The Wonderland Rift

Minerva "Duchess"
I straighten my dress as I weave through my girls in the parlor, winking at a few who have especially rich- in money or information- men hanging onto their every word.

Humming, I glance in the mirror beside the door that I put there to know what I looked like before I go out and see a tired, normal woman. It's just easier to go about looking as though you have nothing to do with your life, as if you have no secrets.

Unable to resist the temptation, I pull a clip out of one of my pocket in my skirt which looks like trousers. The clip has tiny spades on it. No one would know, unless they really looked, but those who really look are normally the ones I want to know.

I strut out, calling the map to mind, and begin to make my way to the rebels' HQ of sorts. God, I hoped this was official. I'm not sure I could quite stand to go another month of inaction.

I slipped through shadows, forgetting the exact color my clothing appeared, but sure it blended in well enough. I was close, only a few blocks away, when a figure dropped in front of me. I looked up, shocked for a moment, and then I returned my gaze to the threatening figure in the middle of my path.

"Hey-" big boy. Is how I normally began most of my interactions as the Duchess, big time, very experienced harlot, but I caught myself just in time to remember that I was merely a nameless face, just trying to blend in on the street. "Wanna let a girl through, huh?" I asked with a crooked smile and met the red gaze.

Surprise and, though I hate to admit it, fear ran through me as I realized just who was standing in my way.

It was the Jabberwockey.

I couldn't let him know who I was.

Spoiler

Wasn't sure if the Duchess knew Jasper was a friend, so I decided she didn't.

Barrett opened her eye slowly, looking around the queen's chambers from her place on the floor. Patrolling the far borders all night had taken a lot out of her. She pulled herself to her feet, taking note of the open bedroom door to the left of her, which the queen wasn't in. With a sigh, Barrett started padding towards the exit, her body slowly forming into that of a young, white maned girl, one red eye covered by a noticeable eye patch.

Heart soldiers and guards were hustling around the castle, giving her small hellos as they strode passed. Her five inch heels clicked across the floor, her head lifted high as her heart race quickened. She had to find the queen or king one. Her anxiety was setting in, worried that the queen would be angry with her and would take away her ability to keep the gorgeous form she had fell in love with. It was so different from the hideous Bandersnatch form she had been stuck in years ago.

Finally, from the window, Barrett caught scent of the queen, who was in the castle and didn't seem to be angry at all. She seemed to be worried, however, like she normally was over Minerva and the foolish rebels. With a sigh, Barrett slid into the window sill, staring out at the land beyond the dreary castle.

I slid my rifle across my back, done with today's work. The Red Queen had given me three people to take care of today, and I did so easily.

As I walked through the streets, I lit a cigarette and put it to my lips, taking in a long drag. I absentmindedly toyed with the knives on my belt, finding comfort in their cold touch. Many of my "friends" passed by, not even smiling as they looked my way. I was glad they didn't know my secret, at least, they didn't know for now. It was only a matter of time before the two sides were going to go head to head in an all out battle, and there I would show where my loyalties lay.

I didn't have a guilty conscience, which was why the Red Queen chose me to be her little spy. I didn't mind picking off the Rebels one by one.

I cowered into the shadows suddenly, seeing the transparent, gory figures. All I could hear now was the wailing and moaning of their never-ending pain.

Alex woke up from a nap with a fresh memory from the bar.
I remember her. She was so gorgeous. Dark hair. Fair skin. Curves. Tattoos. Piercings. And those eyes. They were like moons. Ugh.
"Alec! She was there! When I beat the living shit out of that bastard at the bar!"
"Who?"
"Luna, her name was Luna."
"Why is that important, if you don't mind me asking?"
"She had the spade. She's one of us."


When I woke up, she was in my head. Always in my head. Miranda. But alas, she would never love me. For I am tied to this woman via my unwilling matrimony. I have heard tell of Rebels in a local pub. I will check it out immediately.

Yamani (Queen of Hearts)

I pause once I'm completely concealed by the shadows. I hear Jasper breathe a sigh of relief and heft himself up to his feet. He pulled a rag from his pocket and wiped his sweaty brow, seeming relieved and even a little surprised.

In a few moments, once he had gotten his bearings, he started toward the town. Thoughtlessly, silently, I crept through the shadows- stalking him like a lioness stalks a gazelle, watching, waiting.

