*~*~*Collaboration between Ghost Shadow, Vicier, YoshiSkittlez, and I*~*~*

Smiling softly Snow let her eyes flick about the room watching as everyone moved about doing their part to clear the room so that there was enough space for them all to sleep, a giant sleepover party as some of them had put it, though for her this would be her first. Picking up some of the blankets from the stairs she held them close against her chest awkwardly using one arm to shake them out her smile faltering slightly as she watched Edric move about close to her, dropping the blanket in her hand she reached out gently grabbing hold of his coat arm trying to get his attention before she nodded over to the stairs behind her, "Hey... Can we, uh... Can we talk? Please?"

Not waiting for a reply she turned away from him taking a couple of steps before she sat down the railing keeping her slightly separated from the others in the group, bringing her arms in she let the blankets rest on her lap her eyes following the strange patterns on them while she waited to see if he would join her or not.

"Hm?" Edric vocalized, his blue eyes following Snow as she obscurely distanced herself from the others on the stairs. Her tone sounded serious, or at least not the usual almost sing-songy sweet tone she typically carried. 

Following her up the stairs he picked the same step she did, plopping down beside her. "What's this all about, Snow? Everything alright?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. 

Biting down on her lower lip softly as she hesitated chewing on it for a moment or two her eyes remaining focused on the pattern before her as she thought about her behaviour towards the group over the past few days her head shaking softly as she began to finally answer him, "No... No everything isn't alright..."

Lifting her head up she turned her gaze to meet his showing him just how much regret and sadness she had been feeling, what he didn't know was just how long she had been thinking about it all though, "Edric, I've been horrible to you... And everyone else. Look, I know that I can't make up for how I've treated you, but I really do want to apologize. I'm so sorry, I really am..."

Edric nodded soberly, though there was still a lively glint to his eyes. "You just woke up from a coma, were reunited with your husband, then suddenly thrust back into The Enchanted Forest again. I'm not going to blame you for being a little tense." He replied in an assuring fashion. "Besides, you're stuck [b]here[/b] instead of Storybrooke. Wonderland's little more than a hovel of idiots who manage to make the days go by. I thought I missed it, but in reality I missed the nostalgia. Tell you what, though, we'll get back soon; I promise you." He added with a warm grin. 

"It's not even that. Really. I mean I've been through so much already, that the fact that I just woke up and got separated from Charming [i]again[/i]? It doesn't surprise me..." Dropping her head slightly she turned her gaze away from him looking back out over the room at the others, watching in silence for a few moments before she spoke up again her voice soft.

"I think what's really done it, what's got me so worked up is a mixture of things. Yeah, landing up in Wonderland has really thrown me, but it doesn't help after finding out you kissed me, and then that I was a fool to believe that I was even capable of starting a family..." Gripping hold of the blankets on her lap she sighed her eyes closing, "I can't believe that I let him make me think that I was going to be a mother... I'm so stupid..."

Edric's eyes widened substantially as Snow continued to speak, mentioning the kiss at the hospital. [i]'Of [b]all[/b] the memories to return with the broken Curse...'[/i] He thought to himself, letting out a heavy sigh. 

"Rumpelstiltskin is a master manipulator who's had centuries of practice. He's controlled my life for years now and I was utterly unaware of how deep it went...and it was my [i]career[/i] to deceive people." He assured, trying [i]very[/i] hard to deviate from the kiss. The last thing he wanted was a face-to-face talk on that. 

"That's the thing, I know he's a manipulator, yet I still let him control me and twist my thoughts until I fell for his tricks." Lifting her head up she looked over at him again her gaze meeting his as she hesitated a few moments knowing she wanted to talk about it but wasn't sure if she should, making her choice she took a deep breath letting it out slowly through her nose, "Edric... After I woke up, David told me about the kiss you gave me... I'm not mad or anything, I promise."

Turning her body on the stairs so that she was now facing him her hands playing with the blankets on her lap, "Really, I'm not mad at all, I'm mostly just curious about it... Curious about [i]why[/i] you kissed me in the first place..."

Looking almost dumbfounded, Edric appeared to have misplaced his tongue or voicebox as he spent the next few moments starting random sentences or otherwise moving his mouth with no words coming out. 

