Kill The Lights ♥ Open

[The Mouse]

Ah! Another not so unusual, but exceedingly peculiar day in, well, where she was.

With a yawn and a bit of a stretch, she got up from her pile of pillows that sufficed as a bed. Stretching a bit more, she tried to decide what she should do with herself the rest of the day. Without looking at a clock, she could tell that it was already tea time. Peeking over the fence (She had to stand on her tip toes being so short) she eyed the inhabitants of the teatime clearing. Her large mouse like ears flattened against her head, and then perked straight up again, her 'cute' white tail twitching slightly as she obsevred.

Hmmmm....

What in the world to do?

She could either:

• Go Back to Bed
  
• Go Join in the Tea Party
  
• Go stalk little unintelligent creatures in the forest

Mouse glanced up, and then down, then back at those in the clearing. She had missed Tea the day before. Perhaps it was time to let them know that she hadn't, in fact, died.

[Mad Hatter]

Long legs hung over the right arm of the large pink cushioned chair and an elbow made itself comfortable on the opposite arm. A tall olive green hat sat on the lean man's head and almost succeeded in covering his eyes because of it's rather large size. Today he fancied an olive green over coat as well, a peach colored button up shirt underneath, some dark tan slacks, and an ugly pair of green and brown shoes. This, of course, portrayed his mood for the day which was a rather laid back neutral feeling. Anything that had happened he simply let go.
Though he had no guests, the Hatter was still in a cheery mood. He had his tea and that was fine. This even surprised the Hatter since he usually had a fit without having his company. Oh how he loved having visitors to play with. And how he simply adored 'fixing' their clocks and making them some tea. There wasn't even anyone around for an un-birthday. How strange was that?
At first the Hatter hadn't noticed Mouse, for she was only in the view of his left eye, which had been blinded for years now. But he finally turned his head in her direction as he searched for visitors. When he caught sight of the large ears, he put his cup of tea to his lips and took a sip before giving her a large grin.
"Why, Mouse," he said putting his head back so his hat could slide out of his eyes. "I almost forgot about you. It has been a while since you have come out to have some tea. May I ask, what you are doing way over there?"
The smile on Leah's face never quivered or moved from it's current position. His eyes light up with the excitment of having a guest and he kept his head back while tilting it slightly as he awaited her reply.

[The Mouse]

Tilting her head slightly to the left as he spoke to her, Mouse's blank expression melted into her signature mischeivous grin. Sure, she wasn't as clever or 'practical' as the Chesire Cat, but, she did have a joke or two up her sleeves. Hopping over the fence, with a little bit of difficulty, she replied to her friend, "This and that."

That was Mouse for you, vague as hell. Her answers were usually cliches, or, they made no sense at all. But who did she have to thank for that? Why! The Mad Hatter himself. Situating herself in her usual chair, she perched atop the plain wooden thing, much more like a cat than a mouse. But, when you mix something humanesque with a mouse, well, you got something cat like. Mouse was half convinved that Cats were really human and mouse Hybrids. And why not? Tis possible.

Very, Very possible.

Reaching for a biscut, she half expected him to continuw his questioning, but silence prevailed. Perhaps he intended her to speak? After all, he had addressed her first. Was her turn not over? Hmmm. Perhaps she should say something.....

"No Guests today Leah? Hmmm," she took a bite of biscut, "what a sad, sad thing. I have never seen you without company, save once before. Sad day that was as well." Mouse decided that she did not care for the biscut and discarded it.

"But, where may I ask is your dear friend the March Hare?" She practically hissed the creatures name. It was well known that Mouse did NOT under any circumstances care for the March Hare. Not a pinch, a mite, or a hair. To be perfectly honest, I'm sure Mouse didn't know why that was. The creature was always polite to her (As polite as the March Hare can be), but, even so, it did not change a thing. Out of all the creatures she had come across in Wonderland, it had been the March Hare that had met Mouse's sharp little teeth the most.

