The Time Has Come (ch.5)
Title:The Time Has Come
Chapter Title: Tell us a Tale
Author: greeneyes0911
Pairing: Alice/Hatter, Jack/Duchess
Characters: Charlie, Hatter, Jack, Duchess, Alice, and two OCs (Savy & Topper)
Rating: r-ish (for later chapters)
Length: 6.700+
Warnings/Spoilers: The entire miniseries
A/N: I got this idea this morning, I'd like to see where it heads but if no one likes it I'll drop it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Alice, Hatter, March Hare, any of 'em....but damn would I be rich if I did!
It is decided that everyone should tell a tale to make the
journey pass more quickly. They reach the bottom of the
mountains but not before learning a few new things
about each other.
The tales began with Alice, and how her and Hatter really met. That's where Savy wanted to start, and she'd been good enough to speak up when the suggestion occurred to Charlie. “So how you really met,” the little red head said from her perch on the white and brown horse in front of Topper. Topper was still more than annoyed that he was riding on the back of a horse like a girl, but he'd settled comfortably behind Savy, his hands gingerly on her waist just in case she decided to try to throw him off the horse. He still didn't trust her, she was a sneaky sort, as he'd heard many oysters were. In fact he'd heard Alice herself was the sneakiest of them all, he'd heard it from Agent White himself, before you know … the queen took his head.
“Like I said we met in Hatter's tea shop,” Alice said with a wide grin. “I didn't say where the tea shop was, you assumed it was the one in New York.” The dark haired woman wagged one half covered in plum velvet finger at Savy who in turn smirked.
“No, but you sure as hell led me to believe that's the one it was.”
“On with the story,” Duchess chimed in something that sounded like annoyance, no one but her knew it was forced. She was actually enjoying the bickering of the two women that were with her. They seemed so close, and she couldn't help but hope that maybe one day she could be close to someone like that. She'd never had any real friends before, not even Jack was really her friend. Yes, they were friends on some level, but they were more like lovers now. And when you were lovers there was so much attached to that. Lovers didn't tell each other everything like friends did. Lovers kept some things secret. Or at least that's how Duchess thought it should be.
“Right, on with the story,” Alice was a little shocked to see Duchess so intent to hear it, but she didn't mention it. She almost thought maybe the woman was trying to be friends, on some morbid level that only Duchess would understand. Huh, wouldn't that be something? Duchess and Alice friends? Yeah that'd be weird. “Well I suppose I should start at the beginning shouldn't I, with Jack?” Alice eyed Duchess carefully but the other woman just nodded lightly in agreement. “I met Ja-.”
“Wait, Jack as in the king Jack? As in the man we're going to save? As in Duchess' hubby wubby,” Savy asked her red brows raised in excitement.
“One in the same Savy-love,” Hatter said with a frown at the mere mention of Jack. “And save again. Again being the key word. Ge' on with it Alice.”
“Right, so like I was saying I met Jack in one of my karate classes. We started dating soon after.” Alice payed little mind to the way Hatter stiffened at the idea of her and Jack dating. He was the jealous sort, of course, but he'd just have to deal with that particular bit of her past. “Then I brought him home to meet mom. Mo-.”
“Hold up, you were dating the king,” Savy interrupted again and Alice sighed a little before nodding. “So he was in our world then.” Another nod. “How did Carol take to him?” Hatter smirked a little, that was Savy inquisitive as always.
“As I was saying,” Alice said exasperated, “mom took to him as well as to be expected. She thought he was perfect, maybe a little too perfect. Anyways that's when he left the stone of wonderland with me, the stone that runs the mirror.” Alice conveniently left out the fact that Jack had proposed to her, she didn't need to upset Duchess. Duchess had been through enough, and old wounds being opened up were not what she needed right this second. All and all Alice thought herself very considerate for this. “When I followed him to try to return it I was confronted with one of the agents from the White Rabbit-”
“The white rabbit at that time brought your people through the mirror so that they could be drained of their emotions. Then the bottled emotions were sold.” Duchess interjected as explanation for a slightly confused looking Savy. Savy nodded quietly, but vowed to ask more about that later on.
“The man attacked me, and when I chased after him I fell into the mirror and into Wonderland. There I was trapped, escaped, fell into the ocean, and swam into the city. I was confronted with a rat catcher named Ratter, and payed him to help me. Ratter kindly led me to a tea house, Hatter's tea house. The room I entered first reminded me of the stock market with all the people shouting to get their hands on just a few bits of a bigger portion. Of course I was more than confused by the scene I found, the auctioning off of emotions. Ratter returned and pulled me into an office in the back. And that's where I met Hatter who asked me,” Alice left the opening for Hatter.
“Do I need a reason ta 'elp a pretty girl in a very we' dress,” Hatter chimed in triumphantly and grinned widely at Alice who in turn kissed his cheek in an all too mushy way.
Savy made a gagging noise, “I think I'm going to be sick, I'm choking on all this fucking mush.” The gagging noise continued until Alice cut her a sharp look and Savy smirked widely.
“She's right you two are out and out sickening. How in Alfred's name you can live like that I have no idea,” Topper made a disgusted face that had Savy chuckling at him. No, not just chuckling, all out laughing and holding her sides. Topper quirked a dark brow at her in utter confusion. Meanwhile both Hatter and Alice looked at her like the petite red head had lost her mind.
“Savy, are you alright,” Charlie asked from up ahead. “Gagging, and then laughing is never a good sign. I'd suggest you stop doing it, it can't be healthy.” Savy took a deep steadying breath.
“Have you gone mad Savannah,” Topper asked with a frown. “That's Hatter's title.”
“No, I'm sorry, I must just be tired. We have been riding for a long ass time, and I didn't sleep much last night.” Savy shrugged still shaking off the strange fit of chuckles she'd fallen into. She'd never had a fit of chuckles like that, not since her parents were alive. It must be something in the air, yes definitely something in this Wonderland air that was screwing with her. There were no ifs ands or buts about it. It was the air.
“Hand over the reigns,” the boy behind her ordered, and Savy stiffened.
“You could ask fucking nicely instead of fucking ordering me to,” she snapped quickly.
“Savy, I think he's just trying to help,” Alice said calmly with a slight frown. Savy nodded a bit like a scolded kitten and handed the reigns to the set of hands that had moved from her waist to out in front of her. When Savy had seemed to settle, Alice nodded. “Alright I choose Ch-Duchess.” She had almost picked Charlie, but she knew better. They'd be listening to Charlie all day if Charlie had it his way.
"Me," Duchess asked looking confused. What story could she have that they'd want to hear? Her life had been nothing but blank and emptiness.
"Yes, now I realize this is kind of personal but then that's the point isn't it? Ah well, anyways I once heard you referred to as a creation of the queen. What is the story behind that?" Alice knew it was wrong to ask something so personal but she had to know. This very question had haunted her for a long while now every time she thought of Duchess.
Duchess took a deep breath preparing herself for a grim, tragic tale. She never liked to talk about this, and in truth Jack was the only one who knew about it. But then this is what friends did wasn't it? They shared things. So she gulped down the discomfort and thought of the best possible way to begin. "Well it's more complicated than just the thought of her actually creating me, and to tell the truth I don't remember much of it. But I will tell what I remember and what I've learned from others." She gulped down another well of discomfort that had made it's home in her throat. "I was born in a small home in Wonderland to two of the leading members of the resistance. I don't remember those two years I spent in that small house at all, it's as if they never happened." There was a distant look in her pale blue eyes that the entire group recognized as sorrow. The cold woman may not remember that time but she still felt the loss of it. It was something each of them could understand in their own way, they had all felt it. And for some reason it put them all on the same playing ground. They all had something in common. “When the queen killed my parents she took me in, she thought I'd be useful. She saw something in me, I can only assume it was the ability to mold me. From then on I was taught everything I needed to know to be a tool of the queen. So yes, she created me in a way, but no she did not at the same time. And still during that time she could not take away my will.” Duchess inclined her head ever so slightly in a proud manner, and the speechless group around her nodded their heads in understanding. There was momentary silence as the story sunk in before Duchess smirked a little, “now onto the next. I want to know the story of Hatter and Topper's severe dislike.”
