Disclaimer I do not own Alice in Wonderland characters.

Inside this immense tree house was an actual home with various doors that I assumed lead to a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. As soon as I entered, Brandy jumped off of my hands and scampered onto the coffee table where tea was ready. The Hatter plopped himself on one of the purple couches, Elliot, on the other hand, removed his green hat and coat and hung them on an invisible rack.. On his head were two caramel colored rabbit ears that matched his hair. I stared intently at them and they twitched.

"OK, let's get down to business." He said as I moved closer to him.

"You have ears" I stated.

"Why yes," his ear twitched again, "I do." I heard Dimitri say 'Oh boy' in the background before I gave them a good pull.

"Oh, come on, these are so fake. I've seen the neko-wannabes wear cat ears before so these shouldn't be any different." I pulled on the ear's more.

"Ahhh." His face was anguished with pain. I instantly let go. He had tears in his eyes as he rushed to the couch where Dimitri sat.

"Hubby, the mean girl hurt me." Dimitri took him in his arms and petted his ears while whispering, "It's ok she didn't know, she's a dummy dumb butt."

"I'm sorry" I quickly apologized "I couldn't help myself; the rabbit ears are kind of cute" I had to admit the ears made him look even more handsome.

"I am not a rabbit, I am a hare!" He bawled; I had definitely struck a nerve.

"Sorry," I mumbled it seemed like the longer I stayed the weirder this place became but I was getting used to it. "So how do I get back home Mr. March?"

"Take a seat," Dimitri said and I sat, "Tea?" he asked.

"No, thank you."

"Then how about some sweets?"

"I'll have my fill in a bit" was my reply. Dimitri and Elliot shared a smile.

Elliot leaned in closer and whispered, "The Jabberwocky. You have to slay the Jabberwocky and take his blue eye. That is the key to open the Looking Glass in the Black Castle over in the Land of Red."

I looked at him confused, "What is a Jabberwocky?"

"The Jabberwocky—hiccup—is a beast" piped up Brandy from inside the tea pot, "It is big and it—hiccup—goes 'RAWRR'" She struggled to get out of the tea pot and swayed as she came closer to me, tripping over her own feet.

"Is she drunk?" I pointed at the mumbling mouse on the table.

"Where do you think she gets her name from?" Elliot answered.

"The Jabberwocky," continued Dimitri "is an immense beast. It is like a dragon, with claws as long our outdoor table and as sharp as fresh cut diamonds. It has an ugly face and teeth that make shivers run down your spine. It has one red eye made of glass and a blue one made of stone. Its tail shoots out spikes similar to its sharp fangs. Although it has wings it does not possess the ability to fly. But it is said that your body becomes petrified when you come face to face with it; not because it has the power to turn a person to stone but instead simply because of fear."

"Wow sounds intense." I was mystified by this creature I had yet to encounter.

"It is." Dimitri said, "The Jabberwocky is the reason there is a Wonderland, it is the guardian which does not let us leave. Without it, we can function more friendly but for now we live in fear because of it and we follow its little game."

"So he has you as prisoners?"

"Yes and no." This time Elliot answered, "We have free will but we fear the Jabberwocky. There are boundaries we cannot cross simply because it is against the unwritten rules. Over all though, we are pretty content."

"Okay let me get this straight," I inhaled deeply, "there is a giant mirror in the Land of Red. It acts like a portal. In order to open this 'portal' I have to kill the Jabberwocky and take its red eye."

"It's the blue eye but you are correct."

"Alright the blue one." I breathed, "How do I kill this thing if I have no fighting experience and I can't even kill the spiders that appear in my room?"

"The Red Queen will teach you to fight with the Vorpal Sword." Elliot said.

"Who is this queen you speak of?" I asked. Everyone became silent, Brandy was no longer hiccupping. Then the Hatter stood up.

"The Red Queen," he began with spite in his tongue, "What can I say about the great Red Queen? Let's begin with the fact that she is a bloody backbiter, a blood sucking leech. She loves to gossip and to hear her own voice. She is so full of herself. She thinks she is so interesting but in reality everybody hated her. The only reason no one says anything is because they all fear her. She enjoys beheading people, you see, and she hates imperfections. She has killed her own husband and every new husband she finds she accuses them of adultery and beheads them. She speaks in third person and can never decide on a name pretty enough for herself. She is completely psychotic and needs mental help." He took a breather and sat down, "She is also my mother."

"And this woman is supposed to teach me how to fight?!" I was suddenly aware of how frightening this woman was.

"Yes," Elliot said, "she's a born fighter, one of the best."

"Then why can't she fight the Wocky?"

"Wocky…"Elliot repeated, "I haven't heard anyone call it that since Alice…"

"Who is Alice?" My curious nature asked.

"Alice was an oyster like you" Elliot said eagerly.

"What happened to her?"

"She couldn't fight the beast." I got the impression that Dimitri Hatter was the more serious of the two, "She was only thinking of herself when she went up against it and it swallowed her whole. Then our hope was lost."

"That is why you are our new hope." Elliot said triumphantly, "You are an oyster, you don't belong, and you can kill it."

"But if Alice couldn't kill it, what makes you think I can?" I let my posture slump.

"Just the fact that you aren't Alice; nothing like her at all; her complete opposite actually."

"Elliot's right; you are arrogant, and rebellious, and loud, and ignorant, and—"

"I get it." I said annoyed.

"And you smell like a baby prostitute!" Brandy yelled from where she had fallen on my plate.

"Thank you, Brandy." I realized now, as I looked out a small window, that the time had changed. I had not noticed because this room was so well light. "So how am I supposed to get the Red Queen to teach me how to fight?"

"Simple. The White Wolf will take you to the Black Castle once daybreak comes, and then she will be more than glad to teach you." Dimitri said.

"Hubby, do you think that will be before or after the ball?"

"There's going to be a ball?"

"Yes, the Queen is known for throwing extravagant balls and parties. I assume this one will be in your honor."

"How thoughtful." I smiled

"Don't get too comfy; she could start teaching you without telling you."

"That's true," Elliot yawned, "I think you should get some rest Hallory, the White Wolf will pick you up in the morning and no one is sure when that will come." He passed me a small piece of cake. "Eat this." I took a bite without hesitation and instantaneously fell asleep on the couch.

"Cuppy cake," Elliot said to Dimitri, "why can't we keep her here?"

Dimitri turned away from the window, "What for?"

"I don't know, I just think it would be better if she stayed."

"Are you worried about that oyster, darling?"

"Yes and no."

"How so? Do tell"

"You know how Wonderland can be. It is unpredictable, she has yet to know this land and I know something will happen if she is not careful.'

"If you ask me, she looks tougher than Alice, and more determined as well."

"How many times have I told you not to judge a book by its cover?"

"As many times as I have done it," Dimitri moved closer to Elliot. He rested his head on his shoulder, "Do not worry, I have faith in this one."

"That's what you said about the last one."

"Yes, but this time I mean it."