Lost Time Is Never Found Again (Lotherio & darkangel76)

[darkangel76]

“AAAAHHHHHHH!!!” Alice shrieked.

Sitting bolt upright, Alice had all she could do to find her focus. It was dark, there was a chill in the air. As she glanced about the room, she caught sight of eerie shadows dancing along her walls. Shadows that loomed and threatened, looking as if they’d jump off the walls in which they resided only to skulk closer and closer and…

Alice could feel herself shivering as she sat there, her covers drawn up, her skin wet with sweat. Those shadows! Oh those gruesome looking shadows! Wincing, her teeth chattering, she suddenly felt a bout of paranoia creep up from within. Was that laughter she heard? Why yes. She could hear that awful, sickening laughter.

“’O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!’ he chortled in his joy,” Alice mumbled to herself, as she shook. Her voice but a whisper after the loud scream she’d let out moments ago. “Twas brillig, and the slithy toves…”

Alice’s voice trailed as she recited the one poem that often gave her solace, brought her peace. As the words dripped from her tongue, she felt her body relax ever so slightly. Enough that the terror she’d felt over the past several second subsided. Enough that she could finally move. Catching her breath, she pushed the blankets away from her body and swung her legs around and over the side of the bed. As she slid down along the mattress’s edge, her bare feet landed upon the cold wooden floor of her bedroom.

“Ah, dear, Alice,” remarked an older woman. Alice’s mother, Mrs. Kingsleigh. “Please, my darling. I’d love for you to make the acquaintance of Mr. Connelly. He but moved here last week.”

Alice felt herself cringe. She knew what this was about. It was the same thing each and every time she was introduced to a man. Her mother was showing her off, hoping for a match and union. Oh the dreadful thought of it all.

“Hello, Mr. Connelly,” Alice replied, her voice aloof as she let her mind wander. “Pleased to meet you.” She gave him a half-curtsy as she let her eyes scan the room for something better to occupy her time. Of course, she knew it was rude, but that was precisely the point.

“Miss Kingsleigh seems distracted?” Mr. Connelly asked, his question rhetorical.

“I do apologize, Mr. Connelly, but I think you are perhaps better suited to conversing with my mother. Good eve,” Alice answered as she wandered off in search of a corner to hide in.

Quickly making her way across her room, Alice threw open the doors to her wardrobe. Inside it she grabbed herself some clothes and placed it inside a tiny carrying case. Something she could easily lift and carry by herself. Once full, she quickly dressed herself, choosing to don one of her favorite blue gowns and a light jacket.

Tying up her blonde locks with a black ribbon, Alice quickly glanced at herself in the looking glass. “This is it, Alice. Now or never.” She let out a heavy sigh. “You know you don’t belong here. They’ll never change. None of it will.”

At that, Alice set jaw and snuck out of her darkly lit room. Quietly, she closed the door. As she crept down the long, carpeted corridor, she found it funny that no one seemed to wake with her screams. Then again, she could hardly fault them. After all, she’d been having these night terrors for months now. Oh, if only she could recall the dreams! Somehow she knew they were the same each time, but no matter how hard she tried, she could never seem to remember any of it. Not a single thing.

Alice quietly opened the front door of the large house, the cold night air a kiss of delight upon her skin as she made her way outside. Closing the door behind herself first, she set off at a dead run toward the trees bordering the house’s western perimeter. Running, gasping, she finally made it to the trees. As she made her way into the dense woods, she found it difficult to move about. The moon was hidden behind clouds and the trees blotted out any other light that could even remotely show the way.

Just then, Alice tripped on the root of a tree. It jutted out and caused her to stumble. As she tried to regain her balance, she suddenly found herself falling. Tumbling downward in a tunnel of pure black.

“The rabbit hole……” Alice cried as she fell downward. Down. Down. Down. Until she finally landed with a hard thud.

Standing up, Alice rubbed her backside, a tiny frown crossing her lips as she reached for her case. Looking around, she realized that something wasn’t right. Something was…

“Wonderland!” Alice said aloud. Her eyes caught sight of the chandelier standing upright from the ceiling in which she stood. Just then, her frown turned into a smile and she made her way toward the door.

