Dancing on Strings

The Black Rabbit

The curling hair that poked out from under the hat was indeed as black as the night and the mask, it turned out, as not as simple as she had assumed.

It was covered in tiny black diamonds, glittering if caught in the right light.

But the eye holes of the mask were covered.

It must have been a type of burnt or darkened glass that shadowed the eyes and made them impossible to see through as he looked down at her.

There was something incredibly unnerving about it.

About having this towering man bear down on her and not be able to see his thoughts or feelings in his eyes. She didn't know what he was thinking, couldn't even get a hint and that disturbed her enough to make her take four quick steps backwards, out of his shadow and into the spotlight again, feeling safer there.

He smiled.

Then turned his attention to the audience.

"If you will allow a moment, I will be delighted to set up my little performance, but only if her Highness agrees to be my assistant in this endeavour."

Mai glared at him.

"No? Is that a no, My Lady?"

"Oh go on, Mai!" one of her sisters called.

"Let us see what he has to offer," one of her brothers called.

The crowd began to clap, the sound a steady beat of encouragement, people starting to cheer and whistle.

"Ugh, fine," Mai muttered under her breath and The Black Rabbit held out his hands.

Silence followed instantly.

"She has agreed, I thank you, My Lady."

"I am not your lady, do not say that," Mai warned him.

"My apologies, His Lady."

"Excuse me?" Mai said, staring at him but he was already walking away.

He held up a hand and snapped his fingers – the sound echoing through the silence and a spotlight bloomed to reveal a large painted box, tall enough from him to stand in – the image a moonlit scene over a lake with glowing flowers floating on the water.

"Do you intend to saw someone in half?" Mai asked, eyeing the box.

The Black Rabbit chuckled. "Nothing to mediocre," he said with a casual wave to the side.

Another spotlight revealed a wooden mannequin.

Mai raised an eyebrow.

It was like a cross between a marionette and a dressmaker's dummy.

Featureless and wooden but with moveable joints and legs rather than just a metal stand to hold it up.

The Black Rabbit walked to the back of the box and slid free a compartment.

It was a small wardrobe, with three different dresses in it, simple and made of bright colours.

He turned the box so those behind could see as well, then looked at Mai.

"Pick a colour," he said, smiling.

She eyed him suspiciously then looked between the red, blue and green options.

"Blue," she said.

He lifted the gown, the silks fluttering through the air as he strolled over to the mannequin.

He pulled it over the head and fitted the back together, positioning the short off-the-shoulder sleeves and making sure the skirts were flowing and loose, he then rolled it towards the box, closed the wardrobe and smiled at Mai.