a reputation with no face

[eloraincrimson]

arielle-ascends‌:

Arielle had not made themself seen at the ball. Instead, they used it as an opportunity to carry away messages that ordinarily would have been too risky for them on any other day. Details about upcoming missions, each seemingly disconnected, yet intended to create a domino effect. At least, that’s what Arielle gathered from what the Welcomer said. The Welcomer didn’t clue them in too much about the content of the letters themselves. All the man had said was that the letters were to reach each individual at the same time.

Today, they needed to visit different checkpoints throughout the city to see if any of them had messages for the Welcomer. Luckily, most didn’t. Why? Because Arielle was between the last two checkpoints when they unwittingly trailed behind someone whom they did not realize was a potential threat.

When the woman asked if someone was there, Arielle stopped, genuinely confused. “No, why? Did…” Arielle cautiously looked behind them. “Did you see someone?”

Alright... ditzy then. That might make things a little easier. Not that she was going to pin too much on a first impression. Just pretend to be a scared girl, jumping whenever anything slightly spooked her. Not her ideal way of behaving, but she had to virtually be invisible. Just another resident in Wonderland, and absolutely nothing special about her. Wasn’t really a lie, but everything special about her she had learnt not been born with.

“Yes... you” she replied, keeping her voice scared and timid. Really it was just degrading, but it was part of who she was... who she had to be. And if the King asked her of it, how could she ever refuse?

[eloraincrimson]

tulgeybeast‌:

Aisling cocked her head to the side, placing her hands on her hips. “Now, do I look like a common thief to you? Or an uncommon thief, for that matter. As luck would have it, I’m not much of a thief at all.” Most Jabberwockies had a habit of snatching up shiny trinkets, but Aisling had little use for material goods. As for shiny things, well, it was difficult to tell what was shiny and what wasn’t when the whole world appeared dark.

“Little girl, boredom will make a woman do the darnedest things. Where’s a frightened fawn like you headed to? Hasn’t mama taught you not to take the road near the Tulgey?” She bared her teeth. “Or else the monsters’ll come get you.”

“I don’t know what a thief would look like, this is Wonderland... rabbits have pocket watches and cats smile. Why assume anything?” and she was just a scared little girl, or at least she could play it well. Right now that was the best thing to pretend to be at the moment. She had got good at reading other people a while ago, now she just had to use it against them. Not that she had any vendetta against the woman... not yet.

She wanted to tell her to get a hobby, but that wouldn’t work, pity really. “Mama didn’t get the chance, she was eaten by the monsters” well she assumed she was, she didn’t know what had happened to her family, and she liked to imagine the worst. “Not everyone has the luxury to just walk elsewhere”. 

[eloraincrimson]

tulgeybeast‌:

It was a hobby, albeit one that few people appreciated. Aisling would sit by one of the roads leading past the Tulgey, remain hidden among the trees, then follow a traveler until they noticed she was there. It made for an entertaining afternoon. Thanks to her heightened sense of hearing, she could step quietly along the road long enough to guess what sort of person she was trailing.

“At last, you’ve noticed.” Aisling relaxed, running a hand through her tangled hair. “I’ve been following you for far longer than you think. Judging by how your heart’s pounding, I’ve given you quite a scare.”

So it wasn’t a fight it seemed. Pity. She could do with a distraction. But she’d go along with it for now. Let the other woman think she was just some helpless traveller. Better for her really she supposed, as tense as she might be she couldn’t take it out on random strangers. Even ones who followed others for no reason... actually the more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. 

“Why?” she asked, remembering a time she actually had been scared so it sounded in her voice. “The last person who followed me stole my money, of course I am scared”. 

[eloraincrimson]

It was odd watching Wonderland return to normal after the ball. She had done the sensible thing and not let herself be seen for a few days. A pretty face at the ball, but no one would yet connect with her normal attire. Least she hoped that would be the case. Dresses weren’t really her thing. Hearing someone behind her, she pretended not to notice, meanwhile her hand falling close enough to her dagger should she needed it, before pausing for a moment. “Is someone there?” 

[eloraincrimson]

bluebelleoftheball‌:

Belle glanced down at her skirt after the other girl moved off it, quickly assessing whether or not it had been damaged, “Oh no worries, dear, no harm done.” She looked back up at the unfamiliar face, smiling a bit, “Thank you, though. My mother made it for me.” She took a look at the dress the other girl was wearing, “Yours is quite beautiful as well, the color looks stunning on you if I may say.”

