for those of you who don't know... in the book, alice's adventures in wonderland, the knave of hearts was tried for thievery at one of the queen's trials. he'd apparently stolen some tarts that the queen had baked.

mood music : time is running out - muse

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Most days are fairly traumatic to me.

My day chiefly consists of five important ordeals: waking up, eating, running around like the glorified messenger boy I am, eating, and collapsing just to do it all over again the next morning. Thankfully, more often than not, I've been waking up in my own house, which is a relief considering the amount of times King has dragged me off to regions unknown for a night and left me to fend for myself when I awoke. I'm really coming to appreciate my own bed. And Mary Ann, thank heavens. I think I'd be a fair deal more paranoid than I am now without her to keep me sane.

However, some days are more traumatic than others.

Take, for instance, this morning.

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"Rabbit? Rabbit!"

I hate my name, I really do.

Palace days, as I called them, were rare days where nothing needed to be delivered and no one needed assistance. I spent my time wandering aimlessly and performing simple tasks with the other servants. Unless, of course, something came up.

The call was heard everywhere in the palace, echoing off the strong stone walls as easily as if it had come from a megaphone which, with the Queen's vocal chords, wasn't very surprising. I scampered frantically into the throne room, barely managing to avoid knocking anyone down in the process. I skidded gracelessly on the plush carpet set over the marble floor (damn the decorators, I hated those carpets with a passion), and knelt down, a vivid pink colouring my nose.

"Your Majesties," I murmured, my head bowed, fingers splayed on the ground before me. I'd been surprised to see the King seated at his throne-- he was rarely spotted anywhere near the palace, chose instead to wander the grounds as I so often did.

"Stand, Irvyn," I heard a voice tell me gently, and I did so, my cheeks reddening even more so as I met the King's gaze. He sat stretched out, laguid as ever, feet hanging over the arm of the chair in a very undignified manner. There was an unspoken rule that, inside the walls of the Hearts Palace, I was never to be referred to as anything but 'Rabbit'. My names, any one of them, were out of bounds on all levels until I stepped foot outside.

He smiled at me, head tilted back, a knowing smile, and I weakly held myself together.

My Queen was standing. Out of her chair, I could see her resisting the urge to pace, her visage calm despite the turmoil I could see behind her eyes. I straightened my back, gazing attentively at her once more.

"We have a problem," she said finally, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. Clearly this was serious.

"The Knave."

"Yes, your Highness?"

She met my eyes steadily, clasping her hands behind her back. "He's run off with something far more valuable than pie this time."

My gaze flickered between her and her husband, who was covering his mouth with his hand. Somehow, I doubted he was taking the matter seriously at all.

"I need you to find him and report back to the Royal Guard. The object he stole-- It must be recovered. Unharmed."

"Yes, right away, your Highness."

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Wonderland was a beautiful place. Despite all the horrors it held, despite every broken soul, it was a gorgeous, revolting, beautiful place. Small things, like the whisper of wind in your ear or the smell of spring, seemed to be magnified tenfold and brought out so you could never miss a second. Everything was so alive.

I sat above the steps of the palace, knees brought up to my chest. Fat raindrops fell to the ground before me, echoing off the marble pillars, puddles collected beneath statues. The small overhang provided by the palace walls was enough to keep me dry, yet I still held out a hand to collect the tiny drops of wetness and lick them off, too vain to stand beneath the clouds and let them fall on my tongue.

I let my head fall back, eyes fluttering shut as I revelled in the sound of the gently rolling thunder. How badly I wished to be a part of the great storm... This was the third to pass through our world in a week.

Yet, it would not be... proper.

I was torn away from my thoughts as the sound of footsteps caught my ear. They were close. How hadn't I heard them before? I shook myself out of my daze and stood, just in time to see the King of Hearts round the corner.

Taken aback, I stuttered a bit and bowed low, realizing too late that I was supposed to be out on a mission.

"Rabbit." The smile in his voice caught me off guard. Then, softer, more thoughtfully, "You weren't with the servants. I thought I'd find you here."

So he'd been looking for me. Cautiously, I straightened, and relaxed immensely when I saw no trace of anger on his face. Still...

"I'm so sorry, your Majesty... I know I'm not supposed to be here--"

He silenced me with a shake of his head. "It's raining. No one expects you to go anywhere in this weather." He hesitated. I held my breath, somewhat without knowing it.

And tentatively, with an air about him I didn't recognize, he reached out to cup my chin in his hand. I watched him as he tilted his head admiringly, felt his soft fingers stroke my cheek, dazzling ruby eyes studying my reaction carefully.

My shivers betrayed my nervousness. I think he enjoys watching me squirm.

Almost absent in my thoughts, I let him move his hand as he pleased, first tracing my jaw, then tickling my neck. His touches were feather-light, never losing contact with my skin. Finally, he pressed his thumb to my lower lip, eyes meeting mine.

Instinctively, I let my tongue dart out, caressing the pad of skin.

Having found the reaction he'd been looking for, King kissed me.

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I'd disappeared inside the palace after that, both scared that someone had seen and rather ashamed with myself for reasons I couldn't place.