Wonderland AU starter for @astuteknaves
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The Knave of Hearts and the White Rabbit
Before the Red Castle became little more than an executioner’s playground, before the only words uttered by the Red Queen were “off with their head”, before, before…
The Knave of Hearts and the White Rabbit weren’t exactly friendly with each other, but their exchanges were polite enough. Both of them were loyal courtiers of the Court of Hearts, and each of them took pride in their role. However, other than delivering messages to the commanding officer of Her Majesty’s Army, Airi never had much reason to seek Yukina out.
The status quo didn’t change once the tenuous peace between the Red Court and the White Court broke and the bloodshed started. The King had made his choice, the White Queen had rejoiced—if only briefly—and the Red Queen had retaliated.
And what had come of all of that? Loss, only loss.
The King had lost his head one fatal final time. The White Queen had lost her reason, piece by piece, tear by tear. And the Red Queen had lost her husband and her peace of mind. Not to mention some of her subject’s fealty.
Airi hadn’t just woken up one day and decided to betray the Red Queen. Her change of Heart had happened gradually, with each of the King’s beheadings; slowly, as she witnessed the White Queen becoming unhinged.
The roses had spoken. White, white, white. No matter how much Mira tried to change that. They had spoken, and Airi had listened even if no one else did.
And so, she had made an allegiance with the White Court, putting her heart and her faith behind it, but her plan with the Jabberwock came to nothing. More loss.
This time the White Queen lost her siblings, and Airi lost her head. Almost.
Airi knew the Red Queen would want to punish her. Proof of her involvement in the attempt on Mira’s life was found in the Jabberwocky’s claw: Airi’s pocket watch.
She didn’t even get a trial. The fearsome Knave of Hearts had caught up with her just outside the Red Castle. The last thing Airi saw was the glint of Yukina’s silver sword, the one with the heart on the hilt.
The war had raged on with countless casualties on both sides, but Airi hadn’t crossed paths with Yukina again. Until now.
The fog shrouding the forest was thick, but there was no mistaking that silhouette. The Knave of Hearts approached.
Airi caressed the scar on her neck as a shiver ran down her spine. ‘Yukina must have hesitated that time,’ she mused. ‘Otherwise, my head would have rolled clear off my neck.’
The Knave stopped, still too far for them to hear each other, if what she wanted was to talk. A courtesy, maybe?
Airi waited for her pulse to slow down again. ‘You’re not an actual rabbit,’ she scolded herself. ‘Even if you turn into one from time to time. Even if your eyes are red. So calm down.’ When Airi felt calmer, Yukina still hadn’t moved. She would have to take that first step.
The White Rabbit walked toward the Knave cautiously, weary. What was Yukina after? Was she another traveler, joining the Mad Tea Party? Or had she come to collect Airi’s head again, this time for real?
When they were just a few steps away from each other, Airi raised her hands to show Yukina she had no weapons on her and then stood very still, waiting for Yukina to approach.
‘What business brings the Knave of Hearts to this side of the Pool of Tears?’ Airi asked once they were standing face-to-face.
