White Rabbit Trials

Two

Two

Looking at the mirror was something Alice avoided as much as possible, never really liking the way she looked. She was different. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t say she was pretty, but looking in the mirror made her feel like she was looking at someone else. Sherry would tease her about her curves, telling her that she was lucky to have had all her fat fall in all the right places. Alice felt shy at that, she wasn’t by any means skinny, she was on the chubbier side surprisingly, or at least that’s how she felt. Though that isn’t what made her different, it was her silver hair and turquoise eyes, Aunt Viv told her that she looked like a spitting image of her mother.

Alice didn’t know who her parents were, it didn’t exactly bother her so to say, yet now and then she would dream about what kind of people they were before they gave her up. Wondering why they gave her up. She held no malice towards them, she had been told they only had her best interest in mind, so Alice had to believe it. 

The smudged mirror reflected the light of the candle that burned slowly, wax dripping down into its holder. Alice was able to make out a semblance of her reflection, but nothing too great as the shadows covered most of her. Dawn was slowly approaching and she needed to get ready for the market. It took an hour or so to reach there, and with the only way getting there a small wagon and horse it took time. She wore a loose-fitting white cotton dress, one of her favorites that didn’t accentuate her curves too much, and nicely enough, matching her hair. Her shoes were just some old dirty working boots, they couldn’t afford more than one pair for each person, however they fit comfortably so Alice held no complaints. 

A soft knock at her bedroom door startled Alice, but calmed down already knowing who it was. She opened it to find an already up and daisy Sherry standing there, a large smile spread across her face. “G’morning cous, glad that you’re joining us today.” She whispered, inviting herself into the bedroom without permission. 

“Good morning to you too, don’t we have about a half-hour left before we leave?” Alice asked, watching Sherry sit herself onto Alice’s bed. 

“Dad wants to actually leave earlier, says he needs to meet someone there before the market starts. So came to tell you to hurry your butt up, cause we gotta go!” She was always enthusiastic about the market. Alice knew why this was the only time Sherry could visit her secret girlfriend. That was all she knew though, but didn’t know anything about who she was, or her ranking. A secret Alice promised to keep for Sherry when she told her. 

“Well, I’m as ready as I’m ever gonna be, I guess we can go now.” She sighed, brushing strands of her hair behind her ear. Sherry nodded, walking out of the room with her hands behind her head, smiling much too brightly for Alice to handle so early. 

Uncle Tom had already gotten most of what they needed into the cart and was now simply finishing up tying their horse Dinah to the wagon. Dinah was an old horse who was probably going to die soon enough, which was sad, meaning that they would lose Alice’s favorite horse and would have to choose one of her children to replace her. There was snowdrop, who was a calm and lovely looking horse, then Kit, a dark and wild stallion who anyone would have a hard time controlling. Alice could already tell of the two whom they would sell, only cause of the sheer amount of money they would get for them.  

When Uncle Tom looked up, he gave a weary smile.  Sherry jumped the short distance from the top step to the dirt ground, almost skipping over to help her father so he could rest in the wagon a little before they got there. It wasn’t an easy job for Alice’s uncle, he worked himself to the point that he would probably faint from exhaustion.  

After everything was loaded, Alice and Uncle Tom got into the wagon as Sherry took the reigns, she really was good at driving the wagon. Now it was the wait game, it would take a while, but at least they could get a bit more rest physically before the real work started. Uncle Tom and Alice were pushed together, as to not ruin any of their merchandise, had it been with anyone else other than her family, she would have been sweating buckets uncomfortable with the contact. 

“Who are we meeting today?” Alice asked Uncle Tom.

