1/5

30 Days remained until the next full moon...
In return for helping them with my magic-deflecting power, the Black Army had agreed to keep me safe.
I'd be living in the Black Army's headquarters for the next month.
That night, I sat down for my first meal in my temporary home.
(This looks incredible!)
A table laden with mouth-watering delicacies made my stomah rumble.
Ray: "Is everyone here?"
Black Soldiers: "Yeah!"
The soldiers in the dining hall gave a loud cheer.
Ray: "We're celebrating tonight to welcome a new ally into our ranks!"
(So, I'm not the only newcomer here?)
As UI looked around to find the guest of the hour, Ray eyed me quizzically.
Ray: "Um, hello?"
Ray: "I'm talking about you, you know!"
[Alice]: "You put this party together just for me?"
Fenrir: "As of today, you're an official member of the Black Army, [Alice]!"
Fenrir: "I know we're just a bunch of rowdy guys, but we'll make sure you're comfortable."
Seth: "Hang on, Fenrir! Aren't you forgetting someone?"
Seth: "The single bright, beautiful flower growing amongst the smelly, messy army men-- Seth Hyde!"
Luka: "Sit down, Seth. The food's getting cold."
Ray: "Ah, yes, the first rule of the Black Army-- eat your meat while it's hot."
Seth: "Why I never! Ray, you can't just make rules up on the spot!"
Fenrir: "What's all that about being a beautiful flower anyway?"
Fenrir: "You're just as messy as the rest of us."
Seth: "Huh? That's enough out of you, little boy!"
Fenrir: "Huh? We're basically the same age, dummy."
(Is all this bickering normal for them?)
Ray: "I can't take anymore-- quite, you two."
Ray's words put an immediate stop to the disturbance.
Ray: "Now then, [Alice]."
Ray: "I hope they didn't put you off. Welcome to the Black Army!"
Ray: "Everyone, raise a glass to our new friend and ally!"
Black Soldiers: "To our new ally!"
Ray: "Cheers!"
Everyone raised a mug of ale or goblet of spiced wine to welcome me into their ranks.
(I wasn't expecting such a warm welcome! I think I ended up on the right side of this war.)
[Alice]: "Thank you all for being so kind and hospitable."
As I raised my own glass to thank them I felt a hand pat my shoulder.
Sirius: "Well said, little lady."

2/5

Sirius: "Well said, little lady."
[Alice]: "Sirius-- thanks."
Sirius: "You don't need to bother with formalities, though."
Sirius: "We're all friends here, right?"
Sirius: "Besides, the others are too distracted by their dinner to notice anyway."
Sirius nodded to the other side of the table,
where I found what he said to be very true.
Seth: "Mmmm-- this is absolutely scrumptious! I'm floating on cloud nine over here!"
Luka: "Seth-- you found a way to float?"
Fenrir: "It's called a metaphor, Luka. Hey-- Ray! That's my mutton!"
Ray: "You weren't eating it."
Fenrir: "Oh, is that how you want to play it? I challenge you to an eating contest!"
Ray: "Sure, if you want to lose."
Sirius: "See?"
They seemed like one big, happy family to me.
[Alice]: "Looks like they're having lots of fun."
Sirius: "Wow, that looks really good on you."
[Alice]: "What does?"
Sirius: "Your smile. It looks nice."
Smiling himself, Sirius clinked his glass to mine and then took a drink.
Sirius: "And don't you worry. The Black Army will make sure you always have something to smile about."
[Alice]: "Thanks, that's good to hear."
Sirius: "Now, dig in and enjoy the party!"
All it took was one bite of meat pie and a sip of wine before I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
(I'm stuck here for a month, so I should make the best of my situation.)
Though I had come from another world, the Black Army had accepted me as one of their own.
(I have a useful power here, so I want to help protect these people.)
It was still hard to believe that I possessed the power to deflect magic spells-- or that magic was real for that matter.
But if I had the power, I was going to use it.
(I'm not going to hide or cower in fear until the next full moon. I'll make the most of my time here.)
*location jump to Lancelot's office*
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of Cradle,
an air of unrest filled the Red Army's headquarters.
??? (Jonah): "You're asking me to capture Alice?"
??? (Jonah): "In that case, I'll--"
??? (Edgar): "Please allow me to carry out this mission, Queen."
??? (Edgar): My skills have been getting rusty and I was just hoping for an opportunity to use them."
The man leaning back in his chair raised his gaze to the two before him.
??? (Lancelot): "I'll leave it in your hands. But, whatever you do, do not kill Alice."
??? (Edgar): "Understood, my lord."
"Alice should be brought back alive."

