Alice Undercover
By Rurple101
Chapter Eight: Thinking & Speaking
Tarrant Hightopp wasn't normally a man to doubt his original views but he was fast suspecting that Jesse Wayton wasn't as she appeared. It oddly did not make his suspicious of her in a way he would have previously treated her, coldly and in many ways, possibly in a way of abuse.
Since…Alice had departed, his former self had vanished over the years and something about her was making itself known.
Odd phrases were coming back to him since he'd fallen asleep in her room after drinking that cup of tea she had given him. He hadn't seen her spike it in anyway so he decided that she was just an innocent coincidence.
It had been a few weeks since then and he had only seen her quite little in that time, only seeing her flitting around the castle with what he guessed was determination. Her face was set and firm, but was that because they were both serving a ruler who wanted nothing but strict obedience from her subjects?
She had since only performed a handful of times for the Red Queen and he had been present, as the rest of the court, at those times.
One of the ladies in waiting had voiced to the Queen that they ought to have a competition and had even mentioned himself partaking in it.
Iraceabeth's face had faltered before she barked that was a stupid idea and that Lord Hightopp had better things to occupy his time with.
At this, she had looked up at him like an adoring fan and something deep within him coiled in disgust.
Something must've shown on his face because when he looked up he saw Jesse eyeing him curiously, running her forefinger over her bottom lip, as if she was thinking intently about something.
The action caused something else buried deep sighed longingly at her gesture. With a sharp jolt, he was reminded that it was something Alice had done…before she had left him.
"Might I say Your Majesty that it seems Lord Hightopp doesn't feel worthy of dancing in a competition among others? Perhaps a futterwacken off with myself? We could make it a sport of sort to see which of ourselves could perform the best for you...?" she trailed off, lowering her head in respect slightly to her.
Iracebeth appeared to think her words over, swallowing her sharp retort that Tarrant had expected.
Futterwacken…why did that word sound familiar?
"What do you think Lord Hightopp?" Iracebeth's voice cut through his confused thoughts.
He started but replied in his gruff voice "I think Miss Wayton is overstepping her mark Your Grace."
Iracebeth smiled sweetly up at him. Again, disgust coiled in his stomach and he had to refrain from stepping away from her. Such an action in front of her court and Jesse would cause his head to be cut from his shoulders.
Jesse only smirked and then amazingly, winked at him cheekily before nodding her head at the Queen and dismissing herself.
Jesse had been walking back from her lunchtime dance practise when she spotted a familiar blue butterfly on her room's door handle. She looked around, saw nobody was around and raised a finger to her lips at the butterfly.
He flew up onto her shoulder and she went inside and locked the door behind her.
"Hello Absolem, how have you been since I saw you on my shoulder on my father's old ship?"
The butterfly seemed taken aback for a moment before he said slowly "So, it is you dear girl."
She only nodded mutely. Absolem then flew over to her dressing table and she took the chair in front of him.
"I had…given up hope that you would ever return Alice. You're taking a massive risk here."
Alice sighed solemnly and her guard fell.
"I know" she sighed again. "There's every chance I might fail, or Hatter might not believe I'm his Alice, or that anybody else will spot it. I have changed a lot since I was nineteen."
"What exactly is your plan, might I ask?"
"it's unusual for you to not know something Absolem. I would've thought it was foretold. I've heard whispers that the Red Queen is aware I might be destined to return 'sneakily' to Wonderland."
"Underland, dear."
She shook her head. "It will always be Wonderland to me. Now, answer my question."
"You've defiantly grown up Alice, the old Alice I last saw wasn't one to boss me so directly. But…I recognise you perfectly. If the Hatter uses his brain, so will he-" he paused dramatically. "If he hasn't already…"
Alice's heart leapt up to her throat in excitement. She leant forward so sharply that she startled the butterfly.
"Please tell me Hatter remembers some form of me!" she said desperately and her expression was so grief-stricken he allowed to nod once slowly.
"He…it is difficult to say Alice. He does and he doesn't remember you. He is not himself at all. It's his alter ego of his madness playing him. He has… suspicious about you from what I've seen, but he isn't out to get you, which is hopeful to our cause."
Alice closed her eyes for a moment in relief, leaning back in her chair. She pictured the Hatter she knew and she had to swallow hard to stop her tears. But her eyes did water and shook her head to clear it.
Do not get washed away with fantasies Alice. Don't run before you can walk.
"The White Queen is aware of my presence. I saw her a few weeks ago in Marmoreal. My other friends are aware of my presence and were delighted to see me again, but they have sworn to secrecy to protect me. I cannot have my cover blown before I decide to reveal my true colours." Alice said measuredly.
The blue butterfly's eyes seemed to widen in surprise.
"Alice, that would decide your fate. You could be killed if you showed yourself!"
She was quiet for a long while before she then looked directly at him.
"If it saves my Wonderland and my Hatter, then I don't care. The people will see me and they will know what to do once they see their Champion, regardless of if I have a head or not!"
She said the words so fiercely and with such belief that she thought she had silenced Absolem.
Hey. I wonder if anybody still reads these…?
The only reason I have written this is because I saw the new Alice movie, y'know the one with THREE HUGS! ( YAAAAAAY! :P )
- . .KISS!
…. I do not believe myself the only one disappointed but I suppose Disney want them to be friends…. but the final look of Hatter's face made me cry!
The look on his face SAYS IT .all!
(chill Jess!)
Anyway! Yes, I might update this, I found my old notes in the garage so watch this spot in the next week!
Thank you in advance for any reviews, reads and alerts!
-The101Rurple x AKA Jess