Time kept his eye on the piece of crockery Hatter precariously balanced on the toe of his boot.

Tea-time this day had been quiet and sullen and dark and dreary and uncomfortable for different reasons. He ignored the irate grumbles of the hare and the doormouse, mostly the doormouse, who sat on the other side of the tea table.

He had not at all been pleased to see the others and they unsurprisingly, felt the same.

"'ow long does this idiot 'ave to sit withus?" the white mouse finally complained.

Hatter laughed and Time wondered if he heard her anger. "As long as it takes me to remember what we were talking about." He was standing on one leg and had the other in the air with the tea cup on his boot. "I say," he declared. "Have you got that weed from ol' Thatch? I swear I smell it!"

Time watched the mad hatter's eyes widen with giddiness at this weed.

"'ey!" the mouse snapped at Time. She didn't dare prick him to get his attention.

He looked at her. His face held no emotion.. save for a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Can you smell it?" she dared.

His eyes narrowed and lip twitched but he didn't answer.

She grumbled loudly. "There ya 'ave it! 'eartless is bein' you are! Bein' mean on top o' that! Wait till I tell Alice!"

"Leave her out of this," he warned.

"What?" she asked. "Wha, you want me to leave Alice outta this? Then why the blazes are you 'ere? For Alice, wasn' it?" She glared at him until he looked away. "Righ', you don' 'ave the nerve to-"

The piece of crockery bounced on the table and split in two.

Time sat back and the doormouse scurried back to her perch on her thimble.

Hatter eerily calmly took his seat on his chair at the head of the table. He looked out across the small stretch between his friends.. yes, his friends. He had a frown on his face and a firm set to his mouth. "We feel like arguin' again, do we?" he grunted out with clenched teeth as a warning.

Time noticed he gripped the table cloth firmly in one hand. "No, Hatter," he said quietly.

"No, 'atter," she repeated. She only repeated it out of loyalty to her good friend, not because she saw his anger.

The frown disappeared somewhat but a stiff smile sat on his lips. "Quite right, then," he growled. "I don't want to hear another insulting word from either of you."

Time gave a nod and was thoroughly surprised when she did the same. Oh, he had an insult ready on the tip of his tongue!

"Right then! What were we talking about? I can't remember..."

"Per'aps a lovely bit of tea and scones would-" The hare paused as he zeroed in on his words. "S-sscoonne." His eyes were big and happy as he devoured said scones.

She pushed at him and hopped onto the table and helped herself to some tea.

Time sat quietly as Hatter joined in.

"Too bad we don' 'ave any oil for 'im," she giggled.

Hatter sent her a glare even though he himself made that very same joke weeks ago. "Sit."

"Sorry, love," she apologized. She sat back with her cup of tea.

Needless to say, tea-time wasn't enjoyable at all and Time should have known it wouldn't be for the next hour...

Alice ignored the dizzying feeling that passed over her. She wasn't seasick and she had not once fallen ill aboard the Wonder. She was tired... simply tired.

Mason had been aggravating her all day- all this time- all ten weeks. They were halfway to India. She could manage for a bit longer.

She leaned on the rails and looked at the steady waves below the ship. She heard him stop beside her. She could tell his hands were behind his back - in a very gentleman-like way as he would put it.

"Does the water look a bit silvery to you?" she asked. Her question was valid for the clouds were covering the setting sun.

He turned to her. "No."

She could tell his voice was hard and concerned. She wished she had never spoken.

"The sea looks dark and blue and deep as it always does." He swiveled her by her shoulders. "Are you sure you're alright?"

She pulled herself away from him. "Yes."

He scrutinized her and she stared right back. She didn't win the battle and found she needed to get away from his prying eyes. She looked up at the crow's nest.

There. That'll be her escape. No one to bother her up there.

She felt his eyes on her as she mounted the ropes. She was fine. Perfectly fine!

She glanced down at the sea before she started to climb. She chewed her lip - it still looked rather silvery.

A flutter of blue wings interrupted her thoughts. The butterfly landed further up the ropes.

"You better have a good explanation for this Absolem," she muttered as she struggled up the ropes.

The bitter salty air whipped at her skin and blurred her eyes. She wasn't even halfway up and already she was out of breath. Still she was adamant she was fine even as her head felt heavy and she grew tired.

The butterfly was in reach and she extended her hand-

It jumped higher.

She pulled herself up further and reached out again.. but her foot slipped from its hold. A gasp escaped her and she tried to regain any grip.

She knew it was for nothing as she slid from the rough ropes. She barely heard her own scream as she plunged into the silvery water below and sunk.

The Grand Clock stuttered and Time pressed his hand to his chest, wincing.

Hatter frowned at the sparks that shot out from the being. He noted the pain in Time's face. "You alright there, Tickie?"

He seemed out of breath and for what reason, he did not know. The Grand Clock had cracked and he felt odd. But he muttered, "I'm fine."

Then the sky sounded like it swallowed something and soon a falling and flailing scream filled the air.