As Alice approached the door, she sucked in a sharp breath and braced herself. She knew what was on the other side. After all, she’d been in this place before. In so many ways, it was more of a home than her own England. Giggling softly, she dared herself to push on the heavy wooden door and walk through it.

When Alice walked through the door, she watched it shrink behind her. The sight of it made her smile and shake her head. Turning back and looking outward, she suddenly let out a tiny gasp.

“What is this place? This is not how I remember it,” Alice said to herself.

The lush Wonderland she recalled as a child was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a dusty road leading to somewhere? Or perhaps nowhere? Or… oh, this was Wonderland, it could lead everywhere! She looked out and only saw the road. Isolated, seemingly endless. Up the way, however, she noticed some buildings. And… music? Why yes, she heard music. Merrymaking. Someone was having a party.

At that, Alice gripped her case tightly and began to head toward the sounds she heard up ahead. As she got closer, she wondered who would be having a party in such a dusty place. Whoever they were, they must undoubtedly be… mad.

 

[Lotherio]

Oh what a world, at this stage in the game, the Black Sheep stroked the ivories to such a lively tune and still the world seemed quite dead. Why, this was the Purr Tea Saloon, liveliest joint this side of that way. Everyone was here, really, at least everyone that was anyone as far as that went. The March Hare danced a lively jig, showing legs and keeping them entertained. Little Bill was here, dishing cards even, as the stakes mounted.

Still, thought the Hatter to himself, its all dead, they’re all dead. None real, not anymore. Except maybe the Hare, but even as he danced his fingers along the long polished bar, over the inebriated Door Mouse, the Hare followed like a puppet on the stage. No, this wouldn’t do. Something was missing, he would have to change it all again. Oh sure, they would gripe, moan, complain, cajole, sing, and play, but in the end, it would be his way.

But it wasn’t always, was it. There were her ways, then byways, than it was cut both ways but no two ways about that, so there was a parting of the ways, or more so one way mended which is to say it was ended and hence, he’d come quite a ways. But, which way was he going? Not that it mattered, so long as he went. His smile wasn’t even sure which ways to tend, up ways or down ways, but sideways was best.

Something was missing, he glared at the March Hare, she’d come a long ways. He suspected it all along, he being really a she. Why, he’d dare say she was attractive now that he’d shown her the way. Curses though, she still wouldn’t tell him what he wanted to know. It didn’t matter.

Somewhere in all this, his fingers had wandered the bar and along the rim, then down under and between his legs. Curious, something growing of its own ways there. It were like a lantern in the dark, something was signaling, something new was on the air. No, not new, something old was it. It was one Time or another perhaps, curse that Hare, ever since then, why there was no Time was there. A dream or a memory. It was like … Alice?

To his feet, his wandering fingers forgotten, he left the bar and his stool; let the Door Mouse lie. This place needed a pick me up, certainly, for she was coming, there was no two ways about that either, for everything was this way, in the end. He straightened his bowler, adjusted his arm garters, replaced any cards up his sleeves and took a seat with Bill, he’d be at cards like nobodies business, yes, everyone loved a good round of cards, why who knows, maybe they’d let him cut the cards. That would be absolutely delightful.

So, there he was, concentrating on his cards, then he wasn’t sure so much. Something was hidden from him here, this wasn’t right. Lost in thought it was then she came into the casino/saloon and he wasn’t sure so much, not any more. Was he waiting for her, or she for him. But he stood, that’s what one did for guests, he stood and sent some cards spilling, he may have had a good hand, but it was lost in the shuffle as some spilled onto the floor.

“Oh, this is a treat,” he exclaimed, “Do come in, we saved you a seat this time.” With some effort, he shot a foot out behind him, toppling a blue jay in a dusty old hat, such that there was now a seat available. With half a giggle, he shook his head as if to hush a baby and bent over to scoop up the chair, offering it, best of gentleman like even.

 

[darkangel76]

The road seemed endless. So dusty, so straight and narrow. So… Oh, it just kept going. No matter how far Alice walked, she always seemed to be back in the same place. It was so odd and more than frustrating.