Picking up a clean tea cup, she held it out towards Leah, "It is bad luck to pour your own tea you know." Mouse stated this almost uninterestedly.[/font]

[Mad Hatter]

Leah watched as Mouse made her way over to the table only to sit herself in her usual spot. In turn, he turned his body back in toward the table and straightened himself out brushing little bits of sugar cookie off of him that he had eaten for breakfast earlier. Then he used his right hand to push his hat back so it rest right a top his forehead and kept both of his eyes visible. A small frown appeared on his lips as she pointed out his lack of guests today. Though there was no complaining. He had his nice share of them not to long ago. Even the Queen had shown up.
"Yes, I am lacking my usual amount of guests," he spoke as his eyes wondered over to her. "But, seeing as no one has managed to fall into the rabbit hole lately, I suppose I'll have to make due. And I'm surprised you asked about Hare."
The Hatter's grin only widened at this. He knew, just as everyone else did, that Mouse was not exactly fond of his best friend. He picked up a kettle of tea when she held out her cup and slowly poured some of the warm brown liquid into her it.
"Well, I'm sure he is up to no good somewhere," the Hatter said with a slight shrug. "You know him and that drug business. Hardly has time to spend a lovely afternoon with poor little old me."
The Hatter carefully set down the kettle and then placed his own cup of tea on the table before him. He sat there in silence once again but his soft smile never left his light complexion. The Door Mouse had always proved to be a rather interesting character. She would be plenty a guest today. He knew she would keep him entertained for quite some time.

[The Mouse]

"Hmmph...." Was the response he got when he told Mouse about the drug business that the Hare ran.

Adding three lumps of sugar, she searched the table for cream, and, as usual, found none. Mouse was convinced she was the only one in wonderland who cared for cream in her tea. With a little shrug, she added another lump, and stirred the tea with a clean spoon she had found under a dirty plate. "I, on the other hand, am perfectly happy that no one has fallen down the rabbit hole. More room for me." She flashed Leah a grin, before blowing on a spoonful of tea and tasting it.

Mouse considered the taste in silence for a long time. Was it too sugary? Or not enough? But after a moment or two, she couldn't decide, and left it alone, taking a nice sip of the warm substance. One of her ears twitched slightly as she looked up into the trees absent mindedly. Hmmm. She decided she liked having tea again with Leah and offered him a pleasant smile. "So, tell me, have you seen Meanie Queenie lately?"

The Queen was another of those that she severely disliked, but was civil to. Most didn't really know that she did not care for the man - other than Leah of course. Mouse had a bad habit of babbling to him about everying and nothing. Usually about her adventures, that really weren't adventures, but you would never have guessed from the way that she went on about them. Taking another sip of tea, her pretty red eyes considered him silently, and slightly hauntingly.[/font]

[Mad Hatter]

The Hatter only grinned at Mouse's response to his earlier answer. He never really knew why she disliked his friend the March Hare so much, but he never questioned it aloud. He was sure the small female had her reasons and that was fine with him. It was like the way he felt for Tweedle Dee he supposed. He simply found the circus like woman annoying. As simple as that and no need for further explanation. But, unlike mouse, Leah rather enjoyed people falling through the Rabbit Hole. It always meant more guests for him to bother and more company at tea. That was if they had the guts to stay behind in the Tea Time Clearing and have a cup. Most would leave since they weren't quite used to the insanity of Wonderland yet. But after a while, one became accustom with it.
"The Queen?" Leah repeated puckering his thin lips in thought. "Actually, I have. And it wasn't too long ago. He's not too bad, you know. Unlike others he did take the time to come visit with me."
The Hatter rose a brow at the Mouse indicating that she was one of the others who had not come to visit him. She had probably been sleeping of course. It didn't really bother the Hatter, but he always did like having his company and he knew that the Mouse knew that. Hell, everyone knew that.

[The Mouse]

Mouse opened her mouth to argue with him, or say something smrt, but then thought better of it, and sank back into her chair unhappily, pouting, and crossing her arms. "You didn't exactly try and come find me either, Leah-darling."

He knew all too well where her pile of pillows lay, and if he really cared to have company, it was a short walk, and, it didn't take all too much from him to get her moving. Out of all the people in wonderland, Mouse liked the Mad Hatter the most. One could almost say that she was infatuated with him, almost. But she would never admit it - unless, of course, he admitted it first. Then, perhaps, she would turn pink and nod in agreement. But that was a long shot. Leah didn't exactly seem interested in anyone or anything, for that matter. Flattening her ears down against her head again, she finished off her tea. Then, hopping off the chair, Mouse made her way over to him.

With one ear perked up and the other cocked to the side, she observed him. Leah often treated Mouse more like a Pet than a person, but Mouse didn't mind, hell, she prefered it. After all, it had been the March Hare and He who found her that day, and it had been He who fitted her ith the small chain collar she always wore, and it was He who often sat her upon his lap. "Did you miss me?" She pouted again, but this time, more as a joke than for real.

