Welcome to Wonderland [Open Post]

[teapotts]

⪧ Found a Fallen Oyster;

You've woken in a box, no memory of how you've gotten here and no idea why there's a strange ivy tattoo now on your person. You aren't given much time to consider it either as the floor beneath you gives way and you're sent crashing into an ocean. Perhaps you manage to swim to the docks in the distance, perhaps some kind soul traveling by boat pulls you to safety-either way, you find yourself on the docks on a strange city. The few people lingering the streets run when they notice your tattoo.  All except for one man.

Why's Hatter in such a rough part of town? That might have something to do with the contraband tucked in his pockets. When he spots the tattoo, his face lights up and he introduces himself with a flourished bow. 

"Well, well. Aren't we looking a lost soul? I get the feeling you could use a bit of a helping hand."


⪧ Instant Gratification At A Price;

You've stumbled into the Tea Shop, a strange market where everyone isn't screaming for stocks but instead trying to price emotions. The shop is chaos. A small man at the front is showing off a small bottle of green liquid, claiming that excitement is down in price for the next five minutes only. A few men are squabbling in the corner over an ounce of joy. A frantic woman is offering a few drops of passion in exchange for a meal.  Everyone is shouting, a fight may break out at any minute.

A man appears to your left, a teacup in hand. It smells herbal, but with all the strange liquids passing hands it's hard to tell what he's drinking. He takes a sip, snorts as a punch is thrown. "To think, we haven't even brought out the Satisfaction yet." 

He turns, casting a considering look. "You're not not joining the fray. Not interested in the usual wares? Bored with being happy?" He sounds like he's reciting a sales line. "Perhaps you need a taste of something more exotic, hm?"


⪧ Whole New World?;

He's shown up out of nowhere, dusting off his leather jacket and moodily adjusting his hat. You think he may have stepped through the mirror just behind him, though that must be just a trick of the light. No one can just walk through a mirror, can they? Even if he keeps shooting the mirror strange, dirty looks. 

When he catches your eye, Hatter puts on a clearly forced smile still eyeing his reflection like he expects his mirror self to come jumping out. "Yes, you there! Hello. Not to bother, but you wouldn't happen to know where we are, now would you?"

 

⪧ Wildcard;

[Got something in mind? Leave a prompt below and we'll rock it.]

Comments

At a price

[professorsong]

River leaned back in her chair slightly, enjoying the show. She'd enjoy it more with a glass of wine and some good company. And then as it usually did, the universe granted half her wish. "This isn't the first time I've seen emotions for sale," she said sounding mildly amused but not overly invested. "And it won't be the last. I prefer to get my emotions more organically. But the show is amusing at least."

And she had it on good authority something interesting was going to happen that would be quite profitable in the end....

[teapotts]

"I'd reckon it wouldn't be, unless you'd just woken from a coma." He narrows his eyes at her, casting sidelong glances at some of his workers passing by. So few people of Wonderland would admit to being a hold out against the Queen's drug of choice, at least not freely. Maybe a spy had been sent after him, trying to suss out what sides he was playing.

"Organic's all well and good, if you can find someone to push your buttons the right way. Make your heart beat to a little joy, give you the high of a little thrill. Hatter shrugs, mockingly sighing and looking over the crowd with affected wistfulness. "By why leave it up to chance? So many people disappoint."

He smiles, suddenly turning on the charm. Spy or not, he was a salesman in the end. "Except for good old Hatter, of course."

[professorsong]

She chuckled a bit at the woken from a coma comment. Ah, if only he knew, but that was what made the game so much fun. "Oh that's easy enough to find, if you know the right people. And even if you don't, usually you push their buttons, they'll push yours." And like the Doctor, she couldn't resist pushing buttons.

"You're claiming this Hatter won't disappoint? I should ask in what, I do have rather high standards for the company I keep, after all," she teased with a smirk. She presumed he was Hatter, but where the Doctor always prefered to act like he had all the answers, she found a great value in ignorance - feigned or admitted. Lesson she learned from the Doctor, people liked to talk, to show off. She prefered not to commit. Unless it was useful.

