Absolem was sitting at the table in the lounge after the show with Tarrant, Alice, Thackery, and Mallymkun enjoying some after show tea. Chesshur was curled up on the couch against the wall pouting at them while he attempted to ignore that they were there. Normally Absolem would have retired to his own room after a show, but Chesshur's hijinks was keeping him on his toes this evening. He felt obligated to keep an eye on the Cheshire Cat for the time being, but the show had gone off without incident.

Mally seemed to have gotten forgiveness from the rest of the band before they went on stage and things went smoothly through each set. The only tension Absolem could spy from his place behind the keyboards was a tense look or two between Nivens and Tarrant. That was something that could be dealt with later. Nivens was still on stage running the last of his music as the Mad T Party grounds wrapped up for the evening.

"Next time," Mally said before he was interrupted by a large yawn. The Dormouse was fading fast. "Maybe next time we can try something different with our exits."

Thackery smiled at Mally, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "That's a good idea."

Absolem nodded in encouragement. It was obvious Mally was falling back asleep, but he seemed more coherent about what has happened over the last few days than he has been over the last few months. Maybe there was some progress made with Chesshur's meddling there.

Alice had grown quiet. Absolem followed her gaze over to Chesshur. The cat had curled up even further and buried his face in his arms. Absolem watched Alice get up as Tarrant started brainstorming with a lightly dozing Mally and she walked over to where Chesshur lay. She knelt by his side and considered the cat for a moment before slipping her fingers into his hair and scratching him behind his ears. A surprised eye peered out at her from behind his arms.

"What are you doing?" Chesshur asked.

"Is it bothering you?" Alice replied.

"Where'd you learn to answer questions with another a question?"

Alice smiled at him and continued to rub behind his ears. "Gee, I wonder."

The chatter at the table died and Chesshur looked over to find everyone was watching him and Alice. Absolem watched the cat frown and swat Alice's hand away. She pouted and he rubbed his face with both of his hands.

"I'm going to bed," Chesshur announced. He rolled off the couch barely missing Alice who tried to slide out of the way. He sauntered out of the room as everyone watched.

Alice slid onto the couch and sighed as she rested her elbows on her knees. "I hadn't realized how unhappy he was."

Mallymkun was snoring gently. His finger was still hooked in the handle of his tea cup and it was beginning to tilt to the side. Tarrant was looking quizzically between the other members of the band. Thackery was frowning, but didn't seem able to keep his eyes off the dozing Dormouse. Absolem got up and went over to sit with Alice.

"I don't think you need concern yourself too much, my dear," he said. He wasn't sure if he should put a hand on her shoulder, or her knee, or try to take her hand. So in the end he left his hands folded in his lap. He felt a little at a loss without his hookah or his keyboards to keep his hands occupied. "I think a sense of ennui has taken a hold of our Chesshur. Perhaps we should just give him some time and space."

Alice raised here eyebrows and looked at him. "You think so?"

Absolem nodded. "I do."

"What's Ah-Knee?" Thackery asked. He tugged nervously at his ears.

Tarrant patted the March Hare's shoulder. "It is an illness developed from drinking tea that has not been properly brewed and served in a clean cup."

"Oh my!" Thackery said.

"Thanks," Alice said quietly to Absolem as she ignored the other guys.

Absolem smiled at her. "You've been dealing with quite a lot recently," he said as he motioned to the rest of the band. "Let me deal with Chesshur." Alice nodded. "And if you need to talk my door is always open."

"Got it," she said with a smile. She stood up and rejoined everyone else at the table.

Absolem stood and stretched. "I do believe I will call it an evening. Gentlemen. Lady." With a small bow he left the lounge.

As he walked the halls he came across Nivens. The hour was later than he had estimated if Nivens' set was over. "How did the rest of the evening go?" he asked the White Rabbit as they walked side by side.

"Fine," Nivens said, but he was acting a bit cagey.

"Running off to your hidey hole?" Absolem smirked.

Nivens huffed. "Absolutely not! Its late. I'm just returning to my room for the evening like anyone else would do."

"If you say so." Absolem walked with Nivens in silence until they reached Nivens' door. "May I come in and have a word with you before you retire for the evening?"

The White Rabbit gave him a wary glance, but nodded his consent. The two entered the room together. Nivens collapsed onto the small bed, but Absolem remained by the door. He wasn't planning on staying long.

"What is it?" Nivens asked.

"Just a word of advice about Chesshur," Absolem said. "Don't rise to his baiting. He'll continue to do it if you keep reacting. I'd also recommend taking anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a tendency to embellish the truth to make things more interesting."

Nivens seemed to be considering Caterpillar's words. "But does he ever flat out lie?"

"He can twist the truth so much it doesn't resembled itself anymore, but no. No, I don't think so."

"That's what I thought. He wasn't completely off about Tarrant and Alice," Nivens pointed out.

Absolem's eyebrow quirked. "And that matters to you how?"

Nivens sputtered. "It doesn't! Just. Well, you know. Alice . . . She's still young. And impressionable. And Hatter isn't quite right all the time."

"And you have an overdeveloped sense of responsibility for the young woman," Absolem pointed out.

"That's beside the point." Nivens crossed his arms.

Absolem considered Nivens. The man was blushing in an unusual fashion. Perhaps there was something more there than he'd anticipated. Or Chesshur's words had managed to create something more than was originally there. He sighed inwardly and shook his head. "Just keep my words in mind. Have a good night, Nivens."

"Goodnight, Absolem."

Absolem left Nivens to his own devices and continued down the hall. Perhaps Chesshur had accomplished more than he had anticipated when it came to Tarrant and Nivens. And where would that leave poor Alice? Only one way to get to the bottom of this: he'd have to confront Chesshur and plainly call him out on his actions.