~Down the Rabbit hole~ [Closed]

--- Fiddle fiddle fiddle. She would with the folder opened in her hands. A hand being placed closed to her lips with her thumb pressing against it a little. Minor things needed to going over. She needed a sit rep from the others on any operations they were personally handling that was still on behalf of Wonderland. She hoped the 'Red King' would show himself tonight. He had been absent for some time and that was slightly problematic. Well not really because she was more than capable of handling things. If she wasn't would she really be The White Rabbit. Hell on a technical sense she held a second title mostly deemed by Ecko. 'The White Queen'. It had been starting to catch on people using either or but Cereza preferred her original title for reasons of meaning.

--- Sure enough there was a tea set in the middle of the long table. Truthfully saying the room looked normal was really that it just looked normal by Wonderland standards. Their meeting room was reminiscent of The Hatter's tea party, again minus the chairs. There was a decadent spread fully of sweets as usual across. Cereza looked elegant as usual but with a little more business class. Well mafia class if one thought about it. The White Rabbit heard the door unlocking and swinging open, it was one of three people walking through that door. The Red Queen, the Cheshire or the Red King. Well guess who it was? Cereza was the only one in the room currently still as he strolled himself in and only gave her a smile and nod? What kind of greeting was that? That was weird. 

"Merry unbirthday, he who graces with his presence tonight."

--- She would say as their proper greeting. Sure something happened between them about a few nights ago but see for Cereza it was already buried. She was back to herself at this point. It was almost like it never happened. Well no not like the 'act' didn't happen but everything that transpired after, no. She couldn't or wouldn't let her effect her. This is what she normally did. This is what she had been doing for a long time. That was a problem cause when someone bottled things the way she did they were bound to explode and it would never be pretty. For now she smiled at him closing the folder and placing it on her lap as she still remained half sitting on the table. Those infamous grey'z staring at him with a playful nature.

"That's it? Feeling ill or something?"

--- Nonchalantly she opened her arms with a face saying 'where's my hug?'. Funny the tables turned on that one.

"Ouch."

--- Being standoffish to her of all people? Really now. Ignoring her call to a embrace? How interesting. Her arms lowered resting on her lap as she watched him with careful eyes. Something was off with him. Had something finally effected the infamous 'Red King'? Well what could that have been? Maybe it could be said Cereza was playing them or maybe she was just really proficient by now to push everything away and go on. Her trailed him as he completely blew her off and went for a biscuit on the table. Her brow rose with interest into what was bugging him. There was time before the others arrived and made it through the maze and then through the grand hall and back to the particular room they were in.

"I tend to agree with that statement. But then again I knew you would be late more than likely so I told you a time so you'd be here on time. Shockingly you're about twenty minutes early."

--- Now he didn't get a message before the rest she just got a different time to unsure you would be there. Her head tilted just watching so curiously at him. Suddenly he asked about Valentina or Val or better yet the Red Queen. Val and Cereza weren't individuals that saw eye to eye. Val hated Cereza and her hatred was seriously strong. Val had a thing for The Red King and as much as she tried she never got very far. Oh the fist that would fly if she knew what happened between them. Actually that made Cereza smirk a little inside and out. She could just see the rage in Val boil to a point where they would come to blows again, and Val would be shut down once more. Yet as she looked at him it was like she was Val. That was something he'd do to her not Cereza. So fine fuck it. She slid off the table and came over to him sliding herself under his arm to get in front of him and give him a hug and kiss on the cheek unless he pushed her away which she would find odd. But if he allowed her to embrace and give him a peck on the cheek she'd move herself away walking over to her throne of a chair plopping on the arm rest.

"Excuse me princess. I'm sorry I'm not enough of a grand welcome. The nerve. If you want Val I can contact her to say you're here. I'm sure she'll make it in no time flat then I can give you two a little privacy before we start. Lord knows she's been dying to see you. I'm sure she'll drop her panties real quick. Sounds like a plan?"

