A Mad Tea Party (Max)

[alice]

Alice wasn't sure if it was she that suited the name. It was often noted that a name truly did help define a person. Her parents little play with literature had gotten Alice her name. Although, they were no relation, that she knew, to the author Lewis Carroll. They thought it too cute to name their daughter after the curious Alice. Sure enough, it seemed to instill that very curiosity within the blonde child. Only, this blonde child wasn't to particurly fond onf placing herself in dangrous situations. Somehow, Alice ended up there anyway.

His rambling did not truly begin to make sense, but seemed to evolve into something Alice could use. She wasn't concerned about his words, too much, that his visit could bring trouble her way. Alice knew to only be out at night with Rio around, or another friend. She was cautious, or tried to be. It was rare that she walked home in the dark alone. And then, she was safe behind a locked door, here at the hospital, or with vampires. Now, if she was safe around them, Alice had to trust in Rionach.

'Theodore' was quiet. Alice watched him silently, letting him put together his thoughts, before she would attempt to prod him 'awake'. Soemthing seemed to yank him back, and he was rambling again. And something he said sparked a question. Actually, two questions, "And what do you do, 'Theodore'?"

"Especially, things that somehow find you ..alone..when dealing with your guests," she couldn't figure out how someone would be alone and with guests. Alice would have to let him tell her. And hopefully, it would help Alice understand her patient better.

[Deleted]

Max thought on the good doctors questions. She was allowing him tohang himself in the details. That was good in her doing so he would unravel the mystery of why she stuck out to him.

"Why I do the most incredible things mostly I freelance for this one or that one. Sometimes i even do this one and that one at the same time. It makes it really hard to see which thread is tied to which needle. I also free minds of themselves. I cut mattress tags. I attempt to date but they never work out the way I plan. Just the other day I was attempting to capture the heart of this pretty little blonde kitty when a no good snake in the grass stuck his nose in. I was flabbergasted and quite naturally took to the shadows to watch her and him."

Max liked this game indeed it felt good to tell truth. He didn't know why but it did. Were the happenings in the city changing him. He doubted that highly. Emboldened by the spirit of their exchange he went on all but forgetting the game he was playing.

"You know Alice I wonder why are you here we all know why I am here. In fact we know why most of the people here are here and not there but you are different. The other doctors look to get ahead proving themselves capable in treating us. But you act as if you might be us instead of them. Is that why you are here and not there, because you are us and not them. Everyone knows you can't be both." Cocking his head as he made obvious that he was studying her Max shadowed his arm out of its restraint to scratch his chin. There was just enough give at the neck of straight jacket that he could slip his hand out and get at the offending annoyance. It had been bothering him for some time and he'd ignored it as long as he could.

Realizing what he'd done Max acted as if it were no big deal. With any luck she would merely write it off as him not having been properly fastened in. It happened more often than the staff would dare admit...

[alice]

He was like the most intricate puzzle. Math in words. And Alice wasn't very good at math. Not bad, but it certainly hadn't been her expertise in college. Listening to "Theodore" was more like reading a crossword. There were words, but they set in a numbered sequence. Each had it's place, it's position. Alice just had to figure out which position went with which. He was going to be quite the challenge. She now understood why the nurse outside had tried to tell Alice she should pass on this patient. Alice just didn't believe in 'passing' on others. And just maybe, she could help him. "Theodore" just had a 'code' to him.

"I see. Did your blonde friend find out that you had been watching her?" searching for why he had been brought in, Alice though maybe he had been arrested on stalking charges and got a bit out of hand with the officers. She wasn't sure. He did he best to not remain clear. Or, so it seemed.

Then he seemed to turn the puzzle over to Alice. She had had patients turn things about before. Of course, she hadn't had such a 'deep' and confusing patient as the one before her either, "I am here to help you, 'Theodore'. Not to figure out if I am like the staff or patients. This isn't about me tonight."

Her voice had remained calm, and attempted at soothing. Her patient did not seem worried in the least. Just very interested in her. There was movement under his straight jacket, and Alice realized that he was not secure with the pop of fingers sliding to an itch. Great. Training told her that she should leave the room. But, Alice chose to stay until he did seem threatening. Foolish perhaps, but she wanted to help him, "I need you to tell me more about your friend...and her 'snake'."

