A / N : I'm getting ever so lazy lately, I'm very sorry about that guys. But at least I have an update sitting right here, ready for you : D

So, thank you for all the feedback on the last chapter. I'm really glad you liked it, especially since it was one of my most fun chapters to write yet. I loved reading all your messages on it, why, they brought a smile to my face reading them :) Would you believe we're on chapter 6 already? I wouldn't! But we are! Anyway, a small bit about this chapter - I like to call it the 'girls gossiping' chapter. This is also - where the story starts to highlight some ... things. Haha, I'm pretty sure you'll know what I mean when you read on.

I hope you enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to leave a review if you have anything you want to say. I'll leave you to continue with reading now :)

Preparation For A Most Marvellous Event

Alice shifted in her seat slightly, trying to get comfortable as her friend was talking to someone just outside the room. She had some idea as to what the conversation they were having was about. Why, it was probably relating to the same reason why she was in the room herself. Still, Alice continued to know very little about the holidays and events that happened in Underland – so she was secretly glad that she didn't have to put forward many ideas for the ball that was being held in just under a week, and that that task was left to many of the people that served the Queen.

Mirana finished her conversation with the person in the other room, and walked over to where Alice was. She smiled at her as she sat down, and Alice smiled back, reminded for what felt like the hundredth time of how kind and inviting her presence was to her.

"I'm sorry about that short interruption Alice," Mirana spoke as she picked up a nearby teapot and went to pour both herself and Alice a drink.

For a quick moment, Alice wondered to herself if that was all the people in Underland ever actually drunk, and tried to remember a time when she'd seen someone drinking something other than tea. She shook her head, and forgot the thought as quickly as it came to her, moving forward in her chair slightly so that she could put some sugar in her tea.

"It's not a problem Mirana, I would expect you to be busy; especially considering the preparations you have to make for the up and coming ball."

Alice picked up her small tea cup – she noticed that it was chequered both in blue and white colour as she did so, and wondered if it was picked out deliberately to match the dress of which she was wearing – and brought it to her lips to take a sip. To be truthful to herself, Alice still found it odd that she was to refer to the Queen by her name and not by her title. Of course, she considered her a very good friend, but she still couldn't stop the nagging feeling within her that kept telling her that she should be referring to her by her title. Alice however took it as just another thing to get used to, and as she didn't want to upset her friend, she continued to call her by her name and to try and avoid the slip ups of calling her 'her majesty'. In all honesty, she was honoured to be thought about in such high esteem from her.

"How are preparations coming along for it, now that we are on that topic?"

Alice saw her friends smile widen, and watched as she set her own teacup back down upon the table. Mirana looked over at Alice, nothing but excitement evident in her eyes.

"Oh things are going perfectly! I expect that it will be a most marvellous event for all; at least – I hope it will be so. It is true that we've put so much work into preparing for it, but at the end of the day it won't be a success unless those attending it enjoy it, will it not?"

"Of course! But I'm sure that it will be an enjoyable event, Mirana. After all, I can't see any reason why it shouldn't be as such."

That was another thing Alice had to find herself getting used to. One thing she'd noticed with the events that took place in Underland was that, most of the time, they were held for enjoyment. All those that attended seemed to have the most enjoyable of times, or so Alice had observed. It was very different from what she was used to back in London. Back in London, such events would be boring to her. Alice always felt that a reason for that was because such balls and social occasions were often held as a sign of high power status and money, and not based purely on having fun. From the few events Alice had had the pleasure of attending in Underland however, she knew that such a thing didn't exist – or if it did, it was well masked. Also, the celebrations in Underland were actually enjoyable, and not tiresome. It was something that she almost didn't believe, and what shocked Alice most was how she looked forward to them. She was, of course, most excited for her friend's ball. A strange prospect, considering how against such things she would have been back home.

She continued to sip her tea as Mirana replied to her comment.

"It is nice of you to say so. I only hope the others feel the same way as you do. I'm most sure they will though, especially knowing that you are to be my guest of honour." She paused, taking a sip of her own tea once again and then resumed her conversation. "I know I tell you this time and time again, Alice, but you really must understand how much people value you being here. A lot of us feel indebted to you for what you have done for us. For you to attend such an event, it will make many people happy."

Alice smiled then, feeling slightly uncomfortable. No matter how many times she heard such things pass her friend's lips, she felt she would never believe the reality behind it all, nor would she know how to react to such compliments.

"Thank you," She merely replied, drinking some more tea in hope that they could turn the conversation slightly so it wasn't about her.

Mirana, who must have noticed her nervousness laughed; her smile still prominent on her face.

"Oh Alice dear, there's no need to be so shy! I only speak the truth, you do realise?" A short silence passed over the two then, and Mirana continued to speak. "Perhaps we should leave this topic alone, if it makes you so uncomfortable, yes? Let's see ... oh yes! I do take it you already have your outfit planned for the ball? A special dress that you have planned to wear for such an occasion, perhaps? If not, I will be more than happy to help you find one."

