The smell of tea was in the air and Aoba knew that he was close to the tea party. He continued his walk down the track until he came to a clearing and became amazed at the giant table that was set before him and the countless amounts of tea pots. He watched from afar as he saw Noiz and Clear drink the tea but it was far from innocent as they poured vials of alcohol into the cups and drank them quickly. It wasn't like Clear to do such a thing but then nothing was certain in this place. Aoba still had no idea where he was but he had hoped he was getting closer to the queen.
He walked a little closer to the crazy tea party and realized that Clear had mouse ears perched in his white hair and Noiz was wearing a hat that wasn't his own it was a top hat had all sorts of things attached to it.
"Sit"
Aoba heard the instruction and he approached the table.
"Noiz :: Clear can you guys help me find the queen I really want to get home guys?"
"There is no Noiz or Clear here. I'm the mad hatter and this is the door mouse. His late again! this is bullshit! DOORMOUSE! Where is he?"
Aoba didn't know what the hell Noiz was on about but he remembered that even though they were his friends they didn't know who he was. They were different in the stupid crazy place. Aoba was starting to feel disheartened. He felt like he was never going to get out of the place. He wanted to be able to feel them around him and in his life again. He just wanted to go home.
"I'm sorry master! I swear I invited him he should be here"
"Master? :: but ::"
Aoba sighed. He was the one Clear called master not Noiz. This whole place was messed up. Aoba was getting tired but he couldn't give up yet he had to find the queen and he had to find his way out of the place. He was smart and determined so he needed to cheer up and get the hell out of there.
"You. Sit! We need a third one and your the best we have"
Aoba new all too well that if he didn't do what he was told to do he wasn't going to be able to move forward. Aoba sat down and the mad hatter poured him some tea.
"Why is a boy dressed as girl?"
"You can tell that I'm a guy?"
"Well I'm not damned blind! Where is the white rabbit?"
Aoba didn't know what the hell mad hatter meant. He didn't know who was the white rabbit and he didn't know who anyone was except for the twins and Koujaku. He had already met them and now Noiz and Clear. The only ones that Aoba could see it being was Ren, Mizuki or Mink. Although Mink didn't seem like the "white rabbit" type but nothing made sense and so he needed to expect the unexpected,
"I don't know where the white rabbit is. Do you know where the queen is?"
Aoba heard Clear squeak and then hide under the able at the mention of the queen. Who was that woman? who ever it was it was bad enough to terrify Clear.
"Follow the cat"
"Huh? what? ::"
Aoba looked around but he couldn't see any damn cat anywhere. There was nothing at all. How was he supposed to follow something that wasn't there? He jolted back in his chair was he felt a weight on his head but there was nothing there but a smile. Aoba rubbed his eyes to make sure that he was not seeing things.
Suddenly the smile began to have a face and it became Ren. Although Ren was a dog not a cat he knew that in his heart this was what Noiz had meant.
"Hello Alice"
"Alice? ::: Never mind. Can you take me to the queen so that I can get back home?"
Ren didn't get the chance to answer him. Noiz had interrupted them talking.
"Why is a raven like a writing desk. You can only leave if you answer it"
Aoba had no idea what the answer was to such a cryptic puzzle. A raven wasn't anything like a Raven desk. It was such a stupid question. It didn't really make much sense but Aoba needed to give some kind of answer. If he didn't give Noiz what he wanted then he would be stuck there forever and he would never have his friends back to normal.
"A raven isn't like a writing desk at all Noiz :: mad hatter"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Suddenly there was chaos of cheers from Clear and Noiz and they drank tea again going back to their own business and seemingly to forget the Aoba was even there. Aoba stood from his chair and Ren started to walk down the path and away from the madness of the tea party.
