Return to Wonderland (Alice/Hatter)

Afternoon Tea

On his way home from the palace, for luncheon, Thackery stopped at the Hatter's shop, to check on his friend. However, when he tried to enter, the establishment was closed. This caused the Hare a great deal of concern, so he diverted his travels to go to Tarrant's house to see if everything was alright.

The Hatter had been preparing himself since he saw Alice that morning. He had washed and trimmed his hair, powdered his skin and perfumed his body. He would not usually do such things but he found himself needing to do them for Alice. He was surprised to have Thackery knocking at his door. However, he happily invited his friend in.
"I see you are quite changed." The March Hare noted.
"Yes, I am going to have afternoon tea with Alice." Thackery was shocked at his friend's change of heart. However, he would not question it, not wanting to tempt fate.
"Very good. I am sure she looks forward to it."
"I do hope so, for I am looking forward to it very much." Truth be told, Hatter was terrified. He had stared at the confirmation of tea with Alice from the Queen for many minutes when it had arrived. He was unsure still if he wanted to see her or speak with her, but there was only one way to find out.

Alice had been told about her afternoon tea engagement whilst she was bleaching her dress, which she had changed out of into a deep brown outfit.
"Oh my dear, I insist that the women here do such things." Mirana had cried out when she had seen alice slaving over her lemon juice and boiling water.
"Oh it is not problem. I am not afraid of a little work." Alice smiled back at Mirana.
"Very well. I have come to tell you that the Hatter shall be joining us for afternoon tea today." She announced and Alice felt herself go stiff.
"Are you quite alright?" Mirana asked her.
"Yes, yes positively so." She whispered, still remaining still.
"There is no need to be nervous, my dear. I have had a dress picked out and ready and the Hatter shall be so delighted to see you." Alice knew that this was not true. Mirana had said herself that Hatter had been heartbroken by Alice. Why would he be delighted to see the person that broke his heart? It was all too impossible.
"I shall change once I have finished my dress." Alice nodded and smiled, trying to convince Mirana of her well-being.
"Very well. I shall see you then." And she waltzed away in the airy way she always did.

Alice was unsure whether it was the natural bleach affecting her head, but she felt rather dizzy after the Queen left. So she decided to take a seat. She had been gone from Wonderland for so long that Alice feared she would not be the impossibly imaginative, silly girl she was when the Hatter had last seen her. She was sure that part of that remained. But she was also certain that with time, she had grown up and let some of those childish ways go.

The Queen knew that she should not be there for Alice's tea with the Hatter, so she arranged to meet with the March Hare on "urgent business" in order to leave them alone. Alice received this news via a note left next to her dress on her bed.

Terribly sorry, Alice, but I won't be able to make it to afternoon tea today, Queen business and all the like. But do have a good time without me.

Mirana.

Alice huffed out a sigh. With the Queen there, she would not be forced to come up with conversation. But now with just her and the Hatter she felt her nerves bubble up into her throat.

The dress was rather beautiful. That was one lovely thing about all of this. Made of a light mint, it fell just above her ankles, just the way she liked it. Alice wondered how the Queen had so many dresses that were just her taste to lend to her, but pushed that thought to the back of her mind.

The Hatter's legs shook all the way to the palace. He brought a pouch of his favourite tea, grown and aged by himself nonetheless. He was escorted to the garden, there was a beautiful table set out in the corner, by the white roses. Hatter took his seat and placed his tea in the pot to brew. His hands shook as he adjusted his hat. He had dressed in his deep purple suit, wanting to look his best. The green of his bowtie matched his eyes rather perfectly. He sat perfectly still whilst waiting for Alice, not wanting to put a hair out of place.