Disclaimer: I don't own any Alice in Wonderland, least of all Tim Burton's amazing work. Nor do I own any of the scripted lines or rhymes below.

Chapter Two – 'Liminal Twilight'


Alice gaped at the White Queen in a manner that her mother would certainly have deplored as 'most improper'.

But what would be new there, really?

"Ah… a-and you're telling me that I'm the only one who can… ah… do, um, this? H-help him, I mean? The Hatter? T-Tarrant?"

"I am afraid so, Alice." Mirana watched her closely, concern straining her pearly face. "I know this is a lot to ask of you, and I 'm sorry to have to do so, but once again it seems you are our last and only hope."

"Sounds familiar" murmured Alice, rubbing her temple. "I'm sorry, your Majesty, but might I have some time to think?"

I think I…I need a moment.

Mirana nodded. "Of course, my dear. But I feel I must warn you, time has always been extremely fickle concerning Tarrant."

"Time can be a funny thing in dreams." Alice's own words came back to her as the White Queen swept out of the room, gracefully closing the door. Sighing, she placed her face in her hands, leaning back in her chair to contemplate all that had happened, all that she had been told that day… And what might yet be to come.

* * *

Alice sighed as she closed the drawer of completed paperwork.

After four years as Lord Ascot's apprentice, she had become quite a successful business-woman, much to the surprise of the general society. She was particularly glad of it, as having coupled her earnings (Lord Ascot having generously insisted upon paying her the same as any male apprentice – just as well, as she would have demanded no less anyway) with a portion of her inheritance from her father (which had stunned her mother – "What's left will hardly make a respectable dowry, Alice!"), she had purchased a third of the company back into the family. She had even made a profit, as Lord Ascot had given her a 5% discount out of respect for her father and in gratitude at her having successfully secured a trading post in Peking**.

Now, with her affairs largely in order, Alice had been seriously considering a proper return to Underland (or Wonderland, as she still called it in her mind) – preferably sooner than later. Despite her success, there was very little to keep her here – indeed, it could be said that it only gave her more reason to go.

Her mother Helen could rest assured of financial support – not that their 'misfortunes' had ever actually made them 'poor' – just closely aware of risks. After all, the aristocracy don't retain their riches without awareness and according action. And even if trouble should arise, Alice had certain…allies she knew could be counted on. Lord Ascot, of course – but also the Chattaway twins, who had taken a leaf from her book and had turned out to be quite a formidable pair of workers. And of course, Lowell. Alice smirked to herself. As the man (if the lowlife could be called such) knew that he had the company to thank for Margaret's substantial dowry, he now had to tread carefully around Alice. If he… displeased her… in any way, she would most certainly spill the beans on him. And naturally, her two main concerns were her sister's and mother's well-deserved happiness. And of course, he'd be happy to lend a helping hand for their business should the need arise.

Blackmail? Perhaps… but really, all just good business.

As for her relationships with said mother and sister, things shouldn't be too badly disturbed even if she went back. According to the time difference (calculated with the help of a very puzzled business partner well-versed in mathematics), and assuming she was able to travel back and forth smoothly between the worlds, Alice should appear to visit her family every few days for every few months passed in Underland. As for questions about where she had settled, Alice just hoped that Helen could be distracted for now by her first grandchild – Margaret's and Lowell's new son Thomas.

Alice smiled slightly as she remembered holding the baby in her arms for the first time… soft ache in her chest as she inhaled his milky scent and saw Margaret's eyes sparkle. A secret voice seemed to whisper to her – "A bonny bairn indeed." A soft purring brogue which anyone else might have taken for Scottish, but that Alice knew to be the Underlandian equivalent of Outlandish.

…Which incidentally led to her third conviction for returning. Her success didn't change the fact that she was growing dangerously close to the age of twenty-five – the crux of spinsterhood amongst the aristocracy. And for all her pride, Helen could never quite restrain the less-than-subtle hints to her younger daughter. "Alice, of course you'll always be beautiful to me, but Margaret's right; your face won't last forever"… "Alice, I wish that you could know the happiness I knew with your father"… "Alice, darling, will you never settle down?"

But there was no-one and nothing for her here. Not in that sense. The only one she could imagine was of another world.

She had to choose… and soon.

"And who is to say my face won't last forever in Wonderland?" she muttered. "If Time refuses the Hatter, perhaps he'll do the same for me. Now how to anger Time? But for that matter, how to get back at all?! I can't just randomly visit the Ascot's mansion, fall down a rabbit hole and never return! I need another way…"

She sighed.

