#ouap

He let out a short laugh.

"I probably shouldn't say anything but this town is cursed. Everyone is living a lie."

I looked at him and cocked my head to the side.

"That's why red didn't patronize me about the tents?"

He flashed me a sad smile.

"As stupid as that sounds yeah."

I laughed a little. He was right, it did sound stupid but what else can you make fun of when youre already a part of the circus. Or were at least, that was a long time ago. He clapped and stepped back out of the doorway.

"Where are my manners, people may think I'm crazy but one thing they won't think me is rude."

I laughed at him and stepped into his home. I was wowed at the size of the place. It was good that he did good for himself in this lifetime. I turned and looked at him and he just had a sad smile on his face.

"I'm glad your so welcoming to me considering how we left things back in wonderland."

He shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Don't even mention it, I was beheaded, your were forced to make hats with me, the whole thing was a mess."

I nodded.

"Yeah right up to you finding your way out."

He pointed an accusing finger at me.

"Hey! I'm not the one who got a invitation to attend right hand to the queen."

"Youre right, but if you'd stayed long enough to see me turn down her offer you'd know I spent another six years in wonderland before being carded off with a bunch of pirates looking for a magic island!"

I yelled and stomped my foot before turning away from him, arms crossed over my chest.

"You turned down her offer?"

I sighed.

"Guess you'd know that if you weren't off portal jumping with the evil queen."

He walked up to me and turned me around.

"I was forced to do that if you wanted to know. I thought since you'd have a better job in the courts you wouldn't miss me. When I finally figured out how to make the hat work I wanted out as fast as possible. I figured you would get out since you would be in high favor of the queen."

I looked to the ground.

"You know I was in the circus for twenty years before I found myself in wonderland?"

He shook his head no.

"Yeah, and the only reason I stayed was because I hated the Carney."

I laughed, grabbed Jefferson's hand, and walked to the open kitchen.

"I was caught shortly after you were. I remember because I heard of your beheading and hat tricks right after the circus left and I was caught playing around in one if her majesties courtyards."

We sat.

"You never told me about how you left the circus."

I smiled sadly at him.

"Guess it was too fresh if a wound to open back then."

He placed one hand on mine to reassure me.

"What happened after you left?"

"Well, I was pretty much traded to a bunch of pirates for information on a man with great powers. Who i still have no idea about by The way," i shrugged. "I lived and sailed with them for months until they actually found the island they were looking for."

"And this island?"

I laughed.

"Unlike anything I had ever heard of. Or seen for that matter. It was just as magical as they all said. The natives called it Neverland."

He looked at me funny.

"And that's we're I've been residing this whole time."

"And I Mean look at you, you still look the same as when we parted in wonderland."

I smiled and sat back in my seat.

"youre not so bad yourself jeff, but that's the thing about Neverland, the magic there doesn't allow you to age. The king, so to speak, of the island has this weird connection that makes him stay young forever. Kind of an odd fellow. I'm not very proud of it but once the pirates left without me, we courted for a while but it was short lived."

Jefferson looked a bit shocked.

"Don't worry hat boy, he wasn't any match compared to you."

I winked at him and his cheeks went flush.

"gee i havent though about that in a long time."

"well our fling was kinda short lived too."

"thats not what i- never mind. im just glad youre here. a familiar face that actually knows who i am and doesnt want anything from me."

"well, about that."

he sent me a look.

"jefferson i came here to find the captain who took me to neverland. i heard he hangs around a bossy blonde woman but i just got here and dont know this town."

he raised a brow.

"what makes you think id know who youre looking for or where to find them?"

i shrugged.