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rabbitsrebel‌:

Pleased to have dropped the question of her loyalty, she folded her hands neatly in her lap. “Hmm. Perhaps you’re right. Pink is more my color, isn’t it?” Cilla grinned, plucking her short pale pink sleeve that fluttered in the breeze. She wouldn’t say that crimson was his color, though. She wasn’t entirely convinced that he belonged to that color at all. “Precisely.” Cilla was surprised to find herself agreeing with the knight. “Besides, I’d rather help others who’re being hurt than worry about whatever big bad beastie wants to pester me.”

Was he convinced? Absolutely not, but he also knew her guard was up too high right now, and he was never going to get any sort of answer from her. Least not today. “Definitely, which would be why you’re wearing it and I’m not” actually more he had no choice but to wear the uniform, but he had no desire to mention that right now. It was an unspoken thing really. “Big bad beastie? Thought they were all in Tulgry”.

rabbitsrebel‌:

“And that would be the case.” She said crisply. She’d have to be mental to say otherwise. “Are you certain?” Cilla teased. “ I think the color would bring out your eyes. Everyone would be swooning for the handsome knight in pink with the pretty eyes.” She pretended to swoon, resting the back of her hand against her forehead as she giggled. Cilla partly did it for her own amusement, but she also was trying to diffuse the situation slightly- she couldn’t be on the radar of potential traitors. “It isn’t a matter of allowing someone to hurt me. That would be foolish.” She shook her head. “Sometimes people are determined to hurt you, regardless of whether or not your defenses are up.”

“Of course” or not, he was going to have to go and speak to the Welcomer, see if she was on their side and he just hadn’t got the memo. Then again, most of the rebellion didn’t know he was with them, right now it kept his identity a safe. A traitor in the palace... he wouldn’t leave with his head. “You say that as if they aren’t swooning for me when I’m in crimson, trust me, no issues there” but it was difficult when the people normally around you, were loyal to someone you loathed. “Mmm, people will always do what they want to do, all we can do is control how we react to it. Why waste time just because they want you to?”

#rabbitsrebel

flashfircs‌:

“i know!” she hissed, somehow high-pitched in her panicked whisper. a glance around to see if anyone had overheard them, and then a lower, calmer whisper. “i know it’s treason.” her eyes did what she would otherwise not: they begged him. “don’t repeat this anywhere, lucien.” tamar sent a slow, careful look that promised a slow, careful destruction if he ever loosened his tongue too much. she too-casually shoved another forkful of mashed potatoes into her mouth, before finding her appetite gone. collecting her plate, she mumbled, “see you in the training ring,” around half a mouthful of food. she left him sitting there, hoping the training ring was further away than tomorrow.

He raised an eyebrow, interesting, very interesting. If he could just somehow convince her that she was on the wrong side by siding with the King, perhaps he could actually get her to join with the rebellion. Clearly she was less loyal then she let on. “Who’d I tell” he muttered, making a mental note of the situation. He wasn’t too worried about her threat though, even though it was silent. He was good at what he did, better then he let on. “See you” he replied, an unexpected turn of events, but one that was positive.

#flashfircs #end

rabbitsrebel‌:

“I suppose it’s better to be known as merciful in these times than a rebel. The Rabbit’s Rebel probably isn’t the safest title in these times but it’s infinitely better than being the pink rabbit. Note- if you’re a were-anything, don’t dye your hair.” A tight smile fixed itself upon her lips. He almost definitely suspected her. Wonderful. “You have a point. I think the goal is to figure out what someone is hiding before they can hurt you with it.”

“I’d say it was better to be known as anything over a rebel. Although, most people believe it’s because you rebel against your father” he was becoming less and less convinced. But he couldn’t ask, it would expose himself too much. “I’m not a were-anything... but pink? Not sure it’s my colour” and whilst he wouldn’t lie about what he was, he wouldn’t advertise it either. “Why let other people hurt you at all?”

rabbitsrebel‌:

“That isn’t a bad reputation to have.” She laughed, shaking her head. “From me, that’s a compliment. I like to think of myself as a fairly good judge of character. I wouldn’t waste time talking to someone I didn’t think was decent,” Unless, of course, a wicked person was the key to obtaining some sort of information. Then she would talk their ear off until they gave her something.

“So I am told” he wasn’t sure. In the past he’d have loved it, but right now he wasn’t sure being known for being kind was a good thing. He might be alright, provided no one ever learn the reason for it was his morals, and how much they hated Wonderland’s situation. “Should be careful with that. You never know what someone is hiding”.