“Curious,” Alice mumbled to herself, her hands gripping her case. She desperately wanted to find the source of the music, the party. Somehow she knew she was meant to attend, to find it. It would be there she’d find the answers on why she’d suddenly found herself back in the world of the surreal. A world where anything could, and probably did, happen.

Letting out a soft sigh, Alice suddenly noticed that the music seemed to be louder. Was she getting closer to the party? Or was the party getting closer to her? Oh, it was all so jumbled! So completely and utterly mad! Then again, that was the way of things. Nothing ever made sense in Wonderland. You were always late, rarely early and never ever on time.

“Right,” Alice then said as she set her jaw. “I’ll find you, I will.” Just then she smiled and set off at a dead run. She didn’t care that she wore heels on her feet, that she wore the dress of a lady and not a child. No. This was Wonderland. Land of dreams and oddities, desires and fears. She’d find that party. And, maybe, just maybe, get those answers she was seeking.

Alice continued to run, her lungs beginning to burn as she felt her corset suddenly squeeze at her body. The things just weren’t meant for running in. No. They were meant to push and squish and… What did it matter? They were the garment of ladies. And, though she didn’t like the idea of having to always face cruel realities of the world, such as marrying an eligible man merely for the sake of his availability, she had to admit, she rather liked the way the things made her appear.

Finally, Alice came to a halt. She wasn’t getting anywhere. It was beyond pointless. “Drat it all!” she shouted, her cheeks flushed, her frustrations growing. Just then, she heard that music. Immediately, she twisted her neck and glanced in the direction of the merry sounds. Why, the sound was coming from the building just in front of her.

How typical! Giggling to herself, Alice removed her coat. The air suddenly felt warm. Or was that merely because she’d been running? Regardless, she tucked the item under her arm and headed toward the building the music was coming from. Slowly, she walked up the rickety wooden steps and then pushed open the door.

Loud piano music, tinny and happy, came at Alice like a rushing blast. There was dancing, movement all around and then…

Hatter!

Alice blinked several times as her pale eyes locked onto those of the Hatter’s. Her mouth went dry at the sight of him. Was it him? Was it really him? Oh, but it was! She knew it with all her soul! She knew he’d be here. But why? Just then she felt something striking her hip. Something in her… pocket? Looking down, she reached a hand into her pocket and inside she found a gold pocket watch. Her eyebrows furrowed at the sight of it. She didn’t recall placing the item in there.

“How odd?” Alice whispered as she looked at the watch, staring at it while the hands whirled and twisted as if unsure what time it truly was.

Looking back up, Alice’s eyes found the Hatter’s once more. Giving him a smile, she walked closer and gave him a low curtsy. He was madder than ever, but that hardly mattered. Everyone was mad in Wonderland. Oh, it was so good to see him. Standing back up, she watched the Hatter clear off a seat for her. She couldn’t help but giggle at his way and manner. He hadn’t changed a bit, yet he’d changed so very much.

“Why thank you, Hatter,” Alice answered, her cheeks reddening ever so slightly. “I’m sorry I’m late. Then again, I’m always late to these parties.” She couldn’t help but giggle as she spoke.

At that, Alice took her seat, taking care to sit down in an elegant fashion. So different than the way she had as a child. Sitting down, she placed her case and coat on the floor beside her and then gave everyone a smile. Things had changed. But, oh, it was good to see everyone again. To see… Hatter.

“How have you all been?” Alice asked. She suddenly turned to Hatter, her eyes expressive as she looked into his. So mad. So… “I’ve missed you.”

 

[Lotherio]

Somewhere between introductions and, well, introductions, the March Hare had wandered off the stage and was milling about while Bill began to deal cards again. Meanwhile the Hatter looked absolutely delighted, as if this was the most pleasant surprise that he’d been expecting all along. The Black Sheep paused long enough to prop a rolled cigar into his mouth, whiling away at the keys as if nothing else was happening. Why, it the music weren’t so peppy, one may worry about him.

There was the briefest of moments while when Alice looked into his eyes and he hers. The smile dampened ever so slightly, there was something, wasn’t there. He missed her too was it? No, more, it wasn’t his way, it was from way back wasn’t it?