3/5

The day after I arrived in Cradle, the sky was impossibly clear.
[Alice]: "I'm off-- see you later!"
Eager to explore this strange new land, I left headquarters and crossed the Black Bridge.
The cobblestone streets were lined with all sorts of shops and restraunts.
(What a lovely little town!)
Black Soldier: "Like what you see?"
The soldier who was acting as my guide and bodyguard smiled brightly.
[Alice]: "I really do! With all these shops, it looks like you could find anything you'd ever need here."
Black Soldier: "The Centralk Quarter is a civilian area."
[Alice]: "What does that mean exactly?"
(I remember Blanc mentioning something like that, too.)
Black Soldier: "Even in times of war, this area remains a neutral zone."
Black Soldier: "That's why all these stores opened shop here and it's become our economic center."
[Alice]: "I see. That's good to know."
I had just taken out the notepad Sirius had given me to jot that down, when--
??? (Edgar): "You should never drop your guard, even in the neutral zone."
I jumped when a voice whispered right next to my ear.
[Alice]: "Hey, who are--"
A hard tug on my arm made me stumble as I was dragged off.
Black Soldier: "[Alice]!"
Before I could tell what was happening, I found myself in a narror alleyway looking up at the one who had grabbed me.
(Wair, I know him!)
(I think I might be in major trouble--)
*flashback*
[Alice]: "You're handcuffing me?! But I haven't done anything wrong!"
Jonah: "You'll never be able to get these off. Though that might change if you get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness."
Edgar: "You're merciless, Jonah. This puts me in an uncomfortable position."
Jonah: "Merciless? You're the last person I want to hear that from."
Edgar: "What are you getting at?"
*Flashback ends*
Edgar: "Hi there, [Alice]."
The face smiling before me now overlapped with the one from my memory.
(He's part of the Red Army. I think his name was Edgar?)
Edgar: "Your name is [Alice], right?"
(he's looking at me as if he didn't just pull me away like a kidnapper.)
Black Soldier: "Let go of her!"
Edgar: "Looks like we have company."
My bodyguard pulled me away from Edgar, who let go of my arm.
As the soldier pushed me behind his back protectively, Edgar grinned at him.
Edgar: "My, my--"
Edgar: "Aren't you an assertive one."

4/5

(Something about that smile is off.)
Edgar's seemingly calm smile sent a shiver down my spine.
Black Soldier: "What's a high-ranking Red doing in a place like this?"
Edgar: "Oh, I'm just here to buy my favorite gummy candies."
Edgar: "As if."
Edgar: "I've come with a very important request for [Alice]."
[Alice]: "What kind of request?"
Edgar: "Won't you please join our army?"
(He's asking me to switch sides?)
(He's got some nerve!)
I hadn't been here long, but I knew the Black and Red Armies were enemies.
And I clearly remembered the overbearing, ruthless way these guys fought.
Edgar: "What do you say, [Alice]? You'll want for nothing-- you'll be treated like an honored guest."

• "No, thanks."

• "Are you serious?"

• "Absolutely not!"

[Alice]: "Are you serious?"
Edgar: "Of course I am. Why don't you believe me?"
[Alice]: "I'm with the Black Army."
Black Soldier: "That's right, and we'll never hand [Alice] over to you!"
Edgar: "Is that so? Okay then--"
Edgar reached for the sword at his hip.
(Wait, I thought this was a neutral zone!)
He drew his blade in one, smooth movement as graceful as a butterfly.
Edgar: "You leave me no choice. I'll just have to kill you and take her by force."
Black Soldier: "Kill--"
Edgar: "Yes, I was ordered not to kill Alice. But enemy soldiers are fair game."
(I can't believe what he's saying!"
(But I don't think he's bluffing.)
His sword was already poised to attack.
Black Soldier: "As if you could kill me! I'd like to see you try!"
As my bodyguard prepared to fight, I stepped in.
[Alice]: "Stop this, right now!"
(I don't know much about sword fighting,)
(but even I can tell this guy is incredibly strong just by looking at him.)
(I won't let anyone get hurt on my behalf.)
[Alice]: "Fine, I'll go with you to the Red Army."
[Alice]: "Just leave this man alone."
Black Soldier: "[Alice], don't!"
Edgar: "That's more like it."
Edgar: "I'm glad you've come to your senses."
After sheathing his sword, Edgar put his arm around my waist and led me to his waiting horse.
Black Soldier: "Stop!"
[Alice]: "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Offering reassuring words, I pleaded with my eyes for the soldier to stand down and save himself.
Edgar: "Shall we be off?"
With a tug of the reins, Edgar got the horse moving.
I could hear the soldier promising to come rescue me as we sped away.