Finally, letting out a heavy sigh he grew quiet for a few moments before speaking, "I wish I fully knew, Snow. Perhaps part of me loved you, or at least [i]thought[/i] it loved you. Enough to selfishly try and wake you up. Fate is sealed, though. Only your absent-minded Prince could do the job." Edric explained, albeit slightly vaguely, keeping his eyes on her but dodging to look into her own eyes. 

"Edric..." Tilting her head slightly as she tried to catch his gaze she smiled softly her hands reaching out so that she could take hold of his hands in her own a gentle sigh escaping through her lips, leaning forward she closed her eyes her lips pressing ever so softly against his cheek for a few seconds before she pulled back showing him that she was being sincere with her words, "Thank you for trying, it's very sweet of you to think of me and try to help me in that way. I'm not going to lie, I do love you Edric, but only as family. Charming... I love him differently, like you said, he's my Prince."

"Yes, of course. You always had a strange attraction to brawny meatheads swinging swords." Edric replied with a smile on his face, clearly lighter of mood at her words. 

But his voice turned serious once more, "The promise I made to you still stands. No matter what happens, I'll stand with you." He affirmed with a few short nods of his head, sincerity in his eyes. 

"I've never much been the reliable sort...not in my nature, I suppose. Unless that's how I've convinced myself to cope. But you, Snow...you have that air about you, the ability to lead people. Your husband can throw himself at soldiers, yes. But it takes [i]real[/i] talent to lead people towards a common goal." Edric complimented wisely, the old philosophical whims of The Cat leaking through in his speech. 

Chuckling softly she squeezed his hands gently in her own, her expression looking (for the first time in days) a lot more relaxed, her eyes showing her happiness at the fact that she was now able to start patching up the close relationship she had once held with him, "Thank you, Edric. That really means a lot to me... And you know that no matter what happens, I'm always here at your side. I may not have proved it over the last few days, but I'm always here for you, I'm always going to back you up."

Her smile faltered slightly taking on a slightly sad look to it as she leant into him, her head resting gently against his shoulder as she listened to what he had to say to her, his small pep-talk both motivating and slightly daunting as it helped to bring back the fact that there were so many people back in Storybrooke who were all looking up to her and Charming to lead them, "..I can only do what I know... I can only help people to survive... I'm no real leader Edric, I don't understand why people look up to me, or why they would ever want to... Charming is a leader, he's a King; I'm a woman long strayed from that path."

"By 'long strayed' do you mean eating a poisoned apple knowingly in order to save his life? You've been asleep a long time, Snow White...but as have the others. They, too, are just waking up, remembering who they are. Charming may be a leader and some might...call him a 'King', but the stories have never ended with him ruling alone. Because he needs a Queen, and that, my dear...is you." Edric replied, his words making him sound almost twenty years older than he really was. 

"The qualities of a leader are not measured in how regal one can look, or if they can bandy words, or wield a blade, or break a Curse. The [i]real[/i] qualities of a leader come from inside, in the heart. There are very few [i]true[/i] leaders who walk among us, and fewer then who realize their talent. But I see it. You can lead these people, Snow, because Charming can't alone...and the rest of us aren't exactly 'regality' material." Edric finished, motioning towards Alice, Jefferson, Killian, then himself. 

"Oi, oi! Didn't anyone tell you not to judge a book by its cover, Cat?" 

Killian interrupted Edric after he stated that all of them didn't look like people who could become royals. He walked down to speak to Snow and Edric face to face. He asked "I couldn't help but wonder what our plan of action is now, considering we've found your sister," Killian gestured towards Edric when he mentioned him and Alice, and he continued while gesturing towards Jefferson briefly "And apparently, his hat doesn't work. So, what now?"

Ignoring Killian's first statement, though his brow furrowed slightly at the rude interruption, Edric nevertheless answered, "Now, we go back to the Queen's castle. It's not going to be easy, but it's necessary. We make it back to The Looking Glass and that'll get us back to The Enchanted Forest. Once we're there, we can work out a better plan as to getting back to Storybrooke. The situation won't be much better, given the Ogres, but the Queen has eyes everywhere...and Dodo is just as tenacious. The [i]last[/i] thing we need is to get on either of their bad sides." Edric explained soberly, clasping his hands together in his lap. 

Killian blinked at the mention of Storybrooke. After Edric gave his answer, he asked "And in this...Storybrooke, should we expect a welcoming party of sorts? I assume that the Evil Queen is leader at that place, wherever it is, considering she cast the curse," As he spoke, he looked confused and as though he was questioning himself if he was assuming the facts about Storybrooke correctly.

