Audrey nods seriously. 

"Hatter, could you open a window?"

"There's one in the sitting-room," he calls back from somewhere else in the house. 

"I left it open on purpose."

"Jabberwock, is it okay if I pick you up?"

"...okay?"

They don't sound very sure.

Audrey sits down on the floor next to Jabberwock, and lays a hand palm-down next to them. 

"Hop on whenever you feel ready."

Hesitantly, and with a few pauses, the little bird hops forward.

With much fussing and fluttering, they eventually settle themself with both feet curled securely around Audrey's forefinger. 

Audrey stands carefully, and checks to make sure she didn't jostle Jabberwock too much.

Jabberwock flaps a little to maintain balance, but seems content enough to stay sat on Audrey's finger. 

They chirp quizzically at her. 

Audrey carefully carries Jabberwock to the window ledge. 

"If you want to be out in a bigger space, you can go flying, or if you'd prefer to stay with me that's okay too... Whatever would help you feel less scared is okay by me."

"Flying!"

The little bird takes off through the window, and quickly disappears from sight. Their happy singing can be heard, though. 

Audrey smiles. 

"Windows are wonderful."

"I...suppose?" Hatter re-enters the room in time to hear this remark.

"Never really thought about it before. You have a fascinating way of looking at things, Audrey," he says with a smile.

Audrey hums contemplatively. "I just notice. Humans are very bad at it - you're not so bad, when I explain it you can see somewhat, or at least trust me that I know what I'm talking about - sorry, I shouldn't compare even causally - anyway. Windows are nice because they let you let in the parts of the outside you want." 

Jabberwock appears in view again, having flown a circle around the house.

Singing at the top of their tiny lungs, they loop past the window and carry on flying.

Audrey smiles as Jabberwock passes. 

"See? There goes a nice thing right now."

Hatter leans against the wall next to the window, and watches the little bird flying around his house.

"I'm sure I'll get used to thinking of - it? Them? Anyway, I'm sure I'll get used to thinking of Jabberwock as a good thing eventually. But at the moment it's a very strange thought."

Audrey tilts her head and hums to herself.

"Fire burns."

" - sorry, what?"

Hatter wrenches his gaze from the view to glance at Audrey.

"What fire?" he asks, slightly alarmed.

"Oh! Um, sorry, not literally... well I guess literally? I was just thinking about how..."

She waves a hand vaguely. "Fire is dangerous but also really useful?"

"It is, at that," Hatter agrees, relaxing. 

He attempts to piece together the train of thought that led them here.

"So, you think Jabberwock will be useful in taking down Marcella? That's easier to buy." 

"Mmm, more than that. Fire can burn you, but that's if you don't take care of it properly. In the right context it can be a cheery and even joyful thing, can't it?"

She looks out at Jabberwock again. 

"To extend the metaphor... my natural inclination whenever I meet something fiery is to figure out how to use it to make smores."  

Hatter laughs. 

Jabberwock chooses this moment to come back and perch on the windowsill, still singing cheerily. They look up at Audrey and Hatter. 

"I like flying!" 

Audrey kisses it atop its little bird head. 

"You're a cute little spark, you know that?"

Jabberwock blinks, looking at her through one eye and then the other as if she might look different depending on the angle. 

"Cute little spark?" they repeat dubiously. 

Audrey nods quickly, yes-yes-yes. "You're a very cute spark! Just try not to land on any tinder, ok?"