in my hood and pulled it up, hiding my face. I said goodbye and set out on my journey.
When I was sure that he wasn't looking, I disappeared in a cloud of golden butterflies, rematerializing behind a shed so nobody saw me. I kept an eye out for anybody suspicious. I took out the map again, looking at the town label. This town was labeled, "Goldsmith Town." Curious name, I thought as I pocketed the map in my cloak once more.
I followed the road through the town that lead through the woods, which lead into another smaller town called "Outer Goldsmith" and traveled through there, people going about their business as they would during the morning time period. As far as they were aware, I was a fellow faceless with my hood concealing my eyes. I kept my head down, checking the map every so often, as I took a drink from my water flask and carried on again. I exited the Outer Goldsmith part of town and continued into more forest along the path.
When I walked down the path, leaving Outer Goldsmith behind, and I was nearing….Furudo Village which the train station overshadowed. I pocket the map once again and continued on my way through the forest; although on the path the overshadowing trees didn't seem that foreboding. I hummed to myself as I walked along, keeping an eye out for any Diamond Castle clad guards. So far, there were none. However, before I could take another step, somebody crashed on top of me which cushioned their fall. I groaned as I tried to get up, pain shooting through my body, my hood must have fallen off during the collision. Damn it, I cursed.
I heard a low grumbling of a female, presumably close to my age with dark maroon and reddish hair with the sides tied back with two spherical pink hair ties. They looked like the type little girls often wore in their hair. She wore a black blazer, fastened by a belt with golden buttons. Puffy sleeves extended from the shoulders; on the left sleeve was an armband which looked like a bird insignia of some kind. Was it some kind of family crest? Her dark blue, almost purple eyes glared daggers at me. Her hands then grabbed my throat, proceeding to choke me.
"Damn you, GOD DAMN YOU FOR TRICKING ME YOU FICKLE ASS BITCH!" she shrieked. Ow, her shrill ass voice hurt my ears and gave me a fucking headache. "Because of you, I was fucking tricked! My FAMILY will never live because of you and that damned Golden Witch, I am going to kill you!" she shrieked some more, her voice reverberating off the surrounding trees. I retaliated, pushing this strange ass girl off of me with my magic.
I gasped for breath as my vision blurred slightly. I hurriedly got my water flask and took a much needed drink of water, clearing my throat as I came to my senses again. "Mammon, help me kill this bitch!" she ordered and a weird stake came flying at me. I quickly threw my water flask to the side, reacting quickly, and summoned my golden butterfly chain and it wrapped around the stake just before it hit me. The stake then turned back into a girl wearing curious garments. It was almost like a swimsuit like leotard with an open like "skirt" with white lace underneath a black outer layer with the same bird shaped insignia on the left side. She wore an elegant red blazer with a pink tie that extended below it. Her dark red eyes glared daggers at me as she was tangled in my chain. I threw her back toward the maroon haired girl. If they weren't trying to fucking kill me, I kind of thought they were both kind of cute.
The demon like girl named Mammon crashed into maroon girl with a thud, both of them landing on their backs in the grass. I released Mammon from my chain, and walked over them. I glared down at them angrily. "Now hold your horses one damned minute! I am not who you think I am!" I shouted at her. Maroon girl and Mammon both blink and looked up at me stupidly.
"B…But…you have the same hair and eyes as that damned witch!" she retorted.
"Do you want me to repeat it with the red truth? I am not the Bernkastel you know," I stated simply. Their eyes widened once more as red words appeared before them, reiterating what I just told them.
"What….? You use red truth? And that golden chain, what the hell was that?" demanded maroon girl as she sat up and Mammon…floated off of her? Mammon had dark blonde, almost light brown hair, similar to my adopted mother's color of hair. Another pang of sadness could be felt inside my chest at the thought of Alice. I wondered if she was here as well.