[Deleted]

"I wouldn't say friend, she could have been but not anymore. Her snake was your average black budinsky. He slithered in and changed the entire flow of my night. I even lost a few games of pool just to make friends but he was determined to break us up before we even got together. I don't make many long term friends anyway. I think its because I was too rough with them." Max shrugged slipping his arm back into its restraint. she hadn't seemed to notice but he wouldn't push his luck.

Sighing he went on. "Maybe thats true. Or maybe its true for you. I am here to find out about you. You interest me greatly. You are different than the others. The others would have given up on me by now. You haven't hats a good thing I think. I was never truly sure what was good for me. I think thats why I practice my art so much."

As his thoughts replayed the many masterworks he'd managed Max grew quiet as the images swam to the surface of his mind. He had to admit that he was really good at what he did. If he could just focus it he would easily outdo that english charlatan.

Snapping back to the room with the doctor Max continued speaking as if no time had passed. "Either that or boredom. My parents were fond of keeping busy. Always doing something. Some function to attend some club to make an appearance at. If they hadn't been so busy I wonder how differently things would have become. Thats not important now is it Alice? Do you have a lover? I've had a few but it never seems to be enough."

Max realized he was enjoying himself all too much at this rate the good doctor would assume him cured and send him on his way. He would have to break the flow somehow. How was anyones guess as he didn't want to scare her off permanently merely enough where as she would take things slowly...

[alice]

There was a slight fall to one corner of her mouth. A frown tempted, as he described the 'snake'. She listened to him continue. A tale about the breakup, and struggle to keep friends. Alice wasn't sure what he meant by 'rough' with them. If he was just someone that others did not get along with well, or what. She made a note of it in her thoughts, planning to ask him.

Her shoulders shifted slightly. Alice felt an uncomfortable coolness shiver over her skin and seep into her spine. That he took interest in her was not good. Alice could have waved it off with most patients. But, it was in the way he spoke. In the way he went on to talk about her, how she was different. How he had come there to find out about her. Alice tilted her head slightly. Her eyes narrowed slightly, trying to figure him out. And...what did practicing his art have to do with her.

"I'm sorry...you came here to find out about me?" she asked, as he became silent. He seemed to 'leave the room' for a moment. Alice waited, as patiently as she could. Still, there was a change in her body. The barest quickening of her heartbeat, that she didn't notice.

He seemed to return. A random answer came about parents. How they seemed to busy for him. How they ran off to clubs and other appearances. And then he switched again. Her eyebrows flinched, and Alice suddenly stood up. The idea of being questioned about Rio made her anxious. And it shouldn't have.

Alice hadn't had a lover in so long after her last heart break. And Rio wasn't just any lover. She was her Master for life. Alice shook her head, and took a step back from the table. Now her heart was ramming against her breast. The fearful side of Alice seeping to her skin in a place she had never felt frightened in before, "I'm sorry... "Theodore. We aren't here to talk about me. Or whether I have a lover or not."

[Deleted]

"Don't be I have been disappointed before." Max said in his most consoling voice. He learned early on that his voice and smile could easily soothe others. He had found that those with strong wills were less moved but it had proven to be a valuable tool in his arsenal.

"Honestly I had planned on staying for a spell but I think I will extend my visit to learn more about you. I promise to stay away from things that are too personal. Like your lovers. I meant no harm just trying to solve the puzzle of you in my head."

Max saw the trepidation in her. Normally it would have triggered the drive to hunt. Now however it made him want to soothe her. To calm her so as she wasn't too skittish. He knew that she needed to feel at somewhat bit of ease around him if he were to ever crack the reason of his interest.

Racking his brain all he could come up with was a blank. He had o clue as o how to appease her. The veiled truth came to his mind at last. And so he dived in plowing ahead hoping to lull her back to a calmer state.

" I am truly sorry if I offended you. That was not my intention. I sometimes grow overzealous when pursuing a puzzle. What would you like to know ask me any two questions and I will answer truthfully. However if you do I get to as one in return. I will believe you if you believe me..."