[Mad Hatter]

A smile appeared on the Hatter's face when he saw Mouse sink back with a pout. A clear sign that she had already given up on arguing with him. Which was perfectly fine with him since he wasn't one to go about in search of a quarrel. No, he would much rather get along with a person than argue. Although, he did have his moments of disagreement. But those were rare considering everyone in Wonderland seemed to know about his temperament. They also all had there own sick sense of humor which pleased him quite a bit. As long as they laughed with him and as long as he could get attention, than Leah would always stay in his sweeter moods.
He watched as she made her way over to him and he rested his elbow on the arm of his chair. His chin quickly followed suit resting itself upon his palm. Once again his grin only widened at her adorable little features. She was attractive for being a mouse he had to admit. And not to mention simply adorable. How could he not love a face like that? Mouse was the only thing smaller than him that he hadn't tried to twist apart yet. Actually, he never intended on doing so because of how cute she was. Yes, he did have a soft spot for Mouse.
"Why else would I be complaining about missing having your company?" he asked slouching a little so he was almost eye level with her.

[The Mouse]

Mouse smirked slightly, and then lent forward giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek, a habit that she had always had when greeting him, but only him. "You could just be saying that, you know. 'Cause you wouldn't want me to leave, now that you have company."

After she had said it and thought back on it, her statement didn't make all that much sense, not that it mattered. Mouse had always been amused with his different colored eyes, and couldn't help but look from one to the other, one to the other. Letting out a giggle, she made the statement she had made a million times before, "I love your eyes."

Mouse had refrained from saying anything as he slunk down to be eye level with her. He was over a whole foot taller than her, poor thing. She was the shortest of the bunch, standing at 4'11, and that was only because of her ears. Reaching out, she adjusted his hat slightly, so that it sat properly on his head and then turned her attention to a sugar cookie that had dropped. Moving from standing to crouching rather quickly, she picked the prize up and dusted it off quickly, before standing up with the biggest grin that Leah had ever seen on her dear little face. She started to nibble on it as she stood next to his chair, staring at him yet again.[/font]

[Mad Hatter]

The Hatter half smirked and acted like he was truly thinking her company over, but his regular smile appeared when he received his customary kiss on the cheek. Mouse was a lucky one. No one else in Wonderland was aloud to do such actions to him unless he intended on having a little fun with them. But, that was always something that was very rare. Most thought he was too crazy to get to close to. Not to mention his temper. But that was only when you flared it up. Most of the time he was gentle. Take Mouse for example. He would never hurt the tiny little thing. He just didn't have the heart to.
When she mentioned his eyes (like she often did) he simply put on a pout and rolled the miss matching pair of irises. He hated the cursed things. One he couldn't see out of and the other was such a boring color. Now if he had eyes like the Cheshire he would pleased. Or maybe eyes like Mouse. Anything different and unique. Of course the Hatter hadn't been as lucky. Instead he had been born beyond the Rabbit Hole and was stuck with this boring color. And then that cursed Time took his sight from his left eye. It was now useless except for sitting there and (as far as he knew) swiveling around just like any normal eye.
But his pout disappeared when he noticed The Door Mouse's smile. He had never seen anything like it from her.
"Why, Mouse," he stated. "Since when do you smile so wide? If it takes a simple sugar cookie, by all means have one everyday."

[The Mouse]

"The March Hare usually always eats the sugar cookies by the time I get here! Even now I had to scavenge for this one." She finished it and brushed the crumbs from her chest.

"Either that, or I accidently doze off, and by the time someone wakes me, they are gone as well." Mouse pouted again, truely sad that she rarely got to have sugar cookies, which were her favorite. Her gaze flitted about the table briefly, and then the floor, no doubt searching for more forgotten cookies, but then returned to him. Tilting her head to the side slightly, she continued to watch him, as she often did, large eyes wide and unblinking. "What would you like to talk about?"

Mouse, for once, was at a loss as to what to say. Usually Leah was much more talkative than this. Was he mad at her for not visting in the past few days? Was this her punishment? Her ears drooped slightly, and she bit her lip, a sure fire sign that all was not well in Mouse's universe. The poor thing looked truely afraid that he was unhappy with her. After all, he HAD made the comment about having no guests, and was indirectly refering to her.

[Mad Hatter]

Leah noticed Mouse's ears drop from their normal perky state and noticed her biting her lip. He tilted his head ever so slightly and then put his free hand out to pat the girl on the head softly while ruffling her hair slightly. His eyes suddenly full of curiosity as to why she was all of a sudden so down in the dumps looking. Then he realized the he hadn't answered her earlier question yet. But for the moment he simply shrugged it off and straightened back up pulling his hand away as well. He adjusted himself in his seat so the he was crossed legged and facing the Mouse. His two arms rested on the arm before him as he leaned forward and left his hands dangling before him.
"Why so gloomy looking little Mouse?" he asked as he felt his hat slide back down his forehead. "Only moments ago you had a grin that could go for days on you."
He gave her an innocent pure smile which rarely happened considering he was usually scheming on how to get something. But this time there was nothing behind it but the hint of curiosity toward the Mouse's sudden sadness.
"You know, I do prefer it when you smile Door Mouse," he explained.