5/5

I held fast to the pommel as we rode through the Central Quarter and crossed the Red Bridge.
The Red Army barracks loomed into view.
(How did I end up back here so soon?)
Imagining what might be in store for me there left my mouth as dry as cotton.
Edgar: "[Alice], we're here."
Edgar: "He's waiting for you in his office."
We walked down a long corridor until we reached a heavy, wooden door.
Edgar: "I'm back."
He pushed the door open slowly, almost deferentially.
Jonah: "Took you long enough."
[Alice]: "You're-- Jonah."
An amused smile touched Jonah's porcelain features when he saw me.
Jonah: "You remember me, do you?"
[Alice]: "How could I forget the guy who put me in cuffs when we first met?"
Jonah: "I'm honored you hold me in such high regard."
[Alice]: "Are you the one who ordered me brought here?"
Edgar: "No, not him."
Edgar: "The one who wanted to see you is right over there."
Jonah stepped to the side to reveal the culprit.
Lancelot: "..."
I recognized the man frowning down from his cushy chair.
(I keep running into the same people.)
*flashback*
Lancelot: "Silence!"
Red Soldiers: "Bow down to the King of Hearts, Lancelot! May glory run crimson through our veins!"
Lancelot: "May glory run crimson through our veins."
*flashback ends*
He rose from his seat and reached me in three strides.
Catching my left hand, he pulled me closer.
The heat from his tight grasp was so strong I though it might burn me.
Lancelot: "We meet again, Alice."
[Alice]: "King Lancelot?"
(So, he's the one.)
Lancelot: "I was the one who ordered you brought before me."
His eyes seemed to stare into my soul,
as if he could read my every thought and feeling.
I felt entranced, like a mouse caught in the hypnotizing gaze of a snake.
[Alice]: "Why did you bring me here?"
I forced myself to speak, careful not to let my voice shake.
Lancelot: "Because I want you under constant survelliance."
[Alice]: "Are you saying I'm your prisoner?"
Lancelot: "Yes."
Lancelot: "You cannot escape my grasp."
Lancelot: "Not before the night of the full moon."

1/5

Lancelot: "You cannot escape my grasp."
Lancelot: "Not before the night of the full moon."
When he grabbed my hand and spoke, everything seemed to go dark for a moment.
[Alice]: "You want me under survelliance? Why?"
Jonah: "Could you not make King Lancelot explain something so obvious?"
Edgar: "Take it down a notch, Queen. You don't need to be so rude."
Edgar: "Basically--"
Edgar: "It would be quite inconvient for us if you were on our enemy's side."
He kept his tone calm, but there as an undeniably sharp edge to his words.
Edgar: "If the Black Army had your power to deflect magic spells--"
Edgar: "Well now, that would make our attacks futile."
Lancelot: "Indeed."
(I see what they're thinking now.)
I remembered the magic Lancelot cast as his eyes burned crimson.
Jonah: "So, all we need is for you to stay here. And don't try anything funny."
(This is starting to sound familiar.)
*flashback
[Alice]: "Are you sure it's okay for an outsider to live with you? I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble."
Ray: "Let's cut a deal, [Alice], that will help both of us survive in this world."
[Alice]: "What kind of deal?"
Ray: "Your ability to deflect magic is just what we need."
Ray: "If you promise to help us when we need you, I promise we'll keep you safe."
*flashback ends*
(I already made a deal with Ray and the Black Army.)
[Alice]: "I don't want to get involved in your war."
[Alice]: "All I want to do is protect the people in the Black Army."
Lancelot's grip on my hand grew even tighter.
Lancelot: "I despise such manipulative words."
[Alice]: "I'm not trying to--"
Lancelot: "Your very desire to protect the Black Army is a hinderance to our cause."
He let go of my hand, but his eyes held an unreadable expression.
Lancelot: "We will take that strange power out of the equation. You will stay here without using it."
Lancelot: "Do that, and you will be returned, unharmed, to your world on the night of the full moon."
Jonah: "[Alice], do you realize the concession he's made?"
[Alice]: "Concession? I didn't even realize this was a negotiation."

