Disclaimer: I do not own, Alice in Wonder/Through the looking glass, I am not making any money from this.

Possible Warnings: Bl/Gl/Het, Violence, Gore, Swearing, and the destruction of decent childhood memories.

You've Been Invited For Tea...

It was the moment before day turned to night, the only moment in an entire day where the sky came alive. In this glorious moment the horizon would alight and it looked as if the sky was on fire. Even while the edges of the sky were smeared with such brilliant colors from the fading sun, no in a certain little garden, attending a seemingly never ending tea party could pay attention to the event. The whole situation appeared odd but no one in attendance really cared how they appeared to others. They didn't comment on how such a ridiculously large table fit in the small dark clearing in dense and over grown forest. They didn't give a second thought to how the table was almost over flowing with odd and ends of different tea sets, and they certainly didn't ask as to why it seemed that the tea and other necessities of the party never ran out. They didn't ask questions about how it all worked because they didn't care to know, it worked and that was all that mattered to the small party.

The small party consisted of only five, three and a half if you were counting fully functioning minds. With such a large table, so many settings and so many chairs it was rather awkward how close together the group was sitting; Practically in each other's laps. None of the group was worried about their personal space, they knew each too well. Despite the party being small in attendance, the group of five more than filled the small clearing with the the sound of voices, laughter, the clink of fine china and silverware. The level of noise would have made one wonder if they were drinking more than just tea but that was certainly not the case. The group of friends was just a little to the left of sanity and it suited them just fine. They chatted, ranted and argued about everything and nothing. They told jokes that probably sounded like non sense, but they would laugh loudly and unashamed anyways.

Grey eyes peered out mischievously from under the brim of the ugliest hat that anyone had the misfortune to look upon. It was his favorite hat and no one ever told him how awful it truly was. He raised his free hand to brush away dark locks of hair from his face as he watched his friends. His other hand was wrapped tightly around a fresh cup of tea, it was so hot it was turning the palm of his hand bright red but the Mad Hatter didn't notice the pain. The group was settling down from a fit of laughter, which honestly none of them could remember why it had started. Surely one of them had told a very witty joke though and each silently took credit for being so clever.

"I haven't had such a laugh in so long," The Hatter spoke, sincerely. "March and I only laugh like this when you pair visit us."

The March Hare nodded from his seat on the other end of the party, their guests and the Dor Mouse squished between them. "The company of lovely ladies is very refreshing compared to our usual entertainment." March glanced down at the Dor Mouse with narrowed eyes. The sleepy mouse was never good company to be honest, either he was passed out with his face in a plate of buttered toast like he was now, or he was shrieking and screaming about creatures in the forest trying to eat him. The pitiful behavior never failed to bore the March Hare and with a huff he grabbed a new cup. It was full of candied lemon peels.

The Dor Mouse whimpered in his passed out state and pressed closer to the feminine body protecting him from the March Hare. "Shh, Dorian," A soft female voice spoke, quiet out of place in the usual rowdy and loud party. "I like your company just fine, don't listen to them." A well manicured hand shifted through the pale brown locks of hair, being careful of the twitching mouse ears.

"You spoil him with affection Black." The second woman spoke, voice more stern. The Red Joker was not as affectionate as her counterpart, the Black Joker.

The Black Joker responded by hugging the smaller body of the mouse tightly to herself, and the Dor Mouse nuzzled into her more than ample cleavage with a grin. The March Hare looked like he wanted to strangle the mouse, but not even the Hatter could be sure if it was because March was jealous of Black or Dorian. "And why shouldn't I? No one else will!" She huffed, the pouting face having no affect on her partner.

"Do as you wish I guess, either way if March decides to shower us more flattery I will always be inclined to return." Red was as vain as Black was affectionate. She tossed back perfectly styled red hair that fell to her waist. "But alas!" She said much too dramatically, "My duty as a Queen's Knight is my foremost duty." At this point the Red Joker had stood up on the table, not caring or noticing her boots knocking over and breaking dishes, knocking over a sugar bowl into the Hatter's lap. "As the Queen's personal and most trusted servant I must always be ready to take on the important tasks that she bestows upon me. I must always endeavor to preform them with all my heart and soul. For my life is the Queen's and a great Knight must always be ready and be willing to stand before her and serve her." The dramatic monologue was finished with a curtsy, despite the knight wearing armor. The Red Joker was met with a loud round of applause, cheers and whistles as she sat in her seat, boots still on the table. She laughed and thanked the group, even Dorian cheered her on, still enjoying the fleshy pillows he was resting on.

"That was lovely my dear," The other knight spoke with a devious grin on her lips. "But you have it all wrong: The Queen shrieks and we run to do her bidding like our asses are and fire and she's threatened to take our heads." The party went up in laughter again, the comment was nothing but true. The Queen of Hearts had turned out to be just like her mother in every way with the exception of her undeniable beauty. It was always argued among the party that being fair of face meant little when your rage could make the most seasoned of knights soil themselves.

Both jokers abruptly stopped laughing, looking at each other with wide eyes.

"Red you felt that too?"

"Yes."

"It was just like..."

"Alice."

"We must go."

Both knights stood, the Black Joker pried the Dor Mouse from around her waist and shoved him into March's lap. He whined as the loss of the soft body and paled when he realized where he now was. "Why!" He whimpered as he looked up at the smirking Hare before a handful of candied lemon peels were abruptly shoved in his face.

The Mad Hatter looked wistful as the Knights departed and he spoke as if not realizing the true meaning of Dorian's cry. "Because they are The Jokers, they are Knights of the Royal court, they serve the interests of the Queen, not us citizens of the realm. Creatures like them show up in the deck where they shouldn't be, where they are least expected."

.: * :.

Piercing golden eyes lazily opened to gaze into the darkened forest. The owner of the eyes was not at all intimidated by the forest that claimed to many lives and minds. At the moment he was doing what he was best at, being nosy, for no other reason than he was severely bored with the world. The tea party was always a source of entertainment, even if he didn't join in, not that he was ever invited. He liked to sit and listen though; To the crazy jokes, the disjointed conversations, the laughter that followed. It wasn't that he so longed for the interaction, it was a distraction from his own mind that was just as dark and twisted as the forest he occupied. His ears perked up on the top of his head when half the laughter in the clearing below halted. He felt it, sensed it: An undeniable presence that pulsed through the kingdom. He smirked, sharp fangs clear if anyone had been up there to see them. He stood from his seat on the large branch, graceful as ever and not worried about falling from such a height. "This will be fun." He said with a delighted voice, striped tail swishing behind him as he dissipated.

.: * :.

TBC

AN: Chapter One Rewritten.