[The Mouse]

As he patted her head and ruffled her hair, Mouse scrunched up her nose and closed her right eye. "Hey! Just because I'm smaller doesn't mean you can...."

But, Leah never found out what he couldn't do. She fell silent as she opened her eye and realized that he was smiling at her. One of those truely sincere I'm-not-planning-anything-so-enjoy-it-while-it-lasts smiles, which, of course, made her giggle. Twirling a finger in her hair absent mindedly. So, perhaps he didn't hate her. Mouse offered him half of a smile and then started to tell him about her recent adventures, moving a bit closer to him to hold onto the arm of the chair.

"I pounced on a rocking horse fly yesterday. And I squished it." She giggled, which, although it sounded somewhat innocent, still held a certain darkness to it. "I chased it around for hours, stupid thing. But it kept flying up into the trees, and you know how clumsy I am when it comes to those things. I'm no cat. But, I still climbed, all the way to the top, and lept at it in mid air...." By this point, Mouse was acting it out for him.

"And I fought it all the way to the ground. And Then," Dramatic Pause, "I squished it." Her ears drooped a bit. It had been slightly sad. She had intended to play with the thing a little longer, but, hell, you can't always get what you want. Now, crouched on the ground in front of him, she beamed up at Leah after recounting her heroic battle with the bug.

[Mad Hatter]

The Hatter only kept on his smile as he listened to Mouse's tale of the rocking horse fly she had encountered. Maybe she had it dramatized a bit, but Leah didn't say a word. He never did and didn't plan on doing so. Besides, he was sure they would end up being much more interesting this way. And why not let Mouse have some fun with her stories? Everyone in Wonderland over exaggerated. Maybe even more than anyone thought.
Leah clasped his and together and intertwined his fingers as he nodded at the end of her story. A smile still gracing his lips.
"That sounds like quite an adventure," he said making a serious face. "I still can't believe you did such a thing as jumping in mid air to fight the beast."
Fortunately, Leah was used to these kinds of stories she told him and had learned to at least act like it was some amazing feat she had over come. She made it sound as if she had saved all of Wonderland.
"After doing something so great, I think I'll have to start hiding some sugar cookies in my coat for you," he said with a smile and a wink. "So that Hare friend of mine can't get to them."

[The Mouse]

Another grin that mirrored the first that he had commented on crept onto her face slowly as her ears perked straight up and her eyes widened, "Really?" She said in barely a whisper, as if it would make her the happiest creature in all of wonderland, for, it truely would.

She got up off the floor again and quickly latched onto the sleeve of his jacket, tugging it gently, "You're serious? Would you really save me some? Don't joke about Sugar Cookies." Mouse eyed him seriously, even though her grin was still as clear as day on her face, "Sugar Cookies are serious Business, Leah!"

And she meant it. When it came to Mouse and Cookies (Sugar Cookies in particular) just kidding around was no to be tolerated. She had a bit of a sweet tooth and nothing came between her and it. Not even a joke. She bit her lip again, a bad habit of hers whenever she was frightened or excited. Or, well, anytime. She was always biting her lower lip. That was simply Mouse for you. Childish. But Mouse was no child, why, she was almost as old as Leah, not that you could tell by the way she acted or the way she looked. She looked like a teenager (That had Mouse like attributes). She was still holding onto his sleeve and watching him wide eyed as he answered.

[Mad Hatter]

Leah watched as the little Mouse like girl latched herself onto his sleeve and he looked down at her suddenly giving her a more serious look. Oh Leah knew that sugar cookies were serious business. For as long as he could remember, the treats had always been his favorite. Never did he let anyone take his from him. Why else would he have them for breakfast and dinner? And then of course he would snack on them all throughout the day. Finally he just nodded at her.
"Mouse, I, of all people, would never dare joke over a sugar cookie," he said seriously. Then a grin appeared on his lips. "I am a man of his word, Mouse, and if you want me to save you sugar cookies than it shall be done."
He brought up his left hand (since the right was still being held down) and put it over her smaller ones. The sneaky smile widening. For he knew hiding a few sugar cookies in his jacket was as easy as fixing a clock. Nothing to it really. And he was sure if Mouse started to get up early enough, then she would be able to find her own. But this way was just as well. Who knows. maybe he'll be able to sneak some for himself.