"Nivens McTwisp… I could use a little help here."

CRASH!!!

Alice jumped violently, almost knocking over the chair as she whipped around to stare at the opposite wall where the fireplace was. On the floor lay a shattered porcelain figurine. However, Alice's eyes were drawn upwards to the large mirror hanging above the mantelpiece whence the ornament had fallen.

There was a rabbit sticking out of it.

Or more specifically, there was the front half of a white rabbit with pink eyes wearing a blue brocade waistcoat sticking out of the mirror surface, which had taken on a shimmering liquid appearance. The rabbit clutched a sliver pocket-watch in one paw, which he tapped frantically.

"Well, speak of the devil" breathed Alice, beyond relieved that her mother was absent. "Nivens! What…?"

But she got no further. The rabbit made a distinct 'Hurry, come on' gesture and retreated through the mirror. With no real reason to hesitate, Alice pushed the chair to the fireplace, climbed up and followed him through the rippling glass.


Stumbling onto a hard floor, squinting against the bright light, she looked up to see the White Queen, Mirana of Marmoreal, rushing towards her, elegant even in visible worry. They seemed to be in a private chamber of the palace.

Grasping her hands, Mirana sighed. "Dear Champion Alice, welcome back to Underland. Thank you so for returning."

"Your Majesty, what ever is the matter?" asked Alice. Mirana's hands shook slightly, her brow was drawn tight. "Has something happened? Has the Red Queen returned?"

"No, no, my sister remains in exile with her Knave. They pose no threat. No, the problem lies far closer to hand, within our own."

"…A traitor then, your Majesty?"

"Not exactly. Rather, a loyal one betrayed by their very own mind and body."

Alice frowned, confused. "…What do you mean, my Lady?"

The White Queen paced a few steps, then turned to Alice. "I do so hate to be the bearer of ill tidings…you may wish to sit down, my dear."

"I hope you still recall the details of Underland since your last visit here… the people and their…ah, manners?"

"I'm quite sure I've forgotten nothing, my Queen. Does the March Hare still fling china with such enthusiasm? Absolem still smoke? I've not seen him since I set sail; is the smoke bad for his wings? Does the Hatter…Tarrant…is Time still angry with him?"

Mirana sighed. "Tarrant…and there lies our problem."

Alice gasped. "T-Tarrant…problem? Why, what is wrong with him?! Wh–"

Mirana abruptly placed a hand over Alice's mouth, cutting her rising voice off. "Hush! Don't shout! It's bad enough already!"

Alice shrugged her away. "What is?" She hissed back.

Mirana gestured out of the window. Despite the gleaming white light of the palace, Alice could clearly see ominously dark clouds swirling in the late afternoon sky, threatening rain. The wind seemed to moan miserably as a growl of far-off thunder reverberated through the palace.

"Underland reflects the emotions of those with strong ties" Mirana whispered. "Whether bonded to this land or something of the Upperworld, our very being is tied into the elements. Because Tarrant is effectively timeless now, he is essentially at one with the eternal land, and so much more so for his strong feelings."

"Feelings…?" A shiver ran through Alice as she remembered the primal fury of his imprisonment at Salizam Grumb.

Mirana nodded. "Since you left, his fits of madness became more frequent and far stronger. More angry, but sad and terrified…Aggravated by the realisation that even though my sister is now gone, he was still alone – his clan is dead or scattered and he has no family to speak of… save for you. You know he loved you, Alice… He still does. He kept saying that he couldn't find you, but that you wouldn't have broken your promise. He has come to present a danger to himself and others. As such, he is restrained in a private, guarded chamber of the far east wing. I am told that his latest fit remains current at three days span tonight."

Alice shook her head frantically. "But…But I thought he had family in his friends here. You, Thackery, Chessur, Nivens, Mallyumkin… Couldn't Mally help him? She always could before!"

Before the White Queen could reply, a dark silvery mist formed before Alice's face, swirling to eventually coalesce into the floating shape of the Chesshire Cat. Despite the gravity of the situation, he floated before her with his ever-present grin stretched crescent-wise from ear to ear. Alice was about to ask snippily if he must insist on grinning more when the situation ever called less for such expression, when she caught sight of the mouse huddled between his forepaws.

Mallyumkin glared up at Alice and yelled. "A li'l sooner woulda bin much appreciated, ya great lump!"

"Now now Mally", crooned Chessur, "our friend here doesn't seem to know the full state of things. Why don't you show her?"