--- She took out her phone that was strictly for Wonderland but made no message just held it looking at him. Wow Cereza had a mouth on her tonight. That sass was on a full tank. Not that she wasn't sarcastic or full of sass speaking her mind. There was no anger or jealousy, despite the words feeling like there was, truthfully Cereza really didn't care for Val. Val could kiss on Damien all she waited and Cereza would continue about her day. Her entire speech was filled with a playful sarcasm. Those capturing grey's looked at him waiting cause she really would shoot a message.

--- Cereza had a way of getting under a lot of people's skins sometimes without even trying as evident here. She wasn't attempting to do anything of the sort but it seemed like she had. Really? Damien 'Mayhem' Caine? She got under his skin of all people? Well give the girl a trophy. The achievement was far too great for a simple gold star. He came over and grabbed her hand pulling her up embracing he, speaking in her ear. Why did he feel the need to say that? Cereza wasn't being serious, well other than the fact that Val would show quicker and probably drop her panties for him if he asked. But why did he make it seem like she really meant anything by it. He was being odd even by Wonderland standards.

"Mm kay."

--- Was her response as he pulled away sighing stating he had something to say to her. Fine she would grace him with respect to listen. The beginning was about her not tell him things. She didn't tell a lot of people things, it was her choice, her prerogative. But as he continued he mentioned caring about her. Ok well she heard it from Saul, her uncle too. Hearing it from Damien was interesting. Intriguing and if she was in a different state of mind soul shocking. Silent she remained listening attentively to his words. When he said he had something to say to her she hadn't expected it to be something like this. Something sounding like a little portion of a romance novel. Was he really sort of bearing his soul to her? A few nights ago he shared a story with her one that seemed to pain him and yet all she did was leave. She didn't void her promise of giving him an answer it just wasn't 'the' answer he was looking for. She wasn't the type sharing her story to others at least not in the most truthful of manners.

--- Mars and Harley were two people apart of Wonderland that Cereza had considered actual friends. That was saying a lot for her. She knew a lot of people, got along with a long of people but they didn't hold that friendship title. To her they were acquaintances and as such they meant quiet little to her outside of being partially beneficial and everyone wears out their uses eventually. So what was Damien to her? Friend or acquaintance? That was the question wasn't it? Could Cereza deny that Damien didn't have his uses to her? Cause he sure did. His affiliation was extremely beneficial but was that it? Was he just a tool like others? Expendable? They did get along well. She did know him first before the rest of Wonderland but that was minimal through Saul at first. The Bandersnatch suggested Damien's involvement and The White Rabbit Cereza agreed. Since then it had been fun and favorable. Something did catch her attention more, the fact that he respected her choice. That was a big thing. He could've pushed and pulled but he wasn't now.

--- How was she going to respond to him now? Probably not what he possibly wanted from her, or hoped for. Surely he wanted her to open to him but she wasn't. That was something that took a lot or a good couple of drinks over her limit and the right company with the right questions. Yet even so she could completely shut down all the same. Everything with her deep down inside just turned into complete anger. Damien needed to understand the complexity that was Cereza. Whatever was going on with him suddenly Cereza wasn't going to be the one to truly understand. She wasn't going to be the one to hold his hand. She was more fucked in the head then anyone knew. She wasn't a good person though there was someone who would argue that point. Angel thought there was a good person underneath. The entire time she stood in front of her her grey's never casting away from his unless he found himself unable to stare at his then she'd just be staring at his face. Her control was perfectly fine right now. Her head tilted a little with a chuckle and smile.

"Why so serious Damien? Curiosity killed the cat you know, though I think Ecko is an exception to that theory no?"

--- Really? This was the route she took? Some could consider it mocking. Wouldn't be the first time. She continued placing her hands on either side of his waist like it was purely nothing. Her gaze never shifted.

"So you're trying to take The Knave's place too? That's a step down from Kingship. Thought you like being on top?"