He then looked as though he realized something and he asked Snow "Or wait...are you Queen there? Or is it...?"

Lifting her hand up she brushed some of her short black locks from in front of her eyes as she listened silently to the conversation going on between Edric and Killian her eyes closing as she shifted her body letting her head rest lazily on his shoulder the sound of the blacksmiths voice being directed towards her causing her to look open her eyes again a slightly surprised look crossing her features, "Huh? Oh... Well, I guess I am Queen in the Enchanted Forest... It would make sense... Er..."

Lifting her head back up she furrowed her brows not in anger but out of confusion as her eyes showing just how unsure she was about the answer to the question that had been asked of her, turning her head she looked back over at Edric her head tilting ever so slightly while her eyes pleaded with him to help her out with an answer, "Edric..! What am I..?"

"Weellllll." Edric began, drawing out the word 'Well' as he pondered an answer. "When Queen Regina enacted the Curse, she became a sort of unopposed tyrant in Storybrooke. The people were figuratively asleep while she played House, leaving her to be completely in charge. By the time I arrived, however, things started shifting...Fate was getting involved. As my tenure increased and I became involved in events, the Curse began weakening. People would get flashes of memories, or start to question things around them that they previously wouldn't have. With the Curse weakening, so did Regina's rule. People began to question, if not outright defy her while she struggled to hold onto the scraps of power she still held. Finally when the Curse broke, it was a matter of minutes before riots started breaking out...I imagine she's been dethroned, or at least detained, but given that Rumpelstiltskin brought magic back, it's entirely possible we've made her [i]more[/i] powerful." Edric explained seriously, tapping his foot against the wooden stair. 

"Should have killed her while she was weak." He spat, though his anger wasn't directed at anyone around him. "I will promise you this, Snow...if she so much as tries to lay a hand on you, I'll break her. Mentally." He promised with a certain ruthlessness to his tone, though it quickly faded as he let out a heavy sigh. 

"I'm tired of hurting people, or having them hurt around me. Makes one quite cynical. Don't fret, though, we'll be back soon enough; your blockhead will protect you and I suppose I could keep working at the school...who knows anymore?" Edric finished, his gaze turning to one of the few windows around the house. 

Catching the tail-end of the conversation, Jefferson shook his head a bit and ran his hand over his face, ignoring the pungent aroma of soap on his skin from helping Alice with the dishes. This was all just a little too much for him right now, but he wasn't about to stop [i]them[/i] from talking about life in Storybrooke. He just wasn't sure how much he could handle without thinking back to Grace and what she must be thinking of him right now.

"Hey, I'm going to go catch some fresh air. Getting a bit stuffy with all your pet dander muffing up the air, Edric." Jefferson commented with a semi-sly smile as he pulled his coat and hat from their designated hooks by the door, somewhat shouting to them to be heard across the room.

Pursing her lips together in concentration Alice narrowed her eyes slipping the last of the dishes into place on the bookshelf each resting on their edge threatening to fall out and shatter on the floor below, dropping her head back as she heard mention of someone going out for a walk she couldn't help her lips as they split into a wide grin big enough to match that of her brothers, "Oh? Let me get my net and I shall join you! We can not go on a walk with one another together!"

Twisting her body around she made her way over to where Jefferson stood by the door a gentle skip in her step before they died down becoming more of a hurried walk as she tried her best to catch up with him, her elbows swinging back and forth brushing against the sides of her rib-cage, "Do not fear the absense of our company, for we shall be back before you can count to Horevendush Day!" Placing her hands softly on Jefferson's back she pushed lightly urging him out the door so that they could go on their walk, "Let's go Hatter. If you do not mind of course."

"A walk, you say? Well allow me to join." Edric spoke up with a gentle smile as he slowly stood up, dusting off his frock coat. "It's been some time since I've really had a nice walk here...be good to see the sights again." He added as he hurried down the steps and towards the two of them. 

Killian could tell from how Jefferson and Alice spoke when they said that they were going for a walk that they wanted to be alone. 

"Oh leave them be, mate. Can't you tell they want to be alone, or are you that dense?"

He asked Edric "Besides, I still have questions. If the curse is broken, then why wasn't everyone sent back to The Enchanted Forest?"

