Methods of Amusement

~Chapter Five~

Suit of Hearts

"What are you doing here?"

"Well," I begin with huff. "I was kidnapped."

The hare raises his eyebrows. "'Kidnapped'? By who?"

"Tweedles." is all I say to explain. The hare nods in understanding. "I made a bet with them the first time I met them so they would let me go. I said I'd play with them if they could catch me the next time they saw me."

I huff grumpily. "I didn't know they could switch forms. They cheated."

The hare nods, satisfied with my explanation. He turns to the twins, an irritated look on his face. "And what exactly were you two doing shirking work in the first place?"

"We were bored." Dum whines, keeping true to his childish nature.

"And no one was trying to trespass so we didn't get to kill anyone." Dee joins his brother in the childish charade

"That's no excuse!" the hare exclaims, exasperated. "I'm docking your pay!"

"Stupid hare!" both kids cry. "You're such a jerk!"

I have to hold back a laugh. They sound so funny when they try and insult someone!

"What, you don't want me to dock your pay? Then get back to work!"

"Stupid rabbit!"

"Newbie hare!"

Once both boys are safely around the corner I start laughing. Their insults are so babyish! "That was good! You really know how to manage two axe-happy kids!" I complement the hare, shooting him a grin.

His posture visibly relaxes, and it's now I notice just how big he is. He's really tall! And not just that, he's not lanky like most tall guys are. No, he's well built, if I do say so myself.

The hare flushes the slightest bit and returns the grin a little. I can see that although his posture relaxed he's still tensed that little bit, showing me that he doesn't trust me entirely just yet. I catch him as he eyes me suspiciously, making him flush a little. Man, he needs to work on being more subtle.

"Doubting that I'm really a foreigner?" I raise an eyebrow, chuckling as I hit the nail right on the head and he looks taken aback. "People from here don't have hearts, do they? They have clocks. Julius explained it to me. If it'll ensure that you don't blow my brains out with that gun of yours, I'm willing to prove I have a heart."

His eyes narrow at me a second before he complies. "How?" he asks expectantly, thinking he's got me into a corner if I really am lying. Which I'm not.

Ah... but how to prove I have a heart? I can't exactly carve it out of my chest and present it on a silver platter.

With a sigh, I go along with the most modest way I could think of. I hold out my arm. "Your hand, if you will."

He warily places it in my awaiting hand, and I bring it towards me palm first, trying not to flush. I place it on my chest, just under my collar bone and above my boobs but so that the beating of my heart can be felt. I hold back a laugh and a blush as the hare's eyes widen and he himself blushes, my heart thrumming against his palm. He takes it away slowly after I relinquish my hold, nodding in acknowledgement. I shoot him a grin to break the awkwardness.

"See, I told you I was a foreigner." I say cheerfully, placing my hands on my hips and rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet.

He grins, face an adorable shade of red. "Yes." he says, embarrassed. He quickly recovers."I'm Elliot March, by the way, the March Hare."

I shake hands with his extended one. "I'm Shiki." I say, slightly pooped that I don't have a title to proudly tack onto the end of that. "It's nice to meet you. And holy crap thank you so much for saving my butt just before."

I shall make one! I shall make a title for myself. This has now become my goal for as long as I am here.

"You're welcome." Elliot grins. I return it, when my stomach suddenly decides to demonstrate a whale's mating call. Honestly, it's my stomach, you'd think it'd have more tact and decorum.

"Hungry?" he asks smugly, already knowing the answer. I resist the slight urge to whack him.

"Yup. But me and Boris were gonna grab some food before I was kidnapped, so we'll just continue with our plans once I get back to the Amusement Park." I say, holding my hands up as if to say 'no need to feed me'.

Okay, I know I basically demanded food from the twins, but that's different. They annoyed me by abducting me, and the price for annoying me is meeting my demands and needs as they come. At that moment in time, I needed food. It's also probably due to the fact that the food would be coming at their expense, and being the spiteful little turd I am that brings me some sort of satisfaction. So you see, it's all about circumstances.

