The Hatter's Tea Party (Part Two)

If you missed the beginning, this link will take you back to Part One: https://beekaydubya.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-hatters-tea-party-part-one.html

DAY FOURTEEN (December 12th), 8:01 am

Everyone ignores the rabbit that ran up to the party to address them.  The group, aside from Korbin, slows when they see the gathered revelers at the table.  The crow flies across the open space and alights on the table and begins pecking at cookies, crumpets, and slurping tea from a dainty porcelain cup.

Raven and Kysek both frown suspiciously at the tea party and its guests.  Kysek’s hand slides inside his cloak and his fingers brush against the wand of lightning secreted within a hidden pocket, unwilling to risk his life any more than necessary following the battle with the Jabberwock while Raven’s fingers rest lightly on the hilt of Nightwatcher, sure that their companion seated at the table is the bait in some sort of trap.

Ra’ziir nods in greeting and says “Hello” to the partiers while sweeping his vision across the entire area, calling upon his arcane sight and notes a pervasive aura of enchantment all around him, the party, and those seated at the table. 

Several party members call out to Desmond in greeting, asking where he has been and if he is well as none of the group have seen him since he disappeared shortly after entering Wonderland.  The former sergeant returns their greetings and explains that he’s not sure where he has been and that his memory is hazy from the time the group emerged from the Three Pigs’ Fortress until now.

Cedron observes everything as well, although, unlike Ra’ziir, he is more interested in the social make-up of his would-be hosts.  He takes note of the food and tea service and pulls his blindfold down over his eyes.  The mystical cloth, taken from the vampire Akivasha on the Isle of Iron Statues, responds to his mental commands, changing the appearance of his clothing into raiment more suitable for a casual party.

Arthur stands in the road looking at the table before approaching Drax.  The First Paladin of Malazzarr asks the assassin if he wants to come with him to scout ahead.  Drax nods, “Go on, I will cover you.”  As Arthur strides forward, weaving around the large table, the Greyhawk native slips away, disappearing into the forest alongside the narrow highway.  Niklas moves in a wide arc, keeping the man with the hat in sight at all times.

The hare clears his throat, trying to get the group’s attention once more when the circular door on the front of the house slams open.  A white rabbit with a red overcoat, dark yellow vest, red bowtie and gray trousers emerges a moment later.  He grimaces when he sees the brown hare trying to talk to the party and runs over in a huff, crying out, “Nonononononono!  That is not your job, March Hare!  You shoo and let me attend to these visitors.  Move along now!  I haven’t time to dally!  Your nonsense is going to make me late for my appointment with the Queen!”

The brown hare turns, startled by the white rabbit’s sudden appearance and bolts for the safety of the long table.  The tiny mouse clinging to its shoulder slips and slides around on its jacket but manages to maintain its grip despite the jostling gait of his companion.

The White Rabbit reaches the party and comes to a stop about five feet away.  He clears his throat, shoots the March Hare one last glance, and then stands at attention, “Congratulations, stout heroes! You have reached the Eighth Square and are, therefore, invited to join our party where you shall be given the appropriate honors!”  Over at the table, the March Hare mimics the White Rabbit’s stance and mouths the words in sync with the speaker, much to the delight of the Dormouse and the Hatter.

The Hatter, while pouring tea for Korbin, also offers the bird some thick slices of bread smeared with a generous helping of honey.  He looks up, as if noticing us for the first time and a wide grin splits his face, “Come!  Come!  Join us!  You’re all just in time for tea!  It’s the best tea!  With the best butter and the best scones!  Come, come, and sit with us!  Time for tea!”

Despite the group’s desire to find the Rabbit Hole and escape from this strange land, there is something compelling about the table, the food, the aroma of confectionaries and tea, the jovial companionship of the party’s guests and the Hatter’s voice that makes the thought of sitting down for a spot or two of tea and some polite conversation seem like a nice change from the dangerous battles they have faced ever since their arrival here.  Plus, the king himself said that the tea was quite excellent so what could it possibly hurt…?