Finnius Farnums Fantastical Circus
Title: Finnius Farnums Fantastical Circus - An Alice in Wonderland Story
Verse: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland 2010
Characters: Alice Kingsleigh, Tarrant Hightopp, Finnius Farnum, and all the other denizens of Wonderland
Pairings: Alice/Hatter
Rating: PG13, Mild menace, angst, general Underland weirdness
Alice has returned to Underland to stay, living her dream, married to the man, the hatter, she loves. But she’s not the only Topsider in Underland anymore. Men from above have found their way through the rabbit hole. Seeing fortune to be made, Finnius Farnum wants to use the denizens of Wonderland in his traveling circus. Now hunting parties are on the prowl in Wonderland to bring back specimens.
When the Hatter comes upon the White Rabbit caught in a snare and tries to help he ends up caught by Topsiders himself. Taken above ground, the Hatter must adjust to life above, while Alice seeks to marshal a rescue party.
Meanwhile, the White Queen makes the hard decision that the hole must be filled in so that others cannot follow. Time is running out for Alice to retrieve the Hatter and the other citizens of Wonderland.
..........
“Good morning, my love,” the Hatter sing-songed as he nearly flew down the stairs and ran to the door. “I’m very late.”
Alice stood with a buttered biscuit in her outstretched hand, “Wha.. wait. Late? Where are you off to?”
Hatter sniffed the air and his smile grew. With a slide and a step he came to stand next to her. Lightly he kissed her cheek and snagged the biscuit with a flourish. “Why it’s the hare’s un-birthday today. I’m headed to the meadow for the party.”
“Another un-birthday?” She smiled, “That’s the third this week.”
“Is it? Time is so.. pointless,” he stated and shoved the biscuit into his mouth.
“Then how can you be late?” she tossed back with a grin.
“Because he’s there and I’m here,” he mumbled, his cheeks puffed out with biscuit.
She couldn’t fault his logic. “But wasn’t the queen expecting you? You're making all the hats for the upcoming masquerade,” she reminded him. Alice could never be certain what Tarrant remembered from day to day. It wasn’t that he was forgetful but his thoughts were never quite linear. He remembered everything, just not always when you needed him to.
His madness hadn’t really lessened since the final battle with the jabberwocky but the instances of rage had mellowed and for that she was grateful. Red-eyed Hatter was a trifle bit scary. “You wouldn’t want to disappoint her.”
“I would never disappoint a lady,” he replied with a wink. “Ahh, I have been woefully remiss dear Alice, I should have inquired rather you would like to attend the festivities. It should be quite the event.” The Hatter cocked his head, “Well, at least good for a giggle anyway.”
“Uh huh, I’m still trying to get the tea stains out of my yellow dress from the last time I attended a tea party with that lot.”
Hatter waved his hands around enthusiastically, “You just need to learn to dodge better, bob and weave.. duck and cover, dive for cover, dash and doodle, run and hide, covertly conceal and...”
“Hatter...”
“Or we could have you wear a large bib,” he finished in one breath.
“You go ahead,” she chuckled. “I’m headed to the castle so I’ll let her majesty know that you will be to see her later.”
Hatter nodded agreeably.
“That means today Hatter, before the sun sets. You won't get distracted will you?”
“What did you say?” he questioned innocently. When Alice’s brow furrowed he erupted into giggles. “I won't forget my sweet.”
Hatter swept her into his arms with gusto and kissed her quite thoroughly. “That always improves my memory,” he commented.
“In a case like that, you must have a truly remarkable memory by now,” she offered with a knowing smile.
“I’m working on it daily, I assure you.” He gave her a jaunty wave as he skipped out the door.