2/5

[Alice]: "Concession? I didn't even realize this was a negotiation."
Jonah: "Think about it."
Jonah: "If we wanted to, we could collar you and use you as a tool."
(They want to make me into a tool?)

• "Don't say that!"

• "I'm not a tool!"

• "You'll never 'collar' me!"

[Alice]: "You'll never 'collar' me!"
Jonah: "I like the defiance in your eyes-- makes me wish I got to subdue you."
Edgar smiled blithely while Jonah called me a tool.
And then there was the King of Hearts.
I was lost in enemy territory without a friendly face in sight.
Lancelot: "That is my ruling."
Lancelot: "I will not allow you to say no."
He had the power to rule the world-- that's what the tone of his voice suggested.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Edgar: "What is it? Oh, I see."
After conversing with the person at the door, Edgar turned back to us.
Edgar: "It seems that lunch is served."
Lancelot: "Get Alice some food."
Lancelot settled back into his chair, refusing to look at me again.
Lancelot: "We can't let you starve before the next full moon."
Lancelot: "We will use her to intimidate the Black Army. No one will do her any harm!"
Footman: "Y-Yes, Your Majesty!"
Edgar: "I'm sure I'll see you soon, [Alice]."
Lancelot waited until [Alice] had left his office to speak again.
Lancelot: "What did you do to Alice's escort?"
Edgar: "[Alice] agreed to come quietly if I let him live, so I did."
Edgar: "The way she stepped in to protect him was quiet impressive."
Edgar: "People who are good at making snap decisions like that are in short supply."
Jonah: "What were you thinking, letting him escape?"
Jonah: "Now the Blacks will know you're the one who took her, Edgar."
Edgar: "They were bound to find out eventually."
Edgar: "And they won't do anything foolish as long as we have Alice."
Edgar reached for a quill sitting on the desk.
Edgar: "It's laughable how precious [Alice]'s become to the Black Army in so short a time."
Jonah's handsome face was marred by a sneer as Edgar unconcernedly ran his finger over the quill.
Lancelot: "Noted. Go ahead and get some rest now. Both of you."
Both: "Yes, King!"
Lancelot stared up at the ceiling as the sound of the men's footsteps faded away.
His expression was unreadable, but he was clearly lose in thought,
since the reflection in his eyes seemed to waver ever so slightly.

??
*location jump to the Red Army dining room*
Footman: "Please, have a seat."
I was led to a large dining room with a long table and quite a few chairs.
The food on this table looked every bit as delicious as the Black Army's banquet fare.
Footman: "I'll leave you to enjoy your meal."
The footman seemed nervous for some reason as he left the room.
The mouth-watering scent of the food sitting before me brought on a flash of memory.
*flashback*
Luka: "Sit down, Seth. The food's getting cold."
Ray: "Ah, yes, the first rule of the Black Army-- eat your meat while it's hot."
Seth: "Why I never! Ray, you can't just make rules up on the spot?"
Fenrir: "What's all that about being a beautiful flower anyway?"
Fenrir: "You're just as messy as the rest of us."
*flashback ends*
(This just doesn't feel right.)
The food looked and smelled wonderful, but I had no appitite.
Just then, the sound of footsteps interrupted my thoughts.
Kyle: "I finally feel up to eating."
Zero: "Did you stay up late drinking again?"
Kyle: "No, Zero. I stayed up ALL night drinking."
(Oh look, two more familiar faces.)
*flashback*
Zero: "I am the Ace of Hearts, Zero. Our queen, Jonah, wishes to meet you."
Kyle: "And I'm the 7 of Hearts, Kyle. Nice to meet you."
*flashback ends*
The two handsome young men froze when they saw me.
Kyle: "Hm? [Alice]?"
Surprise was evident in Kyle's voice, but the other one, Zero, just stared at me silently.
Kyle: "What brings you to our humble abode?"
[Alice]: "Um, it's kind of a long story."
Still not saying a word, Zero stepped closer.
His sky blue eyes grew increasingly intense,
as he knelt down next to me.
Zero: "Someone took you and brought you here?"