[teapotts]

"Ah, but the right people are so hard to find. That's the problem." Always the problem in his world. Everyone was either out of their mind with drugs and madness or bottled up in fear. "And we all know pushing the wrong person's buttons is a quick way to trouble."

His eyebrows leap up, all mock surprise. His smile does turn a shade sharper, just for a moment showing a hint of actual amusement. "Naturally. Hatter would never disappoint, it's a personal motto. And in anything. Everything. You know where the name comes from, don't you? Why a man can be called a Hatter?"

[professorsong]

"Oh, but trouble is the quickest way to exciting emotions," she said, grinning. "Sometimes the wrong person is exactly who you need. Sometimes... the wrong person... isn't."

"Oh, I can think of lots of ways a man could get any nickname. Even that one. Though if the hat in question is a fez or a stetson, I should warn you, I am always armed."

[teapotts]

"Exciting maybe, but not always positive ones." Which was all they were allowed to sell. He was beginning to suspect this woman was not on the up and up.

"Armed?" He laughs, bitter and disbelieved. Definitely not on the up. "Hardly something to admit to the owner of a business that doesn't allow weapons, don't you think? It would be very easy for me to kick you out and call the Queen's guard."

He frowns, lower his cup and raising his chin. "Just who are you?"

[professorsong]

"If you only experience the positive emotions, that's hardly a life. And besides, one person's pain is another person's pleasure. I think fear is one of the most exhilarating emotions a person can have, and without it, how can you ever have any real trust? And there is something pure and cleansing about sorrow."

"Oh you could, that could even be fun. But I don't think you will," she said, leaning forward and smiling. "Because I'm a mystery now. A curiosity. And even knowing I'm armed, I haven't hurt anyone. Not yet. And you've got to be wondering if I would. And just how amusing I can be without getting to that point."

"Just who am I?" She grinned. "I'm not JUST anyone, and I assure you, no name, no short answer could ever be enough to sate your curiosity."

[teapotts]

The teacup gets handed off to a bewildered passing attendant. He turns to her fully, staring her down like he expects to see through her, discover just what has walked through his doors. His eyes narrow further when he doesn't see anything out of the ordinary.

"There's no one in the Queen's country who rejects the positive and no one but her majesty that orders for pain. None of her subjects would come into my shop talking like that." It's a speech more for show than agreement. Letting people know what he really thinks would be an quick ticket to the guillotine.

He casts a glance to the crowd, gestures until Hatter's sure the Dormouse working the podium has seen him. Another gesture and the Dormouse is announcing the prices in the shop have suddenly dropped. In the ensuing chaos, Hatter knows no one will be paying either of them much attention.

"I think we should go upstairs to my office. It sounds like there could be a lot you would like to say that neither of us might want reaching the wrong ears."

[professorsong]

She looked almost amused at the speech as she listened, and she didn't miss the exchanged look.

"As I do not know which ears are the wrong ones yet, I can't say I've any driving need to keep my words from them, but I would be more than content to change the venue," she said, standing. "Especially if you have wine."

Found a fallen, if you don't mind Kingdom Hearts Spoilers...

[nobodys_puppet]

How... Where? The girl wasn't even aware of the offer of help at first. Her sodden black jacket dripped on the beach. People running away from her hadn't bothered her so much as having been seen bothered her. Once they had all gone she had fixed her hood, unaware of the tattoo on her lower jaw and cheek, but used to keeping her hood up around strangers. Then she had started searching for sea shells. So it took her a moment to realize someone had spoken.

She turned slowly, the heel of her boot sinking into the sand as she looked at him from under her hood.

Tis fine!

[teapotts]

He raised an eyebrow, clicking his tongue. Forget the Oyster mark, though with it's obvious placement he wouldn't be surprised if they weren't swarmed by the Queen's guards soon. Her attire was going to catch just as much attention. No one walked around so closed off unless they had something to hide and Wonderland had long lost its taste for mystery.

"It's your business and all love, but if you go waltzing around like that you're going to get caught quicker than a cat can catch a momerath." Hatter crossed his hands behind his back and nodded to the line of buildings several feet ahead of them. "If you'd like to not get carted off by the angry suits, I suggest taking a short walk with me."

