(An: I -finally- got my inspiration back for this fic. Go me. Pyschobunny- yes, the Hatter died. It just seemed too blunt to state it any other way. Go find yourself a copy of the game. Because it is awesome. KB- I highly agree with you... but it's hard! -wails- "Smexy?")

(Cheshire)

"If you're both quite done," Alice snaps, tapping her foot. "I'd like to get the relations with the Cattipillar over as fast as possible."

"Well, let's go then," Rogue mutters, glaring at the ground.

Alice sighs and turns sharply on her heel, walking into the cavern that holds the mushroom.

"God, don't these people believe in air circulation?" Rogue asks, waving away some of the smoke that permeates the cavern.

"He might... if he was a person," I point out.

Rogue just gives me a "look" and follows faster after Alice.

"Cattipillar!" Alice shouts, approaching the (comparatively) gigantic mushroom.

A segmented figure bends down out of the smoke cloud. "Yes...?"

"Some of the mushroom would suffice," Alice replies, looking impatient already, "and none of your oracular bit."

"I was the Oracle only so the Queen wouldn't rip me to pieces," the Cattipillar responds. "You know that as well as anyone, Alice." He turns his attention to Remy and Rogue.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not polite to stare?" Rogue demands, glaring at the Cattipillar.

The Cattipillar says nothing.

"Ah can see what you have against him now," she mutters to Alice.

"The mushroom, please," Alice repeats, rocking back and forth on her heels.

"All in due time," Cattipillar agrees.

Alice frowns and crosses her arms.

"Are you going to give us the damn mushroom or what?" Rogue cries, after a few moments of silence.

I notice that Remy has his head tilted back, to hide a smile.

(Rogue)

Ok. Yeah. Not the most polite thing to say to someone who's obviously important, but he's annoying me. A lot.

(Cattipillar)

I cannot stop an amused smile as the new girl erupts. "I am merely," I say, crossing and uncrossing two of my legs, "pondering what effects your presence could be having on Wonderland at large."

Alice and Cheshire exchange uneasy glances, the new boy looks thoughtful, and the girl seems even more annoyed.

"Well, if you'd give us the mushroom," Alice points out, tapping her feet, "we could leave you to 'ponder' in peace."

"Excellent point," I reply.

(Cheshire)

The Cattipillar gives one side of the mushroom a good kick. Several pieces fall off. "Help yourselves."

"Well. Ain't he charitable," Rogue mutters.

"Just take some mushroom," Alice responds.

(Ok, yeah, that was short. But I wanted to assure the AMA fans that I am alive, and now have my muse in a stranglehold. Be of good cheer. There are only eight chapters left, and I shall try my best to eke out another chapter within the week.)