#rabbitsrebel

rabbitsrebel‌:

“Risky, but appears to be working in my favor.” She said, raising an eyebrow. She thought about his statement for a moment. He was right. She saw no honor in working for the Crimson King. If anything, it was dishonorable. And yet… “I see honor in protecting the innocent.” She said slowly. “Letting that child go showed me you understand that much. Most others wouldn’t have given arresting them a second thought.” Cilla nodded with a little laugh. “Fair enough. Though I don’t imagine I’ll find myself talking with many other Knights. You seem to be the exception to the rule.”

“Does it now” well yes, but that was more because he wasn’t really sure she had yet said anything that was truly treason. If she did... then he would have a problem. He snorted at that, “we all have our reputations don’t we...I have somehow ended up with Merciful... likely because I won’t arrest children” or those committing things for survival only. His morals had got him this far, he would not turn away from them now. “Is that a compliment or an insult”.

#rabbitsrebel

rabbitsrebel‌:

Cilla shrugged. “Probably because I am the tiniest bit tipsy and I’m less afraid than I should be that you’ll slap cuffs on me for interrogating you right now.” She replied frankly. “The good soldier,” She sighed, nodding slowly. “Doing what you believe to be what’s best for the people. At least there’s a sense of honor in that.” She trailed a finger absentmindedly through the water, watching as it rippled beneath her touch. “And it’s an expletive. ‘Bloody,’” She said, trying to play off her statement as a turn of phrase. “And more about Wonderland’s history than anything.” That part was a lie. The present was no better than the past.

“Risky move” not that he actually had anything to arrest her for, but for now he would play it calmly and wait to see her actual reaction to it. “You say it like there is no honour in my work” well, she wasn’t wrong. He didn’t see much honour in being a knight for the King. But he did see in honour it what he was really doing. Fighting for Wonderland’s future, and it’s freedom. “Next time... just don’t mention the crowns. Someone less trusting then me, might take it for something else” and whilst he didn’t buy her story, he wasn’t going to arrest anyone for that.

#rabbitsrebel

rabbitsrebel‌:

Cilla pouted. That was an opportunity gone. “Then secrets they will stay.” She said, pretending to lock her lips and throw the key into a nearby fountain. She looked at the knight a moment, intrigued. She wouldn’t get anything huge out of him, but perhaps she could get a few interesting bits of information. “So, did you choose to become a knight?” She asked, sitting herself down on the edge of the fountain. “Or was it expected of you?”

He tried not to roll his eyes at that, “not really. You still said something that sounded like treason, and haven’t explained it” and he knew he had to get the answer, before someone else did. “Why does it always feel like an interrogation with you?” and one that was the wrong way around. “Expected... but I believe in doing what’s best for Wonderland”.

#rabbitsrebel

rabbitsrebel‌:

“Green,” She echoed smiling. “A nice choice. It suits you.” She liked this game very much now. “Well, I don’t know.” She said coquettishly. Her impish nature had come out to play- she wanted to see just how far she could push her luck. “And nor shall you unless you promise never to tell a soul.”

“I’m sure” he replied, well if that was the biggest secret he dropped, then he’d be ok. He just needed to figure out a way through this. “I never make promises like that, anyone who would is lying” it was just nature he supposed. Sooner or later, people spoke out.

#rabbitsrebel

rabbitsrebel‌:

Cilla saw a glimmer of something there. Maybe just a speck of hope that she could flip the script back on him. “And what makes you the exception?” She asked, feeling a little bolder. “Is crimson not your favorite color after all?” She teased, with the barest hint of accusation laced into her playful tone. The closest ears seemed to be well out of eavesdropping distance. Still, she lowered her voice slightly. “You know, we can play this game. I promise to keep your secrets if you promise to keep mine.”

“We all get our reputations from somewhere, I got mine because I show mercy” and if that was all he was known for then he would take it. “Alright, fine... you caught me. My favourite is green” he replied with a snort. Oh this was a very dangerous question, and he wondered exactly why she was asking it. “What secrets would those be?”

#rabbitsrebel

rabbitsrebel‌:

A name. Of course, he wanted a name. “Um,” She drew the sound out for a few seconds, trying to think of something. “And why do I need to give a name?” She asked. Try as she might, the fear in her eyes was palpable. “It isn’t you, is that what you wanted to hear?” Though now she wished she’d managed to avoid him as well.

