A "do", as funny as it sounds, is actually British slang for a "party". Just as a "sitting room" is essentially a "livingroom". I myself am American, as shameful as that is to admit these days... but due to the story's location, I'm trying to keep things accurate as such. So to any Brits reading, feel free to correct any of my terminology! And to my American audience, I will try to make note of any word choices (like a do) that may be confusing.
Cheers!
[Disclaimer: All characters belong to Lewis Carol, Tim Burton and Disney. I will make 0 profits from this work.
"Alice?"
A soft lisp snapped the blonde out of her daze. Oh, how she had missed his gap-toothed lisps. A dream come true to be back with him in her perfect world at last.
"My apologies." Alice reached for her tea cup and took another sip. The warmth of the sweet liquid helped her in regaining her senses. It seemed she had been lost in her thoughts - deeply immersed in them. If it weren't for the Hatter's call she wasn't sure how long she'd be in her state of recollection. It seemed that every time Alice closed her eyes, she was reminded of the feelings she felt in her last moments in the world above, lost in them even. It were as if her memories were a wave that pulled her into a suffocating spiral of asthmatic shock - in fact, Alice could have sworn that she had stopped breathing for a moment.
"What happened, Alice? I'd know you anywhere, dear, and while I know you are in fact you, you still aren't quite." Tarrant's emerald eyes deepened with concern, to which Alice responded by reaching over and placing a hand atop his shoulder.
"I'm alright. I suppose the excitement of being here has got my mind all mixed up. I can't seem to focus as well as normal." She hoped this was enough to cover her lies, enough to hide her fears and anxieties. Afterall, why dwell on the past? She was home and that's what mattered.
"Very well," Tarrant didn't sound completely sold - in fact, he knew she was lying. But preferring not to pressure Alice into talking about her current state of mind, he decided to move on. "Perhaps you'd like to rest then? I'm sure travelling from another world must be quite exhausting." He suggested, eager to aid his guest with whatever necessities she may require. "I do have a spare bedroom you could acquire. It has a king-sized bed, too! Quite comfy, I do say." Alice smiled. His kindness and hospitality almost made her forget the pain that her family had caused her. But what else could be expected from her best friend? He was always fighting to the ends of the earth for her, so it was to be expected that in her return he'd be no different.
"That sounds lovely. But I'm far too excited to rest. I have so much to say and so much to do here! And I've only just arrived." Alice beamed now, returning to her usual self. The excitement of returning home - her true home - swelled her inside with joy. It was if her memories had completely vanished. The hatter, however, appeared quite gloom at her reply.
"Being in such a hurry means you must not be planning on staying for very long," he began, his wild eyebrows furrowed in sadness as his eyes trailed away from Alice's gaze. He couldn't bare the thought of losing her again so soon; he couldn't bare to look in her in the eye. Just the thought of her leaving again made his chest ache, excruciatingly so.
"Nonsense! Hatter, I'm here to stay. I've done what I needed to do up there, so I'm free to be down here. I had things to do, and I've done them." She placed a small and delicate hand over Tarrant's cheek, cupping his face sweetly as she brushed her thumb over his pale skin. "I've worked diligently not only to make sure my father's name was known, but so that I could return to Wonderland." The redhead's face brightened, delighted to hear Alice's words.
"You mean, you're here to stay this time?"
"Yes, I am."
Tarrant threw his arms around the blonde woman, this second embrace much more enthusiastic than the last - his excitement was nearly causing him to explode. It had been many long moons that he awaited her return, but he never truly believed she'd return to him for good. "Why Alice, this is just the greatest news I've heard since- since- Well..." he paused, "I guess since you told me that you had found my family!" He smirked and pointed an accusatory finger at the blonde, "You're always the bearer of good news, aren't you? You're like my little four-leaf clover!" Alice couldn't help but laugh and the mention that she was his four-leaf clover made her feel warm inside. She had missed his innocence and the way he spoke ever so much. "Oh Alice, we simply must be on our way!" Tarrant began again. It seemed his mind was leaping from one topic to the other like a frog leaping from lily pad to lily pad in a pond of blue - Alice could hardly keep up.