Well that was almost a pity. She hadn’t even realised until that night how much she loathed dresses. So unnecessary. “I am relieved to hear that” that seemed a better answer really. “Oh? How amazing, she is a talented woman” that part she was genuine about, dislike them maybe but she could see the art in it. “Thank you. It was recommended to me”. 

[eloraincrimson]

bluebelleoftheball‌:

While Bluebelle did love some aspects of palace parties, the outfits, the celebrations, the chance to see everyone in Wonderland get together and have a good time for a few hours, there was always a lingering sense of dread when she attended one. Her overwhelming claustrophobia and fear of crowds always seemed to get the best of her, and it was clear early on in the night that if she wanted to have a good time she needed to loosen up a bit.

After retrieving a third glass of wine Bluebelle finally had the courage to walk through the crowd, stumbling once or twice as she walked. She was careful as to not spill her drink, but the mix of the alcohol with her heels didn’t make her too steady on her feet and she did catch a few splashes hitting the floor. She stopped to chat to a familiar face for a moment, but when she tried to continue onward she felt a tug on her dress and turned to see someone had stepped on her skirt. She tapped the shoulder of the person who stood on her dress, “Excuse me, sorry to bother you, but it appears you’ve got me trapped,” she said with a slight giggle.

This was not the sort of event that Elora would ever feel comfortable with. She was used to not being seen, or mistaken for something else. Here she felt exposed. Alright, no one knew who she truly was, she was just a girl at a party. But she was still visible to them. What was not visible to them at least was the dagger she had on her. Never go anywhere without some sort of protection.

Her instinct was to point out that it was because dresses were impractical, and should anything happen then they’d be trapped in these things. But that was not the done thing right now, and she bit down on her tongue, instead moving off the others dress quickly, “oh goodness, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going. It is such a beautiful dress”.

[eloraincrimson]

[eloraincrimson]

crownedincrimson‌:

“Black?” he echoed, as if to ask if she was absolutely sure. “A classic color, of course, but not particularly celebratory… Are you sure you wouldn’t want to try something else? I’m not usually a green person, but I think you would look breathtaking in emerald…”

Alright, so no black. “Emerald?” that one was unexpected, but then she wasn’t the type to think much of clothes, if they were warm then she was happy. “That depends, how tolerable are the tailors?” she asked more lightheartedly then anything else, already knowing she had nothing very suitable. 

[eloraincrimson]

ofever‌:

   Ever’s attentions were rapt upon Elora, watching the other and trying desperately to see into the machinations of her brain, as if she could discern something deeper from that brief silence than anyone could have imagined. It likely wasn’t true, but the slight tilt of her head in curiosity would sell the ruse if nothing else.

   “Whether we’re wrong or right, loyalty is as it is. Most people think they’re right in the wrong things they do, as most people are not, at least at their core, horrible. The problem comes when two people who think they’re doing right come to a head. Then we get rebellions who feel righteous in their purpose when in reality this is exactly the thing that has wrought their future as it is.” Ever’s shoulders lifted in a shrug and she finally let her gaze travel away from Elora, sighting a guard creeping through a bush to keep an eye on her, and sighing, “Self-fulfilling prophecy.”

   “That’s all I really needed to know.” Ever finally offered, pursing her lips, “Gideon is what matters to me. Even if the Palace falls, he has to survive…” Another shrug, trying at nonchalance, but the truth was it was getting harder and harder to hide her affections for him from slipping through cracks in her facade.

   “It would be foolish to say I trust you, but I accept that as truth and hope for the best.”

“Then that creates new questions. Who or what are the rebels loyal to, and are they really loyal to that, or just being tricked? Because that raises new issues” and possibly avoid a war. Brainwashed people could learn something new, loyal could not. Though she supposed there were people who’d say the same of her if they knew who she was. Loyal to the King, always. But she wouldn’t apologise for that, he had saved Wonderland, saved her. 

She glanced down, seeing the guard and rolled her eyes. “If it ever does come to war, I hope we do not need stealth, it is not on our side” she was good, but even she couldn’t sneak in and kill an entire army. If there was an army.

“Our King will live. He saved my life, I will always protect his, until I cannot” perhaps in a way it was love, not romantic, but family. Her own had left her, but he had taken her in and turned her into more then she had ever thought she could be.

[eloraincrimson]

crownedincrimson‌:

All of this talk of rebellion and worry was more than he wanted to deal with right now. He had his prize, her mission was over, and they ought to enjoy that moment for what it was worth. 