Both Hatter and Topper's dark brows shot up simultaneously. “Our story,” Topper asked with a smirk raising the corners of his lips. Hatter didn't like that look, he didn't like that look at all. “You see love, I'm the black sheep of the family. And not for something I myself did, might I add.”
“Wait,” Alice said putting up a hand to stop him from going any further. “The family,” she turned to Hatter with a suspicious look and a slight frown. Hatter's puppy brown eyes fell guiltily.
“Not immediate,” Hatter said to the head of the horse. “Cousins, jus' cousins.”
“I wouldn't let Wolf hear you say that, he'll be positively heart broken over it. You two were like brothers growing up.” Topper was scolding him but there was a smug look of satisfaction on his face. Hatter would very well smack that look right off his cousin's face.
“If I remember righ' ya were too. We didn' leave ya ou' despite wha' he did,” Hatter growled.
“Oh no not right off, never right off. Not when we were children. You wouldn't think of blaming me for what he did when we were just children. Children don't do that. But teens do, oh yes they do. And so did the both of you. The moment it came out that my father caused the death of both of your's all bets were off weren't they Hatter? Wolf and you abandoned me, all to myself to teach myself what I should have you to teach me. Wolf and you were all I had.” Topper's eyes had taken on something like cruelty as he watched Hatter squirm.
“Stop it,” Savy growled eying the hurt face that had taken up residence on Hatter's kind face. “Just stop.”
“Why should I? Because you're telling me to? I was asked to tell a story so I was telling a story. Stop being sentimental,” Topper growled back his eyes glaring sharply at her.
“I'll stop being sentimental the moment you stop being a fucking asshole. You weren't telling a story you were being needlessly vicious. Now stop before I take it upon myself to make you.” Savannah's words were low in her throat, she wasn't just threatening she was being serious. She would force Topper to shut his mouth if she had to. She couldn't stand the distressed look on Hatter's face. Alice didn't know what to say, she couldn't say anything really. She was sitting there dumbfounded, and shocked. How could her Hatter ever disown a family member? Why hadn't her Hatter told her that he had a family? But then he hadn't been her Hatter at all until recently.
“Hatter, is this true,” Alice asked finally once she got a hold of herself.
“Yes. Our father's, Wolf's Topper's and mine, were all a par' of the resistance in their own way. Me father was a spy in the teahouses, a mock teahead pretendin' ta hunt for a fix while he kep' an ear ta the ground. Wolf's father had married a woman from the nine kingdoms, a union of kingdoms jus' over these mountains. He was workin' in the castle as a chef, wonderful cook tha' man. Bu' it was Topper's father, the younges' of them, who was the deepes' in. Topper's father was a suit, and when he was threatened with death he rolled over on 'is brothers. And sweet lil' Topper followed alon' righ' in 'is foo' steps. Didn' ya Top? Turned in Wolf ta the queen, forcin' 'im ta 'ead for the 'ills jus' ta stay alive. Ya know if ya 'adn't turned 'im in he wouldn' have ended up in prison. They'd never 'ave gotten him for sheep worryin' here. Ya know we don' even 'ave any bloody sheep. So you sit there accusin' me! Me! Of disownin' ya withou' a reason?!” Hatter was furious his brown eyes black and lifeless. Alice had moved a hand from his waist to his shoulder and had taken to patting it comfortably. “Yar a righ' blighter tryin' ta blame me for abandonin' ya. I'd lay money yar the one who told the queen Alice 'ad been ta me shop.”
“That wasn't me,” Topper said quietly. Hatter let out a disbelieving grunt, and Topper sighed. “Really it wasn't. That was all Ratter.” Topper's hands went up in defense, but it was no real use. Everyone seemed to fall into an uncomfortable silence. Savy couldn't believe how furious she was with a man-child she hardly knew. Topper had just proven himself to be the most untrustworthy person she could ever come across. A person who gives up there family can never be trusted. Savy would have gladly died just to save her's, but she didn't get that option. When Topper and his father were given the option they rolled over on their family before giving up their lives. It sickened Savy right down to her core.
They sat in silence for a long while until Charlie finally interrupted it. “Well, let's make camp. It's getting dark and traveling these woods in the dark isn't safe. Yes, let's find a clearing and make camp.” Even as he said this he eyed the forest around him in an attempt to find a place to set up camp. A half hour later they were all sitting around a fire carefully avoiding each other's eyes. Topper was the furthest from the fire, and the furthest from everyone else. For some strange reason he felt the need to explain himself, not to everyone but specifically to Savannah. She'd looked like she was furious enough to beat him half to death at the conversation that had occurred, and he wouldn't be surprised if she did. He'd never felt the nagging niggling urge to explain his actions before in his life, not even when he'd been a boy and had been caught stealing an apple by Wolf. But something about the disgusted way Savannah looked at him made him want to explain to her that he'd had to. It had been better that he'd been the one to give Wolf away instead of letting the queen find out herself. He'd given time for Wolf to get away. Hatter just didn't see things the way Topper always had. Topper did what he had to do. He did what Wolf had always taught him, play both sides of the game. Time passed on quietly between the group. Alice and Hatter wandered off to sleep, then Duchess, and finally Charlie dozed in his seat against the log Savy was sitting on.
Topper looked up to see the red haired girl sitting by herself staring into the fire. She looked almost lonely sitting there, so lonely he almost felt he needed to go and sit with her to keep her company. But then he remembered she'd likely rip every strand of hair he had out of his head for what he'd done to his cousins. “You're a right prick, you know that,” a smooth voice asked but her green eyes didn't leave the fire.
“You're not telling me anything I don't know sweetheart,” Topper drawled lazily his eyes fixed on her. She was so interesting, always so interesting. There was just something in the way she held herself that said to him that she held more secrets than anyone knew. Something about the set of her mouth that said that she could take care of herself. Something about that fire in her eyes drew him in to her, whether he knew it or not he found himself taking slow nervous steps towards her. He worried that if he got within arms reach she'd slug him right then and there. Not that he wouldn't deserve it.
“Don't call me that,” it came out as another growl, and Topper stopped moving. The last time she'd made that noise at him he'd ended up with a bruised rib, he should learn to be more careful. Topper went to open his mouth to say something apologize, or explain, or something. “Don't bother.” She cut him to the quick, and stood up. The conversation was over as far as she was concerned. Before Topper had the chance to even say anything else she was gone, off to her cot. He stood after her, watching her walk away and sighed as she melted into the darkness. That blasted girl, that damned girl, and his damned fascination with her, it would be the death of him.
The hours ticked by slowly, and Topper sat silent and still staring into the fire. For hours he just remembered, and thought, and remembered some more. He thought on those days just after his father had turned in Wolf, and Hatter's fathers. The days when everything had seemed to be in flux, nothing was certain. Topper worried constantly in those days that Wolf and Hatter would leave him, and he'd be left to handle everything himself. The following week his father too had been tried for treason and his head had been lopped off. It wasn't until years later that everything had gone horribly wrong between the cousins. Wolf and Hatter were drifting off before Topper even turned Wolf over. They had been slowly drifting apart, and it had been clear that over the years as they all grew up pretty much parent less Wolf and Hatter grew resentful of Topper for what his father had done. And eventually it was easy for Topper to roll over on his eldest cousin just as his father had done with his brothers. He still didn't see what had been so wrong with it, but the disgusted look in those vibrant green eyes had him wondering what it was he had done wrong.
