Taking Ryuko and Roman to a room, Hatter sat st the head of the table. A closer look at the room revealed his particular taste for 'Alice in Wonderland' wasn't just limited to his love for hats and references. His study was large, decorated with strange objects that didn't look like they came from Remnant. A white rabbit statue, a pocketwatch and a tea set were some things Ryuko spotted. But there were other things that took her interest too. A blood red crystal, a broken collar and some odd posters that were partially hidden.
"Ah~. Now, I'm certainly interested in the criminal aspect of your visit, don't get me wrong! But I simply have a few burning questions in me I need answered. Call it my obsession, but I've seen things... know things that nobody else on Remnant's seen. And that brings me back to my utter fascination with the tale 'Alice in Wonderland'." Hatter explained, making Mister Pis and Mister Stachio go make them a few cups of tea.
"Never heard of it." Roman shrugged, leaning back and letting Ryuko handle this part of the conversation.
"I have. But it's not a story heard or told around here." Ryuko replied, her question probing.
Hatter just grinned a toothy, excited grin and leaned forward, folding his hands together.
"Because it's not a story told on Remnant." There was a tense silence after his declaration, one he broke as he leaned back and snorted in amusement.
"And that means you went beyond those door ruins. That's where I learned this story. And of course, where I got a few knick-knacks. You noticed them, right? I saw your eyes. You can tell what does and doesn't belong here. So- Oooh! Tea's ready! Enjoy." Hatter cut himself off as his bodyguards brought over tea, sugar, cream and shortbread cookies and set them down in front of them.
Ryuko could hardly believe it. He was casually discussing otherworldly relics while happily sipping tea and eating (admittedly delicious) shortbread cookies. His eccentricity was evident.
*Crunch~*
Ryuko shook her head ruefully, marvelling at how casual he was while she too ate a cookie. Roman simply looked at the two of them and shook his head before getting to the point.
"So.. you're saying my dear partner knows about... what? Those ancient ruins and doors nobody could open? I tried opening a few myself, to see if there was any valuables within. Nothing worked. So, ignoring how my partner knows about this.. how'd you open a door?" Roman asked, taking a sip of tea.
Hatter smirked and folded his hands. He wiped the cookie crumbs off the edges of his lips.
"That's just it. I didn't. I found a door, ruined. Opened. There within, was a place I'd never dreamt possible. A facility. One beholden to particularly interesting inmates.." He smiled, explaining as he lowered his cup.
Ryuko tilted her head. That didn't quite match up with what she knew Alice in Wonderland was. Unless it was some messed up version. Seeing her interest, Hatter continued.
"Within a room, full of shackles and restraints, I found a peculiar book. One a little girl loved to read. Alice in Wonderland. She had that book, a few comics and a few.. interesting things to share with me." Hatter stated, glancing at one of the red crystals he had on display.
"Ah but I'd like to ask you about something~. Where did 'you' hear that story? Another gate? You must tell me! I've been dying to know ever since you answered the question correctly.." Hatter leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"To be honest? It's a long story. One that sounds fantastical.. perhaps even fictional~" Ryuko stated, running her finger over the rim of the teacup.
Hatter's eyes gleamed with interest but he didn't press. Instead, he sat back, his arm resting over his chair. Ryuko was baiting him, he knew as much. But he played along and continued.
"I'd certainly like to hear it. But let's talk about what you're here for first. I've been paying attention to your exploits. Now normally? I wouldn't really work with other criminals. All these organized crime families who muscled into Vale nearly a hundred years ago have been bad news for the less fortunate locals here." Hatter stated with a frown.
Roman tapped Melodic Cudgel and hummed before adding, "That's true. The Mistralians and Atlesians came here years ago and used the Valean minor gangs and the poor as goons. Sent 'em to die in their annual gang wars."
Hatter scoffed, his face set in cold distaste.
"Yes, exactly. They sent the locals into a meat grinder to lower their casualties. This started mainly due to the limits of transportation back then. You see, moving a lot of people from other Kingdoms was riskier back then. No bullheads, no armored transports, no trains. All they had were fairly simplistic cars that didn't do great in rough terrain. So, they used the locals. That tradition had carried on mostly unbothered until I created my own gang. One that united us against the other gangs. Sure, we still dabble in crime such as theft, bribing police and fraud but we make sure not to trouble the local downtrodden." Hatter stated, standing up and adjusting the brim of his hat.
"And the only reasons I even invited you here was due to my personal interest in what wonderous things you know and my 'professional' interest in how you've conducted your 'business'. You've avoided killing Huntsmen, manipulating the locals and you have a certain flashiness to you I like. But don't mistake that for trust. I'll give you the benefit of my.. benevelolence. But if my bottom lines are crossed? I'll shed my polite demeanor and treat you accordingly."
Ryuko nodded. It was a pretty courteous warning. The fact that they had operated in a way that hadn't offended Hatter was a bonus. It meant there'd likely be no need to 'replace' him as Senior Xiong had.
"That's agreeable~. Actually, we wanted to talk to you about the parlay coming up. We'd like to be included in a little alliance against the Atlesians. Does that appeal to you, Sir Hatter~?" Ryuko asked with a polite smile, though there was a dangerous edge to it.
Hatter hummed thoughtfully, a sly smile forming on his face.
"Well now.. I can't say I share any love for the Mistralian families.. especially that piece of shit Senior Xiong. If we were to agree to any sort of alliance, I'd need to understand the motivations and goals of my allies. With Senior? Hah! The old coward uses these wars to his advantage. Grabbed the desperate widows and the poor girls affected by our little gang war for his whorehouse. I apologize but if that man is on the Mistralian family council? I'm not going to even bother." Hearing Hatter, both Ryuko and Roman shared a particularly used smirk.
