Title: I slew the Jabberwocky and all I got was a futterwacken.
I do not own the characters.
Still wobbly from vanquishing the Jabberwocky, Alice had just reached the bottom step of the crumbling staircase. Up to the battle and during the battle, adrenaline had been coursing through her body, but now she found herself running on empty. It had been somewhat precarious going back down the staircase. But she made it. Now, her body trembled and her legs in particular felt like wet noodles. She also found that her suit of armor was somewhat heavy and steamy.
Exhausted and perspiring, Alice wiped the sweat off her forehead with her gloved hand. As much as she like taking up the role as the shining knight, the armor had poor ventilation. Burning up, she badly wanted to cool off and she found the armor was becoming more and more uncomfortable. She considered taking off her suit or at least the top off but realized she wasn't wearing very much underneath. Not only that she was hot, she was thirsty.
She was about to ask if somebody had brought something to drink to alleviate her dry mouth since she wasn't carrying any liquids. Perhaps someone had a canteen or a wine flask or a milk jug or water pouch or something, anything to assuage her mounting thirst. Alice wasn't picky at this point, in fact she would have willingly accepted water, beer, Meade, milk, tea, wine, or whatever they had in Underland. So long as it quenched her thirst, she didn't care. And if it made her ten feet tall or ten inches tall so be it. As it was she felt faint and her throat was parched.
"Does anybody . . . " she said almost in a whisper but paused feeling cotton mouthed.
Trying to stand still without swaying, Alice considered sitting down to rest but noticed that everyone had suddenly congregated around Hatter. Not knowing what was going on she drew closer to the group. And also being courteous and chivalrous, Alice joined the gathering and somehow thought that her valiant deeds would be recognized and hoped someone had a drink.
Taking off his hat and setting it aside, Hatter spontaneously burst into dance, gyrating his body oddly. Mirana, McTwisp, Mally, and the Tweedles all seemed to be in awe. Once or twice, Mirana clapped her hands in delight. Mally squeaked in delight and the Tweedles nodded with approval and hooted a few times. The Mad Hare giggled and bounced his head causing his ears to flop every now and then while the Cheshire cat undulated his tail in rhythm. Even the ever so nervous McTwisp seemed to enjoy the display.
Alice was baffled at this spectacle.
"What's this?" she asked hoarsely.
"Futterwacken," hummed Chessur.
"Futter what?" said Alice slightly delirious from thirst.
"Futterwacken. It's the dance."
Her eyes widen with disbelief and she became dismayed.
After putting her life in peril, she would have appreciated a drink at the very least. Was that asking too much? After all, she did save Underland from the Red Queen's tyranny acting as the White Queen's Champion. She risked life and limb to save them all. And she would gladly forgo adulations, hugs, and kisses that are normally bestowed upon a gallant heroine. On second thought, a kiss or two would be nice too as she briefly glanced and smiled at Mirana.
"Oh for goodness sake stop, I'm so thirsty," thought Alice incredulously as she continued to watch the unusual dance. "I can't believe this . . . I slew the Jabberwocky and all I'm getting is a futterwacken?"