By the time the hours had ticked by into morning Topper had fallen asleep sitting up straight on that log where he'd been thinking to himself. He didn't hear the rustling of the bodies around him. Savy and Charlie were up readying the horses, she hadn't been able to sleep much and when she woke to find Charlie she set to work helping. Savy's eyes wandered toward the sleeping man-child sitting rim rod straight by the glowing embers every once in a while, but they never stayed for long. She still felt disgust well up in her stomach at the mere thought of Topper, and fury clutched her throat. When the horses were done Charlie sent Savy to go rouse everyone from their sleep. Duchess had already joined them, and all that was left was the young couple and Topper. Savy showed a little mercy, and went to wake Hatter and Alice first. “Alice,” she whispered lightly, and the women's eyes popped open immediately. “Time to get a move on. Wake up Hatter.”
“Will do, we should be up in a few minutes,” Alice said already shoving Hatter. Hatter grumbled loudly which earned him another shove. “Go on, I've got him.” Savy nodded and moved back into the clearing. She had the worst temptation to go up to Topper's sleeping form and just shove him so he fell over. Her lip twitched at the mental image of him lying on the ground dazed and confused. Her eyes drifted to Duchess who was wearing a similar smirk. Savy quirked on red brown, and the blonde nodded at her. Well if she hadn't have decided to do it based only upon the still welling anger in her stomach, the look of satisfaction on her now co-conspirator's face was enough to decided it. Savy strode swiftly up to the man-child on the log and shoved him with all her might backward onto the soft grass covered ground.
Topper felt a hard shove in his shoulder, there was some real strength behind that shove, some real feeling behind it. But he didn't take any notice of it until his back hit the ground in a loud thump and he found the breath knocked from his chest. Honey colored eyes popped open wide as he sat up and gasped for air. Those same honey colored eyes fell on the offender and what he found was a smirking Savannah, but the smirk reached her eyes in a weird way almost like a smile. She was staring back at him with those eyes, and he wondered why he kind of liked that. It wasn't reasonable, other than that she was marginally pretty. And Topper had seen pretty, hell he'd seen beautiful, and this slightly awkward tom boy was not it. She didn't even compare to the women of Wonderland. So why in Alfred's name did he find himself so intrigued by her? There was nothing special about her, other than that temper and the ability to probably beat him to death if she so chose. Nothing special at all. And yet, he found himself incapable of not being intrigued by her, of not wondering about what exactly went on in that head of her's. “That,” he coughed gasping for breath. “Was down right asinine, that was,” the words came out breathy and hard as he tried to catch his breath.
“I know,” Savy nodded acknowledging the fact that it had been down right nasty to wake him up that way. She was nothing if not honest, brutally so most of the time. Duchess watched on a bemused smirk on her own face, but for a second she worried the girl would apologize to him for what she'd done. The girl had no reason to apologize, not in Duchess' mind. “But I'm not sorry for it, and I don't think I ever will be,” it was clear, honest and to the point, and with that answer she turned on her heel and strode away from him to Lancelot.
“I wouldn't have expected any less,” Topper grunted a little as he pulled himself to his feet. Duchess continued to watch them, silently. She didn't know where Charlie had wandered off to, but there was nothing as interesting as these two. There was a charming smirk stretching across Topper's features once more as he uttered those words, and she could almost hear Savy's eyes widen in surprise. Obviously the girl had been expecting, as had Duchess, that he'd be infuriated by their little practical joke. No, instead he seemed slightly amused by it.
“You deserved it,” the girl offered not allowing the slight surprise to show through. She would not be taken off guard by a person like Topper. He was an absolute leech.
“You're probably right. If I didn't deserve it for my behavior yesterday than I surely deserved it for something else I've done.” Alright, so maybe he was playing it up a little. Maybe he was being a little more amiable than he really wanted to be. But he really didn't want her to pull a stunt like that again. And like it or not this was probably the best way to go about ensuring that. Surely if he got angry with her she'd just get angry in return and things would escalate. No, this was the best way to handle this.
“I'm glad we're on the same page where your fucked uppedness is concerned.” Savy shrugged not letting him see how much it truly surprised her that she was being met with amiability instead of anger. Usually when she pulled a stunt like that the person would lash out. She was prepared for that. Lashing out meant a fight, and she'd gotten really fucking good at winning fights.
“Alright what twilight zone did I just walk into,” Alice asked drawing attention to herself. Her and Hatter had been standing there watching the entire thing confused, and a little miffed (mostly miffed on Hatter's side).
“Yeah wha' tha bloody 'ell is up with tha agreein' all the sudden,” Hatter asked, but he sounded more bitter and angry than Alice had.
“It's nothing Hatter. Topper was just confessing to me what an utter prick he is, and I was agreeing with him,” Savy said the smirk returning to her face as she turned to meet puppy dog brown eyes.
“Ya know I think if I'd 'eard tha' from any other girl I'd have never believed it. Bu' since its ya we're talkin' bout Savy, I believe it.” Hatter was chuckling now and it seemed like the awkwardness of the moment had passed. Well at least for him. Hatter actually believed it, he knew if anyone could bring Topper down to size it was Savy. The girl had a way about her, there was just no way to not do what she wanted you to. And it seemed like she'd set herself on diminishing Topper's substantial ego. Well, Hatter for one couldn't be more happy. Someone needed to do it. Someone needed to make Topper realize that he'd done wrong. And who better than the slight head strong girl who was willing to put a fist in your face before she let you ask her how her day was? Well no one, that's who. Savy was absolutely perfect for the job. Alice, however wasn't settled at just this. Her eyes remained on the two wearily. She didn't trust Topper, and while she trusted Savy she didn't know how well the girl would stand against a more than slightly good looking, charming, older man. If anything putting them together was just asking for trouble. Especially with Savy's naivety where relationships were concerned.
“You better believe it, she's quite the pill,” Topper's voice was coarse but smooth at the same time. He meant for it to come off as sort of grading, as if Savy's spunk got on his nerves, but he didn't quite manage it. Because honestly though his intrigue in her did annoy him, he couldn't help but respect her for that spunk.
“We should get a move on,” Charlie said coming into the clearing lit only by the early morning sun. No one knew where the knight had been, but one could assume he'd been to the restroom or some other necessity. There seemed to be a mutual nod as all of the caravan hopped back on their horses. Topper hopped on behind Savy without so much as a word, and she was pleased with herself that she wouldn't have to fight with him over it this time. As the horses settled into a comfortable pace their riders settled into a comfortable silence. A silence that left Alice feeling nervous. She didn't need extra time to think about this Topper and Savy business. She needed to not think about it at all or she'd over think it to death.
"I want to hear a story from Savannah," Topper said suddenly breaking the silence. Savy tilted her head to look back at him and frowned. "Well it's my turn to pick. I want to hear one from you."
Savy sighed loudly and turned back to the path ahead. "What is it you want to hear Topper?"
“This fist fight that had you meeting Alice,” Topper had caught the look on her face yesterday when it came up and he found himself just as intrigued, if not more by this story and this girl. A fist fight? Topper was more than intrigued. How could such a slight girl get into a fist fight? Had she won? Had she gotten a black eye? Why had they forced her to take classes with Alice? Was she violent?