Then, like a butterfly, the thought flittered away, he’d had other thoughts on Alice since last he’d seen her, but did he really see her or was she some imagination of his. Decidedly to make up his mind, he walked away from her, all the way around the table. Talking as he walked, “Things could certainly not be any better now that you’re here.” Not really an answer to her question, a simple statement, he kept walking.

“Why I was just saying to Bill, it would be a treat should Alice join us for a game of cards. And do you know what Bill said,” he grinned, Bill only dealing the cards, his eyes shifting to the recently dejected Blue Jay, but not saying anything. “He said, we should just give up for dead should Alice not join us.”

“Dead on Hatter,” chirped Hare, “Not to beat a dead horse, but tea with Alice …” But a look from the Hatter stopped the canary, or Hare as the case might be.

He stopped dead in his tracks for a moment, “Well, you’re just being dead weight now aren’t you … Hare.” Something in the way they played at the word dead, as if it were just a silly rhyming game really but the look between them would of left a gravedigger dead cold. Ah, but this was joyous, he picked up his pace again, working his way around the table.

“No, no,” he said, happy as a clam then, “The point is that the conversation died but Alice would breathe life into it, wasn’t that it?” Then he was behind Alice and bending close to her ear, his voice only for her, soft, “I’ve dreamt of you and then like a dream you walked into my life. Funny sort of reoccurrence, that, I don’t know if it would be a nightmare or,” and this time very close, his lips so near her ear, “A dream come true.”

Then he found his seat as if he’d been there all along, grabbing his cards and rifling through them to get them in order, one card giving him the hardest time, ready to nearly jump out of his hand. Then with an elbow on the table, he looked at Alice curiously, “Oh do tell, you missed me … Do tell. You know what to do. Start and the beginning and …”

The Hare put a hand on the table too, such that the Hatter was between Alice and the Hare, chiming in, “And when you come to the ….” Though when the hand landed, the Hatter adjusted his sleeve such that he found a knife, which he dropped (planted) on the table as if to play 5-finger filet with the Hare, at least that’s how close it came down and caused the Hare to pause.

“She knows,” quipped the Hatter as if nothing had happened.

The Hare stalked off, “Its always about you, isn’t it, this is a boring party anyways.” And so on while leaving the rest to their game of cards. Hatter was still looking at Alice with a smile, curious how much he may have been missed perhaps.

 

[darkangel76]

Alice’s eyes never left Hatter as he dashed about the room. He was rearranging things, sorting things. Setting things up? She smiled at the familiar sight of it all, the memories it allowed her to relive. It might have appeared unusual to the casual onlooker, chaotic. But that was why it warmed her so, made her feel like she was back in a place that accepted anything and everything, no matter how strange it might seem to others. Here she could be herself. Here she could be… just Alice.

Her eyes stayed fixed on the peculiar man who’d somehow worked his way into a special place within her heart. Though Alice found it quite interesting that his thoughts seemed to dwell on her all this time. Why, there was a glint in his eye, something that had come off as a lucid thought. A memory perhaps? A dream recalled? But which? Did it matter?

No. Either way, Hatter remembered. He remembered! Even after all the years that had passed, despite the madness. The time. Alice had somehow stayed at the forefront of his thoughts! Or was it just coincidental conversation he’d had with the Hare? Oh, none of this mattered! This was Wonderland! Past was past, they had the here. The now. Of course, none of it made sense. But why should it? Did it have to? No. It decidedly did not and, if she was honest with herself, she found the idea of it all exciting. Exhilarating.

Suddenly, Hatter moved round and stood behind Alice. She tried to turn, to face him, but… He barred the way, leaning close. Oh, she could feel his breath upon her ear. Just then, a shiver ran along her spine. What was this? This feeling? This… was it familiarity? Blinking several times, she honestly wasn’t sure. Then, she felt it again. Hatter’s breath. It caressed, it teased. It ignited something within.

Alice could feel her heart suddenly pound as Hatter pulled away. He continued his journey about the table and finally sat himself down. Placing a hand over her bared chest, the corset hindering the quick breaths she suddenly found herself taking, she suddenly felt her cheeks tinge pink. What was this? Was she… blushing?

