The Park [Sunday Afternoon]

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

It was actually chilly enough to need his jacket today. You weren't going to find Hatter complaining about that. The island seemed significantly quieter now that most of the students had vacated for a vacation. He would have worried for business but he'd seen maybe one or two students come into the restaurant so he wasn't all that concerned.

Prior to coming out to the park, he'd made a warm mug of tea which was currently sitting on the bench beside him. The flamingos had come over to sniff near him at first but he'd shooed them away. He still didn't have great associations with flamingos so it was best to keep his distance.

Hatter stretched his legs out in front of him, arms draped lazily over the back of the bench while he enjoyed the afternoon. His hat was tipped low and you'd only be able to tell if he was awake or asleep if you knew him.

[Open, of course]

Comments

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

Deciding at the very last minute not to go on the trip -- it was a combination of a fit of pique over still being a man, and the tempting idea of having the island to herself in relative peace for a week and the fact that I completely forgot to sign her up, whoops -- Irene decided instead to take a walk and enjoy the fact that she actually fit into the warm, woolen men's overcoat she'd bought herself.

And, really, of course this was who she was going to run into. Of course. And on the one hand, she sort of wanted to turn heel and run before she had to hear about being a man forever. But, then, on the other, she was sort of bored.

"They just let anyone sleep out on these benches now?" she greeted Hatter. "Town's going to ruin, tsk."

(She was pretty sure he wasn't actually asleep.)

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"Excuse you, I am bringing up property values right now," Hatter said, not moving at all despite giving away that he wasn't asleep. "If this town's ruined, I'm, unfortunately, not at fault. Too bad since I do love ruining things."

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"Your presence is driving up property values?" Irene prompted, leaning against the back of the bench on her elbows. "Be careful or they'll start making lawn ornaments in your likeness."

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"Wouldn't that be flattering?" he asked, opening one eye and peering up at the newcomer. "Who doesn't want people to have their likeness somewhere about their house and lawn? They wouldn't be able to ever forget me."

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"You'd be content to be remembered amongst garden gnomes?" Irene asked, frowning. "Wouldn't you find it...undignified?"

She would. No, thank you.

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"It's better to be remembered in an undignified manner than to not be remembered at all," Hatter pointed out, closing his eye again. "At least I'd know I'd made a mark and wasn't entirely unforgettable."

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"You don't recognize me."

Of course he didn't, but Irene was going to lord it over him anyway, because she was really good at being smug.

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"Yes, you're right, I don't," Hatter said, peering at him with one eye again. "Am I supposed to? We haven't met as far as I remember."

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"No, we have," Irene said, smirking. "And I'm terribly sad you don't know me, Hatter. You're hurting my feelings, darling."

That probably sounded a lot less cute coming from Irene in her current state, considering.

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"Why do you sound like someone who most likely weighs one hundred pounds soaking wet?" Hatter asked. "And where is she?"

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

She fluttered her fingers at him. "Right here, luv. 'Member how I told you we might wake up with the wrong bits, sometimes? I think I make quite the handsome chap."

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

Hatter sat up and then sat back, making a face. "How did you get so much muscle? That's not even fair!"

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"It's bloody awesome is what it is," Irene correctly, grinning at him and maybe posing a bit. "Look, I've got a five o'clock shadow! I'm rugged."

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"You look bloody ridiculous," Hatter told her, shaking his head. "I bet you don't even know how to use that body!"

Not that he was jealous or anything.

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"I do too -- I just stand around and look handsome. It's not so different from what I usually do. Though it's nice to be able to reach things without a stepladder or whatever," Irene mused. "If you're not nice to me I won't help you when this happens to you."

Because clearly he would need help. Men's clothes were generally much easier to figure out than ladies'.

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"You think I'll need your help?" Hatter asked, scoffing. "Please. I could be a woman without any sort of trouble."

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"I seriously doubt that," Irene said, not meanly. "It's a lot harder being a lady than a bloke, and I say that as someone who can say she's experienced both, now."

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"Maybe it's just harder for you," Hatter pointed out. "You're making a terribly offensive generalization right now. I'm sure I could be a female just fine."

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"Hard work or not," Irene noted, "you have to admit I'm awfully good at being a lady." She decided to help herself to a seat on his bench, and was delighted by how much room her new self took up. "But this is much more relaxing, I think. And the clothes are fun."

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"You're not a terrible lady, no," Hatter acquiesced. "Did you go out and actually buy new clothing or did you borrow from some chap around here?"

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"I went and bought a whole wardrobe," she said, having the grace to look a little sheepish. "I wasn't sure how long it'd last!"

And she'd just plain wanted to. Being dead lent one a considerable amount of disposable income, in this particular case.

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"What are you going to do with all the clothes once it wears off?" he asked, laughing. "Donate them?"

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

"Keep them for the next time this happens," Irene said practically.

See, she had foresight.

[teashopconman.livejournal.com]

"You're so burly," Hatter said, making a face. "It doesn't make sense. How did someone as small as you get to be that large? Unfair."

[begmetwice.livejournal.com]

Irene shrugged, smiling smugly at him. "I've no idea. Apparently my nice little yoga muscles turn into this as a man? It makes me want to go start a bar fight or something! I'm enormous!"

This was a dangerous line of thinking.