“Someone I know from the Guard.” He replied, taking Alice off guard. Someone from the guard? Uncle Tom knew someone despite being such a lowly class? He noticed her alarmed look and just chuckled, “ He earned his ranking, he used to be like us before,” He said, a nostalgic look in his eyes When Alice was about to ask him how he continued, “The White Rabbit Trials, he was a part of em. I thought he was gonna be a goner for sure, but somehow, he came out and is now a royal guard.” Just hearing the name of the deadly trials sent shivers up Alice’s spine. Uncle Tom knew someone who was in them, let alone who won them? Farmer’s were usually never allowed in them, there have been cases where they would be allowed, though they were always used for entertainment of laughing at such low classes, to remind them that trying to fight against what you are, what life you have been given is fruitless. 

“That’s amazing, I’m-” Alice couldn’t say anything and Sherry was eerily quiet. For the rest of the way, everyone remained quiet, yet Alice felt her heart beating louder as they neared, fearing the man she would meet.

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“Tom! My old friend! How have you been?” A large burly man with a messy beard and hair walked up to their stand, his arms wide open, while Alice and Sherry continued to set up for the market, Uncle Tom went to hug the man, smiling back. Uncle Tom wasn’t the biggest man around by any means, but this man-made him look like an ant with his size alone. He was almost pure muscle and Alice had to stop herself from gawking at him. His skin was dark, though his eyes were bright green, and his arms were covered in intricate tattoos one being of a cat with bright yellow eyes. He didn’t emit an aura people would fear, more so one would find curious. Just exactly who was he? 

“Chester, I’m glad to see you again, it really has been too long. How’s the guard treatin ya?” Chester stretched his neck, rolling his eyes, before sighing.

“It’s been okay, but you know what it’s like, still considered a s**t farmer from the country of Spades. Always gonna remain the same. “ Uncle Tom gave a sympathetic look. “I’m glad my letter got to you in time, I’m always unable to see you whenever we have business here.” 

Uncle Tom laughed and gave a slight punch to Chester, “Like you ever visit, the Guard has no reason to.” 

“True, but other than that, how’s Viv?” 

As the two continued to chat Alice and Sherry looked toward each other, Alice could tell even Sherry was a little unnerved by the guy, though didn’t feel like she was surprised by his appearance whatsoever, did she meet him another time? 

Suddenly Alice felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up, it was Chester. “So you’re Alice?” He said, his interest peaked as he looked her up and down. “Scrawny thing, but you really are eye-catching.” Alice had to stop herself from jumping back or swatting his hand off her. She gave a shaky smile and replied:

“I guess I am, nice to meet you.” She did her best to avoid eye contact, but his bright eyes were always catching hers. “What brings you to Spades, sir.” Chester almost burst out laughing when he heard her say “sir.” Alice’s cheeks turned red, and she looked down, despite having done nothing shameful, she was still embarrassed feeling like a fool.

“No need to address me so highly, I’m barely any sir, and I’m just following orders, nothing you would need to worry about.” Alice nodded and Chester tilted his head, “Very peculiar.” Before Alice could ask him what he meant by that he turned around and smiled at Tom once more, “Speaking of Orders, need to re-meet back up with the other’s, but I will visit later today, I promise that.” Uncle Tom gave a goodbye and Chester walked off. Something about Chester’s smile was what made Alice feel weird like he could see through her, like, he was searching for something. Uncle Tom joined the two and they finished setting up their little booth for the market. 

The Market was set near the port, it was for the few visitors in hopes that some rich folk would come and visit, buy something and help at least one family not starve or be forced out. So being that it was by the port you could see the ocean if you walked a little ways out. If there was one thing, one thing that Alice enjoyed about coming to the market, it was seeing the ocean, the blue mass of water, sometimes she wishes she could just fall into it and just float for hours, but she knew that was impossible. 

For now, Alice needed to simply work, and hope people would come and she could have a break to visit the water soon. Brushing some silver strands of her hair behind her ear, she put on her best smile, hoping to catch the eyes of some early-birds who came to try and get the best things first. This was her main job after all, no matter how much she hated the idea of having anyone eyes on her.

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Hours passed by, and Alice could tell that they were already doing pretty well, at least more well off than usual, considering high noon hadn’t even settled in yet. Alice thought to herself that they must have sold a third of what they brought, which should cover half their rent for now. 