“Have you picked out your dress for my birthday yet? I have some designers running around here somewhere. I doubt you’ve had the time to meet them… What color are you thinking?” he asked, eager to change the subject.

The change took her a little by surprise, but she couldn’t say she wasn’t relieved for it. The Rebellion would exist either way, some time not thinking about them was needed.

“I... no, not yet” and dresses were nothing something she felt all that natural in. “Is that who they are? I saw strangers” but they hadn’t seen her, she made sure of that. “Black I suppose”. 

[eloraincrimson]

ofever‌:

   Ever had learned in all her time in the Palace that people tended to let their opinions and misconceptions guide them. To the whole of the Palace and its staff and residents, Ever would seem spoiled and petulant and oft even cruel, but the truth of her person was much deeper than that. She allowed herself to become what they had made her so that they would suffer their own misguided vision of her as their constant. To some, however, she was nothing but loving and sweet… that was rare, however, because only a few bothered to treat her with anything but contempt.

   Sure, none of them would show this outwardly, fearing Gideon’s reprisal, but it was still there in their eyes as they looked at her. She was a stray that had been given a silken cushion, and she fit that mold for them and them alone. The people who truly knew her knew that yes, she was fierce, but she was also loyal and full of love. If people wished to see her as otherwise, she’d mirror that, finding that giving them their just desserts was a far kinder thing than what she could have caused.

   “We’re all products of our environments, as silly as that sounds… but beneath it all, there’s a core of us that could never be touched by outside influence or the rot that tries to take us… including this rebellion.” Ever’s chin lifted pridefully, and she cast another glance towards Elora, posing a question most would probably not have dared to even think, “Are you loyal to the King or merely the side that gives you a path to kill…?”

   She would not offer Elora her own well-known title any more than Elora would use hers against her. She was Elora, first and foremost.

“And if we are wrong at the core? There are people out there holding so strongly to the belief of a rebellion, and it’ll either be they change their mind or their blood will spill” not by her, she was a shadow and nothing more. The knights though, the moment the rebellion was found she was sure they could go and remove them in one go. Be a pity for people who could have such strong beliefs to all lose their lives like that. But they had chosen the wrong side.

The question was a strange one. She’d never even thought about actually killing until she had come here. She did what she had to do to survive, maybe some people had died from it, though she doubted it. She had just been a small angry child, trying to survive rather then anything else. But she didn’t want to look for those who’d tried anything back then. Too much work.

“I am loyal to Gideon, the fact he is King isn’t why” she had admired the man who saved Wonderland, he did that without a crown, she was just waiting for what he did with it. “I kill because our King asks me to, no other reason. If it keeps his position secure, and Wonderland safe, I’ll do it. It is not for my pleasure”. 

[eloraincrimson]

crownedincrimson‌:

“That’s a very good question,” he answered without actually answering at all. “Wonderland’s magic doesn’t come with simple instructions, nor does it tend to have any pattern or reason… So I guess we will just have to wait and see.”

As he looked at the girl, he knew he probably should give her some reassurance. He was already well versed in this game of politics and magic. He’d played it all once before. He knew how to be patient and he knew not to have any expectations. Not everyone did, though.

“It is nothing for you to worry about, though. For all I know, I could be completely wrong. I’m just a mad kind, after all,” he told her, one brow lifting in the smallest hint of a joke.

“Of course it doesn’t, if it did... it wouldn’t be from Wonderland” that was something she had learnt too young. The moment you thought you saw some sort of pattern here, something changed. 

She shook her head, it wasn’t that. If he trusted it then she was sure it was fine and there was no problems. Really she just didn’t trust magic all that much, her only experience of it had shown it to be cruel.

“Not worried, I trust your judgement” blindly, though that part she was less aware of. “Is that what they’re saying now?” she asked, partly surprised, partly just amused. 

[eloraincrimson]

whiskey-the-werecat‌:

“I… don’t know.” He considered her question. “Maybe. I don’t know if it would help or make things worse,” Whiskey admitted. At at this point, anything that could make things worse should probably be avoided - but maybe it would be worse not to try? “What do you do? Do you… show up?” 

Just a girl, she’d said. So most likely human, then. That was still helpful to know. “I would disagree with saying you’re not special,” Whiskey told her, leaning into his naturally supportive tendencies. “For one, you’re helping me, which I think is plenty special. You’re a traveller - that’s special, too.” He looked up at the building that she indicated as it finally appeared on the horizon. “Oh, good.” 