Groaning internally Alice closed her eyes her head rolling slightly before she turned it back to look over at her brother as he hurried down the stairs to join them her eyes narrowing slightly as a warning for him to not come too close, she hadn't forgotten their argument from earlier and she was fully intending on finishing it when they were in less company then they were right now, "My dear brother, if I were you I would stay and conserve your energy by speaking with our guests..."

Tilting her head slightly she began to ramble slightly knowing that the only ones that would truly understand what was being said would be both Edric and Hatter, "I believe in everything until it is disproved Edric... You know I believe in fairies, in myths, in dragons... It all exists, even if it is all in your mind..." Her lips turned into a small smirk as she reached out taking down a scarf from the peg that held her things, "Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now..?"

Unsure if he had any say particular say in the matter of what was going on between brother and sister, Jefferson remained motionless, frozen in the middle of placing his hat on the top of his head save for his eyes bouncing back and forth between the two of them. There was a long, drawn out silence after Alice's hushed mutterings that didn't go unheard by him, Jefferson finally decided to let his eyes land on Edric for longer than a second and shrugged his shoulders, silently stating that this was out of his hands.

"We'll be back soon." Turning before Edric had a chance to respond, Jefferson opened up the door and escorted Alice out first, placing his hat on the top of his head (finally) and shutting the mushroom stem door behind them.

Edric did not move, though his eyes held a venomous edge to them as they were locked on Jefferson. How dare he? 

His mouth curved into a deep frown, Edric was silent aside from taking off his coat and tossing it onto the ground without even the slightest semblance of care. 

"I don't [i]care[/i] if they want to be alone. She's [i]my[/i] sibling, and I'll not be shut-out because she thinks I could have stopped her execution eight years ago." He hissed in Killian's direction, his tone and expression possessing a darkness that he had rarely, if at all shown during their tenure in The Enchanted Forest or Wonderland. 

Letting out a heavy sigh, Edric's expression softened slightly, his posture growing less tense. "The question you ask is one that many of us have pondered since the Curse broke. I don't half understand it, nor will I claim to, but I theorize it has something to do with Storybrooke itself...the town is effectively in its own dimension, for want of a better word. I lack the knowledge to explain it fully, but for whichever reason, the people are stuck there." He explained, planting his hands in his trouser pockets as he strolled about the ground floor of his house, touching small random objects that dotted the interior or looking closely at others. 

"Edric... Calm down, you know that's not what's going on here." Lifting herself up from the stairs Snow moved down behind him crouching down just long enough to pick up his jacket shaking it out slightly before she moved over placing it on one of the empty hooks, turning back to face him she sighed softly reaching out for a moment to place her hands on his shoulders trying to catch his gaze, "You just need to give her some space, just some time to get used to the fact that you're back in her life. She's not a little girl anymore... I know you can see it too, let them catch up; they've been apart for the same amount of time that you and her have been separated."

Seeing him relax she let her arms drop back down from his shoulders gesturing back to the stairs where Killian was still standing, "Come on... Let's sit down, relax and just talk. I'm sure they'll be back in no time at all."

Killian listened to Edric's explanation, not fazed at all by Edric's angry and dark look and tone of voice when he spoke up against staying while Alice left. After Alice and Jefferson had left, and Snow had calmed Edric down, Killian then asked, "So with magic back in Storybrooke like you said, then is there no hope for you becoming Queen again? Great, so we're all back to where we started with your little blood war from The Enchanted Forest." 

Nodding quietly at Snow's reassurance, Edric moved to one of the few chairs scattered around the bottom floor, heaving a heavy sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course there's hope...up until now, all there's been was either a comatose Snow or a Cursed Snow. Now that she remembers, and that Charming is rousing the people together, a coup might be a definitive possibility. With magic now returned, Snow will have enough allies there to hopefully turn the tide. I could deal with Regina easily enough myself if need be. Rumpelstiltskin....is a threat to everyone; though my observations from Storybrooke seem to place him as something of a neutral force. He works for himself and holds no loyalties either to Snow or to Regina." Edric explained in an almost tactical manner, crossing one leg over the other as his fingers touched each other. 