"Oh, we just had some extra sweets and such made by the cooks, so feel free to have as much as you need." Elliot invites openly, rubbing the back of his neck with a grin and faint blush. Wow, he blushes really easily, and did I just hear right...?

Was that... an open invitation?

I... I think it was.

Sweet mama and all things holy~!

"Oh, I don't know... I really have to get back..." I say backing away a little, but my willpower is dwindling. I must make an exit, otherwise I'll break!

"Come on, it won't take that long, and you can take some for the road."

I... m-must... r...res...resist...

That's it, I'm done! My willpower has been depleted, prepare your kitchen Mr. Hare!

"... I suppose I could, if it doesn't trouble you too much." I reply, accepting the fact that I simply cannot resist the temptation of sweets. Honestly, do I have no resolve or self control at all?

Elliot lights up. "Excellent, follow me!"

I comply, amazed that this tall hare has managed to unintentionally locate my weak spot so quickly. Dayum, I'm losing my touch.

oOo

"Ohmygosh, I'm so full!" I groan in absolute satisfaction and bliss, rubbing my stomach nostalgically. Those... those were some quality sweets. They were all carrot-oriented, but oh my they were fine.

"It hurts... but I want more." Elliot groans from next to me. The gates to the amusement park come into view and I adjust the strap belonging to my bag of sweets.

I think it's safe to say that we ate too much. But I just couldn't stop! They were so delicious that before I knew it they were all gone, and then Elliot had the chefs make more...

And more...

And more...

And more...

And I don't even know how I am even walking right now, my stomach should be so full I look pregnant or something but each time I look down to check it remains as usual. Ah, who am I kidding? That stuff's going straight to my a—

"We're here." Elliot sighs, ears drooping a little to show his reluctance in letting me go. I see why; it's fun to spend time with Elliot, I mean, I get fed. What's not fun about that?! But no, that's not the only reason it's fun. Elliot seems to be one of the saner people of this place, if you disregard the carrot dish fetish that is. He felt the need to clarify that carrots and carrot dishes are not the same, and therefore it is not weird for him to hate carrots and yet love carrot dishes.

Yep, let's disregard that fetish and he's as sane as can be.

"Oh my, I thought it'd take longer considering the gained weight." I say, petting my belly lovingly. I regret nothing.

Elliot chuckles, a half smile tugging on his lips. "Aha, yeah..."

I speak before it gets awkward. "I'll come see you sometime soon, I don't think I got to try all the dishes there were." I shoot him a grin as I begin to enter the amusement park.

His ears perk up at that and a brilliant smile lights up his handsome face. "Really? Okay then, I'll look forward to it!"

I laugh at his cute reaction. "See ya, Elliot." I wave before turning and walking back into the amusement park. The current time is mid-morning, a stark change from the dusk there was before.

Once well inside, I begin my search for Boris. I search everywhere, and I mean everywhere, I could think of but he's nowhere to be found, not even the arcade. I huff after a fair while of searching, scratching my head. Well, I suppose I'll run into him some time, I might as well do something while I wait for him to turn up.

I get a brilliant idea, and with a smile on my face turn and dash off in the direction of the tattoo parlour he showed me earlier today. I want to look at some more of that artwork. It doesn't take me long to get there, and soon I am about ten metres from the door. I don't know what it is, but for some reason I look up at that moment.

And there the Cheshire Cat sits, sprawled on the roof of the store next to the tattoo parlour, sulking with a glum look on his face. Jeesh, you'd think someone had died or something— hey, what is he doing sitting around?! That jerk, I looked everywhere for him!

"Boris, you tart!" I cry loudly, annoyed that he was here the whole time, sulking no less!

Said cat looks up suddenly, alert with ears twitching. His golden gaze locks onto me and he sits up in a flash, a brilliant smile lighting up his face. "Shiki! You're back!"

I give a huff. "Why wouldn't I be back? I didn't exactly leave by choice— OOF!"

