paixaorpg | Will You Won’t You Join The Dance? [Active]

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Will You Won’t You Join The Dance? [Active]

Character(s): The Mad Hatter and Alice Liddell (AM)
Content: Meeting over the Message Board, the Mad Hatter meets up with a much different darker version of Alice than the one he knew before.
Setting: Joutenheim Gates
Time: Mid-Day
Warnings: Nothing Whatsoever, Most Likely

One wouldn’t want to walk among mad people. However, the Mad Hatter thought it best to meet this girl named Alice, who seemed to have a different odd history. A history he was quite unfamiliar with, a talk of corruption that spread throughout his home world Wonderland. And what of his being have trying to kill her. No no, this had to be a different Wonderland certainly, and a different Alice. However, she had to be the one and same. For there can only be one of one person and not of two.

There are two sides to everything, and if this was the side of Alice that grew up on the other side, than it must be the one and the same. Just, much much older and with different memory than that of her younger self. Not that he saw anything wrong with that, just as long as she knew, that he was not a threat than the Hatter from her recent memory.

The Mad Hatter made his way toward the gates of the giants. He remembered stepping through those same gates, several weeks ago himself. The first person he met was the Alice he was familiar with. The young curious child that had a tendency to be oh so sure she was right all the time and proved insistent upon many subjects. Yes that was his Alice all right, the only friend he knew from Wonderland that was here at least. And now he supposed it was his turn to do the same for this Alice.

Going through the crowd, that Hatter stopped in his tracks. Was this the girl? She bore the same eyes as his dear Alice, but her looks seemed to be… Faded. Her dress was the same yet, it was not, so dark and torn. The poor thing didn’t seemed to be well kept at all! The Mad Hatter stood speechless for a moment at the sight, it seemed that her memory might have some proof to the truth. What has happened to his Wonderland… And…. His….

“Alice?” The Mad Hatter spoke, lifting his gloved hand toward her, questioning if he himself was right. And here he thought he knew anything and everything. But here…. Here he was not certain at all.

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Alice sat quietly, ankles crossed and hands in her lap as she watched the people go by. They all rather looked the same, she decided, all of them with the same odd, nearly blank looks on their faces. Rather like Hatter's automatons, she thought, then stopped herself with a tense little shake of her head. No. Stop it. He's not like that any more. He's changed. Or he wasn't the same, or else he only remembered the pure, uncorrupted Wonderland. How Alice wished she could forget the way Wonderland had changed!

So absorbed was the young woman in her thoughts that she failed to notice the Hatter's approach at first, green eyes fixed blankly ahead as she struggled to choke back the bile at remembering the corruption and pollution that had only recently consumed her beloved Wonderland. She only looked up at his voice - odd and yet familiar - and stared calmly into his face, her eyes searching him for any sign of malice.

"Hatter?" He looked so, so different, but... right, somehow. Rather like the way he looked before the fire. "Is that you?"

The Mad Hatter then walked toward her, there wasn’t much for words that were needed when he gazed upon her. No words coming from his mouth was very odd for him, in fact it was a strange concept to even think about. Though it was just almost as though he lost them, and couldn’t find them again when he saw her. It scared the Hatter, not in a run away sense, but more of a scare for someone who was close to him sense. Was it the Queen who did this? Was she the cause of this misery upon his dear Alice? It wouldn’t surprise him in the least but… It was feeling of… Angadness, as it were.

Holding a hand out for Alice to take, the Mad Hatter gave a small smile to her. He should at least show his friendliness, it was only the right thing to do after all. One would think it would be, “Yes it is me, I’d be worried if I wasn’t me at all,” the Mad Hatter said with a slight chuckle, “Shall we take a pleasant walk, and pleasant talk through Paixao then?”

"You're speechless," noted Alice. "I take it my current state disagrees with you?" Maybe it was the fact that it wasn't the Hatter who'd hurt his dearest friends so terribly and tried to kill her, but Alice was already beginning to carry herself like she used to, straight-backed and confident. She took his hand and stood, her vivid eyes searching his face for any signs of cruelty. Finding none, she gave a slight nod, terribly relieved.