"Now, there may be...[i]one[/i] thing. The Queen's son. You see, before the Curse was cast, in an entirely [i]different[/i] realm than The Enchanted Forest, a woodcutter named Nick Chopper had a son. The stories say there was an Evil Witch of sorts who killed Mr. Chopper's wife, cursed his axe and kidnapped his son. When the Curse was cast, both the woodcutter and his son were sent to Storybrooke, both ignorant of the other. Regina found it strangely....necessary to adopt the boy and keeps him under her care. Perhaps a weakness, though I am loathe to think of what should happen to whomever she might catch attempting to hurt or use him against her. Not to mention they'll have to deal with the boy's father, who was, at one point a 7-foot tall machine weighing nearly 700 pounds and carrying an axe." Edric finished with a slight shrug of his shoulders. 

Killian visibly sat straighter when the name Rumpelstiltskin was mentioned. He asked in slight shock, "Rumpelstiltskin? You mean to say that that [i]monster[/i] is there too?"

Frowning as she moved over to the benches Snow turned her arms coming up to cross over her chest as she leant back against them nodding slightly as she responded to the blacksmith's question, "I know I haven't been concious in Storybrooke for very long, but I know that what Edric says is the truth... Rumpelstiltskin is there, somewhere, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him while I've been up and about, but I hear he's a real piece of work, even in a world that, until recently, had no magic..."

"Bloody hell..." Killian muttered after Snow had finished answering his question. He rubbed his temples with his one hand, and he commented "Let me guess...He's still powerful and unstoppable as well? It's amazing that you two are still alive..."

"As I said, Rumpelstiltskin [i]has[/i] no allegiances. As it is, we have nothing to benefit him and pose no threat, ergo we live." Edric replied casually, though there was an edge of bitterness to his voice. 

"But he, like any enemy, is not without weak spots; though they are hidden. His most prevalent one is...a woman. Belle, if I recall her name right. A Girl Scout sort of woman, from what I've read, very...good. How on earth she became attracted to The Dark One or vice versa is beyond me. The strangest thing is: she was killed by Regina in The Enchanted Forest before the Curse was enacted. Her heart was crushed, I heard it...then, next thing I know, five years later, she takes an artifact from me that I won after slaying a Jabberwock. Do you have [i]any[/i] idea how hard it is to kill a Jabberwock!? Only one's ever been recorded in Wonderland history and no one's managed to kill it before. But I digress. Next thing that happens after Belle takes the artifact, the Curse is broken and magic returns to Storybrooke. Now, even a dunderhead could have deduced that the artifact had something to do with it, which means that Belle was more than likely in cohorts with Rumpelstiltskin again, which means he's [i]also[/i] been manipulating events further than I had imagined."

Taking a breath, Edric let his words sink in before continuing, "Now, whether Gold did it to simply regain power or to survive is debatable. He was sick, [i]very[/i] sick. Something about his...Curse working from the inside-out, killing him - a cancer, if you will. Frankly, I would have just let him die, but sadly...he was still necessary to me. Or at least that's how he made it look. Nevertheless, he now has his magic, as does Regina....most likely. But as I said previously, I have my magic as well." Edric finished with a sly grin. 

Freezing in place Snow clenched her jaw her eyes widening for a few moments as she let what he was saying to her settle down into her mind his words not sitting too well with her though it was more due to the fact she didn't want to believe that her friend had put himself in danger like that, "You what now..?"

Pushing away from the counter she moved over to him a look of disbelief and worry written over her face, "What were you thinking Edric? Going after a Jabberwocky like that; you could have been killed! Don't ever do something that reckless again! Please..."

"Well, you can blame Regina for that one. She planted the Jabberwock right where I needed to go. Had little choice. Fortunately for me the wretch's grown lazy, rather, lazy enough." Edric replied with a small smirk across his features. 

Killian could only nod with pursed lips after Edric finished talking, hiding his glee with expert acting at the mention of [i]his[/i] weaknesses. He commented "Still...two of the most powerful people in the Enchanted Forest are in Storybrooke," He added sarcastically, "Yeah, I don't see what can go wrong there,"

"Well, we somehow manage to survive against all odds. As long as Rumpelstiltskin stays in his own little...haven, we should be fine." Edric explained to Killian with a slight shrug of his shoulders, not fazed. 

Killian then asked Edric as he realized something in confusion, "Wait...This is your, and your sister's, home isn't it?" He added "I can easily guess why Her Highness wants to go to Storybrooke, but why do you want to go back? What could be so important that you would want to risk your life by going there?"

