She idly sipped her tea as he spoke. ‘-Finish your tea Darling, there's work to be done, the Queens are thirsty for something more than Earl Grey..." It sounded like he was trying to tell her what to do. Vendetta was torn between rebuking him, playing with him, or something altogether more... violent. She chose the least messy option- and took a tart in hand. Subtle, with clear implication: I do as I desire, thank you.
He had been joking; well aware of her status, assuming with it came a certain degree of power. Just as with her, there was more then met the eye with Hatter. After all, what fun would it be to show all one's cards in the first sitting? Considering she knew how to play the game, he was certain there were things he had yet to see. All of that was for a different place and time. In fact, he wasn't even completely sure if Jervis could handle the truth.
Still, he would wave it away "-Ah, to be powerful and supreme... One thing alas this shell doesn't offer..." Calmly rubbing the chill from his hands, he leaned back, in sighting his orders- well, suggestion- for which it seemed the Lady had taken harshly. Hatter shook his head melodramatically, always kicking and screaming his cock of the walk king of the hill attitude, "-You don't have to come, I simply have... a need that needs taking care of, and I can't expend it on you." It wasn't something he longed to 'share' with Alice. People had a tendency to not come back from what he yearned to do.
"You could, actually~ Don;t think you'd want to, but I would only die for a little while. That being said, I'm going to come anyways- like this encounter would be so fleeting." Ultimately, Vendetta did wish to join- so she made little work of things. As she moved upright and beside him, her hand fluidly wrapped around- and slid away- the Red Queen from his. She doubted he noticed- Vendetta twisted herself, keeping the motion well concealed. Now, she studied it intently.
Coral, but it had seen blood. A red rose. The look on her face strange, were anyone to witness it. Red roses for the Devil's whore... It reminded her of a song she listened to, as inclined. Casually, like she hadn't artfully stolen it, she held it handle-first to him. "IT is bad form, to disappoint a Queen- especially one as alluring as she."
Rising from his seat, he thought little on the fact that she chose admire one of the Queens. He was, however, mildly surprised- he didn't even feel her remove it from his hand. While White was always lovely, with its pink hue along the 'blade', Red was most always coveted- the ever-sliding gradient, as if it had drunk its fill. And when she surrendered it, he'd sheath it for the time being. Both of them waiting in their proper places, monsters hiding in shadows. "-Rest assured, this wont be the last time we venture here" he proclaimed.
They wouldn't venture far off the beaten path, though far enough away from his beloved amusement park. After all, you never shit where you sleep, as the saying went. "-Before I begin, will you be taking part?" It seemed strange- 'Will you wish to murder someone?' He asked just as simply as if he was imparting about the weather. These things he needed to know, and while he could very well take on two adversaries at once, he had preferences...
"Likely. I tend to be picky at times, however." She would have chosen to follow him all the way? Interesting.
The cards or the knives? Indecision pricked his ego. Gently he offered the Lady a clean arm politely- before he'd be elbow deep in blood. She refuted the elbow as soon as it came, and simply muttered "Cards. The knives are best left for more worthy adversaries."
Up ahead two gentleman- mid twenties- sang, inebriated, a song the Hatter recalled in his youth, 'What do you do with a Drunken Sailor?' Fucking hell. A homeless man slept soundly down the road- drunk on Malt Liquor, no need there. He'd trail the young men, annoyed by their song, longing to do away with them quickly.
Vendetta, melted in the dark, followed. She could see Hatter tense; a soothing hand down his spine involuntarily made him relax. "For all intents, you're alone. A gent going for a walk along rambunctious streets. I'm going to stay hidden for a bit, until I decide what I want."
While he was terribly assured all would occur perfectly, that he believed his work wasn't corrupted- the bugs worked out- there was always that chance of an unfortunate accident. But he’d take care… he enjoyed her company far too much, for such ill tidings to come to pass. To either of them.
”-That song you quoted… what was the name?” Eyes held firmly on the prey ahead, voice quiet so only she heard.
Vendetta glided along, more invisible than he. Her glance drew side wise when his words pierced the night. "A Gothic Romance by Cradle Of Filth. Also called Red Roses For The Devil's Whore. Seems too fitting at times."
So that's what it was? With a small chuckle, Hatter shook his ink-dark haired head, and wet his thin lips, ”—I imagine we have curious tastes alike in the musical front, at least… I could imagine that would be the case… music, one of the few things I take utter delight in. I could never be a Musician however, I have the creativity for it, but not patience to learn…”
She watched the nod, and wondered- did he agree? No. His words cut the night once more, which brought her back to the moment once again.
Folding his slender (almost unnaturally long) digits around the hilt of the Red Queen, before plunging it into the first. A pale sliver chip would tuck right under the man’s hat, locking him, a bodily vice with no parts. Momentarily with one lab rat in his grasp, the next was expendable. The Queen plunged in his middle, slicing up- torso to ribbons, spray misting his face with warmth. Pure bliss and arousal, washing over the hatted male as the man’s scream froze in his throat, eyes glassy as they stared at nothing, his friend hardly batting a lash. Mere seconds traipsed the events previous- yet time stretched eternal.
Vendetta saw Hatter lash out, silent, panther-like. The blood had sprayed minimally so, mostly into the water. Good- he had some experience then.
”-Thank you. I feel better now” he admitted, kicking the gentleman- allowing his body to topple off the pier into the water, where it would be swept out to the ocean. The Lady deigned not to reply. She smiled, devoid of any previous warmth- again, not like he could see. The easy manner in which the living obeyed, and he seated himself upon the figure, confirmed some type of mind control. She froze where she stood, grateful he could not see. She was going to have to be careful around him, for sure.
”-Kneel in the Seating pose while I figure out what to do” Without a word, he would obey; kneeling slightly, head to the ground, back hunched while Jervis took a seat, perching on his back, using the man as a chair. "-Now what do you suppose we ought to do with our friend here?" He asked the darkness; more specifically the being residing within...
Vendetta took a cursory glance within. Far too intoxicated- she didn't want him. He had unpleasant venereal diseases, besides. A plunge into his mind told her more than all she required to know.
Presently the Lady stepped out, and the manner in which she did so gave even Hatter pause. Normally-shimmering eyes were shards of bloody ice. Between the dancing darkness- wild in abandon- and icy demeanour, he could tell he glimpsed another side of her. When she spoke, it was low, even- cold enough to make even him pause
"That remains to be seen, my dear. However, I took a... closer look within. He's crossed lines that go against my ethics- I don't like those who cheat, and the venereal diseases confirm it. Worse for our friend here, I saw how he likes ladies terrified, kneeling, begging for their lives... covered in bruises and cuts. So, you tell me: what seems suitable?"
As she spoke, she moved closer, barely making any noise. Her foot came upon his back, with enough force to hairline fracture a couple vertebrae. She looked over, unforgiving- clearly, the Hatter had a lot of digging to do. For now, however... They had something pressing to deal with.