Alice put her teacup back on the table, feeling herself blush slightly. Yes, she did have a dress – but she didn't exactly have it as of yet. And to be honest, truthfully she had no idea when it would be ready.

"Well, there is a dress I did think about wearing but – I don't even know if it'll be ready in time for the ball." She turned her face away from Mirana then, looking for something else to focus her attention on, trying to not make the fact that she was diverting her friends gaze to obvious, and that she was in fact just looking around the room around her, admiring the many things on display. "Hatter said he was making me a dress. However, the last time I heard anything about it, he was complaining about how he was indecisive over some design he wanted to incorporate into it."

Alice replayed her friend's previous ramblings over in her head, remembering how he had complained about a number of various ideas he had, but how he couldn't make a simple decision to settle on just one. Alice had been completely confounded by what he was saying, not entirely understanding all the things he was saying. She sensed however that he secretly knew how confused she was, and that was exactly why he had brought it up. For had she had any sense of knowing what styles he was talking about, he most probably wouldn't have mentioned it, worried he'd reveal what her dress would be like when it was finally finished.

Still stuck in her own thoughts, Alice nearly jumped when Mirana continued to speak.

"Oh? So the Hatter's making our dear Alice a dress now, is he?"

Alice turned and saw that on her face was a grin that could rival even Chessur's. Mirana sat back in her chair, helping herself to another cup of tea as she did so. She offered some to Alice, who merely shook her head in response.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it Alice. If there is one thing I have learnt, it is that no matter how indecisive the Hatter is over his work at times, he always manages to finish his creations relatively quickly. It is true that he is a perfectionist in his trait, but if you'll have my opinion – I wouldn't be surprised if he was planning to have your dress finished in time for the ball."

Alice blinked then. Was it possible that he was planning that? It would make a lot of sense yes but, just how far had he got with it since the last time they'd spoke about it?

"I hope so. I really can't wait to see what it looks like," especially considering how mysterious he'd made the dress seem Alice thought to herself.

"Well, next time you see him, why don't you simply ask him about it?" Mirana replied, sipping yet more tea. "I'm sure if you asked him nicely, he'd tell you when he'd think he'll finish making it. When is it that you'll next be seeing him?"

"Oh, probably tomorrow sometime. He mentioned something about wanting to go outside for a while, so I suppose I'll be seeing him then."

"I see."

Alice tried not to notice her friends grin grow even more, instead focusing on the cake that was on the table. Helping herself to a small slice, Alice once again wondered if tea and cake were an all about tradition in Underland, or if it was just a coincidence that the Queen had some prepared for the two of them.

"Alice, forgive me for asking, or for even sounding rude; for that is not my intention but – what is the Hatter to you, truly?"

Alice almost choked on her cake at the sudden question then. She really, honestly should have seen the question coming, especially as the look in the woman's eyes was full of intrigue. However, she hadn't, and it had instead come as a shock to her. An out of the blue comment, as they would say.

"Why, he's my friend."

"Just a friend? Is that as far as it goes for you two?"

Alice hesitated for a moment – that and she was too busy trying to swallow what was left of the cake she was eating -, but then once she was settled somewhat, she replied quickly, almost defensively.

"Okay fine, best friend."

She watched as Mirana raised her eyebrow in a knowing way. Oh, Alice did not like the situation she was currently put under in that moment.

"W-what?" She asked, feeling her face burning at her friends stare.

"Oh – nothing really," Mirana replied, looking down to stir her tea, her smirk still written clearly on her face.

Alice frowned. Nothing really? Well, it was most obviously not nothing. She'd seen that kind of look that was lurking on her friends face before, and knew all too well what it meant. It was the gossiping look. The look that usually made Alice roll her eyes and sigh. But she wasn't doing that in that moment in time. Instead, she was blushing. A lot. Alice Kingsley; was blushing. She couldn't remember a time when she had last blushed, and – she most definitely did not have any understanding as to why she was blushing now. Her friend on the other hand looked as if she had all the answers she needed in such a small action.

"Hmm, perhaps it would help if I mentioned that you will require an escort to the ball. I take it, you do have someone who will be there with you, am I right?"

Alice blinked yet again, her flushed face cooling slightly. An escort? That she hadn't known. Instead, she had just assumed that because she was currently residing in the castle, she could go by herself. At least, that was what she thought was going to happen. But now she was being told she needed an escort?

"I – I didn't know that, having an escort was a requirement."

Mirana's expression looked slightly shocked then, and she learnt forward to look at Alice's confused expression.

"Oh but of course it is! Especially so for you. Did you honestly expect me to allow my guest of honour attend my ball without an escort? Surely not! I wouldn't hear of it."

