"Hatter?" Alice whispered into her teacup. Her breath sent light ripples across the surface of the dark tea.

"Yes?"

Alice looked up at him. He had light blue eyes, much like her own, and blond hair that fell into his eyes, causing him to constantly be sweeping it to the side.

Alice smiled as a lock of hair fell into his eyes. She reached across the table to tuck it behind his ear. Her fingers brushed across his cheek when she pulled her hand away.

"Why are you mad?" she asked him, sitting down again. She folded her hands in her lap, awaiting his answer.

"Mad?" he sounded genuinely surprise. "What would ever give you the idea that I was mad?"

Alice's lips parted slightly as she mulled that over. "Well, they do call you the Mad Hatter, don't they?" she eventually asked, raising the white teacup to her lips.

The Hatter stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. Alice choked on her tea, and coughed. The Hatter laughed harder, his hat eventually toppling off his head.

Alice angrily set her teacup down and stood up. She ran her hands over her light blue dress, straightening it. "Well if you're going to laugh, I'll just leave."

"Oh no, Alice," the Hatter said between giggles, "it's just that the thought that I could be mad. Me of all people, mad!" the Hatter continued his slightly insane laughter.

Alice sat down again, sighing. "If you're not mad, then what are you?"

Alice waited for him to calm himself down. He retrieved his hat and placed it upon his blond head before answering.

"I'm nothing! I'm normal, just like you."

"Cheshire Cat says Wonderland changes people."

"Over time."

"How long have you been here, then?"

The Mad Hatter did not answer for the longest time. Finally, he said, "Okay, maybe I'm a tiny bit mad."

This time it was Alice's turn to laugh.