[hr]ATTN: [@PaulHaynek] (Takeshi) & [@The Irish Tree] (Liliana)[hr][hider=In Matters of Upheld Honor, Applied Chivalry, and Forgotten Friendship (Collab w/ The Irish Tree)][hider=The Royally Decided Consequence of Selectiveness (Prologue - Alice, Solo Post)]As Takeshi rallied the collected Taskforce, his words carried clearly and cleanly across the temple grounds. Alice kept her tongue, as Kerry cast her invitations skyward; naming and remembering her rather extended family, one by one, from youngest to father, and ending with her mother. As the bits of Time-Space Magic traveled along dimensional current across reality, they would get to where they were needed exactly when they were needed, and not a moment sooner.

Once they were all cast, Alice would look up at Takeshi, the Young Lord Oda, son of Hideo, and Leader of the Taskforce that occupied Terauchi Temple.

"[color=976f29][i]I'll pass~![/i][/color]" Alice chirped. [color=976f29][i]It seems to me, you were able to handle your little liberation mission all fine and dandy without me,[/i][/color]" she says, "[color=976f29][i]Didn't even seem to think you needed little, old me for the biggest push in this campaign that you and your benefactor drafted me into. I'm sure you'll do nicely selfsame without me in this endeavor.[/i][/color]"

"[color=808080][i]I'd wager the same,[/i][/color]" Carroll says, "[color=808080][i]It's not like you didn't know where we were, after all. You chose to leave us behind. Such thoughtlessness,[/i][/color]" she shrugged, turning her palms skyward, "[color=808080][i]I'm not all that spurred to action, right now, dear Prince. Maybe later.[/i][/color]"

Alice lifted her dress in curtsy, as did Carroll, "[color=976f29][i]If[/i][/color] [color=808080][i]you'll [/i][/color] [color=976f29][i]excuse[/i][/color] [color=808080][i]us[/i][/color]."

Allowing little in the way of words, the duo would depart from the gathering to do their own thing.

At first there was disbelief…after all, it sounded like Alice, but looked nothing like her. And as for acting like her…well, it was hard for Liliana to really know much about Alice’s mannerisms when half the time she kind of treated Liliana as a baby when talking to her, but she seemed…different. [color=f49ac2][b]"Lady Alice?"[/b][/color] the recently awakened fairy exclaimed, immediately flying after the duo, fast as she could in her tiny form.

Alice was strolling along, as she spoke to Carroll, "[color=976f29][i]We'll need to plan accordingly for the Assault on Kenshiro's Rest.[/i][/color]"

"[color=808080][i]Once we find Kenshiro's Rest,[/i][/color]" Carroll cut in.

"[color=976f29][i]Yes, yes,[/i][/color]" Alice grimaced.

[color=C48BD3][b]"Lady Alice!"[/b][/color] A tiny cute voice said, as Carroll would recognize the beguiling aura of a magicked blade strapped on a being no larger than a sparrow, flying rapidly towards the duo.

As Carroll fussed at Alice, Liliana would feel herself dart, like a sparrow, across a Line of Intention, and a needle blitz at her, as, autonomically, Carroll's hair formed into a blade, and whipped at Liliana to defend herself from the incoming threat.

Spinning in midair to have her sword-covered back slide along the needle, Liliana would focus her eyes and glide along Carroll’s hair, a familiar sounding giggle resounding for just a moment in Carroll’s mind as Whimsy made contact. [color=ed145b][i]"My, two against one. You don’t stand a chance at all, little fairy."[/i][/color] the blade warned into Liliana’s mind, before she struck with Whimsy to knock herself away, landing before Alice, using Size Trick to enter her human-sized state. 

[color=f49ac2][b]"You…you’re lady Alice, right?"[/b][/color] Liliana asked, sure that if Alice just saw her, she’d call off Carroll.

