dastardly tart-stealing ways[marchy, dinah, knave]

[marchhare]

The Rose Garden was one of the few places within the palace limits that the March Hare dared to go. It had once been a beautiful place. Before the Queen of Hearts took over, it had been quite a magical place, filled with roses of every size and color; purple roses the size of grapefruits, green ones the size of small pebbles, all beautiful in their own right.

Then when the Queen of Hearts came along, she insisted each and every rose be painted red. Which wasn't terrible. March didn't really despise the color red, though he missed all the different colors that had made the garden special. But now.

March stared with distaste at the dreary black roses, who seemed to be constantly wilting. He didn't really enjoy coming here now, but was supposed to meet up with one of his dear friends, whom stuck around the castle to do what he always did--- steal some tarts from the palace's kitchen. He was supposed to meet him here, seeing as it was the only safe place in the middle for them to meet. Marchy simply had to invite the Knave to his upcoming party, since the man seemed to be a workaholic when it came to his dastardly tart stealing ways.

March lounged lazily on a stone bench in the middle of the rose garden, trying to look at anything but the sad looking roses, feeling strangely out of place so close to Joker's new palace.

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

It was an exhausting journey into the Rose Garden, especially if the Joker was not in a pleasant mood. "No signs.." Dinah muttered to herself, placing her hands upon well-rounded hips as she stared at the dead-end that she was positive that she'd come to for the umpteenth time now, and she was beginning to grow upset. Her brows dipped, and her lower lip puckered out. "No signs, no cards, no..." She began to grumble once more, her feet falling with a bit more noise now as she turned upon her heel. "At least the Queen...well...actually, she didn't have signs either." She realized, shrugging.

It was about the time when she was contemplating just climbing the goddamn hedges and going to strangle the Joker when she noticed a beautiful little flurry of motion. A bread-and-butterfly, a dark hue, most definitely wheat. In that instant, Dinah's sulking came to an end and she clapped her delicate hands together in glee. "Why, hello, little friend!" She announced, scurrying after the fluttering, flittering little creature.

Though she couldn't put her finger on it, Dinah had the unmistakable urge to chase this little winged thing. It danced about her head briefly, and she batted a hand at it- smiling broadly as she followed it around another corner. "You, halt!" She announced, having to run to keep up with it as it floated about the hedges. It wasn't particularly fair that it could simply fly above her, why didn't humans have wings? This was Wonderland, for goodness sake! Rounding another corner, Dinah found herself in the wide expanse of the Rose Garden. All at once, her desire to catch the wheat butterfly faded. In fact, her desire to do many things faded.

"What a dreary hue!" She exclaimed, rushing to touch one of the wilting roses. "Poor dear.." Dinah uttered, though, it didn't keep her from plucking the poor rose- twirling it absently between her fingers- before plucking a petal from it. "I love you." Dinah announced to nobody in particular, another petal, as she allowed the first to flutter to the ground. "I love you not." Dinah said, her voice more severe as she began to walk, again with no direction- little did she know, she was heading in the direction of the infamous March Hare.

[marchhare]

Hearing a voice from the other side of the rose garden, the March Hare froze, listening to make sure it wasn't one of the guards or anything of the sort. However, it was a girl's voice, certainly not the Queen's--- for it was far two pretty and innocent sounding to be the Queen's. But it sounded like someone, he just couldn't remember quite who it was. Again, his memory certainly wasn't the best it could be.

He stood, and strolled towards the voice, making sure to fix his hair--- for this was a habit whenever he walked up to someone to start a conversation. The girl-- whoever she was-- had her back turned to him, examining the sad excuse for the black wilting roses in front of her. She spoke loudly, and her words surprised him.

"I love you."

An odd thing to say in the presence of a complete stranger, but perhaps she didn't know he was there--- but soon she spoke again.

"I love you not."

She sounded angry when she said this, and he wasn't sure why. She then turned and started walking in his direction, so he stepped out from where he had been watching her, grinning mischievously. "Well hello little one." he said, the hint of a laugh on his voice. "What brings you to this dreary garden? Though you certainly brighten it up with your presence."