Savy sighed heavily, and her shoulders lowered a little. “Alright, but you have to promise not to judge,” Savy didn't wait for them to agree. It was too late, if they were going to judge they were going to judge based on that statement alone. It wasn't good. “There was this kid at my school, he was younger and couldn't take care of himself. A group of the football players were picking on him. He was little, and smart, and he wore really thick glasses. He couldn't stand up for them, so I did,” Savy nodded to herself. “He couldn't do anything, but I could. So I did. I stood up to them when he couldn't. And it got me in trouble. I didn't get into a fight in school, but the boys followed me home. They ganged up on me, it didn't end well for me. I didn't win. But when the whole thing was taken to court it was said that I had been the one who attacked first, and I was put away for a week. A week in prison for something I didn't even start, and I got the worst end of. Then by court mandate I took Alice's class. So you see, I really didn't start that fight. Of course I had started fights many times before, and been warned. But this one hadn't been my fault.”
Alice nodded lightly. She could understand that. She could understand why Savy would get into fights. She could understand why Savy would stand up for people weaker than her. Alice had been that girl once, the girl who got into fights with bullies. Alice had been there, and so she understood it. “Now why would we think any less of you for that? I used to do the same thing when I was a kid.” Alice shrugged, and was met with bright green eyes and a slight grin. “No worries Savy.” But it was the reaction Topper, Hatter, and Charlie were giving her that were making her uncomfortable. Their mouths were agape, and their eyes were wide.
“What,” Savy asked shifting uncomfortably on her horse.
“You'll have to pardon them,” Duchess said calmly, “in our world girls don't do things like that. They don't get into fights to stand up for people. It's just not done.”
“Well where we're from if you don't stick up for yourself no one else will,” Savy said shrugging. There was silence for a little while. Confusion swept Charlie he couldn't really imagine a girl having to stand up for herself. Even with Alice he'd had trouble understanding how she could take care of herself. Hatter was a little different, he was only confused as to why a girl so young had to take care of herself. A girl as young as Savy shouldn't know what it was to get into a fist fight. She shouldn't know what it was to be behind bars. All of this new information only intrigued Topper further. He'd never met a girl who got into fist fights regularly. Nor one who had been in jail for a stint. She was just getting curiouser and curiouser. No, she did not compare to the beauties of Wonderland. But something about that didn't seem to phase his intrigue because she had so many other interesting things about her.
“Well,” Hatter started pulling everyone out of their revelry, that seemed to be happening a lot recently. “I for one want to know about the Gravity Assisted Snare Mach one two and three.” There was a wide smirk spread across his features, and Alice was giggling ridiculously behind him. Savy only quirked a brow, but didn't receive an answer. She was left to assume that it had something to do with Alice, Hatter, and Charlie's past. This being the case she would be left in the dark. Savy didn't like being left in the dark, it made her feel left out, but she didn't mention this.
Charlie's eyes brightened, “Ah, my inventions! I have wanted for so long to discuss my thought process with other minds. You know being a lone knight as I am can be awful taxing to the psyche when you'd like to share ideas. There is no one to discuss my thoughts with, to give me criticisms. You have to admit that would make it hard for anyone to invent anything. How was I to think of small improvements all on my own?”
“You must just be a brilliant man,” Savy said with a slight snicker that Charlie didn't hear.
“Right you are young Plain Old Savy. Brilliant indeed!” And he was off, on a rant. It would be easy to ignore said rant, but everyone actually found themselves quite interested, and relieved to hear a story that didn't include fist fights, stabbing family members in the back, or death of parents. “Well as you can assume the mach one was merely a pit. Just a pit I tell you, not even a very big pit at all. I thought perhaps the best would break it's leg that way and I could dispatch of it. Unfortunately that attempt did not work. The blasted thing, although had broken it's leg, was still just as vicious. It very nearly ate my leg as I tried to slay it through the heart. Wouldn't you know it breaking the dreadful thing's leg did little to hinder its movement. Even I was surprised,” Charlie scoffed to himself. “The mach two was next. I knew I needed to improve it, but how? The only thought that occurred to me was to make it bigger. Bigger, yes it must be bigger to trap the beast entirely. It took weeks to dig the new pit, but eventually it was dug. Then came the true test, catching the beast. Well I lured him back to my trap, and wouldn't you know it he fell right on in! It seemed like the absolutely perfect plan, until I realized it's neck was still long enough to reach me. So it was back to the drawing board! And draw I did. I thought of the best way to subdue the creature, there had to be a way after all. So I dug another pit, the Mach three mark my words, and put large boulders in the bottom of it. I hoped maybe the thing would fall, crack its head, and go unconscious. It seemed like a reasonable assumption as that's what would happen with a human being. Lucky you two were you fell into the mach four instead of the mach three. Bleeding all over the place you would have been.”
“Yes, and lucky we didn' ge' impaled with a bloody stake,” Hatter grumbled. “Or did ya forge' that's wha' was at tha bottom of tha' pi'?”
“Hush, hush my boy. No one spoke while you were telling your story, and this is mine. Don't forget you asked for this story after all, it's not as if I merely volunteered it. As I was saying, the mach three had several large boulders at the bottom of it. Surely the hellish being would fall to it's doom at the bottom of my pit. I feared not for my failure this time. Leading the wretched thing to it I watched proudly as it dropped in. But wouldn't you know it Jabberwocks always land on their feet?” Charlie didn't notice the perplexed looks he was getting from everyone around him, he was too engrossed in his story. “Yes, just like cats they are, wretched creatures. So my boulders did nothing to stop the monstrous being. Finally I decided spikes would be the best thing for the job. After all a sword was what I would use to slay the beast, so spikes must be what I use to harm it. And lo and behold what should fall into the Gravity Assisted Snare Mach four but Alice of Legend and her Harbinger.” The story ended with a flourish of Charlie's arms, and a giggling protruding from Alice.
“Still the harbinger as always Hatter,” Topper said with a smirk. “Always the sidekick, never the hero.
“I would not be making fun of Hatter, you too are a Harbinger,” Charlie sputtered out causing Topper's smirk to fall and his eyes to widen. “Yes, you are not the hero here, it is Plain Old Savy that is. And you my dear friend are nothing but her servant. That is what I brought you along for.” The giggles couldn't be contained anymore, and Alice broke into all out laughter. Savy, Hatter, and Duchess too were laughing loudly while Topper looked dumbfounded, and Charlie as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
“Why am I her sidekick,” Topper asked with a growl. They had pulled into a clearing and were about to set up camp. The day had gone by much faster with the addition of stories, and Charlie's lunacy.
“Simple my boy, it is well known in our world that the best heroes are always women.” Savy's brows rose, and she put up a finger to ask a question. “Yes, I know Savy, I did say women didn't take care of themselves here, but that doesn't mean they are not heroes. With a little help from a harbinger,” Charlie nodded at Topper, “ a woman can do anything. She just cannot get her hands dirty, or her face injured in fist fights. That's why you have Topper.” It seemed like the discussion was all settled in Charlie's mind, but Topper sputtered with indignation. How could he, Topper, be the sidekick to this scrawny thing? Sure she could hold her own, but he her sidekick? Ridiculous!
“I'd advise jus' lettin' it go Top, Charlie still calls me tha'. It ain' gonna change,” Hatter said with a good natured smirk. Topper's gaping mouth shut with a click of teeth, and the conversation was over. It was clear Charlie was a lunatic, and so there was no real reason to argue with him. After a long day of riding everyone was ready for a rest, and soon they were all in their beds sleeping soundly.
