Maeve whipped around when she saw a bright light beneath her window. That was no Club, and certainly no Spade would ever be so noticable. She crossed the room, sat down in her throne, and pulled a book from the satchel at her waist. She then took a key from the long chain around her neck, unlocked the book, and wrote:

M
y

R
a
p
i
e
r

The book glowed faintly, and a fine silver hilt appeared on the page. She drew the sword, sheath, belt and frog from the book, shut it, and replaced the key and the book in their respective places, and buckled the belt.

So her assassins were out--perhaps that was planned. And one of her demons was drunk, the other worried. But let no one make the mistake of thinking that they would be at the advantage.

"Luck is a lady whose smile is as cold as a stone. She'll bring you things, many things you might never have known..." she sang softly. "But when your die is cast, she'll have the final laugh at you. She'll lock you in a duel, where you come out the fool..."

Beware of the Queen of Spades.


***

"Hatter, this is Beast," Masahiro said. "Beast, the Hatter. I see no reason to--"

Masahiro stopped speaking when he saw a bright light shining near the palace. He knew better than to turn his back on another assassin, but that light demanded attention. He doubted Clubs was capable of being that flashy, and certainly no Spade would light off a flare or a Sunbrust spell in the dead of night.

"Hatter, if you'd excuse me," he said, bowing without taking his eyes off of the Hearts assassin. "I'm afraid I have some pressing business to attend to. But before I so rudely depart," he said, "Perhaps you'd answer my previous question? In regards to our messenger? On a normal day, I'd be happy to invite you to dinner, of course, but you understand that given the attack on Spades, such invitations are better saved for a later date."

***

Mikhaiel, meanwhile, wasn't paying any attention to strange lights or assassins. He was paying more attention to hung-over demon children and all the remedies that he knew. He tried tea, water, ice, and anything else he could think of.

"Aiaiya," he sighed. "I hope Masahiro gets home soon."

((my god, masahiro's intereaction with the hatter is absolutely hilarious XD))

((yuffie, i know that two out of thee of my characters saw that light and responded with promises of violence. but you can't expect a trained assassin and the queen to have missed it.))

((Yeah, Fayt is kind one of those people who doesn't really think about how her actions are going to affect her future. Shining a light wasn't a good idea! She's going to be attacked! ^ ^))

Fayt stared at the guard, who was waving around frantically, trying to find his weapon. For a moment, the thought that someone may have seen the light crossed her mind. "That probably wasn't smart." she said to herself.

Fayt took out her whip and got ready to fight whoever was going to come. She looked around to see if there was a tree anywhere. As far as she could tell, she wouldn't be able to climb anything. Instead, she turned into a cat and sat down, waiting for someone to get to her location.

((So Fayt is the one who shone that light? I thought she was back to Serdio?))

The Dungeons of the Castle was dark, as it had always been, but the chambers was momentarily dazzled by a flash of bright light. And the light attracted the beings that laid within.

A figure of a lady emerged- or floated out, to be exact- from her chambers. Her flowing pale hair rippled like liquid metal behind her deathly white face. Awnya is her name.

The other marionettes appeared moments later, looking for the light that had briefly disturbed their slumber. When they exit the chambers, the light had already gone; but the traces of the spell still lingered in the halls. Awnya, being the most intelligent of them all, took lead and floated up the stair case. The other 5 obediently followed.

Within minutes, the Marionettes was in front of the Palace, the place where the Sunburst Spell had been cast. Before them was a girl with a whip. Soundlessly, Awnya raised her hand. A torrent of shock wave emerged from her palms, and striked the opponent before her.

((Just a reminder reminder: although the Marionettes are not registered characters, they are Beast's properties. So DO NOT treat them as NPCs or control/kill them without my permission))

{Yeah, that's what I thought too, but good gosh, let's just go with it, I'm confused XD}

((Ah, I'm so far behind!))((Also, the In-Between is where Chess vanishes to when he disappears. I want to say it's a place outside time, which is how he can disappear in one place and reappear in another so quickly, but the details are still fuzzy. I'm not sure how it works, or even if anyone else can access it.))

Cheshire floated through the fog of the In-Between, his tail twitching lazily. Really, the Queen of Hearts had taken a turn for the worse. She had always been slightly mad- it was rare for a wonderlandian to not be mad to some degree- but now she was so completely round the bend that the Hatter was starting to look sane.

He rolled over onto his back, kicking his rear paws slightly to propel him forward. The cool wind that wasn't wind ruffled his fur. It was quiet in the In-Between. Chess was alone with his thoughts.

But to be alone with one's thoughts was not what Cheshire wanted. Indeed, the In-Between made one's thoughts much louder than normal, so it was hard being alone with one's thoughts- the thoughts were loud enough to give him a headache.

He decided to see what action was going on in Spades. He doubted Clubs had the easy time defeating them that they thought they would. Chess started to purr. He loved the excitement.

Still purring, he decided to give the Queen of Spades a visit. She was on her throne- pity, he liked curling up there. He stretched out on a windowsill instead. Through the window he could hear sounds of fighting.