--- That was her playful notion of him sounding like he wanted to be her knight. She chuckled again leaning her behind on the table which was directly behind her. Her hands still at his waist. Interesting shouldn't he be the one in that positioning? Really how could she just be like that? No doubt it might've been frustrating to him.

"Heh, you had me thinking you had something really important to tell me. Like you were leaving Wonderland or something.. I'm a big girl fully capable of taking care of myself. I'm not some delicate rose. I'm the hammer not the nail..I don't know what more you want to know. What you have isn't enough? Would you like me to spin you a bedtime story filled with magic and wonder? Princesses and princes?"

--- Her smile or rather smirk never dropped as she pulled him closer if he allowed. In the past there was a time where she was absent from well over a month. She had given full control to Damien in her absence, despite yes he and The Red Queen are leaders as well Cereza was top dog.. It was still earlier on in their 'getting along', about two years ago give or take. If he ever would take the time probably not now, but in the future if he still wondered what she wasn't telling, maybe he could place that with the possibility of a time frame. Cereza wasn't one to get sick easily. During that time no one saw her, not Mars, not Harley, not her uncle. She communicated little at first then it grew and then she was back. But no way he would think about that now. It would be on his own time that it would make sense for the revelation to come. At least he would have that.

"Val would be jealous to hear you say any of that you know?"

--- Smiling as she held him by his waist to her in her slightly sitting position had he not decided to move from her the entire time. Essentially her legs would be between his, as she would lean to give him a kiss on the corner of his lips unless otherwise. She really acted like nothing happened. At all.

**ETA Red Queen next post**

--- Well he had one thing write she wasn't a princess, she was a queen. Anything less was insulting no? Well it would be if she thought that way. No matter how she looked or how she acted Cereza didn't think that highly of herself. That was Valentina's game. Cereza didn't place herself on that kind of a pedestal though others have and she let them naturally. 

"Someone's grown a little poetic."

--- She said nonchalantly. Not something she really expected from him. She heard him loud and clear. She didn't get why he was being so pushy about it. Now if she said nothing he was going to go digging? Really? She rolled her eyes at the notion. Why couldn't he leave it alone? She really wasn't worried because no one knew. Since no one knew there was nothing anyone could tell. He would be literally looking for an needle in a hay stack. There was no information to be found unless he came across West and company. Or anyone else involved. Maybe there was a risk. But what questions would he ask? Actually thinking about it maybe she was a little annoyed that he would technically go against her like that. 

--- It wasn't really against her per say but was he really going to do this? She was being causal about it before it started sinking in slowly but surely. Then his anger snapped her back. Cereza was merely joking like she normally did concerning Val but it seemed Damien was not having it tonight. He was angry with her. How could he not be? Cereza could be very frustrating at times. That was the problem with wanting something from her. You had to know you weren't going to get it more than likely. Perking her brow she also looked down at how he held her hands and then back up to him. With a smile she'd pull herself up to stand before him and leaned to kiss his lips with a peck. If he wanted more he'd have to grab her back in for it. 

"You're so testy tonight..Not getting enough fun lately? You're also a bit pushy too. You're wasting your time my king."

--- The last part regardless it meant nothing felt like it might've meant something. She never said it before.

"You're so stubborn sometimes..Don't you have better things to do like, ooo I don't know, something entertaining?"

--- She said with a playful wink attempting to slide away from between him and the table. No real reason just to tired of being in one spot for too long. Not doing anything.

--- Cereza often knew what she was doing. She liked pressing people's buttons once she found the ones to push. Was she purposely trying to push his buttons? Possibly. Did she truly know what buttons to push with him? Well she knew how much he enjoyed being entertained and hated to be bored. It seemed to be a theme with those within Wonderland. Trying to slip away carelessly didn't seem to work as he pushed her so her bottom hit the table and kissed her deeper than her peck. Pulling away he made some sort of declaration and The White Rabbit watched with a perk brow as he picked up a plate and threw it at the wall. Well they did break things at the Mad Hatter's tea party so it was so far fetched to get a little crazy right? 

