Fandom Island and Town

By Monday, Hatter's belongings still hadn't turned up. He'd gone from angry to grumpy to just sullen over that time. He was still feeling that way when he took up his spot in his chair, ignoring everyone around him. He held up a newspaper in front of him and pretended to read.

This island was starting to annoy him.

TODAY'S SPECIALS
Gyokuro Imperial Tea
Peachberry Jasmine Sutra Green Tea
Jade Citrus Mint Great Tea

Cafe Fina was open though the owner was not in a good mood.

[Open. No OCD.]

It felt like it'd been much longer than it had since Hatter had been in his shop. So, he'd come in with a gusto, arms spread wide and smile on his face.

"Did you all miss me?"

The staff gave him a look and then nodded quietly. "Oh, you lot are so boring." He went over to his seat and flopped down, feet up and hands behind his hat. "Well, I missed you!"

The staff just went about their business.

TODAY'S SPECIALS
Scarlet Jasmine Tea
Flowering Pineapple Blooming White Tea
Citrus Lavender Sage Herbal Tea

Cafe Fina was back on open and Hatter was in to help!

Hatter didn't often come down to the restaurant on Sundays. He tended to save that day for sitting up in his apartment or going to Wonderland or even visiting Alice. But today, he was bored enough to wander downstairs and flop down in his chair.

The staff were quietly going about their work, washing dishes, setting silverware and place settings out and cooking. Hatter took off his hat and tossed it into the air a few times, trying to figure out a way to cure his boredom and his restlessness.

"This place is too quiet! I wish this place was like my tea shop back home," he mumbled, sighing. He closed his eyes. When he opened them, things were different. The place was crowded with people -- wait, not just people, patrons from back home. People from Wonderland wearing garish clothes, sunglasses, hair all over the place. There was music playing and his tea counter had been transformed.

There was still tea, yes, but the liquid emotions that he'd sold back home were now proudly displayed on a long rack on the wall. Happiness, ecstasy, passion, compassion, excitement, everything you could think of. The place was alive with raucous noise. There were people bidding on different emotions, people tossing money at his bartenders.

Hatter stood up, not sure what was going on but finding himself not really caring.

"My people!" he shouted, grinning. They cheered. They probably didn't care who he was. They were hopped up on the good stuff and loving life.

[Open place! The liquid emotions are there, yes, but are pricey!]

It was cold and apparently it was going to snow so Hatter was just going to crank the heat up and sit in his chair, drinking tea. Outside, when snow began to fall, Hatter watched it. The staff were quiet while they worked and everything seemed to be just be waiting for the snow to start falling steadily.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Snowbud White Tea
Pina Colada Herbal Tea
Earl Grey Bravo Black Tea

Cafe Fina was open and ready to serve you if you made it through the snow!

Hatter had survived his first week of class. And it had been enjoyable! He had power and authority and...okay, he was sure the children probably wouldn't listen to him if he tried to get all power happy but still. Today, he was going to craft a few outlines for future lessons so he wouldn't have to wing everything.

TODAY'S SPECIALS
Winterberry Green Tea
ToLife White Tea
Imperial Acai Blueberry White Tea

Cafe Fina was open and ready to serve!

Considering the fact that he was teaching now, Hatter figured he ought to at least have some plans for the class. Winging it just seemed like it'd be more trouble than fun. Still, maybe a class or two he'd just decide on five minutes beforehand. Right now, he was jotting down a few notes in messy scrawl while he sipped his tea.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Sweet Asian Pear White Tea
Toasted Nut Brulee Oolong Tea
Strawberry Lemonade Herbal Tea

Cafe Fina was open and Hatter was in, should you need him!

The holidays were done and over with and Hatter was...well, he wasn't any different. He hadn't gone back to Wonderland or exchanged gifts or really done anything but sleep and relax. It was just another day for him. He didn't even want to think about what Christmas would be like in Wonderland. Complete chaos.

But, today was a quiet day. The staff were all there, recovering from their holiday hangovers and trying not to be completely sour about being at work. Hatter was sitting near his tea bar, trying out a few new blends.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Fruta Bomba Green Tea
Citrus Lavender Sage Herbal Tea
Gingerbread Loose Leaf Black Tea

Cafe Fina was open and Hatter was busy experimenting!

Coming into work had been interesting. Hearing some really weird Christmas carols sound like it was booming all around you certainly made for an interesting experience. Hatter had not joined in. When he stepped into work, he found the place a mess of glitter and garland. Apparently, it was time to decorate.

"Just don't get it in the food!" Hatter shouted, moving some garland off his chair and flopping down. Glitter floated onto his pants and down at his feet. "And I am not vacuuming this up!"

TODAY'S SPECIALS
Sakura Allure Green Tea
Peach Momotaro Artisan Tea
Watermelon Mint Chiller Tea

Cafe Fina was open, Hatter was in and trying to ignore the creepy Christmas carols.

