A/N: My first Alice in the Country of Hearts story (yes, it is based on the Manga). I really enjoyed writing this, as I just finished the 5th book. It's set somewhere between the ball and the end of the 5th book. Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in the Country of Hearts (I wish I did though...)

I'm doing all the OC's included now so I don't have to do them later...

Moullie and Douhla are the property of Phoenix McKay
Katerina Perrywinkle is the property of Rebecca White
Rose is the property of Erin Richman
Victoria and Alleyce are the property of Emma Hall
Belle Faux is the property of Victoria Stolz

Dear: Alice Liddel

You are cordially invited to a Tea Party, hosted by the Hatter Family.

Place: Hatter Mansion

Time: 2pm

Date:Today

We look forward to seeing you there.

I looked up from the invitation...and grinned widely to myself. I haven't been to Blood's place in ages...urrgh...I can't believe that I spent almost a week 'trialling' Gowland's mad rides. Although, Boris can be very persuasive...But I do miss the misfits from the Mansion.

Walking into the main room of the Clock Tower, I saw Julius sitting at a small wooden table, fixing a clock as usual.

"Julius!" I trilled happily. "I'm going for a tea party at Blood's place! Is that ok?"

He didn't look up. "Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" He laughed quietly. "Go on, and have a good time."

I smiled fondly at him, and headed out the door.

Several minutes later, I came to the gate of the mansion. As usual, Dee and Dum seemed to have run off somewhere, presumably to go and play with their massive weapons arsenal. Hopefully they won't try to use it on me again...

Suddenly, there was a rustling behind me. I turned around, surprised...only to see Elliot smiling sheepishly.

He frowned. "Where the hell have those little freaks run off to again? They were supposed to be here waiting for—oh..." He smiled again, and turned towards me. "Blood's been expecting you. Come on!"

As usual, the garden behind the mansion was occupied by a long table and several chairs. The table was covered in a tablecloth, and, as you can probably guess, there was food and a large selection of different teas sitting on the tablecloth.

At the head of the table, looking very dignified was Blood, wearing his tall hat. Man, he's so hot...but I really need to stop comparing him to...

He looked up as Elliot and I walked over. He smiled coyly, saying "Good afternoon Alice." Turning to the blonde rabbit/hare beside me, he asked "What took you so long Elliot? It's not like I asked you to take her on a tour of the house."

He chuckled to himself, and shifted his position on the seat as I sat on the chair to his right. He held out a platter of intricately decorated cupcakes for me. It was hard to decide, but I took the pastel green one with a ladybird made from icing on top.

He asked me what I had been doing that had kept me from enjoying the 'lovely company', as he put it, at the mansion, and as I was about to reply and describe the gruesome details of Gowland's rides, a girl, a little older than me, walked up to the table.

She was somewhere in-between mine and Boris' heights, and had messy brown hair down to her waist. She wore a black vest with brown shorts and a white shirt, and she had an air of lazy carelessness about her. She has mouse ears! They actually suit her...

Blood looked up and sighed. "I thought I told you to actually brush your hair in the mornings. Is everything not related to work that I say to you disregarded?"

The girl- Moullie- snorted. "No," she said "I did brush my hair this morning, but I guess it got messy again when I was running away from that stupid family cat that you keep. If I work here, why the hell do you keep it?"

Blood smiled evilly. "To keep you in line, idiot. Why else? And, while you're here, I might as well introduce you to Alice. Alice, meet Moullie. Moullie, meet Alice."

Moullie glared at him, and then at me, and stalked off back towards the house. Is she always like that, or is it just me?

Blood looked back at me. "I know what you're thinking, and yes, she's like that to almost everyone, even her friends."

"Almost?" I asked.

"Mmh. The only person she's actually nice to is that stupid cat from the amusement park."

Boris? But...isn't she a mouse? That really doesn't make sense...

Minutes later, yet another person came out from the mansion. She had red-and-white-streaked black hair, and was almost as tall as Blood. She was also wearing a maid's outfit.

Blood seemed used to interruptions by now. "All finished with the cleaning Rose?"

The girl frowned. "How did you know it was me?"

"I could hear you trampling my garden from a mile away if I had to."

She giggled, and suddenly appeared to notice me. She gave me an absolutely massive smile, and said "You must be Alice! I've heard so much about you, but I haven't gotten the chance to meet you until now, because this slavedriver here," she nodded towards Blood. "Has had me working my ass off!"

I laughed, thinking, she's kinda mad, although it's not like everyone else here isn't.

Blood scowled, and then looked up at Rose. "If you're all done, then you're free to go, although...I do distinctly remember some clothes that needed—"

"Bye!" Rose interrupted, obviously eager to leave, and skipped off towards the main gate. She stopped to wave once, and then ran off.

A little bit disconcerted by her over-the-top behaviour, I stood up and brushed off the front of my dress.

"I really should be going." I said to Blood, looking up at the darkening sky. "I promise I'll come back soon!"

Blood smiled coyly, saying "Feel free to visit anytime." He stood up. "Goodnight Alice."

"Goodnight to you too!" I started walking back towards the Clock Tower, suddenly tired, and very eager to sleep.

Wow...that was like the longest chapter I've ever written. Anyway, hope it wasn't too jaw-droppingly bad. I'm not really used to writing is this style, so it may take a while for me to brush it up to scratch. Please Review!