Boris collides into me, having leapt straight at me from his perch on top of the store roof. His strong arms wrap around me as we spin around and around before falling backwards— my backwards, that is. The ground meets my back a lot softer than I expected what with the gained momentum from the spinning, but it still hurts no less. That... that is going to bruise. Ugh, Boris you turd!

"Aha, you're alive! I was sure they were going to kill you, or at least seriously maim you, but I couldn't come after you because Gowland placed a restriction on me while he took his leave! Ah, Shiki I'm so happy!"

Entrapped within Boris' bone-crushing hug, I struggle to take in oxygen, my heart pounding from the strain, and shock of being knocked down. "Br...reathe! N-... need to... breathe!"

The cheeky cat releases me immediately, golden eyes wide. "Sorry!" he laughs sheepishly, jumping up and dragging me with him. "I'm just glad you're here to hug!"

I breathe laboriously, leaning forward with my hands on my knees as my lungs heave. Boris pats my back with a sheepish laugh. I suppose I can forgive him for hiding in a corner and not allowing me to find him since he was worried about me. Oh, it's just adorable.

I straighten suddenly, brushing myself off and giving him a smile. "Right." I say, linking my arm with his. "Let's go before someone else kidnaps me—"

The time suddenly changes to midnight, and in accordance the lights of the amusement park all flicker on simultaneously. Whoa, I didn't realise how long I was with Elliot for! I've figured out that there are roughly three to four times of day that randomly change and make up the day, and that once those are up roughly three to four different times of night randomly change and make up night. I'm so smart, even though I don't really understand my logic myself.

I groan as I realise I can't go back to the tower now. I consider myself able to walk alone in the dark, but no way in the fiery pits of hell will you ever catch me wandering around by myself at night in this world. There are just too many morbid and twisted ways to die, so much that it hurts me to think about them.

With another groan, I unconsciously blurt what I'm thinking. "Ugh, how am I supposed to get back to the Clock Tower now?"

"Does Julius need you for something?" Boris questions, looking slightly bummed at the thought.

"Huh?" I face him in confusion before I realise what he meant. "Oh, no, he doesn't. It's just 'cause that's where I'm staying, and all..."

"Oh, well then you can stay at my place!" Boris bursts with a bright smile, excitement basically pouring from him. He looks so hopeful, that even though the sensible part of me is telling me this is probably a bad idea I just can't refuse. God dammit heart why are you going soft on me now?

Ironic, really. I realise that in the end Boris will be getting what he wanted all along: me going to his place. Stupid cat.

"Uh, I dunno Boris..." I trail, despite the fact that this night is only going to go one way and it's not according to my wishes.

"Don't be silly!" Boris gushes eagerly, already dragging me along in a non-consensual fashion. "You're staying at my place and that's final!"

I did not give consent for this, if I didn't like Boris so much I'd sue him!

"Boris... Boris... BORIS!" my protests go on unheard as Boris practices his selective hearing and blabbers on about all the fun things we can do. I am dragged a little further before I submit myself and accept my fate.

"If there's really no choice can I at least get a piggyback?" I groan as I trip again for what has to be the fourth time. I'm kidding, I've tripped way more than four times.

Boris spins around with a bright grin. "Sure!" is all the warning I get before he catapults me onto his back. Don't ask how, just accept it.

"Wheeeeee!" I cry happily as Boris picks up the pace. Usually I'm too heavy for the people who try to give me piggybacks, so this is the most fun I've ever had while being given one.

The conversation is kept up easily throughout the whole way to Boris' little hidey hole (meaning Boris didn't hesitate to bombard me with all his fantastic ideas). I tried to listen but most of my limited attention span was taken up with the beautiful sight of the amusement park all lit up.

"Hold on tight, I'm gonna have to let go for a second!" Boris suddenly exclaims.

"Oka— WHAT?!" a small shriek escapes my mouth as Boris' hands disappear from my legs and as a result my grip on him tightens. I feel gravity try and take effect as Boris leaves the ground and begins climbing up something with finesse at an alarming speed. My body practically melds itself to his as he continues climbing. Is he climbing? I don't even know what's happening. I'm not even scared of heights.