“Because if anyone else asks you, they’d be more likely to drag you into the dudgeon until they got an answer” alright so maybe not, but he wanted to know the answer now. “Wouldn’t care if it was, I’m well aware plenty don’t like me” the downside of the job.

#rabbitsrebel

rabbitsrebel‌:

Cilla’s heart damn near stopped in her chest. So this was how it ended- her stupidly saying something and a crimson knight drawing all the conclusions and coming up with the answer that she was, in fact, a rebel. “Now why would you say something like that?” She asked, her throat dry. She plucked at the fabric of her corset, this new added stress not helping her in the slightest. “This is Wonderland. There are loads of flamboyant and fantastical sorts.”

Part of him wanted to say it was because he wasn’t an idiot. But for now he was just trying to decide if he had read this situation correctly. He was fairly certain of it. But there was no point revealing just which side of the board he was on, not yet, not until he had it figured out. “That is true. But you haven’t exactly given a name yet either”.

#rabbitsrebel

rabbitsrebel‌:

She froze. So he had heard that bit. A nervous laugh bubbled up out of her throat. “Oh, you know,” Cilla began, frantically looking for a way to explain herself without getting cuffs slapped around her wrists. “All the past monarchs of Wonderland. So much chaos and bloodshed. My family- my father at least, has seen a lot of it. We don’t have very many pleasant memories regarding this place.” She fiddled with the end of her braid, hoping that would save her ass. “It was inevitable. I was bound to see them one way or the other. And they certainly like to make a show of it so it would have been impossible not to see them.”

Odd, and he wasn’t sure he even believed her, but he didn’t know her well enough to doubt her words at the moment. Still, something felt wrong. “Ah of course. The infamous White Rabbit” she could take that however she wanted, almost needed her to so he could read her. But whilst he might not have known who she was before, he had a rough idea who everyone was at the palace tonight, even if some was reputation only. “If I was a suspicious man, I would say you were talking about the King” it was a warning more then anything else, who else had made that much of a show tonight? Well there was the pickpocket, but that hadn’t been in front of everyone.

#rabbitsrebel

ofever‌:

Ever was of the firm belief that sometimes — and perhaps ONLY sometimes — we need to treat others as we wish to be treated. She didn’t want anyone on the guard staff tonight to feel slighted or put upon, because in the end she wanted them to be willing to die for their King, if necessary. Beneath all that was definitely a thread of a girl who was once a little sister and just… generally tended to dote, however begrudgingly, on those around her.

She might not be all cinnamon and sugar and candy coated nuts, but she wasn’t as awful as she led most people to believe. That being said, that reputation was likely what kept her — and to some small degree, Gideon — safe in the end of things, so the smile she wore seemed to not quite reach her eyes, but was still kind nonetheless.

“I figured you’d had to be hungry, and posted this close to a table of food at this time? Feel free to have a bit… if you get in trouble, I will handle it, I promise.” Ever offered, and to be true there were likely few people in the palace who could talk someone out of trouble to Gideon. She didn’t abuse that power, mind you, and often let others face the consequences of their own actions… but she had encouraged this one, and given her word that she’d help if it came up.

… her word was her bond, after all.

He had heard the stories before now. She was a child the King had taken pity on when she was younger. It was that which made him wonder if she had any idea about what went on outside of the palace. About the people who had come running into the Fevered Forest, looking for safety because the rest of Wonderland was too dangerous. He’d lived in the palace long enough to know how cut off it was from the rest, or that was how it felt anyway.

But ask, show any signs of being disloyal and everything would be thrown into question. He would just smile, bow to the King, and hope no one noticed that he was always a little bit attentive. Always making sure he heard things that most of the other Knights wouldn’t have cared about.

“That is a kindness I am unsure I deserve, but thank you” he replied with a smile. He knew better then to turn something like that down, besides the last thing he wanted to do was give anyone a reason to dislike him. “It is quite a night” he replied, glancing back over the crowds, who mostly just seemed to be happy. Good or bad, he couldn’t tell.

#ofever

musetta-mist‌:

Musetta grinned. First passing her entanglement off as a result of her drunkenness, then remaining cool even as she figuratively spat on him, and then just blatantly admitting his fellow guard was stupid? This man was full of surprises. That, and… it revealed a weakness. The land-walking king’s knights are not as nearly united as they should be, if one of their own was willing to admit that their fellows-in-arms were a bunch of idiots.

