It had been nearly 3 years since Alice Kingsleigh had abandoned Underland to continue her father's legacy. Unfortunately, nothing good had come of her return to Upland. She had failed miserably in the life of a businesswoman and had returned to London to live with her mother.
Her mother had been rather lonely without either of her daughters, seeing as how Alice was attempting to trade with China, and Margaret was married to her sloth of a husband. Hence, Alice had decided to keep her mother company. After all, Alice was awful at her father's work, so why not live out the rest of her days helping her mother with her problem of loneliness?
Oh, how Alice desired to contact Underland! How she wished she could see everyone's faces again; Mirana, McTwisp, Mally, Thackery... Tarrant.
Has Tarrant's madness devoured him completely? Is he alright? has he been having his tea every Brillig? Has he kept in contact with everyone else? Thoughts of The Hatter raced through Alice's mind. Mind. Has Tarrant been out of his? Alice wonders what has happened to the mad man. She worries.
"Alice, are you alright? Alice, speak!" Helen Kingsleigh snaps at her daughter, who had been utterly lost in thought.
"I'm sorry?" Alice's eyes start meandering again, rather than staring at a window, unfocused.
Helen sighs and apologizes to Claude Williams, Alice's current suitor. "She can be a bit dazed, sometimes." Helen adds to the apology.
"Ah, it's quite alright! Everyone's mind wanders a bit! Perhaps you would like to take a stroll in the garden to clear your head, Alice?" Claude questions, giving Alice his 'charming' smile, which she absolutely loathes. His short, blonde hair waves slightly before his smile fades in response to Alice's reply.
"I'd rather not." Alice says, flatly.
Helen gasps yet again, and comments, "How rude! Alice, offer the man your arm and walk in the garden! There's no harm in that!"
Breathing heavily, Alice nearly shouts, "I have my own mind, thank you! I do not need any of these self-indulged men you insist on introducing me to! I do not want any of them! I do not want anyone! Actually, it does not irritate me quite so much that you introduce me to so many, but it truly drives me mad when you continuously invite them back! I am an independent woman, and I shall not be bothered with such things! Now you desire me to 'stroll' with this... this imbecile, as though we are a gleeful couple? No! No! I cannot bear any more of this. I can no longer continue this game of your's!" Awkward silence filled the outdoor air.
Claude simply looked aghast, and the astonishment in her mother's eyes was also filled with heart-break.
Finally, Alice began to run. Where she was running was the only place she could find solace: Underland.