Down The Rabbithole

Ch 6

(Disclaimer: The song sung by Mad Hatter and Marsh Hare is Freaks by Jorden Clarke and is in no way shape or form mine and the art and characters shown above belongs to Vivziepop.)




The gigantism of the trees and other things started to thin out into normal looking denser woods. She guessed she must've landed on the very edge of the giant's forest and she thanked her lucky stars that she didn't run into any, but she had to take a couple breaks every few ....how long was she at this now? A few hours at most. She lost count after the fourth or fifth GIANT tree she had to walk/speed walk past. She wanted out of that place as soon as possible, but the downside of that was having to take a break every so while and her feet hurting now. She had tried using this umbrella she'd been lugging around, it was supposed to be a traveling thing like the mouse said right? But no matter how many times she shook it or opened up, it still didn't budge!! Guess it needed to recharge or something? But now that she was following these blue mushrooms still, the giant trees suddenly cut off and turned into a separate place all together. A giant forest like the one back home only this time it was denser. More trees and they seemed closer together and darker than her own home's forest. More...strange in a sense if that was understandable. All the while she just kept doing what the dormouse suggested and followed the bright blue mushrooms, until she came across a fork in the road. Along the way her feet were just starting to ache a little more but she kept going, too afraid to even stop at this point. Allison kept looking around or behind herself to make sure she wasn't being followed, but these beautiful strange woods wasn't even threatening to her. It was...a lot like her old forest from what she remembered. Plenty of shade. Lots of plants and animals, the sounds of birds chirping and fluttering about, if there was a lot of flowering bushes and small bunnies and birds flying around like in those cheesy fairytale cartoons, she would've just thought this was all a hallucination of her mind. That cute small white and brown bunny by the tulip patch must've been the tenth rabbit she'd seen by now, it looked at her for a moment before hopping away and disappearing into the flowers. She couldn't help but smile at that. The sweet flowery smell in the air was so nice and relaxing, if she hadn't just crash landed in there and still felt paranoid, it would've been a great spot to go hiking. The blue mushrooms kept going as she still walked along looking around the forest, shuffling through tall grass and then suddenly stopping.....And blinking at the sight.

"OH FINALLY!!"

A ROAD!! The string of mushrooms continued for a few more yards until they stopped at the beginning of a small dirt path formed in the middle of the woods. Allison quickly picked up the pace and sighed when her feet finally stepped onto the clear path now that she didn't have to trudge through the grass and weeds anymore. Her feet still hurt but now they wouldn't get wet from the dew grass. She continued walking on this path deeper into the woods and kept going forward. There wasn't any more blue mushrooms so she just kept going forward still looking for this fork in the road with signs. What she wasn't expecting was a giant shadow to loom over her as she was looking around and she stopped before looking up at the thing causing the shadow and blinking.

"....You have GOT to be kidding me." Standing there. Tall and shiny and silver. Was. A. LITERAL. Giant. FORK!! In the road. A actually giant FORK like the kind you would use to eat pasta with was lodged in the middle of the road and behind it the road split into two different directions. One was going straight ahead and you'd have to walk around the fork to continue, and the other was a slightly smaller path that went left and into a different part of the woods. Blinking she slowly walked up to the fork and as the mouse had said, there were two signs stuck to it. Both were wooden and carved into arrows, one was pointing up and this one said "Continue to next fork in road and more signs ya silly.' Allison scrunched her nose up at that before turning to the next sign that was pointing in the direction of the other path and read: "Madder Hatter and Even Marsh-er Hare." And she smiled. "Oh. Good. Then that's the way I wanna go then."

With a bigger smile on her face, she turned her head and began to walk her way down the path to her left. Maybe it was just her but maybe the sky had gotten darker and the animals became more scarce, but it almost seemed like it was turning nighttime? Did a magical world have a nighttime if they weren't revolving around a sun??...Or were they on a different planet and only magically connected to earth? She was so confused and shook her head free of the thoughts as she walked along. Slowly but surely as the human gal walked on, the sky became darker and her body more tired. What time was it? She felt like she had been walking for a long time, was it night already? It would explain why she felt so tired and her feet STILL hurt. Something flashed in front of her face and she blinked. Quickly taking notice of the hundreds of fireflies blinking and buzzing around her. Against the dark forest they looked so beautiful, like living tiny small stars-....Allison stopped. Her head perked up and listening closely to the sounds of the night. Crickets and an owl sounded out. But there was some kind of other noise to them. It almost sounded like...Music? What sounded like the faint upbeat music sounded far away. What was that? She blinked and continued walking on her way down the path as she continued to hear the music. As she walked she noticed it got louder and louder. She must be getting whoever was playing that music. The path made a turn behind some tall bushes and she slowly approached the curve of the path.