“The King would make things worse?” now that could be seen as treason. Weakly, and she needed more, but it was something interesting. Perhaps her hunch was right after all. “I think so... it is what I have seen others do, but I am sure a guard could tell you more”. 

Damn, being anything other than normal was memorable, and she didn’t want that. Though she’d had to act unusually here else she’d never learn anything. “Isn’t that just what anyone would do?” she assumed not, but she needed to know. “I meant more... I’m human” anything else, that was practice. “It is your best bet for help”.

[eloraincrimson]

ofever‌:

   The thing Ever had learned long ago, above almost everything else, is that it was hard to shake a rumor, regardless of the truth behind it. That included, but was not limited to, the idea of a savior coming along to save Wonderland. She wondered from what, as Gideon’s rule was not in any way as bad as people made it out to be, and perhaps if they hadn’t come in pitchforks raised and spouting prophesy he’d have never felt as threatened as he may have; his hand was forced, thank you very much, and that’s all there is to say about that.

   However… it’s hard to shake the rumors that course through the town at any given time, rippling over the countryside — a single spark in a world full of kindling, and a single match can bring down the mightiest forest if left untended — so Ever had her fears. She might not voice them, or even allow the slightest glimpse into the machinations of her mind, but she worried for Gideon.

   “Perhaps, but a martyr is a terrible thing… people wish to make a mark — to impress the people they feel impressed by — so a woman who is dead or missing will never give that approval truly, which means… the stakes just keep going up. Will this please her? Would she have been proud? Another fire, another city torched in the name of a story and a whisper on the wind.” Ever muttered, seemingly almost rueful; one last glance towards the forest and she stepped away from it and towards the palace, and in that, Elora.

   “I would ask what brought you this way but I imagine it’s as much idle hands as anything?”

“Perhaps. But it would just be the actions of a few. The Rebellion exists, can pretend otherwise, but we all know it. But they are so hard to find that it can’t be many. Most remember how dangerous that woman was, they won’t follow. Just a case of weeding out the fools who wish to hurt the people” and she planned on doing just that. She hadn’t expected it to be so infuriating, but that would just make the kill sweeter.

She looked back out to Tulgey at the question. It was a strange place, she knew that much. Harmless enough in appearance, but most now knew to avoid it. If someone did come out of there, well questions needed to be asked about what they were doing. She still feared that one or two of the monsters remained.

“Sort of” she replied. “Before I came here, that was where I lived. Whatever I have now become, that was the place that made me. I won’t forget it” she didn’t mean when she lived there with her family. But when she was alone and fighting to get out. What she had seen, what she had heard... it could have easily broken the child she was, instead it had made her stronger. She wouldn’t add that, just pretend she had been lucky. Even what she had said was more then normal.

[eloraincrimson]

whiskey-the-werecat‌:

“That’s fair, I guess.” No reason why someone would know about petitioning the king if they’d never done it. Maybe he could… petition the king, about Alice’s death? But in the back of Whiskey’s mind, he knew chances were high that the royalty of Wonderland had been somehow involved, especially since Alice had proven dangerous to the previous royalty. So most likely, asking questions would do more harm than good - no matter how frustrating that seemed. 

Whiskey grinned in response to her apology. Maybe he was supposed to be offended. It’d been so long since he was around other shapeshifters that he wasn’t sure what was considered an appropriate response. He didn’t particularly care, though. “It’s not rude. I don’t think it is, anyway. Can I ask what you are, since you’re obviously not a shapeshifter?” 

“Do you need to petition the King?” she asked, wanting to see if that would give her any thing to work with. If nothing else, it might give someone else a chance to see if they thought something was off here. She couldn’t put her finger on it, he didn’t seem like a threat it was just... something wasn’t right. She hated that feeling, it was irritant.

What was she? Well she wasn’t born anything that special, everything she was, she had trained to become. “Some take offence, it is the last thing I mean to do. Me? Oh, I am nothing special. Just a girl” she replied. “That’s the building” she added, seeing it come into view. 

[eloraincrimson]

Headcannon #3

Elora always acts the way she thinks the other person wishes her to. If they are kind, she will be grateful, if they are angry then she will cower. In reality she would like nothing more than to fight back, but she has been told that she must never reveal her skill to anyone. It is infuriating to her, and she normally takes out that anger later when she is training.

[eloraincrimson]

Headcannon #2

For Elora, the King is the closet thing to any sort of family that she now has. She has long since lost all love that she has for her own, the only memory she keeps is the one where she saw them drive away, leaving her alone in the dirt. The King saved her, raised her, and turned her into the woman that she is today.