"
Liliana/
Shizuka,
what are you doing out here?"
"Nothing!" Liliana said with the most guilty look on her face ever, cheeks flushed red.
"Definitely not being told I need to know how babies are made by Shizuka!"”Ohayo, Cecilia-san, Carroll-san” Shizuka said with calm politeness, looking at the Queen of Mushrooms and her cursed weapon who had just arrived at their side.
”I had originally come out here to have a brief chat with Kerry-san about last night, I hopefully gave her some good words of reassurance and reconciliation. I then ran into Lili-chan who was curious about your…new appearance, so to speak. I thought Carroll-san could give a more detailed explanation than I could.”Shizuka still couldn’t help but feel a bit of awkwardness when Carroll was present with other people, due to aiding in her “recovery” that one time. While Carroll apparently did forget about that, somehow that made the ronin feel even more awkward.
With Kerry and Eula present, however, perhaps the secret would be outed, one way or another.
”Oh, right. Some of us don’t know about that.”, commented Kerry as she placed her feet back on the ground.
”Well, better it be known now than during a critical mome- Wait a second…”The hornet leaned toward Carroll, eyes narrowing as her antennae twitched.
”Carroll, your aura is…There’s something else in it. Spirit energy. It feels almost…no, exactly like… ”Kerry snapped her head toward Shizuka…Then back to Carroll…Before falling back to her ronin leader, a smirk on her lips and a knowing gleam in her eyes.
”Heat of the moment, Shizuka?”Crossing her arms, Eula would nod at the scene at hand.
"I see. So Shizuka is sexually harassing Liliana," she said, completely misjudging the situation based on Liliana’s words.
"As for Carroll’s appearance, it seems that each time she enters her blade form, whoever unsheathes her will affect her appearance.""
Something like that," Carroll says. "
It’s more of a mate thing, but whatever," she says, before bonking Eula in the head, "
And, no, the Crass Hornet with little room to talk about doing anything in the heat of the moment, looking as she does, all barefoot and pregnant.........." Carroll glared at Kerry, "
...is referring to the fact that, at some point, prior to losing my memory, the samurai and I slept together. A dalliance, I have no regret over. Men fall at the feet of Mamono. It happens. However, there are unresolved matter between he and I, and they will rear fruit another day. Be that as conversation, a sex, or both."
"
I remember well, her name, Yuriha, and her form," Carroll says, shifting her
shape and self, "
and her voice, and every moment spent on that beach, in a desperate bid to feel wanted. So, yes, it was the heat of the moment - mine. Not his. Don’t cast stones so readily, Hornet."
”So…you do remember.” Shizuka said to Carroll, who seemed to be changing her appearance yet again. Of course, who would it be than his old love, Yuriha.
”You mimic her voice perfectly. The candid, dainty way she always spoke. Heh, you know, at first, I didn’t know how to feel, seeing you like that.””What happened during that time was her needing aid, which I gave her. We’ll leave it at that for now.” Shizuka said, now addressing Kerry. He then snapped towards Eula, not forgetting the little comment she made.
”I should be offended at how quickly you paint me as a lecher!” He spat.
"
To be fair, you have done little to hide your emotions at the sight of me. I could feel you, as I fished," Carroll says, before shifting back to her Eula-ified Form, "
Unresolved emotions are what I fish for. The hopeless. The confused. A life I can enrich, as the Third Princess of Wonderland."
"
Selfishness is why I can never claim to be a good person," Carroll smirked, before she added, "
I'd never believe you the type to go for a fairy, anyways," she flicked her tongue out, the end forked and splayed, "
A head so empty could never match my game, in any case."
”You’ve already explained to me who you are, so much so that I personally feel your words are merely a front to mask your true feelings.” Shizuka responded.
”For right now, however, are you fine with entertaining Lili-chan’s curiosity? Or course, because she’s right in front of us, Cecilia could answer her question directly.”"
Eh? What am I being involved in," Cecilia asks. "
You were spying on us dancing, you didn't get your answer?"Lady Alice, boys come from storks, right? Shizuka’s telling me they don’t," Liliana said, pointing at Shizuka as if he’d done something wrong.
