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There was said to be a rose garden, magnificently hidden deep within the forest of the lands, where time flowed differently. It was said to hold a beautiful mansion, though few had ventured to see it. More recently, the rumors of a man in a top hat whom was master of the area had begun to pop up. Perhaps they were true?

Though the rumors weren't just rumors...

Indeed, Blood Dupre was the master of the Hatter Family, a powerful mafia that occupied the area. He did indeed have power over the time surrounding the mansion, and often confused his visitors by the sudden changes. He also did have a top hat. It was just his size, perfect for the Mad Hatter of Wonderland.

Though tonight time remained the same between the two dimensions. The sun was high, and the mansion was bustling with servants to and fro. Blood Dupre, however, was outside, lounging and enjoying the afternoon sun with a cup of tea. While it was rather cliche, it was what he enjoyed. Lounged on a few pillows, he waited. Today, he had a feeling he'd have a guest....

Blood was rather good at sensing the arrivals in his garden, and this one was no different. He got up, slowly turning his head to look over at the darkly colored male. Ah, so this was the visitor. He looked him over, amused by the rather striking appearance. Well. He would certainly be at home in Wonderland. Thinking it rude not to invite him, Blood called him over.

"Hello. Would you like to join me?" He asked, voice suave and smooth. He took another sip at the cup, giving a smile to his new guest. "I've been expecting you, after all."

Blood laughed at his question, seeming amused. "Ah, this must be your first visit." He murmured. These reams existed in various places, not limited to a very bright amusement park or his own mansion. He readjusted himself, preparing to explain his quarters to the visitor.

"Welcome to Wonderland. This is one of many that lurk around the world, places where time flows much differently. This is my realm, the Hatter Mansion. I am its master, Blood Dupre." There was a glimmer in his eye that was the slightest bit unsettling, though Zxero couldn't figure out quite why. "You are in no danger here, I assure you. At the moment all of the realms are at peace."

The smile fell upon the Mad Hatter's face as he repeated the name of the realm. Ah, how little he knew of the battles, especially as he repeated his last words. For now, he had no qualms with the residents. Mary Gowland had stayed quiet, probably moping in his loneliness, and both Nightmare and Julius stayed out of his way. The others, really, he had no interest in battling.

He took another sip of tea, waiting for the man named Zxero to come and join him at the tea party. "It's quite a magnificent blend. One you'll only find here. It's black tea with the buds of roses from this garden, with notes of an earl grey." He chuckled. His own personal blend, in fact. It was perfect. "Please, I already have a cup set aside for you."

Blood simply shrugged. "Tea is all I have around here. It is what many of my visitors like, though some don't come just to sit and chat." There was a slight hint of danger in his voice, though this was a peaceful time, wasn't it? Perhaps there was more going on that what Zxero could see. Or possibly know for that matter.

"Earl grey notes, though not overpowering. It's my personal blend. No one outside of here even has a drop." The smile again...He certainly looked like a prince, but that smile.. "And of course. Honey, sugar, anything you desire." Blood didn't take it the wrong way. It was a question, not a pet name. Plus there was not a single person that could get away with calling him such...

Not without consequences.

Blood seemed pleased with his reaction to the tea, nodding. "It's just something different to most's tastes." He murmured. "Most of my guests tend to enjoy it. It seems you're no different." The odd aura left rather suddenly as the time shifted to the middle of night. "Ah, don't be alarmed. It does that here quite often and at random." Blood didn't even bat an eye, obviously used to the occurrence.

"It is, isn't it?" He looked to his own mansion. "It might just be the time passing that makes you uncomfortable. Or perhaps it's the fact that you can sense my real occupation? No use hiding it..." He grabbed his cane and bowed as best he could. "Blood Dupre, current boss and master of the Hatter Family mafia." He gave a rather charming smile, though seemed bemused by the tails that were moving. "How interesting. I don't think I've seen anyone with tails quite like yours. You must come from somewhere far more interesting."

"Oh, only the occasional one or two a month or so...." He hummed, sipping again. "They usually come by out of curiosity. I suppose this place is regarded as being different. I once met a princess. Lovely girl." He noticed that Zxero didn't react right away to his confession of profession, though thought nothing of it.

"Not many friends? I see nothing wrong with you, you're just different from most." Blood would be the last to comment on features, having lived in a land full of all sorts of things. Different was good in his opinion. Why, he was sure if Zxero had been born in Wonderland, he too would be a role holder.

"Yes. I'm one of the few role holders of Wonderland. Mine is just as I said." He gave a charming smile, nodding to confirm. "Role holders are those in power of the different areas. There's Mary Gowland, the Duke of the Amusement Park, Vivaldi, the Queen of Hearts, and Julius Monrey, the Clockmaster." He listed them off smiling. "They're all very powerful people...The least powerful, I'd have to say, would be Mary."

"...What?" Blood seemed slightly confused. Fighting or battling? Nono, it wasn't like that at all. "I'm afraid you have it a little wrong. We technically fight...Though usually our target ends up dead." He wasn't running an arena here. It was a business. "Though death isn't quite a permanent thing here....Unless we take care of it properly. You see, people here don't have hearts. We have clocks. They can be repaired if they're damaged, meaning we can be 'reborn' so to speak. But if I'm killed, the control would go to another. Which is why I stay here and take care of paperwork and territory disputes."

He did watch Zxero's face, just a little worried he'd scare the man off. He did rather like him so far, interesting, just odd enough. Blood sipped again at his tea, refilling it again when it emptied. Unlike his guest, however, he added nothing more.

"It is something I was chosen for." He sighed, looking into the cup. "You see, people of this country usually don't have faces. Not unless they have a role, like myself. One day, I was just chosen for this. I suppose the old master died or something. I was very young." Ah, he remembered. He was the last member of the family for a while, and rarely saw his parents. His sister...However.....He wasn't going to speak of her.