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Ven was feeling a bit uncomfortable when this stranger he had no idea who he was, that sounded crazy was touching him. He moved a bit back so he would stop touching his face. "Oh my, I bet the funeral was very beautiful". he said with a little smile, but very little. " But who was the man who did it? How did he die?” Ven is very curious when it comes to stories like this. The more people he knows, the more he can watch himself in the world.

Ace of clubs smirked as she grabbed the Jack of clubs hand, little by little, her usual self gained more power as the pain died and her mind became clear "scars?" she said almost to herself, studying the wounds carefully, they looked so recent and painful "this is not normal, Sir... what are you?" she asked not looking up from the jack of clubs hand, prudence and discretion not on her mental dictionary yet, she started to run a finger from one of the 'scars' to the silky cold flesh, it didn't feel like flesh at all.

"A fire" nobody stated simply, looking in the general direction of where the castle was, surely they needed to cut the heads but they would need to deal with dozens of suits before getting to the jacks, and that would be troublesome, specially now that they where at a disadvantage, so getting rid of the canon meat once and for all wouldn't be that bad, they could not replace the emptied places fast enough after all.

Lewis snickered at Ven's response to his actions. He placed a fingernail to his chin, gazing upward. "His name . . . his name . . . ah yes! Vendette! His name was Vendette! Just like your name, Ven."



"My scars aren't normal?" he asked blankly, once again allowing the Ace of Clubs to examine his hand. He knew she was suspicious of him now, fully questioning who he was.

He knew that beneath his sleeve were more scars, and more scars resided all over the rest of his body, even the voids in his eye sockets could be considered scars.

Gestalt then recalled the facial reaction of the Ace of Hearts when he saw his black blood. The Ten of Hearts had recognized his blood as doll fluid, informing both the Ace of Hearts and the White King of what he really was. Now, another Suit was becoming more aware of who he was.

"I'm more than what you think I am," he murmured, leaving his wrist in her hand.



Victor gasped lightly, but soon smirked crookedly. Fire, a scare tactic and a way of killing off dozens of Suits at once. He did his best to resist his manic laughter.

"Perfect," he said, beaming at Nobody. "Just perfect!"

Lewis couldn't help but stare at Ven in his attack stance with a wide grin. He turned himself so that he faced Ven, his smile becoming a wide grin. "Well then, you saw beneath my hat and bangs," he chuckled, "You saw the hideous form of my left eye."

Laughing once more, Lewis rested his arm on the counter, still eying Ven with his usual grin. "Vendette was a horrible man, Mr. Ven," Lewis said teasingly, "I know more about the Suits than you can ever wish to know. Young man, Vendette was a liar, a cheater, a trickster,a thief. He cheated his way through the Suits, stealing a valuable item from them, and fled. Once a member of the Royal Guard, always a member of the Royal Guard. I suppose the Knave of Hearts just couldn't grasp that. The poor sap . . ." Lewis laughed loudly and maniacally.

"Go ahead, cut me," Lewis said nonchalantly, "I've stared death in the eyes, witnessed death, and see death's results every day. I am an undertaker after all and don't fear death, having to deal with it every day of my life."

Lewis scanned Ven, his smile becoming more sinister. "I knew you were familiar," he chuckled, "Those green eyes, those narrow green eyes, and that hair color, even that smug expression on your face. You must be a child of Vendette. I suppose the Suits didn't finish their work. They were supposed to annihilate your whole family, but they made one mistake: you. The son of the Knave of Hearts, the thief of the castle, the one who crippled me, oh this is rich!"

Ven just froze in disbelieve and couldn't believe what was being said to him. He just wanted to kill him so bad right now, but something told him that he shouldn't until he got more answers. "So your the one who killed my family, my baby sister?!!" He moved a bit closer with his blade pointing at him. Sweat coming down his face, the blade was shaking as he griped it with his hands, not knowing what to do, not knowing the feelings that were going on in this body. "Tell me your name, I want to know so that when I kill you along with the soldiers and to ANYONE ELSE in this wrong doing I will tell them, blame your death on you..."

"Dear me," Lewis sighed, noticing the tea shop owner's facial expression and picking up on her words.

