_ Sorry sorry sorry sorry! I know this is way late. I won't bother with excuses, because they are feeble.
I would like to ask everyone to review, though. It's rather disheartening to try to churn out the new chapters when I see only a few hits per page. I'm not going to say that if you don't review, I won't finish the story, because I'm going to. But my style and quality of writing depends heavily on feedback from the people I'm trying to entertain. So... yeah. :) Please leave a review? Just so I know more than two people are actually reading this thing? Thanks!
/pathetic grovelling.
Alice shifted her eyes away from the Hatter's hardened gray ones and reached out to scratch the Bandersnatch behind the joint of his jaw. Her memory of it was unclear: She could vaguely remember coarse, grimy fur beneath her thighs and hands and a sense of fright, then another of gratitude and warmth. Her solid memory was what this creature was called, and it's horrendous smell, and a vague instinct that it was Friend, not Menace.
She briefly debated telling the Hatter this, if only to assure him that her memory still had massive holes in it, but the thought suddenly seemed rather silly and she brushed it away, turning to smile softly at the rabbit and Hatter. "This is so surreal…" She chewed her lip and fisted her hands on her hips. "I still think this is a dream…"
Tarrant smirked at her and his hand suddenly lifted to yank one of her blond locks. "You need a haircut." He mumbled.
Alice returned the smile half-heartedly, all too aware of a painful tone behind those words and the flash of déjà vu. "So, Mister Mad Hatter, Misters Rabbit and Butterfly." She glanced at each of them in turn. "I believe the promise of fixing my memory was made, whether or not this is a dream." She lay a hand on the Bandersnatch's head and received a soft grunt from him in response. "So… how do we go about this?"
McTwisp hoped forward, all fidgety and anxious as he checked his pocket watch. "Great. Time's gone and twisted himself over again!" The rabbit huffed and shoved the watch back into his pocket. "I suppose we should return to Marmoreal. Perhaps her Majesty will know of a potion or spell…"
Tarrant nodded and turned to smile down at Alice, holding out his arm for her to take. "Micht Ah hae th' honur ay escortin' ye tae th' castle milady?"
Alice smiled half-heartedly, still wary of these 'forgotten friends'. Nonetheless, she slipped her arm through the crook of his elbow and allowed him to escort her down the stairs.
Alice felt herself wishing she had a dozen heads and twice that many eyes so she could look at everything at the same time. She tried to keep up as the Hatter pointed things and paths and landmarks and creatures out to her.
Her first shock came when he suddenly came to a halt and wheeled her around to face a gigantic talking lily.
Alice shrieked as the scowling Underlandian leaned over her and sneered. "That's not Alice! You brought the wrong Alice again." The flower scoffed.
McTwisp shook his head, glancing at Alice in amusement as she glared at the flower from Tarrant's side. "She's Alice alright."
"There was an accident Above." Absolem drawled. "The Hatter thought it would be beneficial to bring her here."
"It's what's best for her." Tarrant snapped.
Alice huffed, shifting slightly on her feet in discomfort, both from the sore soles and the sudden tone of the conversation. "I don't mean to be rude, but can we hurry?" She shifted again under their stares and gestured to her feet. "I've no shoes on."
The Hatter grinned, and before she could protest swept her up in his arms. He ignored her struggles and babbled protests and carried her towards the Bandersnatch, lifting her up into a side-saddle position on the beast's back. "How so very rude of me to forget that detail. I know!" He suddenly brightened, clasping his hands together as his eyes turned a much brighter yellow-green. "I shall make you a pair of boots!" He declared. "A lovely set of boots, fir for Underland's Champion! Ivory… or tan… hmm." His eyes were on her feet, mentally calculating her measurements when his gaze was interrupted by the hem of her dress. He frowned and tutted at the sight of the drab, hospital-gown like ensemble. "And of course dresses-"
"I couldn't let you do all that-" Alice interrupted. "That's so much work and-"
Tarrant stood on his tiptoes, ignoring the stares of the others and covered Alice's mouth with his hand and fixed her with a toothy smile that didn't quite reach his grey eyes. "Don't forget that you've forgotten who I am, Champion Alice." He said. He withdrew his hand and started back down the path, whistling for the Bandersnatch to follow.
It was by no means a short journey to Marmoreal, but Alice, so wrapped up in a conversation about the mystery of Time with the Hatter and McTwisp, was shocked when they suddenly came to the edge of a great cobblestone road leading to a magnificent white-stone castle. She heard herself gasp at the beauty of it and felt a pair of eyes burning into the side of her head.
She glanced sideways, expecting to see one of her companions staring back at her but Hatter and the Rabbit were already moving forward once more.
Alice stared after the Hatter, an almost guilty feeling in the pit of her stomach as the Bandersnatch lumbered up the road.