"Well....a woman." Edric replied, somewhat wistfully, a soft smile flicking on his lips. "My True Love, if you wish to be poetic. Destiny works in its own way, I suppose. Though I'll speed up the process if I can." He finished with a short chuckle. 

Killian let out an "Ah," in understanding in regards to Edric's answer. He then said "So you actually [i]do[/i] have a lover. Who's the lucky lady?"

"No one you'd know, I'd wager. She comes from a different land, a Land Without Color. Technically there's two of her and they both hate each other. One is very kind, intelligent and compassionate, I consider her the human, romantic side. The other is passionate, violent and sadistic. Tried to kill me once, but she's a lovely woman nonetheless." Edric explained with a grin on his face. 

"Though...I have hurt her, both of her. I find myself being in love with a woman -- women who don't deserve one such as me. Perhaps I can change...not my decision, only Fate's." He added in a more serious manner. 

Killian raised an eyebrow at the mention that there was two of one woman, but listening to him talk about this woman, he somewhat couldn't help but remember his last love. Edric reminded Killian of himself when he was younger. After Edric made his last comment, Killian sighed "Sounds unlikely to me. She...or rather they...must see something worth loving if they return your love, mate. Cherish them, you never know when you're going to lose them after all..." His last comment had become serious, and yet sincere, as he recalled his previous love's death...

He then asked with a smirk, going back to his usual snarky self "So! Courting two women at once? And one of them is sadistic? I don't know if that is bravery or stupidity, mate. How is she two women?"

"Yeah...good advice." Edric replied to Killian's initial statement with a short nod of his head. Though he did not voice his gratefulness, his look of appreciation held enough. 

Jumping onto Killian's second comment, Edric's mood became slightly lighter as he replied. "Well, it's rather difficult to explain. Most people would simply refer to it as multiple personality-disorder, but it's different than that, you see. This woman is a scientist, a very gifted one, who developed a potion capable of separating her good and bad personality traits. Well, finding no other test subject but herself, she tested her concoction. The potion worked, but with the added side effect that when the bad traits separated, they formed their own distinct identity inside her head. Two separate minds part of one whole." He finished, waving his arms about as he spoke like some sort of non-vocal aide. 

Killian blinked in slight confusion at the explanation. At the mention that the bad personality traits formed their own identity, he asked "Why would she want to separate her good and bad personality traits to begin with, mate?"

"Perhaps she wished to achieve greatness without being held back by anger, wrath, violence, or lust amongst others. Truth be told, I can sympathize with such a goal, though the end results were less-than-desired." Edric answered with a shrug. "Something I might try and ask her, however, once I return." 

Killian mumbled thoughtfully, "Hmm...I see," He then said "So, tomorrow, we're heading back to the castle, and using the mirror to head back to the Enchanted Forest, right?"

"That's the plan. Whether the plan ends up being a good one or not is up for debate." Edric replied with another smirk, leaning back in his chair. "For now, though, it's best we rest up...I've no doubt we'll have much more company than old friends come tomorrow." He added in an almost warning tone. 

Killian nodded as he turned around, ready to go and find some place for him to sleep, and he answered "Of course...." He then walked away from Snow and Edric. 

Remaining silent through the rest of the conversation Snow moved back over to the staircase collecting up the blankets she had dropped before she turned back to face the two of them just in time to watch Killian move away, "Edric... I don't want to burst your little bubble of happiness... But I have to ask, what if your sister doesn't want to come back..?"

Moving back over she reached out handing him a couple of the blankets before she motioned over to a spot she had set up earlier close by a window so that she could keep a look out if anything was coming through the night, "I mean it just seems like she didn't particularly want us here in the first place, and from the yelling earlier it didn't sound too... loving..."

Hugging the rest of the blankets close to her chest she crossed the room her legs folding under her as she took her spot beside the window her back pressed against the wall as she looked out for a moment before turning to look back at him, "I just don't want you to get hurt again if things don't go the way you want them to..."

Letting out a short sigh, Edric turned towards his old friend before responding. "My sister's always been the free spirit. I could never convince her to do what she set her heart upon. Stubborn girl...she'll either return with us...or remain here. I couldn't shift her either way if I tried, and I'd be surprised if Jefferson had any better luck. But we shall see..." He finished on a slightly cryptic note, his gaze turning to look out the window, at the multi-colored stars that drew incomprehensible patterns in the sky on their own whims. Though night had fallen, Wonderland was as awake as ever.