"That would be nice," she admitted. "I may have grown used to the slums, but that doesn't mean I appreciate being a part of them. This strange place is a nice change." What was that saying about everything that glittered? Perhaps she shouldn't let her guard down - at least in the slums, one knew the risk of having her throat cut by some scoundrel as any given moment.

“Well yes, as one should be I would hope! My dear girl you look like rose that was caught in down pour thunderstorm, and we rarely ever have those!” The Mad Hatter bit his lip, as he spoke that, really he couldn’t control what he said sometimes. Though he couldn’t help but speak what he thought, and might as well say what’s on his mind instead of letting it explode like an over air pumped balloon.

Giving as sigh, as the Mad Hatter adjusted his hat, as if to say he was sorry for that outburst, but he simply couldn’t help it. He gestured to all of her, “If you ask me, I would be glad you found me, so I can help you get back on your hands and sew through! So you can be as fresh and pretty as well brewed tea.”

Now holding out an arm for Alice to take while they entered into Paixao from the gates, the Mad Hatter at least remembered what any gentleman behaved like. And felt privileged and sure he should do it for this Alice at least. “Yes well, from my own guess, there aren’t any slums, dark places certainly, but I had not encountered with a slum around here. At least I wasn’t informed of one, but I do know about City Hall being infected by darkness. One must not go there by any circumstance unless you want to be hounded by the heartless, I do suggest we avoid that place, gives me the pills.”

"Is that a compliment," Alice wondered aloud, amused, "or an insult?" To be frank, it could have been worse, and he did have a point; Alice had become quite disheveled, to say the least. She'd been that way ever since she'd ended up in the asylum, in fact, but now didn't seem the time to say it. Alice was never fond of excuses, anyway. "I would be grateful for a bath, not to mention clean clothes," she admitted. She hadn't had much time to spend as she liked, and taking proper care of herself had been absolutely out of the question.

Alice took the proffered arm easily, surprised at how naturally it came to her. "So it's like any other political building," she quipped dryly. "But what are the Heartless? They sound like the Queen's creatures, but I doubt she'd be fond of something that's already broken." Something with a name like the Heartless surely couldn't be whole.

“Neither, it is but a metaphor!” The Mad Hatter said simply, knowing full well what he meant anyway. It certainly wasn’t an insult, but something much more. A feeling of regret and wanting to help her look better really, one could either see it as a compliment or an insult. Depending on the person’s perspective really.

Giving a smile to Alice, at least she was agreeable, the Mad Hatter gave a nod, “We shall go out shopping for new clothes for you at once then! I am sure we can buy some supplies for a bubble bath as well! Need not worry about the money, they grow on trees out here.” He wasn’t kidding about that, around here the source of pay was the jewels and things that grew off plants.

On mention of the City Hall being like any other political building, the Mad Hatter nodded solemnly in agreement. After all, the view on politics in Wonderland was always the Queen’s way. End of story, there is no argument. And if you dare do defy any judgment from the Queen, it’s off with your head.

The heartless came about in conversation, the Mad Hatter took a thoughtful glance to the sky. Trying to compose his thoughts about the creatures as they took stroll through Paixao together, “Hm, how to describe the heartless. They are these dark creatures without hearts. You see they look for hearts, because they do not own them, I’m afraid in the most morbid way. They want our hearts my dear Alice, yours, mine, and anyone else who might own one,” The Mad Hatter said, recalling conversation with the young Alice who described them here, “They are the worse type of thief in my opinion. Taking something that leaves one without a heart. Simply terrible.”

Alice found herself chuckling a bit, her mood already lifted by Hatter's eccentricity. She hadn't allowed herself to remember how it had been in the old days, before the fire, before the Queen, but having him here made the memories much less painful. "New clothes sound wonderful," Alice admitted, tugging at her tattered apron, "and a bubble bath sounds even more so." She looked about herself at the trees, having noticed the glitter of gold and the sparkle of diamond leaves earlier. "Really" she asked. "With how abundant they are, I wouldn't have thought them to be terribly valuable." She wasn't going to complain; that just made things convenient, something Alice hadn't been familiar with for a long time.