”HUH!?””, Kerry exclaimed, bewildered by how much the fairy believed that.
”Lili, people, much less boys, aren’t born that way! That’s just a myth to avoid a awkward talk!””Indeed.” Shizuka said.
”I’m still trying to figure out how she and I got into that conversation in the first place. However, that is NOT the question I was ref-” Shizuka stopped mid-sentence, squinting at Cecilia.
”I was simply watching you train for a brief moment, the same as Kerry-san!” He retorted, continuing to deflect accusations thrown at him haphazardly.
”But, nevermind that, Lili-chan simply wants to know why you’ve changed your appearance yet again.”"
Lili, listen," Cecilia says, "
Fairytale, Wonderland, Pandemonium, the Realm of Mamono, and the Material Realm, these five worlds have their own rules for how children come to be," she says, "
Some are similar, and most are not. Shizuka is neither right nor wrong, and neither are you. How Fairies are born are not how Humans are born, nor how I was born on the Material Realm."
”Cecilia-san, this whole talk of lives born and the nature of copulation was brought up originally as an afterthought, but it wasn’t what Lili-chan had first questioned. It was in regard to your changes in appearance and personality!”Shizuka’s mental exhaustion was piling up. At this point, he wouldn’t be surprised if Liliana herself had forgotten what she originally was curious about…
"
Would you like to shut up, and I'll get to it at my pace, or would you like someone else to tell the story, Shizuka," Cecilia asks. "
Unless you've the knowledge to explain how my existence works?"
”Can I tell’em?”, Kerry would ask her lover.
Cecilia shrugged, "
Knock yourself out."
The merc would clear her throat.
”To put it in a way that Lili would understand…Cecilia is Alice and Alice is Cecilia.”"Yeah, I can understand that easily enough!"”Ugh, what I’m saying is that Alice is her…..front. Cecilia is her true self.”Shizuka had been the one pushing for this, and the main point was that Liliana understood the matter well enough. However, admittedly, Shizuka himself was having a hard time understanding what Kerry’s words meant. Thankfully, he still had some glimpses into Alice’s life from when he was fused with her.
”Lili-chan, perhaps you could say that Cecilia is the main personality, so to speak. All other instances of Alice that we’ve seen are personas. Masks that she wears that each represent a different entity. Is this accurate, Cecilia-san?” Shizuka said with a snarky tone, returning the sass she gave him earlier.
"
Boiled down to brass tacks, yeah," Cecilia says, "
In a more earnest explanation, each was one more chance I had to try and win," she says, "
I have one left in the tank. If I die, I die. No more chances. The next time, Alice, the Queen of Diamonds, dies... so, too, does Cecilia, the Rebellion Queen."
Cecilia looked to the sky, "
I wanted to soften that blow with a silly anecdote about The Birds and The Bees. I hope cutting that was as satisfying as you wanted."
"So…y-you mean…you died when you went home for a bit?" Liliana asked.
"
A single vorpal strike through my skull, severing upper from lower, and so cleanly that I never felt it, or acknowledged the fatal regeneration," Cecilia says, "
Exile, enforced."
”A simple yes would have suffice, along with not providing a brutal mental image for Lili, don’t ya think?”, Kerry inputted, deadpanned at Cecilia’s blunt explanation.
"
I'm taking too long, apparently, so short and bittersweet," Cecilia says, cutting a cruel side-eye at Shizuka.
"...Who did this to you Lady Alice?" Liliana asked simply.
"
Someone I aim to kill, and take her throne," Cecilia says, "
Alice Kardia."
”The Queen of Hearts herself.”“
"She’s a bad guy, isn’t she?""
From a certain point of view, yes. From a standpoint of how the world works, no," Cecilia says, "
Lilith's daughter, she is neither benevolent nor malevolent, but beholden to the subjectivity of her Realm. They worship her..." Cecilia narrowed her eyes, "
I revile her."