He walked into a tavern that rebel soldiers often hung around, getting drunk, spilling thier secrets to anyone- at least any half-attractive woman- who would take the time to coax. I clicked my tongue. No, no, Jasper dear. A drunk nothing will do me no good.

I rubbed ash from the street, dumped by a careless chimney sweep, onto my face and forearms, onto the knees of my trousers, and finally smeared it across my cloak, before flipping the hood of my cloak up and slipping through a side door.

"Manny!" a young boy, no older than seven or eight, cried as he threw his arms around my waist.

"Eh, Ian, quiet now lad," I said gruffly, as I patted his back a little too hard.

"Yes sir," he said, as he promptly pulled away from me. "You've been gone an awfully long time."

"I know, lad, I know," I agreed, as I ducked under a row of pots hanging from the ceiling- cursing my height, while at the same time being glad for it. Being tall was a hassel in more ways than one- but it was far easier to impersonate a man, if you towered above most other girls. "I've gotten busy."

"With your sneaking around and whacking people?"

I turned towards the boy, doing my best to make myself look larger than I really was. "Hey, now, I told you I don't kill anybody." Who doesn't deserve it.

"Well the people you follow out of here never make it back."

A cruel smile played at my lips. And they deserve it. "Well..."

"I'm going to be just like you," Ian said, as he heaved himself onto a countertop.

I peeked between two canisters of flour, at Jasper, who was sitting in the back of the tavern.

"Oh yeah?" If only you knew.

"Yeah."

"Have you been practicing like I taught you?"

"Yes sir. I've been watching everybody who comes and goes."

"What've you found?"

"Nothing much, sir. Mostly the normal things- soldiers complaining about pay, the Queen of Hearts, such things."

Jasper was walking towards the door.

"What were they saying about her?" My voice was too cold. Too harsh.

Jasper was arguing with someone.

"Eh, normal things. She's a cruel, heartless, brainless wench."

"Is not!" I snarled. My voice was too high.

I slammed my hand over my mouth, then jerked my fist to my side- trying, in vain, to stop covering my girly actions with different girly actions. Maybe I am brainless.

"...Oh...well..."

"No matter," I said, my voice gruff once more. "I've got to go, Lad. Keep your eyes open."

"Yes sir."

Jasper was already outside. I cursed and started into the street after him. I blinked in the darkness, annoyed that he had slipped out of my grasp, when I heard him mutter "Dammit."

I watch as Jasper's dark form scales a rooftop, and then flattens out, as he lays in wait. I slunk into the shadows and pressed my back against the cool stone of a building, waiting, where I could easily keep an eye on Jasper without being seen.

We both sat for a long time, me considering dozing, deciding against it, but nearly drifting off to sleep anyway. Suddenly Jasper leaped off the far side of the road. Instantly I was on my feet, scaling this side of the wall, and hurrying across the rooftop.

"Hey. Wanna let a girl through, huh?"

I slammed my body down on the roof, flattening myself out, creeping forward. My blood ran cold at her voice. Traitor.

My every instinct screamed at me to leap down there and kill Minerva where she stood, while my brain urged me to sit and listen. I lay quietly. There was a long, strained pause.

"Duchess?" Jasper's voice was barely audible.

I held my breath.

"I-I believe you're mistaken, kind sir." Her voice was strained, irritated.

"I don't think I am. How- I...I wasn't expecting to see you here."

Me either. That was stupid, Minerva. Very stupid.

Lord Lordshire (Knave of Hearts)

I crept slowly behind as Alacander led the way. It had gotten very dark very fast. He seemed to be in a hurry, though I couldn't tell if it was because he wanted to get out of this place, or if he was used to being in a rush, working for the Queen and all.

We had just turned a corner when Alacander made a sudden stop. I watched him stiffen, whether from fear or anger, and then stepped to the side to see past him. My eyes widened when I set my eyes on the infamous Jasper. He was standing in front of a young woman who had her back turned to us.

I put on an innocent voice and whispered silently to Alacander, "Is something wrong?"

Jasper (Jabberwocky)

I had been waiting on the roof for quite some time and was about to give up when I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I look towards the source of the movement and see what looked like a rebel. I drop down off the roof and land in front of him.

