Chapter Two
Alyss made it back to the city. If she wanted things to change she needed to do something about it. Screw waiting till Jack took the throne. So she'd do the next best thing: she'd take the ring to the resistance. And who better to go to than her old friend Hatter.
Up, up, up she went. The Tea House was on one of the upper most levels of the city. It was the main source of income for the entire Wonderland economy as it were.
When she came to the building Alyss entered cautiously. Wonderlanders were scattered about the room, bidding on different flavors or just trading amongst themselves. Alyss nearly shuddered at the inhumanity of the system. Draining humans of their emotions.
Glancing around nervously Alyss spun the ring on her finger three times, curling her hand into a fist. She then turned her attention back to the auction.
As she stood there watching, Dormouse, the auctioneer, woke up, "I have an important announcement. A new tea has just come on the market! Ever get that guilty feeling? Maybe you? Abandoned the wife and kids and left them without a crumb to split between them? Or maybe you killed someone. A relative, or a neighbor? And it's left that niggling feeling in the pit of your stomach that's growing, little by little, into a dull, throbbing pain. Gnawing away at you. Undermining your confidence, and making you feel sick, and worthless, and fearful. Well, fear no longer, because Clear Conscience has finally arrived. The latest wonder of wonders from that remarkable wonder of all wonders, the Heart Casino," And then Dormouse promptly fell back to sleep.
Alyss shuddered again before making her way through the throngs of people towards the door to what she knew to be Hatters office. She opened the door slowly, finding Hatter doing business with what looked like a homeless man.
"Pink nectar. Filled with the thrill of human excitement. Fifty oysters were drained of every last drop of hullabaloo so that, Ratty, can taste what it feels like to win just once," Ratty reached out for the bottle but Hatter pulled it away again, "Warning: Don't take it on an empty stomach. And only one tiny little drop at a time, otherwise the experience might burst your shriveled up little heart. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Good. Go," Hatter smelled the hand that Ratty'd touched to take the bottle, "He really smells," He muttered to himself as he made his way back to his swivel chair, sitting in it and turning away from the doorway.
Alyss leaned on the door frame, arms crossed, as she observed Hatter. She watched as he adjusted his black hat atop his somewhat spiky brown hair. His hat that matched perfectly with his black leather jacket and slacks. Underneath he had on a white button up shirt with a loose black tie hanging around his neck.
She loved the way he dressed. Always had. But what she loved more was his office. The area leading up to it was barren, mostly dirt and weeds with a path down the middle. Then the grass started. On the far wall was a large white arch with windows behind it. His glass desk faced the door where Alyss stood, a tall white chair in front of it. He had modern lamps and other white miscellaneous furniture situated around. All of which sat on the pristine green grass.
Alyss made her way across the office once Ratty left, crossing the grass. She leaned on the back of Hatter's chair, making her presence noticed. She watched as Hatter tensed, "Hatter," She whispered, her hands sliding to his shoulders, "I have something you want."
Hatter gulped, "And what is that?" His voice cracked a bit causing Alyss to pull her hands from his shoulders. He still reacted to her and she was no longer sure that brining the ring to him was the best choice.
"The Stone of Wonderland," She muttered as she flashed the ring on her finger in front of his face, her energy drained.
Jumping out of his chair Hatter spun towards her, grasping her hand in his as he stared at the stone. He glanced up at Alyss, smirking, "And where, Princess, did you happen to come across this?"
Alyss shrugged, "Does it matter? I'm giving it to the resistance, that's all you really care about.
Hatter looked at the ring again, "May I see it?"
She reluctantly pulled her hand away, "No."
"You don't trust me? Still?" Hatter feigned hurt, putting hand to his heart.
Alyss smiled, glad that Hatter at least was trying to forget their past, "Not as far as I can throw you."
"Alyss," Hatter groaned, "How many times have we gone over this? You can trust me, you know that right?"
"Hmm… Really? Hatter, I've known you too long to trust you," She tapped him on the nose, "You're just too sneaky."
Hatter sighed, "Do you know why they call me Hatter?"
Alyss snorted, "Because when we were younger I nicknamed you that because of the funny hats you always wear. That and because you're a direct descendant of the original Mad Hatter. From a hundred and fifty years ago."