”She also just so happens to have a…”, Kerry paused, glancing over at Carroll.
”Actually, I think our friendly neighborhood Cursed Weapon ought to tell you.”"
I’m not a mind-reader at range, Hornet," Carroll says. "
If there something about my mother you would like to share with the class, since we’re bonding so awkwardly this morning?"
Shizuka’s expression softened a bit upon hearing Cecilia’s explanation of her current situation. He listened intently, then sighed.
”Forgive me, it wasn’t my intention to sour the mood. Carroll had allowed me to be privy to some tidbits of your past, albeit simple bits and pieces. If there’s things you do not wish to speak on, you’re well within your right not to do so.”"
I’ve gone too much of my life exercising that right, for weal and for woe," Cecilia says. "
Perhaps, I’d be best to stop doing that..."
"...I don’t care who Lilith is, or who her daughter is, but nobody gets to kill my friends and get to keep eating bon-bons and other nice things! Tell me where she is, and she’s eating dirt for dessert!" Liliana promised, raising Whimsy overhead.
"
She resides in a place you can never go, unless you never want to return," Cecilia says.
”In other words, Wonderland obviously.”, chimed in Kerry.
”Unfortunately, we can’t do that right now, what with the Varjans and all.”"It would be a one-way journey, essentially, and as such it should only be taken with careful consideration," Eula explained, figuring Liliana really didn’t think things through.
But, despite that, Liliana would respond with:
"Well…Alice left. So, that means you totally can."Eula…could at least see SOME of the logic in that.
”Eeeeh, it’s more complicated than that, Lili.” Kerry spoke, crossing her arms.
”I may not have been there myself, but I heard stories of mercs who ventured to that realm during my travels. See, what happens is that when you leave, you get this strange sense of yearning to return to Wonderland. Sure, you can go days, weeks, even months without wanting to, but the feeling doesn’t go away. It never goes away. The yearning only gets more overwhelming over time until one day…you just go. Straight back to Wonderland, never leaving again. So yeah, all roads lead to that realm if you go there.”Liliana pouted and folded her arms.
"But…I know for sure some fairies have gone to Wonderland and returned…" she said, looking to see if Cecilia could explain that.
Kerry turned to Cecilia as well.
”Have there been exceptions?”"
I was born on Earth, and reborn in Wonderland. I'm inoculated. I can come and go, because I am no longer foreign to the Realm," Cecilia says, "
From the moment you step foot upon the soil, you are poisoned for life. Likely, those Fairies left and never returned; their departure covered up as state secrets," she says, "
That, or someone from Wonderland visited them, since it would seem my Band of Diamonds has been looking for me."
"
And, you're confident they are still alive, Carroll asks. "
It's been close to a millennia. Even Io couldn't last that long, and she's far sturdier than your lot."
"
Kerry has fought Bridgette. If Bridgette's still alive, no shot the others are dead," Cecilia says. "
I have no way to get a message across Realms without risking death, however."
”Well…Maybe I can do that for you.” - Kerry suggested with a supportive smile, despite knowing the consequences of such a life-changing decision.
"
I couldn't willingly let your divorce yourself from your family forever on a lark," Cecilia says, "
I wouldn't be able to reconcile such a thing with your family, either. I wouldn't even know how..."
”My family would grieve for me for a time, no doubt. But they’d understand. They did when I took on life as a wandering mercenary, knowing full well what such a life would bring. How one of these days could be my last in such a profession. It came with the territory, as they say.”, Kerry chuckled before fixing the mad hatter with a serious gaze.
”I’ve already committed to ending my traveling days to settle for a future as your wife. It does sadden me, the prospect of never seeing my parents and sisters in person again and I’m sure as shit I’m gonna cry about it, but for the sake of our future and Gwen’s, I am willing to do this for you. For us…This is worth it.”"
Right, so... sweet speech, but you can commute back and forth," Cecilia says, "
You just can't stay, but you aren't barred from here. By forever, I meant, there's no curing Wonderlust. I have no idea how to explain that without it sounding... bad."