"I was locked in the locker!~ I was picked last in soccer!~," a sudden loud voice sung out.

Allison jumped and blinked at the strange voice singing. And blinked. The voice wasn't terrible persay, but it did spook her a bit. She finally peeked around the high bushes and paused at what was waiting for her eyes on the other side. The path continued down the forest and stopped at the edge of a white gate door, and the white door was connected to a white picket fence. The fence went around and surround a small yard and cottege, like something out of a fairytale book. The cottege though was painted a VERY bright yellow and had pink polka dots of all sizes painted all over it, including the windows and roof. How odd. But what REALLY caught her attention was the yard the things in said yard. The house and yard were definitely smaller than her own, but sitting in it was a long table and around It were chairs of all makes and models, and on top of it was ...teasets. Lots of different teapots, teacups, spoons, saucers, teatrays, sugarcube holders, milk holders, and the occasional small tray of tea cakes, mini sandwhiches, or macaroons. Whatever food one would serve at tea time. But all of that couldn've been normal...If it wasn't for the dancing clown on one of the chairs. She had to blink and shake her head again, but yes. THERE WAS A SMALL CLOWN. On the table. The small man had dark pink almost red hair and matching freckles, at least one upper tooth was missing, a red rubber clown nose, a blue tophat with yellow spots sat on his head and a matching bow around his neck, clown shoes and an odd pants and shirt. The shirt was the same yellow as the house, and had the same yellow polka dots on it's sleeves, but the chest and back had pink stripes not matching the sleeves at all. And the pants were bright pink with yellow polka dots. Right next to the dancing clown was an equally tall PINK rabbit. He was dancing along with the clown and singing, with dark pink speckles scattered all over his body. A bright pink bowtie with yellow spots was around the rabbits neck and he wore a long yellow and pink polka dotted shirt as he danced and sang with the clown. Were...Were they the Mad Hatter and Marsh Hare? What really struck her was this Hatter's eyes. They weren'T normal human eyes and instead bared a great similarity to the kind of mitch matched spiraled eyes Chesire had. Currently the two were looking at one another while expertly tapping between the teasets without breaking any of the dishes.

"And they say that's it's all fun.~ But man.~ Their fun, it ain't fun.~ Man, Im done.~," the clown continued to sing along with the music, "And I know we're all different!~ Our beliefs and religion.~" The clown then grabbed the pink rabbit's paw through his giant too long sleeves and smiled wider. "But I don't see the difference in me and you.~ Your, tu Or moi, vous.~"

Did....Did he just speak French? She blinked and stepped out from behind the bush and slowly stepped forward. Gripping the umbrella in both hands.

"So if you've had enough then-" They suddenly grabbed both their hands in each others' and began to step around in a circle, like a two player game of ring around the rosie, and still expertly danced without breaking anything as now they both sang. " Come to the land of the lost and lonely!~ Don't be afraid.~ We'll be one big family of freaks.~"

"Like you~," the rabbit sung out before detaching one hand and booping the clown's nose, momentarily stopping their ring around the rosie rountine.

"And me~," the clown sung back before booping his nose back and taking their hands to circle dance again.

"I know a place where the bruised and broken live like the kings and queens tragedy.~ Just freaks like you and me!~." They stopped and threw their arms into the air. "We are the freaks!~"

She momentarily stopped by a tree for a moment. Should she approach? The mouse said to ask them about an exit, but it was rude to interrupt someone singing with unexpected company. They stopped dancing for a second to face each other again. Allison couldn't believe her eyes. Not only was the table NOT shaking from their dancing, but NOTHING on the table was moving either. Like it was all frozen. Some kind of Magic?

"I've been kicked down in the dirt,'' the pick rabbit sung as if it was his turn to sing solo, "I pretend that it don't hurt.~" Allison now noticed that the music was coming from an old record player, with a record already spinning under the needle. Oh. Well that explains the music. "And I know they're just words, but sticks, stones they break bones.~ But just know we could all be disciples.~ And we'll write our own bibles.~" The pink rabbit smiled in a loving way and grabbed his friend's hand again making the clown giggle. "We'll put freaks in the title.~ It's me. You.~" He again booped the clown's red nose making him giggle more. "Your tu, and moi, vous.~"

...Did-...Did the rabbit just speak French now??