That, and he just used magic, which was against the law. Clearly he has some secrets.

“All right,” she said, pretending to acquiesce to his demands. The authorities in the Sea of Song often didn’t need to have a point. Sometimes they’d just arrest Musetta arbitrarily, and then keep those arrests a secret.

“Not gonna lie, I have a million questions about you now,” Musetta said. “Not that I think you’d answer them, but I figured you deserve a rare moment of honesty from me.”

“On another note,” she mused as she felt the vines loosen. “This party sucks.” With that, she stood up, brushed out the wrinkles of her dress, and started her way past him. Part of her wanted to see if he’d follow her, yet another hoped that he left her alone. Mostly, she just wanted to see what would happen.

It was a risky move, and he knew that. But then who was more likely to be believed? A knight who had shown nothing but loyalty, or her? He could simply deny it all later, and stick with his argument that she had been drunk and must have misunderstood the situation.

Finally though, he managed to get some sort of satisfactory answer. He knew anything further then that would just be his annoyance, and that went against who he was. He let the vine die, wilt away into little more then dirt. Much as he hated doing that, it hid all evidence anything had been wrong.

“What questions? I’m just doing my job, same as any other knight here” he replied. Though he wasn’t the same as any other knight, but that was something only a very select few needed to know, and she wasn’t on that list.

“Take that up with the King” he wouldn’t. He instead went over to the plant. Well he could at least now repair the damage he had done to it, before going back inside. He wasn’t sure if he believed her or not when it came to her next actions, but he had done all he could, and warned her.

#musetta mist

rabbitsrebel‌:

The cool of the evening on her skin helped her to focus on breathing. She was far enough away from the Crimson King, but the events of the evening had her mind running in circles over a hundred little things. “Chess, and dancing, and bloody crowns.” She said under her breath without much thinking about the words. She tensed, realizing the last expression she used. Hopefully, he hadn’t heard. “I just… erm… I just ran into someone I’d hoped not to see.” And that someone just happened to be the person in charge.

Well the dancing part made sense, even the chess side he could understand given Wonderland’s history. But bloody crowns? Now that one was far more interesting. He just couldn’t figure out what she meant by it. “Bloody crowns?” he wasn’t going to learn if he didn’t try asking, he just wasn’t sure if she would really explain the answer. “Mmm, suppose that is the risk with an event like this. Hope it wasn’t too horrendous”.

#rabbitsrebel

musetta-mist‌:

“What the shit?!” Musetta yelled at the other guard. “No I didn’t. Come back here!“ When it seemed like the other guard completely ignored her – what a surprise that he took his companion’s side on this – Musetta hissed ‘bastard’ under her breath, giving the vines yet another tug. Did that idiot actually believe Musetta got her hands tangled in the vines for no reason? Probably not. The guards were probably just buddy-buddy, and after one guard saw that it was another guard who did the magic using, he probably just hand-waved it off.

Bastards.

Still, Musetta could derive a bit of satisfaction from getting to the guy, who was showing a surprising amount of restraint.

“What’s your deal, man?” she asked. “Is that your buddy? Is he stupid enough to believe you, or do you two have some sort of we-don’t-tattle-on-each-other kinda deal? Pfft.” She leaned back against the rail of the balcony and let her arms relax. Unbelievable. She tells one joke and he takes her seriously enough to think that this is okay. Though, she had to admit, he was a lot more even-tempered than the guys back in the Sea of Song. Perhaps that was his secret to being a tougher nut to crack.

The Sea of Song guards should be taking notes, she thought.

“He’s stupid” he replied with a shrug. That and with the amount of alcohol most of them had been drinking, he didn’t really think that he had too much to worry about from any of the others. They weren’t looking to work, they were just looking to have a good time. How strange that he was the only sober one there right now, and he was the only one not actually loyal to the King, despite what everyone might believe.

He sighed, this was getting out of hand. He would never lie about being a dryad, but he had survived this long when people had asked by claiming that he no longer used magic. Doing the opposite was risky. “Look, I have no intention of arresting you for this, there’s no point” he replied with a shrug. “However, the other guards here will arrest you without asking questions if they see you. You want to get through this night alive, then stop” he knew he could be in trouble for letting her go through, well once he removed the vine anyway, but then most of the others just took it as a joke with the fact he should mercy. If only they knew.

#musetta mist

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