[The Mouse]

"Yes, Yes, a Thousand times Yes! Please and Thank you Leah!" Mouse grinned that wide happier than happy grin of hers that only came on out rare occasions. Why, today was a good day indeed. Twice had she smiled like that!

Resisting the urge to jump up and down happily and perhaps to do a little jig of some sort, she substituted it with just shifting her weight from foot to foot restlessly. And then looked down to see his hand atop hers. She finally stood still, just gazing at his hand. Sliding her hand out from under his, she lifted his up by the sleeve and matched her hand with his. Leah's hand could crush hers, if he really wanted to, His long thin fingers made her small hands seem even tinier in comparison. Mouse liked her hands, they were dainty, thin fingers, and long somewhat pointed nails. Very close to the humanoid version of a mouse's paw. How fitting, huh?

Her eyes seemed to take in every little detail of both his and her own hands as she matched them up. Trying to look at them at as many angles as possible without pulling them apart. She was quite through as she did so. When she seemed satisfied, she brought her gaze back to meet his. "You're from beyond the rabbit hole... right?"

Mouse didn't wait for an snwer and continued, "Was everyone outside like you?" She would never admit it (She didn't admit to a lot of things, stubborn little thing as she was), but the rabbit hole and those who came through it fascinated her. But she had never really noticed the differences between her and him until now. Well of course she SAW them, but she had never paid them any mind.

[Mad Hatter]

Leah watched and merely let Mouse do what she pleased with his hand. He kept it straight as she pressed her smaller one against his own slender hand. She seemed to be really interested in this, unlike himself. He was trying to figure out what she was looking at the entire time. When she finally spoke up and asked her question, Leah felt his stomach flip flop. He hated anything beyond the Rabbit Hole and hated even more to speak of his past involving it. He never clearly knew how he had gotten here, but he did know that everything before it had simply been dreadful. The only reason he remembered those terrible things was definitely Time's doing. Ever since he made that bargain with him those terrible memories had begun to come back and haunt the Hatter. No, he couldn't remember anything good.
He just shrugged finally and looked back at there hands not really seeing any difference except for their sizes and her tiny nails. His nail were always trimmed to the tips of his fingers.
"I'm not sure," he said attempting to fill his voice with as much wonder as her own held. "I can't really remember much outside of Wonderland. But... it doesn't really matter what it's like out there or how the others look."

[The Mouse]

Mouse's ears flattened against her head again as she noticed a slight change in his features. Uh oh, that was not a question she should have asked. She lowered her eyes, "I'm sorry...."

Then, moving a bit closer to him and standing on her tip toes, she attempted to give him a hug over the arm of the chair, not that it worked out very well. It was kinda uncomfortable for her, but she wanted to do it. Leah was her greatest friend, if you could call them that. And she hadn't meant to ask anything stupid. She didn't even understand why it made a change in him.

Her short hair smelled like strawberries. It always did. For some reason the scent of the fruit followed her around, but for those who knew her, it was a comforting smell. It wasn't bad at all. But God Forbid if you called her Strawberry Short Cake. "You aren't mad at me..." She pulled away from him, a hand still on his shoulder, "Are you?"

Her eyes were wide, a slight pout to her lips. It was adorable. Who could say no to a face like that?

[Mad Hatter]

Leah just patted her back softly when he received the hug and said nothing more of her apology. When she asked if he was mad he almost laughed at how serious she had taken this. Was she really so upset over something so small. Well, it wasn't exactly a small thing for the Hatter himself to speak about, but what was said was said and done. And it was quite obvious that he wasn't the least bit upset over it. Besides he wouldn't want to have the urge to change outfits to match his mood. It was a habit of his. Sometimes he couldn't help but go and change clothes. Yes, he was sure the others said some strange things about it, but as long as he didn't catch them, then he wouldn't bother with it.
"Why would I be mad over such a silly thing?" he asked putting his hand on her head again. "It was just a question after all. You have just as much right as anyone else to be curious."
No, the Hatter was sure that if anyone else would have asked then he would have either blown up in their face or quickly changed the subject while raising his voice. Or (depending on who it was) he would simply play dumb. He was rather good at that since no one seemed to expect him to be a brilliant person.
"Now cheer up, doll," he said taking his hand off her head to poke her nose. "I'm sure there is something much more exhilarating that we can talk about. Don't you think. It's no good to be sad during tea."