An open palm would answer Liliana, as Alice, reflexively, struck at the figure that popped up in front of her. Her stance was strong, rooted, and generated a lot of her Mamono strength with a flowing strike, which sent Liliana tumbling, before Alice's narrowed eyes unfocused, and she stared.

"[color=976f29][i]Who the hell are you, and how do you know me,[/i][/color]" Alice asks.

"[color=808080][i]Is that a Fairy,[/i][/color]" Carroll questioned, as her hair settled from "attack" to "defense". "[color=808080][i]No way a Fairly triggered my reflexes...[/i][/color]"

Liliana’s fall didn’t hurt her anywhere near as much as the slap did, emotionally speaking.

…Maybe…this really wasn’t Alice but…

[color=f49ac2][b]"Owie…"[/b][/color] Liliana whined, rubbing her reddened cheek, tears welled in her eyes. [color=f49ac2][b]"What’s your problem!? Don’t you…remember me, Lady Alice?"[/b][/color] she asked, looking up at the Mad Hatter, while Carroll would note that the thing triggering her reflexes had more been the sword itself possessing tremendous power, compared to the milquetoast fairy holding it.

"[color=0F52BA][i]My problem,[/i][/color]" Alice asks."[color=0F52BA][i]I'm not the idiot that appeared in the front of someone suddenly![/i][/color]"

Liliana would remember that voice, so sharp and above her, both in station and power; the Queen of Summerheld that called her Bladeflower, First.

...yet there was no recognition in her eyes.

"[color=9b111e][i][b]Something wrong with that sword. It's not one of my kith, but definitely cursed,[/b][/i][/color]" Carroll says, as her hair formed the blade of an axe. "[color=9b111e][i][b]Best I hack it apart, and the Fairy's hands, too.[/b][/i][/color]"

[color=f49ac2][b]"...So…I guess…you don’t remember me,"[/b][/color] Liliana said, rubbing the tears from her eyes with her forearm, before standing. [color=f49ac2][b]"But, that isn’t important right now. I’m just glad you’re back…I knew everyone was lying. Lady Alice would never run away! But…why’re you going this way? Takeshi needs everyone to help rescue his dad."[/b][/color]

"[color=0F52BA][i]Remember you? I wouldn't spare a moment to remembering a mosquito,[/i][/color]" Alice says, rubbing her temple. "[color=0F52BA][i]Nor do I care what some Human wants from me. I am the Queen of Summerheld, beyond you all, and... and... [/i][/color]" Alice grit her teeth. "[color=0F52BA][i]My head... it hurts again....[/i][/color]"

Carroll seemed to be in similar discomfort, as her axe unraveled into strands of hair.

"[color=FFCCDC][i][b]Who the hell are you...[/b][/i][/color]'' Alice asks, glaring at Liliana, as her mind battled to remember and to forget.

[color=f49ac2][b]"I!"[/b][/color] Liliana would stand tall in her human height, looking up at Alice without a hint of fear. [color=f49ac2][b]"Am Bladeflower Six of Thirteen, Liliana, wielder of Whimsy, lover of all things pink, knightly, fun, and I’m lucky enough to be your friend."[/b][/color] Liliana said, undeterred. She could see that Alice was struggling…and knew, somehow, they’d come to blows. But she was still holding out hope her friend would remember her.

[color=f49ac2][b]"You said one day I could be your First Bladeflower…but…I’m still somebody else’s knight, Lady Alice. So I’ll settle for being your best friend!"[/b][/color]

"[color=FFCCDC][i][b]I don't have friends...[/b][/i][/color]" Alice says, extending her left hand, and drawing Carroll; gripping the massive axe, as her right arm hung loose. "[color=FFCCDC][i][b]And, I don't need Bladeflowers! So, settle for death![/b][/i][/color]"

Alice flickered, and Liliana would feel the kiss of vorpal steel upon her neck, but nothing else, as Alice's right arm was holding her left back from swinging true.