Bringing a hand to her face, Alice’s eyes suddenly shifted as Hatter and Hare began their banter. Oh how grateful she was for the distraction. Her blush had gone unnoticed, all of it. Thankful, letting out a tiny sigh and allowing her muscles to relax, she watched the two until Hare finally stormed off in a huff.

Alice’s eyes went wide as she watched Hare leave, but soon found her attention being drawn back to Hatter. He just sat there, smiling, his eyes looking at her as if he saw something in her she could never begin to comprehend. What was it? What was he thinking? Tilting her head, she laughed softly and then cleared her throat.

“Well, I’m sure he’ll be all right after a spell,” Alice began.

As Alice spoke, Hatter’s words about his dreams lingered within her mind. She wanted to know more about those dreams. She’d been dreaming as well, only… Well, she couldn’t remember hers. But, for reasons unknown, she knew she probably was meant to. Maybe Hatter could help her remember? Oh, but those were something of a darker nature. This was a party and his face wore a smile. No. She’d perhaps bring that up at another time.

“I have indeed missed you, Hatter. Though,” Alice tilted her head as she paused for a moment. “You look a bit different from last time we talked.” She smiled then, her eyes fixed to Hatter’s. “But I think I fancy this attire,” she added. “I dare say you look rather handsome.”

Alice bit down on her lip as the words passed over her lips. Had she truly said that out loud? Oh drat it all, she had! Well, there it was. At least it was the truth.

“W-well, w-what, I meant w-was… I… Well, yes. Handsome.” Alice wanted so desperately to hide. She’d really done it now. She’d embarrassed herself, she’d embarrassed Hatter. Then again, she supposed it couldn’t get worse. “Ah, I think I would fancy a cup of tea now. Yes, that would be most delightful.”

Blushing deeply, Alice reached for her cup and held it out for Hatter to pour her a cup of tea. As she did, she kept her eyes fixed to the table, worrying over the fool she’d just come off as being.

 

[Lotherio]

Certainly if there was a fool it was … no, strike that. Hatter looked flabbergasted, but in a good way, as any gentleman should when such a lovely young woman as Alice would deign such a compliment. Smiling as if nothing were amiss even, his eyes certainly somewhere between looking her over and looking at her, as if listening intently. The comment about the Hare, whether really agreed or not was all but ignored, let the Hare stew.

There was curiosity abound as she spoke further, pulling herself into and out of a trap perhaps, but Hatter just quizzically collected his thoughts as the rolled around on the floor like marbles, a soft chuckle of amusement escaping him, and a shake of his head to correct his social faux pas for the moment. When she was a deep shade of red, he inclined his head in agreement for a cup of tea.

Reaching for the first pot, amidst poker chips and cards, he found it rather not to his agreement being empty. “A cup of tea,” he smiled, “Yes, it is that time isn’t it?” His fingers walked along the table to another, opposite the direction of Alice. “I dare say, you’ve changed as well since … well, last time. It only seems moments ago dear Alice and here you are now before me.” Another empty pot, his loose hand came up to stage whisper, “Quite the woman you’ve grown into this time. I do so hope you’ll be staying with us; that would be quite the treat.”

“Quite right … such a treat … undoubtedly … a rare treat …” abounded soft whispers around the table, as Hatter turned an eye to the others as if not to forget them. This led him to another pot of tea, hopefully one warm and ready. Alas, it lay across Alice, Hatter’s eyes flittering between pot and Alice, his hand itching to grab it. So, his fingers began walking across the table, pulling his hand and yanking his body to reach for it, all the way across Alice.

“Pardon,” he said reaching rather manner less for said pot, “Or rather, I do so like this look on you, well proportioned.” Was that a reference to certain size issues that seems to accompany Alice, or something else, his eyes let slip no lies. “Yes, quite the looker Alice,” all as if passing the uncomfortable closeness as he grabbed that pot, “I do love what you’ve done with your attire as well. A simple improvement or two would make you quite the dish.” Ah, there it is, and it had tea, he pulled it back towards him.