"I am not the one who killed your family, foolish boy," he chuckled, "But if you must know, my name is Lewis Liddell . . . I know who murdered your family, and your father . . . the Knave of Hearts, was a horrible, horrible man."

Laughing teasingly, he grabbed the bill that the woman set down and gently pushed Ven's blade away with a fingernail.

"Forgive me, miss . . . hare," Lewis said, scanning the woman that stood before him. "I seemed to have upset this young man here. I suppose I will look elsewhere for a tea set."

He handed the woman his crumpled money with a smile, bowing slightly for her.

"Ta-taa, son of Vendette!"

Lewis cackled maniacally, limping out of the tea shop.



The Ace of Clubs was sharp, even in her foggy mental state. Gestalt now knew that her suspicions became reality. She seemed as thought she almost knew exactly what he was.

"I am beyond help, Ace of Clubs," Gestalt said, meaning exactly what he said. "I cannot be fixed, certainly not by traditional medical practices."

As smart as the Ace of Clubs was, Gestalt knew that would pose a problem to the Suits. One as smart as her saw almost anything and probably knew exactly what was wrong with the Jack of Diamonds.



"Looking Glass by the Midnight Express," Victor said with a smirk, stepping out of the carriage. "I will see you there. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Victor placed a hand to his breast, bowing for the White King.

Marcie took the money while still smiling politely, she gave a heavy sight as she saw lewis walk out the door and only then she lowered her own weapon, the sword returning to it's miniature size after a second "I'm sorry kid, you can kill anyone you like but don't affect third parties by doing so" she said pointing at Matt and Ashle at her back "oh, and you are paying for that chair" Marcie said pointing at the split chair and looking at Ven with cold eyes, who was this person? she didn't particularly liked Lewis but this Ven person was going to get himself killed if someone didn't smack a good dose of common sense in to his skull, you didn't mess with someone that had ties to the higher ups and the underworld at the same time, unless, of course, that you where eager to meet death.


Ace of clubs didn't avert her gaze form the jack of club's hand, just what exactly was he? she didn't know and didn't care, he was injures and she needed to cure him, as far as she was concerned that was all that mattered "But you can be 'fixed' non the less" she said noticing the choice of words that the jack of clubs had used, he had said 'fix' as in an object, she couldn't be sure of what he was but she had a pretty good idea by now.

Ace of clubs held Jack of clubs hand gently, almost lovingly "I will find a way to fix you, i promise" she said finally looking up with a genuine smile, bit's of before lost fact coming back to her head "You don't have to worry though, i won't let anyone know, I'm good at keeping secrets, and the jack of diamonds has nothing to worry about, i would rather kill myself than betray him" she added after the facts seted in but she jusk kept smiling, she would be needing to do a lot of reading on artificial life to know just what exactly was the jack of clubs, this was wonderland after all, and therebefore, everything was possible.


Nobody looked at victor with icy eyes "don't mention it to worthless people though" he warned before closing the door behind caterpillar, he did not wanted their plans to be ruined this time.

when the door was closed and the carriage started to move again nobody let out a small sigh, he trusted caterpillar, he just didn't want to make that trust too evident and be taken advantage of... even if he revolted, in the end he was a suit and the suits had some nasty tricks, the fact that the woman caterpillar seemed to have an interest beyond simple 'like' being among the suits' lines didn't help.

Gestalt kept his gaze on the Ace of Clubs. She was a genuinely honest person, so he trusted that she meant what she said. Also, suicide, to him, was also a better option than betraying the Jack of Diamonds. His master wouldn't hesitate to kill Gestalt if he betrayed Jack.

"Anything is indeed possible here," Gestalt replied, "Even beings such as myself, beings that bleed a color darker than yours, beings who operate only on logic, emotionless beings without an identity, without a soul, bound to one master until they die, to forever serve them, to accept any punishment from them no matter how severe. Yes, indeed anything is possible."



Victor stood, leaning against a wall. The Suits would be attacked that night. Finally, the resistance was in motion. He failed to resist a smirk, visualizing the Jack of Diamond's dead body covered with blood and bullet wounds.

