[center][h3][color=red]Katrina Marie Kingston[/color][/h3][/center]

Hot steam floated gently upwards, swirling into the air as if dancing to some unknown tune only mother nature herself could compose.  Kat’s eyes stared into the distance though her mind never lingered in the present for long.  What began as gathering order to morning duties (for surely, she needed to trim the Rose bushes, gather the morning news from the Daffodils, and be sure to perk up the sour bushes) led to thoughts on the war.  The Red Kingdom had never been this silent since the last batch of guests who appeared here.  How long had it been? 12 years?  The last time war hit the town it became a desolate shade of grey splashed with red.  Whether this was from melancholy and heart soldiers or bellowing smoke and blood…she could not remember.  All the same she couldn’t forget the screams.

[i]”Greetings to you Kat.”[/i] 

A familiar voice.  A warm voice.  Pulled back to the present, Katrina found herself with delicate hands clasped tightly against the body of the mint teacup.  She didn’t even realize her heart had been pounding.  Taking in her surroundings once more, eyes readjusted to the sight of a black and white cat floating belly up.  All worry dissipated melting away like snow on the first of spring; no remanence of the past could be found in the simple smile adorned by red lips.  He always had that effect on her.  Placing the cup on the windowsill Kat unlatched the hooks while pushing the panels outwards.  Fresh morning air filtered in, lightly moving the lace curtains to either side.  [color=red][i]Always the gentleman.[/i][/color] She couldn’t help but to smirk.

Opening her mouth to offer a greeting the blissful moment disappeared instantaneously to the sound of the garden attacking some unknown object in an effort to protect what has always been theirs.  Leaves, rustled against one another, the sound of surprise and shock as a retort.  Her eyes opened wide for a moment fear from her earlier thoughts flooding her mind and muffling her senses. [color=red] [i] It’s the King. [/i][/color]  Moving back in a dazed shock she couldn’t feel her hand hit the porcelain.  Hot liquid splashed against her legs on the way down, burning her slightly.  The sound of glass shattering seemed distant and easy to ignore.

Heart beating wildly like a caged bird, Katrina turned, disappearing from the Chess’ sight before bolting out the door in direction of the scene.  What she found instead only left her bumfuzzled.  Fear subsided as quickly as it came replaced by a bubbly laugh.  Instead of finding a card soldier or a hired aid, Kat lighted upon a petite blonde girl, no doubt from the other world.  Grabbing the girl’s hands, Kat pulled her away from the angry plants scolding them as she did.  The vines withdrew into themselves at the lecture.

[color=red]“This girl is not an enemy; she is a guest now.  I will not tolerate you all hurting innocent ladies.  I expect you all to treat her as such!” [/color]  Hands on her hips she turned with a [i]humpf[/i] before readdressing the figure before her, voice now laden with motherly undertones/ [color=red] “My dear are you alright?  You must be full of fright with popping in another dimension and being attacked like that.“[/color] looking back at the now calm flowers she made a small gesture, [color=red] “They usually aren’t so misbehaved.  They thought you were a scout, that’s all.” [/color]

Listening to herself, Katrina wondered how this girl would handle such nonsense.  ‘Alices’ came and went yet she was still no better at explaining herself.  People didn’t always react well to the news.  Emotions ranged from disbelief, to shock, to anger.  Katrina preferred to give each person a moment to gather their thoughts before giving telling them the truth about this place….They would be here for a long time.  

Remembering the moment, the woman blushed bright red with embarrassment before glancing back towards the cabin.  [color=red][i]I just made that scene in front of Cheeesssss!  I ignored him and it ended up just being a girl!![/i][/color]

There would not be any living down of this emotional morning.  Shaking her head to brush away negative thoughts Katrina held out a hand, offering another smile, [color=red] “Let me help you up.  I live in the small cabin over there. Let’s get you a cup of tea and let you gather your thoughts.  Then I’ll answer any questions you have.”[/color]

It looks as though she will be having all sorts of visitors today.

[@Akayaofthemoon][@AngelofOctober]