"Wait- On our way to where, exactly?" She inquired politely.
"To the Queen, of course! She'll be ever so thrilled to hear of your return. That is, if she hasn't already heard. I'm sure the others have already told her by now. Why, I'd bet she's already got a 'Welcome Back' soiree in the works!"
Alice smiled and shook her head, "I doubt that. I don't think anyone else knows that I'm here besides you. I headed straight for your house the moment I arrived." Hearing this seemed to have moved the Hatter slightly, as he smiled softly to himself. It did feel special afterall, to be the first person she came to despite knowing that all of Underland had been patiently awaiting her arrival.
"Well then, all the more reason we should be on our way! I just know she'll plan something grand for your return. Afterall, you deserve it." Tarrant smiled that gap-toothed smile that Alice loved so much. How could a gap be so becoming on a man? She had recalled that many of her childhood friends had gapping teeth but it was never a pleasant quirk. In fact, many of their parents had invested in correctional wired cribs to help straighten their teeth. But somehow, Tarrant made it work. "Alice, are you ready?" The voice quickly brought Alice back from her daze.
"Oh, yes. Of course!" She quickly took another swig from her tea cup, finishing the rest in a quick gulp. Not the best tea etiquette, she'd admit, but being in such a hurry wouldn't keep her from finishing such a fine beverage. Hatter's tea had always been her favorite after all. The pair ventured out to the White Kingdom, conveniently located only a few minutes away from the Hatter's house. The day was still new, the sun beaming high above the clouds, as Alice basked in the scenery around her. The walk to the kingdom was most pleasant, the woods and trees sheltering her fairness from the blistering sun while still allowing rays of sunlight to light her path through the branches. The forest was silent and peaceful as Alice bathed in its tranquility. After venturing through the woods for what felt like only a few heartbeats, the pair arrived to the kingdom at last. The black alders that had been sprawled about the forest had now been replaced with elegant cherry blossom trees.
"After you, my Alice." Tarrant moved to the side upon opening the large, pearlescent door before them. There seemed to be no guards stationed at the gates, contrary to what one would have assumed of a kingdom, because Underland was different now. All creatures lived together in a unified harmony after the slaying of the Jabberwocky and banishment of the Red Queen. It was truly a paradise. Alice entered the palace and was taken away by the beauty layed out before her. Surely Alice had taken note of the kingdom's enchanting appearance before, but under previous circumstances she had not the time to truly admire the palace for what it was. The marble walls that seemed to tower over her were stained a beautiful shade of ivory and the leadlights reflected the sunlight into the building in a vast array of colors. It was as if a rainbow made its way inside the building and was having a ball of its own in the palace. It was a sight Alice could watch for an eternity.
"Come, dear. We must find the Queen at once! She'll be ever so excited to see you. Everyone will!" The Hatter took Alice by the hand and lead her through the palace. He continued to ramble about the Queen and the do and whatnot, but in the midst of his excitement Alice decided to let him carry through with his ramblings this time. "Oh I just can't wait! This is all going to be so marvelous. And not only will we be celebrating your return, but also how you slayed the Jabberwocky and saved all of Underland! Afterall, we weren't able to properly express our gratitude before, seeing as you left so soon and such. And we are still so -"
"Alice?" A soft voice called from behind. Alice turned around and was met with a beautiful woman dressed in white, her arms raised and fluttering about. "What a pleasant surprise this is! My dear Champion, slayer of the Jabberwocky, has returned at long last. This is cause for celebration." She said matter of factly with a faint nod of her head. The Hatter nodded enthusiastically in agreement with the Queen and clasped his hands together joyously.
"Oh, that's what I was hoping to hear! See Alice, I told you we'd be in for a do." Alice wasn't exactly the do-goer herself, but feeding off the Queen's and Hatter's energy made her more adrent. Besides, how could one not be excited to attend a do with their favorite people? Alice figured she'd deserved it, after all she had been through.
"Well then, that sounds like a lovely plan to me! Your majesty, I-"
"No no, dear, just Mirana."