"Mmm... You haven't finished them off yet?" He said, making himself visible as he stretched.

((Malli is in Serdio, Fayt is in Donau.))

Fayt stood there, very still, waiting. She waited. She decided that it would be fine to wait. Going any of the many possible ways to leave this place would certainly lead her to an assassin, a trap, or a horde of angry clubs. So Fayt waited in the shadows.

In the darkness, Fayt was able to make out several figures approaching her. This peaked her curiosity. Fayt wandered forward, and was blown back by a shock wave. "Darn." she muttered to herself.

Fayt got to her feet, and ran back towards the figures. She smacked two of them with her whip, focusing on the one that had attacked her.

There will be too many to fight, soon. Fayt thought to herself.

The cat girl's attacks caused several deep lashes the Marionettes' body, but being dead, such matters did not slow them down. The 5 marionettes moved on to attack the intruder, their only intent to consume the life that stood there. But moving solely on instict, their movements were slow and uncoordinated. Awnya, the white marionette, was the only one to be able to comprehend the situation. Floating away to dodge the opponent's attack, she teleported away.

~*~

Beast watched the darkness beyond the gates of Donau, through which the Hatter had disappeared. Deciding that there are no more reason for him to linger, he turned to leave; and suddenly found himself face-to-face with his beloved Marionette, Awnya.

"Awnya, what are you doing here?"

The Marionette whispered something to her master's ear, and Beast's expression quickly darkened. With the white lady floating behind, he rushed back to the castle, finding a single girl battling four of his other marionettes. So the intruder wasn't 'a group people' as he had expected. Judging from her build, the girl did not seem to be from Clubs- an assassin from Hearts perhaps, or maybe Broken Hearts.

Deftly, he caught the whip she was using to fight and ordered the other four to retreat. The marionettes obediently did so, and there were only Beast and Awnya left. Beast took the spare moment to wonder where Masahiro is- he had expected the latter to arrive first- but decided to deal with the cat intruder first.

"So" he stated, "You were the one who cast that Sunburst Spell. A foolish decision really, but let's see if your battle skill could make up your idiocy..."

((@iPink: Vorpal was trying to speak to the sword in his last post. Is Mira going to respond or not?))

((@theAdept_Rogue [do you have a nickname or something? ]: She is going to respond, and I'll probably write her next post tonight. I've been kinda busy and so I have to choose which character to spend time on every day.))

((Just call me Adept or Rogue if my username is too long for you ))

The sound of footsteps rapidly approached the Hatter's position, and the incoming girl walked briskly towards the man. Her blue eyes were both full of worry and anger, and her fists were clenched at her sides. Lapin was smart, though, and kept a small distance between her and the Hatter. While she had no intentions of angering him, she still wanted to state her thoughts.

"Hatter! You're late, you're late! She is most displeased at this, most displeased indeed!" she proclaimed. It most certainly did not make sense, the Hatter's tardiness. Still a bit apprehensive of the assassin, she put a but more distance between herself and him, but continued to follow.

It was evident that Lapin has been a nervous wreck the entire time -- her clothes were untidy from fumbling with them, her hair was messy from being played with, her clenched fists were shaking a tad, and her fair, pale skin was a sickly color. Honestly, it had been more than a simple nervous breakdown, it was full-fledged fear. To think of what sort of fate could've (and would've) befallen those in the castle if the Hatter hadn't arrived then was a dark one, most certainly.

Lapin shivered a bit at the thought of losing her life in such a gruesome manner, but rid herself of the thought. Such a horrid crisis had been averted for the moment, so there was no point in dwelling on it.


(Man, you guys can type a lot. @_@ )

Fayt snarled as someone caught her whip. She turned around, and pulled it from his grasp. It was someone who looked sort of demonic, and he seemed to be in control of the monsters that she had attacked. They were leaving now.

"So" he stated, "You were the one who cast that Sunburst Spell. A foolish decision really, but let's see if your battle skill could make up your idiocy..."

Fayt eyed the demon person. So far, no one else had come, but that was sure to change. Fayt took a step back, and said in a cheery voice, "I didn't actually have to do any magic, but that doesn't matter! Let's fight then!"

Fayt jumped up, and smacked him with the whip, twirling in the air.

----

Malli stood on the city wall, making sure that the shadows were hiding her. She heard a thud, and jumped, accidentally jumping onto a nearby rooftop. She smacked herself in the forehead. This was not her day. Perhaps it would be easier to run on the roofs, since no one can see me, she thought.

Malli crept forward, and saw no guards. She started to run towards the castle. When she arrived, she was out of breath, and sat down behind a small chimney. When she caught her breath, she peered around the side. Two guards. Not bad.

Malli stood up, and made her way to the edge of the roof that was farthest away from the guards. She started to make her way down to the streets. She dropped down from an awning, and ran at the gates. The guards noticed her and began their charge. Malli ran, and stomped her foot on the ground. She was instantly on the other side of the gate, feeling a little woozy. She hated teleporting because it always made her a little bit sick. Continuing, though, she ran around to the back of the castle and sat down in some bushes.

"I didn't actually have to do any magic, but that doesn't matter! Let's fight then!"