4/5

Zero: "Someone took you and brought you here?"
Zero: "Don't be afraid. We won't do anything to harm you."
Zero seemed to have sensed my unease and did his best to reassure me.
[Alice]: "Zero, right? That's nice of you to say."
Kyle: "He's right. Putting you in danger wouldn't be good for any of us."
Kyle: "I'm the only doctor around here and I'd rather not have to deal with any extra patients."
Kyle let out a big yawn and cracked his neck.
Kyle: "More work more problems, ya know?"
Kyle hadn't changed a bit since the first time I met him, which was somewhat comforting.
(Blanc did say he trusted these two, so I suppose I can too.)
[Alice]: "King Lancelot ordered me brought here."
[Alice]: "He said he wants to keep me under his survelliance until the next full moon."
Zero: "Is that right?"
Kyle: "I had a feeling he'd pull something like this."
Kyle: "Whether you like it or not, you're a big player in this war now."
[Alice]: "How can I play such a big role? I'm not even from here."
Kyle: "And yet you could spell the difference between victory and defeat for our army."
Kyle: "Not that it matters to me either way. There'll always be work for a doctor."
Kyle plopped down next to me and scooped a heaping pile of mashed potatoes onto a plate.
(Whoa, he must be starving.)
He set the plate down in front of me and pushed a fork into my hand.
Kyle: "You need to eat."
[Alice]: "I'm really not hungry--"
Kyle: "If you faint and I have to nurse you back to health, I'm going to be really annoyed."
Zero: "Kyle, don't force her. She's our guest, remember?"
Kyle: "Huh? Was I being too pushy again?"
With a shrug, Kyle took a big bite of the mashed potatoes
Zero: "Not hungry, huh? That's okay. You can just eat when you feel like it."
[Alice]: "Thanks."
Zero: "Will you do me one favor, though?"
[Alice]: "Depends. What is it?"
Zero: "I want you to think of Kyle and me as your friends."
Zero: "I promise we'll never hurt you."
Kyle: "Yeah, I promise-- ugh-- think I'm gonna be sick again--"
Zero: "Pay no attention to Kyle. He gets like this when he's hungover--which is most of the time."
A strained smile touched Zero's lips as he glanced at his friend.
I felt myself start to smile as well. It felt good to have some allies here.
[Alice]: "Thank you, Zero, Kyle."
Zero: "Don't mention it."

5/5

As night fell,
I was led to the room where I'd be staying.
(They told me this was a 'speical room,' but it just feels like a prison cell to me.)
*flashback*
Jonah: "Here's your room."
Jonah: "Make yourself at home."
Jonah: "Oh, and don't even bother trying to escape."
Jonah: "We'll have guards posted at your door day and night."
Jonah: "Peopel with no real standing like you don't usually get such a special room. Consider yourself lucky."
*flashback ends*
It was an all around normal looking room-- nothing too fancy nor too dismal.
(I couldn't care less where they have me sleeping, though.)
Clenching my fists in frustration,
I thought about how worried the Black Army must be right now.
(I didn't want to cause problems for anybody, but it looks like that's gone out the window.)
(Speaking of windows--)
(Maybe I can escape that way!)
(Thanks for the hospitality, Zero and Kyle, but I'm outta here!)
I pulled back the curtains and lifted the sash, ready to make a run for it.
[Alice]: "Whoa, I'm really high up--"
A wave of vertigo hit me as I leaned my head out the window.
I never realized how high up three stories was until I considered jumping from this height.
(I won't escape a fall liek that unharmed. Maybe if I rip up the curtains and make a rope?)
A sudden gust of wind came through the window.
As I tried to smooth out my ruffled hair, a voice made me jump.
Lancelot: "Contempating escape?"
[Alice]: "Who's there?"
I spun around to face an open door I hadn't noticed before.
And there was Lancelot, standing in the doorway.
I glimpsed a large, luxourious room beyond.
(Wait, is this room connected to Lancelot's personal quarters?)
(That's why Jonah called this room special.)
Lancelot strode inside and took hold of my wrists.
[Alice]: "What are you doing?"
He pushed me onto the bed, holding me in place.
[Alice]: "King Lancelot? Explain yourself?"
Lancelot: "Go on, why aren't you escaping?"

