“Probably” Andre answered softly and turned back, facing the way they had already travelled. “And you’re most welcome, dear. A.B. is happy to help.”<br/>Andre walked faster this time, his long legs taking even longer steps. It wasn’t that He was anxious to leave this place, but He was actually glad to return home. To not know everything about that world anymore, to know the people that befriended him before were now no longer in any world he had access to, it made him nostalgic and uncomfortable. Home is where he longed to be right now, with Deidre, Dumas, The Hatter, even Cheshire perhaps, but safe in his woods. In Wonderland, all problems seemed less harmful.<br/>“Dear, do you still plan on attending the Hare’s tea party? I wonder who will be there...”<br/>They finally arrived to the corner where they had left the portal. Oddly, there was no bush, no tree, no door, no hole in the ground. Nothing but a concrete sidewalk and a manhole who’s entry was block by a manhole cover with a heart engraved on it. Andre frowned.<br/>“Oh, heavens, this can’t be serious.” But the tickle on his stomach indicated otherwise, so He went ahead and removed the cover. Under it, the dark hole in the ground seemed endless and some distant lights could be seen, as if the night sky had fallen to the ground. “This has to be it, Deidre. Though the smell isn’t very pleasant... This is the way.<br/><br/>*******<br/>As soon as she stepped inside the frontier, Eleanor knew her dearest friend was on his way. There was no need to see him, feel him or hear him, deep in her heart she could already tell He would soon be by her side. A small, sad smile played in her lips, her hands held each other tightly. It had been so many years since her last visit. She had changed so much, and was a bit nervous that the Hatter might not feel as strongly for her as he did last time. Maybe she couldn’t manage being as bright and cheerful as she used to, because she was actually so tired and hopeless. Still his presence made her heart sing with anticipation, she was sure that seeind him once again would have an effect on her no medication could.<br/>She heard the steps breaking the leafs on the ground, the sound of breathing. But when she looked in that direction, soon she found it was not her Darling companion. Ace was back.<span style="font-style: italic">Ace</span>. Her first impulse was to cry, scream and run towards her. She was nothing but a traitor Just like her sister. She had abandoned her, forsaken her true duty. But of course Eleanor couldn’t, she was nor brave nor idiotic enough to face “the Queen’s Knight”. So all she did was quickly step back out of the woods and hide behind the same rock. She wasn’t scared; Ace had no authority in that side of the border, and she was sure the Hatter would still come and fend for her... But she did not want to be seen. She did not want Ludovica to know Just how close she was to her. So she waited, and waited, eyes closed, heart beating fast like a bullet.