Clockwise

1 || Roses Should be Red

Aevi's Perspective

Aevi was just going to find a rogue white rose bush. But of course, she landed in Fae territory, and got launched somewhere into the future, where she's attacked by a flaming cat who crashed a ceremony. Oh, Racie would hate that.

ーーーーーーーーーーー～★～ーーーーーーーーーーー

"Dame Aeviii!"

The wail echoed through the corridor a seemingly young girl was walking down, off to go to tea with Tarrant, also known as the 'Mad' Hatter, and to discuss hats.

She wore a pristine white uniform, with tasselled shoulders, a dark grey shirt underneath, and a crimson tie. Hanging from a red sash at her waist was a broadsword, in a shining black sheath with a rose design on it, intricate winding shapes, delicate gold leaves and thorns, and a red rose: with translucent petals, carved from ruby, blooming from the stem.

The girl turned around with a sigh, her black hair flying over her shoulder in its ponytail, watching as two card soldiers skidded into view from around a corner.

"What is it?" She asked, exasperatedly, but fondly. It was the Ace of Hearts and the Two of Spades again. Those two constantly managed to get into trouble, some way or another. Last time it was the type of tea they'd brewed, and Aevi had to go back half an hour to correct them.

"Ah, sorry to bother you again Dame, but it's the roses!" Two stopped in front of her, and bowed down low.

"Hey, I already said there's no need to bow, and please don't call me Dame, it makes me sound old. Come on, up." She helped the card soldier stand upright again, now having to look up as the two towered over her.

"But you are technically the oldest in the Kingdom-" Two said cheekily.

"Hey! I look young, now don't I?" Aevi went along with it, grinning, and spun around on the spot, her uniform coat she'd hung around her shoulders billowing out. Everyone in the Palace knew she was well over a hundred, at least mentally anyways. She'd recently done a full body rewind however, and now looked fifteen again.

"Now, what's the problem here?"

"Three planted white roses! White!" Ace said looking as if he'd pull out his hair if he had any. "The Queen will behead us for sure this time!"

She sighed. They were so dramatic. They knew full well that card soldiers were charmed to regenerate, and they didn't feel pain either, so they were just playing it up again. It wasn't like Racie would actually behead them anyways, she usually said that because she liked watching their faces. Even if she did try, Aevi would just have to convince her not to.

"Alright, calm down, I'll go back and stop him. When was this?" She asked, unstrapping the long leather glove on her arm, revealing a clockwork tattoo.

An intricate clock design was marked in black and gold, surrounded by gears, and an hourglass, in which the sand lit up inside whenever she used magic. The clock was special, with only fifty two 'minutes', representing the amount of weeks in a year, and a spindly minute hand, and a smaller clock in the middle, with seven points, representing the days in a week. The hour hand currently pointed to XX, during the reign of the First Queen of Hearts. A gold chain wound around the whole thing, shimmering in the light.

"A week ago! In the new rose garden, near the old house full of the talking paintings!" Two said, bouncing up and down. "Please hurry General!"

She rolled her eyes at the 'general', and then turned to walk towards the garden. At least it was better than Dame, but a week ago? How had they not noticed earlier? She'd have to wait this one out...