At the explanation of the Heartless, Alice frowned. They did sound like something the Queen would come up with, but from the sounds of it, she wasn't here. "It sounds as if I could do with a blade while I'm here," she replied. "Is there any chance I might acquire a decent one in the city? Or a croquet mallet, perhaps?" Truth be told, Alice was afraid of fighting outside of a hallucination, but if it came to life or death, she would fight tooth and nail.

“Ooooh, yes! A bubble bath is the very best bath!” The Mad Hatter nodded with glee, “Think of how many bubbles you can blow into the air while taking a bath! You must remember not to get lost in the bubbles though, there might be too many to count you know!” It was true, one time the Hatter swore he lost himself for days trying to find his rubber ducky in a bubble bath once.

Glancing over at the abundance value of the money, the Mad Hatter shook off the matter with his hand, “Better than going around broke I’d say! Though I should put up my hat shop, sooner than later, it’ll certainly give me more time outside of teatime. Then I can have my hat time!” Giving a nod, to him this totally made sense.

The Mad Hatter winced, as he came to a stop, now looking at Alice a bit frightened, “You want to fight those things? But what if you get hurt?” Not that he cared or anything… All right, he cared a lot. In fact, a lot a lot. But that’s beside the point! “Wh-What if they take your heart? What if I’m not there to-to stop them? Alice! I am NOT going to panic over you!”

Not that one could convince Hatter that he’s doing that right now but… Again, beside the point!

"I don't tend to blow bubbles," replied Alice thoughtfully, "but I'll remember your advice." Really, the mere thought of being able to have a proper bath for the first time in years was already lifting Alice's spirits. If this place was a hallucination, it wasn't bad, as far as Alice's mad visions went - and that alone was almost enough to convince Alice she wasn't delusional, at least not at the moment. Given her past experiences, however, she would have to get a little more proof than this, especially considering her escort, who had previously been bound to Alice's Wonderland, tucked away in her own psyche.

"Much better," Alice agreed. She was all too used to having nothing, and that had certainly contributed to her current mental state. "And you really should set up shop, Hatter. It will no doubt do you and the city much good. A gentleman can never have enough hats."

Her shoulders stiffened at the thought of her heart being stolen. "Well," she said lightly, trying to keep her voice from trembling, "I hardly intend to seek such creatures out, but one never knowns when one may be unexpectedly cornered." She couldn't repress a shudder as she remembered Nurse Witless, already so unpleasant, beginning to morph into that creature. "I'm fully capable of taking care of myself, Hatter." When I'm sane, that is, she added in her thoughts.

“Oh yes! The more hats, the merrier,” The Mad Hatter stated with a giggle in complete agreement with Alice on his hat shop.

Alright, so Alice did bring up a good point. The heartless can come up uninvited as well. The Mad Hatter had thought of that, but figured his hot boiling water should do the trick. Though he hadn’t much thought on fighting anything really. Running was more of an option he preferred. The Mad Hatter gave a sigh, as he grazed his gloved hand through his wild hair.

Looking back at Alice, a pout appeared on the Mad Hatter’s face, as if to say he’d really rather you not encounter them at all. Reaching over to take Alice’s hands he looked in her eyes, “Alice… I will not know what may happen if something, were to happen to you… I… I cannot predict myself, I must say. Hadn’t a mind to know.”

It was true, though the Mad Hatter hadn’t a clue how he would react. He knew one thing was for certain, it would be bad. VERY BAD. Things might get broken. Let’s just say that. The Mad Hatter looked down, “But we will get you a weapon for self defense if you do think it so necessary, I would not want them to catch you by surprise either.”

Truthfully, Alice was afraid of having to fight, especially since this wasn't Wonderland and she knew she didn't have the strength she displayed in her own world. Nevertheless, she at least knew how to wield a knife; perhaps her delusions were good for more than delving into the darkest parts of her mind. The young woman looked steadily up at the Hatter, despite her own fear, and managed a small, wry smile. "If it makes you feel better," she reassured him, sounding more confident than she felt, "I've done battle against the Queen and her minions before. I'm sure a few Heartless won't bring me much trouble."

