Chapter 9: A Blind Ball
"Alright, Charles. Keep scarce and make sure you're within hearing distance so I can give you the signal. But if you can, stay here" Alison told the old Knight.
He nodded "Be careful Miss Alison" he advised.
"I shall do my best" she nodded.
The Gryphon swooped quickly to an open window, where Alison jumped in time to fly through it. The Gryphon then flew to land on the roof of the same front corner tower, curling up so it wouldn't be seen.
Alison picked herself up and looked around, ready to take out anyone if she wasn't alone. Luckily there wasn't. She found the room full of materials and figure heads. She frowned for a moment.
"Hmm...Curious" she hummed.
She walked over to a large desk, finding a piece of paper beneath some frilly red feathers. She grabbed the paper and read it.
The Queen Of Hearts
Requests Your Presense,
For The Crimson Ball.
~Nivens McTwisp
Alison frowned. A Ball? She hummed in thought for a moment before looking around the room. She then smiled. With all these materials she could infiltrate even better. Grabbing a few things she sat at the desk and began to work quickly on a few outfits, one for a disguise, the rest for new clothes to wear.
Around an hour later she was finished with all four. She opened her backpack and looked to see if she had room for her new clothes. She sighed, seeing as there was none. She took out her old clothes and set them on the floor before folding and fitting the new outfits carefully into their new dwelling.
She stripped quickly and put on her ball gown. She looked down at herself, the dress flowed a little past her feet. Her dress was mostly black but in the front of the dress it made an hour glass, from her bust to her feet. The dress was given golden embroidering here and there, a golden heart at her bust, and some designs on the lower black parts of the dress. She looked in a mirror and smiled, nodding in approval.
She grabbed a small black coat she had made for the dress and slipped it on just as someone opened the door. She froze but looked at the door to see who it was. There she saw a man with pale skin, his eyes a glowing green, and his hair, a bright orange.
Both their eyes met and lit up.
"Hatter!" Alison squealed in joy, running towards him, dodging the piles of fabric.
"Alison?" he asked, unsure.
Alison wrapped her arms around him tightly "Who did you think it was?"
Tarrant stared forward for a moment, taking a while for the disbelief to waver away. He finally wrapped his own arms around Alison, a smile starting to split along his lips.
"Oh my goodness, Alison. It really is you" he laughed.
"It's so good to see you again" she giggled.
"But wait" he pushed her away a little bit to look her in the eyes "how did you get here? Why are you here?"
"Always with the questions. I got here on a Gryphon with the White Knight" she smiled "and as for why I'm here. I'm here to get you and the others"
"Alison you shouldn't be here. You should be preparing to take on the Red Queen not falling in her arms" he frowned.
"Hey. I'm saving your life, whether you like it or not, so get over it" she frowned back.
Tarrant sighed "I suppose I can't stop you"
Alison smiled confidently.
"Well here, let me make you a hat for your outfit" he said, walking over to his desk and grabbing a few things.
"Oh I almost forgot" she laughed at herself before taking out the Hatter's hat from her backpack "I thought you'd want it back"
He looked up and smiled "Thank you Alison"
"By the way, you look different in that suit" she pointed out.
Tarrant looked down at himself.
"I know, I feel like the monkey who wore it" he joked as he worked.
Alison laughed and watched as he worked. He was fast with his hands, making the red fadora in no time flat. He then put on a black band around the hat, and jabbed a golden feather into it.
"Wow" Alison smiled.
"Yeah...I made you a hat earlier...but her 'majesty' took it"
"Did you really?"
"Mhm" he nodded and placed the hat onto a pile of fabric.
The Hatter sighed and looked up at Alison.
"Why are you here Alison? Mullymkun and Thackery are in the dungeon awaiting execution...it's hopeless"
Alison was stuck for a moment before her mind began to turn again. They were after all, the only friends she had, and they had helped her, so wasn't it only right to return the favor?
She smiled as she found the answer.
"I'm returning a favor"
Tarrant looked up and gave a grin "So what's the plan, then?"
"Well...first of all lets gather some of these materials. They might prove useful later" she suggested.
Tarrant nodded and packed a suitcase, not only one in fact, but two.
"So where is the dungeon?"
"I'm not sure. But from what I know, it's to the right of the foyer" Tarrant said as he put on his hat.
"Alright...so we can go in disguised and dance over that way, then when no one is looking, we'll slip in, rescue them, then meet back up here" she gestured to the room.