The disorientating feeling disappears suddenly and Boris somehow swings my body around to his front, cradling me in his arms a second before setting me down. I hadn't even realised my eyes were closed until I opened them and peered around.

"We're here!" Boris declares happily, swinging his arms about flamboyantly as he gestures around the room.

I stare, in awe. This place seems to do that a lot to me, make me speechless in awe that is. Boris' room... is awesome. Like really. His room is just so... Boris. The colour scheme consists of purples and pinks mixed with blacks and greys and the bright golden of the chains hanging in decoration in places from the ceiling to the walls. In several places skulls with cat ears pop up, adding a punk look. I grin as I see the rose-coloured pirate flag pinned to the wall crookedly, the skull having cat ears as well with golden chains splayed behind it. I try and hold in my amusement as I notice the stray balls of string and wool strewn about the floor. I snort as I bend down and pick up the one next to my foot.

"A cat through and through, huh?" I snigger, bringing another hand up to cover my mouth as the giggles begin to escape.

"Wha— hey, give that back!" Boris' expression is one of embarrassed shock as his cheeks tinge with pink and he snatches the ball from my hands. He looks mortified.

I bite my lip really hard and cover my mouth to hide my amusement, but my shoulders still shake with laughter. Boris notices. "Stop laughing! It's not funny! So what? Sometimes you just need a little string to calm down and unwind from the stress of the day— stop laughing!"

I double over, shaking entirely with my loud snickers. One arm clutches my side, the other clutches onto Boris' bicep so I don't fall over. His hands cover his increasingly red face. "Shiiiikkkiiiiii~" he whines childishly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry— but it's just such a cat— a cat-like— bahahaha~!"

Boris lets out a grumbling huff, and with a still red face he moves over to where there is a purple lounge against the wall. It seems to have two backs opposite one another and the cushions between them, but as soon as he bends to pull some trigger the back opposite the wall falls down so it's like a bed. He plops down, crossing his arms and legs with a childish pout.

"Aww, I'm sorry Boris. It's just, that's such a— I mean, I'll try not to laugh again." I say, forcing myself not to giggle. I dance over to the bed and flop down backwards next to him, my legs hanging off the side. "So, what are we gonna do?"

Boris' mood changes instantly, like a switch has been flipped. "Oh yeah, you're staying over tonight!" he remembers with a bright grin. "Oh oh oh I know we can play a game, I have one of the old arcade games up here!"

I nod, excited. Boris turns it all on and pulls out the corded remotes, handing one to me. The game is sort of like Space Invaders, but way pimped up. We play through a time change or so, with us ultimately coming to a tie—again. I roll over on the bed, hanging upside down for a second before I crash onto the ground.

"OW!"

"BAHAHAHAHA~" Boris cracks up, both of us dying in the game because neither of us are currently able to press pause.

I sit up, my face contorting into a mixture of a frown and a pout. It doesn't feel pretty but it's there for good until my butt and elbow stop hurting. I climb to my knees and rub my butt in a soothing, pain-reducing manner. "Meanie!"

I throw a nearby ball of string at him, my pout-frown deepening. "Don't make me bring up the string balls!"

Boris sobers at once, his cheeks flushing an adorable shade of red. "Shiki~" he whines, reminding me very much of the noise a cat makes when it wants something. I snigger at the thought.

My hands go to my hips before one points into the air in a victorious Superman pose. Victory is mine!

"Hey, what's this?"

I look down to see Boris picking up something from next to my knee, but in only the light the arcade game screen is giving off I can't tell just yet what it is. Then Boris holds it up and the familiar smooth edges give the object away.

A strangled noise escapes my lips as I make a lunge for it. "That's my iPod!" I cry, lunging again when Boris holds my beloved object of affection out of my reach.