"[color=0F52BA][i]Lili! Run![/i][/color]" Alice groaned, as she struggled against herself; her memories, good and bad, vying to align Liliana as either a friend or a stranger, and corroding her sense, but not self.

Liliana had squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the end as vorpal steel approached…before Alice stopped herself, vying to let Liliana escape. To flee. To run away and never see her again. To make sure Alice stayed in the oblivion of amnesia forevermore.

[color=f49ac2][b]"...No way!"[/b][/color] the fairy proclaimed, now drawing her sword. [color=f49ac2][b]"I’m not strong like Gringor and Alice…I’m not skilled like Shizuka and Kerry…and I’m not smart like Skarsneek or Io…but Lady Alice, I know one thing nobody else does right now!"[/b][/color]

Liliana would smile, eyes focused as a bead of sweat rolled down her cheek. [color=f49ac2][b]"Right now…I can’t lose to anybody! Not even you! So if you want to execute me, at least have the honor to duel me for that right!"[/b][/color]

[url=https://youtu.be/_ZXtB2nzeyM]Standing against the storm of a queen and a cursed blade, the flower sharpened her petals and braced her stem. She wouldn’t be scattered, nor would she retreat.[/url]

Alice grit her teeth; not from effort, but containing her laughing, as Carroll's axe unraveled in full, as the Sword Devil cackled. Both were taken aback by the proclamation, and stricken by laughter.

"[color=0F52BA][i]Still proclaiming such nonsense so boldly, huh,[/i][/color]" Alice asks, somewhere between. "[color=0F52BA][i]I'll need to sort your pathetic optimism for harsh reality...[/i][/color]" she says, as she held up her right hand, "[color=976f29][i]You picked this fight, little Fairy. Show me that you can't lose, Liliana...[/i][/color]"

"[color=808080][i]Better not disappoint me, you plank of wood,[/i][/color]" Carroll says, before she would swirl into Alice's right hand, and offer her battle-stance with the thin sword drawn.

Liliana smiled, as she suddenly turned to the side. [color=C48BD3][b]"Alright then. Let’s go somewhere other people won’t get involved,"[/b][/color] she said, before turning her back to Alice. Not out of foolishness, or disrespect…but because she knew that Alice wouldn’t attack her from behind before the match had even started. And somehow…that fairy’s back had become dangerous. As if an attempt to spit on her chivalry would mean it was Liliana’s victory.

That back had become the largest target Alice could pray for, and one that would instantly lose her everything.

"[color=976f29][i]It would seem you understand me. I... remember your voice... annoying...[/i][/color]" Alice says, before sheathing her blade. "[color=976f29]Only a Fairy would be foolhardy enough to test my honor...[/color]" she walked past Liliana, "[color=976f29]It is time you and I had a long overdue conversation, Liliana, my First Bladeflower.[/color]"

Alice would lead Liliana to the cleaning of felled trees, and draw into her stance; extending her left hand forward, palm facing her, fingers extended, as she curled a fist with her right hand, and crossed it behind her back.

"[color=976f29]You are not yet verses in the Languages of Wars, so I teach you as I would any beginner...[/color][/hider][hr][hider=Speaking One Truth in the Language of Swords (Combat Post - PVP, Alice vs. Liliana)]"[color=976f29]...how to speak the Language of Swords! Draw your blade, Liliana![/color]" Alice commanded, before flickering forwards, and lashing out with her left hand alone.

At once, Liliana would shrink down using her size trick, utilizing her small size and the pressure from Alice’s blow to avoid it, already going straight for the Mad Hatter’s neck as she slid along her arm.

Alice spun with her lash, and snapped her arm stiff - the lane turning into a wall, as Alice bashed it into Liliana. Straight from the arm bar, Alice would raise her right hand above the stunned Liliana, and hammer the heel of her palm down upon her - moving straight into an intended stomp with her heeled boot.

