(Title taken from Lewis Carol's poem of the same name. The poem can be found here.)

There was a momentary hesitation at the door, but Hayate paused the fraction longer, and the other agent preceded him through the door. Hayate eyed the man's ponytail--tied with a small white bow of all things!--and stepped quietly out of the briefing room.

The mission was a straightforward B-rank, guarding a caravan while a merchant toted a particularly large jewel to a prospective client. They would leave in an hour. Hayate was not displeased with the mission. He was curious about the other agent--he didn't think he'd seen the man around before. Hayate fumbled briefly for the name....Arai Ryuichi, that was it.

Ryuichi looked roughly Hayate's age, with a scarred face and dark scowl. The be-ribboned ponytail was an interesting touch. Hayate hoped it meant the man was not as unfriendly as he first appeared.