“Wanna let a girl through, huh?” she asks.

A girl? I look at her again. She had the slender frame of a woman, not even close to the body of a man, how had I not noticed before? I take a step forward to get a better look at my prey.

I nearly gasp out in surprise; I would recognize those bright green eyes anywhere. I notice a clip in her hair; it bared the mark of the rebels. Surely she couldn’t be working with them?

“Duchess” I whisper.

“I-I believe you’re mistaken, kind sir” She said in a strained and irritated voice.

No, I knew I was right. I had only seen the duchess from far, but those green eyes were hard to miss. “I don’t think I am. How, I…I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

She just stood there; I could see the fear in her eyes. If I let her go, I would fail the queen and a gruesome punishment would await me. But the rebels would have a useful asset, one that could destroy the heart kingdom from the inside. If I captured her on the other hand, I would prove my loyalty to the queen, but she would realize how useful I am and keep me chained to her forever. We stood in silence for a couple seconds more, before I finally made my choice.

“Hmm, you’re probably right, must be a mistake of the light. I’m sorry for troubling you, madam” I then turn around and start walking toward the castle, preparing for the worst.

Ugh, the queen’s gonna have my head for this.

James Anders Valentine (King of Hearts)

I walked out of my bedroom, into my dressing room. I grabbed my brown canvas jacket with white-ish wool lining. It has a large wool collar and a hood. I put on my mask. I grabbed my Beretta 93r and my AK-47.I also grabbed my two favorite knives. I slung my pistol-grip AK-47 over my shoulder and strapped my pistol into the holster on my hips. My knives were strapped into sheaths in each armpit. I put on some form fitting, green-ish, cargo pants. I put on my charcoal gray, wool, fingerless gloves. I put on my black combat boots. And then, it was time. Time to get my hands dirty. Time to get the hell out of this castle. Maybe even time to talk to Miranda.
I walked out into the courtyard. I waved to several people in the courtyard, Lord Lordshire and Alcander White. I strode into my garage. Looking at all of the vehicles in order to make my choice. I was trying to find something that I wasn't worried about. My truck! I hopped into my gray pickup truck. I put the key into the ignition and turned. First try: no cigar. Second try: got it! The truck came to life in a flash of light and a cloud of exhaust. I put it in reverse and got the hell out of there.
When i got to the pub, the crowd was rowdy as hell. I didn't know who I was looking for. Except I do. I don't know who I want to kill. Just who I want to see. Even if I don't get to talk to her. Just to see her face. It would mean the world to me...

Luna

You'd think a guy would take a hint and get lost when you say you're interested. But no. They just keep nagging. And nagging. And nagging. Arrogant pricks. I hate arrogant pricks. Like this one.

"Oh c'mon baby." he smiled like he thought it would help anything. "What do you say we get out of here and head back to my place?"

"Sorry," I took a hearty swig of my vodka and sat the glass down. "not interested."

I sighed. All I wanted to do was go have a drink at a bar, and people watch. Why won't people just leave me the fuck alone? I shook my head and took another sip.
He wasn't even that cute. He had a beer gut the size of an over aired basketball, yellow teeth oily hair and skin that looked like it needed to be scrubbed in acid to get clean, and fat little sausages for fingers. But he was rich. He wore this black and white pinstripe suit with a black and blue tie. He had what looked like a 24k gold ring on his pinky and a diamond earring in his right ear. He was rich alright, which is probablt why he thought he could get me to spread my legs for him.Ugh. I could only imagine how small his penis was. Just the thought made me shudder. I tipped the glass back to my lips and drained the last of it's contents. Then I ran my tongue over my lips to catch a stray drop. He watched me with this disgusting hunger in his eyes and licked his lips. Ugh.

"I'm guessing by now you've realized I have money...." his sentence trailed off.

The glass in my hand almost cracked under my grip. "I'm not for sale. Get lost."

He bristled at that. He obviously always got what he wanted whenever he wanted it too. But not this time.

"I'm sorry," he gritted out. "I didn't catch that."

I gave him a venomous smile and said, "You heard what I said. I don't go around screwing guys, and I sure as hell don't go around doing it for money, so you can take your business elsewhere."

"You bitch!" his hand came at me.