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

"Oh, but I love you." She whispered, plucking another petal lovingly, allowing the soft fabric of it to slide between the pads of her fingertips. She watched as it trickled onto the ground, floating elegantly on invisible winds to rest upon the cobblestone. "I love you--" A voice, and she whirled about- her hair whipping about as she turned to gaze at the source of the sound. Pale eyes fixating upon him, she blinked innocently for a moment, before a bright smile spread across her lips. My, he is so tall, she realized, staring up at him. Perhaps he was once a tree, he was so very tall. She tilted her chin upwards to look at his eyes. Dinah clasped her hands coyly behind her back, hiding the pathetic excuse for a rose behind her as she smiled up to the charming man before her.

"I was looking for you, of course." She announced, as if it were common knowledge. "A little bird told me that a dashing young man had entered the Hedge Maze." Dinah told him in a conspiratorial whisper. "I couldn't let such a handsome fellow fall prey to the Joker," She withdrew the rose from behind her, offering it to her new-found friend as she tilted him head, grinning warmly.

[marchhare]

"Looking for me?" The Hare looked surprised, but quickly recovered when he was complemented in her next few words. "Well such a lovely lady such as yourself should not be wandering around such a dangerous place as the Joker's grounds." He said with a smile, graciously accepting the rose she had give to him, though it was a rather drab, disgusting looking thing.

She was quite a cute little thing, so innocent and naive in her movements that she certainly didn't seem to be a human. She must be a Wonderlandian, though he didn't exactly recognize her. But then again, his memory of people or faces was certainly not the best. "And what is you're name, my pretty little flower?" he asked, twirling the rose around his finger, careful of the thorns.

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

"Of course!" She nodded, watching his surprised expression with a giggle behind her hand. A blush caught fire across the bridge of her nose and cheeks at his words, and she batted her eyelashes at him with another light laugh. "Oh, you smooth talking man, you!" Dinah said, putting a hand to her forehead, before fanning herself as she grinned up to him. "Perhaps we can protect each other?" She offered, balling her small hands into pathetic excuses for fists. "Heaven forgive the fool who tries to hurt you." She said, fiercely. Of course, it was clear to her that this man was her new best friend. And goodness, he was so slick. It made her want to swoon.

Dinah reached out, taking possession of his hand tenderly. "You may name me whatever you please~" She said, playing lightly with his fingertips. "But I call myself Dinah." the kitten announced, her eyes fluttering back up to gaze at his handsome features. "I don't care, as long as you call me yours." She purred, before smiling broadly once more.

[knaveofhearts]

"Ah, there you are," the Knave said, finally finding the Hare. "I thought we were supposed to meet over there," he said, indicating one particular group of roses. "Or perhaps there," he added, pointing at another. "Hard to tell. Anyway, all the cooks have gone to get some ingredients for...well, whatever they're supposed to make tonight." He paused for a moment, trying to remember what he was actually talking about. "Ah, yes. That's it. There's no one in the kitchen. We can take all the tarts we want and there's nothing anyone can do to stop us!" he said, obviously enjoying the thought too much. He didn't even like tarts that much, but he knew it annoyed the Queen, which was always worth the effort.

[marchhare]

The March Hare was generally surprised by the young girl's reaction. Surely she wasn't from the human world--- even the humans didn't fall for him this quickly. He grinned, reaching his arm out to grab a hold of her, but was interrupted by their approaching guest.

Turning quickly, he greeted his friend the Knave with a jovial wave and laugh. "Well hello there friend. Yes, I know we were supposed to meet... Wherever you just said, but I was enchanted by this fair lady and lost track of time." He said, gesturing to Dinah with the smile of a distracted youth. "But that's quite excellent that the kitchens are empty." he added quickly, looking back from Dinah to the Knave.

"Perhaps we could add one more onto our expedition. What do you say, ol' chap?" He asked, giving the Knave a pleading look. She would be an excellent addition to his party later...

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

Dinah had most definitely noticed the extent of his arm, and at their new-comer, she crept forward to grasp it lightly, eying the man before them. He was also quite tall, and handsome in an entirely different fashion. Her eyelashes fluttered and she offered the man a smile-before gazing up at her friend, as he spoke- gesturing to her. At the mention of kitchens, her head tilted, as if upon its own accord. "Kitchens.." She repeated, as if the word was entirely new to her, and she placed a long finger against her gently pouting lips. "You can't mean the palace kitchens, can you?" She asked, looking first up to the Hare, before gazing at the Card, obviously quite curious now as her fingernails absently traced the sleeve of the the March Hare.

