As Layna walked forward, she felt that Cheshire Cat was close behind despite his quiet. She really didn't know how to fully process the whole situation, but Layna would be lying if she didn't say she appreciated him being around. Despite his annoying and cryptic speech, he seemed to have a better understanding of this world and situation than she did. It was a stability she didn't know she needed right now.
After a bit, she slowed her pace, noticing the shifting nature of the woods she was in. It was a serene place where the wildlife sounded soft and calming. The plant life came in various sizes, many of them having some kind of twisting shape to them. Many of the larger trees, in particular, had roots that stuck out of the ground, curling around anything near them. Moss found homes in various locations. Strange flowers she did not recognize sat upon the ground and barks of trees. And, mushrooms that seemed to have a luminescent characteristic, but that could just be the strays of light that hit them. All in all, the place looked a bit mystical. Even the path she walked upon was scattered with red and golden leaves from the foliage above.
Humming could be heard behind her, and Layna took a peak. Seemed like Cheshire Cat had turned invisible again, but Layna easily heard the tune keep pace with her.
"Keep rushing forward, and you might trip over yourself."
Layna quickly looked forward again, stopping in her tracks to make sure she didn't hit anything. The snicker behind her caused Layna to slouch a bit, realizing he was simply messing with her.
However, she did notice the first signs of a house just past the foliage. There was a bit of chimney smoke in the sky. Layna continued forward, no longer hearing Cheshire Cat yet knowing he was still there. With each step, the sounds of chatter and clatter grew, and Layna saw peaks of an interesting looking home. It was a house in a rabbit head shape, with its ears as chimneys, and misplaced straw for a roof.
She slowed down and kept to the shadows to first assess the situation, looking over at the characters and the scene first.
It was easy for Layna to name who was who, as each had blatant features that were impossible to miss. A green top hat for the Mad Hatter. Bunny ears for the March Hare. And, an actual dark brown mouse slept on a fluffy purple pillow—that had to be the Dormouse. However, seeing how Cheshire Cat had originally revealed himself in a cat form, Layna had a feeling that the Dormouse also had a different form.
Still, there was a strange juxtaposition that Layna didn't understand. Mad Hatter and the March Hare looked as though they were from two different time periods. The former had a vintage outfit, albeit brightly colored in green and yellows, while the later looked very modern. 'Hipster' was one thought that passed through Layna's mind, a trend she has seen boom throughout the past few years in the Western world. The March Hare had an unbuttoned blue and orange flannel, white shirt, brown skinny jeans, and leather boots on. Heck, he even had a matching brown beanie and large-rimmed shades on.
But, what baffled Layna the most was the fact that tea pots, tea cups, plates, utensils, and all sorts of objects floating up around the tea party. No one at the table there seemed to be bothered by it, so Layna could only conclude that this was a common occurrence. Despite it not making sense to her, Layna chalked it up as it simply being the fantastical rules in Wonderland, and that she ought to adapt quickly. It wouldn't benefit her to gawk at every strange little thing, especially if it causes her to lose her concentration or alert nature.
Talking quiet steps forward, she moved towards the table, "I know there isn't any room, so I'll stand." Layna didn't want to deal with any chastising from these characters about sitting uninvited. But, she did notice the contrasting smells in the air as she got closer.
The March Hare jolted a bit, surprised by the new company, while the Mad Hatter just watched quietly, observing as he drunk from his tea cup. The small Dormouse shifted a bit on his pillow before continuing his snooze.
Tilting his head, the March Hare looked at Layna with a critical eye, as if trying to judge her character before having a large, welcoming smile, "Wine?"
Layna blinked before shaking her head, "I'd rather stay sober. But…I'd take some tea." She'd honestly really enjoy a comforting cup of tea, especially with her rising stress levels.
The Hare, however, gave her a tsk, "No tea left. Besides, I like coffee more." He takes a nearby floating tea cup, a size too big, and took a sip before looking at the Hatter, "We don't have any tea, right?"
The Mad Hatter swirled a silver tea pot, one that was tarnished around the rims, "If you want tea, there's tea." He poured the tea into a similarly tarnished silver cup.
Layna's nose twitched. Whiskey. It was subtle since she was on the other end of the table, but she knew that smell very well. "On second thought, I don't want a cup anymore."
"God, no need to be so indecisive."
Layna barely registered the Hare's voice, too occupied with not getting hit by a speeding tea cup. Some of the hot liquid swashed out—a few droplets hitting her hand that she used to shield herself. With a sniff, she found it odd that it didn't smell like whiskey. It actually smelt like a chai tea.
"It's rude to not take tea when it's given."
Layna was about to snap back at the March Hare, to say that he was the one being rude, but a small hand tugged at her sleeve.
Looking down, Layna was startled in seeing a young boy, no more than 10 or 11. Seeing the black mouse ears upon his head, Layna instantly thought Dormouse. He, too, dressed more modernly compared to the Mad Hatter—wearing a popped collar purple polo but had a magenta blanket hanging off his shoulders. The boy was also holding something in his arms. It was a large fur doll that had a puff on the head, little puff paws, large ears, shut eyes, and a beaked mouth—a furchi. This creepy toy had been out of style of a little while, but Layna remembered it was popular when she was a kid even if she never got one herself. She realized quite quickly that what she thought was a pillow that the Dormouse was sleeping on was actually this toy.
"You can sit down next to me, if you want." The poor boy looked like he hadn't slept properly in ages, with dark circles under his brown eyes and him barely seeming to keep his eyes open. It made him have a tired complexion upon his darker skin tone.
Layna hesitated on her refusal, and the Dormouse pulled her to where he previously sat in his mouse form.
One of March Hare's ears twitched, "Hey, I'm pretty sure I'm the one hosting this party. We have no room."
Responding, the Dormouse said. "But there is a spot for Alice."
There was a shift in the March Hare's eyes before he gave a nod with his posture becoming more proper, "You're right. How could you be so late, Alice?"
As the Dormouse sat down, Layna finally refused a seat, taking her hand back, "My name is not Alice. And, I prefer to stand. I'm simply passing by." She was getting antsy, wanting to leave now that they were calling her by a character name.
Clattering occurred when March Hare jumped onto the table, practically hopping over, "Nonsense! There is a seat for Alice, and you are the only one here. So, you are Alice."
Layna took a step away, hands raised, "No, no. It's actually Layna."
The Mad Hatter observed more closely then, but stayed quiet as he drank what Layna had thought was whiskey.
March Hare, on the other hand, kept up his high energy and ignored her claim. He grabbed Dormouse, who was in the middle of falling back asleep, and lifted the young boy into the air carelessly.
Layna was a bit worried for a second but was surprised in seeing the Dormouse floating above, turning a bit upside down. The kid was now a part of the floating tea party aesthetic, a few floating tea cups and plates occasionally bouncing off him, as he cuddled with his furchi and attempted sleep—completely unbothered.
She suddenly felt herself lifted up by the shoulders, feeling as though she was lighter than a feather, as the March Hare moved her and plopped her down on a seat. It wasn't even the seat the Dormouse had sat in. Layna also felt that she was slightly floating up, too, once the March Hare let go of her. She instantly held onto the chair arms for dear life while the March Hare picked a nearby flying tea cup and placed it in front of her. It floated peacefully in front of her face now, barely moving. Yeah, she didn't trust it.