Grand opening!

[avibusraris]

[As soon as it's 7:00 am, there is a loud beep that echoes through the corridors of the prison. It's time for an announcement as the intercom comes on.]

Good morning my wonderful criminals, how are you all feeling? Don't worry, I can assure you that dizzy spell will wear off as soon as you get up and stretch those legs of yours. Be careful of your collar as well, as you might have guessed it has all sorts of functions! Also, today is December 8th, Sunday, and it's currently 7 am.

Now, it would be in your best interest to read your manuals that we've given you, just so you can get nice and settled in.

I'm afraid it's a little cold outside, if you have time to check the courtyards then you'll most likely feel that winter's breeze on your rosy little cheeks! Do be careful, I don't want any of you getting frostbite on your first day, that would be tragic.

Since it's the grand opening for you new comers, we are currently holding a small party in the cafeteria! Grab your soon-to-be-friends and head on down. We have tables set up and food as well!

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

[With that being said, the doors to the cells now slide open, allowing the inmates to leave their rooms.

In the cafeteria majority of the tables have been cleared away, and the ones that remain have red tablecloths on them, nice and fancy! The spread consists of luxurious food, even sweets of all kinds. Since it's December, it seems that the warden is in a rather giving mood, aren't you all lucky! ]

Comments

[impureheart]

[ Across from him and two seats to the left, a young woman with her hair tied back holds a glass in what appears to be an overly refined manner. Almost like it's practiced, but most people probably can't tell the difference. She seems to be staring at Peter for a moment with interest, though she speaks up momentarily. ]

You made quite the impression on one of my business partner's sons.

[ Her tone almost makes it sound like a compliment. The brat threw up on her carpet at a dinner party once, he deserved it as far as she's concerned. ]

[amberalert]

[ He pretends not to notice, of course. He just waits for her to speak up before looking over, an eyebrow going up. The boy smiles at her, like she really did give him a huge compliment. He'll take a statement that she recognized him as a compliment regardless of how her tone was, really. ]

Oh? Did he make it back?

[ Completely calm and casual, though the implications of the question would be if that business partner's son was even alive. ]

[impureheart]

[ It's got to be a little more fun that she actually intended it as one.

She places her cup down on the table, a smile crossing her lips. ]

I'd hardly be so pleased if he had, darling.

[amberalert]

[ It's a lot of fun. The lady carrying herself so royally gets his full attention. He tucks that fork he was playing with up his sleeve and moves a seat closer to her, folding his arms on the table and tilting his head. ]

Did you get a good business transaction out of it or was the boy just irritating to you?

[impureheart]

No reason it can't be both.

[ She noticed him pocketing that. After all, she used to be one of a pair of people who pocketed things all the time. She looks pleased that he comes to her though, because it certainly wasn't happening the other way around. ]

His parents were worse than he was, of course, but I can't be forgiving to everyone who ruins my day or people would do it a lot more often.

[ She looks a little flippant about that. She kind of hated putting up with them, but you have to stick to responsibilities when you have them. If someone happens to take care of one of them without even being asked, well, that's just a bonus. ]

[amberalert]

[ He's being obvious about the effort to sit up straight in his seat and pull his arms back so his elbows aren't on the table. Act like she's very important and you shouldn't slouch around her. ]

How true. It sounds like you must've had to give a lot of fake smiles putting up with that particular family.

[ He flashes one, obviously fake. Then gives a real one ]

You're welcome, by the way. [ Since he did take care of them. More or less. Losing a child destroys most people. ]

[impureheart]

A lovely smile is good for show, but you'd be surprised how well playing rough works when you haven't got anything to smile about.

[ That's the thing about being in a position of power: she didn't always have to play nice anymore. At least, she hadn't at the time. Right now wasn't exactly in that previous position, so smiles? They were a little more important. She just needed to figure out who to smile at. ]

[amberalert]

It works. But playing rough when everyone's watching you could get you a nasty nickname and a reputation if you're not too careful. Or a fun nickname, if you're into that.

[ He pauses and leans forward ]

Did you get one of those?

[impureheart]

Most people call me the Red Queen.

[ She leans forward too, her voice lowering like she's telling a secret. ]

Hardly something I find abject. [ She leans back then, rather quickly. She's not too keen to stay close to a boy who pocketed silverware earlier after all. She smiles again. ]

[amberalert]

[ He kept his voice down in response then shoots an amused look that she pulled back so quickly. He straightens himself back out, clears his throat. ]

Your majesty. [ He holds one of his hands up and waves it in front of himself with a tiny mock bow ] It sounds very fitting.

Are you red because you're in charge and make the first moves or red because you have red on your hands?

[impureheart]

Let's just say the crime I'm in here for is one of the few I'm not responsible for.

[ A beat, then she adds. ]

And I look fabulous in red.

[amberalert]

Were you framed? That's bad luck you have there.

[ He eyes her then gives a nod ]

I bet you do.

[impureheart]

Luck has nothing to do it when the cards have been stacked before the game began. I'm not out of the game yet though.

[ She's completely counting on beating this place, then getting back at the person who landed her in here. ]

I take it green's more your color.

[amberalert]

Of course. The game doesn't end until you do, after all.

[ He points at his face carelessly. ]

Mmmhmm. It brings out my eyes.

[impureheart]

Whose side of the board would you rather be on?

[amberalert]

The side that cheats and gets away with it.

[impureheart]

[ Her whole body sways to the side slightly as her lips purse, but more in a playful way than anything remotely resembling upset. ]

Anyone counting on cheating shouldn't openly admit to it if they were planning to get away with it.

[ Her lips quirk up again into a playful half-sneer. ] There's one simple truth that I think we may both find useful, though. Care to hear it?

[amberalert]

Not planning to. Actually will.

[ He raises one eyebrow, grinning a little and leaning forward once more ] Certainly. Let's hear it.

[impureheart]

But haven't yet.

[ Anastasia's smile keeps up and she leans forward a bit too, like she's telling some kind of secret without lowering her voice. ] Anything's possible in Wonderland.

[amberalert]

You don't know that. Everything might be perfectly aligned.

[ The smile that spreads on Peter's face looks like she told him the best news ever. ] You can't fail then.

[impureheart]

Nothing to cheat at just yet or I would've done it myself.

The real fun begins when we figure out whether we're playing chess, checkers, or some other game.

[amberalert]

Maybe I cheated by being here. [ Head tilt. ]

Or all of them.

[impureheart]

Then you wanted to be in prison?

[ She can't tell exactly what he's playing at. After all, his motives to her-- at least from what she saw in his known crimes-- always seemed free, if nothing else. Wanting to be in a prison seemed the opposite of that. ]

Or something else entirely.

[amberalert]

As opposed to a death sentence.

[ There it is. Cheating death. Get it? ]

As long as you can win it.

[impureheart]

In that case most of us have been cheating since day one, darling. Hardly worth any bragging rights.

In first place.