"You'll be late you know," She chides softly as she glances up at his profile in the waning moonlight, "McTwisp will have a conniption."

The Hatter's lip quirks in amusement at the prospect. "I'm sure he will."

She turns, seating herself upon the rail to face him as he gazes wistfully out at the falls.

"Please don't tell me you've chosen to simply not show up?"

"Far too many should be disappointed I think should I not be in attendance for the Hightopp's return to court," He muses wryly, "Rest assured though I've every intention of making an appearance once I've gathered my thoughts and properly pondered them as they deserve."

She shivers as the night air whips her now shorn locks about her face, "Not that it isn't lovely of course, but why here?"

"This is my home," The Hatter tuts as if it were obvious, "Where else would you have me keep them?"

"Somewhere a tad warmer?" She offers with a wry grin, "The kitchen perhaps?"

He smiles at that, "Ah but it's not the same though is it."

"No, I suppose not." She agrees equally as softly, a comfortable silence settling between the two for a time before he speaks again.

"I built this house with you in mind did you know?" He queries with a loving glance towards the woman at his side as his fingers caress the balustrading she sits upon, "Well not this you of course, the real you."

She scowls, "Now who's dictating reality and dreams."

"You are gone never to return again," He sighs, "Our realities were once intertwined but never joined. All that remains now are memories and dreams of what cannot be."

"Do you dream of me as often as I do you?"

"Any moment I can spare it." He admits with a grin only to have it fall away to a wistfully melancholic quirk of his lip.

"You're sulking," She teases gently, "Admittedly it's not one of your more attractive looks."

It's his turn to scowl, "Am not."

"Are too," She quips, nudging his leg with her foot as it swings lightly off the floor, "It's all right you know. I miss you too."

"Off on your adventures above I think not," He shakes his head, "Too much excitement to be had to think on an old Hatter like me."

"I love you, ridiculous Milliner," She chastises with a pointed glare, "Why in both worlds would you think I'd not keep you in mind every second of every day that we're apart?"

He smiles sadly in response, "It's nice of you to say so but-"

"Don't you dare deny being in love with me too Tarrant Hightopp." She warns.

"Since the very first moment I'd laid eyes on you." Hatter whispers his agreement.

"You were seven years old." She reminds him with a dubious raise of her brow.

"I was a rather impulsive child was I not?" He muses fondly, "Though I must admit I'd not truly realised the extent of my affections until that day in Salazen Grum."

The hint of a smirk curls her lip at the admission. "I came to rescue you."

"You did," He grins absurdly in recollection, "Even though you'd not truly remembered me then, well, couldn't have in fact. You of course not yet being the you I'd remembered because you hadn't become that muchier you I'd already met."

"If it hadn't been for you I'd never have become the me you'd remembered me to be," She reminds him softly as she reaches out to gently gather his fingers in her own, "It hurt you know, to run away and just leave you there with her. And then when Chessur brought news of your execution I- even if I had believed you only a dream at the time my heart ached at the thought of never seeing you again."

His lips curl far too knowingly as he replies, "I'd never any intention of leaving this world nor you behind."

Her eyes widen suddenly in surprise, "You had a plan all along?"

"I incited a rebellion from the confines of Thackery's tea table," The Hatter smirks as the outlander rises to the surface and turns his pale gaze upon her, "O'course I had a plan."

Her breath hitches as she reaches out to gently caress the darkened pallor beneath his eyes, her knuckles lightly grazing his cheek to trail down along his jaw before he catches it with his free hand and brings it against his chest as he moves against the railing.

"You've no idea how I've missed this you Hatter," She murmurs, their faces so close now she can taste the sweetness of his breath break across her lips, "Whenever my courage waned I would imagine you as you were stood at my side as we faced the Jabberwocky, and I knew that nothing was indeed impossible if I only just believed it to be otherwise."

"You are and will always be my impossible dream," His expression seems pained at the admission as his eyes dull back to a shade less than their usual green, "But My Alice would never be seduced by such a darkness as that which lies within me. And so she, you cannot be."

"Your Alice is not a child anymore Hatter," She whispers almost apologetically, "If that's who you've been waiting for you shan't find her. For I've seen and done and lost far too much to be who I used to be. Surely you must know that?"

"I am mad, not simple," He sneers in objection, freeing his hand to grasp her chin, his gaze shifting hues to a burnt orange as he holds her in place, "Do not think me oblivious nor ignorant of the woman you've become Alice because I watched it happen. Saw the lonely little girl who lost her way become the broken maiden who slain the beast and remembered herself enough to become the one who stole the heart of the fool who sat waiting a lifetime just to catch another glimpse."