[nobodys_puppet]

Yeah, being spoken to was even worse than being seen, and even more confusing than being run away from. She took a step back, arm moving in front of herself in what might have been a defensive posture if she was holding a shield or a weapon. But other than the small shell in her other hand, she held nothing.

She wanted to talk, wanted to ask who he was, where she was, why he was talking to her, but she was too afraid. She shouldn't be here.

She shouldn't be. Not anymore.

She stepped back again and stopped as ocean water hit the back of her tall boot. She was out of obvious escapes.

[teapotts]

He takes the steps back as a sign of fear, some poor little Oyster running away from the first strange man they met in a strange world. There are many times he'd like to consider himself intimidating, but Hatter knows he doesn't look that different from anything in the human world. The first Alice certainly hadn't found a reason to fear any Wonderlander by appearance alone.

But maybe the first Alice had been a rarity among the humans. She'd managed to braver than anyone from his world he'd ever known, at the least.

"I'm not your enemy here." He tries to soften his approach, speak softer. Hatter holds out his hands, trying to show he has no weapons. Of course, he's never needed a weapon, but he sees no reason to let anyone in on that. "You could stay out here if you like, but I don't think you fancy being kidnapped again. I'm trying to prevent that."

[nobodys_puppet]

"Kidnapped.... again....?" she asked finally, her voice hardly more than a whisper. She threw a hand to the side, as if she expected something to happen. Nothing did. She turned and faced the way she had gestured, and tried again. Nothing. She tried again, fingers trembling on the third attempt.

[teapotts]

"Again? This happen to you often?" He can't help the sarcasm from seeping into his voice. "But yes. Kidnapped. How did you think you got here?"

He knew they tended to keep the Oysters under until they were brought to the casino, maybe the experience effected memory too. It's not like he'd had much opportunity to ask.

"What are you doing?" That's something he does have time to ask. He looks to where she's gesturing, seeing nothing. "We really need to leave."

[nobodys_puppet]

"You're the one who said it," she pointed out. She flicked her hand to the side again, in desperation. Still no dark portal.

"What I am trying to do is leave." And it wasn't working. She tried again, shaking all over now with fear and frustration.

[teapotts]

He frowns, looking around furtively. "I don't think interpretive dance is your ticket out of here. Look little Oyster, this is a public place and I imagine it won't take long for word to get out that someone's here that ought to not be. You stay out here and the Queen's guard will be soon after."

He takes a step back. "If you fancy having your mind messed with, go ahead and wander free. I don't get between man and their vices. But if you don't want your brain turned to soup in that head of your's, then I know bleeding hearts that just love helping people like you."

Instant Gratification

[radioactivedonuts]

Ghoul had heard early on that the Tea Shop was the place to go when one needed something like instant emotion - which also meant it was a good place to potentially barter. So he'd come to the shop, hands in his pockets as he watched the chaos unfolding around him. It certainly was an interesting sight.

He notices the man out of the corner of his eye before he speaks, but when he does Ghoul can't help but snort. "Reckon yer gonna need some armor or shit for the riot that'll start."

Finally, he takes a hand out of his pocket, readjusting the strap of his backpack. "Depends, what'cha got?"

[teapotts]

Hatter's lips quirk into a small smile, half hidden as he quickly takes another sip of tea. As if he'd be the one to stop any forthcoming fights. The perk of owning a business was paying someone else to do the dirty work. "Hardly. I'll just loudly inform them that anyone caught causing trouble won't ever be allowed back in. If they don't want to hike halfway across the city for higher priced goods, they'll behave."

He watches Ghoul's hand move, the sharp glint of his eye expecting a weapon to appear though he tries to pass it off with a sudden sunny smile. There was no such thing as being too careful in his line of work. "Everything that any empty little heart could want. Superiority to lord over your foes. Clear conscience to wipe away old guilts. A little lust to sink hooks into a special someone."

