Chapter 3: Paint the Roses Black
I walked for a few minutes, through thick trees, looking for a clearing. Eventually, I noticed a small break that continued on through one direction. A path, maybe? I walked quickly towards it, I noticed some kind of flowers growing up in front of me. As I approached, they looked to be some sort of roses, but they were all black. Approaching them, I carefully picked my way through, avoiding stepping on them. Once I was through, I heard a soft rustle behind me. Turning, I realized that the roses appeared to have faces formed by the petals.
"Thank you, kind lady!" said one. Roses? Talking? This dreams is getting crazier and crazier.
"Thank you? For what?" I asked.
"You see, nobody takes notice of us roses anymore. We are just here, ignored and abused. Only the one assigned to care for us even looks at us."
"That's horrible!" I said, shocked. Gently, I put a hand to one. It wasn't the soft, gentle fuzz of a petal, but the stiff smoothness of paint. "You were, painted black?"
"Yes. We were once a beautiful scarlet red, but since the division between the the Hearts and the rest of the suites, red has become a hated color. Plus, everyone is so busy with other matters, that they don't care about us anymore. All the other plants were removed as well. Before the idea of painting them black, they were ordered to kill any flower close to the color red. But they just started to kill all the flowers..."
"They? Who's they?"
"The soldiers of course! The card deck!" said one.
"Shh! Someone's coming!" another hushed. They swayed and started to push me behind a tree. "Go, go!" From there, I peeked out as a man came up wearing a white shirt with multiple clubs on it. The number 6 was printed on both sleeves. The six of clubs.
"All right you! Water time!" he said gruffly. "But before you get your water... Who were you talking to?"
"Each other, sir! We were discussing old times." said one.
"That other voice wasn't one of you! Not high enough! Who were you talking to, before I cut one of yer leaves off!"
"Stop!" I said, stepping out. "They were talking to me."
"Oh?! And who might you be, missy?" he asked, eying me.
"My name is Alice." I said determinedly. He started laughing. "What is so funny?"
"You?! Alice?! HA!" he laughed. "Alice as an albino. What has gotten into that rabbit?"
"I didn't use to be albino!" I said stubbornly. "I use to have blue eyes! And black hair. Well it use to be blonde before I dyed it and..." he cut me off.
"What, you're going to tell me that the clothes made you albino?!" he joked.
"YES!" I said. He laughed harder.
"Well, *chuckle* actually, I believe you. Jokers have gone wild around here recently. Don't know what they're capable of anymore. The 'Alice' part... we'll see what the face cards say." He led me off the path, deeper into the forest. Following closely, I stayed close behind him, until we reached a clearing, where many arguing voices could be heard. Ahead, the 6 of Clubs entered the clearing.
"My lords!" he announced loudly. All fell silent. "I have brought you one who claims to be Alice!" There was a pause, and then some murmuring broke out.
"Bring her in!" said a powerful, masculine voice. The 6 of Clubs side stepped and motioned for me to enter. Walking in, it felt like a large, out door throne room. A man and a lady sat on two large thrones, lifted up above a crowd of people. At their feet, a child, about 10 years old sat, looking very bored. At the foot of the stage, the rest of the card deck stood. Some other creatures stood at behind them, but their numbers were few. All were still as I walked in.
"You call yourself Alice?" said the Queen. I had now identified her as the Queen on Clubs.
"Yes, ma'am." I replied, bowing my head respectfully. "It's the name I've gone by my whole life." Looking up, I saw her turn to the King.
"Where are you from?" the King asked.
"Well, not here, I can say." I answered.
"Your sounding as cryptic as Chess," he said. I was worried by the serious look that he held, but it suddenly turned to a smile. "Specify a little more?"
"I'm not from this world. I was in my room, and I chased a rabbit into my closet. Then there was this room..."
"Well, anybody could make up that story," said the boy, playing with his shoe lace. A J on his sleeve identified him as the Jack of Clubs. "How do we know it's real?"
"Well, if you talk to the Rabbit! Or Chess..." I was cut off.
"Her story is true," said a familiar voice. I looked over to see the girl, cat, thing standing against a tree next to me. "She's accurate, if you choose to believe me. The White Rabbit had some business to attend to."
"Ah, Chess. Always showing up when needed, but not expected," said the Queen, smiling. "I believe you both. We won't keep you longer, Chess."
"Thanks. I have places to see, things to be," she said. I wondered why it was backwards, but I didn't ask. She evaporated, leaving her smile behind for half a second longer.
"Well, if it is true, then I'm guessing Chess dumped you here for us to teach you," said the Jack of Clubs.
"Jack!" said the Queen.
"Well, he's right to some extent. We will probably have to teach her. That darn cat never explains enough..." the King sighed. "I'll teach you about magic, since, judging by your looks and the aura of the curse surrounding you, you'll probably want to know. If you're interested in our history, you can talk to my wife. I doubt you want to be troubled with the boring stuff though." He smiled and looked at the Queen, who rolled her eyes. "If you have any other questions, just ask!" He removed a large, black robe and walked off the stage for the forest, motioning me to follow...