As soon as the boot was about to collide, Liliana would shout: [color=C48BD3][b]"Now, Whimsy!"[/b][/color] before she would dart back, her sword casting the infamously powerful summoning spell, as Alice kicked her heel right into a magic circle, a large brown highland cow now firmly sitting right atop her foot as the fairy vaulted over its haunches to return Alice’s kick in kind.

Alice’s eyes narrowed, as she pressed down on her heel; spiking the blunted post through the cow, before catching Liliana’s foot. "[color=976f29][i]Sloppy. Even with [Quick Casting], your control is no better,[/i][/color]" she says, as the damaged summon disappeared. A lesser fighter would have been thrown off-balance, likely as Liliana intended, but Alice merely used the forward motion as momentum to slam Liliana down. "[color=976f29][i]If you intend to use this sword as a wand, then I will take it,[/i][/color]" she says, wrapping her left hand around Whimsy to pull it away.

Just when defeat seemed imminent, Liliana suddenly flickered, a devious smile on her lips as she completely disappeared, as did Whimsy, as the fake Mirror Image was dissipated, another Liliana flying in from above Alice’s blind spot to attempt to skewer her with Whimsy.

Alice suddenly turned, and swatted Liliana out of her joust.

"[color=976f29][i]Attacking my blind spot,[/i][/color]" Alice smirked. "[color=976f29][i]I’m actually impressed. You have [Silent Casting] and [Quick Casting], and being naturally mischievous, a natural talent of subterfuge....[/i][/color]" She straightened her pose, "[color=976f29][i]Summon something to distract me, and block my sight of you, then cast your illusion to keep my attention, and go invisible to reposition for a sneak attack where I cannot see you from.[/i][/color]"

"[color=808080][i]If only you hadn’t forgotten I can see all behind her...[/i][/color]" Carroll chuckled.

"[color=976f29][i]360-degrees of awareness,[/i][/color]" Alice says, doing a twirl, and creating a five-foot circle of mushrooms. "[color=976f29][i]This is my Line of Intention. As soon as you cross it, Carroll will know your intention, and so will I. There is no attack you can launch that I cannot block with my swords - be they my hands or Carroll.[/i][/color]” 

[color=976f29]This is what it means to speak the Language of Swords.[/color]"

"[color=808080][i]Even if your intentions are pure, as long as that hateful bitch is against your success, you will never take us off-guard in earnest, Fairy Knight.[/i][/color]" Carroll says. "[color=808080][i]You claim you will never lose, but you can never win on your lonesome. Just like that Human, you NEED the help. However, help is not given because you WANT it.[/i][/color]" she lectures cruelly. "[color=808080][i]Spare yourself the embarrassment, and flutter back to the Human. Humble yourself before someone weaker than you. You’re sixth in line for a reason. This is as far as you can go, until you and your sword can speak the same language, like Alice and I.[/i][/color]"

[color=ed145b][b]"That is, for the most part, what I told her. But how fascinating. A line of perception,"[/b][/color] Whimsy spoke through Liliana’s mouth, the mirror image flickering a bit, revealing itself to also not be the real Liliana…and yet…Whimsy wasn’t flickering like before. The sword was real. [color=ed145b][b]"I told her the plan was stupid, but she insisted. Even still…right now, it should be finished. You won’t be able to leave this circle you love so much in just a moment,"[/b][/color] the splinter said, before smiling sinisterly, twisting Liliana’s visage enough to look horrifying. 

[color=ed145b][i][b]"I’ve heard this is how Devil Bugs fight, too…"[/b][/i][/color] she said before something darted through the circle, taking a large chunk out of Alice’s arm. A blur of pink speeding past, ripping part of her flesh with just her hands. …How many spells had been cast all at once?