Apparently, it'd been a really messed up weekend. Hatter had stayed safe and sound though because he wasn't about to let someone else in his head. Still, when he came down to work, he got to hear stories about things the staff had seen. They were entertaining in a creepy sort of way. He was still damn glad he'd missed it.

TODAY'S SPECIALS
Gingerbread Loose Leaf Tea
Spiced Apple Cider Rooibos Tea
S'mores Oolong Tea

Cafe Fina was open and not haunted!

It was sad to think he'd missed out on being tiny but alas, he had. It was probably due to not being on the island, though. He'd taken a trip back to Wonderland and was just now getting in, lugging a trunk of his clothes with him. The trunk got dropped near his chair and Hatter put his feet up.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Tai Chai
Foxtrot Herbal
Dragonwell Green

Hatter was in and making himself a large pot of tea to wake up with.

Hatter didn't want to talk about this past weekend. He didn't even want to think about it. He didn't want to be reminded of it and he was going to glare and yell if someone decided to laugh at him about it. The staff members were dutifully not saying a damn thing and Hatter was grateful for that. He was sitting sullenly in his seat, angrily reading the newspaper.

Yes, you could read something angrily. It was easy.

TODAY'S SPECIALS
Raspberry Pineapple Luau White Tea
Strawberry Grapefruit Xue Long Green Tea
Sangria Punch Black Tea

Cafe Fina was open and Hatter was dutifully trying to keep his mouth closed so he wouldn't sing.

It was, as it always was, a wonderful day for an unbirthday party! The Mad Hatter didn't let something small like the absence of the March Hare or Dormouse deter him. No, sir! He tumbled down the stairs and right into the middle of Cafe Fina!

"Fetch me my tea!" The Mad Hatter proclaimed, ignoring the looks of surprise from the staff around the restaurant. They were going to have to get used to this. The Mad Hatter waddled over to his chair and sat down, peering around the restaurant critically. This would do, this would do just fine.

"What day is it?" the Mad Hatter shouted at some nearby staff member. The staff member started to answer but the Mad Hatter cut him off. "No, don't tell me! I know this! I'm excellent at riddles!"

He pushed a finger against his temple, brow furrowing in deep, deep thought.

And then he laughed. It probably sounded a little hysterical.

"It's the day that comes after yesterday but before tomorrow! Yes! That's right!"

Cafe Fina was open and was being manned by someone crazier than normal.

[Open, of course. Hatter ---> Disney-fied Mad Hatter]

"We need a better name!"

Those words were nearly shouted as soon as Hatter pushed open the doors to Cafe Fina. He was pretty sure he'd made one staff member drop something in the kitchen and all the others were just staring at him.

"Come on, mates, we've been living with this bloody name for weeks now. We need something better, something more...me!"

The me-ness was important. "All of you, I want a suggestion written on a slip of paper and handed to me before the end of the day. I'll choose the best one! Get on it!"

The staff members scattered and Hatter flopped gracefully into his chair.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Unhinged
Mean and Green
Playboy

Hatter was in and agonizing over a new name for his restaurant.

After his successful trip to Wonderland yesterday, Hatter was wearing some of his newly retrieved duds to work this morning. They didn't look much different than his old clothes but he knew the difference. When he sat down in his chair after getting the staff to work, he felt comfortable and content. He reached for the morning's paper and started reading.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Boston Tea Hardy
Evil Tea
Tropical Spiced Tea

Hatter was in, the food was cooking and the tea was brewing!

Despite most people being off island, Hatter was still going to open up the restaurant. He figured there'd be some people still around who would need to eat and he needed something to do. So, he was behind the tea counter, trying out some new concoctions while the staff cooked some very good smelling food in the back.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Absinthe Celestial Tea
Kurant Tea
Voodoo Tea

Hatter was in, the food was cooking and tea was brewing.

Even though he'd said goodbye to Alice, at least she knew where he was and he knew where she was so hopefully they wouldn't lose touch for so long again. So, that made everything about the weekend pretty well worth it. He was tired, sure, and feeling incredibly lazy today but he was there, slouched in his chair and reading a copy of the newspaper just because he could.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Baltimore Iced Tea
Blackfriar Tea
Italian Tea

Hatter was in, obscured by a copy of the newspaper and trying not to fall asleep.

Most of Hatter's night had been spent alternating between staring at Alice and talking quietly with her. She'd been just as surprised as he had so they hadn't done much more than hug and hold hands. He'd checked her over carefully, making sure she was in one piece and she'd pushed and prodded the armor he continued to wore before trying to persuade him to take it off.

It hadn't worked.

Now, they were both down in Cafe Fina and he was showing off the restaurant. The kitchen, the wine cellar, the staff, the tea specials, everything. She stayed quiet but smiled and then Hatter was sitting them down so he could make some tea and talk with her some more.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Ugandan Ginger Tea
Irish Tea
Artillery Punch

Cafe Fina was open to entertain your guests galore! Hatter and Alice were both there, still shellshocked by the other's appearance.