"Yes...but...how do we get up 'here'" he asked, gesturing to what she was gesturing.
She thought for a moment, not quite sure. She looked around and then down at her dress before a smile of genius appeared on her lips.
"Don't worry about that, I've got it figured out. Now hand me those" he said, grabbing the suitcases and walking over to the window.
Alison took a deep breath and whistled a loud high pitch. There was a noise from the roof of the tower and soon the familiar white Gryphon swooped down in front of the window.
"You're done already?" the White Knight asked.
"No. But we need you to take these" she said and handed him the suitcases.
"Alison, I am not a baggage boy" he huffed.
"Just do as I say. The next time I give you the signal, we'll have rescued the others, so keep an ear out and meet us at this window"
"Alright" he sighed.
"And If anything happens. You need to get Chess"
"That infernal cat?" he roared.
"Charles!" Alison barked to snap him out of it.
"Alright, alright. As you wish Princess" he groaned.
"Good. Now hurry before someone sees you"
The Gryphon then dashed into the air and hid upon the roof once more.
Alison turned and looked at Tarrant, grabbing her new hat and placing it on her head "Well, lets go crash a party" she smiled.
Tarrant And Alison peered around the corridor and found everyone leaving the foyer to gather outside in the large courtyard.
"I thought you said that the dance was going to be in the foyer" Alison whispered to her partner in crime.
"I said that I thought the 'dungeon' was in the foyer" he elaborated.
"Ugh" she groaned "Great. Now I have to figure something else out"
"Why not seduce Stayne, take his key, then give it to Mullymkun and Thackery in the dungeon?"
Alison was sparked with genius and turned to Tarrant.
"You are brilliant" she whispered ecstatically, grabbing his face and kissing him on the cheek before walking out towards the others quickly, but properly.
Tarrant stood there disbelieving as he touched his cheek, feeling the warm softness of where she had kissed him. He closed his eyes and sighed contently.
"Come on" Alison called to him, gesturing her hand to follow her.
Tarrant snapped out of his trance and walked over to her quickly before taking her hand and walking with her out to the courtyard. The Queen of hearts was perched upon a thrown at the end of the dance circle, looking out at the many dancers. She was frowning, knowing no one would dance with her.
"I don't even know why I had this stupid ball, it's no fun for me" she pouted and complained to her head Knight.
"Perhaps...you should have an execution?" he smiled with suggestion.
The Queen in red looked at her Knave of hearts and smiled back.
"That would be quite entertaining"
"I shall go get the criminals" he nodded.
Tarrant and Alison moved discreetly and as normal as they could, not wanting to attract any attention, towards the foyer.
"Hey, you two there!" someone called.
They froze, looking at each other with horrified faces.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Do something" Tarrant whispered.
Alison looked up at her hair and tucked it in so no blue was showing. She closed her eyes and turned around.
"Oh, I can't find anything it seems. Where am I? I thought I was at the dance" she said, reaching out trying to find the person talking.
Stayne looked at the 'blind' Alison with intrigue.
"No. You were heading towards the foyer, the dance is outside now. But...perhaps, if you promise not to step on my feet, I'll show you how to dance" he smiled some before looking at Tarrant and scowling "and so you can dance with a real man"
Tarrant frowned at him with defiance. Alison bit her tongue and clenched her fists at his comment, before pretending to walk forward with her arms extended.
"Oh, you're so kind..."
STEP
CRUNCH.
"Ow!" Stayne cried, hopping up and down on one foot.
"Oh forgive me, sir. I thought i'd hug you in appreciation. Seems I only got to step on your foot" she put on the most fake puppy pout she could muster.
"It's quite alright" he bit back the pain and put his foot back on the ground "now if you excuse me. I must go get the two prisoners from the dungeons.
Alison went pale white "Oh...b-but why?"
"Because the Queen is unamused with this ball. So it's..." he ran a finger across his neck "'Off with their heads'"
"Oh...well" Tarrant fake smiled and laughed nervously "I always liked a good beheading"
Stayne looked at Tarrant and glared "Shut up, peasant"
Tarrant bowed his head and went silent. Stayne then moved past them and went into the foyer, leaving them alone.
Alison opened her eyes and stomped her feet in frustration.
"Planning is hard when everything keeps changing!" she growled.
"Calm down Alison, maybe now that they will be out here, it'll be easier to grab them and go" Tarrant suggested.
"I guess so" she sighed.