"No," He said after a pause, "Because I'm always there when they pass the hat, so to speak. Philanthropy, generosity, you can call it what you will. It's who I am, and right now… Looking at you there, there's nothing I want more than to help you get that ring to the resistance."
"David, I know you so much better than that," Hatter winced at the use of his first name, "You're all about self-preservation, not others. Don't even try to pull that bull shit on me," Hatter gave her a look to which Alyss shrugged, "Never the less, lead me to Caterpillar."
"Well no time to waste then," Hatter said, no longer looking at Alyss. He grabbed a jacket and threw it to her, "Put this on, you'll catch a chill. And please, do try to keep up," And then with a sweep of his arm he opened a doorway.
Alyss leaned over the edge of the doorway as Hatter made his way down the ladder. She followed slowly, being careful of her high heels on the rungs. She could feel Hatter's eyes on her and she tried to keep the blush from her face. She knew she should have gone down first, but Hatter's offer to help her down, especially in those heels, had been too tempting.
As she got to the last few rungs Hatter grasped her waist, setting her down on the ground next to him, "Thanks," She muttered. Hatter just nodded.
They walked along the edge of the city in silence, ducking into dark corners whenever a Scarab or suit would pass them. They cut through always, dark passages and unoccupied buildings. Twenty minutes into their travels Alyss noticed Hatter sneaking glances at her.
"What?" She finally snapped.
Hatter shook his head, "Nothing, nothing," Alyss frowned at him and he raised his hands in surrender, "Fine. It's just… What are you wearing?"
Alyss glared, one of her suits had already asked her that, "I was at a club."
Hatter's face scrunched up in distaste, "You let some douche bag put his grimy hands all over you?"
"Shut up," Alyss flipped her hair over her head, "Besides, you used to love to come dancing with me."
"That was before you became a princess princess," Hatter muttered.
Alyss narrowed her eyes, "What was that?"
"Nothing. Just that you're going to get mugged or raped out here in that…" Hatter gestured at her short dress.
Alyss scoffed, "Yeah right. Nobody's going to touch me. Besides I have," She trailed off as Hatter grinned.
"Were you going to say me?"
"No," Alyss scowled, "I was going to say I have weapons."
Hatter looked her over, "Weapons? Where? All I see is a blond little girl in a short black dress. Where exactly are you hiding these weapons?"
Alyss pulled up one side of her dress, revealing a knife strapped to her thigh. Hatter's eyes bugged out a bit. Alyss dropped her dress back down, "That's not all. I have other… accessories."
"I'll bet you do," Hatter said with a nod, turning back to the path in front of them. The ledge they were walking along was one of the narrowest in the city, narrow enough to make native Wonderlanders like Hatter and Alyss slightly nervous.
Not thinking about it, Alyss slid her hand into Hatter's. Neither seemed to notice for several seconds, it just felt natural and familiar. But as they approached a series of blue doors they seemed to be yanked back to the present. Alyss withdrew her hand, looking at her feet.
Hatter opened his mouth several times but no words came out. A moment of awkward silence passed before he just turned way, continuing on down the path to knock on a nondescript blue door.
"I'm returning a library book. It's a work of Edwin and Morcar," Hatter said as he leaned against the door.
A voice came from the little slot, "How does the little crocodile improve his shining tail?"
Hatter looked around him, slightly exasperated, "He pours water of the Nile on every golden scale," Alyss chuckled at that, but quickly stifled the noise when Hatter turned to glare at her. Hatter never had been one to like all the secrets, passwords and paranoia that surrounded the resistance. Especially not ones as juvenile as that one.
The door opened outwards as Hatter stepped around it towards Alyss, "Go on, be quick," the old man said. Hatter and Alyss stepped into what looked like an old bus. Inside a building. Only in Wonderland.
"Hello, Duck."
Alyss sat down quickly as the bus shuddered into life. Down, down, down they went. Hatter stood by Duck, holding onto a pole as he smiled at Alyss. She tried to smile back but was a little preoccupied with holding onto the seat for dear life.
The bus, elevator, thing finally jolted to a stop. Alyss stood slowly, going to stand by Hatter. The door of the thing opened to reveal a little old lady, pointing a gun at the couple. Hatter turned back to Duck only to notice another gun pressing into his shoulder.