"Fine frien' she is" grumbled Mally as she grudgingly turned around. Alice gasped as she saw that the mouse's tail was only half as long as before, the end kinked by scar tissue. Stumbling back, she sought out Mirana's eyes for explanation.

"You see, Alice, when Tarrant suffers from such strong fits, the pain of his emotions is too much for him to bear, so his own psyche withdraws deep inside so as to essentially hibernate through the trauma. As such, he is all but numb to his environment, and only strong feelings can bring him back. Before, something as small as a pinch, a touch to the cheek or a pin-prick could bring him back. But now, his mind is so much deeper in that only extreme sensation can suffice. The amount of pain required poses a risk such as might only be achieved by a dreadful wound, which is out of the question. Nor can we get close enough to him safely to hit a harmless pressure point – the last time Mallyumkin tried, she received the wound you see here, as he shook her off and stepped on her tail, crushing the end. So our only option is the polar opposite sensation."

Alice's head jerked sharply. "I… What? The polar opposite… of extreme…pain?…So… extreme joy? Happiness?"

"Close, my dear". The Queen sighed." The fits are emotional even though the cure is essentially physical. In this case, they must be combined – extreme pleasure. Of both the body and mind."

Chessur cut in smoothly. "And yes, luv, she is indeed saying what you think she's saying. The action you can take to help us and our dear Tarrant are… in your dear mother's words, no doubt… those of 'marital relations'". As Alice glared at him, his grin widened impossibly. "Or not thereof… after all, you're not married, are you? Naughty…" And he and Mally faded from sight, the shoe Alice threw at him hitting the wall harmlessly.

* * *

Alice sighed as she came back to her present self.

"What to do?"

If she was honest with herself, she wasn't sure if there was any decision to be made. There was no solid argument against it. Certainly it wasn't what she had initially planned upon her return to Wonderland – However she felt about Hat– Tarrant, she had hoped to take things a little more slowly! But then, life was never like that here, or even at home – she was always swept up one way or another, whether in finding her way through gardens, mazes, around China or the offices, from slaying Jabberwockies to dismissing suitors (and on occasion, climbing from her window trellis to sneak swims with the Chattaway twins in the fountain). So really, what was so hard about this?

She understood the concept of 'the act of love' quite well. Really, what young female acquaintance of the Chattaway twins wouldn't? Not to mention some of the temple engravings, books and scrolls which she had sneaked looks at in China and India on the return trip… Alice blushed lightly as she remembered some particular images of that one known as the 'Kama Sutra', if she remembered correctly… Oh, how the young Indian maids had giggled on finding it hidden in her chambers!

And to be fair, although her mother and sister had refused any discussion improper details (Margaret, as usual, not wanting to 'ruin the surprise'), they had at least told her the basic mechanics – luckily, both women had clearly been lucky in their experiences with their husbands (Alice wrinkled her nose at the thought of undeserving Lowell with her sister – impotency would have served him right!), so she hadn't been frightened with horror stories. But still, it was clear that a passive role was expected of her ("Just lie back and think of England!") – after all, what fine aristocratic lady (or man for that matter) would allow themselves to become so 'uncouthly wild with passion'?

Alice smirked a little. If there was one thing she wasn't, it was a proper lady. So what better way to express her personal rebellion? If she could dance bare-legged before the gathering of that dreadful would-be engagement party, she could surely bare far more in private! To take a dominant role in…making love…would be quite a revolution! Besides, she was comfortably confidant with her own body – no muchness lost now! – and she certainly would rather do this with Tarrant where she could be herself than some cold, strange Lord like in a business contract. Finally she needn't worry about a bad reputation if Underland knew that this was for a friend… She would simply have to tell her mother than she had wanted a private wedding… or to elope, if only to see the look on her face.

"You cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours."

'Well', Alice sighed, 'it all comes back to a rather circular argument. The act… sex… it really is the most natural thing in the world. Besides, if all goes well, I should have plenty of knowledge after tonight. But there's no harm in extra wising up meanwhile.'

She rose and opened the door, determined to ask Mirana for some clarifying female advice… and permission to visit the library.

Curiouser and curiouser indeed, my dear Alice.

Author's Notes

** I KNOW it's now called Beijing now, but in Victorian times, I think the capital of China was still called Peking. I'm a stickler for details, but I'm really pulling crap outta my butt when talking about the company business… I hope it sounds plausible.

Please R&R – Constructive criticism much appreciated!