"
In any case, the problem is that we left Wonderland in a state similar to the world that Cecilia came from," Carroll says, "
Likely, they've continued, so we can't tell what the technology is like. But, last we check, rifles were commonplace, and a Civil War was waving."
"
There's no telling what grounds are held by the Ever-brilliant Diamonds and what's captured by the Ever-beating Hearts," Cecilia says, "
I couldn't stomach the idea of you going alone with Gwen and nobody to watch your back, while you're focused on watching hers."
"
I concur, as well," Carroll says, "
Add to that, we have no Wererabbit to stumble upon a March Hare's hole, and no way to stay connected to you on the other side..." she crossed her arms, "
I wouldn't consent without meeting that bare minimum. As the Third Princess of Wonderland, Queen's Blade of the Queen of Diamonds, I would slice you down, metaphorically, so much mother could not, physically."
”Would’ve been nice for you to lead with that before I made that speech and made a fool of myself. Oughta bean-pitch you in the head with a rock for that.”, Kerry muttered under her breath, blushing.
”ANYWAY, I still have Bridgette’s broken handle. I can use it as a guide to maybe find a March Hare’s hole around here. It’s a stretch, but it’s something. And Cecilia, you’re out of your damn mind if you think I’m going in there while still pregnant. I’ll do this AFTER I laid Gwen’s egg. As for the lack of communication between realms…Well, Carroll, unless you have something like an empathy link ritual you can perform on Cecilia and I, you're gonna have to have a little something called faith. Shizuka needs to be here to lead the taskforce, so it’s a choice between having Lili or Eula to go with me if you’re so against me going by myself.”"
I’d far rather you take Gringor," Cecilia says, "
As much of a brick wall as he is, he’s able to take a hit and heal with a meal. Neither Liliana or Eula can boast the same," she says, "
Shizuka cannot leave, not because of something as stupid as this silly taskforce, but, he’s already on the cusp of Incubization, and will be swarmed by everything she has to offer." Cecilia titled her head to Carroll, "
Thanks to someone, he’d a markedly increased scent that’s like blood in the water. And, Wonderland’s sharks are dragons --" Cecilia cut her eyes to Shizuka, "
-- the fetish of a certain someone."
"
The odds are not stack in his favour, but Gringor is without temptation - though, I’ve yet to test myself against the wannabe king, so..." Cecilia drifted off, chuckling, "
As to you, missy, Mad is but a state of mind, but not my state of being. You are the one that has chosen to embark upon this mission, being as you are, so, yes. Yes, I do think you would charge recklessly into danger, if you think you can score."
Kerry could tell from Cecilia’s tone, she wasn’t being heedlessly cruel, but concerned by the million variables; thinking, overthinking, and rethinking everything that could possibly happen from start to finish.
In short: she was worried.
"
For now, we’ll table this discussion," Cecilia says, "
As soon as Gwen’s egg is laid, she’d going inside my hat, and she’d stay there, until this affair is all said and done, or I die," she says, "
That goes for all eggs, egg-likes, seeds, and infants that are born as a result of my Royal Court."
"
Oi, don’t just lump me in with you. I’m far more cautious than you are," Carroll says.
"
Yeah. So cautious that you reek of desire for the robot, and you still remember the snake lover’s lover," Cecilia says, dryly, "
I don’t care if you get knocked up by lover boy, and knock up robot girl. You are still my Queen’s Blade. What I say, goes. Especially, now..."
Carroll narrowed her eyes, before heaving a defeated sigh, and giving a one-handed half-bow, like a proper demon attendant, "
Of course. I am but a sword to swing."
"
And, I am the one mad enough to swing you," Cecilia says.
"I…I…" Liliana said, unsure of just…what to do anymore. Alice was her friend, and she’d already promised but to go somewhere with the expectation to never be able to return to her fellow Bladeflowers, to her Queen, to Rosebud…it terrified her. Petrified her. The Bladeflower’s wings would wilt a bit, doubt and anguish clouding Liliana’s mind before she would hang her head. Even if Wonderlust wasn’t a “stay forever” thing, Liliana had promises to keep too. The promise to stand by Rosebud’s side. To travel the world with her. Her vow to her Queen. And…
Liliana had a million excuses surging to the forefront of her mind, before the fairy’s immaturity won out over all other parts of her.
