I stumbled through the forest, trying to think. Where did my brother like to stay? The White Castle was one place, or where everyone had their tea party. I would go there first, then the Castle.

Eventually I came to a long table in a clearing, littered with broken china and dishes. The sun was quickly dimming, but even so, I recognized the lone figure at the head of the tabel. "Tarrant?"

My brother looked up, and smiled. "Nirvana! One of my more pleasant delusions, then! Come, sit down." I froze. The madness. Tarrant had told me about it when I was little-that he would become mad, that his mind would twist. I hadn't believed him.

I came and stood beside the chair he offered. "Tarrant?"

"You know," he continued, ignoring me. "I was just considering adjectives that begin with a z, and I can't think of any except zip, which is, of course, a noun as well. I think. Is zip a noun?"I shrugged. "Oh, where are my manners? D'you want some tea?"

"Um... okay."

"Too bad, there isn't any." Tarrant showed me the teapot. "See? Empty. There's never any tea. Even though it's a tea party! That's a good one. What's a tea party without any tea?" He looked at me quizzically. Definitely crazy.

"A party?" I suggested.

Tarrant sighed. "My hallucinations just keep getting cleverer and cleverer! Now, why is a raven like a writing desk?"

I grinned at him, falling back into the easy banter. "I haven't the slightest idea."

"I haven't either, I was hoping you would." It was an old puzzle that Tarrant would use always.

"T?" I asked hesitantly. "Why- why are you having a tea party?"

"Because it's tea time," my brother explained. "Always tea time! Six o'clock forever, you know. And this time, we're having a big tea party! Everyone's coming- Mirana, Nivens, Mally, Chessur, Thackery, and Absolem if he feels like it! And Alice, of course. You've met Alice, right?" He looked up at me.

I shook my head. Alice? "Haven't had the pleasure, I'm afraid. Where can I meet Mirana?"

"Another good one!" Tarrant said, spooning sugar into his cup. "Where is the Queen of Wonderland? I'd say the castle, of course, but that's much too easy!"

I turned and ran for the castle, leaving my brother to his delusions.

Mirana POV

Some of my knights came hurtling into the meeting room as I was addressing Bayard. "Your Majesty!" one gasped. "An- an intruder!"

I stood up. "An intruder?"

"A- a young girl, your Highness."

Alice. I was gone before he finished speaking, running for the courtyard, where my cards surrounded her. "Back away!" I ordered, and they did, as my heart plummeted, as they revealed a tall, dark haired girl, with eyes that were rapidly changing color, just like Tarrant's did.

"Mirana." she greeted me. "Care to tell me why my brother has lost his mind?"

I was shocked. It was Nirvana. My deceased best friend. The Hatter's dead sister.