He was settling in well enough, thanks to Zee. It had taken some time to adjust to the fact that there was actually a place already made for him and money and food that he hadn't had to con anyone out of. Which was nice. And now that he knew not to get too comfortable with the way the City was, he was okay with it. He was almost starting to understand.
It didn't mean he was happy, of course. No, that was a rare emotion for Hatter. Content, yes, even okay. But happy? No. He made friends rarely and Zee was still the only person he'd had any sort of meaningful conversation with. Though he'd already planned on leaving Wonderland, he'd planned on having a way back if it was needed. And right now, it wasn't there and he didn't like being so off. It wasn't like he'd had much left there. But he had wanted something. Or rather, someone. It had been the most disappointing part of the interrupted trip through the Looking Glass. He had thought long and hard about making that decision and then to find out that it had been wasted? He wasn't pleased.
Then he heard it. A woman's voice. Saying his name. The only name he'd given in this place was the too anonymous "David". So to hear Hatter? He couldn't help it. His breath caught and his heart paused so he could turn around and hold his breath and search for the speaker.
"Alice." He said it as if he didn't quite believe it and maybe it was because he didn't. He'd given up hoping and yet...there she stood. Long dark hair, big blue eyes. He really didn't know what to say. He stood and stared nearly dumbfounded.