Alice noticed Sherry walking back from her little rendezvous with her girlfriend, her face brightened, but a hint of mischief was seen in the glint of her golden eyes. Sherry was a more rough and tough type of looking, girl,  she had defined muscles that rivaled most of the teenage boys around Spade, and they weren’t only for show. Sherry was the five- year champion of the market illegal gambling sport of wrestling. She had made even grown men cry and beg for mercy. Unlike Peri, she felt more masculine, with her short messy pixie cut, and thick accent. Though Sherry never minded it. It was that more masculine charm that caught herself a girlfriend after all. 

Sherry slid in beside Alice at the booth, wiggling her brows to get her attention. Alice chuckled and glanced at her. “What?” She asked.

“Ya neva gonna believe what I overheard.” She whispered lowly. 

This piqued Alice’s interest. 

“What did you hear?” She poked.

“There’s a Fae here.” Alice gasped but quickly hid her surprise from the passerby’s. 

“You’re joking.” She said, looking around. “A Fae? Are we talking outlaw, high rank heart?”

Sherry shook her head, showing a face that showed she was just as clueless. “Don’t know, just know there is one, and that’s why the Guard might be ‘ere.”

Faeries, they were always among the highest rankings of Hearts, the lowest they could be was a Four-Heart, and that was like being a low class noble. But for the Royal Guard to be here, for a singular Fae? Something must be up, this was no normal Faerie. For one to visit Spade too, something wasn’t adding up whatsoever, and Alice felt a pit dig itself in her stomach. She didn’t know enough about Faeries, humans were never allowed to know a lot about them, even if they were part of the Guard themselves. Of course, it was to keep the humans under their thumbs. There was a rumor though, Alice remembered, that the Supreme Red Queen, the immortal Queen who was known for being ruthless for having killed her own sister, the Supreme White Queen, was part human. It was only a rumor though. Anyone to mention it in her presence would have their head chopped off.  

Uncle Tom finally came back, Alice didn’t know where he disappeared to, and she wasn’t going to ask, as it most likely had to do with his friend. His face looked grim, as he slowly walked back to them. 

“Somethin wrong Pa?” Sherry asked, giving him a light pat on his shoulder. 

“It’s-” He looked at his two daughters, then looked back down at the ground. “Nothin, just tired today, Lil more so than usual. Alice, you been workin all morning, why don’t you take a break and go get some breakfast. Ya haven’t eaten since we got here.” Alice did feel hunger creep up on her so she smiled.

“I’ll do that, thanks Uncle.” She said, before leaving the booth to go explore the market. To most not from Spade, the Market was a small and pathetic excuse of a shopping place, nothing but hand and homemade goods. Most of those who were at three and above hearts wouldn’t even spare a glance at this place. But for people like Alice, a Heartless, this was a magical place to visit. She never really talked to anyone and wasn’t close with anyone here, but seeing the hard work of all the people who also did their best to survive here, Alice felt a connection with them on some level.

Alice made her way to one of her more favorited booths, it was a small booth that was the closest thing to a restaurant here at the market. It wasn’t insanely popular, but it definitely was nice to have. After having ordered herself a breakfast burrito, Alice took a table in front with the other customers. She noticed some people glancing at her, hear some even daring their friends to talk to her, to ask what was wrong with her hair. None of them did though, and she hoped they never would. At least that was what was happening until she heard the seat in front of her move and an unknown man taking its occupation. 

Alice didn’t look up, she didn’t want to know who he was, or why he wanted to sit there. Her break was meant for her, and no one else. Didn’t seem he had the same ideas though, he kept tapping his fingers against the shabby table, annoying Alice to get her to look at him. The sad thing was? It worked. 

Alice looked up to give him a look of annoyance, but she almost felt herself choke instead. It was one of the most beautiful men she had ever seen, she towered over her, even though he was sitting. He had a dark mop of hair and stunning red eyes that commanded attention. He almost looked like he was covered in shadows, like..he was commanding them. Alice knew instantly. 

This man was a Faerie.