He would have to round up his best resistors. Lucian Vendette, his personal favorite, would be coming to the gravedigger's home that day, as he had promised. With his swordsmanship, Ven would be a valuable asset to the resistance.

Still, Victor had one person left to see, one person to bid farewell to: Elizabeth, the Ace of Clubs.

It would be risky, but somehow, he would have to sneak inside the castle just to say goodbye to her, head to the Looking Glass to meet Nobody and the resistance, and set the castle ablaze.

"Walrus," Victor said, walking into the home, "The time has come, dear Walrus friend . . . . I'm leaving you a list of the resistors I want with me for tonight. We are attacking the castle tonight and I want the resistors I request to accompany me."



Lewis may have walked with a limp, but he walked merrily down the crooked path of Wonderland. His meeting with the young Vendette boy had certainly evoked many emotions and memories, particularly of his last encounter with Ven's father, the Knave of Hearts.

"The boy intends to fight the Suits," he whispered to himself, grinning and laughing maniacally. "What a fool!" he shouted, rather amused.


Lewis placed the coffin he carried to the ground, the weight of the coffin wearing him down. It wasn't a hollow coffin, after all. There was a dead body inside.

The undertaker had come to the infamous gravedigger's house. It was routine for Lewis, to deliver the bodies he retrieved to the gravedigger to give them a burial.

He sensed movement, however. Movement in the bushes caused him to peer over his shoulders. Lewis couldn't resist a smile when he noticed a familiar face who's head was concealed by a hood. Dirty blond hair stuck out and he caught a glimpse of narrow green eyes.

"Come on out of there!" Lewis shouted playfully, "I know you're in there . . . Knave of Hearts!"

Lewis noticed the fear and reluctance on the man's face as he stepped out from behind a tree holding a stubby package in his arms.

Lewis grinned, "I always knew you would be trouble, Vendette," he chuckled, "The Jack of Diamonds could see it on you, the lust in your eyes when you would gaze at the 'Tarts'. Is that what this is all about?"

The Knave narrowed his eyes, gripping tighter on the package he held. "Shut your crooked mouth, undertaker," the Knave spat, eying Lewis with disgust. "You are such a pest, being the pet of the Jack of Diamonds. I hate you and hate all of them."

"Well, that was always quite obvious," Lewis laughed, "You were always so full of resentment. Now, look at you, sinking low enough to steal the Queen's 'Tarts'. Tell me, Vendette, do you think they are worth leaving the Royal Guard?"

Vendette pursed his lips, his fingers gripping the package in his arms as if his life depended on it. "The Tarts have nothing to do with me leaving the Royal Guard, you idiot," he hissed, moving the wrapping on his package down a little bit. In his arms was a ruby red jewel the size of a fist surrounded by a ring of gold encrusted in diamonds. "Money keeps the world running, Liddell."

Lewis let out a hearty laugh smiling smugly at the Knave of Hearts. "Money, so that's what this is all about? Hatred and money? You stole the Tart to sell it? You are pathetic, Knave, you know that? You always have been."

"Shut up! What would you know about living an enriching life?" the Knave shouted, eying Lewis with disgust. "You play with the dead every day and you're telling me that I'm pathetic?"

"It's something I take joy in," Lewis said cheerily, "You, however, had a position in the castle and you decided to abuse that position to steal the Tart. Like I said, the Jacks always knew you were trouble."

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Vendette gritted his teeth, pointing a finger at Lewis. "You, you stupid undertaker, you know exactly what's going on in that organization. You know how corrupt we really are. You should know fully well why I left! I've had it! I've had it with being a servant to the Queen! I want to be free! I want to live my own life! I want a family!"

" 'I want, I want I want', that's all you've been saying," Lewis sighed, shaking his head, "You're a selfish bloke and a traitor. Now, I know what you're up to, Knave of Hearts, Mr. Vendette." Lewis reached into his jacket, withdrawing two daggers. "I suppose I'll just have to stop you." He lifted his hands with a grin, his sleeves falling to his elbows and revealing his pale, bony wrists wrapped in tight black sleeves.

"Oh, a fight with the undertaker?" Vendette placed the Tart in his coat. "I guess I'll have to. Still, you picked a fight with the wrong person." The Knave withdrew his sword from the holder strapped to his back. "Daggers versus a sword. Heh, this should be interesting."

