#udxceph

                                          { @udxceph }

♞ - Jack Seymour was not the type to cry and moan about every little bump and scrape dealt in the line of duty. Surely, Her Majesty would not tolerate such a nuisance of a subject for long even if he did. However, the rapscallion would gladly search out a remedy for someone else.

Breath harsh and ragged, the willowy man paused before the healer, hands on knobby knees and skin flushed. Finally, a set of mismatched eyes stared up while he struggled to form words in between gulps of oxygen. “S-some rose balm, please.” Straightening up, with what definitely sounded like a creak to over-sized ears, callused digits brushed back damp mahogany strands from the knave’s flushed face. “Sorry, it was a bit longer of a jaunt than I’d expected.”

(  udxceph ) 

his boots kissing and hurting the ground are the constant on his ears. his breath should be broken and shallow if only he didn’t have years of rough training to prepare him for long travels. he usually refused to take any sort of transportation, even though it would a greater effort off of him and a longer time to reach his destination. in fact, he is never anxious to go back to the oriental grove, even though the mysterious land guarded his father and also precious graves. it reminds of him of his past and his reckless and unpolished self - someone who could easily bring ruin upon his family’s name. 

(however, he also remembers a free spirited version of himself. a happier, more malicious balthazar who had the world in his hands and all the wishes to explore it.)

a sigh emerges from pale lips as the butler combs his long hair with his fingers. balthazar has the urge to settle down for a bit - take a rest and perhaps have a small meal before resuming his journey towards the bianchi’s household. and as he walked, a path seemed to be awfully familiar, attracting him with promises of good memories. it confuses him for memories of his own are usually monochromatic and blurred, but this seemed to be in screaming colors. so he follows it, even though he should know better - even though he should know wonderland has its way of luring people to their own demise - and finds a secluded place which seemed perfect for what he had in mind. that is, before a noise startles him and his single healthy eye falls on the figure of another creature. 

「♟」 @udxceph

YAWNING, CATHAL DRAGS a hand down his face in an attempt to shake off the fatigue settling deep into his joints. in his many years of existence, he’s rarely felt as tired as he does now. the effort it takes to keep his legs moving is momentous, and the weight of the hobby horse strapped to his back doesn’t help matters. cathal blames his exhaustion on being away from the dollhouse for almost a week. at his core, he’s a homebody. he likes nothing more than to be surrounded by the familiar, comfortable scenery of his home and workshop; it energizes him. 

BUT THE DOLLMAKER orders and cathal obeys, even when it involves travelling to the far reaches of wonderland to eliminate an enemy. these are the errands he enjoys the least. it has less to do with the killing itself and more to do with the journey there and back of which cathal is not a fan. strange things happen on the road. well, stranger things than whatever passes for normal in this land. he passes by a maniacal rabbit, participates in a mobile tea party, and fights off a host of ruins--all in the span of one hour. 

AND NOW HE would really like to nap. cathal will settle for the side of the road if he has to. it’s not as if there are plenty of rest stops from here to the dollhouse, so the side of the road is all he has. unable to keep walking, cathal finally stops and sinks to the ground. stretching his legs out, cathal leans back and settles his hobby horse down. from his satchel, he pulls out a bottle of water, but before he can uncap it, his eyes fall on the state of his sleeves. shredded and tinged red, cathal rolls them up to find fresh criss-crossing scars and he can’t remember how he got them. must have the tussle with the ruins, but he’s positive he didn’t get injured… oh well.