She made her eyes linger over every part of him she could see from behind. There was no flicker, no flash of memory. She gripped the fur beneath her hands a little tighter and the Bandersnatch seemed to understand. The beast picked up the pace and soon Alice was carefully examining the Hatter from the side.
Nothing.
Alice sighed quietly, turning to instead examine the castle. "What is this place?" She asked.
"The heart of Marmoreal." Tarrant replied. "The White Castle, haem ay th' white queen."
Alice smirked as his voice slipped into that Scottish brogue again. "Have I met her before?"
"Aye." He turned to fix her with a hopeful smile. "A few times. Fooght as 'er champion against th' Jabbahwocky lest time ye waur haur."
Alice grimaced. "What is a Jabberwocky?"
McTwisp tutted as Tarrant opened his mouth to reply. "Let's not overload her with information Tarrant." He hopped through the impressive entrance to the courtyard, his nose in the air as he sniffed for the White Queen. "This way."
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Mirana glided along the stone path, practically glowing in all her pale, colorless glory as she twirled beneath the trees.
Underland had been recovering well in the years since her sister's disappearance. The trees were happier, the non-sentient flowers were singing once more. You couldn't walk through the forests for more than a few yards before coming across another nest or den, the sounds of a happy little family hiding in their little homes. The skies were a bright, clear blue. Everything was brighter, everything was more colorful. Everything was right and proper again.
Except the Hatter…
Her mind lingered briefly over the things she'd heard about her royal milliner. Of course… they could just be rumors that would do more harm than good-
Mirana froze, and turned to see the little escort party making its way towards her.
And riding on the back of the Bandersnatch…
"Alice!" She dashed forward as the girl slid gracefully off the Bandersnatch and to the cobbled path and threw her arms around Alice before she could protest. "Oh Alice, you've returned!" She kissed each of Alice's cheeks, missing the shocked expression on the Champion's face as she released Alice so she could grab her arm and tug her towards the palace. "Oh Underland will rejoice when they hear of your return! We should throw a party! A ball!"
"Majesty-"
"You must tell me of your adventures, of Aboveland. Are you here to stay? Have you done everything you left to do?"
"Your highness!"
"You've gotten taller, and your face is darker! How curious-"
"MIRANA!" Mirana (and the rest of the group) froze, turning to stare at the Hatter as his eyes faded from orange back to emerald. He exhaled heavily and grinned. "You're getting as bad as I, Majesty."
Mirana returned his slight smile. "Perhaps. My apologies." She pulled Alice into another hug. "I've just missed you so." She pulled back from the hug, holding Alice out at arms-length to examine her.
Alice grimaced. "I… think I missed you as well… Whoever you are…"
Mirana blinked, shocked. Wasn't this Alice? Of course it was! Her skin was darker and her hair was longer and there was a bruise shadowing her cheek, but… "Are you not the Alice?"
"That's actually why we came here first, Majesty." McTwisp bounced forward, wringing his hands. "She um… well she isn't… exactly Alice…"
Tarrant growled. "She is exactly Alice."
"The stupid girl went and injured herself Mirana, is what these two are trying to say." Absolem barked in an annoyed voice. "She doesn't remember anything or anyone except Bandersnatch."
Alice shifted in Mirana's grip, keeping her gaze determinedly away from the Hatter. "I'm not stupid. I didn't mean to forget."
Mirana released Alice and clapped her hands together, undaunted by this news. "Whatever has happened, she's returned to us. So there's no reason not to have a party, seeing as we'll have this fixed in no time."
Alice was jerked forward as Mirana grabbed her hand again and took off, chattering about this and that: ideas for the party, potions to try, updating Alice on the things about Underland that Alice assumed she was supposed to know something about.
She glanced behind her, expecting to find Tarrant, McTwisp and Absolem, but was met only by the rabbit, hopping quietly along behind them. "Where did the others go?" She asked.
Mirana paused, glancing behind her as McTwisp did the same.
"Hatter! Absolem?" The rabbit frowned. "Where have they gotten off to?"
Mirana sighed. "Well you can't expect Absolem to hang around. He's been acting odd lately. Won't let anyone near the Orraculum… And poor Hatter. Well…" Mirana sighed again, moving once again down the hall, albeit at a much slower pace. "Things being as they are…"
"What things?" Alice asked.
"Well…" Mirana shrugged. "The Hatter is… a rather odd fellow. He's hard to read, but for being so inconsistent and unpredictable…"
"He's rather consistent and predictable." McTwisp finished. "We at least know what to expect from him. It's the when and how that are uncertain. Since... the battle, however…"
"He's just not the same. It's as though he's trying to be himself, and failing." Mirana shook her head and reaffixed the airy smile on her face. "It's not something you should worry yourself over Alice. I'm sure he's only worried about you."
