{ S I D E S }

//-// 1 //-//

    As Artist building hopped they couldnt help but look around, because they couldn't quite shake the feeling of being watched. Ever since the day they had confronted Claire with their mission, the day Cheshire put up those defenses, they felt somewhat unsafe. Artist couldn't pinpoint what was making this feeling occur, and it made them uneasy in a sense. They stopped for a moment atop a building, looking around. How had they had gotten across town so quickly? Shaking it off, they continued to a closed off area, an alley way they were accustomed to. Taking a breath and sighing, they slumped down against a wall. They began sharpening knives as normal before a quiet tik-tok of a clock appeared beside them. Looking up they met with a familiar set of eyes under a black top hat.

"Hello," the man hesitated trying to figure out what to call Artist before waving, concluding on nothing.

Artist snickered, "Your manners don't quite work on me. Nice to see you Dapper." They waved, looking down and continuing their work.

The alleyway was in silence for a few as Dapper kneeled down next to Artist, examining some of the sharpened blades.

"Wow, you really have been taking care of your blades, they look sharper than a shard of glass!" He commented, looking at Artist.

Artist sighed, "Stop playing the act, you never visit without a reason."

Dapper looked quite bewildered, "So I can't visit my partner when I want?"

Artist growled glaring deadly at Dapper, "I said we weren't partners anymore!"

Dapper chuckled, "Oh really? After all those murders you and I did? All those kidnappings you helped with, and you still say we aren't partners?" He looked at Artist, almost pittying them, "You realize you can never escape, right?"

Artist looked down at the alley floor, "Don't talk about it, let me have my freedom for once. I know I can never escape it, but let me be the farthest I can from it."

Dapper smiled, "Oh and about what I am here for, besides visiting, I heard you were close to a girl named Claire, correct?"

Artist snapped their head up, looking at him wide eyed, "No, no!"

Dapper laughed, "Oh, yes. I want you to capture her for me, since good 'ol Cheshire has put up those wretched flowers that won't let me in."

Artist looked almost distressed, "No, no, no I can't do it. Not after I told her-" they covered their ears, something throbbing.

Dapper smiled and hopped atop another building, "Hope to see her in about 3 weeks? Boss wouldn't be too happy if it took too long, now would he?" He laughed as he walked away, leaving Artist mumbling "No" over and over again, lying there in clear pain. This was the begining of the end.