She found herself surprised as the Hatter squeezed her hands, but a warm smile spread over her face, the first genuine smile she'd given in quite some time. "I do," she told him, "and I won't just use it to protect myself. I'll look after you, too, I promise."

The Mad Hatter looked a bit surprised, she had fought the Queen and her deck of cards? Oh but there was so many! And she got out alive as well! The Mad Hatter gave a small smile back at her with a little chuckle, “You really are brave aren’t you?”

There was something the pinged in Hatter’s chest. What was it, he wasn’t quite sure, but it felt so hurtful and yet so nice. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, or why. Though when he looked in Alice’s eyes, he felt a little more at ease. Lifting his hand, he gently caressed Alice’s cheek. It felt like good to do that, but he couldn’t help but blush, and quickly turn around. Clearing his already cracked voice. Holding out his arm for Alice to take.

“Shall we continue, then?” The Mad Hatter said, deciding not to look at Alice for the time being, for he did not wish to feel that odd feeling in his stomach. Not at this time anyway, perhaps after tea or breakfast. But not now, this is hardly the time for that.

"Not terribly," Alice replied, glancing away as she felt her face grow hot at the praise. She'd been called brave before, but to hear someone she knew say it was something new entirely - even if she wasn't sure the Hatter was real. She blinked at him, and nearly stepped back before remembering just who was being so familiar with her. So the young lady simply stood there, staring up at Hatter, unsure how to react (though she didn't think she exactly minded the gesture).

After a decidedly awkward few moments, Alice cleared her own throat and glanced away for a moment, brushing at her apron to give her hands something to do. "Yes, let's," she agreed, relaxing as she took her companion's arm. "And where are we going?" All this talk of a bath made Alice wish she could jump into one right now, to be truthful.

As if to completely ignore what just happened a moment ago, the Mad Hatter gave a wide grin as he looked down at Alice as they continue on their stroll through Paixao. He pointed up his index finger in indication, “We are going to Matinal's! A little store where we will fetch you some bubble bath supplies! Oooo! And while we’re there, we can get some of the stuff to make a cake as well! Doesn’t that sound fun?”

Taking the Hatter's cue, Alice shook off the all-too-familiar weirdness of the all-too-unfamiliar situation as she followed him. "Matinal's, you say?" she replied lightly as she picked through her memories in an attempt to see if she'd heard that name before. Finding no such indication, the young woman briefly frowned, a bit puzzled. All indications pointed to a hallucination, and yet nothing about this city, save the Hatter, seemed even remotely familiar. Furthermore, there was the fact that Timon had remembered Alice when she didn't know him in the least, and that only added to the troublesome mystery that surrounded her now.

Oh, well. Anything was better than the asylum, right? "Cake does sound wonderful," agreed Alice. SHe'd always been fond of cake, and practically made it a point to have some with her tea whenever she could.

“Yes! Cakes are wonderfully delicious,” The Mad Hatter said as they approached the grocery store, opening the door for them both to enter. He picked up a basket and already started ahead to go down one of the aisles, looking all around at various ingredients. Sticking his tongue out as he let his hand graze through the selections. “Let’s see now, flour, yes flour. Baking soda, baking powder, and raspberry jam. Ooo! Ooo! Look! They’ve got silly straws!”

The Mad Hatter said with glee as picked up one of the straws that had weird shapes and bends. He then preceded to blow through it as it were a kazoo and started to dance to his own little tune in the aisle.

"Yes, they are," replied Alice as she stepped through the door. "Thank you." It was nice to have someone hold open a door for her; she couldn't remember the last time someone had done that (not that she couldn't damn well open a door herself, but the thought was quite nice). She allowed Hatter to pick out the ingredients - she hadn't yet plucked any leaves from the trees - and besides, she was sure that Hatter, for all his madness, knew how to at least bake a cake. The young woman quirked an eyebrow at the mention of straws, about to ask what one was when she saw her companion pick up what was presumably one and... dance down the aisle. Of course he was.

