(I was asked to write a guest blog in which Alice is at teah with one of my the character from my novel, Hatter. Dragons are also in attendance.)

Dragons at Tea

Hatter: I thank you for attending tea today.

Alice: I think I shan't've if I'd known dragons would also attend.

Hatter: Never to worry. You'll find they make delightful tea-mates.

Alice: I believe what you mean to say is 'teammates'.

Hatter: On the contrary. There are no teams in tea after all.

Alice: And what kind of tea does a dragon prefer?

Hatter: It matters little as long as it is blackened tea.

Alice: Ahem, I believe what you mean to say is 'black' tea.

Hatter: No. I assured you assuredly that what I mean is blackened.

Hatter reaches for a teapot among the dozens on the table and pours a light green tea. He places the cup in front of a purple and green kaleidoscope dragon. With a tiny puff from his nose, the creature singes the tea, which burbles, turns black and emits a distasteful odor.

Alice: And if they can char tea so easily, what's to say you and I are safe?

Hatter: Because I've only invited achromivores.

Alice: Achromivores? I believe what you mean to say is carnivores.

Hatter: I'd sooner invite a mule—churlish creatures, those—than invite a carnivore.

Alice: Then how do you mean, achromivore?

Hatter: It's simple really. Chromivores only eat colors, and I care so for colors. Ergo, I made it a point to invite only achromivores.

Alice: So they eat only colorless things?

Hatter: Indeed. White or black.

Alice: And what is to stop them from blackening an apple or eggplant in order to make it palatable?

Hatter: Nothing is stopping them. In fact I believe it's encouraged

Alice: A banana or a blueberry?

Hatter: Certainly. Dragons must eat after all.

Alice: A beef on the hoof or a turtle dove?

Hatter: Yes, either. This certainly is an enjoyable game.

Alice: What about a young lady or a peculiar Hatter?

Hatter: Of cour—Hmmm. I hadn't given that any thought.

Alice: Judging by the way they are looking at us, I don't think it's escaped their consideration.

Hatter: Oh dear!

Alice: I fear we may be well done for?

Hatter: Would you mean 'well done' or 'done for'?

Alice: Yes, both.

Hatter: gulp

Daniel Coleman is the author of the novels Jabberwocky and Hatter.