Drawing Muchness

AN: This is a collaboration between myself and my dear friend Hitsuji, who does not have an account here. The prompts all come from my much-loved copy of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking-Glass', as does the title, from when the Dormouse is speaking on things starting with the letter M – "did you ever see such a thing as a drawing of a muchness!" We sincerely hope you enjoy this fic.

Disclaimer: We do not own any recognizable trademarks displayed in this work of fiction. The ideas and writing are ours, however, so we would appreciate that our rights be observed in that respect.

1) Course

Tea was much more interesting than supper in Underland. For one thing, you didn't have to wait for all the courses to come out, one at a time and so dreadfully slowly. For another, there weren't any scones. Thackery examined his careful place-setting, as Mallymkun poked him with a hatpin whenever she saw the crazed gleam appear in his eyes. He really wanted to throw something at the straight-faced noble who sat a little ways down the long table. Just to see what he'd do.

2) History

History has a bothersome habit of repeating itself. Nivens would have given it a good dressing down if he could find it. But his consistent lateness did not give him a chance to catch up with history. It was all some practical joke that was played on him. Even the oversized pocket watch didn't help the hapless rabbit. He mentally cursed history as he ran to his appointment with Mirana. Even the Queen knew that he would be late.

3) Curtsey

When she is shown up to Mirana's quarters she drops a deep curtsey. Despite her complaints, she did pay attention to all her lessons of etiquette, mostly for the fun of musing on how the stuffy tutors would take different violations of that etiquette. She has only been back in Underland two days, and she is still uncertain of her position, doesn't know whether or not she will be accepted, or shunned for her sudden departure.

But Mirana proves her title true, when she gives a light, musical chuckle, and tells her that (in private, at least) curtseys were unnecessary.

4) White

Mirana makes a much better Queen than Iracebeth, and all of Underland knows it. The realm is flourishing once more, the villages ravaged by the Red Queen being rebuilt. The symbol of the White Queen's rule was the palace in Marmoreal, the gleaming white edifice still managing to be somehow benevolent. The Red Castle had fallen to disrepair, and there was some rumor of demolition, as the place had been home to such sadness and violence. Yes, the White Queen's rule was infinitely preferable to that of the Red.

5) Know

Mirana Knows. In the two months Alice has been back everything seems brighter. Every one of her friends has been much happier, including (and especially) the Royal Hatter. Mirana has offered Alice the official position of Queen's Champion. It's actually a much more involved job than Alice had thought. The Queen's Champion is essentially her bodyguard, and Alice takes to it like Thackery to broken crockery. She's been learning fighting from a pair of female Knights and an effeminate Rook, and she's already excelling. She is most definitely Alice, and Mirana basks in that light of self-discovery.

Alice is not stupid, not like Absolem claims; "stupid girl," as much as it is spoken with affection nowadays. Mirana is very frustrated about the blonde's obtuseness concerning one particular individual, though.

Mirana Knows.

6) Glanced

Mallymkun glanced out the window and sighed. Tarrant was walking with Alice again, expressive hands gesticulating broadly as he expounded on something, as Alice smiled at him fondly. She has some grudging respect for the girl, and she knows that her own adoration of Tarrant is strictly one-sided; the Hatter views her as a close and dear friend. Alice is another story. Alice has everything Mallymkun had wanted for herself, and it is so very hard to let go.

7) Gentle

How had it started? She was such a gentle, kind, and innocent child. Curious and open-minded about everything. Yes, she did have a bit of difficulty understanding the ways of Underland at first, but every time that girl came, she brought with her a newness that Tarrant enjoyed. Of course it took a while for him to realize how much he enjoyed it. And when she left after the battle, he realized that it was more than the newness, it was Alice.

He tried to hide his feelings, knowing that if he held on to them his heart would break. After all, she lived in Overland; she went back to her life there every time.

"Maybe she'll come back." He murmured to himself after watching her drink the phial of purple liquid and leave him for the world she came from. Her smile as she was swept away was the same, gentle, gentle and beautiful. Tarrant had smiled back at her vanishing form.

