Hats and Cracks

The last of the sun's light was about to wink out for the day. Exhausted from running and her arm stinging, a tea party would be the answer to her prayers.

How am I supposed to find the tea party?

As the words left her mouth, a light bulb drooped down. Walking towards it, she gave it a tug and another dropped further down. Following the light bulbs she came to a neon sign with a man with his back to her, dressed in a stripped purple and black suit.

"Sir, I'm late to a tea party. Would you ever be so kind to direct me to the right –"She touched his shoulder and the clothes crumpled to the ground.

"Hello, love. Up here" A wide row grin shined brighter than the dusty blinking neon lights. Already accustomed to talking animals, Alice was about to ask again –

The Cheshire cat evaporated from the spot, only to reappear next to her arm. "Nasty scratch there made by a Bandersnatch by the looks of it. Here let me lick your wound for you" His eyes glowed strangely, peering at the marks.

"Ah no, I rather be taken to a tea party, please" Alice said stepping back.

"It'll fester and putrify without my evaporating skills…Fine at least let me bandage it for you. Forgive me for being ever so rude, I am Chessur and you are?" A handkerchief appeared on his paws.

"Im Alice, Alice Kingsleigh" He stopped in mid-action of applying the knot, his eyes widened. While he was lost in his own musings, Alice pondered how a cat with paws was able to tie knots with such dexterity.

"The Alice"

"Yes and no: an Alice, but not the Alice. I've been told from the welcome committee, I'm one of the many rejected Alices."

"Disappointed?"

"Yes, very." Alice whimsically laughed finding the idea similar to an audition of sorts. Chess decided on the spot to help this Alice, even if she could be the wrong one.

"I'll take you to the tea party, come along now" the cat floated away from her with his tail swishing.

The venue of the tea party was in disarray. The lawn grew crooked colorful tables, shattered pottery strewn about and three lumped bodies were face down on different areas of the table, while carousel music played brokenly through the speakers.

"Who ransacked this party?"

"Um, no actually this place hasn't been touched by the Red Cards" Chess looked at her sheepishly with a drop of amusement and embarrassment for his friend.

A hiccup was issued from one of the lumped bodies, waking the sleep from her eyes, Mally looked up to the new guests.

"HEY YOU GOT HERE NICE AND SAFE, BARELY ALICE!"

After the mention of the name, one of the three crumpled bodies picked himself off the table and shook himself. Excited energy cracked the air and the colors that were washed out seemed to rediscover their vibrance.

"Alice?"

"Yes?"

"You're not barely Alice, you're the Alice. I know this Alice anywhere. You're late." He breathed out at once, standing there in awe. His hands shook not knowing whether to hold her or to break something, so he settled it by covering his mouth and observing her changes.

Alice, accustomed to getting gawked at for her strange behavior, paid no attention to the intensity of his gaze and continued to walk around the table to hear Mally's tale of how she escaped. If she had taken the moment to look at him, she would have seen the sense of longing his eyes held.

"You're much taller…do you…" He wanted to ask her if she remember this quaint place she visited in her dreams. If she knew how much they needed her and most of all if she even remembered him, but to bring up something this heavy, too soon could be stressful in the mind. He would know, he was half past mad. "Would you like something to eat or drink? Ha, you can't simply go around Underland in the state you're in. Rest, we have much to discuss."

The madhatter went inside the windmill house to make a dress fit for an Alice, while Chess floated near him.

In a different part of Underland, Mirana felt a familiar tremor just as Alice stepped out from the In-between doors. Looking through her telescope, she noticed Bayard ambling towards the castle. Hurrying down to meet him, she noticed a part of her court going to intercept her in the patio. Slowing down to a scuttle, adopting a regal air they nodded to her graciously.

"Queen Mirana"

"The trees seem sad. Have you been speaking to them?" Upholding her responsibilities, Mirana put her excitement off to handle the importance of the elders of the land, the trees.

"Yes, your majesty.

"Perhaps more kindly?"

They nodded once more and walked serenely away, making sure they were out of sight – Mirana impatiently picked up her dress and dashed to the panting dog.

"Bayard, are you alright"

"Your majesty, a rumor of an Alice is here (at this Mirana couldn't help but look around breathlessly as if Alice would be sprouted from the ground)…but a few of the rebellion has been caught." Bayard panted out, collapsing at her feet.

Kneeling infront of Bayard, she rubbed his head with her eyes watching her hands. "You did, well Bayard. We'll get them out."