The road to Wonderland
Reginald was setting up the tea party for three today. Oh, three people! It hasn’t been that many in ages! How exciting this was! He hummed as he decorated the table with tea pots and cups and cakes and jams and cookies and everything you could imagine. He sang his usual mantra of “Cleeean cup~ Mooove down~” as he scooted the chairs in and then out again when he heard a familiar voice call out his name. “Jeeeeeeervis~~” he called back with glee. He listened for a reply and laughed. “Well, hurry, you two~! You’re both incredibly late for your own party~!” He chuckled and turned to the gate where they would be entering from.
Before long he saw them. Jervis and then Alice. Hand in hand. Reginald smiled and walked over to them with open arms. “Jervis! Alice~!” He laughed and hugged Jervis before moving to Alice and embracing her briefly. “You found your way, I hope~? No cats to drive you mad~?” He giggled and turned on his heel, heading back to the table with an obvious excitement about him. “Well come come, my dears~ We musn’t waste any time~!”
Alice tries so hard not to break into a giggling fit at the entire situation. She’s in wonderland with Jervis and THE Mad Hatter. But she does her best, though her grin is not nearly as well hidden.
“So sorry to keep you waiting. Traffic today is awful.” She apologizes as Reginald hugs her, “Thankfully we avoided all the detours… And cats… I have one Cheshire cat in my life and he’d be annoyed if I spend any amount of time talking to another one.”
She’s smiling all the while though. And she can’t help but look around at everything as she and Jervis make their way to the table after Reginald.
Jervis, quite contrawise, doesn’t bother trying to stifle his laughter. His giggles peal endlessly, a show of bewonderment, and exuberant delight. He takes his seat with a titter, throwing his coat-tails out behind him in the process, and finally releases Alice’s hand.
“Not Earl Grey, today, if you please?” He requests, tentatively drumming his fingers against one another. “Something bright, oh, colourful, cheery! This calls for cheer! And tricks. Tea-tricks, I know you have quite a few - oh, and how are you, how do you do? I met Cricket!”
“I don’t suppose she’s coming today, is she?” He’s wriggling. Squirming in his seat, and beaming just as wide as he can.
Reginald took his place at the table and shot Jervis a look. “Jervis, you mad man! What about your lady~ How un-un-gentlemanlike to sit without pulling the chair out for your lady companion~” He shook his head and made a tsk-ing sound before smiling and winking at the hatter. He chcukled and grabbed a nearby tea pot. “But of course I have tea tricks~” He laughed and rolled the tea pot around on his arms before bouncing it off his shoulder and catching the handle. “Now, dear not-Cricket~ What shall we have~?” He turned back to Jervis with a grin. “You met Cricket~?! Oh, isn’t she wonderful~?” he sighed happily and sunk deeper into his chair with a lost look on his face.