Chapter Title: Tell us a Tale
Author: greeneyes0911
Pairing: Alice/Hatter, Jack/Duchess
Characters: Charlie, Hatter, Jack, Duchess, Alice, and two OCs (Savy & Topper)
Rating: r-ish (for later chapters)
Length: 6.700+
Warnings/Spoilers: The entire miniseries
A/N: I got this idea this morning, I'd like to see where it heads but if no one likes it I'll drop it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Alice, Hatter, March Hare, any of 'em....but damn would I be rich if I did!
It is decided that everyone should tell a tale to make the
journey pass more quickly. They reach the bottom of the
mountains but not before learning a few new things
about each other.
The tales began with Alice, and how her and Hatter really met. That's where Savy wanted to start, and she'd been good enough to speak up when the suggestion occurred to Charlie. “So how you really met,” the little red head said from her perch on the white and brown horse in front of Topper. Topper was still more than annoyed that he was riding on the back of a horse like a girl, but he'd settled comfortably behind Savy, his hands gingerly on her waist just in case she decided to try to throw him off the horse. He still didn't trust her, she was a sneaky sort, as he'd heard many oysters were. In fact he'd heard Alice herself was the sneakiest of them all, he'd heard it from Agent White himself, before you know … the queen took his head.
“Like I said we met in Hatter's tea shop,” Alice said with a wide grin. “I didn't say where the tea shop was, you assumed it was the one in New York.” The dark haired woman wagged one half covered in plum velvet finger at Savy who in turn smirked.
“No, but you sure as hell led me to believe that's the one it was.”
“On with the story,” Duchess chimed in something that sounded like annoyance, no one but her knew it was forced. She was actually enjoying the bickering of the two women that were with her. They seemed so close, and she couldn't help but hope that maybe one day she could be close to someone like that. She'd never had any real friends before, not even Jack was really her friend. Yes, they were friends on some level, but they were more like lovers now. And when you were lovers there was so much attached to that. Lovers didn't tell each other everything like friends did. Lovers kept some things secret. Or at least that's how Duchess thought it should be.
“Right, on with the story,” Alice was a little shocked to see Duchess so intent to hear it, but she didn't mention it. She almost thought maybe the woman was trying to be friends, on some morbid level that only Duchess would understand. Huh, wouldn't that be something? Duchess and Alice friends? Yeah that'd be weird. “Well I suppose I should start at the beginning shouldn't I, with Jack?” Alice eyed Duchess carefully but the other woman just nodded lightly in agreement. “I met Ja-.”
“Wait, Jack as in the king Jack? As in the man we're going to save? As in Duchess' hubby wubby,” Savy asked her red brows raised in excitement.
“One in the same Savy-love,” Hatter said with a frown at the mere mention of Jack. “And save again. Again being the key word. Ge' on with it Alice.”
“Right, so like I was saying I met Jack in one of my karate classes. We started dating soon after.” Alice payed little mind to the way Hatter stiffened at the idea of her and Jack dating. He was the jealous sort, of course, but he'd just have to deal with that particular bit of her past. “Then I brought him home to meet mom. Mo-.”
“Hold up, you were dating the king,” Savy interrupted again and Alice sighed a little before nodding. “So he was in our world then.” Another nod. “How did Carol take to him?” Hatter smirked a little, that was Savy inquisitive as always.
“As I was saying,” Alice said exasperated, “mom took to him as well as to be expected. She thought he was perfect, maybe a little too perfect. Anyways that's when he left the stone of wonderland with me, the stone that runs the mirror.” Alice conveniently left out the fact that Jack had proposed to her, she didn't need to upset Duchess. Duchess had been through enough, and old wounds being opened up were not what she needed right this second. All and all Alice thought herself very considerate for this. “When I followed him to try to return it I was confronted with one of the agents from the White Rabbit-”
“The white rabbit at that time brought your people through the mirror so that they could be drained of their emotions. Then the bottled emotions were sold.” Duchess interjected as explanation for a slightly confused looking Savy. Savy nodded quietly, but vowed to ask more about that later on.
“The man attacked me, and when I chased after him I fell into the mirror and into Wonderland. There I was trapped, escaped, fell into the ocean, and swam into the city. I was confronted with a rat catcher named Ratter, and payed him to help me. Ratter kindly led me to a tea house, Hatter's tea house. The room I entered first reminded me of the stock market with all the people shouting to get their hands on just a few bits of a bigger portion. Of course I was more than confused by the scene I found, the auctioning off of emotions. Ratter returned and pulled me into an office in the back. And that's where I met Hatter who asked me,” Alice left the opening for Hatter.
“Do I need a reason ta 'elp a pretty girl in a very we' dress,” Hatter chimed in triumphantly and grinned widely at Alice who in turn kissed his cheek in an all too mushy way.
Savy made a gagging noise, “I think I'm going to be sick, I'm choking on all this fucking mush.” The gagging noise continued until Alice cut her a sharp look and Savy smirked widely.
“She's right you two are out and out sickening. How in Alfred's name you can live like that I have no idea,” Topper made a disgusted face that had Savy chuckling at him. No, not just chuckling, all out laughing and holding her sides. Topper quirked a dark brow at her in utter confusion. Meanwhile both Hatter and Alice looked at her like the petite red head had lost her mind.
“Savy, are you alright,” Charlie asked from up ahead. “Gagging, and then laughing is never a good sign. I'd suggest you stop doing it, it can't be healthy.” Savy took a deep steadying breath.
“Have you gone mad Savannah,” Topper asked with a frown. “That's Hatter's title.”
“No, I'm sorry, I must just be tired. We have been riding for a long ass time, and I didn't sleep much last night.” Savy shrugged still shaking off the strange fit of chuckles she'd fallen into. She'd never had a fit of chuckles like that, not since her parents were alive. It must be something in the air, yes definitely something in this Wonderland air that was screwing with her. There were no ifs ands or buts about it. It was the air.
“Hand over the reigns,” the boy behind her ordered, and Savy stiffened.
“You could ask fucking nicely instead of fucking ordering me to,” she snapped quickly.
“Savy, I think he's just trying to help,” Alice said calmly with a slight frown. Savy nodded a bit like a scolded kitten and handed the reigns to the set of hands that had moved from her waist to out in front of her. When Savy had seemed to settle, Alice nodded. “Alright I choose Ch-Duchess.” She had almost picked Charlie, but she knew better. They'd be listening to Charlie all day if Charlie had it his way.
"Me," Duchess asked looking confused. What story could she have that they'd want to hear? Her life had been nothing but blank and emptiness.
"Yes, now I realize this is kind of personal but then that's the point isn't it? Ah well, anyways I once heard you referred to as a creation of the queen. What is the story behind that?" Alice knew it was wrong to ask something so personal but she had to know. This very question had haunted her for a long while now every time she thought of Duchess.
Duchess took a deep breath preparing herself for a grim, tragic tale. She never liked to talk about this, and in truth Jack was the only one who knew about it. But then this is what friends did wasn't it? They shared things. So she gulped down the discomfort and thought of the best possible way to begin. "Well it's more complicated than just the thought of her actually creating me, and to tell the truth I don't remember much of it. But I will tell what I remember and what I've learned from others." She gulped down another well of discomfort that had made it's home in her throat. "I was born in a small home in Wonderland to two of the leading members of the resistance. I don't remember those two years I spent in that small house at all, it's as if they never happened." There was a distant look in her pale blue eyes that the entire group recognized as sorrow. The cold woman may not remember that time but she still felt the loss of it. It was something each of them could understand in their own way, they had all felt it. And for some reason it put them all on the same playing ground. They all had something in common. “When the queen killed my parents she took me in, she thought I'd be useful. She saw something in me, I can only assume it was the ability to mold me. From then on I was taught everything I needed to know to be a tool of the queen. So yes, she created me in a way, but no she did not at the same time. And still during that time she could not take away my will.” Duchess inclined her head ever so slightly in a proud manner, and the speechless group around her nodded their heads in understanding. There was momentary silence as the story sunk in before Duchess smirked a little, “now onto the next. I want to know the story of Hatter and Topper's severe dislike.”