"It's not just gentle," he thought, "it's love."

8) Jam

"I love jam!" Tarrant exclaimed. Alice smiled sweetly, hiding a laugh.

"I know, my dear. But you really should put it on the toast. I can't imagine that jammy tea tastes terribly good." She said. The Hatter examined where he had been about to put his knife-full of raspberry jam. It was, indeed, his teacup.

"Hmm." He snagged the slice of toast the March Hare flung at him. "Terribly good of you, old chap." He remarked. "Much better. What would I do without you, Alice?"

"Drink a cupful of jammy tea, I imagine."

9) Hatter

He was the Royal Hatter once more. Mirana, dear, sweet woman that she was, had offered to make him a Lord, for his 'valiance in defense of Underland' but he declined. He didn't really want a Lordship. The only things in life he wanted was a workshop, some good tea and…

And what had been whisked away from him by a phial of Jabberwocky blood.

10) Shawl

Alice pulled the heavy tartan shawl tighter around her shoulders as she wandered out of the bedroom. She smiled at what she saw there. Really, it was so nice of Mirana to find them this little cottage by the sea for their wedding trip. She smiled, and crept up behind her new husband. He was busy preparing a pot of tea, along with some of her favorite savory scones. She slid her arms around his waist and he jumped a little.

"Good morning, Husband." She said, thrilling in the word. She could see an almost-identical warm smile spread over his face from the looking-glass on the wall.

"Good morning, Wife." He replied, before turning and catching her lips in a kiss.

11) Garden

Tarrant and Alice were taking tea in the small garden, just the two of them for a change. Tarrant seemed more jittery than usual to Alice, though he had calmed down a considerable amount now that the Red Queen had been defeated. She knew it had been pretty bad whilst she had been gone, as well, but now she had accomplished what she'd returned Above to do, and she was now here, where she belonged, for the rest of her life. She just wished Tarrant would get it into his skull that she wasn't leaving again, not if she could help it.

She broke from her musing when Tarrant pulled something from his pocket and pressed it into her palm, folding her fingers over it and gently kissed her knuckles. When he released her hand she opened her fingers curiously, and her breath hitched at what she saw there.

"Will you?" He asked hopefully. A radiant smile broke out over her face even as tears misted her eyes.

"Of course I will, my silly mad Hatter." She said, and he slipped the ring onto her finger.

12) Jabberwocky

Despite his overwhelming power, the Jabberwocky had an inner feeling of helplessness. Being a villain was no small job, but being a villain who has tricked himself into believing that happily-ever-after could be thwarted was even worse.

He worked for Iracebeth, the Red Queen, because he had to. He was always defeated because he must be. Life was so unfair. "Why can't evil triumph over good just once" he mused as he waited his next glorious defeat.

13) Moment

Queen for a time, then the next moment, outcast. Iracebeth of Crims scowled at the barren, brown wasteland that she was forced to live in, overlooking Illosovic's sleeping form. She vented her anger by stamping the ground, raising a considerable amount of dust.

"It should have been me!" She said to no one in particular. Then lapsed into silence. How did it begin, she wondered, looking back through her memories. She was the eldest. And with such a large head, oughtn't she be the smartest? Glory and power had been snatched away from her so quickly. She had been a Queen, and then in a moment, she became an outcast.

14) Nothing

Chessur was bored. The war was over, the Jabberwocky was dead, and everything was back to normal. Well, as normal as can be expected in Underland. Chess wasn't usually bored, however after all the excitement and action normality (as much normality as can be expected) seemed rather dull. Nothing was happening. He perched lazily on a tree, phasing in and out of visible existence.

"I think I'll take a stroll around the White Palace." He said aloud to no one in particular. He was a cat, and even evaporating cats must always appear at their best, aloof and nonchalant. He was sure that the nothingness problem would soon become something. Alice was visiting the Queen today.