She swallows, "Hatter I-"

"I've seen the way you look at me when you think no one else is watching. The hitch in your breath when I'm near and your shiver at my touch," She did indeed shiver as his knuckles caressed her jaw, "You want me Alice. And not as a mere friend in need of companionship. But as a woman needs a man. Yet you did not stay."

His fingers fall away as he reaches the curve of her throat, "And I will not settle for a mere figment of my imagination."

She finds herself suddenly bereft as he steps away and almost sobs at the pain it causes her heart.

"It's true," She breathes, "Every word, I'll not deny it though I pray you'll forgive me."

"For loving me?" He snaps.

"For leaving you," She breathes, a single tear trailing her cheek, "For making you wait so very long…for not realising how I felt until I'd nearly lost you completely."

"Oh Alice," He sighs, dragging his palms wearily down his pale face, "How I wish you were here."

"As do I, Hatter." She whispers as the world around them gives way to the dull grey and damp of her cell and she curls herself into a ball to stave off the sudden chill.

"As do I." Arcologia would open his eyes as tears would run down his face. Always dreaming of that fearful event.

Haki: Novice
Stamina:6

Arcologia would sit up as he was sweating all over. Holding his head at such a nightmare. The herb he was given gave him such a dream. Standing in his cell room was a woman. She was looking out the window into the moonlight that was so bright. She stood 5 feet in height very slim. Her hair was long and gold as her dark blue dress fit her so perfectly. Arcologia eyes grow with anger as he looks at her. " Damn it that's no joke I'll kill you for making me go through such a thing. However I do thank you I was able to look inside my head my unbearable heart in a way.

She would turn her hold body around as she looks at him with her deep red eyes. He could not see her face as she was wearing a white rabbit mask. Meeting him days ago she have yet to take it off. When asked about it she smiply changed the subject saying he was not yet ready. Walking up to his bed ever so slowly she would sit right next to him. Moving her face so close to his as if she was going to kiss him. Moving back as she would loudly grin.

" My friends don't walk, they run.Skinny dip in rabbit holes for fun. Popping, popping balloons with guns, getting high off helium. We paint white roses red
Each shade from a different person's head
This dream, your dreaming is a killer. Getting drunk with a blue caterpillar. Your dream is your heartfelt wish you like a out of water fish. Even she has to grow up, your past is holding your future up. Popping, popping balloons with guns are you ready to have some fun." Arcologia would look on at her as this woman would rarely talk. However when she did it was the cold hard truth and in rhyme.

Thinking to himself as he got ready as to what to do today. Melissa was still no where to be found and how long could such a status last him. Sure she was safe but was he truly as safe as her. He was only protected by the law if he did acts with her. However if he does it solo it was a different story. Smiling as the woman would walk up to him. Within her hands was a sort of plant used to smooth over headaches. However it also make people act weirdly.

As they both would look out the window he would eat it. This herb kept him calm for the most part. He would than go to his table and begin to write on a blueprint. He was creating a human body a female at that. With all sorts of technology notes written around it. Arcologia indeed was planning something as he put on his gloves. "Time to prank up. " He said as he and the strang woman left the holding cell.

Haki: Novice
Stamina:6

As usual a few ensigns would sneak off to go party. Unfortunately for them The Mad Hatter was lurking about. To make matters worse Melissa was not here to ruin his fun so they really was in trouble. As a few snuck deep into the woods the duo would soon follow them. Arcologia would pick up a stick and began to fastly scrap it to a tree shraping it.  All the while Alice went to follow a duo of girls.

As the 2 females talk about life Alice would creep by them. Blending in with the night as she looks on. "Girl do you think my butt is flat? I'm really thinking of getting a ass job or whatever you call it. " The red head looks at her smiling, "no it's not all that flat. All you need is some dick then it will gain weight." Alice would smile as she comes out from behind the trees. Scaring the disarmed girls. As Alice looked at them she would tilt her head rightly and walk towards them.

"If you weren't born with it. You can buy a couple ornaments. Just be sure to read the warning, kids
'Cause pretty soon you'll be bored of it. Sexual, hey girl if you wanna feel sexual. You can always call up a professional. They stick pins in you like a vegetable. " She would than move closer to the 2 and grab the girl red hair and cut some of it. By ripping it out of her head. Although trained marine they was still young and could still feel fear.