“A tasty little treat you’ve become,” he continued talking about dishes, the others at the table seemed to excuse themselves, Bill to the head, Blue Jay to fill his cup at the long bar, nearly toppling the sleeping (or drunken) Door Mouse, “You do know, I’m good with a needle. Have I mentioned that before, or is that part to come still? Oh, you must stay with us Alice, I say, we’ve room enough to put a bed under your rump and a roof over your head.”

Then he poured the tea, one for himself as well, then grabbed for his cards, one fell out, he took someone else’s and put it into his hand.

 

[darkangel76]

Alice held out her teacup hoping that Hatter would fill it up sooner than later. That way, she could sip at it and try and forget the fool she’d just made of herself. As she waited, she could hear him scuffling, searching the table for a proper pot of tea. Oh, she should’ve known! Feeling more embarrassed with each passing moment, she tried her best to just smile at the situation. Maybe if she acted like her words hadn’t mattered, she could actually believe it. Just then, she slowly brought her hand down, lowering her cup to the table as she waited for him to find a teapot that actually contained some tea to drink.

Licking her lips, Alice suddenly found her thoughts beginning to drift. That tended to happen in Wonderland, especially in the company of Hatter. Her smile began to grow as she felt victory in overcoming her embarrassment until… Oh my, did he… what?

Alice felt her cheeks go hot all over again. Her tiny triumph slipping through her fingers, like water through a sieve. Yes, Hatter had begun to chatter, his words nothing but strings of compliments. Full of flattery and innuendo and… Did he just say she’d only been there moments ago? At that, she tilted her head in wonder, everything prior to that moment hardly mattering any longer. The embarrassment once again forgotten.

“Curious,” Alice mumbled, her face still rather crimson despite the fact her mind was beginning to wander again. She watched Hatter as he spouted off more compliments, each one bolder than its predecessor. It made her wonder just as it made her involuntarily blush.

Had it really only been moments ago? How was such a thing even possible? Then again, this was Wonderland. As far as Alice was concerned, that more or less meant that most things were possible. Even the impossible. As she let her thoughts dwell on the oddity Hatter had mentioned, she wondered if perhaps time ran differently in Wonderland. Or, if it was something else. Oh, she had no idea!

Blinking her eyes and shaking her head, Alice suddenly realized that the others that had once been sitting with them were now milling about the room. Obviously Hatter’s prattling had made them uneasy. She supposed she couldn’t blame them. After all, their conversation… was it conversation? Shrugging, she let her eyes fix on him as he finally found a full teapot. But their conversation really only seemed to be understood by them and them alone.

Swallowing, Alice allowed her grip on her teacup to tighten. She watched Hatter pour himself some tea and then lean close to her so as to fill up her own cup. She gave him a smile as he sat back in his chair and mentioned his skills in sewing. Nodding, her smile grew brighter.

As Alice watched him reach for the cards, she answered. “Yes, Hatter. I’m aware.” She paused a moment to sip at her tea. “Do you think perhaps with your skills you could improve my attire then?”

A tiny giggle escaped Alice’s lips and she averted her eyes briefly. And though she blushed, it wasn’t as much as it had been earlier on. Whether it was because she was growing accustomed to the innuendoes or because she felt it no longer mattered was difficult to say.

“You’d said I only needed a few simple improvements. Do you think them simple enough that you could do them for me? Or were the improvements not related to my attire?” Alice asked.

At that, Alice brought her teacup back to her lips. Her words were bold. She knew that. But she also knew Hatter. As always, he’d take it in stride, tell her the truth. She knew she could always rely on him to be truthful. And for that, she cared for him all the more. After all, it wasn’t every day one came across someone so genuine. Especially in a place such as Wonderland. She recalled her last visit, the Queen of Hearts and court. Oh the sinister plotting that had gone on with that lot!

“Regardless, dear Hatter. I should like to make these improvements if I’m to stay here with you in Wonderland for a while.” Alice smiled and set down her cup.

Yes, Alice had committed to her visit, her stay in Wonderland. As she waited for Hatter’s reply, she began to wonder about his dreams once again. And she wondered if perhaps she was meant to help him decipher them. Maybe, just maybe, doing so would help her recall her own night terrors, her own dreams that left her screaming in the night.