15) Fire-irons

Who knew that summer in Underland would be so cold. Alice poked at the dying embers in the hearth with the fire-iron. In the first year of her life as Alice Hightopp, she had encountered all sorts of pleasantly unusual things. One of them being the odd change of seasons; Summer was Winter and Spring was Autumn. Only in name though; to Alice winter was when the world turned white with snow and became cold. She sighed, and tossed a few more logs onto the fire, poking at them absentmindedly. Tarrant was dozing on a well-cushioned chair, muttering in his sleep.

"No, no, green would suit your color more, less ribbon more braid." Well, she thought affectionately, he is a Hatter.

16) Cried

Tea with her sister was always an Affair. Ever since the failed engagement party, that is. She'd come up even more headstrong than normal, and even gone to China! It was unheard of, but Margaret still loved her sister. She'd been back for a month now, and Margaret had the oddest feeling. She didn't know quite how to qualify it.

"Maggie, dear, I have to go now." Her sister's bright voice broke through the haze of thought that had descended upon Margaret. She looked up with a smile, but it faltered at Alice's unusually somber expression. "Always remember that I love you dearly, sister-mine." She said, enfolding Margaret in an embrace. She hugged her sister back tightly, unexpected tears prickling her eyes. "Goodbye." Alice said, kissing her on the cheek. Margaret returned the fond kiss and saw her sister off, even as the strange feeling became a foreboding knot in her chest.

"Goodbye, little Alice."

The next day, Lord Ascot came to them with a sealed letter, in which Alice explained that she had met a man in trade on her travels and decided to elope with him, but not to worry because she was so very happy with him. She realized what that last tea party had been – her sister saying goodbye for the last time. And she did the only thing left to do.

She cried.

17) Tone

"I don't care much for the tone of your voice." Alice said sharply. Chessur looked completely unabashed. "It is one thing to tease me about my relationships, it is completely another to purposely provoke my husband." She eyed him. "One would think you had a death-wish. Haven't you heard that curiosity killed the cat?" Chessur was startled.

"She did? When did that happen?" He questioned. Alice just gave an aggravated sigh and left to calm her husband down.

18) Stupid

"Stupid girl." Absolem murmured, rose-flavored tobacco swirling around him like a cloud. "At this rate she's going to stay only almost Alice, and then we're all doomed." He thought a little longer, then sighed. He would obviously have to go to Marmoreal. He hated travelling.

It was for his stupid girl, though, so that made it slightly more bearable.

19) Muchness

She came through the looking-glass into the White Palace, where most of her dear friends were waiting. She was immediately surrounded, and wished-well enough for a lifetime, but all she could do was laugh, and reassure them she was staying. Once the ruckus had died down, Mirana swooped in with a young Pawn, who was asked kindly to please carry the Lady Champion's luggage to her chambers. Then Mirana quickly showed her where she was to stay, before drawing her into a little parlor and sitting down with a very solemn face.

"What Is the matter, Majesty?" She asked quietly.

"It's Hatter. I think you need to go to him now. There will be a carriage waiting at the gates." She replied, and saw her off. She was deposited where she had first met the dear Mad Hatter, and asked the horse to kindly wait, and she amiably agreed, dropping her head to browse the tufty grass. She hurried behind the old windmill, to the place where the tea party was, and almost tripped in surprise. Tarrant was sitting asleep in the chair at the head of the table, looking thinner and more colorless than ever, and almost unhealthy. She quickly hurried to his side, clasping one bandaged, bethimbled hand in hers, and laying a warm palm on his cheek. He jerked awake, and grey eyes lifted to meet hers.

"Oh, Hatter! You've lost your muchness." She says in a shaky voice. Grey eyes blinked into green and a smile blossoms on his face.

"D'ye think ye c'n 'elp me find it, lass?" He asked, Scottish burr and all, and she nodded, smiling.

"I'd be happy to."

20) Vorpal

The legendary Vorpal Sword lay in the Armory. It had done its duty, killed the Jabberwocky, and yet, it felt rather unfulfilled. Before it had its moment of glory, the sword was all anticipation and self confidence. It could kill the beast, that's what it was made for wasn't it? But, it couldn't do anything else. If a sword could sigh unhappily, this one would. Alice used the sword, rather like helping it to fulfill it's destiny, but Alice had more to do than slice a head of with the Vorpal Sword. Being a weapon of destiny wasn't any fun after destiny was done with it.