Looking at them she would place the hair on her own gold hair. Comparing the 2 hair colors all while still tilting her head. This spooky event caused the red head to faint as the other girl fell down in fear. Looking at Alice as she approached her Alice would point to the ground. "Look who's alive and yet so scared. You should be happy you not dead. I'm pointing to the ground just so you'll know. Start digging your rabbit hole. "

Terror struck the girl as Arcologia was surrounded by 5 bodies on the floor. Although they are not dead they might as well be. As each 1 face was bashed in not a good looking sight. As the last remaining ensign looks at him. With fear in his eyes. "Get up and don't let up I'll ready you for what is to come. Come on now it won't hurt much. " Arcologia would say with a smile

Walking towards him he would out speed the poor boy as he grabs him. Tightly gripping his shirt collar he would began to punch him. Over and over again bruised up face became of the boy. Letting him go Arcologia would watch as he slowly stood up. Smiling he would began to give him body shoots until the boy fainted. At least it looks that way. Soon a marine captain would appear just as Arcologia was about to hit him again.

She looks at the mess he made. Clearly angry as to what he done. She even put her hands on her sword. "I said you was nothing more than a pirate
and here you go proving my point. Once I bring your body back I'm sure your captain will understand you coward. " Wiping the blood off his hand he looks at her smiling. " My cap'n you say how foolish are you. These lots was in the wrong what if I been part of the enemy. They would be dead. By now so be more graceful do you understand me? "

She looks at him and bite her lips so hard they started to bleed. Seeing as the things this man has been doing is just plain crazy. He looks on at her smiling in a sadistic way. " You could not take me if you wanted too your too weak. " Arcologia would than walk pass her and slap her on the butt. A move which had her lunch at him. As he jumped back he would summon his hollow. Which put the marine captain at bay. Smiling as he knows she was not stupid enough to come after him. When his hollow are about.

However as he was walking he got light headed stopping for a moment. He would see Alice she was standing there saying not a word. As he looks on he remembers thier first encounter. With a little blood covering her dress and red hair for some odd reason. Come to think of it she had purple hair in her hands when he met her.

Flash Back
Arcologia was flying high in the sky looking over most trees. Making a area metal log on where things was. He was looking for the best roots possible. The best comes from tree barks. He been knocking down trees all day to look for the right roots. He been crafting his most recent tool a puppet doll. All though made out of wood it still had things to be added to it. As Arcologia returned to his body he noticed he was tied up.

Struggling to get out he looks up to see Alice. She looks at him eye to eye as the white mask touched his face. With purple hair in her hands like a lot. "Yep it's been so long you've grown little boy. Who would have thought you'll be here of all places. " Looking up he did not know who she was but she was cutting the chains loose. She looks at him then grins, I will be meeting some folks here to sell my herbs. For not killing you you will help me out. " Arcologia tried but just could not guess who she was.

He looks at her as he ready himself "Kill me don't be silly I'll kill you right here right now. " She looks at him as they had a stare down. Crazy as can be but Arcologia could feel her spirit was indeed a negative spirit which was not good in his case. However the meeting would come as she sell off her goods to a local nearby getting a large some of beli. To which this caught his attention. " Tell me what are you selling and how much did you make? "

She looks at him "things and beli my herbs bank me a fortune in the underworld. Where I only know where to find them rather grow. " He smiled "I heard that place is looney but if beli like that is running around I want in. She laugh at him " everyone down there think they all high in mighty trust me you would fit right in. However sleeping out in the open is a bad move on it's own." Arcologia began to laugh " oh I wasn't sleeping."

Present Time
He would stand back up as the sun came up. Looking over at her. She would wave at him goodbye "if you wanna learn more about the underworld let me know find me in Drum. My underworld name is Rabbit." He looked on as she would soon leave his sight. He would than return to his cell room. He would began to piece together a wooden doll. It features almost looks human like. As he began add a wire to it as he took his sprak gun to piece it in there.

"WHERE THE HELL IS THAT CLOWN? " A voice would yell out as Arcologia looks up. Smiling he knew it would be best to leave the area while he still could. He will explain things later if not he will just kill them all if need be. Was what he was thinking grabbing his puppet he would yawn than be on his way. Looking over he would see wanted posters of the phantom raiders. Taking them as well "interesting looks like I got a way back on cap'n good side. "

As he made his way out the marine captain would give chase. As heakes a break for it summoning his hollow to aid him. Arcologia mind started to wonder as his wonderland friends was running with him. But this was just his imagination running away with him.