"What's an 'i-po-d'?" Boris asks eagerly, features lit up in excited curiosity. I realise at this very moment that the only way this is gonna end is with Boris fiddling with my beloved music box. With a sigh, I relent, my whole body going slack on his. My face is on his shoulder, my left cheek contorting and mushing against it because I'm sliding backwards off his body.

"That thing." I reply, my voice sounding weird because my face is mushed against his strong shoulder. "It plays music, games and does some other stuff. It's a gadget from my world."

"That's so cool!" Boris exclaims jubilantly, twisting the object around so he can get a look at it from all angles.

I close my eyes so I don't see it if he breaks it. A small whimper escapes my throat. "Be careful with my baby." I simper.

"Shiki! Shiki! Show me how to use it!" he pleads, thrusting the thin piece of technology at me with a gleam in his golden honey eyes, the arcade game long forgotten.

I sigh before opening my eyes and giving the Cheshire Cat a grin. "Sure, why not?"

I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

It's about a half hour later that I realise I probably shouldn't have tempted fate like that as my iPod goes flying square out the window. I didn't even know Boris had a window in here.

If you're wondering, my iPod just went flying because Boris and I both had a grip on it and were trying to grab it for ourselves so that we could have a go at one of the games. But no, because we're both so stubborn, my poor baby copped the end result and freaking flew out the window.

"BABY NOOOOO~!" I cry, reaching hopelessly after it as though somehow my sheer willpower and desire to have it back safe in my arms will stop it from soaring away.

"Aha ha ha... eh...ugh." Boris sheepishly rubs the back of his neck, his mouth twisted nervously as he watches my iPod disappear into the night and then gives me this look like I'm a bomb about to go off.

But I instead do the opposite, deflating completely on the cat's purple lounge-bed in a broken, desolate heap.

"My poor baby..." tearless, dramatic sobs escape my lips. Funny enough, I'm not as upset as I probably should be. Eh, I'll just make Boris buy me something better. Yes, that can be his atonement.

"Ah... Shiki?" Boris nervously pokes my side, and repeats the motion when I don't respond. My whole body moves lifelessly with the force of his prod. Boris repeats my name, somewhat more alarmed than the previous time as the exclamation is accompanied by a gentle shake. "Shiki?!"

A long, tortured groan escapes me. "My baby... gone... please, I can't live on this planet anymore knowing my baby has been lost to this world's woeful wilderness."

Boris laughs, sounding relieved. "Oh thank catnip, I thought you were actually upset for a second there—"

I fix Boris with a pointed, emotionless, stony stare and his sentence dies out, golden eyes widening.

"Oh, so you are... upset... eheheh... heh... well, it wasn't my fault—"

"It doesn't even matter anymore!" I wail brokenly. "Just let me lay here and die!"

"Sh-Shiki, please." Boris looks like he's torn between laughing and being concerned at my antics.

I try to reason with myself. I can't blame Boris. It's not his fault. Well, maybe it is a little bit— no. It's not his fault. It's mostly mine for carrying the stupid thing around with me all the time, but that's not the point. I need... to let my baby go. I... I know it's going to be hard, but I have to do it. Besides, so long as it doesn't rain tonight I should be able to go out and scour the area for it tomorrow. Yes. Yes, I can do that. For now, just forget about it and the pain will disappear. Yes... yes... just like that... and now... poof!

I sling my body into a sitting position, all previous morbid thoughts having been forcefully made absent by yours truly. I shoot Boris a broad smile. "What're we doing next?" I ask cheerily, the positive emotion only about seventy per cent forced.

The bewildered look on Boris' face at my sudden, wild swing in moods says it all. I let out a laugh, choosing not to care about my iPod. Meh, I'll just save up and get a new one once I get back home. Right now Boris' friendship means more to me than a simple piece of technology that is easily replaced.

So... I'm back-ish! I am extremely sorry for the late update, but the past few weeks I have had LOADS of assignments and assessments and it has been horrible. UGH so much maths. Anyhooz, I hope you like the update and again I am terribly sorry for the lateness!

10 reviews for the next chapter! I'll update again soon! Bai ;)