Beast raised an eyebrow in mild surprise as the cat-girl managed to pull her whip away from his firm grasp and attacked him. The weapon lashed at his right cheek and formed a deep cut. The half-demon raised a finger to caress at his injury and saw red liquid resting on his fingertips as he removed it. He stared at it for a brief moment, then smirked. Moving his fingers once again, Beast wiped away the blood from his face and licked at the stains on his hands.

His lips twisted into a wide grin, while his eyes gleamed with insane mirth. A cackle escaped from his throat, following this sudden change of emotion, and soon his voice raised into a roar of laughter. "Great! Excellent! Let's see if you can do it once more," he cried out, evident delight brimming in his voice. But even as he spoke, he had raised his own weapon and attacked at the girl with a series of chain strikes.

"Come on!" the mad assassin challenged, "Again! Again! Do it again!"

((Ok, Beast is slightly masochist- and insane/bipolar. I suppose I didn't include this in his interview, but I can assure you that this isn't an idea than just came up. I've planned this since I created him, but since he won't freely admit his strange tendencies, I didn't put it in.))

((The queen is in her study, not her throne room.))((And I am working on a floor plan for the heart's place.))((And, I don't think the Queen yells all the time. But perhaps it is preferable to some when she is yelling...))

Bryony had calmed down somewhat. As pressing as the matter with the Hatter was, she did still have a Kingdom to run. She couldn't leave her husband to do it- he was completely incompetent in matters of state. Quite frankly, he was incompetent in most things besides breathing.

The Queen sat at her desk, checking the army supply list. If there was to be war, the army should be well stocked.

The numbers soothed her, as she checked the calculations. She had always liked numbers, and lately they were the only thing that could calm her rage. Reaching for a new quill, she heard the doors to the throne room open.

Though the voice was muffled, Bryony could recognize the voice of the Hatter. She frowned as she stood. She didn't want to be interrupted yet. Still, she needed to hear his report- it was late after all.

She slipped into the throne room, letting the hidden door to the King's resting room close softly behind her. He never used it, and had not cared if she converted it into a study. It had worked out quite well.

"You are late, Hatter." She said, as she crossed the room to her throne. "I do hope there is a good explanation." Passing the throne, she beckoned the Hatter. "You shall tell me all about it."

Glancing at the hare, Bryony added, "Lapin. Tell the kitchen we require tea in my resting room. After that, remind the guards that they are still supposed to be doubled until my say so." Here she paused, looking over the hare's messy attire. "That will be all for the night. I suggest you get some rest- you will know if I require you."

The Queen opened the hidden door to her resting room. Sitting down at the tea table, she gave the Hatter a look. "Sit down, Hatter, and we shall have some tea."

Masahiro dashed off into the darkness as soon as the Hatter was out of sight and Beast had also vanished. Needless to say, that wasn't very long at all.

He wound his way back through the streets, pausing only to slit the throats of more Clubs disguised as Spades. He found the same loose stone as he had hidden the first disguised Club. He darted through the passages, eventually winding his way to the castle dungeons. He dashed up the staircases and eventually into Maeve's throne room.

Maeve watched from her window, her hand still on her rapier. She didn't pay much heed to what Annel said about "not needing such a fine sword." Beast appeared to have found whoever was foolish enough to have set off such a bright light in the dark. And he seemed to be enjoying fighting with her. Not a surprise. She turned when she heard Masahiro's footsteps.

"The messenger was assassinated, Maeve," Masahiro said, dispensing with pleasantries. "By Hearts. Some of the Clubs are disguised as Spade guards. I've dealt with as many as I came across."

"It appears Beast is dealing with the idiot with the light," she replied. "In the meantime, Masahiro, Tai is in need of your assistence."

"What this time?" Masahiro asked with half a smile.

"He appears to have had a bit too much brandy--never mind how," she said. "Mikhaiel has been trying to help him, but I'm not sure how well it's going."

Masahiro bowed with a grin. "Yes, my queen." He turned.

Mikhaiel was attempting to offer Tai a glass of cool tea when Masahiro arrived.

"Bit young to be drinking, aren't you, Tai?" he chuckled.

"Oh, Masahiro, I've tried everything!" Mikhaiel cried. "I've tried cold tea, hot tea, cold water, hot water, ice and--"

"Don't panic, dear," Masahiro said gently, patting him on the shoulder. "Get Yue some tea and let me handle Tai."

((umm.....i have no idea what masahiro does to help tai. for obvious reasons, i have no idea how to cure hangovers XD))

When Fayt attacked the demon creature, it appeared to like it! It drank its own blood, and laughed. Fayt squinted, and tried to understand why someone would like being hurt.

"Again! Again! Do it again!" her opponent yelled.

Fayt paused for a second, and was surprised when she was hit by some chains. She meowed angrily, and yelled, "That hurt, meow!" The demon kept on yelling at her, and asking her to hurt him. What a wacko, Fayt decided.

She sliced at his face again, and then at his knees. Fayt jumped backwards as soon as she had attacked. She hissed a few times and took on a feral posture.