Alright so seeing as more than enough of you have read the notice, I have decided to give you all a new chapter!
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The Hatter could hear his name being called behind him but he didn't care, the only thing that mattered to him was the betrayal he felt and the anger… such anger.
His mind desperately tried to find a away to release the rage, a way to relieve himself of the sensation but there was no way, nothing that didn't include brute violence.
Striding down the hall he passed many doors until he reached one that lead outside. He hands were balled into tight fists, arms locked down at his sides.
'Go back' the voice instructed
"No" he snarled, clenching his teeth against the urge to strike out at the invisible company.
'Tarrant go back now' it ordered, harsher than before.
"Why should I It's because of her stupid mother's consent I was forced to the Above Ground"
'She knows things that you must learn, listen to me and go back!'
"Who are you anyways?!" he bellowed to himself, screaming in frustration.
"Hatter!" a different voice broke through his mind
"Well that's just wonderful, another one just had to join you, as if my mind isn't crowded enough as it it"
"I'm not in your mind, I'm real. It's me Tarrant, look over here"
Turning he faced the dormouse who was standing on the edge of a short wall.
"Mally?" he asked, the anger slowly drifting away.
The minute the wrath left he was hit by a serious of emotions, anguish, betrayal, loss and grief.
"What's happening to me Mally?" he asked, his voice coating with pain
"Tarrant you need to see the White Queen, she'll help you with everything. I promise"
The Hatter slumped down to the ground next to the wall.
"I'm not from the Above Ground" he said quietly "well I am, but not originally"
"I know" Mallymkun replied
"How?"
"When I saw your anger against the Knave, I knew there was no way you belonged to the humans world"
He sighed "my parents sent me away in fear of me becoming mad, but I believe I already have" he felt a sudden thump on his shoulder as the dormouse dropped onto it.
"If that's the case, the only thing you can do is learn how to control it to the best of your abilities"
Nodding he stood up "Mirana can help me?"
"I'm positive she can, and will"
--
"Tarrant!" the White Queen called after the Hatter until he was out of sight.
Please come back she prayed to herself, desperate to make things right.
"Did you tell him the truth?" a familiar voice asked, making her sigh as she turned to face the smiling cat.
"Yes" she replied evenly, returning to her composed self instantly.
"And I take it that did not go well"
She shook her head "not at all"
"How much of him do you think is lost to the madness?"
"Not much, though more than I feared. Luckily he's nowhere near being consumed by it"
"Hm, do you believe he may be helped?"
"I do, tomorrow I'm going to see his mother and ask if she will help me"
"He does not know she is still alive, does he?"
Mirana shook her head "he doesn't know any of the Hightopps are"
"Good luck" with that he evaporated, leaving the Queen to stand alone in the hallway once more.
"Thank you Chess" she replied to the air before sighing loudly.
--
Slowly he made his way back into the castle, Mallymkun still sitting on his shoulder.
"Where is Thackery?" he asked, pausing at the door
"He's fine, Stayne seemed to have hit him a few times but nothing serious, he's just a little jumpy but he's resting"
The Hatter nodded and pulled open the door, cautiously walking down the halls.
"Promise me you'll stay calm this time, alright?"
"I promise"
Patting his shoulder the dormouse jumped off onto a small pillar by the door, leaving him to go the rest of the way alone.
"Thank you Mally, I'll be home tonight. Make sure Thackery's alright"
She nodded, sliding down the pillar and scurrying off.
Making his way back towards the hall in which he had left the Queen, he turned the corner to see her standing patiently in front of the same door.
Moving closer, he kept his eyes on the ground as he approached her.
"I'm sorry, please forgive me" he said, bowing his head.
Placing a hand beneath his chin, she lifted his eyes to hers.
"Do not apologize, this is my fault. Please, come let me explain everything"
He nodded, following her back into the room and returning to his seat.
"First I must tell you that your mother still alive and well" she spoke calmly, a sense of relief washing over her as his eyes lit up with joy "she is not the only Hightopp still living either, many of the clan are still living in Witzend"
He nodded in understanding, allowing her to continue.
"Ilosovic Stayne could never have been more wrong when he said you didn't belong here. You belong more than most, your blood is 100% that of Underland. Though I fear for you, you are much like your father… you've inherited his skill immensely as well as his anger"
"You fear that I've inherited his madness as well"
She nodded "sadly yes, though despite what I believe I feel that you can learn to control your anger and suppress the madness"
"And will you help me?"
"I will try"
He smiled a warm smile, waiting for her to continue.
"I must apologize for not telling you all this sooner, I may have prevented this whole ordeal"
"You were only doing what you thought was right"
Mirana nodded "I've been meaning to speak my condolences for your loss of your mentor, John Silverwood. He was a good man"
Arching a brow at her in confusion he remained silent in hope for an explanation.
"The year you had the dream of the tea table, was the year I found out you knew of Underland. I decided to send Mr. Silverwood, a good friend of your father, to the Above Ground to help you and send you here if necessary"
A sudden feeling of grief and guilt plowed into him, causing him to let out a sharp breath.
"Tarrant, are you alright?"
He shook his head "no, his death was my fault"
"How can you say that?!" Mirana gasped, rushing to his side
"Because if it weren't for that dream, he never would have needed to help me and he never would have been killed by my fa-… that man"
"Oh you can not think that, I would have sent him up to teach you the trade anyways" \
He attempted a sad smile "I cannot thank you enough for that, when making hats it's the only time I feel truly happy"
"You have an incredible gift Tarrant, I could not let that go to waste" she patted him gently on the shoulder.
Pulling a small silver pocket watch from his waist coat he sighed "it's getting late, I should really be going. I must check on Thackery before he falls asleep"
She nodded, standing when he did.
"Thank you for a wonderful ball, and for offering me your help"
"I promise everything will be fine, just rest and I shall see you tomorrow"
Bowing slightly he left the room, quickly walking out into the cold night air.
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