"Yeah, I can. However, I don't make a habit of using it unless it is necessary. And my powers developed a little differently here," I replied, eying them dubiously, gold chain still out in case they wanted to attack me again. "Besides, who are you? You're obviously an outsider like I am," I added, eying them with suspicion.
She approached me with an outstretched hand. I made the gold chain disappear and extended my right hand and shook hers. "Ange, Ushiromiya Ange. I fell through a rabbit hole and was kidnapped by this damned white rabbit like man. Besides, where am I?" she said and then asked me a question.
"Ushiromiya…you're Battler's little sister aren't you?" I exclaimed, realizing why her name sounded familiar. She was surprised by this.
"How do you know that?" she asked me suspiciously.
"I…I have been reading your story. Your story has made it here to Wonderland and I've been reading the story of your family and Rokkenjima. I didn't actually think the characters in that story were real," I replied honestly. Ange sighs, putting a hand to her head as if trying to comprehend my information.
"Our story has made it here…we're in Wonderland? What the hell? Is these like the Lewis Carrol version with a Cheshire cat and mad hatter?" she asked me. I shook my head no.
"No, not quite, the Cheshire cat is actually a hot guy with magenta hair and the Mad Hatter…is the leader of the Hatter Mafia here," I replied with a slightly amused expression, relaxing my stance somewhat. Ange's dark blue eyes met mine once more. I noticed her white pleated skirt and dark stockings that highlighted her thighs. She was quite an attractive young woman…however I did my best to shake those thoughts out of my head. Mammon wasn't bad looking either with her long flowing, slightly curly dark blonde hair and wearing stockings that were strapped to something under her outfit. A bow also could be seen on the back of her leotard as the black ribbons cascaded down behind her. My purple eyes met her red ones; she also eyed me slightly dubiously.
"Are you….checking us out?" asked Ange pointedly. Shit, I've been caught.
"Yeah, forgive me, it's not every day that a beautiful lady such as yourself drops out of the sky and has her attractive friend attack me," I admitted, blushing furiously, avoiding their eyes in shame. However, they don't see it that way and started laughing, breaking whatever tension that was there.
"I appreciate the compliment actually. You're….you're kind of beautiful yourself I suppose if we're being honest," admitted Ange, sheepishly scratching behind her head and Mammon also blushed slightly.
"Thank you…I think….if you want, you two can travel with me, I'm not sure where I'm going," I replied, pulling out the map that Jericho had given to me. "We're just outside Outer Goldsmith and nearing Furudo Village that the train station overlooks. Just beyond that is the Hatter Mansion. I've been warned not to go there as I mentioned before, it houses a mafia," I continued as I showed her the map. It was also obviously crossed out with Jericho's marker as well which made both Mammon and Ange's eyebrows raise slightly.
"Honestly that makes me want to check it out more. What could be so dangerous about it? Besides, I'm a Stake of Purgatory, I doubt it would scare me," declared Mammon, speaking for the first time, smirking as she floated just behind Ange in almost a protective way.
"Still, we should be careful regardless," stated Ange as a matter of factly. Besides, for personal reasons, I was not ready to visit the Hatter Mansion just yet. We continued forward, walking into Furudo Village and I redid my hood, pulling it over my face again.
"Why hide your face?" questioned Ange.
"Let's just say, the Queen of Diamonds probably isn't happy with me and she could send soldiers out to look for me and bring me back," I quickly explained the general gist of what was going on and why I hid my face. She looked at me with a confused expression, not buying my general explanation.
"Alright, if you must know, Crysta, the Queen came onto me and…kissed me and I…sort of pushed her back with my magic because it was sudden," I admitted. This confession caused Mammon to burst out laughing.
"Did you like it?" Ange asked again. I sighed, giving the same answer and admitted I kind of…did. "No shame in that…but still she should have asked first," she added as we walked. I was shocked they were so accepting despite Mammon's laughter. We continued onward, walking through town until we….came across the Hatter Mansion Gates.