1/5

(Wait, is this room connected to Lancelot's personal quarters?)
(That's why Jonah called this room special.)
Lancelot strode inside and took hold of my wrists.
[Alice]: "What are you doing?"
He pushed me onto the bed, holding me in place.
[Alice]: "King Lancelot? Explain yourself?"
Lancelot: "Go on, why aren't you escaping?"
The bed squeaked as he sat on the edge next to me.
He kept my hands pinned above my head with an iron grip and there was no chance I could wriggle free.
(He's trying to intimidate me, but I won't back down.)
[Alice]: "Let me leave."
Lancelot: "Pardon?"
[Alice]: "The Black Army must be worried sick about me."
[Alice]: "I don't belong here."
His eyes grew colder as he stared down at me.
Lancelot: "How can you put so much trust in the Black Army?"
Lancelot: "You have no idea what they're really like."
[Alice]: "Then why don't you explain it to me?"
Lancelot: "The Black Army is nothing but a bunch of cold-blodded murderers."
I wasn't about to blindly trust his words, but they did throw me for a loop.
[Alice]: "What do you mean?"
Lancelot: "On the night of the full moon, rightg before you arrived--"
Lancelot: "We declared war on them for that very reason."
(I don't believe it.)
(Blanc never mentioned murder!)
*flashback*
[Alice]: "Cradle must be a peaceful place if all your bureaucratic business gets taken care of at a garden tea party."
Blanc: "Cradle's about as far from peaceful as you can get. Conflict between the Red and Black armies has been raging on for over 500 years now."
[Alice]: "How are they able to run the country when neither side gets along?"
Blanc: "Well, the thing is, they decided to go to war at tonight's council."
Blanc: "I was running late for tonight's council since I had some business to attend to in your world."
Blanc: "It was during my bried absence that the two sides delcared war. I was just as surprised as you are now."
*flashback ends*
(He's the official record keeper, so he should know!)
I refuse to believe that what Blanc has told me was a lie.
[Alice]: "I thought the declaration of war was made because of the last 500 years of conflict."
Lancelot: "Why would we randomly start a war now if we haven't for 500 years?"
Lancelot: "The rift that split our country in two came about because we have different definitions of peace."
[Alice]: "So then, why now?"
[Alice]: "You're saying the Black Army murdered someone and that triggered this war?"
Lancelot: "Correct."
Lancelot: "Someone from from the Black took the previous King of Hearts' life."
[Alice]: "The previous king? Was he your--"
Lancelot: "Yes."
Lancelot's voice was completely monotone.
Lancelot: "He was my father."

2/5

(The Black army killed Lancelot's father? If that's true, he does have good reason to be upset.)
[Alice]: "But who would do such a thing?"
Lancelot: "I don't know."
Lancelot: "All I saw was my father's corpse on the Black Bridge."

• "You're sure it was him?"

• "That can't be!"

• "I don't believe it!"

[Alice]: "That can't be true!"
Lancelot: "How do you know?"
[Alice]: "I'm sorry about your father, but the Black Army wouldn't do something like that."
Lancelot: "How can you be so sure?"
[Alice]: "I-- uh--"
I just had a feeling,
but the stony look in his eyes told me feelings alone would not be enough to convince Lancelot.
[Alice]: "If what you say is true--"
[Alice]: "That means you started a war just to get revenge for your father?"
Lancelot: "I wouldn't involve my entire army in such a petty desire."
[Alice]: "Then why do it?"
Lancelot: "If we win this war, I will gain control of the world."
[Alice]: "And that's what you want?"
Lancelot: "Yes, a world ruled by the Red."
Lancelot: "I want to look down on this world from the very top."
I couldn't believe what he was saying.
Lancelot: "The old king's death was just an excuse to move forward."
Lancelot: "At least his death means something now."
(How can he be that cavalier about his father's death?)
His harsh words combined with his icy eyes and cruel smile had me reeling.
(He seems as cold and emotionless as a statue.)
(Can anyone really be this closed off?)
It was like he stood high above the world on a lonely pedestal, unable to understand other human beings.
His unreadable nature made me feel afraid, but also sad for him.
[Alice]: "I don't understand how you can think like that."
[Alice]: "And I don't want to."
Lancelot: "So?"
His hands tightened around my wrists.
Lancelot: "Don't be so conceited. I'm not asking you to understand."
[Alice]: "Conceited?"
Lancelot: "You could never understand me even if you tried."
Lancelot: "We are from completely different worlds."

3/5

His piercing gaze highlighted the distance between us.
Lancelot: "Just worry about getting back to your own world in one piece."
[Alice]: "In other words, sit here and wait for the full moon?"
Lancelot: "So you DO understand."
His glare sharpening,
he leaned down until our lips were nearly touching.
Lancelot: "Yes, don't struggle against my grasp."
Lancelot: "From the top of your hear to the tips of your toes-- you belong to me now."
I turned my face away as his breath tickled my lips.
[Alice]: "That's enough. Let go of me."
Ignoring my demand, he only gripped me tighter.
Lancelot: "You'd do well to remember this."
Lancelot: "If you get in my way, I will show you no mercy. Understand, Alice?"
[Alice]: "Fine. Just let go."
When I felt his grip loosen, I yanked my arms away defiantly.