Wrong move. I caught his wrist in my hand and-

"Ah!" he dropped to one knee as I twisted his wrist and a series of pops rang out.

I lowered my face to his and looked him straight in the eyes. "Touch me, and i'll chop your hands off and mount them on my wall along with your balls."

He whimpered like the coward I knew he was. "Please, i-i'm sorry."

I tossed his wrist away from me with a disgusted sounded and he fell to floor. He mumbled something unintelligible and crawled away. I sat back down at the bar and motioned for another drink.

Alcander (White Rabbit)

"Is something wrong?"

"N-n-no, nothing. Nothing at all." I could feel the Lord's eyes glaring into my back but I put on a brave face, straightened my suite and calmly and slowly walked past Jasper. Thankfully, he didn't even notice the pair of us, too concerned over some girl.

"Let's just get to the castle. I'll call a cab." I offered my hand out to the Lord as carriage stopped in front of us.

"Courtesy of Her Majesty, huh?" I was beginning to dislike that wolfish grin and I cursed myself for I was still pulled to it.

"You could say that. Working for the Queen sure does have a hell of a lot of benefits." I sent a pointed look in his direction, "Lot's of money and power and balls and feasts as well as ruling over a most dysfunctional country."

"A country is just as dysfunctional as its rulers..." As we sat across from each other on the velvet moss green chairs inside the carriage, I tried not to look in his direction. I knew he was trying to make me enraged, but I made sure he wasn't going to get a reaction.

The carriage ride was soon over. It stopped in the back entrance of the castle, the one that directly leads to my corridors, and I couldn't help marveling still at the grandness of the place. Why, I remember when I was just a child, mucking around in garden, learning from the sage scholars--

"Alcander, Alcander, hello? We're here." Lord Lordshire tugged on the back of my jacket. Good God, I'd have to stop drifting off all the time!

"Well then, Lord Lordshire, welcome to my corridors. I hope to make yourself at home." I bowed slightly and entered the plush room.

Barrett

I could smell that damned rabbit in the castle. Lord, how I loathed him. My upper lip lifted in a snarl as and grabbed on of the servants gentle by the arm. His eyes grew wide and although he towered over me, he knew I certainly was not the human I appeared to be. "Who is with the rabbit?" I snarled.

"L-Lord Lordshire m-madam." I growled and let go of his arm, stalking towards the rabbit's room. The door was left cracked open, light flittering out from the opening and casting out onto the red rugs of the hall I stood in.

I pressed myself against the wall beside the door, peering into the room. I barely caught a glance of Alcander as he strode confidently across the room. "I hope to make yourself at home." I caught him say. What exactly was he doing. Last time I had checked, Lord Lordshire had been leaning more towards a rebel stand. Had I been gone on my patrol that long? Surely not. Alcander had to be up to something.

Lord Lordshire (Knave of Hearts)

"Well then, Lord Lordshire, welcome to my corridors. I hope to make yourself at home." Alacander said to me.

I looked around and took in my surroundings. You're in the Queen's territory now. You better make this fun. By habit, I took in every detail of the room, noting that someone was spying on us from behind the door. After my thorough review of the furniture and carpeting, I said "This is the ugliest place I've ever been in my whole life."

Alacander remained calm. I thought that'd get him for for sure. He was better than I'd guessed.

"Then again, the only places I have to compare it too are the slums of the Rebels. You sure this is your room?"

Almost. I could almost see him twitching, but I didn't want to start trouble just yet.

"So what exactly am I doing here again? You said something about a meeting with the Queen?"

