Inhaling deeply; the world started to settle back to its almost original shape. I kept grasping at my throat, expecting to feel a sharp shard poking through my skin- to feel blood or pain or something real enough to justify the panic still rattling through me. I felt fine though, unnervingly so, as if my body had decided to lie to me. The pain faded slowly, like it was being pulled away against its will. I couldn’t tell if that meant I had been saved or if something worse was waiting for me to notice.
I pulled his hands from cupping my face and wiped off some of the cupcake icing that was still on my lips. Wait, what did he just do?! “I barely know your nickname, much less your real name and you kiss me?!" Hatter grabbed his hat that had fallen onto the ground, a chuckle escaping.
"You were DYING, aren’t you an ungrateful gremlin. NOW- not so much, a simple thank you would suffice." He made a grand gesture with his hat in hand and makes a sweeping bow.
“Whatever that fluid was supposed to do must have failed—why?” I realized I'm yelling. I felt close to death and wanted answers- even if the pain had subsided it didn't mean I was safe. Hatter winked and the cage around the bunnies vanished. They both came running up to me and circling my feet as if they were going to anchor me to the spot by doing this.
"It was a trick; once a Tower- always a Tower. It will always be two sides of one card; but for him it's usually both." Hatter jumped onto the table and started kicking plates and glasses over looking for something. "I've seen that fluid before, heard they were called HAB; most unusual for a name. That stone though, it comes from death in your world but breathes life here. It's a hard cure to come by, I know from experience. Seer- you could have given me a heads up." Oh, so it that the entities name?
"What do you mean my world?" I barely whisper. Seer? I don't think I'm truly in Ireland anymore, this isn't a dream... I really am in another land or world.
"Now, now. Hush children, it's time for introductions!" The man appeared to have forgotten what had just played out — or perhaps he simply chose to move past it — but his smile never once faltered. As if I hadn’t just nearly died for his amusement! My chest tightened the same way it does right before remembering something I don’t want to.
"Oh, I love this part, it always signifies union," The beautiful woman spoke while dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. "But where are the flowers?" A butterfly landed on the Seer's head, and she giggled. What’s wrong with its wings? Something about it felt very misplaced. Not dangerous, just early, like it had arrived before it was supposed to. It fluttered quietly by, then burst into raining flower petals all over the table. Rose petals? The petals felt less like a celebration and more like a promise that had been waiting a long time to be kept. Why are they purple though?
Houdini started scratching at my leg, I picked him up gently and stroked his left ear that was always upright. "It's okay baby, mommy's okay." A quick kiss on the bridge of his nose helped remind me that I'm truly alive- no matter where I physically am right now.
"Now Houdini, don't tell me you are such a momma's boy these days?" The man held his stomach with a great boom of laughter. Then he stood up stiffly as he was clearing his throat and pretending to straighten a tie- though he wasn't wearing one. Wait, why did he say 'who are you' when it seems like he does know us now?
The Seer let the smile of an angel bloom on her face, true serenity. "He will always be his mother's child." She had chosen a pomegranate gracefully from the table and floated it in the air between her hands; softly peeling the fruit as if it were a banana. "You just know I love the taste of symbolism!"
The man looked at her with an eyebrow raised and rolled his eyes. Then upon standing- his dingy, old, woven cloak and tunic turned into a gothic brocade 3 pieces business suit. He then went rigid like a man in uniform, “I am who they call the Great Cheshire- Guardian of the Tower. But you may call me- your honor." Instead of reaching out to shake hands, he put his hand over his heart- as if in salute. At my feet, Frankie huffed loudly after a second of silence. "Why can't you let me have nice things, Francine?" He practically hissed at her too, like Hatter had done before! "FINE! We should all be presentable then, now that we know all will be presented to the next round."
"Don't you want to even know my name?" How freaking rude, but I guess that means I really will live then? Way to bypass that fact altogether too, asshat.
He waves his hand to reveal everyone’s outfits had changed! No cupcake smears on tabletops or poison dripping from the scales either. Everything looked, I dare say, somewhat ordinary except for the exceptionally long table of now fresh, hearty food. Well, that and what we were now wearing- a medieval or Renaissance type of vibe. I was now wrapped in shadows of deep purple and black, layered skirts and flowing sleeves that whisper of old magic. Cheshire stretched casually, lapis-blue brocade glinting mischievously, every sharp edge and tailored fold came a promise of hidden tricks. "Silly girl," he almost purred out the words. "Why else would we be here if it wasn't you Katrina?" Both him and the Seer laughed lightly.
Hatter shifted sharply- he had finally found his gun. As he grabbed the weapon it turned into a water gun in his hand, lightly dripping water into a tea cup. “Very funny, we had a deal Chess! No magic on MY land!” He was now wearing emerald green. It's catching the light across his slightly rugged and asymmetrical, huntsman-inspired coat and gear.
Wow, he cleans up nice when his clothes are untouched by cake, dirt or gun residue.
