Alice stood at the counter; her eyes were glittering as she took in the contents of the shop. She had never been here before. Impressed, awestruck by the exorbitance of the shop, her seed of curiosity began to grow, wrapping its tendril in her mind, rooting with all the other curiosities that bloomed. Questions pollinated, wanting to know about the intricacies between Mad and this profession. The lavishness of the drapes, decor, and overall appearance had her reeling, a drastic difference from the Mad and lifestyle she was familiar with. She knew he made hats and clothing; he was very good with needle and thread; an artistic genius. But as she scanned the extravagance of the shop, this was a whole other level she never expected. 

Alice created her own image of his creative endeavors, believing it was more of a starving artist, nomadic, self-sufficient one than the lavish one this shop expelled. Mad and her grew all their own vegetables; they had only gone to the small forest village for things like flour and supplies they couldn’t grow on their own; March and CC brang them their more obscure groceries. When she found out that Mad actually owned a shop and sold his designs, she was proud. He put a lot of work into his craft, and it was fantastic to see that they were fruitful.  

She didn’t realize it was like this. A squirm in her chest had her aching, reminding her how little she knew of the man she loved.

The room was dark, with rich dark purple curtains hung low, indicating a closed shop. She could imagine the way it would glow, sparkling and twinkling in the light. Delicate silks and fabrics adorned the walls, the molding outlined and detailed the shop’s exquisite and sumptuous wallpaper. Golden trinkets and stars adorned the shelves, hanging down with swatches of fabric along the corners and edging. It was truly refined yet had a touch of Mad. The shelves were mostly filled, in a familiar, organized chaos. Various types of intricacies in designs showcased themselves on mannequins and shelves, exemplifying his dazzling artwork.  

It did beg a new question, just one more log to add to her burning pyre, what did he do with his earnings? Lost in her imagination, the distinct sound of someone walking through the portal perked her up.  

Alice turned to speak as the clacking of their approaching footsteps against the checkerboard tile sang in her head. “Mad! This place is so—” her voice stopped. Her eyes fell to an unfamiliar man standing next to CC.  

The feline barely made their way over to Alice before they were forcefully grabbed and held between her and the stranger as a makeshift shield. CC grunted in surprise; their body tugged and pulled aggressively as Alice bobbed and weaved behind the cat. 

“Who’s that?” Alice asked defensively. 

Looking blankly between Alice and the mysterious man, CC didn’t respond right away, uncertainty wriggling through the feline's mind. Finally, it clicked, and a bellowing laugh flew from their tiny frame, doubling over their stomach. 

“Oh!? It’s Mad. This is the first time you’ve seen him like this?” CC bounded back over to the man who they claimed was Mad. “It’s a mask. He puts it on to keep his identity hidden. He’s the most famous designer in the world, so he hides his face to keep his privacy.”