This Way to Wonderland

Chapter One

"Spot of tea, Mr. Hatter?"
At his nod of agreement, Alyce leaned forward over the table, careful not to spill a drop of tea on her master's fine tablecloth as she filled up his cup. Hibiscus-scented steam gushed out of the cup, making a good two inches into the air before dropping down over the rim of the china. The October Hare reached over, sticking his paw into the cloud.

Batting him away, Master Hatter sniffed, his nose crinkling in disgust. Dipping his nose into the hot liquid, he blew loud bubbles into it before jerking his head back up. Brown liquid dripped across the bridge of his nose, making a slow descent until it reached the tip of his nose and slowly, slowly, dripped into the cup.

"Brown hibiscus?" He snarled. "Now why would the cook give me brown hibiscus when I precisely asked for blue?" Alyce's eyes widened.

"Oh dear, oh dear, Mr. Hatter, I am dreadfully sorry! I'll have it sent back immediately!" Flustered, she scooped up the teacup and kettle and and rushed towards the kitchen's door.

"Ah ah ah, Miss Alice. Forgetting something?" He gestured to the small saucer.

"Hee hee hee!" Giggled the Hares. The August Hare burped at the end of their chorus of chortles, sending them all into another round of whoops. Master Hatter's two nieces-- Tulle and Tal-- hid their smiles behind their teacups, their laughing eyes giving them away.

"It's Alyce," she muttered under her breath, crossing the room to fetch the saucer.

"What was that, girl?" He inquired, leaning forward.

"O-only that..." She stuttered, embarrassment clawing at her stomach. "Only that my name is Alyce, not Alice." He frowned.

"But who knows the difference? As long as you belong to me, I shall call you Alice."

Her face scrunched up. "But..."

Coe, Master Hatter's youngest brother, broke in. "Oh, brother, give her a break. That girl is waiting on your hand and foot, you could at least be kind to her."

He glowered at them both. "And that's final."

"Yes, master." She whispered, her eyes grasping the floor as she picked up his saucer. As soon as she had crossed the threshold of the swinging kitchen door that separated it from the dining room, her eyes welled over. Tears caught in her lashes, slowly making themselves down her cheeks before leaking onto her collarbone.

Setting the saucer in the sink, she sank down onto the floor beside the dishwasher. A moment passed before a pair of leather clogs, covered in flour and grease splatterings, stopped in front of her. Peering up, she met the eyes of Maloola, an upper-class servant with the most breathtaking violet eyes of any person she had ever met.

Squatting down beside her, she handed Alyce a treacle sponge. "No. No, I can't." She whispered, waving it away. "I can't afford it."

Nonsense." Maloola shoved it close to Alyce's face. "It's out of my paycheck. Paid for already. You wouldn't want to hurt my feelings, now, would you?" She grinned.

Alyce's lips turned up into a sort of half smile as she accepted the sponge from Maloola, who sat down beside her. She pulled another sweet out of her apron pocket and together they bit into their cakes. The light confection melted on Alyce's tongue, pushing sweetness and smiles down her throat. She savoured the small cake until the last crumb, but soon it was gone.

"Thank you." She whispered to Maloola, who smiled even wider, her strange, large oval teeth-- the only imperfection about her-- showing.

A wooden spoon slammed against the aluminum dishwasher next to their heads, making them both jump. Mel, the head cook, stood before them, scowling. "What are you two fools doing sitting on your rumps? Work, remember? Work! Or I'll drag you by your ear to the chopping block and hack both your heads off!" Maloola stood instantly, bowing her head slightly.