She shrunk down and flew away, needing time to think, uncharacteristically leaving without a word.
"...I know little of that fairy, but she seems close with you, Cecilia. I’m of the opinion she shouldn’t go. If the Queen of Hearts is as cruel and powerful as you say, someone without conviction will get in the way," Eula said, coldly analytical as a thin trail of shimmering dust followed Liliana, the scar Alice had given her wing leaking out some of it as she flew.
"
Bold, coming from someone who’s only confident thought is what taste better for breakfast and what taste better for dinner. A discussion of conviction is nothing one you want to engage in, Automaton, when you can’t be trusted to kill Humans for the better good of Humans," Cecilia says, matching coldness with coldness. "
Speaking frankly, you are the one I trust the least - even less so with my sword. If it comes to it, I don’t believe in you to do what is necessary, because that sparking brain of your is rife with a stellar lack of conviction."
"
Alice..." Carroll growled.
"
If she wants to speak her mind so freely, so, too, shall I, with equal freedom. I don’t want Liliana to follow me, any more than I want Kerry to precede me, however, you, Eula, I do not want involved at all, because I can trust Kerry and Liliana with my life," Cecilia crossed her arms, "
All I can trust you with is my menu. That’s how useless you are."
"
And, furthermo --"
A sharp impact of flesh on flesh echoed the paved path, followed sharply with the sting of green blood splattering the ground, as Carroll towered over Cecilia, and held her bloodied hand to a side - fingers turned to blades, dripping with blood from the vorpal gouges in Cecilia’s face.
"
You hesitated," Cecilia says, pulling back on her right arm... sliding her fist out of Carroll’s chest. "
Did I strike a chord, hm? Or, did you... Ah..."
Carroll sneered, "
A blade breaks before her user." Cecilia rolled her eyes, before huffing, and dusting herself off, as her facial wounds sealed shut and healed; at the same time, Carroll’s chest wound was sealing, and closing tight. "
Feeling better, then?"
"
Haaa..." Cecilia sighed heavily, before turning. "
We’ll reconvene after breakfast. Liliana and I need to have a serious discussion, without outside compilations."
For the briefest of seconds, Eula felt herself lose a smidgeon of control, spooling up her right arm’s stun gun, before she clenched her fist and stopped it, stopped herself, and let Alice’s words wash over her. …She…wasn’t wrong. What position did Eula have to criticize others when she was no doubt the weakest among those gathered?
Biting her lip in frustration, Eula would calm down just in time for Carroll and Cecilia to trade blows. Now, it wasn’t her place to talk…that was for after everyone’s heads had cooled.
”Okay, everyone chill the hell out. Clearly, there is a lot to consider and digest in the coming days…and that’s on top of everything else we’re dealing with right now. Liliana obviously needs to think it over, so I agree that Cecilia needs to have a talk with her. Eula…I think you’re already aware of your problem. Question is, when the time comes, will you have the strength and will to do what you must do? For your sake and everyone else’s, you best find that answer soon.”, spoke Kerry before turning to Shizuka.
”And the day has barely gotten started.”Shizuka made no attempt to interrupt the conversations the girls were having with each other, as he felt it wasn’t his place to speak at this point in time. He paid no mind to Cecilia’s comments about him and Carroll, and could well tell that her words were born from worry and calculated concern over the well being she would bring on this expedition of hers.
He watched as Liliana, bewildered by what transpired, flew away to be with her own thoughts for a while. A bit of a somber expression bore onto Shizuka’s face, this being the result of what she originally inquired about.
”For now, it seems that all respective parties have said their peace. As Cecilia has stated, this is best sorted out amongst yourselves without outside intervention. No use in wasting energy arguing, as a steady mind is vital in these times. So is a full stomach as well. I don’t know who’s preparing breakfast this morning, but I can volunteer to assist. I could use something to keep me busy this morning regardless.”"