The Knave glared at Lewis as Lewis grinned in a sinister manner at Vendette. After a few silent seconds, Vendette quickly charged after Lewis, swinging his sword at the undertaker who immediately blocked with a dagger. Lewis' smile never left his face, and he snickered at the reaction of the Knave.

Vendette pushed his sword with all his might, but could not fight the force of Lewis' block. Lewis used his other hand to attempt an attack Vendette, but Vendette sensed his movement and began to use his sword to block the zipping attacks of Lewis.

The men's weapons clashed quickly and swiftly as they dodged each other's attacks. Dust flew and blood splattered as they only managed to scrape each other. Vendette had left a scar going down Lewis' lips and Lewis left a series of cuts on the Knave's hands and cheek.

Eventually, Lewis knocked the sword from the Knave's grip, sending it flying and sticking itself in the distant dirt. Without his weapon, he was open for any of Lewis' attacks and Lewis used that to his advantage, cutting the Knave in multiple spots and knocking him to his knees.

"You've lost, Knave of Hearts," Lewis laughed, pointing his dagger's tip at Vendette's face. "I won't kill you; I want the Jacks to arrange you a lovely execution. A fool like you deserves to hear 'OFF WITH HIS HEAD' before you die."

The undertaker laughed maniacally, turning a heel. "The Jack of Diamonds is sure to know about this."

Vendette took in a shaky gasp, getting to his feet with a stagger. "I'll show you," he muttered, reaching for a shovel stuck in a pile of dirt and withdrew it. "I'll show you!"

Lewis turned his head, but reacted too late, as Vendette hit Lewis forcefully with the shovel, sending Lewis to the ground. His hat landed a considerable distance from the undertaker.

Vendette tightened his grip on the shovel's handle, nearing Lewis with malice in his eyes. "You're a nuisance!" he yelled, kicking Lewis' daggers away from him. "I can't have you spoil my plans!" Vendette lifted the shovel, hitting Lewis in multiple spots on his body and earning pained screams from Lewis with every hit.

"You b*****d, Lewis!" Vendette screamed, the shovel's tip cutting Lewis on the mouth and nose, "You won't ruin MY dreams!"

Blood began to splatter from Lewis' body, splashing all about as Vendette hit him on the head and slashed his limbs. Growling in anger, Vendette began hitting Lewis on the pelvis and legs, a series of cracking noises following each hit and earning Vendette more pained screams from Lewis. Blood began to soak Lewis' pant leg, as more cracking noises followed the hits to his leg.

The orange sky cast long shadows on the environment as Vendette stood panting out of breath with the blood-covered shovel at hand. Blood leaked from Lewis' head, forming a large puddle of crimson. The undertaker was cut all over his face and his limbs were immobilized. Lewis whined and screamed, scratching at the dirt and trembling.

Vendette made his way swiftly to Lewis, picking him up by the bangs. He instantly froze over with disgust at the sight of Lewis' left eye. The skin that surrounded his eye was wrinkled as if thin veins were sticking out and the lid of his eye seemed to be stuck partially closed.

"You disfigured freak," the Knave spat, shoving the undertaker's bleeding head back into the puddle of blood. "It looks like your family didn't love you enough to get that fixed.

Vendette stood, gazing at Lewis with malice. "You're better off playing with the dead in the underworld," he said malevolently, lifting the shovel once more and hitting Lewis once again on the leg. Lewis shrieked again after his leg cracked once more.

"I'll live my life while you join the dead," Vendette said, lifting the shovel. "Farewell, Lewis Liddell." He swung the shovel to contact Lewis' head, earning a moan of pain from the undertaker.

The Knave of Hearts snickered, tossing the shovel aside and headed to his sword. He withdrew his weapon from the dirt and walked towards the sunset, not looking back at the mess he had created.

Lewis tightened his lips as he watched the figure of the Knave of Hearts become more distant. When his body became nothing but a dot in the distance, Lewis screamed as loud as his throat would allow. He screamed in pain and in hopes that the gravedigger or someone else would find him.

((Heh heh . . . long bloody post.))