Both Hatter and Topper's dark brows shot up simultaneously. “Our story,” Topper asked with a smirk raising the corners of his lips. Hatter didn't like that look, he didn't like that look at all. “You see love, I'm the black sheep of the family. And not for something I myself did, might I add.”
“Wait,” Alice said putting up a hand to stop him from going any further. “The family,” she turned to Hatter with a suspicious look and a slight frown. Hatter's puppy brown eyes fell guiltily.
“Not immediate,” Hatter said to the head of the horse. “Cousins, jus' cousins.”
“I wouldn't let Wolf hear you say that, he'll be positively heart broken over it. You two were like brothers growing up.” Topper was scolding him but there was a smug look of satisfaction on his face. Hatter would very well smack that look right off his cousin's face.
“If I remember righ' ya were too. We didn' leave ya ou' despite wha' he did,” Hatter growled.
“Oh no not right off, never right off. Not when we were children. You wouldn't think of blaming me for what he did when we were just children. Children don't do that. But teens do, oh yes they do. And so did the both of you. The moment it came out that my father caused the death of both of your's all bets were off weren't they Hatter? Wolf and you abandoned me, all to myself to teach myself what I should have you to teach me. Wolf and you were all I had.” Topper's eyes had taken on something like cruelty as he watched Hatter squirm.
“Stop it,” Savy growled eying the hurt face that had taken up residence on Hatter's kind face. “Just stop.”
“Why should I? Because you're telling me to? I was asked to tell a story so I was telling a story. Stop being sentimental,” Topper growled back his eyes glaring sharply at her.
“I'll stop being sentimental the moment you stop being a fucking asshole. You weren't telling a story you were being needlessly vicious. Now stop before I take it upon myself to make you.” Savannah's words were low in her throat, she wasn't just threatening she was being serious. She would force Topper to shut his mouth if she had to. She couldn't stand the distressed look on Hatter's face. Alice didn't know what to say, she couldn't say anything really. She was sitting there dumbfounded, and shocked. How could her Hatter ever disown a family member? Why hadn't her Hatter told her that he had a family? But then he hadn't been her Hatter at all until recently.
“Hatter, is this true,” Alice asked finally once she got a hold of herself.
“Yes. Our father's, Wolf's Topper's and mine, were all a par' of the resistance in their own way. Me father was a spy in the teahouses, a mock teahead pretendin' ta hunt for a fix while he kep' an ear ta the ground. Wolf's father had married a woman from the nine kingdoms, a union of kingdoms jus' over these mountains. He was workin' in the castle as a chef, wonderful cook tha' man. Bu' it was Topper's father, the younges' of them, who was the deepes' in. Topper's father was a suit, and when he was threatened with death he rolled over on 'is brothers. And sweet lil' Topper followed alon' righ' in 'is foo' steps. Didn' ya Top? Turned in Wolf ta the queen, forcin' 'im ta 'ead for the 'ills jus' ta stay alive. Ya know if ya 'adn't turned 'im in he wouldn' have ended up in prison. They'd never 'ave gotten him for sheep worryin' here. Ya know we don' even 'ave any bloody sheep. So you sit there accusin' me! Me! Of disownin' ya withou' a reason?!” Hatter was furious his brown eyes black and lifeless. Alice had moved a hand from his waist to his shoulder and had taken to patting it comfortably. “Yar a righ' blighter tryin' ta blame me for abandonin' ya. I'd lay money yar the one who told the queen Alice 'ad been ta me shop.”
“That wasn't me,” Topper said quietly. Hatter let out a disbelieving grunt, and Topper sighed. “Really it wasn't. That was all Ratter.” Topper's hands went up in defense, but it was no real use. Everyone seemed to fall into an uncomfortable silence. Savy couldn't believe how furious she was with a man-child she hardly knew. Topper had just proven himself to be the most untrustworthy person she could ever come across. A person who gives up there family can never be trusted. Savy would have gladly died just to save her's, but she didn't get that option. When Topper and his father were given the option they rolled over on their family before giving up their lives. It sickened Savy right down to her core.
They sat in silence for a long while until Charlie finally interrupted it. “Well, let's make camp. It's getting dark and traveling these woods in the dark isn't safe. Yes, let's find a clearing and make camp.” Even as he said this he eyed the forest around him in an attempt to find a place to set up camp. A half hour later they were all sitting around a fire carefully avoiding each other's eyes. Topper was the furthest from the fire, and the furthest from everyone else. For some strange reason he felt the need to explain himself, not to everyone but specifically to Savannah. She'd looked like she was furious enough to beat him half to death at the conversation that had occurred, and he wouldn't be surprised if she did. He'd never felt the nagging niggling urge to explain his actions before in his life, not even when he'd been a boy and had been caught stealing an apple by Wolf. But something about the disgusted way Savannah looked at him made him want to explain to her that he'd had to. It had been better that he'd been the one to give Wolf away instead of letting the queen find out herself. He'd given time for Wolf to get away. Hatter just didn't see things the way Topper always had. Topper did what he had to do. He did what Wolf had always taught him, play both sides of the game. Time passed on quietly between the group. Alice and Hatter wandered off to sleep, then Duchess, and finally Charlie dozed in his seat against the log Savy was sitting on.
Topper looked up to see the red haired girl sitting by herself staring into the fire. She looked almost lonely sitting there, so lonely he almost felt he needed to go and sit with her to keep her company. But then he remembered she'd likely rip every strand of hair he had out of his head for what he'd done to his cousins. “You're a right prick, you know that,” a smooth voice asked but her green eyes didn't leave the fire.
“You're not telling me anything I don't know sweetheart,” Topper drawled lazily his eyes fixed on her. She was so interesting, always so interesting. There was just something in the way she held herself that said to him that she held more secrets than anyone knew. Something about the set of her mouth that said that she could take care of herself. Something about that fire in her eyes drew him in to her, whether he knew it or not he found himself taking slow nervous steps towards her. He worried that if he got within arms reach she'd slug him right then and there. Not that he wouldn't deserve it.
“Don't call me that,” it came out as another growl, and Topper stopped moving. The last time she'd made that noise at him he'd ended up with a bruised rib, he should learn to be more careful. Topper went to open his mouth to say something apologize, or explain, or something. “Don't bother.” She cut him to the quick, and stood up. The conversation was over as far as she was concerned. Before Topper had the chance to even say anything else she was gone, off to her cot. He stood after her, watching her walk away and sighed as she melted into the darkness. That blasted girl, that damned girl, and his damned fascination with her, it would be the death of him.
The hours ticked by slowly, and Topper sat silent and still staring into the fire. For hours he just remembered, and thought, and remembered some more. He thought on those days just after his father had turned in Wolf, and Hatter's fathers. The days when everything had seemed to be in flux, nothing was certain. Topper worried constantly in those days that Wolf and Hatter would leave him, and he'd be left to handle everything himself. The following week his father too had been tried for treason and his head had been lopped off. It wasn't until years later that everything had gone horribly wrong between the cousins. Wolf and Hatter were drifting off before Topper even turned Wolf over. They had been slowly drifting apart, and it had been clear that over the years as they all grew up pretty much parent less Wolf and Hatter grew resentful of Topper for what his father had done. And eventually it was easy for Topper to roll over on his eldest cousin just as his father had done with his brothers. He still didn't see what had been so wrong with it, but the disgusted look in those vibrant green eyes had him wondering what it was he had done wrong.