Well, I’m making breakfast for myself and Eula," Carroll says, "
I might be a sword, and a princess, and all that, but, above all else, I’m the best damn cook in Wonderland," she boasted, thumbing her nose, "
So, you’re free to join, if you like."
"
If you’re cooking, I’ll arrange drinks and deserts," Cecilia says, before clapping, and her mycelia changing colors and arrangement; replacing the dark-skinned redhead with her pale-skinned alter. "
To breakfast, then!"
Shizuka chuckled a bit at Carroll’s boasting.
”I suppose I’ll take you up on that offer then. I’m not too familiar with Wonderland cuisine, but I presume it’s a far cry from the fish and rice we’ve been eating for the past few weeks?”"
I can cook anything," Carroll says, "
If fish and rice is all I have to work with, then I need carrots, celery, avocado, and some soft cheese," she ticked off her fingers, "
Think you can create a party with those foods, my Sweetoothed Queen?"
"
Heh," Alice smirked. "
Barely a trifle."
”Goodness, I see you certainly don’t skimp out, on the battlefield or in the kitchen.” Shizuka said.
”Do you mind if I offer a hand for food preparations?”"
You’ll need to be invited, so..." Alice motioned forth, as an invitation appear between her fingers. "
It’s Carroll’s kitchen, so you better be ready to work."
”You keep holding parties like this, the locals are gonna talk. But it helps with morale and livens up the dull place, so who cares?”, the hornet commented with a shrug, hands on the back of her head as the group began walking back toward the temple.
”Just so you know, Carroll, my standards are kinda high. I’ve been all over the world, so I have a pretty wide palette when it comes to food.””Oh, I will be, worry not Cecilia-san.” Replied the ronin.
”I would never argue that my culinary arts compare to my skills with swords and sorcery, but I believe my experiences as a traveler myself should be of use. Combined with Carroll-san’s direction, I’m sure the food will turn out just fine.” "
I can only throw so many at once, and once Gwen is born, all my parties will be employed in keeping her, and any others, like her, safe within my hat," Alice says, "
The Zeroth Birthday Party, frozen in time until the world is safe."
Alice turned back to the assembled, and winked, "
That means, no need for condoms~!"
”Alice, please! It’s not even midday!”Eula shelved a groan away into her processing banks, thinking this was not the time to begrudge levity.
"
Nrrggg...." Carroll grumbled, crimson in the face as she marched by, absolutely singled out.
Alice smirked, and looked to Shizuka and Eula, holding the invitations. "
Better hurry~" she cooed, with the subtlety of a truck made of bricks carrying a freight of bricks driven by a bull into a shop made of glass selling fine china.
Eula held a slight smile as she reached her hand out, accepting the invitation.
"I look forward to cooking with you all."Shizuka took the invitation from Alice’s hand, inspecting it for a moment. The paper used was of a decadent and regal material. The hand-writing was also exquisite, as expected.
”I humbly accept as well. I’m sure the other members are rather famished, let’s not keep them waiting.” He said.
Alice smirked, as she turned, and scooped up Kerry with a secretly snaked vine; slithering them under Kerry’s lightwear, and bringing her to her arms. "
As for you, I am not called the Rebellion Queen for no reason..." she whispered, as she started forward, while Eula and Shizuka moved to catch up with Carroll.
In the back of her mind, she was thinking about Liliana, though. She’d set a plate of sushi aside for her, and see it found her, once she sensed the Fairy was calm enough to talk.
For now, they'd have breakfast to get to…
Once more in Alice’s arms, Kerry blushed and rolled her eyes at her lover’s antics…yet made no move to remove herself.
”Always the flair with you…”, she commented with a giggle.
Such was life with a Mad Hatter. Never a dull moment in an ever-lasting party. By time Alice got to the top of the stairs, Carroll would be taking over the kitchen - bursting with ingredients from nowhere - and breakfast would become a far more interesting affair, as she got to work on drinks and sweets.
