V A N I T Y

【♦】 “Shall we run along and go find these Alices, then?” came the honeyed words of approval. The lovely songbird sounded just as excited as he was.

✦ A silent nod in reply, and within seconds, Red was tugging Blue along to the edge of the forest, where he’d seen the twin Alices. As he scanned the rose trees, searching for the two heads of chocolate-colored hair and the tea set they had laid out, he explained what he’d had in mind.

✦ “We’ll give them a…’warm welcome,’” he stated. “Though I require your aid. Your voice will entrance them…that’s why I searched for you.” Yes, Red’s mere presence would show the two Alices just what they’d gotten themselves into. But Blue’s voice would pull them into a state of tranquility, if everything went according to plan. Then, they could lead them further into Wonderland, and without a doubt, everything waiting on the other side of every door would reflect their fears. The more Red and Blue could find out about these two, the better. He could also explain his plans to eventually bring them to the palace and use his and the king’s strikingly similar appearances to his advantage (and perhaps the monarch had plans of his own!), but he supposed he would reveal those plans to the singer as the time came nearer.

✦ Finally, after a few minutes which dragged on like hours, the guardian of the woods spotted the two brunet wayfarers. They were still under the tree with the rose petals, to their luck, enjoying their innocent little tea party. Drumming his fingertips together in a sinister manner, Red started for the shade of the trees, motioning for Blue to follow him.

✦ Oh, how exciting this was! He held up a finger, waiting for just the right moment to step out of the shadows and surprise the two Alices. A tense silence was falling - oh, perfect, this was just perfect! Almost laughably so! Red found himself smiling the widest, most foreboding smile he’d smiled in a while; he was just so eager to begin the games.

✦ A look was exchanged between keeper and performer, and Red gave a nod. Then, two Alices stepped out of the darkness to greet two more.

‖♥‖▬ : Adventures first, and explanations saved for later. Life’s an empty canvas, waiting in anticipation to be splattered by colorful paint. Not a single breath should be misused into mere idling and dull impassiveness. It’s all about fun. Glorious, juicy fun - that’s all the spirit is about. To frolic and play, to ferret through every single crannies that resided between tree roots and gravels without adult supervision! Now, that is zest wrapped up at its finest definition.

‘Mama’ and ‘Papa’ had ebbed away into insignificance, erased from Touko’s knowledge as the siblings ventured into the promised land. Stretching from inverted hallways to endless stairs and topsy-turvy rooms, there laid scenarios that could only be envisioned by the most delirious of minds. Criss-cross, sideways, all she had thought were child’s fantasies! The perfect material to fuel the pair’s enkindled curiousity. It had been a week (and still counting), since the day the elder sister had discovered the fairyland, back in their mansion’s stuffy basement. Quite a coincidence, wasn’t it? Oh, but she thought not!  For stars had destined a small panel to reveal itself behind undusted chests and furniture. A vent, she had thought initially; but lifting the flimsy flap had proved the contrary. Without further delay, the brunette called for her beloved twin brother, Touya to accompany the journey. After all, the twins were not ‘twins’ without one another - not to mention, he was the ‘brains’ of two!

‖♥‖▬ : Ah,how enjoyable the job of a vagabond is! 

Alas, they had strayed too far from home. Round and round, the fraternal counterparts attempted to retrace their steps, though to no avail. How bad could it be to stay in the dreamland just a little longer? If there’s a will, there’s a way. And if there’s an entrance, there must be an exit! Renewed by these naive motivations, the siblings roamed, their success in escaping deaths were supported by none other than the elder sister’s headstrong perseverance and the younger brother’s soft-spoken intelligence.

❝Little brother, do you want more sugar with that?~ ♫ ❞ Touko offered, vocal keys altering in a singsong voice. ❝You and I both know how much you like your tea sweet!❞Porcelain teapot carefully held between her palms, she then tipped the snout over to reward herself the long-awaited drink. Since then, this strange world had provided them more delicacies than they could ever possibly had back in their household - never did they suffer from hunger! Goods had been stolen from deserted trinket shops, and food was yet to run out of surplus, thanks given to the boundless berries and fruits. 

‖♥‖▬ : ❝You know, don’t you wonder why we haven’t met anyone here?❞ the lass lowered her vocals an octave lower. ❝I think it’s a bit scary and… not normal. But there must be someone, since we saw that red trail back in the forest! They were all over the place… I don’t like your idea of it being ‘blood’ either, Touya. We should just stick with red paint—❞ Her voice trails off into inaudible wisps as blue optics fastened upon flickering shadows, the darkness almost appearing to peel away from the blackened portrait behind her twin. What was that—? Something that was actually alive?— Maybe it was the tree’s shade playing tricks on her… 

❝Pardon me, little brother,❞ she apologized, uncertainty lingering beneath the dialogue. ❝I thought…—never mind, it’s just me.❞ Touko lifted her gaze up to observe the gentle shower of petals, confusion resting in ease at the serene ballet. With the teacup in hand,  she slowly leaned inwards to take a sip before: 

‖♦‖▬ : ❝Welcome to Wonderland.❞

Digits fumbled around the chalice’s curved handle, vision whirling back towards the direction of boyish chords. An alarmed yelp remained stuck in her throat as steaming brew split from her overturned grip. No warnings sounded out for her brother, for her actions were enough to stir his awareness. Touko propelled back onto her heels, arms jerking out protectively in front of Touya once eyes latched onto the most distinguishable thing: a weapon. A weapon.

‖♥‖▬ : ❝—Y-you! Who are you?❞ Another figure appeared behind the stranger, this time a lady! Heart pace quickened in agitated drumbeats, for harm could be far more imminent with two, and not one. Quantity were not going to be their advantage. First instinct? Run, run, run! 

♥~ Cleverness seeped through his soul as the joy of careless fun eroded his unsure mind. Not all could do, what his twin could. ♥~

~♥ The so called family that had spoiled their lives with gifts fit for adults, and not for children. They had squirmed their way out and into the crevices of wonderland. No one could even imagine a journey as grand as thee, the paths, turns, everything had a twist etched into it. ♥~

~♥ True, true sugar was a delight but it was tiring. With a sigh offered out, and downcast look Yuuichi frowned at his significant other. "I'll pass this time.~" Truly It was a feat how his tastes changed from day to day. Watching her pour her own drink, the half of the heart sipped his own. Honestly, he was already full. Being used to gifts and not food was his forte, It was their forte.  ♥~

~♥ With his usual small voice, the male gave her a hushed reply. "It's because we're in the forest you git--" Placing down his tea and folding his hands in his lap, the male continued. "Why would someone waste perfectly good paint in a forest? It's obviously blood." ♥~

~♥ The looks she gave were tiring, preposterous, shallow and sudden. Heaving out a sigh once more, lips proceeded to form dastardly words before he was oh so kindly interrupted. Not jumping a single bit, he found his sister's arm in front of his body. Yuuichi of course, couldn't see the stranger. ♥~

~♥ Fumbling his way through her arm, Yuuichi poured another cup for himself, which he delightfully started sipping on. The conversation that his sister had started continued was blanked out of his mind, he was simply not content to listen to their annoying, incompetent voices. ♥~

~♥ It wasn't until she'd looked at him slightly, and whispered into his ear that he got serious, It was tiring honestly. Placing tea cup onto the table once more, the male proceeded to lean back and give a nod at his other. ♥~

Giving out a sigh, he dug himself into the girl. “I’m…I don’t know, I’m not feeling too well.”