Sorry about the lack of updates as of late. I've been having issues with my internet connection and it's been quite frustrating. But here's a new chapter, I hope you like it. I'm gonna try to get some work done of my other Until Dawn stories as well.

Jess came to a clearing in the forest that opened up to quite a curious set up. A table, no several tables pushed together to form one long and winding table that stretched several yards down one way and covered with various bits of lace table cloth. Along the edges sat several different chairs of many shapes and sizes, patterns and colors. Despite all the space, seats and various cakes and treats that covered the table, only three guests took patronage, all seeming to be napping.

"H-hello?" Jess called. No response, perhaps it was her size, to which at this moment she just realized, was very, very small. Just when had she gotten so small, she wasn't sure, but that wasn't what was important at this very given moment in time. She scrunched up her nose in determination and decided to climb up the nearest chair to get a better look. When she reached the top of the tall chair and made her way onto the table she looked around. She cupped her hands over her mouth and called out once more, "Hello?"

The man with the magnificent top hat at the head of the table awoke first. He stared back at her as if he didn't recognize her, but as his eyes focused a smile spread across his face, "Jessica?!" he called. He proceeded to climb up onto the table and walk down the long stretch to meet her, awaking the other two guests on his way. He crouched down before her and tipped his hat, "Pleasure to see you again."

Jess looked up at the bizarre man and considered him for a moment, "Jessica?" she repeated.

"Oye, hatter, will ya' pipe it down a bit?!" the mouse asked, or rather grunted. Not mouse, girl, or was it a mouse? It could have been a mouse, but it also could have been a girl.

The hare sat up as well, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. When he glanced her way, Jess's breath escaped her lungs. He was the handsomest hare she had ever lain her eyes on. Or perhaps he was a man? A man hare, the March Hare?

"Come, come," the hatter ushered Jess back down the long line of tables and back to his spot at the head. She was led or rather dragged down the table and to where the hatter sat. "Jessica, it's been so long, I swore you may be dead, or worse," he beamed happily at Jess.

"Who is Jessica?" she asked. She had gotten so used to the idea of being Alice that neither names seemed to fit. "And what's worse than being dead?"

The hatter seemingly ignored the first question, but simply answered, "The Jabberwocky of course," he beamed.

"Jabberwocky?" Jess repeated, "What's that?"

"Cannibals!" the hatter shouted, "Good lord, did I say that out loud?"

Just then the Cheshire Cat appeared at one of the open spots near the end, beside the sleeping mouse and began to sip tea while he gently stroked the mouse's lovely red hair.

"Hello Chris," said the hatter.

"Josh," said the cat. The mouse awoke to smile sleepily up at the cat before laying her head back in her arms.

"Josh?" Jess asked.

"Who?" asked the hatter. "Where were we?"

"Have any of you seen the white rabbit?" Jess finally asked. Before the question could be answered the hatter handed Jess a small vial that was just big enough for Jess to hold in one hand, "What is this for."

"Hurry, drink it, don't ask questions or he'll smell you," the Hatter panicked then forced Jess to down the whole thing. A moment later Jess felt herself shrinking until she became much smaller, her dress becoming much larger. When she stopped shrinking, Josh the Hatter, quickly grabbed her and shoved her into his coat pocket, then crossed his legs and sipped his tea just as the Knave of Hearts cleared the hill that lead into their tea party followed by a small deck of cards.

"Greetings, Matt, Join us for tea?!" Mike the March Hare asked.

Matt the Knave of Hearts, peered down at the March Hare, his one good eye scanning the handsome rabbit for a good short while before directing his attention to the Hatter, "I'm looking for Alice, have you seen her?"

The Hatter giggled, "I know no Alice," he beamed, cocking his head to the side before he arose from his seat. He moved swiftly up towards the Knave of hearts, grabbing a cup of tea along the way, he offered it out to Matt, "S-stay for tea."

"Stay for tea!" Mike the March Hare echoed.

Ashley the Dormouse awoke from her slumber, catching the Cheshire off guard and shouted, "Stay for tea!"

All the while, with every move of the Hatter, Jess was thrashed about and banged against the Hatter's thigh.

Matt furrowed his brow, the one covering his heart shaped eye patch, seemed to eat it more and more as his brow came lower and lower. "You're all mad," he announced.

Cheshire tilted his head over the back of his chair so that the Knave appeared upside down in his line of sight and smiled his Cheshire Cat smile before saying, "but aren't we all a bit mad?" he chuckled.

Matt the Knave scoffed and with a flourish of his cape, he about faced and went back into the woods, his small legion of cards following suit.

Once they were sure he was gone, the Hatter dug into his pocket to retrieve Jess and held her sitting in the palm of his hand, "Sorry about that Jess," it was then he realized she was barely covered by the now too big dress she desperately clung to around her chest. With his free hand, he quickly slapped his palm against his eyes and turned away, "My apologies!"

Setting her down, he pulled a bit of fabric from another pocket and a scissors from his hat, then worked diligently to create something almost out of thin air, "Here," he offered, holding out the small dress, "Try this on for size." He proceeded to take off his hat and place it over her while she changed.

A moment later Jess lifted the hat and slipped out, "Okay, this works," she said.

Josh the Hatter smiled down at her then retrieved the hat and perched it atop his head. "We must get you out of her, Jess, Mike, can you take Jess to the castle?"

Mike nodded and rose from his seat, but not before downing another cup of tea, "I suppose I can."

"Good," Josh beamed, "Hares are the fastest animal next to the tortoise, but seeing as we know no tortoises a hare shall do."

"A hare?" Jess repeated.

"Are you a parrot?" Josh asked. "You seem to repeat a lot of things."

Jess only shook her head.

"Do you know your task?" Josh the Hatter asked.

Mike nodded, "Take Alice to the castle," he said before picking Jess up and put her in his breast pocket, not before moving his pocket watch to his waist pocket. "Are you ready Alice? I'll keep you safe."

Jess couldn't help but blush, "I-I'm ready."