"[color=976f29][i]A Fairy would play by such tricks and traps,[/i][/color]" Alice says, as her arm gushed green blood from the gaping wound. "[color=976f29][i]However, can you keep that up for longer than I can survive? Just how long can you maintain such magicks?[/i][/color]"

Liliana would strike twice more, before, just when she knew Alice and Carroll would be capable of predicting where she’d strike next, her target became seizing Whimsy once more after accumulating damage on the two, dashing out of the circle with Alice’s blood staining her hands, and her sword once more firmly held. [color=f49ac2][b]"About…that…long…"[/b][/color] the fairy said, arms red and steaming after having to stress herself with Giant’s Strength, Haste, and keeping Triple Reflection up. Whereas a normal mage would burn themselves out chaining spells so much, the damage done inside of Liliana’s body was already being repaired by the Queen’s Blessing, letting her continue the fight as she now took up a proper sword stance.

[color=f49ac2][b]"I already know I’m nowhere near as strong, and frankly…Whimsy and me’ll never get along as good as you and Carroll. But that doesn’t matter one bit! I would rather die than accept someone else’s help right now, because this is my fight, and you’re my friend!"[/b][/color] Liliana said, lowering her stance, eyes focused. [color=f49ac2][b]"Whimsy. Save everything you have from now on."[/b][/color]

Carroll would sense it best as Whimsy became aglow with its own magic, hardening, condensing, strengthening, buffs cast upon the sword itself rather than its wielder in order to survive against clashing with Carroll.

From here on out, this was no longer a fairy fighting a hatter. It was a Knight battling a Queen.

Alice stretched, as she raised her arms above her head, and cracked her neck. "[color=976f29][i]So, so, so... curious...[/i][/color]" she says, "[color=976f29][i]Last I remember you, you were such a cowardly thing. A furled petal with no color,[/i][/color]" Alice set her arms before her, crackling her elbows and shoulders, "[color=976f29][i]Now, look are you. Green. A beautiful color. Royal. Promising. Rejuvenating. It’s warm, isn’t it? My blood...[/i][/color]" she asks, as she did side stretches. "[color=976f29][i]Tell me, are you confident?[/i][/color]"

Liliana had buffed Whimsy to the nines, yet Carroll remained sheathed, and Alice straightened out.

"[color=976f29]I loath fighting the unconfident...[/color]"

[color=f49ac2][b]"Of course I am. I’m gonna win!"[/b][/color] Liliana said, eyes not once wavering as she unfurled her wings. [color=f49ac2][b]"And then, I’ll just have to bang you on the head just enough that you remember everything!"[/b][/color]

"[color=976f29][i]It seems you’ve learned a few words,[/i][/color]" Alice says, before walking forward.

Liliana would make the first move, lunging at Alice with a horizontal slash, utilizing her flight to be able to pivot faster than she could on the ground.

Alice stiffened her arms at once - intending to catch Whimsy in the muscle of her left arm, and drive her right elbow into the flat of the blade, before snapping her right leg at Liliana.

Having learned plenty of dirty tricks fighting against Varjans, Liliana was privy to how someone might try to catch Whimsy due to her size, and would use that to her advantage to shrink herself down just as the attack would have connected, feinting and flying up past Alice’s foot to slice along it.

"[color=976f29][i]How dirty,[/i][/color]" Alice says, as her boot was cleaved open, and her leg bled freely, as she set it back down. "[color=976f29][i]How smart, as well,[/i][/color]" she tested her leg, before planting it firmly, "[color=976f29][i]Speed. Force. Precision. So serious.[/i][/color]"

Alice smiled, "[color=976f29][i]How much blood are you planning to spill...[/i][/color]"

[color=f49ac2][b]"Just enough until I win,"[/b][/color] Liliana said, flicking Whimsy to remove the blood from it, and her hands. [color=f49ac2][b]"Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned about you Lady Alice, its that I can’t win by just hacking away like you’re a normal person. I gotta do something crazier!"[/b][/color]

"[color=976f29][i]Do tell,[/i][/color]" Alice asks, shaking her arm; casting blood on the ground. Well, more. She’d been freely letting it stain the ground, and not healing.