Alice lifted a hand to her mouth to hide the knowing chuckle she let escape. Some things never did change.

The Mad Hatter did his little jig, even humming a little tune, similar to Lobster Quadrille. He approaches Alice holding out a hand as he put the straw in the basket, he tilted his hat as he crossed his legs. Really the music was still playing in his head, rather, he hadn’t an idea it was only in his head. In a sort of bow, he came over to Alice, “Will you won’t you join the dance, Alice?”

She knew what people said about her - mad girl. Raving lunatic. Hysterical woman. And she'd forgotten how to dance. But Alice bobbed a sardonic curtsey to the people who were already staring and offered her hand to the Mad Hatter. She wasn't in London now and she was away from the asylum.; those people didn't matter anymore. "I think I will join, thank you."

Almost in an instant, the Mad Hatter took her hand and danced with her around in the aisle. Not really caring if people were watching, or if he even noticed them. He was so caught up in the melody in his head he couldn’t pay attention to anything really. Just dancing with Alice right now was all the fun he needed. Spinning her around doing some basic dance steps with her, with a final dip, he gave a bow. Giving a giggle, “Oh I do believe we dance well together!”

Alice laughed as she whirled around with her old friend, not caring when she stumbled and almost pulling the Hatter down with her once when she nearly tripped over an inconveniently-placed display of canned food. She curtseyed to him once the dance was over, a little dizzy. She hadn't been able to laugh (improperly, by Victorian standards) in quite awhile, and the change it brought about her was noticeable; some color had even returned to her face.

"I think so, too," she replied amusedly, "but I'm not so certain everyone else here shares that sentiment."

“Well they don’t want to share then they’re simply too spoiled to know what’s good for them!” The Mad Hatter noted with glee. After all, from his point of view, dancing was a lot of fun and feels great. Honestly, if you can’t dance then you should just walk, because as you know one socially it is in the right way to enjoy yourself while you’re able to! Patting Alice on the shoulder when he realized a few more items on the list to get.

“Oh oh, that’s right! We must fetch the eggs, milk, and BUTTTEERRR!” And with that the Mad Hatter took off immediately toward the fridge section. Looking absolutely ecstatic to find the butter. “Oh yes, butter, yes butter! Wonderful for fixing clocks and making cakes! So many best uses, I wonder if they have Danish, it is the best butter.”

Alice was about to reply when the Mad Hatter took off. Honestly, it was just like him (even if Alice was getting the strange, niggling feeling he wasn't quite her Hatter, for some reason) to do something like that. But he did use butter for fixing clocks (or was it mustard? She couldn't remember anymore, for some reason), so that was something.

"I don't believe I've ever had Danish butter," Alice wondered aloud, stepping lightly behind Hatter. "What's the difference between it and English?"

“DAAAANNISH, is the very best-Why the dormouse insists it is the very very best more so than the rest. Or was it the March Hare-No, it was the dormouse…” At this point the Mad Hatter started wagging his fingers back and forth like a broken clock, “Hare-Mouse-Hare-Mouse-Hare-Mouse-Hare-Mouse--Hare-Mouse-THE DANDELIONS!! They told me this, they told me that. They told me everything under the moon, then they gave me a pinch to grow an inch, then I grab my hat and I’m off to tea again! And when I think of tiiiiiime gooooone byyyyyyyy-!!”

The Mad Hatter blinked for a moment, he then looked down at Alice, with a slight pout, “On second thought let’s not get the Danish butter, I don’t trust dandelions,” he said with a shake of his head, putting the Danish butter back and getting the regular butter instead. He stuck out his tongue, “Now let’s see… What is next, is it the milk? R% or Q%?”

"Dandelions don't exactly seem trustworthy," replied Alice. "They sprout up in everyone's gardens when no one wants them and then, when one does want them, they're nowhere to be seen." She allowed herself an amused smirk as the Hatter switched butter.

"I don't care what kind of milk we get, as long as it's good," she decided. It had been such a long time since she'd eaten properly, never mind having someone who cared what she thought regarding different kinds of food.

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Will You Won’t You Join The Dance? [Active]

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