I never thought I'd live to meet "Alice of Legend," nor did I think that I'd fall in love, and yet, here she was. Standing in my tea shop. Shivering, in a very, wet dress.
ooO0Ooo
Besides this beautiful creature is a ratty looking old man. And excited smile covered his face, but not even his stench of rotting cheese can draw my attention from Her stunning figure. Her piercing blue eyes draw me in like a child to a beautifully wrapped gift…
The old man cleares his throat.
"She says she's Alice… It's Alice of Legend." He repeats himself. Irritation edges his voice.
"She couldn't be…" I think out loud as I slowly start to circle her, " That was over 150 years ago. Oysters don't live that long." My eyes rest on her dress… rather, her in the dress… The way the wet fabric clings to her skin…
This time, Alice clears her throat.
I pull my eyes away from her.
"Shit" I think to myself "great going hatter. Way to make an ass of yourself in front of a pretty girl."
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ratty staring at me.
" I still want a good price." he snarls.
" I am not for sale!" Alice interrupts.
I chuckle to myself. She's even more adorable when she's angry…
I walk behind my desk and eye the vials. I reach for the blue bottle, but after a second look at Ratty's eager and hungry eyes, I change my mind. I reach for the pink and spin around on my heels. Ratty is nearly shaking with excitement… poor pathetic Ratty.
"Mmm. Pink nectar. Filled with the thrill of excitement… Fifty oysters were drained of the hullabaloo so you, Ratty, can taste what it feels like to win. Just. Once." My eyes are once again pulled to Alice as she stares in utter confusion. "Warning. Don't take on an empty stomach and only one drop at a time ot it might burst you shriveled little heart… Got it?"
Ratty looks as though he might explode with happiness as he vigorously nods.
"Good. Go." and I nod to the door. He dashes off, cradling his new item. His stench still lingers. I pull my hand to my face and inhale. I grimace as my nose burns. "He really stinks."
Fear spreads over Alice's face. "O-o-oysters d-d-drained?!" she stutters.
"Yes, well, it's the casino…" I fear I've said too much.
"Jack. They must have taken him there. How do I get there?" Determination crosses her brow and fear sinks to my stomach. I walk towards her.
"That's the thing… You don't. Waaay too dangerous. But. I know some people, who know some people, who, know some other people…." As I hover near her, I notice she smells like freshly picked lavender… "its one of the privledges of owning a tea sho-puh." I spin on my heels and head towards my closet. She has her heart set on this man and I must pull myself away…. I search through my closet and find my plum colored jacket and bring it to her as I continue "People that help people like you. People who will help you aaanndd…."
"Jack." She answers with a smile, as a flicker of pain lights in my heart.
"Yes. Jack. Aand, if I scratch their baack…" I nod towards her and hold out the jacket. She just stares at it.
"They'll scratch yours." she continues to stare.
"Yes, yes, a lot of scratching. Now. Take this and cover up before you get sick." I push the jacket further in her direction. She crosses her arms with a shiver, declining my gift.
"You don't trust me?" She looks down, avoiding my question. Defeated, I throw it onto the sofa. "Do you know why they call me the Hatter?" This time, her eyes survey me.
"Because you wear a hat?"
I chuckle. Her oblivion is even cuter than her anger.
"No. Its because I'm always there when they pass the hat." I walk over to the sofa and hold out the jacket again. "Now, if you'll come with me, we shall find your beloved, Jack." her eyes light up yet her folded arms show her disbelief.
"What reason does one need to help a very pretty girl, in a very, wet dress." My eyes again drift to her figure. Whether realization that I was the only one that could help her or perhaps my stares made her uncomfortable, she took the jacket.
As she slides her arms into the sleeves, I note how good she looks in my jacket, before turning towards the door. Hesitantly she follows, and I know that if this girl is really The Alice of Legend, I have just opened a can of worms of adventure.
ooO0Ooo