"Goddammit I need a drink!" I shouted after hours of fixing the ammo and cleaning the weapons.
"Alec! Miranda! Yo, guys, you wanna head down to the pub to get a few drinks?"
"Most definitely!" Miranda chimed.
"Sure." Alec echoed.
We left the building, making sure to be sneaky. I was wearing my jeans, my shoes, and a gray, wool, hooded pullover. Panty dropper for sure! I was freezing, but I knew that some good ol' whiskey and some tequila would warm me up. We were almost there. The roads were covered in ice. The sidewalks were smothered with pure white snow and blackened slush. We finally got to the bar. Inside was the smell of hard liquor, lust, and fights. I could see her. Luna. Damn, she's fine! I could see that she was just about to destroy some fatass's reputation along with his barely existent genitals. I saw the opportunity to make an impression on her. I swaggered over to the bar and ordered two drinks. Some vodka for the lady. And some whiskey for me. I strode over to her and her drunken admirer.
"Who the fuck're you?" He slurred.
Instead of wasting my breath, I simply punched him in the face. I knocked loose some gold teeth and flattened his nose. He was bleeding. He tried to stand up but one good one to the sternum and he was out like a light. I grabbed him under the armpits and hoisted him onto an empty bar stool. I took the seat that he had been in. The one next to Luna.
"I could've handled him myself."
"Nah, I know, I just didn't want you to accidentally chip a nail." I said chuckling. "By the way, my name's Alex Liddell."
I could see that she recognized my name. Her breath quickened. I put my hand on her leg. Looking her in the eyes, she met my stare. I recognized those eyes. Moons.
"You must be Luna" I said while winking.
"Why yes I am." She responded, her sultry voice gave me ideas of what might be in store tonight.
"Well the dark, mysterious one over there is Alec. He's kinda like my second in command. That lil' princess over there is Miranda, she's the scary one. We have a place down the road on 12th avenue. It's great! And we're kinda tight on beds, so you may have to share one with me. Not that it wouldn't be fun." I said putting heavy emphasis on "fun".
"You're quite straight forward. I like it."
I handed her the vodka, standing up my barely six foot tall frame lining up with her voluptuous six foot frame perfectly. I took down my swig of whiskey in one quick chug, and slammed the shot glass down on the table.
"Yo! Alec! Miranda! Let's go." I took Luna by the hand and we were off.

Alcander (Not Alacander) (White Rabbit)

"So what exactly am I doing here again? You said something about a meeting with the Queen?" Lord Lordshire started surveying my looks. Probably to see if I was a tough opponent, but I started fidgeting with my hands thinking of my tallness and rough, large hands, and my blonde greased-back hair. It has been awhile since I had had any romance in my life. But obviously it was hopeless.

"Yes, Lord Lordshire." I sighed and rubbed my hands through my hair, "She told me to escort you here and keep you in my rooms until she was ready. Now, that could take hours knowing Her Majesty. But I assure you, it is worth the wait." I kept fidgeting with my suit. It was too tight and suffocating. "I'm going to change. And no peeking" I winked and laughed at the Lord's surprised face. Maybe he had more emotions than anger.

I walked into my closet, threw on a worn black shirt (ripped and giving slight glances to my toned stomach) and blue jeans. I washed my hair in the sink of the connecting bathroom and it spiked and curled naturally. My family members always were mesmerized and jealous of my wild locks.

I came out of the closet...to find the Lord leaning up against my bedroom wall with an expression that surprisingly wasn't loathing...I couldn't quite place my finger on it though.

Minerva

"Duchess?" he murmured.

I gave the Jabberwocky a strained smile, attempting to tame the fear raging within me. "I think you're mistaken, kind sir."

He looked at me with a cocked brow. “I don’t think I am. How, I…I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

My mouth went dry, and words slipped from my mind before I could relay them through my mouth. I stared into his arresting eyes as silence roared in the ally.

I glanced at two men who passed, one glancing at the Jabberwocky as they passed. I recognized them as well, and I locked my weakening knees. Alcander didn't scare me much though his close connections with Yamani made me cautious. Lordshire, on the other hand, was a little too loose, a little to unpredictable for me. It seemed I was surrounded. I frowned as they disappeared, not giving me the time of day.

“Hmm, you’re probably right, must be a mistake of the light. I’m sorry for troubling you, madam."

I blinked, surprised, and let him walk away, knowing as well as he did that he had trapped me and let me go.

...Now I owed him...

Damn.

That's just what I needed, to be in the debt of the Heart's favorite hitman.

To shaken to raise any hell with the rebels, I relaxed, allowing my form to be taken by its whims. I removed the clip from my hair and jumped at a soft, mocking voice.

"Seems you've lost your touch, dear cousin."

I gritted my teeth, realizing that I had jumped out of the pot and into the fire, and slowly turned around. "Not going to aim a knife at my back?" I sneered, feeling my mood swing from fearful to reckless, "What a surprise."

Spoiler

Sorry, Sionarama. I think I got Alcander's name wrong.