By the time the hours had ticked by into morning Topper had fallen asleep sitting up straight on that log where he'd been thinking to himself. He didn't hear the rustling of the bodies around him. Savy and Charlie were up readying the horses, she hadn't been able to sleep much and when she woke to find Charlie she set to work helping. Savy's eyes wandered toward the sleeping man-child sitting rim rod straight by the glowing embers every once in a while, but they never stayed for long. She still felt disgust well up in her stomach at the mere thought of Topper, and fury clutched her throat. When the horses were done Charlie sent Savy to go rouse everyone from their sleep. Duchess had already joined them, and all that was left was the young couple and Topper. Savy showed a little mercy, and went to wake Hatter and Alice first. “Alice,” she whispered lightly, and the women's eyes popped open immediately. “Time to get a move on. Wake up Hatter.”
“Will do, we should be up in a few minutes,” Alice said already shoving Hatter. Hatter grumbled loudly which earned him another shove. “Go on, I've got him.” Savy nodded and moved back into the clearing. She had the worst temptation to go up to Topper's sleeping form and just shove him so he fell over. Her lip twitched at the mental image of him lying on the ground dazed and confused. Her eyes drifted to Duchess who was wearing a similar smirk. Savy quirked on red brown, and the blonde nodded at her. Well if she hadn't have decided to do it based only upon the still welling anger in her stomach, the look of satisfaction on her now co-conspirator's face was enough to decided it. Savy strode swiftly up to the man-child on the log and shoved him with all her might backward onto the soft grass covered ground.
Topper felt a hard shove in his shoulder, there was some real strength behind that shove, some real feeling behind it. But he didn't take any notice of it until his back hit the ground in a loud thump and he found the breath knocked from his chest. Honey colored eyes popped open wide as he sat up and gasped for air. Those same honey colored eyes fell on the offender and what he found was a smirking Savannah, but the smirk reached her eyes in a weird way almost like a smile. She was staring back at him with those eyes, and he wondered why he kind of liked that. It wasn't reasonable, other than that she was marginally pretty. And Topper had seen pretty, hell he'd seen beautiful, and this slightly awkward tom boy was not it. She didn't even compare to the women of Wonderland. So why in Alfred's name did he find himself so intrigued by her? There was nothing special about her, other than that temper and the ability to probably beat him to death if she so chose. Nothing special at all. And yet, he found himself incapable of not being intrigued by her, of not wondering about what exactly went on in that head of her's. “That,” he coughed gasping for breath. “Was down right asinine, that was,” the words came out breathy and hard as he tried to catch his breath.
“I know,” Savy nodded acknowledging the fact that it had been down right nasty to wake him up that way. She was nothing if not honest, brutally so most of the time. Duchess watched on a bemused smirk on her own face, but for a second she worried the girl would apologize to him for what she'd done. The girl had no reason to apologize, not in Duchess' mind. “But I'm not sorry for it, and I don't think I ever will be,” it was clear, honest and to the point, and with that answer she turned on her heel and strode away from him to Lancelot.
“I wouldn't have expected any less,” Topper grunted a little as he pulled himself to his feet. Duchess continued to watch them, silently. She didn't know where Charlie had wandered off to, but there was nothing as interesting as these two. There was a charming smirk stretching across Topper's features once more as he uttered those words, and she could almost hear Savy's eyes widen in surprise. Obviously the girl had been expecting, as had Duchess, that he'd be infuriated by their little practical joke. No, instead he seemed slightly amused by it.
“You deserved it,” the girl offered not allowing the slight surprise to show through. She would not be taken off guard by a person like Topper. He was an absolute leech.
“You're probably right. If I didn't deserve it for my behavior yesterday than I surely deserved it for something else I've done.” Alright, so maybe he was playing it up a little. Maybe he was being a little more amiable than he really wanted to be. But he really didn't want her to pull a stunt like that again. And like it or not this was probably the best way to go about ensuring that. Surely if he got angry with her she'd just get angry in return and things would escalate. No, this was the best way to handle this.
“I'm glad we're on the same page where your fucked uppedness is concerned.” Savy shrugged not letting him see how much it truly surprised her that she was being met with amiability instead of anger. Usually when she pulled a stunt like that the person would lash out. She was prepared for that. Lashing out meant a fight, and she'd gotten really fucking good at winning fights.
“Alright what twilight zone did I just walk into,” Alice asked drawing attention to herself. Her and Hatter had been standing there watching the entire thing confused, and a little miffed (mostly miffed on Hatter's side).
“Yeah wha' tha bloody 'ell is up with tha agreein' all the sudden,” Hatter asked, but he sounded more bitter and angry than Alice had.
“It's nothing Hatter. Topper was just confessing to me what an utter prick he is, and I was agreeing with him,” Savy said the smirk returning to her face as she turned to meet puppy dog brown eyes.
“Ya know I think if I'd 'eard tha' from any other girl I'd have never believed it. Bu' since its ya we're talkin' bout Savy, I believe it.” Hatter was chuckling now and it seemed like the awkwardness of the moment had passed. Well at least for him. Hatter actually believed it, he knew if anyone could bring Topper down to size it was Savy. The girl had a way about her, there was just no way to not do what she wanted you to. And it seemed like she'd set herself on diminishing Topper's substantial ego. Well, Hatter for one couldn't be more happy. Someone needed to do it. Someone needed to make Topper realize that he'd done wrong. And who better than the slight head strong girl who was willing to put a fist in your face before she let you ask her how her day was? Well no one, that's who. Savy was absolutely perfect for the job. Alice, however wasn't settled at just this. Her eyes remained on the two wearily. She didn't trust Topper, and while she trusted Savy she didn't know how well the girl would stand against a more than slightly good looking, charming, older man. If anything putting them together was just asking for trouble. Especially with Savy's naivety where relationships were concerned.
“You better believe it, she's quite the pill,” Topper's voice was coarse but smooth at the same time. He meant for it to come off as sort of grading, as if Savy's spunk got on his nerves, but he didn't quite manage it. Because honestly though his intrigue in her did annoy him, he couldn't help but respect her for that spunk.
“We should get a move on,” Charlie said coming into the clearing lit only by the early morning sun. No one knew where the knight had been, but one could assume he'd been to the restroom or some other necessity. There seemed to be a mutual nod as all of the caravan hopped back on their horses. Topper hopped on behind Savy without so much as a word, and she was pleased with herself that she wouldn't have to fight with him over it this time. As the horses settled into a comfortable pace their riders settled into a comfortable silence. A silence that left Alice feeling nervous. She didn't need extra time to think about this Topper and Savy business. She needed to not think about it at all or she'd over think it to death.
"I want to hear a story from Savannah," Topper said suddenly breaking the silence. Savy tilted her head to look back at him and frowned. "Well it's my turn to pick. I want to hear one from you."
Savy sighed loudly and turned back to the path ahead. "What is it you want to hear Topper?"
“This fist fight that had you meeting Alice,” Topper had caught the look on her face yesterday when it came up and he found himself just as intrigued, if not more by this story and this girl. A fist fight? Topper was more than intrigued. How could such a slight girl get into a fist fight? Had she won? Had she gotten a black eye? Why had they forced her to take classes with Alice? Was she violent?