Dormouse wanted to come to this Parent's Weekend thing the island was holding this weekend. Hatter had told her he'd think about it but he was leaning pretty heavily to the no side. He wasn't sure he wanted to bring Wonderland here and to give people hints as to who he was. They'd figure it out sooner or later but he preferred later.

At least Jack Chase hadn't wanted to come. That would have been a study in patience. Hatter was counting his lucky stars while he looked over some new tea flavors and did some inventory on the things he needed to order soon.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Blueberry Kona Pop Tea Blend
Youthberry Wild Orange Blossom Tea Blend
Maharaja Chai Samurai Tea Blend

Cafe Fina was open and Hatter was in, actually doing work today!

For the most part, the weekend hadn't been terrible. Sure, he'd completely forgotten who he was and where he was and what he was but he hadn't done anything that he regretted today.

Well, except for one or two things. He couldn't, for the life of him, locate his hat. He knew the him that was around during the past weekend hadn't really been fond of the hat and the jacket but he couldn't remember if he'd tossed them out or hidden them. So, he was stuck without a hat, without a jacket, and with well groomed hair that hadn't been artfully mussed yet.

The staff didn't know what to think when he came downstairs to the restaurant. He told them to have their fun, get their laughter out which they did. Quite loudly and with very much animation. Once they were done, Hatter took a seat and tried not to feel naked without his damn hat.

TODAY'S SPECIALS
Pumpkin Spice Brulee Oolong Tea
Chocolate Chai Black Tea
Coco Caramel Sea Salt Herbal Tea

Cafe Fina was open and the owner was looking...rather different. For him, at least. He kept trying to mess up his hair and it kept falling right back into place. He really needed to find his hat.

The day had been going so well. Hatter had woken up, eaten something decidedly unhealthy for breakfast and was coming down to work when, just as soon as he stepped over the threshold into the restaurant, someone or something doused him with incredibly cold water.

"What in the bloody hell?" he asked, turning around in circles and nearly slipping on the slippery mess on the floor. "Who did that? Who bloody did that? I'll fire you!"

But, there were no staff around (though they were peering out from the kitchen now) and Hatter was alone, dripping wet and cold.

"This jacket was just dry cleaned!" That wasn't necessarily true but whatever. Hatter was miffed and wet and cold now. Bloody island.

TODAY'S TEA SPECIALS
Dosha Chai Rooibos Tea
Watermelon Mint Chiller White Tea
Tomato Lime Cocktail Herbal Tea

Hatter was in, soaking went and warily looking around for anyone else that was going to try and douse him today.

With the new students on the island, Hatter figured this upcoming weekend would be free of many previous engagements and a good enough time to throw a little get together, a little soiree, a little party, a little kegger. One of those. After all, he had that great big wine cellar and a restaurant full of food to share. Why he wanted to share, he didn't know. Maybe it was some of Alice's goodness rubbing off on him a little late.

So, he went out and stuck up a few fliers around town to herald his kindness and charity.

WINE TASTING PARTY!!
THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 30!
CAFE FINA, AFTER HOURS!!

Food, wine, tea, and other assorted drinks will be provided! Those who have bedtimes will be gently turned away. Those who need to loosen up will be welcomed with open arms!

If he had specific people in mind with his so called rules, he'd never tell. But, he was pleased with the fliers and pleased with having something to look forward to come the weekend as well.

[Open if you want to catch Hatter while he's hanging fliers! Post for the party will go up early Saturday for maximum SP!]

So, the Looking Glass had led back to Wonderland. After getting his ticket from the deputy for annoying her, he'd waited a bit and then gone right on through. He'd ended up just outside the Heart Casino, of all places, and had made the long trek back to his tea shop.

It had been a lot quieter than he'd remembered. Dormouse had squeaked when she'd seen him and then started chattering away about what he'd missed. She'd asked where he'd gone and he'd been fairly vague but had told her he wasn't going to stay. Dormouse hadn't heard anything from Alice but she said that Charlie came by sometimes and Jack even checked in when he could.

Hatter had let Dormouse chatter while he went about getting a few things together. More jackets, pants, shirts and a very secure case full of what he had leftover from the oysters before they'd been released. He'd promised Dormouse he'd be back and then bid her adieu again.

And that was how he came to be sitting on the park bench now, clothes tossed over the bench and the case settled securely against his hip and the arm of the bench. He was sipping something cold that he'd picked up from a local restaurant while he rested. Wonderland seemed so different now with the Queen out of power and the oysters released. It was quiet. He wondered what had become of the resistance but he didn't care enough to check up on them.

Perhaps next time. The Looking Glass was still outside his restaurant so it hadn't closed down just yet. Maybe he'd be able to hop back and forth a few more times. But not right now. Right now, he was going to look like he was about to make the park bench his home considering the clothes and case he'd dumped there. He'd move it soon.

After he was finished with his drink.

[Open town post]