"Expedition.." She repeated, before clutching the man's arm more excitedly. "My, that sounds like a proper adventure!" Dinah announced, "Surely you'll need a look-out~ Or perhaps a guard, my love!" She said, to nobody in particular. "Please allow me to come!" the cat begged, before glancing pleadingly at the dark-haired man. "I will serve you loyally!" She announced, saluting.

[knaveofhearts]

"Ah ha ha! Of course, of course!" the Knave exclaimed. "Always room for one more!" He suddenly realized that he hadn't introduced himself to the newest member of the group yet. "Ah, where are my manners? I haven't even given you my name! I am the Knave of Hearts," he said, now conducting himself as a perfect gentleman. "Though you may simply call me Knave, or Jack if you prefer. All the same thing, really..."
He wasn't completely sure whether or not the addition of Dinah would hinder his dastardly tart-stealing plan, but he simply couldn't deny the request of someone of the opposite gender, especially one who seemed to have such a bond with the March Hare.

[marchhare]

March noticed the stroking of his sleeve and various other rather flirtateous actions of Dinah, and if the Knave hadn't been there, he may have acted on them. But he could always save that for later, if he could convince the sweet thing to attend his party-- a feat that shouldn't be too hard.

He smiled at her warmly before turning back to the Knave expectantly. "So what's the plan this time Jack-O? Use your dastardly tart-stealing abilities wisely my friend and perhaps we can snack on these palace sweets at my party this evening." he said, mentioning the party to peak the interest of both in his company.

"I'm sure they'll go rather well with Hatter's tea." he smiled, then glanced at Dinah, who had gripped him tighter. "You'd make an excellent guard or look-out my dear. Either role would suit you. But Jack is the man with the plan, not I."

[knaveofhearts]

"Alright, here's the plan," the Knave said. "First, we get into the kitchen. Once we're in there, we get the tarts and leave. Simple, no?" He paused for a moment to make sure there was no one between the group and the kitchen. "And I'm sure they will go quite well with Hatter's tea," he added, smirking, as he headed for the kitchen, not really bothering to make sure the Hare and Dinah were following.

[Dinah Pleasance Liddell]

Smiling broadly at the new man, the ginger-haired woman nodded, "I'm Dinah, and ever so pleased to meet you." She announced. Dinah was simply unable to contain her excitement, and shifted from foot to foot slightly- maintaining her hold on the Hare before she clapped her hands together. "My, what a wonderful plan, Jack!" She announced, and yet- all at once, he was off.

Blinking, Dinah grabbed the Hare's hand before scuttling after him. As she ran, her hair fluttering behind her in scarlet waves, Dinah managed to look back up at the Hare. "May I please be invited to your party?" She inquired, tilting her head, swerving around a large hedge before giggling to herself, "I do so like tea. And I like you. And I'm sure I'll like tarts too~" What a thrill....what a rush. Her feet slowed fractionally. Wait, were they stealing?

[marchhare]

Of course, another excellent plan by the lovely Knave of Hearts. He smiled at the simplicity of it, knowing full well that it would work simply because of that fact. He smiled joyously as his friend set off without another word, not caring whether his crew of thieves was following him or not.

But soon he was being dragged along by Dinah, who questioned him about the party. "Of course you can, my love!" he cried out happily. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much. It is a rather festive showing at any rate. And perhaps we could get to know each other a little better." he said with a knowing smile. He noticed her slow slightly, but took it only as she was a bit tired from running, so took up her pace as well as they followed the Knave.

"Oi, Jack boy, we're right behind you." he called ahead.

[knaveofhearts]

"And here we are," the Knave said when they ha arrived at the kitchen. "Dinah, you stay here and make sure no one sees us. March, you and I will be the ones taking the tarts."
He entered the kitchen, this time making sure the Hare was with him.
"Okay...I have...no idea where these things are," the Knave said after a few moments. He realized that he probably should have made sure he knew where the tarts were before attempting to steal them. Oh well, too late now. "Well, I guess you'll just have to start looking, eh, Marchy?"