A slight pause as he takes another sip, the tilt of his head thoughtful. "Mixtures, for those who're feeling daring. Maybe missing the old allure of madness. Joy and violence, the feel of soaring high and anticipation, grandeur and desire. Not, of course," he says dryly, "that her majesty supports such practices nor would a reputable seller encourage someone towards mixing doses."

But he was hardly what anyone could call reputable.

"If you feel you've been missing something, I'm sure we could figure out a replacement."

[radioactivedonuts]

"Guess that's a way t' handle shit like that." And most likely effective. The Tea Shop had the best deals in town, and Ghoul wasn't sure anyone really wanted to walk across the city for something they could get for half the cost.

While the sharp glint flies passed Ghoul unnoticed he can't help but give Hatter a bit of a peculiar look at the suddenly sunny smile... Then again. Business. Salesman are supposed to be happy.

"Of course, why ever would her Majesty want people to have a little fun every once and a while." Her responds dryly, pivoting on the ball of his foot to properly face the Hatter.

"'fraid I don't got much in the way of money."

[teapotts]

"I've been told I'm rather good at, well, handling shit." He gives another brief, half hidden smile. It might be work for the Queen but he'll be damned if he doesn't take any pride in it.

"I'm sure that many would say our Queen only wants to protect the people and make sure they have appropriate levels of fun." It's a chore to keep from rolling his eyes at the statement but he's have years of practice forging compliments to the system. No safer place than the enemies good side.

"Well, that is bold of you. I don't know if I'd have the guts to walk into a shop broke and ask for specialized items." Hatter looks far more intrigued than ready to boot Ghoul, however. "If you don't have money, I'll assume you have another idea how to pay me. No one would be crazy enough to walk in here without something to offer."

A Fallen Oyster - Well you did say both...

[serenesuccessor]

Naomi's not sure what happened. One second she was walking along the street eating ice cream with her friends the next she was in a box. Her breath caught in her throat, panic settling in almost immediately as she tried to find a door. It was only a few seconds later, though, that the floor gave way. An ear piercing scream ripped from her throat as she flailed her arms, eyes wide as she hit the water.

She surfaced, coughing and spluttering water as she took a few moments to just tread water and stare at the sky to see what she could only describe as an airship with hanging boxes passing by. That was... That was new. She swallowed, then looked around spotting land not too incredibly far.

So she swam, pulling herself to shore where she sat shivering for another few moments before she slowly got to her feet. The tears had started flowing then, although it was hard to tell due to how drenched she was. The tears only became sobs as everyone she tried to ask for help ran from her. All except one man.

Normally the introduction would've garnered a smile from her or a little giggle. Perhaps a silly curtsy in return. Today all it garnered was a hiccup and nod. "Wh-Where am I?"

So I did! <3

[teapotts]

Crying. It wasn't something he'd dealt with since the last time he'd broken it off with one of the card girls. Even then he'd just suggested she have a lot of cake and ran off before she could throw something at him.

Hatter wasn't particularly good at any emotion that wasn't sold in a bottle.

"Wonderland." He stood awkwardly, trying not to look directly into her face. She was young looking and it almost made him feel bad, knowing the Queen's casting a wider net. They'll end up with a gaggle of Oysters as young as the first Alice before long. "The Queen of Heart's country, to be more precise."

<3!

[serenesuccessor]

"Th-this isn't Wonderland." She says it with a surprising amount of certainty. At least more certainty then she should have while crying. Naomi rubs her eyes, tugging the collar of her t-shirt up to wipe her eyes and nose. "Wonderland's s'pose to b-be colorful."

And this place looked pretty dreary.

"'nd th-the Queen's s'pose to ha-have flower gardens."

At least that's what Disney's taught her!

[teapotts]

"Oh, this is Wonderland." Hatter spreads out his arms and gives a mocking bow. "This is Wonderland after our little Alice brought down the house of cards and showed a very angry Queen a glimpse of what lay beyond the mirror."

If he sounds bitter, it's because he is. Bitter down to the bone, at the Wonderland he's watched twist and die around him. It wasn't a place for children anymore. It wasn't a place for anyone anymore.

"The gardens are gone, replaced by the Casino. And the color's are all the Queen's red. Whatever stories you've heard about this place haven't been true for over one of your centuries."