Found Kitten [Closed]

[Kari Muffin]

Peaches was still on edge. The feeling of helplessness hadn't gone away, but she had to move on. Well, at least she could come to the courts with a guest. Hatter was a big comfort, even if he was going to be staying for a short while.

However it felt like she was forgetting something awfully important. She left so suddenly and only told Bernard, really, that she was going somewhere. Maybe she should have at least told Xiven.

Oh, crap. Xiven. She had completely forgot to tell Hatter that she had a kid. Hopefully she wouldn't show up for a little while? It's not like Xiven would be watching and waiting for her return. The girl pretended that she was adopted half the time. There was no way she'd be excited about her mother's return.

"So, there's something I need to tell you before I show you around," Peaches began.

"Mom!" called a familiar voice.

"Well, never mind. That's Xiven, she's my daughter."

Xiven had come running up to the pair, and was very surprised to see the brightly dressed man. Obviously he was one of mom's weird friends. "Hello..." Xiven said as she looked up at Hatter.

[Vyn]

Hatter was absolutely beaming with the excitement of being back inside a Court again. It'd been...oi, longer than he could properly remember. Well, this time it'd be different. He had no intention of bringing attention to himself like he had before, he knew better now.

Temporarily lost in a spell of fascination and memories, it took Hatter a moment to realize that Peaches was talking to him and then to respond according to her. She had something to tell him? Flashing a charmingly bashful grin, the Joker tilted his head and was about to respond when, to his surprise a little voice brought him up short.

Mom?

Oh well... He hadn't expected that one.

"Errr...?" It only took a few moments of blank confusion before his expression lifted into a wide, friendly grin and Hatter returned to his previous cheerful ease. "'Ello Xiven, 'tis a pleasure to meet you!" He bowed low, sweeping his hat cheerfully, and then straightened up once more. "I'm The Mad Hatter, but you're welcome to just call me Hatter."

[Kari Muffin]

"The... Mad Hatter you say?" Xiven asked with a raised eyebrow. She had hit her sarcastic years a bit early in Peaches' personal opinion, the woman waited with baited breath for something, but Xiven was able to restrain herself. "It's nice to meet you."

"Anyway, sorry about running off without notice, Xiven. I didn't mean to things just came up."

"Things..." Xiven looked up at her mother with skepticism.

"Don't give me that look," Peaches rolled her eyes. "I'm going to show Hatter around the palace, so if you don't mind you can skip off to play with Fluffy? I have some adult things to talk about that I'm sure you don't want to hear."

"I don't think it could be worse than the story of my conception," Xiven muttered under her breath before looking up at Hatter and her mother with a smile. "I'll tag along if you don't mind."

Peaches refrained for sighing. She turned to Hatter with a smile. "Anyway, Hatter, is there any place you want to go first? Gardens? Kitchens? Library?"

[Vyn]

Hatter's wide grin twisted up slightly into a smirk, brow arching curiously at what Xiven appeared to be about to say. When nothing came, however, his grin evened out once more and he offered the little Queen another tip of his hat and a warm chuckle before allowing mother and daughter to catch up on their absence.

Or, rather, Peaches's absence.

Despite himself he couldn't help but chuckle at the undertones that slid occasionally through the conversation. What a relationship those two must have... Better than his relationship with his mother, at any rate.

"If your mother doesn't mind, then I don't mind at all." The Hatter grinned cheerfully, glancing down at Xiven briefly before turning his attention onto Peaches once more. "Ah! That order sounds lovely! The gardens first, I've heard a lot about them, and then perhaps the kitchen for some tea?" His words ended on a cheerfully hopeful note. It was about time, Hatter thought, for a good cup of tea.

[Kari Muffin]

Garden then tea? Well then, maybe she could get rid of Xiven temporarily. "I'll show you to the rose gardens then. However... Xiven, dear. Can you bring some tea to the gardens? You know, my favorite spot and my particular blends." She winked.

Xiven sighed. Fine she would cave. With a small nod she trotted off to fetch her mother some tea. Apparently she was now her mother's personal servant despite being a Queen. Let's see how long this was going to last... and anyway how long was that strangely dressed man going to stay?

Peaches wasted no time in showing Hatter to the gardens. "I think the rose gardens are one of the best features of the palace." Along with all the people she could stalk, but she would keep that to herself. "... Thank you for coming by the way. I really appreciate this. And you're giving me a legitimate reason to run away from paperwork a bit longer."

