Wayne Ball [Site-Wide, Open]

[Bruce Wayne]

It was something of a tradition that his parents had started years ago. Wayne Manor was to be home of a ball hosted by them, for the upper society of Gotham, primarily for fundraising purposes. It had ended after their deaths, but this was the second year it was back, this time under Bruce's lead. He had chosen to restart it to try to bring some money flowing into charities that needed it, and to get the upper class in Gotham to try to help their city.

[Alfred Pennyworth]

Alfred bustled about. He mentally sighed, wondering if Master Wayne had any idea just how much work a ball entailed. Alfred oversaw the staff. He needed to make sure the kitchen was well stocked and that enough servants were overseeing the guests' needs. He himself would be serving wine to any thirsty party goer. Despite the headache he was pleased with how the event was proceeding. Everything seemed to be in order. Hopefully a good sum of money would be generated for Master Wayne's various charities. Yes, the ball was tiresome but it was for a good cause. Plus, it should bring Master Wayne a little joy. It must feel good to know that he was continuing his parents' efforts. Hopefully he would enjoy himself with Jaina as well. Alfred had to admit that he was more than a little curious about the woman Master Wayne was so enamored with. This ball would prove a good opportunity to observe her.

[Floyd Lawton]

Some blocks away, Floyd Lawton was also getting ready for the grand event held at the Wayne Manor.

He was polishing his sniper rifle and going over the information The Calculator had provided him at a modest price.

"Modest my ass," spat Floyd, "I could have googled this shit for nothing."

He continued to polish while running scenarios in his head. He had to be ready for any inconvenience.

He smirked, "Watch out Mr. Wayne. I'm coming for ya."

[Jervis Tetch]

When Bruce had punched him, Jervis had managed to scramble away before anything else could go wrong. He looked like he belonged, and he passed it off as having too much to drink and hitting on Bruce's girlfriend. That worked well enough, and he was able to go on his way.

Damn him, and damn that Roman Sionis. Both of them were problems, both had intervened. But for now he could do nothing. She seemed scared of him. What fear should the White Rabbit have of the Mad Hatter? He promised to take her back to Wonderland with him...she should be happy, she should be joining him.

It would take time, he decided. That's all.

[Alice Challen]

Alice skipped inside the Wayne manner, fairly excited to be a part of the hustle and bustle of the party. She was wearing one of her favorite blue dresses. She had made absolutely certain that this one contained no blood stains. As pretty as those were they could be off putting for members of high society. She wasn't sure if she'd find anyone she knew here. In fact she somewhat doubted it. But she was isolated most of the time and she figured the ball would be a good opportunity to strike up a conversation. Besides, she had fond memories of her parents attending them. Well...Mostly fond. There was the even that took their lives but Alice couldn't really blame the festivities for that. It would have happened sooner or later. Her parents wouldn't have wanted her to be terrified of balls forever. She stopped skipping and started twirling in a circle. This would be fun!

[Jervis Tetch]

Jervis saw the girl who was twirling in a circle. That was certainly strange. She didn't seem like she belonged here, but neither did he. He at least managed to blend in, though. He went in her direction, intending to stick close and see if he could learn anything.

[Alice Challen]

Alice was filled with energy at the moment. She stopped spinning and proceeded to do a couple of back flips and somersaults. She was careful not to bump into anyone. She didn't want to appear rude. She began to sing her own song that had absolutely nothing to do with the music.

"We're painting the roses red.
We're painting the roses red.
We dare not stop or waste a drop
So let the paint be spread.
We're painting the roses red.
We're painting the roses red.
Oh painting the roses red.
And many a tear we shed
Because we know
They'll cease to grow
In fact they'll soon be dead
And yet we go ahead.
Painting the roses red.
Painting the roses red.
We're painting the roses red."

The cards in wonderland had taught her such a lovely song.

[Jervis Tetch]

Well, this was certainly an interesting one. People were stopping to stare at her, wondering if she was part of the entertainment. Jervis assumed otherwise. He stuck nearby, and when she was done he approached her slowly.

[Alice Challen]

Alice saw someone approach her so she smiled sweetly and offered her best curtsey. "Hello good sir! The name's Alice! A pleasure to make your acquaintance!" she said in a bubbly tone. Maybe this person would talk to her!

[Jervis Tetch]

"Alice?" he asked, smiling. He hadn't met an Alice yet, and the way she was acting told him that she might be wonderful. "Jervis," he said, "Tell me Alice, would you like to venture with me to Wonderland?"

[Alice Challen]

Alice's eyes widened in delighted surprise. "Oh! You've seen it too?!" she asked breathlessly. "When I try to explain Wonderland to people they mostly assume I'm mad! Why yes! I'd love to go back there with you!"

[Jervis Tetch]

"You know it?" he questioned. "You know Wonderland?" He hadn't been there, but was she saying she has? "And...are you Alice, then?"

[Alice Challen]

Alice bobbed her head up and down excitedly. "Yes! I've been there! It's simply wonderful!" she exclaimed. She twirled in an enthusiastic circle. "You can find people that are in this world but...They're different. And the cards talk and dance! And even the flowers sing! It can be dangerous at times but it's simply wonderful!"

She chuckled. "I am Alice but I'm not the original one. I was told she died and I'm the next one," she explained cheerfully. She leaned in closer to Jervis. "I have a Vorpal Blade. I've been told that I need to slay the Jabberwock."

She sighed. "But I've never been there long enough. See..I don't quite know how I get there. There are portals. But...They keep changing. And I can never stay there too long," she explained.

[Jervis Tetch]

He wrapped an arm around her, "Come, we should talk about these matters somewhere else," he told her, "And I am the Mad Hatter, Alice," he told her, "That's my role in all of this. I've found the White Rabbit, and even a Red Queen, potentially.  Even if it's hard to return to, we can make it here, in this world."

[Alice Challen]

Alice clapped her hands in delight. "Really?! You're the mad hatter here?!" she asked eagerly. She observed him closely. "You look different from your Wonderland counterpart but they always do. But that's great! And you even know about your counterpart?! How did you manage that?! I don't think I've met anyone else who knows. What do you mean make it in this world?" she asked curiously. She had thought that Wonderland and this world were two separate entities, maybe parallel dimensions. But she had thought it was impossible to cross the two. Make Wonderland here? Whatever did that mean?