"So if you've had enough then-" The rabbit grabbed the clown's other hand and again with the circle dance routine. "Come to the land of the lost and lonely.~ Don't be afraid.~ We'll be one big family of freaks.~"

The once again stopped and the rabbit rebooped his nose. "Like you.~"

The clown giggle and booped his friend's nose back. "And me.~"

Again with the hand holding and circling. "I know a place where the bruised and broken live like the kings and queens of tragedy.~ Just freaks.~ Like you and me.~ We are the freaks!~" They continued to do the circle dance and didn't notice Allison blinking and slowly stepping closer to the gate as they still sung. It....it was honestly lovely singing. Was she sure she wasn't dreaming? "NAnananananana! Falalala!! NANANANA!!! Come to the land of the lost of lonely!~ Don't be afraid!~ We'll be one big family of freaks!~ Like you and me!~ I know a place where the bruised and broken live like the kings and queens of tragedy!~ Just freaks!~ Like you and me!~ COME HOOOOOOOOME!!!~" They suddenly stopped and sung louder in harmony while staring at each other while holding hands. Smiling widely. Neither didn't notice Allison as she stopped by the gate mesmorized by their singing and subconsciously put one hand on the gate door. "Where you can be you!~ I can be me!~ We'll never leave!~ Cuz we are the freaks!~ COME HOOOOME!~ WHERE YOU CAN BE YOU!~ I CAN BE ME!~ WE'LL NEVER LEAVE!!~ CUZ WE ARE THE FREAKS!~ WE ARE THE FREAKS!!" They ended their song by throwing their hands up in the air again-

SQUEAK!!

Allison froze as the door creaked open a little bit catching the attention of the two on the table as their heads instantly whipped around to look at her and she froze even more when their eyes landed on her. The three of them stared at each other for a long moment, but then the clown gasped and his hands flew to grab his cheeks.

"Oh, look Marshy! We have a visitor!" He clapped his hands before jumping off the table and bounding over to her. She didn't dare move and only blinked and watched as the tinier man opened the gate and took his hat off his head in greeting while doing a silly pose on one leg. "Greetings and salutaions dear lady!! My it's been so long since we last had a visitor! Ain't that right Marshy!" He rabbit hummed a yes as he climbed off the table and onto a chair to sit down. Allison watched him for a moment, but jumped when the hatter took her hand and lead her in. "Where are my manners? Come in, come in!! You're just in time for Before Bed Tea Time!!" She was too stunned to stop him from excitedly pulling her towards the table and sitting her down in a chair next to the pink bunny, before bounding quickly to the other side of the table and popping up in the chair right across from her. "Allow me to introduce us!" He once again tipped his hat to her. "I am known as the Hatter! You may have heard of me and my college Marsh hare here! What might your name be fair maiden?"

Fair maiden? Her? She chuckled at the now ridiculous situation she found herself in and shook her head. Despite herself she smiled politely. After all it wasn't wise to be rude to someone who she hope who could help her, so he gestured a hand to herself. "M-My name's Allison. I-I'm sorry if I interupted your singing or....tea time?"

The tiny clown waved a hand and the rabbit reached across the table to grab a cup and teapot pouring a fresh cup of tea. "Nonsense! We were done anyways! You couldn't have come at a better time! It's been oh so long since we had visitors in this part of the forest. What brings you all the way out here if you dont mind me asking?"

She was about to answer- "Would you care for one lump or two?," Marsh asked holding a cup and sugarcube bowl in his two hands, "Or do you prefer honey? Also do you prefer lemon or milk in your tea?"

...She blinked. "Oh. Uh..S-Sugar and milk is fine. And I guess one lump?" Marsh nodded before quickly fixing up her tea and happily handing it right over. They sure were friendly weren't they? Best to be polite just in case, so she smiled and took the cup offered to her. "T-Thank you. And actually I was hoping you guys could help me."

Hatter and Marsh gave confused but happy looks to one another before back to her. Marsh spoke again as Hatter licked lips and reached for a small tray of macroons nearby. "Oh, really? If you're looking for tea experts you've come to the right place! We can show you how to make homemade tea bags or how to grow your own tea leaves. Or were you perhaps here for our cookie recipes? Lots of folks come around here to do that, but we keep telling them you can simply buy some from the Muffin Man on Dury Lane. That Manny Gingerbread is his partner and makes quite the delicious batch!" She shook her head as Hatter stuffed his face and chewed happily before Marsh frowned at him and reached over to pull his hat over his eyes. "Hatter. Manners!"