[color=f49ac2][b]"Well, using your blood for starters. And those chunks of flesh I tore out earlier,"[/b][/color] Liliana said, before poking the ground with Whimsy, a pale green light extending from the blade to small lumps on the ground, the very same that Liliana had ripped out earlier as the myconid flesh twisted and writhed, the pale green light following along to the pools of blood Liliana and Alice had cast off from the queen. Suddenly, a gargantuan snake formed from it using Plants to Snakes as a catalyst, a fair portion of the grass being consumed to make a large serpent…and the magic was trailing up Alice’s arm. If she didn’t think fast, any extra blood would only strengthen the forming beast.

"[color=976f29][i]How curious,[/i][/color]" Alice says. "[color=976f29][i]You would go so far to prove a point? Or, rather... to make a point.[/i][/color]"

[color=f49ac2][b]"Of course! That point being…you can’t beat me either, unless you stop holding back,"[/b][/color] Liliana said, staring Alice down. 

Alice chuckled, and squatted. "[color=976f29][i]That's what you want in earnest, then,[/i][/color]" she asks.

[color=f49ac2][b]"You’ll have to. Otherwise, I’m gonna win too easily,"[/b][/color] Liliana boasted.

Alice would stand, as Carroll slid up her arm, and morphed into her scissor blade. "[color=976f29][i]Very well,[/i][/color]" she says.

"[color=808080][i]Don't blink, plank of wood. I want you to understand the power difference between a Queen of Wonderland and a Queen of Fairytale...[/i][/color]" Carroll chuckled, as she transformed further.

All of a sudden, the pressure of the figure that stood before Liliana would smile.

"[color=5d7947][i][b]My dearest Liliana, so brave, so stubborn, I will honor you,[/b][/i][/color]" Dinah says, "[color=5d7947][i][b]I will shower you in the rain of the Heavens...[/b][/i][/color]" Dinah extended her sword, and the blade split in two half, before she took the Heavenly Strike stance with both swords, "[color=5d7947][i][b]My First Bladeflower, become baptized in the [Heavenly Striking Rainfall]...[/b][/i][/color]"

Dinah would disappear for but a moment, and reappear behind Liliana... as thousands of slash marks formed a giant, cartoon, six-petaled flower around her.

"[color=5d7947][i][b]Stand proudly, Liliana, and fall proudly, too, because I'm so proud of you... and you, little Whimsy,[/b][/i][/color]" Dinah says, before de-transforming.

"[color=976f29][i]Oh, that was exhausting,[/i][/color]" Alice says, healing her wounds. "[color=976f29][i]Good job, Liliana. Another thousand years, and you won't need sneak attacks to hit me.[/i][/color]"

…

…

…

…………………………

…

…So…this was what true, complete, utter defeat felt like, as Liliana fell to her knees, arms nearly cleaved off entirely, a large gash in her side, wings torn to ribbons, one eye crushed, and a feeling as if one of her lungs didn’t work for now. Regeneration would take care of most of that for now, even as her limp wrist let go of Whimsy, the magic leaving the blade as Whimsy’s mind retreated, utterly spent from the clash…

And, from the counterattack that had been launched, as Alice would finally register the blow from Liliana’s own Gaia Hazard: Heavenly Strike, a head-on, honest to goodness strike in a real sword fight. The only one Liliana landed, and the most powerful one that could ever have broken through one of the petals of Alice’s strike.