[Vyn]

Hatter's expression immediately perked at the thought of tea and gardens at the same time. Now that was a lovely thought. ...Especially lovely thanks to the company he got to share throughout it. It was interesting getting another look at his friend's life.

"Roses are lovely... and I've heard these are the best around." He took a deep breath, filling his senses with the perfume of roses. A little overpowering but still nice. He could see why it was her favorite place. "No worries at all, Peaches. I'm happy to be here with you." The Hatter chuckled warmly, grinning playfully. "And a legitimate reason to escape work, if only for a little while, is always wonderful."

Pausing briefly, Hatter glanced back toward Xiven had gone and tilted his head a little. "So who's the lovely little girl's father, 'mm? You must be proud of her, a Queen." Hatter couldn't help the curiousity... nor the mild concern that a lurking lover might not take too well to his habit of being rather physical with his closest friends.

[Kari Muffin]

She smiled as she sat on one of the benches. It was a nice day with perfect weather. Roses, cheery birds and a variety of other things. She didn't expect that question though.

"A man named Pravus. Blond King of Queen Serafino--His shadow and his little kitten. Pravus and I just happened to have a rather friendly introduction. Well... friendly in that painful sex sort of way. But it was an introduction that got me pregnant." She snorted. Oh she did like Pravus in more than just sex buddy terms but Hatter didn't need to know that. And Pravus was responsible for all of this stupidity.

"He's a bit lost now, the idiot." She sighed and shook her head. Slumping down she batted absently at a rose. "But I imagine when he wasn't he was proud. However... speaking of children. Don't you have one yourself?"

[Vyn]

Hatter settled onto the bench beside Peaches, leaning back a little to take in the atmosphere. It was definitely a nice day, and everything seemed decidedly perfect. He let out a happy little noise, his smile settling into a mask of unwavering content.

As Peaches explained, Hatter's brow arched a little and he found himself chuckling a little. It was always interesting to learn more about your friends, especially the fascinating ones such as Peaches, but he had expected her answer almost as much as she'd expected his question. "Lost, hm?" Was this, then, the same fool that made Peaches cry? Well that made sense then, did it not? "That's a pity, love, though imagine he'll eventually find his feet again. It just takes longer for some than for others."

He leaned in, briefly kissing her forehead before slumping back as well and gazing out into the gardens. So many roses...

"Kaden, you mean? Well, yes." He laughed again, more loudly this time. "Little hyperactive terror that he is... He's with Loreta at the moment, which is probably for the best. My cooking skills are...well, you're aware of them... and I'm too easily sidetracked, apparently."

[Kari Muffin]

Pravus was probably never going to get back on his feet. He was talking and having sex with his previous Queen who was very much dead. When you went in sane, did you normally get back on your feet?

"Have you thrown him down a well yet?" Peaches snorted as she pecked him on the cheek. "I guess Loreta has her hands full, but that doesn't explain why I ran into her back home.... She didn't have Kaden then." How odd. Maybe she had found a baby sitter or something. One day she would have the pleasure of meeting this little bundle of terror.

Xiven wandered into the courtyard, balancing a tray on her head. "Rosehip tea for mom, and... Vacation Blend for Mr. Hatter." She said as she "handed" her mother the cup. With that she took a bit of a bow, catching the tray in her mouth. She nodded her head to show that she was leaving. They could have their kissy kissy adult fun while she read some... painful book for her class.

"Thanks sweetie!" Peaches called out as loud as possible. It was fun embarrassing your kids.

(OOC: <3 If anyone wants to join in, feel free. ))

[Vyn]

Hatter laughed warmly, breaking into an even wider grin -- an impossible feat which he seemed to do quite a bit. The kiss brought a happy raise to his brow, but her comment about Loreta caught him off guard. He had to admit that he didn't entirely know what she did while away...other than work, of course, but that also must have meant she had someone to watch Kaden while she worked -- someone more responsible with children than he was, at very least.

"Of course not!" He feigned disdain, placing a hand to his chest briefly, before chuckling once more. "Though... I must say I don't know why she would've haven Kaden... Mayhaps she left him with a sitter? We've left him with a Corvie raccoon, Rocky, a few times...that might explain it?"

Hatter's train of thought cut off quite abruptly once Xiven and the tea arrived, his eyes lighting up. Tea~<3

"Thank you, Xiven!" He chimed in Peaches' wake before turning his attention back to Peaches. "Vacation Blend, hm? Don't know if I've had this one before! What's in it?"