--- No she didn't stop him at first. The plates really weren't so expensive. Well no they were but Cereza had stolen them so it wasn't like it came out of pocket. No pocketing hurting there. Then again she had more than enough to replace if she wanted so still no hurting pockets. Someone seemed frustrated and need to let a little temper tantrum out so she did. Then he started targeting the Bandersnatch's chair and then Red Queen. The White Rabbit didn't care about Val's chair truthfully but those thrones were expensive so she stepped up grabbing his hand before he threw another at The Red Queen's chair. 

"Oook mister feisty pants."

**Enter the Red Queen**

--- Just as Cereza grabbed his arm the door opened a familiar figure walking through. Was she not cold? No of course not. It was The Red Queen Valentina.

"Merry un- Damien?"

--- The Red Queen lock hunger hazel eyes on The Red King not noticing the damage for all she saw was him. Typical. Cereza meant it when she said she was sure that Val would drop her panties the moment Damien asked. Just look at the look in her eyes. Seduction set in her gaze as she grinned slowly walking over, swaying her hips to and fro. Her heels clicking on the floor. Cereza had let go of Damien's wrist and rolled her eyes playfully. Val was always turned down no matter how he flirted back at times and yet still she was thirsting for a taste.

"It's been too long, baby. My king. "

--- It sounded like a purr the way she said king, and Cereza just smirked leaning on the table glancing at the Red Queen's now dirty throne. 

~Fitting~

---Before back up as Val stopped a little in front of Damien with that grin of hers. No one could deny Val was attractive that was true, but Cereza was interested in seeing what was going to happen here after his outburst. Also how all over him she would soon be.

--- Cereza watched the exchange noting his frustration. There was a part of her that was wondering why he seemed so frustrated. He was off that was for sure. Coldly he said her name and naturally Cereza smiled. He walked past her to his throne behind her, his back would be to the pair of women. The White Rabbit's chair was at the head naturally and The Red King's to it's right, the Red Queen to it's left. Val kept her demeanor until she looked at Cereza, coldly speaking and Cereza would respond in kind.

"Cereza."

"Valentina."

"The fuck did you do to my chair?"

"Redirect your question to your king, as you say."

--- Val looked at her then past her to where Damien sat. Of course because Damien did it she wasn't going to bitch. She immediately figured just like Cereza was thinking she was going to sit with Damien. Well if he allowed. Cereza moved out the way as the door opened again and Val went to Damien. Meanwhile The Hatter walked in, Harleen or Harley as they all called her. This was one of Cereza's friends, and by friend she actually had that title other than acquaintance like most. 

"Merry unbirthday..Hm is that?"

"Shocking no?"

"Somewhat. I see Val wasting no time. Why is it a mess? What did he do?"

"Hmm needed to entertain himself. You're throne is fine."

"For his sake."

**Meanwhile**

--- When Harley came in Val had already made her way to Damien sitting on the arm rest of his throne and leaning over a bit. Her chest obviously in perfect view. By no means necessary was Val not attractive but she just didn't get the hint. Or maybe she did and she didn't care. Damien could sleep with her for whatever reason he choose and she wouldn't give a damn so long as she got what she wanted. She was the worse but she got things down. No matter no one could deny Val that right. Her hand didn't rub on his leg like usually but just was placed on his thigh. Something different from Val as she actually spoke with a real comforting tone. Maybe she was trying a slightly different approach. 

"You seem frustrated, Damien. Pissed at the world. You know I can help with that if you let me. I get the job done no matter what."

--- All the while Harley and Cereza were having a minor conversation, Harley's icy gaze locked onto the pair. The head of the throne was a little taller than the one sitting in it so certainly she couldn't see Val's head or really much of anything other than the rest of Val's body on the arm rest. Harley just didn't like her either.