But In The End

The taste and aroma of something delicious could lift a person's spirits up, and yet there were also occasions where the sweetest drinks and meals would taste like a bitter gall for someone truly in despair. In the Mad Hatter's shop, currently closed for an hour's break—Rosalyn found the lunch she had to have sudden bursts of flavor, rich texture and yet it was still mostly muted.

There wasn't enough of it to completely raise her spirits, not when the truth of the matter presented its case to her. Was it a foolish choice to befriend Alice's companions? There was a reason why the men and women had flocked to Alice at that time and Rosalyn lacked it—whatever it actually was that made people swarm to the vixen like bees to a flower.

Mary Ann might have been able to let her see that there was worth in befriending people and turning them into one's side. Allies. Bonds stronger than that of a Queen and her people. Ties that could go beyond the test of time and reason.