Once. Just once. And yet it was enough to make the magic-infused damage from Alice ache like nothing else. An entirely unique pain as Liliana collapsed, of the true disastrous interaction that Wild Magic had with Wonderland Magic....[/hider][hr][hider=When All Words Are Said, Only Actions Remain (Post Combat)]Alice would catch Liliana, and flop back onto her plush rear. "[color=976f29][i]That was a nice shot,[/i][/color]" she says, as there was a large hole punched through her right side; opposite her heart. It cleaved from her shoulder to the lowest rib; decimating the entirety of her breast, and most of the lung and rib cage underneath. "[color=976f29][i]Still, too soft. You have to go all the way, kiddo.[/i][/color]"

Alice sighed, as strands of mycelium bridged the gap to start repairs, and her blood soaked back into her body. and cradled Liliana close to her left breast; opening her blouse to rest the injured Fairy against her warm skin, as cuddled up. "[color=976f29][i]I have a code, you know,[/i][/color]" she says, stroking Liliana’s hair with a finger, "[color=976f29][i]A strong person stands between two doors. Before them, all the evils of the world. Behind them, all the innocence of the world. It is their mission to hold the front door close, so the back door can stay open, and if they cannot, they must give their all to stem the tide, and make it right...[/i][/color]"

"[color=976f29][i]I do not feel it is my task to close the door that Lord Oda left his son,[/i][/color]" Alice says, "[color=976f29][i]And yet... you were fully prepared to die... just to make me.[/i][/color]"

"[color=976f29][i]Fairies are ever fools.[/i][/color]"

Alice finished regenerating, but the hole left a twisted, diamond-shaped scar upon her right side from her shoulder and lowest rib; a reminder that everyone had conviction, and could use it to break the mightiest powers - even fools.

"[color=976f29][i]Lucky for you, fools remind me of home,[/i][/color]" Alice says, yawning.

It took everything Liliana had to wake back up then and there, desperately clinging to consciousness as red stained her vision and she grabbed a torn fragment of Alice’s garb. [color=f49ac2][b]"...I can’t do…anything right…"[/b][/color] she choked out, tears starting to stream down her face, nose running as she sniffled. [color=f49ac2][b]"Even…e-even when…I give it everything…I’ll never…never win when it counts. I know that…I knew it all along…so…"[/b][/color] Liliana inhaled deeply, before sobbing out: [color=f49ac2][b]"But this time…this one time…I would have been fine losing forever if I won this one time…and even then I…I…"[/b][/color]

"[color=976f29][i]Scored a point,[/i][/color]" Alice says. "[color=976f29][i]I haven’t lost a duel in nine-hundred and ninety-nine years. I don’t plan to, for as many more years,[/i][/color]" she says, "[color=976f29][i]I’ve never had someone score a point on me, either. I let people hit me. I bleed to spread my spores, spreading paralytics and neurotoxins. People have long forgotten the honor of dueling, of speaking with their swords, so I stopped dueling honorably...[/i][/color]"

Alice held Liliana close, and beamed, "[color=976f29][i]But, you... in the end... it was you that had what I missed. A duelist’s spirit. I’m... actually happy to lose to a proper duelist - even if your form is sloppy, your footwork is terrible, you rely on your wings too much, you have so many tells, and your bond with your sword is like... unspeakably awful.[/i][/color]"

"[color=976f29][i]You may be Sixth of Thirteen to your Queen, but you’re Second to None for the Queen of Diamonds.[/i][/color]"

Liliana tried to say something else, but was too choked by tears to manage it, instead settling to sob into Alice’s chest until she passed out from the pain of her injuries. Still…she’d won something, today.

Alice would be still - she didn’t have healing spores, but she could quicken time with her racial spell, and supply Liliana with succor at the same time. Granted, the Fairy was unconscious; still, if a sleeping baby could manage it, a sleeping Fairy could do the same.

Focusing her dwindling magic, Alice would cast a circle large enough to throw a party for two, "[color=976f29][i][b]O’ Frabjous Day~[/b][/i][/color]" before nudging Liliana into place to drink some healing “milk tea” while time flowed [b][i]significantly[/i][/b] faster for the two of them.

Now fully repaired, Liliana was free to slumber free of pain, a tiny bit of Whimsy’s green glow returning, before dissipating as another wave of energy passed over Liliana…a Greater Healing that flowed from Liliana to Alice. A prize from Whimsy, it seemed.

