Chapter Text
Vivaldi rested in her garden, enjoying the lovely spring morning with a cup of tea. Everything was calm...quiet...peaceful. The cherry trees were in bloom, and it was only a matter of time before their delicate petals graced the fresh green grass beneath them...then it happened. Vivaldi had the misfortune to look up from where she was sitting, and spotted a large puff of gray smoke billowing into the sky...one that appeared to originate from her own castle.
“...What in the world?” As she rose from her seat in confusion, a maid ran up to where she stood. “Your Majesty, there is trouble in the kitchens!”
“Would it have anything to do with that?” Vivaldi asked, pointing towards the horizon.
“Y-Yes Your Highness!” the girl stammered, afraid of receiving any sort of blame for the situation.
“Execute the servant who caused it.” the Queen ordered with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“I’m terribly sorry Your Majesty, but I don’t believe that’s possible.”
“Oh?” Vivaldi sounded displeased. “And why?”
The girl looked at her nervously. “Because it’s the fault of Minister White.”
Vivaldi put her hand to her head and sighed. “Lead me there.” she commanded.
“Yes, of course.” The girl was visibly relieved to be in no obvious trouble.
Upon entering the kitchen, the Queen was greeted with thick clouds of smog and the scent of smoldering pastries.
“WHITE!” she yelled through a heavy coughing fit.
“Oh!” Peter exclaimed from somewhere in the kitchen. Out he popped from the ashy, polluted air, glasses fogged, with a burnt plate of charcoal in hand. “Good morning Your Majesty! Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“What are you doing?! If this is your way of courting Alice, We wish to remind you that a castle ablaze is NOT considered a romantic gesture in most societies!”
Peter set down the plate. “It was not my intention to set the Castle aflame, Your Majesty. I am baking Alice a cake in a effort to win her affections.”
“Does she prefer them charred and crispy to the core?”
“All I need is some practice, and I’m sure I can make one perfect enough to capture my love in it’s delicious form.” Peter assured.
Vivaldi sighed. The Castle will have burned down by the time he manages to achieve that. she thought. “Why not let the chefs teach you how?”
“Because it must be done solely by my hand! I want Alice to know that I alone made the confectionary just for her!” he exclaimed, putting his hands to his chest.
“But, if you spent the whole of Valentine’s Day baking, how can you ever hope to visit with her?” the Queen countered. “And, in the time that you waste baking, her heart may be stolen away be another.”
Peter’s face turned as white as his hair at the thought of losing Alice to another man. “That is an excellent argument.” he admitted.
“Well?” Vivaldi asked expectantly.
Peter sighed in defeat and looked to one of the chefs cowering at his presence. “Assist me.” he commanded.
The chef cleared his throat nervously. “Certainly, Minister White. First take two eggs…”
******
“Aaaaaagh!” Back at the Clock Tower, Alice paced furiously. “There’s no way I’ll be able to avoid him today!” Ever since his birthday two weeks ago, Alice had been doing her best to elude Peter as much as possible; with rather successful results. I know I need to talk to him, but I can’t. Not yet. She didn't quite know or understand her feelings, and she certainly wasn’t ready to confront them. But, seeing as it now the most romantic day of the year, he was guaranteed to make an appearance. She turned to Julius in desperation. “What do I do?!”
He sat at his desk, calmly fixing clocks per usual. “The sooner you face whatever emotions you hold, the sooner you may cease fretting...and this ridiculous behavior.” he reminded her.
“I know, but…”. Alice sighed. I don't want to. She stood, brooding over her predicament, when suddenly the door burst open.
“Hey Alice!”
“Big Sis!”
In tumbled Boris and the twins, bringing the same rowdy energy they always seemed to radiate. Dee and Dum ran up to hug her, while Boris turned to greet Julius. “Hey Clockmaker! It’s been a while! In fact, the Old Man’s started to miss you.”
“I regret not having time for friends, but my work keeps me very busy.”
“He knows. Still, he wants to show off some new rides--roller coasters not included.”
Julius looked queasy. “Ah...yes, well...I’m sure you came for Alice, correct?”
“Oh, yeah!” Boris grinned in her direction. “The Park’s all decked out for Valentine’s Day, so we thought you’d like to hang out. Also, here.” He handed her a scarlet rose. “You know, in spirit of the holiday.”
“Oh, thanks.” Alice smiled. “It’s lovely.”
“Big Sis!” The twins called her to attention. “We have flowers too!” They gave her two white roses of their own. “They were gonna be red...” Dee started. “...But he wouldn’t let us dye’em.” Dum finished.
“They wanted to soak them in blood.” Boris informed her. “I told them it was a bad idea.”
Alice suddenly felt sick. “Yeah...that was a good call.”
“But blood red is the best color of all!” they argued.
“Yeah, but not with real blood.” Boris returned.
“Uh huh!”
“Uh Uh!”
“They’re all pretty.” Alice cut in. “Thanks you guys. I’ll just put them in a glass.”
“Anyway, back to the Park.” Boris remembered. “Are you coming?”
“Oh...Yes!” She answered. Perfect...that's an excellent reason to be out when Peter might be around. “Sure, that sounds great!”
“Awesome! Let’s go then!” the boys cheered. Quickly, she bid Julius goodbye and marched off to what would hopefully be a fun distraction, if not a sanctuary.