He pushed the hat back up and took one look at his friend before holding out the plate to her in an obvious offering but she held up her hand. "No thank you. I-It's nice of you two to offer though." Hatter shrugged before he began to snack on the rest of them making her giggle. "Actually a mouse told me you two could help me get back home?"

"A mouse?," Marsh asked before sipping his own cup of tea as Hatter tilted his head curiously, "Pardon me for asking, but how would we help you get home? Are you lost? There's many, many signs clearly stating where you're going!"

She shook her head again. "N-No...Y-You see I'm...UGH! Im not FROM Wonderland." She looked back down frustrated to her cup. "I fell in her through Chesire's stupid portal and now I can't get out-"

"CHESIRE?!," both asked at once while looking at her and she blinked almost dropping her cup.

"U-Um. Y-Yes?"

They smiled widely again before Hatter spoke. "Why Chesire is a dear friend of ours! We loves to show up to our little parties and have a sing along or two!"

"Wait." Her red eyes widened. "You two KNOW him!"

"We just said he was a friend!....OH!" Marsh had a knowing look on him before he pointed to her. "You must be this Ally person we've heard so much about! It's nice to finally meet a friend of a friend! Now uh...Back to the topic at hand. How are we supposed to help you home?"

Chesire spoke about her before? Huh. She'll have to ask about that when she got back, IF she got back. She shook her head. Right. Back on topic. "W-W-Well. That mouse said you guys knew everyone here. D-Do you know how I can get back home?...Get back to NOT Wonderland?"

The two exchanged a look, and to her utter disappointment both shook their heads no. "I'm very sorry, but rabbitholes aren't our cup of tea."

".....Rabbitholes? I wanted to know about portals."

"Correct. Portals between our world and yours are called rabbitholes, and it sounds like you fell down a rabbithole from the way you're talking."

Her stomach dropped and so did her face. "So....There's no way you can help me at all?"

Marsh awkwardly scratched his head...but Hatter suddenly perked up with a 'AHA! I have an idea!' smile. "We might not know how to help you, but I bet your tea biscuts that the wise Fortune Teller would!"

Marsh gasped. "You're right again, Hatter!"

Allison rose a brow confused, "Fortune Teller?"

The nodded. "He's the wisest and most reclusive being in all of Wonderland!", Hatter exclaimed throwing his arms out making the too long sleeves flop about, "He's very hard to find, but he knows all about everything there is to know about anything in the land! Im sure he'll be able to help you!"

Her smile came back and she felt hope once again fill her. "That's fantastic! Where can I find him?"

Both looked at each other again. "....We..don't know. Like I said he's the most reclusive person in all of Wonderland. Rumor has it he likes his privacy....Buuut! We may know someone who might know where he lives! The Twiddle Sisters! They love listening to everything everyone says and if anyone would have any clue where he might be it'd be them!"

"Great! Where can I find them?!"

"We don't know where they live, but they love to go and perform at the Granny's Cottege in Enchanted Vil. It's a very good business run by Alliver Kingsmen. Can't miss it!"

Her excitiment grew as she asked, "How do I get there?!"

Marsh pointed back up the path she came. "Just go back up the path you came and go straight ahead. When you come to the second fork in the road just go right and keep walking straight until you come across a small town. You can't miss it!"

She smiled wider. It wasn't perfect, but this was a great start and better than nothing. "Great! Thank you so much. I-.....*yawn* can't thank you enough."

Both blinked and looked to each other again before back at her noticing the way her eyes drooped, and how late it must've been. "Say. Perhaps you should the night before you start on your journey."

"Hm? Oh no. I-I couldn't. You two have been more than helpful, I couldn't ask you to do that for me."

We insist!," Hatter spoke up, "It's not wise to travel at night and Enchanted Vil is a good two miles from here. It'll take at least a full day of walking if you don't have a horse or flying carpet." He smiled wider. "Any friend of Chesire is a friend to us! And he would be saddened if we just let you go stumbling about in the dark. You can spend the night and leave in the morning. We don't have any spare beds, but the floor is much more welcoming than the grass and dirt."

Well...now that he said it like that. It did seem better than falling asleep on a road in an unfamiliar place in the middle of no where, and if Chesire was friends with them then they must've been ok. So she quietly smiled and nodded her head yes.

"Great! But finish your cup of tea first. We dont waste tea in this part of the woods."