21) Alice

When all was said and done in Underland, the lack of immediate danger and general chaos gave Alice time to think about all that had happened. What bothered her most was the question, "Is she the right Alice? "

The question had not had enough time to really sort itself out and be answered. But now that it was given time, it had made its way from the back of Alice's mind to the front, where it made itself seem important.

"Am I really Alice?"

22) Some

Some days Alice spends time in her husband's workshop, watching him work. He protested, saying that the mercury fumes and whatnot could not be good for her health. Sometimes he even gets himself worked up into a ramble, and Alice must frame his face with her hands and bring him back to relative sanity.

Some days Alice spends time out in the gardens with a book, generally beside the duck-pond. She's hoping for some very unladylike freckles, and Chessur often pops up to tease her about that. Sometimes Tarrant will join her, if he's reached a lull in his work.

Some days she has to perform her duties and shadow the Queen, since she swore to take up the more official duties wrapped up in being the Queen's Champion. She dislikes these days the most.

Some days she gets to lie in bed until ridiculous hours with her husband, and she likes these days best of all.

23) Mock

There is something missing in the White Queen's court, Alice mused, as she stood in her place behind the Queen's left shoulder. She couldn't quite place what it was until one of the Ladies gave a bright, merry chuckle at something one of the Lords had just said. Then it dawns on her.

High Society as she was used to it was much more like the Red Queen's court, full of sniping, scorn, people jostling for position and favor, and, worst of all, mocking laughter. There was none of that in the White Queen's court, and it felt odd. She was so used to being looked down upon as eccentric and strange, possibly even unmarriable. The only person more looked-down upon was Aunt Imogene, and Alice had not wanted to end up like her. Though Aunt Imogene was a dear in her own right.

She ducked her head to hide a smile. It was so nice to not be mocked.

24) Knock

A soft knock sounded at her door and Mirana softly called acceptance. Alice came in bearing a pitcher of lemonade with raspberries and ice, and two glasses. She set them down on the desk before coming to Mirana.

"Hullo Miri." She said softly, sitting gently on the edge of the bed and gathering up one slender white hand in her pale ones. "McTwisp said you were feeling under the weather." Mirana struggled to rise, but Alice gently pushed her back.

"I'm fine, it's nothing serious." Mirana insisted. She wilted a little from Alice's gently admonishing look. "My entire head aches, my eyes are burning and my joints ache." She admitted lowly. Alice rose, and poured out a glass of the very tempting liquid. She returned and helped Mirana sit up against her pillows and steadied the glass when Mirana's hands shook.

"I've ordered the cooks to send up broths, juices and water, you need to keep your fluids up. I've rescheduled everything, so don't worry about it, and I've sent for a physician. I'm surprised you don't have one on staff." She told her softly. Mirana chuckled sheepishly, the sound delicate and fragile.

"It's very rare that I ever get ill." She admitted. Alice smiled warmly down at her. Even if it was rare, she'd still be glad to help her second sister get well again.

Although she was holding it to the Queen to return the favor if Alice contracted it.

25) Winds

A not-quite-cold wind danced across the Outlands. Iracebeth of Crims, formerly the Red Queen, shivered and sneezed at the same time. It was horrible living here, where there was a lot of nothing. The nothing was rather large, but it was still nothing. She hated it here. The nights were not quite cool enough, the day was not quite hot enough, and the wind was always blowing. Not a cold bitter wind, nor a warm friendly wind. Just wind.

She tried using Illosovic's body as a shield against the hated wind. But he had firmly refused to move, and further more, was giving her the silent treatment. Although his attempts to kill her had ceased, he still radiated a feeling of animosity that felt worse than the wind.

We hope you enjoyed it enough to leave feedback. Keep in mind that, although we tired our best to keep it neat, we did not have a beta-reader, as mine is currently in Japan, and this is, I believe, Hitsuji's first foray into the world of (published) fanfiction.

Much love,

Fuzen & Hitsuji