As Alice thought about it then, she guessed that the woman's logic was, in fact sound. It would after all, look improper for a guest of honour to attend such an event without an escort, as she had learnt from such events that took place back in London. Even so, Alice had not given the idea much thought. She was still very much a stranger to the land around her, and therefore did not know many people, regardless if many of them knew her for what she'd done. Who would she ask to go with her? She of course, could not ask someone she didn't know. Even if they did oblige, Alice herself could not deal with feeling uncomfortable next to someone she hardly knew.

"I'm afraid I never gave it much thought, to be quite honest. I just assumed I'd be attending by myself. I'm afraid I don't know who to ask."

There was a moment of silence, and Alice bit her lip then, trying to sort out the scenario in her head. Sitting across from her however, Mirana had put on a mock look of concentration, as if she was in heavy thought as to who Alice could ask to escort her to the ball. Alice began to wonder why the idea had not occurred to her until now, and she couldn't help but feel slightly silly at not seeing such a prospect as being a problem.

After what felt like an eternity in Alice's mind, she heard her friend snap her fingers.

"I've got it."

Alice looked up then, to see that her friend was sitting up, alert, smile written back on her face. She turned to face Alice, and Alice noticed that smile of hers grow slightly.

"Alice, I do believe I have thought of the perfect solution to your problem."

Alice only continued to look at her, as if urging her to continue with what her idea was.

"I must admit, the solution is simple, really. You; will ask the Hatter to be your escort."

Another moment's silence; and Alice blinked again. Had it not been for the previous conversation the two had had about the man in question, Alice would have admired the idea, not even thinking to question it. However, just the idea of how she had blushed at such questions left her very confused about what had been asked. Could she honestly ask the Hatter – her most oldest and most loyal friend – to be her escort for the ball? Such reasoning should have been enough indication that yes, she easily could – however Alice was no longer sure.

"The Hatter? Forgive me Mirana but is that ... are you sure that would work? I mean, what if he said no, then what would happen?"

Deep down inside her, she knew she was making excuses – but Alice wasn't entirely sure why she was doing such a thing. Once again, Mirana looked sharply at her, shocked at what she had said.

"Heavens, why would he ever say no to you? If I am correct, the Hatter is the type of man who would not – nor could not say no to anything you ask, Alice. I'm sure, if you merely asked him the next time you see him – he would more than happy. After all, it is clear you will not accept an escort from someone you don't even know. And you only just admitted that you and the Hatter are indeed, very close friends –" Alice didn't like the way she put emphasis on 'very close' in her sentence, but tried to brush it off anyway. "- I cannot see nor think of any other plan that would work out as well as this one."

Alice hesitated, fidgeting in her chair. Of course, all the Queen had said was very much true, but – for some reason, Alice didn't know what to do. What she had just heard, she knew it was true, that her friends idea was the best one available to her and that the Hatter himself would be more than happy to escort her. And knowing Alice, if he did escort her, the ball would be just that much more enjoyable. After all, she often told herself how much more fun things were when she was with him.

Sighing, Alice gave in.

"Alright, I'll ask him tomorrow. You are very much right after all."

Mirana smiled even more, knowing all too well she had won the battle between both her and Alice.

"Of course I'm right. I'm the Queen after all. Just make sure you do ask him tomorrow."

She smiled at Alice, and Alice returned the smile right back at her.

The two of them went back to their conversation, talking about various things for a while. Alice's embarrassment was soon a thing of the past, and for the duration of the visit she found herself laughing, and giving some advice to the Queen she had known as her friend. They sat there, discussing things about the ball, like what kind of food they should serve, and what sort of dress Mirana should wear to her own event, as well as various other topics that sprung up.

When it was time for Alice to leave, she got up, and both of them bid each other goodbye. She walked towards the door to show herself out, when suddenly she heard Mirana call out from behind her.

"Oh and Alice! One more thing."

Wondering what it possibly could be her friend wanted to say to her, Alice turned around to face her from where she was standing. It was then that she saw it again, that grin that could rival Chessur's.

"I do suggest you re-think about what the Hatter means to you, and weather the two of you still stand as just good friends."

She watched the Queen wink and laugh then, waving her hand whilst wishing her a good remainder of the day. Confused, Alice turned and walked out of the room. She shut the door behind her, and stood there for a moment, wondering what had just happened.

What was it the Queen had meant when she said that, exactly?

Heh, heh, heeeh xD

Yes, that's where I'm leaving it tonight. That Mirana, such a tease to our poor Alice! I wonder what will happen next chapter :O (no honestly, I do wonder).

Hopefully, the next chapter won't take too long to write. I just need to revise over my plan for the next few chapters slightly, to make sure they flow the way I want them to. So you'll get your next update pretty soon after I've fixed that (there's some things that have sprung to mind that I wish to add, and some things that really need to help make the chapter more ... muchier. For lack of a better word).

Still, don't forget to leave a review if you liked this chapter. I would say press that box, but it's more of a speech bubble now. How odd ~