"Oh, yes. Mirana- I am so very thankful for your kidness and hospitality. You all, celebrating me... it is quite the honor." Alice admitted, a soft pink blemish tinting her fair cheeks. In her old home above, Alice was never celebrated or deemed worthy of such high praise, even aftee her explorations across the sea. She was denounced a madwoman who's life's work had been shadowed by sexist rumors spread by jealous fishermen. Sure, there were a few men at sea who gave her some slivers of respect, but no one ever really believed in her. Everyone was always quite flippant with her, really. Even after traveling the world, everyone claimed that her journeys did nothing but make her more delusional than she was prior. But not here. Not in Underland. In this world bellow, Alice was placed on a pedestal and admired and appreciated by all.
"Don't be so modest! You are practically royalty here. Afterall, there would be no here if it weren't for you. Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment. I must gather my subjects to get this celebration to betide!" And just as she had seemingly arrived out of nowhere, the Queen quickly disappeared into another corridor as fast as she had arrived, leaving Tarrant and Alice alone once more.
"Well, this is going to be simply wonderful." Tarrant announced finally. Alice smiled. "You know, it's been quite a while since I've had a do to attend and I haven't danced in quite some time. In fact, the last time I danced was after you slayed the Jabberwocky! I did Futterwaken quite elegantly, did I not?" He chuckled softly to himself and Alice worried of what he'd say next. "Say, surely you're going to have to dance at the Queen's soiree, and who better to dance with than I?" Tarrant seemed rather animated at the idea, so of course Alice couldn't repudiate his offer, despite her views on dancing. In fact, Alice rather hated the whole thing, not associating the action with the fondest of memories. It reminded her of all the horrid men who attempted to court her due to her mother's insistence that she be married. Alice cringed slightly, but then she remembered: This is The Hatter, not some rich and snobbish brute.
"I'm not much of a dancer, really... But all the more reason I should be on the floor with you! You can help guide me. But I'll warn you, I can be a bit of a clutz," Alice smiled sheepishly when suddenly a quick motion swept her off her feet, causing her breath to hitch. Tarrant took her gracefully by her left hand with his right before taking a step back, holding Alice's arm above her head to twirl her about. After completing the twirl, he tucked her underneath his arm, corralling her into a dip. Their fair faces, now just centimeters apart, were tinted pink.
"Not a dancer? Nonsense. I think you'll make a lovely dance partner," Tarrant lisped softly. Their eyes were locked - emerald meeting hazel - and he felt his heart pound heavy in his chest. Tarrant wasn't sure what had swept over him in that moment and he could only hope that it was the right motion. Sure, his dancing techniques were always on-point - but his worries resided with the woman before him. He couldn't quite name the emotions he felt around Alice, for they were emotions he hadn't ever felt before, but it seemed he always felt so flustered around her. He admired her for her bravery and the justice she brought upon his home. He admired her for the way she believed so passionately in the impossible and how nothing could ever stand between her and her goals. He admired her for how elegant and graceful she was without even trying; her beauty was effortless and Tarrant always found himself in awe. But whenever their eyes locked, he felt as if Absolem himself were fluttering in his stomach, making him feel queasy. Tarrant couldn't understand why this was or what this new feeling meant, but while he found it beautiful it also rather frightened him. Alice, on the other hand, was quite content. She always had found his emerald orbs entrancing and over the time they'd spent together, she'd grown increasingly fond of his gaze. Tarrant slowly returned Alice to her upright position before hesitantly releasing her delicate hand. His handling of her was gentle, as if she were but a porcelain doll as fragile as she was beautiful.
"I think you'll make a lovely partner as well," the blonde smiled. "I must admit though, you took me a bit by surprise!" To this, Tarrant's eyes widened slightly in concern.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry! I just thought, well-" Alice could tell he was about to enter another fit of rapid ramblings and quickly hushed him, pressing her index finger to his pale lips.
"Don't be sorry," she lowered her finger before continuing. "I rather enjoyed that. And I look forward to more this evening."