Staying In Wonderland

Chapter Two: The Ball

Once the company had returned to Memorial, the preparations for the celebratory ball began. Mally and Thackery headed off to the kitchen to help with the feast, while the Hatter led Alice to her bedroom to dress for the evening. "I have created the most perfect gown for you, Alice. And the most glorious hat for your pretty head. It's a perfect head, a marvelous head, a proper Alice head..." Tarrant said as he looked at her. He handed her a larger box. She smiled happily as he helped her open the box and took out the dress and hat. "When did you have time for this?" She asked, running her small fingers over the beautiful gown that hung in her new wardrobe. "While I was waiting for you to come back." Tarrant said as he looked at his beautiful Alice. Alice looked at her dear friend and as he gazed back at her a strange spark began to form in the air between them. Hatter reached out and gently tucked a strand of Alice's golden hair behind her ear. Alice in turn leaned into his touch, a soft blush beginning to cover her cheeks. "Aye, lass. Ye be the beauty of all Underland tonight." Tarrant said as he looked at her. "We should be getting ready for the party...." Alice breathed, suddenly becoming aware of how close they were. "But I don't ever want you to leave me again. Please stay with me, Tarrant." Alice said as she looked at him. Hatter, seeming to realize the same thing at the same moment, quickly moved his hand from her cheek. She instantly missed the warmth of his calloused and bandaged fingers but it was not proper to ask him to return his hand. "I'll be right back. You can get dressed while I'm out." Tarrant said as he left her in her room. Alice admired the gown of the Hatter. She twisted her curls so that they rested elegantly over one shoulder before fastening on her custom hat. The gown was a beautiful shade of dark red: The bodice would hold her gently. It rose over her breasts, before being replaced by a shear material that split towards either. shoulder creating a sort of sleeve. The skirt of the gown, though all the same shade, had been made using several pieces of fabric, giving it a chaotic feel that reminded Alice of the wonderful Madman who designed it. Her hat was perhaps her favorite part of the outfit. It was small, designed to only accent Alice's outfit, not define it. Although it was black with a red ribbon made from the same material as her gown, it was clearly designed to match the Hatter's prized hat. Once her gown was fastened, Alice added just a touch of soft pink color to her lips and deemed herself fit for the evening. Just as Alice gazed at herself in the mirror, there was a knock at her door. "Who is it?" Alice called out. "Tarrant." The Hatter said. "Oh, Hatter, Come in." She said as Tarrant walked in, suddenly freezing in mid step. "How do I look?" Alice asked, turning to face the designer of her exquisite ensemble, nervously stroking the skirt of the gown. Tarrant Hightopp wore a beautiful nature Wellington top hat that was made of leather and silk. It was a little burned and old, the hat had a red ribbon tied onto it. He also had a thread sash with 25 bobbins on it that came across his chest. He had two pocket scarves in his pockets and a bird patch and an arrow pin on the blue green jacket. He had five hat pins on his coat. He had a blue lace shirt and a patterned black and white vest. He also wore fingerless cotton gloves. He had black wool pants with lace sewn on the sides of the pants. He had a dark red silk bow-tie on. He also wore cotton socks with black leather shoes. "Alice, you look... marvelous, magical, memorizing..." His eyes began to turn yellow and dark. "Hatter!" Alice giggled, taking his hand and blushing softly. "Thank you, the dress is perfect." She said as she looked at him. "A right proper dress, for a right proper Alice," He replied, offering his arm which she instantly took. Together the curious couple walked down the hall towards the ball awaiting them.

At the door, the Hatter presented Alice to the crowd as the great Champion of the White Queen and escorted her down the grand staircase. At the foot of the stairs, they were presented to her Majesty and giving an elegant curtsy Alice paid her respects. "Rise, my Champion," Mirana smiled, lifting Alice to stand before her. "You have saved us and therefore shall never bow your head to anyone." Mirana said as he looked at Alice. At this Mirana gently kissed Alice upon the cheek and gave the Hatter an enchanting smile before turning to address the room. "If everyone could gather, please." Alice said, looking at everyone. "Welcome, thank you for joining us. We are here to celebrate the return of our champion. It is a tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom." Mirana said, looking out at everyone. "The first dance shall be led by the Champion and her partner." Mirana said. Alice Kingsleigh with a shy smile went over to Tarrant. "You chose me out of everyone else?" Hatter asked her as he looked at the young blonde. "It has always been you, Hatter." Alice said as he instantly took her into his arms. He took her to the dance floor and began to waltz her around the floor. The Hatter bowed gracefully and Alice curtsied as she looked at the hatter. Alice and the Hatter danced together, they then took each other's hands and waltzed around the floor gently. Tarrant twirled her around and pulled her back into his arms. She smiled as they danced together. "You're quite a good dancer." Alice said as she held his hand in hers. "You really think so?" He asked as he looked at her with a soft smile on his face. "Yes, I do." She said as she smiled. He spun her around before pulling her into his arms. The hatter then dipped her in his arms and slowly brought her back up. For a few moments, the crowd watched as the hatted pair spun across the floor completely enraptured in one another, but soon others followed their example and took up their own partners. "Hatter, why is a raven like a writing desk?" Alice asked, looking at him. He smiled softly. "I haven't the faintest idea." The hatter said as leaned in and kissed her head gently as they danced together. Tarrant twirled her around before pulling her back and dipping her gently. He held her hand and gently pulled her closer by her waist as they danced together. "Why are they so happy together? They are just dancing." Iracebeth asked as she looked at her sister. "Well, dear sister, Tarrant loves her. If you really look you can tell." Mirana replied "Yeah by the way that Hatter looks at her." Bayard said. "It's clear that he loves her." Absolem said as he smoked out of his pipe. "The Hatter is inlove with Alice." Mallymkun said. "He has been since the first day they met." McTwisp said. "He was excited when she joined the tea party the first time and he spent everyday after since waiting for her to return." Thackery said. "He was a very passionate man and he knew that he might not ever get to be with her. But he still held out hope." Chessur said as he appeared next to Mirana. Alice smiled at the Hatter as they danced together. "We were destined to be together, weren't we, Tarrant?" She said as she looked at her partner. "I would like to believe so. I have loved you since the moment you came to Underland." Tarrant said as he spun her and pulled her back into his arms. "I love you, Tarrant. It's always been you." She said as she leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. He kissed her back pulling her closer to himself. "You forgot about me once." Tarrant said as he looked at the young girl. Alice pulled away and placed her hand onto Tarrant's cheek. "You were the one that I could never forget." She said as they danced the night away before they finally got tired and ate some of the delicious food that Mirana had the servants prepare.