"[color=976f29][i]You like milk tea, huh,[/i][/color]" Alice asks, looking down into her closed blouse.

Liliana was sleeping as soundly as a babe, most of the damage done to her body no longer visible, sans a small torn scar across the top section of her right wing. 

In a way, they would forever match. Though, where Alice would wear her scar with pride ([i]although, she dreaded Kerry’s reaction[/i]), she was sure Liliana was going to summon a cow to have. Liliana tended to overreact, after all. Still, they were close again - closer, even, perhaps - which was one step closer to fulfilling the Fairy’s fondest dream.

Staring into the sky, Alice sighed, "[color=976f29][i]I still have things to do, before we go...[/i][/color]"

Removing her hat, Alice would reach in and pull out a fistful of papers. As she willed it, her spell would be cast on it, and they would read out: <[b]O’ FRABJOUS DAY~! You [Recipient Name Here] are so cordially invited to the Alice and Kerry’s Bachelor/Bachelorette Double Feature Heavenly Strike Reclamation Party For Tying Up Loose Ends Before A Big Rescue Mission!! RSVP! Or, be a loser, and don’t![/b]>

"[color=976f29][i]That’ll do,[/i][/color]" Alice says, casting all but one to each member of the Taskforce. "[color=976f29][i]This one is for you, my Bladeflower. I’ll give it to you directly.[/i][/color]"[/hider][hr][hider=A Dream of Someday (Epilogue - Liliana, Solo Post)]
Mushroom milk often had…something a little funky about it. Just enough hallucinations and comfort were bound to have one imagining simpler, warmer times…and for the pink fairy that just outdrank a grown man when it came to milk consumption, she was imagining another duel, another time, another rest, and another promise of being someone’s #1…

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/QlArapg.png[/img][/center]
[i][color=f49ac2][b]"Ughhh…I just can’t beat you, Rosebud. Its no fair…"[/b][/color]

[color=66CDAA][b]"Now now, don’t be like that. You’re getting much better. I’d say you’d even be a match for Marigold if you keep up this pace."[/b][/color]

[color=f49ac2][b]"Really!? But…I’ve been Thirteen for so long…wouldn’t Marigold be really upset if I took her spot? She works hard too.."[/b][/color]

[color=66CDAA][b]"Yes, she does. But every one of the Bladeflowers works as hard as they can to move up. Just because someone is number thirteen doesn’t make them weak, or a loser, like you seem to keep thinking you are."[/b][/color]

[color=f49ac2][b]"W-Well its hard not to when you keep kicking my butt!"[/b][/color]

[color=66CDAA][b]"You make it a liiiiittle too easy sometimes, little sister. Your form’s got a long ways to go, your footwork is…not the best, and you keep arguing with Whimsy in the middle of your duels. "[/b][/color]

[color=f49ac2][b]"Yeah…I know…but she’s so mean ALL the time!"[/b][/color]

[color=66CDAA][b]"Splinterswords are just like that, until you fully tame them, Lili. I know you’ll manage it someday…hehe, I bet you could even make Second once you do. But then I’ll really have to go all out on you~"[/b][/color]

[color=f49ac2][b]"Ugghhh…no way…I’m already flying in circles trying to catch you and Vim. I give up for today~"[/b][/color]

[color=66CDAA][b]"Lili? ...You sure can be a brat sometimes, Liliana, helping yourself to somebody’s time and then napping during it. …But…you’re still small, so rest up a lot. I’m sure you’ll be as strong as me someday."[/b][/color]

[color=66CDAA][b]"And when you do…I’ll take you all over the world, wherever the Queen needs us. Just you and me."[/b][/color][/i]

…But, that day hadn’t come yet. Even as Liliana fought a Lilim-spawn and emerged with a strike won…she was still certain that Rosebud could at least have brought Dinah out by overwhelming Alice and Carroll. Perhaps, even manage to tie against her…[/hider][/hider]