11/05/2011

Days were dull in wonderland. Although, all had been restored to its original luster. Sans the Red Queen. As usual, insanity still plagued the kingdom. Yet, the lunacy was cold and monotonous. When everyone was mad, who was unique? Where were the fuddy duddies and "upstanding citizens" to fool with? Where were the people to tell you the "proper" way to live? Where was she…

The White Queen could see the vacant expression on the Mad Hatter's face. Her dainty brows flittered towards empathy. She knew. He hadn't done the futterwacken since- she was here. The Queen glided over towards his seat at the long tea table beside the blossoming cherry trees outside of her castle. She stopped and starred at his now cold tea with a blossom drifting across the surface, with help from the breeze. Her pale hand lightly touched his cheek and he startled out of a dream. "Oh! Your majesty. Lovely spring day. Wouldn't you agree?" He said with a forced smile. She nodded gently and looked up at the flowering trees. "It is, Hatter." She said in a soft voice. "I wonder if she is in bloom, as well." The Hatter replied in the same tone, "Most assuredl-" He stopped himself and his face flushed slightly. "I mean to say- that is-" She hushed him. "I know. I bet that now she is as lovely as a spring day… Say, Hatter-"

He turned towards her embarrassedly, "Yes, my Queen?"

"You mentioned that she should stay here before she left." The queen said with a faint smile.

"Yes, my Queen." He replied, turning back towards his tea.

She paused. Then, said knowingly, "Why did you not ask to go with her?"

Alice had returned from her voyage. There were many exiting things during her exploration. Yet, each night she found herself comparing the fantasy to Wonderland. She'd hate to admit it, but she'd compared people too. She let out a soft sigh, as she stood on her porch in the oncoming twilight. The cup of Earl Grey in her hands let of steam to warm her face in the slightly chilled air of a spring evening. Her thoughts returned to Wonderland when she realized- was the old tree stump still nearby? Her heart beat slightly faster. It was a different apprehension than what she felt in seeing the new world. This time, it felt like anticipation. Like she could reach a certain gratification that had been long lacking. She tried to calm herself. After all, she was growing older. And, she had chosen to become part of the civilized world. Yet, the girl inside of her counted the impossibility that remained in her mind, "Wonderland exists."

The sound of her feet thumping on the soft ground and snapping twigs in the wood echoed within her ears with the rhythm of her heart. For some reason, she felt that she had to rush towards the spot or it would disappear forever. Breath came in bursts out of her mouth, warm from her lungs. A smile spread on her face, when she saw the soft outline of the stump in the twilight. Suddenly a figure with something like a top hat crossed her path. She couldn't stop her momentum. The figure caught her with apprehension as both of them tumbled to the ground, winded. Alice felt like her face buried in straw; it was curly straw. The sent was familiar. She raised her head slightly as her eyes caught the gaze of the emerald ones she had seen frequently in dreams. The Hatter. Any breath that she had was lost. His expression in the sunset was one of disbelief and hesitation. She imagined hers looked quite similar. His voice wavered, "Alice?" Her heart started beating again. If she gave into temptation- lord knows what she would have done. She was thankful that being back in the "real world" had restored her sensibility. She removed herself from on top of him and grasped his bandaged hand. "Yes." She said with a smile. "The Alice?" He said more firmly and he placed a hand on hers, his eyes shining. "Yes." She replied with a laugh, "I'm sure this time."

They walked in tandem, slowly through the brush onto a path back to her house. Both were unsure of what to say. Alice glanced back at the hatter who was gazing at the sky and trees with a look of wonder. She smiled, "welcome to my world." His eyes caught hers and he replied sweetly, "I quite like it." They made their way up the porch steps when Alice had a realization. Where exactly was she taking this mad hatter? She turned to him from the top of the steps, he was one lower. Their eyes were level. "Um-" she started.

"Would you like me to call you Um? Like before?" He questioned genuinely.

"No," she giggled, "What I mean to say is, why did you come to this world? Where will you go?"

He looked down shyly. "Well I got to thinking that I would rather like to see what world created you, Alice." Glancing back up with enthusiasm in his voice he questioned, "Will you show me more?"

The thought crossed her mind, 'what will the neighbors think?' Feeling beyond her years, she begrudged the thought and threw caution to the wind. "Of course, Hatter." She paused nervously at the melding of worlds that was occurring. But why should it be fine for her to explore Wonderland without a member of that world exploring hers?

He flashed a grin as he clapped his hands excitedly. "Excellent! Where is your fribjib then?"

Her lips narrowed into a thin line as she questioned her decision.

After much discovery of household appliances, Alice was done with explanations for the day. She sat on the couch. The hatter followed. Alice decided that now would be the time to lay down the rules. "So, this will be your bed for the evening." She patted the cushion with one hand. "I'll be staying upstairs." The hatter looked down at the couch then back up at her. "What if a jabberwocky comes along?" He questioned sincerely. She smiled, "There are no monsters to worry about here." He fidgeted with the pincushion on his wrist. She could tell he was uneasy. She placed a hand on his cheek to match his gaze with hers. "Really and truly." She said warmly. His eyes still showed signs of concern. Then, he nodded slowly. She moved to the foot of the stairs. "Goodnight, Hatter." She whispered. "Goodnight, Alice." He replied from his place on the couch.