"Oh you won't have to worry about Senior. He came down with a lethal dose of lead poisoning a while back. Now, perhaps you hadn't realized due to the fact that the old fool never traveled far from his turf but I can assure you, his son, Junior is managing the gang far better than he ever had. Why, he's even helping those poor women who were taken in with no place to go."
Ryuko's words made Hatter pause. Internally, he was happy but not completely trusting her words. He'd been trying to lure Senior out with some of his beautiful female members in an odd game for over two years.
'Hmmn.. to be honest though, I can see a woman like her pulling it off. The man thinks with his little head. I wouldn't be surprised if he took one look at her and decided to risk coming out of his turf. Must have been before her first appearance on stream though. After seeing her fight a Chrollo to a tie and get away with a bank vault even he wouldn't risk his life..'
Hatter's fingers tapped the armrests of his chair as he thought it over. Though before he could ask, Ryuko started talking again.
"I can tell you where he's buried, if that gets you to trust me. Get some Valean girls who work there to tell you how things changed." Ryuko offered. Hatter's shoulders released their tension as he snickered.
"I'd appreciate that. Well, if all's as you say? I'd be happy to join this alliance temporarily. Those Atlesian brutes are a plague on Vale. Bringing their technology and brute forcing everything. Their return always brings death to the locals. It's time that changed." Hatter walked over, offering his hands to Ryuko and Roman.
"Between us? With all of us against those Northerners, we'll likely drive the stupid brutes back. They don't know Vale like I do. And they'll be hard pressed to get a solid foothold with the Mistalians and Valeans bearing down on them."
Shaking Hatter's hands, they both got up and shared a devious smirk with him. It seemed like things were going to turn out easier than anticipated.
*BOOOOOOOOOM!!!*
Until a significant part of the house blew up, that is. The explosion was large enough to obliterate the side of the estate they were in. The entire West wing suffering catastrophic damage as the detonation turned it into a burning pit of incinerated wood, metal and stone.
-♡-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-♡-
*Click*
"Sir Gele, the attack was a success. The men hit the target with a guided missle launcher." A man in a black suit, gelled black hair and sunglasses informed, hanging up his scroll as he looked at the young man inspecting a set of advanced-looking metal bracers with dust slots embedded into them.
"Doubtful he's dead. The man's survived absurd amounts of destruction before. How were the new missles? Area of destruction?" The young man asked, his black and white streaked hair flowing down his back, framing his handsome, cold face with even bangs.
He wore a white suit, black leather gloves and a black overcoat draped over his shoulders. The white fur collar of his coat framing his frosty blue eyes as he took the scroll from his subordinate and played the video, showing the missle launcher held by a burly man in black tactical gear being shot at the manor from a nearby rooftop.
"About fifty meters, sir. The West wing was razed." The subordinate answered.
"About that much, I can guess. I won't make the same mistake Father made. The gangs who hold Vale won't be allowed to exist anymore. Uncle Jacques has made it crystal clear he wants the Valean Underworld by next year. To pass a few bills, he needs this network. Start flying our people in. It's tourist season, so scatter them across Vale's hotels. Once everyone's arrived, we'll move." The young man ordered, watching his subordinate quickly leave to enact his plan.
*Ring~* *Ring~*
Getting a call from his personal scroll, he pulled it out of his pocket and barely suppressed a scowl, seeing the caller ID. Though visibly annoyed, he picked up anyway.
"Carmilla." He simply said.
"Oh hello to you too, William Gele~ You sound as irritated as always." Carmilla chuckled on the other line.
"I'm a busy man, Chrollo. What do you want? More weapons?"
She chuckled once again and clicked her tongue.
"No. Though I won't say no to any new toys you grab. It's just, I heard you were bringing in your men and those bandits who pushed out by the Branwen, into Vale. That true?" Carmilla asked, wetting her lips.
"The Beormir tribe? Yes. As always, Chrollo's information network is impressive. But why? Do you need them?" He asked, wanting to end the conversation quickly.
"I have a certain plan.. Would go very well if I took a few with me for a job. I'll reward you. During your gang war or whatever, I'll help you out.. discreetly of course and make your enemies lives Hell. Sound good?"
William sighed. Though he personally disliked Carmilla, he wasn't going to throw away a useful ally. More than his pride was on the line.
"Very well. I'll send you a roster. Pick from them. Just not 'too' many." He replied before hanging up.
"Now.. to win a war.."
-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-
"Who has... the balls..?" Hatter asked, standing in the West wing of his ruined Estate with cuts and a few first degree burns. His aura utterly spent.
"Ugh... do you even need to ask....?" Roman replied, a few feet away.
He looked over to Ryuko and Roman. The former helping the latter up as her Dragon features receded into herself. Ryuko and Hatter looked at each other, a silent understanding between them.
During the explosion, he saw wings, horns and a tail emerge as she covered Roman. While she saw Hatter's aura flare before hidden vials of blood burst from his coat and formed a protective barrier around him.
"They actually caught me off guard.. even made me use this... ehehe.." Ryuko chuckled lowly.
"Hehehe..... ahaha! Oh yes..~ I thought this war was going to be one sided! I can't wait... if this is what they bring out as a taste test!? Ahh~ I can't wait.. to BREAK THEM..~" Ryuko licked her lips as her eyes glowed in excitement.
[AN: Yo. My bad. Shoulda updated last week but I was still busy from work, stress and other fun stuff. Here's some AI Ryuko to make up ♡]