Savy sighed heavily, and her shoulders lowered a little. “Alright, but you have to promise not to judge,” Savy didn't wait for them to agree. It was too late, if they were going to judge they were going to judge based on that statement alone. It wasn't good. “There was this kid at my school, he was younger and couldn't take care of himself. A group of the football players were picking on him. He was little, and smart, and he wore really thick glasses. He couldn't stand up for them, so I did,” Savy nodded to herself. “He couldn't do anything, but I could. So I did. I stood up to them when he couldn't. And it got me in trouble. I didn't get into a fight in school, but the boys followed me home. They ganged up on me, it didn't end well for me. I didn't win. But when the whole thing was taken to court it was said that I had been the one who attacked first, and I was put away for a week. A week in prison for something I didn't even start, and I got the worst end of. Then by court mandate I took Alice's class. So you see, I really didn't start that fight. Of course I had started fights many times before, and been warned. But this one hadn't been my fault.”
Alice nodded lightly. She could understand that. She could understand why Savy would get into fights. She could understand why Savy would stand up for people weaker than her. Alice had been that girl once, the girl who got into fights with bullies. Alice had been there, and so she understood it. “Now why would we think any less of you for that? I used to do the same thing when I was a kid.” Alice shrugged, and was met with bright green eyes and a slight grin. “No worries Savy.” But it was the reaction Topper, Hatter, and Charlie were giving her that were making her uncomfortable. Their mouths were agape, and their eyes were wide.
“What,” Savy asked shifting uncomfortably on her horse.
“You'll have to pardon them,” Duchess said calmly, “in our world girls don't do things like that. They don't get into fights to stand up for people. It's just not done.”
“Well where we're from if you don't stick up for yourself no one else will,” Savy said shrugging. There was silence for a little while. Confusion swept Charlie he couldn't really imagine a girl having to stand up for herself. Even with Alice he'd had trouble understanding how she could take care of herself. Hatter was a little different, he was only confused as to why a girl so young had to take care of herself. A girl as young as Savy shouldn't know what it was to get into a fist fight. She shouldn't know what it was to be behind bars. All of this new information only intrigued Topper further. He'd never met a girl who got into fist fights regularly. Nor one who had been in jail for a stint. She was just getting curiouser and curiouser. No, she did not compare to the beauties of Wonderland. But something about that didn't seem to phase his intrigue because she had so many other interesting things about her.
“Well,” Hatter started pulling everyone out of their revelry, that seemed to be happening a lot recently. “I for one want to know about the Gravity Assisted Snare Mach one two and three.” There was a wide smirk spread across his features, and Alice was giggling ridiculously behind him. Savy only quirked a brow, but didn't receive an answer. She was left to assume that it had something to do with Alice, Hatter, and Charlie's past. This being the case she would be left in the dark. Savy didn't like being left in the dark, it made her feel left out, but she didn't mention this.
Charlie's eyes brightened, “Ah, my inventions! I have wanted for so long to discuss my thought process with other minds. You know being a lone knight as I am can be awful taxing to the psyche when you'd like to share ideas. There is no one to discuss my thoughts with, to give me criticisms. You have to admit that would make it hard for anyone to invent anything. How was I to think of small improvements all on my own?”
“You must just be a brilliant man,” Savy said with a slight snicker that Charlie didn't hear.
“Right you are young Plain Old Savy. Brilliant indeed!” And he was off, on a rant. It would be easy to ignore said rant, but everyone actually found themselves quite interested, and relieved to hear a story that didn't include fist fights, stabbing family members in the back, or death of parents. “Well as you can assume the mach one was merely a pit. Just a pit I tell you, not even a very big pit at all. I thought perhaps the best would break it's leg that way and I could dispatch of it. Unfortunately that attempt did not work. The blasted thing, although had broken it's leg, was still just as vicious. It very nearly ate my leg as I tried to slay it through the heart. Wouldn't you know it breaking the dreadful thing's leg did little to hinder its movement. Even I was surprised,” Charlie scoffed to himself. “The mach two was next. I knew I needed to improve it, but how? The only thought that occurred to me was to make it bigger. Bigger, yes it must be bigger to trap the beast entirely. It took weeks to dig the new pit, but eventually it was dug. Then came the true test, catching the beast. Well I lured him back to my trap, and wouldn't you know it he fell right on in! It seemed like the absolutely perfect plan, until I realized it's neck was still long enough to reach me. So it was back to the drawing board! And draw I did. I thought of the best way to subdue the creature, there had to be a way after all. So I dug another pit, the Mach three mark my words, and put large boulders in the bottom of it. I hoped maybe the thing would fall, crack its head, and go unconscious. It seemed like a reasonable assumption as that's what would happen with a human being. Lucky you two were you fell into the mach four instead of the mach three. Bleeding all over the place you would have been.”
“Yes, and lucky we didn' ge' impaled with a bloody stake,” Hatter grumbled. “Or did ya forge' that's wha' was at tha bottom of tha' pi'?”
“Hush, hush my boy. No one spoke while you were telling your story, and this is mine. Don't forget you asked for this story after all, it's not as if I merely volunteered it. As I was saying, the mach three had several large boulders at the bottom of it. Surely the hellish being would fall to it's doom at the bottom of my pit. I feared not for my failure this time. Leading the wretched thing to it I watched proudly as it dropped in. But wouldn't you know it Jabberwocks always land on their feet?” Charlie didn't notice the perplexed looks he was getting from everyone around him, he was too engrossed in his story. “Yes, just like cats they are, wretched creatures. So my boulders did nothing to stop the monstrous being. Finally I decided spikes would be the best thing for the job. After all a sword was what I would use to slay the beast, so spikes must be what I use to harm it. And lo and behold what should fall into the Gravity Assisted Snare Mach four but Alice of Legend and her Harbinger.” The story ended with a flourish of Charlie's arms, and a giggling protruding from Alice.
“Still the harbinger as always Hatter,” Topper said with a smirk. “Always the sidekick, never the hero.
“I would not be making fun of Hatter, you too are a Harbinger,” Charlie sputtered out causing Topper's smirk to fall and his eyes to widen. “Yes, you are not the hero here, it is Plain Old Savy that is. And you my dear friend are nothing but her servant. That is what I brought you along for.” The giggles couldn't be contained anymore, and Alice broke into all out laughter. Savy, Hatter, and Duchess too were laughing loudly while Topper looked dumbfounded, and Charlie as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
“Why am I her sidekick,” Topper asked with a growl. They had pulled into a clearing and were about to set up camp. The day had gone by much faster with the addition of stories, and Charlie's lunacy.
“Simple my boy, it is well known in our world that the best heroes are always women.” Savy's brows rose, and she put up a finger to ask a question. “Yes, I know Savy, I did say women didn't take care of themselves here, but that doesn't mean they are not heroes. With a little help from a harbinger,” Charlie nodded at Topper, “ a woman can do anything. She just cannot get her hands dirty, or her face injured in fist fights. That's why you have Topper.” It seemed like the discussion was all settled in Charlie's mind, but Topper sputtered with indignation. How could he, Topper, be the sidekick to this scrawny thing? Sure she could hold her own, but he her sidekick? Ridiculous!
“I'd advise jus' lettin' it go Top, Charlie still calls me tha'. It ain' gonna change,” Hatter said with a good natured smirk. Topper's gaping mouth shut with a click of teeth, and the conversation was over. It was clear Charlie was a lunatic, and so there was no real reason to argue with him. After a long day of riding everyone was ready for a rest, and soon they were all in their beds sleeping soundly.