Hellcat

That's Not What It Really Means

Red: Speaking of your journey. You never did tell me why you came to Wonderland.

Red stopped and turned to me. I could only sweat in nervousness as I scrambled for an answer.

Y/n: I was just . . . leaving home . . . in the hopes of starting a life of my own. Yep. A new start in a new place.

Red: Interesting. Well, I'm glad you arrived here instead of with my sister.

I sighed internally overjoyed at the fact I wouldn't be losing my tongue. 'Wait! She has a sister?'

Y/n: Your sister?

Red's constant frown deepened as she heard me repeat her. She glared at me as she spoke.

Red: I'm sure I didn't stutter. She is a mere princess compared to myself but calls herself a queen. As you can clearly see though.

Red stopped and pointed to the top of her head. On it rested a gold crown. I gave a small applaud of approval. Red gave me another twisted grin and curtsied.

Y/n: You're wearing the crown. How big is Wonderland any?

I gave a weak smile as we began to walk again. I looked around her castle as we did. I noticed the bricks were clean and in seemingly good condition.

Red: Infinite.

Y/n: I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?

Red: Boundless and bound. By what force no one knows. We do know what we know though. What we don't know we might never know but that's okay. Since no one knows. No one has the advantage.

Y/n: You know what? Forget I asked.

Red: I do hope you aren't trying to order a queen.

Y/n: No it's just a saying. Like the early bird gets the worm.

Red: That's odd. Here we have that same saying. The early jabberwocky gets the peasant.

I stopped moving as the red queen walked up to the front door of her castle. As it opened she turned and faced me with a genuine smile. The first I'd seen since I got here. 'And I have to admit. She looks kind of cute like that.'

Y/n: What's a jabberwookie?

Red: A jabberwocky. Is a dragon but much more ferocious and fear-inducing.

I tried to keep the image out of my head as we walked inside. We entered into a long hallway. Our footsteps were muffled as we walked down a red carpet. On either side of us were suits of armor with different numbers and symbols from a deck of cards. I looked at these and back to Red wondering if liked to gamble. I looked back again when the rows of soldiers were interrupted by portraits of Red. All them with her in a dramatic pose in front of something burning.

Y/n: Red? Are these bonfires?

She didn't even bother to turn or slow down as she began chuckling. Hearing this I could only assume wood wasn't the only thing burning in those pictures.

Red: No. But you could call them that. Now come! There are some people I want you to meet.

Keeping stride we finally reached a chamber. On either side were more suits of armor. On the walls were more portraits and two hallways. However in the middle of the room was a table filled with guests. All were dressed as decadent as the queen but in a less vibrant red. As we drew closer they all stood. 'Or should I say kneeled?' Nobody seemed to stand at their full height save for a guard who stood at the corner end of a table. Not wanting to be awkward I waved to them.

Y/n: Hello.

???: It is good to see your majesty has returned safely. Though I would like to know who this vagabond is? Another suitor perhaps? He isn't even dressed appropriately.

I didn't move as I tried not to jump and rip the little midget's tongue out of his mouth. 'We'll see who's dressed appropriately when I shov-'

Red: Lord Gastro. You are to be polite to him. He did greet all of you just now and you so rudely ignored and insulted him.

Gastro: I apologize for my disrespect your majesty. And good sir I hope you can forgive me as well. I hope you have an amazing time in our humble kingdom.

Red: Our?

Gastro: I meant our majesty's royal kingdom.

Red: Good. Now tell me. How is the king?

???: Your majesty he remains in good health. Though he seems distant.

Red: Lady Nares once again you intrude. Should I chop off that humongous nose of yours to give you a reminder? Do not speak unless spoken to!

Nares: Yes your majesty. I mean no reminder is necessary. I shall remain within my boundaries.

Red: Good. Now, why is he in such a state?

Gastro: Well he hasn't been outside for a while. We think some fresh air and company would do him well.

Red seemed to think on this. Then looked around the room. Finally, her eyes settled on a window. Then she began to speak.

Red: Take our new guest to meet him. Then have a few guards escort them around the castle.

All of her council looked at each other. Gastro looked at me and sighed.

Gastro: As you wish your majesty.

He gestured for me to follow so I fell into step behind him. We went down the hallway on the right. After serving through what seemed like an endless amount of corridors we took a single mountainous set of stairs. They curved to our right so I assumed it was a tower. Yet when we reached the top I was greeted with a whole nother floor. We walked a few feet and stopped at a door. Gastro stared at me as we arrived.

Y/n: He isn't going to try to kill me or anything is he?

Gastro: Unfortunately his highness is too much of a generous spirit to hurt anyone. Including those that would do him harm.

Y/n: That's . . . reassuring?

He narrowed his eyes at me as he put his hand on the doorknob.

Gastro: Be reassured that if you do harm or upset him in any way that I will be the least of your concerns. Her majesty will make short work of you and your neck. Understood?

The door opened inwardly and a blonde with lilac eyes stood before us. He seemed a little down caste and it only grew worse when she saw Gastro. Thankfully when she saw me he grew more pleasant and gained a expression of curiosity. He flicked his hand in Gastro's direction then grabbed my hand. Right before he could do anything though Gastro cleared his throat.

Y/n: Um. . . The queen said that we could walk around the castle.

He gave a wicked grin and clapped twice. On the second crescendo, guards stepped away from the walls. They all were shaped and their armor was painted to resemble cards. He started walking in the opposite direction of the stairs. I started panicking and looked at Gastro.

Gastro: He knows his way around. I suggest staying with him. The place large enough for you to be lost and never found.

Y/n: I couldn't persuade you into doing that yourself? Could I?

Gastro: Get moving peasant!