"Come on" Tarrant smiled some and took Alison's hand, leading her into the courtyard.
The courtyard was filled with red roses and statues of hearts and cupids littered pillars around the dance circle. The Queen stood from her thrown as Alison and Tarrant entered the courtyard.
"Why are you late to my ball?" she asked them.
Alison quickly closed her eyes.
"Who's that? Your majesty?" she asked, looking around her blindly.
"Forgive us, your majesty. I saw her wondering around the kingdom. She's blind you see..." he began.
"Oh..." the Queen began "well...then why is she even here?"
"Oh your majesty. I wouldn't miss your gallant ball for anything in Underland" Alison dramatized, placing a hand over her heart.
"Realleh?" the Queen asked, confused.
"But of coarse, darling. You throw the most smashing dances" Alison smiled and laughed a little "I only wish I could see it" she saddened.
"Well thank you...erm...what is your name?" she asked.
"Oh, your majesty. My name isn't important, you're the most important thing here, I don't know why you're giving me such spotlight" she giggled in amusement "come everyone, let us all give praise to our glorious Queen!"
"All hail, Iracebeth. Queen of our hearts!" everyone cheered.
The Queen seemed overwhelmed. She beckoned the two over to her. Tarrant took the lead and lead the 'blind' Alison over to her.
"Please, sit with me" the Queen gestured towards the seat beside her.
"Me, your majesty? I would be graced by your presence" Alison said, bowing to a post.
"I'm over here" the Queen cleared her throat.
Tarrant turned Alison around to where she bowed at the Queen and then helped her to sit in the seat.
"You may leave our presence, hat maker" the Queen shewed.
Tarrant frowned and looked at Alison.
"Fear not, friend. I can take it from here" Alison said, patting Tarrants hand.
Tarrant nodded and walked over towards the circle.
"Tell me, where did you get that amazing dress?" the Queen asked her.
"Oh, I made it myself. Do you like it? I wish I could see how it turned out"
"I do like it" the Queen nodded.
"Erm...your majesty" Alison asked.
"Yes?"
"I always believed you to have divine powers as the Queen of Underland. And...well I was wondering...if you...may bless me, perhaps even a touch from you may give me back my sight. And then...You would be the first thing I see, as perhaps, a newly born child to see it's mothering Queen"
The Queen was taken back by the request, but amazingly touched by the sincerity.
"I shall do you this favor" she nodded.
Alison bowed her head and felt a hand be placed on it.
"May you be given back your sight, for you have given me much praise. I find you worthy of it" the Queen said.
A moment passed before she removed her hand. Alison lifted her head back up and seemed to look at the Queen.
"Well?" Iracebeth inquired.
Alison opened up her eyes, showing brilliantly blue eyes to the Queen. Iracebeth gasped at the sight.
Alison smiled brightly in acting "I can see...I can see, my Queen!"
Iracebeth looked down at her hands, stunned.
"Thank you my Queen, thank you. You are a miracle maker!" Alison said, nearly getting sick of all the nice acting.
"I have brought you the prisoners, my lady" Stayne said as he brought over Thackery and Mullymkun.
The Hare and Dormouse noticed Alison and went to say something, but Alison shook her head and mouthed for them to be quiet.
"I...I...I don't want an execution anymore" she said.
Everyone gasped at the words.
"Let them free, the hat maker too" the Queen continued.
Stayne nearly fell back in utter shock, even Alison's jaw dropped at the words she spoke.
"I do not need them anymore. They're free to go. My favorite is all I need now" Iracebeth smiled and looked at Alison.
"Oh...y-your majesty. I couldn't..." Alison began.
"You've shown me I can do wonderful things, not just horrible things. And I want you to be my personal best friend" she nodded.
Tarrant stared with his mouth hanging open, his hat flying off the top of his head.
"Oh...well..." Alison didn't know what to do now, that was a change she would never have expected in a million years.
"Your majesty, you can't be serious..." Stayne interjected.
"Shut up, Stayne!" she hissed.
He went wide eyed and stayed quiet.
"And I want you to move into the hat makers quarters, immediately" Iracebeth told her.
"Yes your majesty" Alison nodded and stood up.
"Stayne, go with her" the Queen ordered.
"No. No your majesty, that is quite alright. I don't have much to move anyways" she faked a smile.
"Alright dear" Iracebeth smiled back and gestured her off "and you three, get out of my kingdom!" she pointed to the three Underlanders.
They all jumped and ran after Alison.
