The Lady had taken a moment to settle in, listening to his proposal. "Excellent idea- we can bring Cheshire with us, if you want- she seems well-behaved. I'd love to see what you have to show me..."
When the Lady made mention of bringing Cheshire, he nodded "-Good idea, she'll be happy to be let out. Considering its dark, less people will be inclined to snoop" He recalled the last time he had taken Cheshire for a walk- a day that would never be forgotten, lesson painfully learned. Bad idea to walk a predator among squeamish citizens.
Vendetta could only smile, more... energized? Jervis really couldn't say. Watching him, she realized his eyes were on her ensemble. Vendetta realized he probably thought she looked absolutely ridiculous, over-the-top. Like usual. "Oh, yes... Sorry about this, I saw it laid out- think I left it. Thought it was fun at the time. It reminds me of yourself- might need a hat, though... Where are we going? Or is it a surprise?" Words all tumbling into one semi-coherent speech, she did finally cut herself off with a delicate grin.
When she made apologetic excuses for her incoherence, he shook his head "-Not at all, I think you always look your best. I've never met someone with such an expansive taste in wardrobe. I must say I'm rather envious... Brown, black and blue is my forte." Nodding absently, until she spoke for one last time, inquiring where they were going, he grinned. "-Surprise, but I'll admit its in a place I own... You could say its the crowning jewel. First, we'll need to make one quick stop."
It hadn't been long before they swung by the Hatterdasherie, grabbed Cheshire and with Jervis' directions made it in less then twenty minutes across town. "-Just pull right up through the gates there," Jervis directed pointing past the driver, watching as they moved through the front of an abandoned carnival. Creeping forward through the weed-choked lot, littered with old pamphlets, hot dog wrappers, stale popcorn- that had nearly all but been food for the birds.
They had driven in relative silence after that- Jervis having given her driver written instruction. Vendetta had been curious, and though she'd never admit it... She hoped it would be an abandoned amusement park, Gothic Carnival or the like. Watching the feline, Vendetta wanted to pet Chesh's impossibly-soft fur, but decided against it. Cheshire may have been mind controlled, but there were still powerful instincts; Vendetta felt not like trying them out.
"-It's right up there, see... between the Rollercoaster and the Log Ride." Much to her secret delight, they pulled into an abandoned carnival! She was thrilled. They would have seen, a large mirror maze entitled 'Wonderland'. The front painted with all manner of images! Alice in her delicate blue dress, the March Hare, White Rabbit and Queen, while the Hatter itself had curiously been re-painted to have a striking likeness to the man himself…
When the Lady's driver pulled up out front, Jervis would have clambered out excitedly, not even waiting for the driver to get the door, heart racing with the thrill of heading within. "-Welcome to the heart of my Wonderland collection! And it's even better inside!" he declared, arms thrown out wide as if he was showcasing it for her… She had been silent, mildly surprised when he jumped out. She glided along behind Chesh, and froze.
Wonderland- a beautiful mirror maze, one unlike anything she'd ever seen before. Even the Lady had fallen at a loss for words- a dark dream come to life. All it needed was a Gothic tint, and... No. Vendetta would keep out. She very slowly glided toward it, gingerly touching the surface, stroking the painted Cheshire’s fur. Turning back, he could see delight, wonder, excitement, ecstasy sparkling in those intricate eyes. "...Can we go inside? I adore amusement parks- especially abandoned ones... This is just- beautiful beyond compare... One of the few things I so dearly missed..."
"-Of course! That is the idea..." Unlocking the grand entrance, the doors parted- revealing the maze within. Jervis had to admit, the Lady’s delight and wonder pleased him greatly. In its heyday, fair goers could laugh and watch people move around with hands outward, stumbling as they tried to get to the heart. Entering confidently, he led the way- slipping into the realm of antiquated madness, the pair at his heels. He navigated through, without so much as a hand raised- knowing his way around perfectly.
Surrounding them as they walked, she noted, were paintings; some of the mirrors were gilded, from a stripped book of Wonderland. Yellowing pages plastered on the walls, inviting one further through the oddly-crystalline labyrinth. In the centre of the walkway, a metal pole like that at a crossroads, painted to look wooden. A variant of different signs that say 'This way' 'That way' ‘Over Here’ and such- Different ways to explore. Pushing past them, as if she'd seen it all before and somehow wasn't as misty eyed, Cheshire slipped into the darkness beyond, "-Stick close..." he warned politely with a devilish smile.
Unbeknownst to Jervis, Alice in Wonderland was a favourite of hers; though she put a Gothic twist on it. Many an hour idled away, Vendetta wishing to have found Wonderland, living as a Dark Alice- or even darker Queen Of Hearts, if not unto her own right. She gingerly touched the walls, the pages, the paintings as they walked. Vendetta fell behind, caught in the beauty- but was also simultaneously annoyed; some of the paint needed work. Artists. Still, the flicker and scent of burning wax drew her. She glided down the tunnel, deathly silent, where Jervis and Cheshire awaited.
Delighted, she emerged from a rotating tunnel- twisting light slightly disorienting- to the dark heart of Wonderland. A semi-vast room fit with a Tea Table; black and red glass cups, saucers and pots still resting along its top. Striking a match, blood-filled black candles cast the darkened table into a warm gloom, not venturing beyond that to the room itself. A wonder of modern technology given beauty, along the walls a mural- Wonderland's Mushroom Forest. Vast trees disappearing into the expanse above, painted with Blacklight inks. Purple bulbs shone, casting an otherworldly glow. Euphoria ruled, stepping into Wonderland itself; similar purple and blue lights hung midair, strange fireflies.
There were other rooms, but this was his favourite. In the corner Cheshire took her place, black lights making her dyed fur glow brilliantly. She relaxed beside a large concrete mushroom, painted to look like something Alice might have climbed on in the books. One half-expected the Caterpillar to emerge from the scene at any time. Wetting his thin lips, he finally turned to Vendetta, "-This is my gem, the bauble in my Wonderland collection crown. I have made it my life's work to restore it, to its former glory... and of course, give it a couple personal touches..." he chimed, nodding towards her "-What do you think?"
To his absolute delight, she could no more repress the audible gasp than she could the step backwards. She'd found Wonderland. The fluorescent colours, the glowing, euphoric backdrop.. Best of all, the Tea Party laid out... Every bit of Vendetta screamed ecstasy and delight- a locked-away dream, come to life... She couldn't even speak, words deserted her for once.
"Has anyone else... ever seen this?" Trembling oh-so-softly, gingerly, Vendetta stepped in. Every step brought her deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole... Her fingers skimmed a wall, amazed at the comforting iciness. Vendetta made her way to the Tea Party, wanting nothing more than to remain... Him, and his hopefully Gothic Alice...
But you're not Alice, her mind hissed. Much as she loved this place, adored Wonderland... this wasn't hers. You're not good enough- and you never were. It was right.