"No, he's quite upset with her." Alice jumped, whipping her head around to see a rotund black-and-blue cat floating lazily alongside her, wearing a smile that showed off every one of its sharp, shiny teeth. "And here he thought you'd keep all your little promises…" He grinned even wider, earning a sharp glare from Mirana.
"Stop it, Chessur. You aren't helping."
Alice stared at the cat guiltily. "What all did I promise him?" Whether or not this was a dream, she felt guilty. She wanted to know why.
"You promised to return 'before he knew it', and that you wouldn't forget him. You even exchanged tokens." His grin took on a different tone, but she ignored it.
"What tokens? That necklace he had?" She asked.
The cat nodded, propping his elbow on his wrist and dropping his chin into his palm. "Yes. And he gave you the feather from the Otherlandian Peacock."
Mirana pushed open a wide white door and very nonchalantly ducked just in time to avoid a glass that had been chucked at her head.
"Yoo're late fur tea!"
Alice stared at the frail-looking hare as he turned back to the massive pot on the stove, tossing something inside with a splash before turning to a pile of potatoes. "Who is that?" She asked.
Chessur chuckled dryly as he hovered over to the counter, poking through one of the jars. "The March Hare. Resident Lunatic and best friend to the Resident Mad Man."
The hare froze, snapped from his mumblings by the familiar voice. He turned to peer curiously at Alice, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. He jumped and jabbed an accusing finger in her direction, his mad eyes round an untrusting. "Ah knuhw ye!" He screeched. "Yoo're th' laddie 'at stole mah ladle!"
Alice blinked. "No I didn't… you're holding your ladle."
The hare blinked a few times before looking down at the utensil. His lips cracked back into an insane grin. "Ah, so ah ahm! Wee lil' devil!"
Alice giggled, sliding onto one of the stools at the counter Mirana was suddenly busy behind. "You're rather mad… aren't you?" She asked with a smile.
"Twinkle twinkle li'l BAT, hoo Ah wonder whaur yoo're at!"
Mirana smiled fondly at the hare before returning her attentions to Alice. "He is so delightful to have around. You would have tea with him and Mallymkun and the Hatter when you were little."
Alice sighed. "I wish I could remember… if this isn't a dream. It all sounds like I had such a wonder of a childhood here…"
Mirana smiled. "It is why you called this place Wonderland." Mirana reached out to brush the back of her hand against Alice's cheek. "Don't worry dear, we'll fix your memory in no time." The queen dropped her hand and began to examine the ingredients stacked along the counter. "Now let's see… where to begin… I wonder…" She turned to a shelf set between the high crystal windows. "Hmmhmhmhmhmmmm…"
McTwisp scrambled up onto the stool next to Alice, nervously sniffing the various boxes and vials. "What if this doesn't work majesty?"
Mirana returned with a heavy tome and dropped it onto the counter, letting it fall open to a page near the middle as Chessur laughed in response. "Oh it will. She remembered the Bandersnatch."
Alice shifted on her stool, grimacing up at the cat. "Why is that? Why do I remember that he's called the Bandersnatch, but almost nothing else? Why do I remember that smell, but I can't remember all of you?" She asked.
Mirana tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well… Bandersnatch certainly has a… distinct smell. To forget it, even a little would probably mean your memory was damaged beyond repair."
Chessur nodded in agreement. "Take it as a good sign, Alice. It means your memories are still there, they're just out of reach at the moment."
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Tarrant slumped in the ancient armchair that sat in the corner of the royal workshop.
His mind was chugging along at a sluggish pace, mostly random thoughts or mental static. Every once in a while though…
HOW could she forget him? Even if she was injured? She'd promised! She'd…
He groaned and dropped his face into his hands. She'd remember some stupid beast that had tried to kill her, twice, but couldn't remember him! Couldn't remember their tea parties, how he'd risked his life to keep her freedom intact. How she'd come to save him…
Or that they'd kissed! But she could remember that MONSTER!
Tarrant's face twisted into a pained expression as he realized the violent and angry path his emotions and thoughts were turning down. He took a deep breath and leaned back against the chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
It's not fair… He thought. But it's not her fault. The reasoning felt feeble in his mind. He felt hurt, betrayed, furious… WHY?
He leapt to his feet and in one rage-filled movement swept everything off the nearby table. He gripped the edge and flipped the table into the air, watching with grim satisfaction as two of the legs snapped off and knocked over a set of mannequins.
The Hatter snorted and turned away from the mess, stomping towards the wide window set on the east-facing wall. He glared out across the lawn, his eyes falling on the Bandersnatch as it playfully roared at a group of flamingos and chased after them.
Stupid beast…
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Aww, poor Hatter.
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