Mai grinned slowly at that. Oh, he was fun.

Of course, had she known how much trouble they'd get into in Wonderland, she might have enjoyed his humor and flair a little more before they started running.

Jefferson hadn't been expecting to see any royal guards as they walked along the road. The guards themselves weren't worrisome, really; The Hatter was a familiar face in parts of Wonderland, so Jefferson expected at least a few denizens to recognize him. No, it was a few hours later on that made him wary.

"You, there," a guard said, coming up to Jefferson. "You're the one they call The Hatter?"

"Depends," Jefferson said warily. "Who's looking for him?"

"I am," the Red Queen said, looking at him. She ignored Mai completely for now. "I've been looking for you for a while now. I was hoping you would come back." Because she'd seen Jefferson before, she knew exactly who he was.

Jefferson couldn't help but blink in surprise.

"Your Highness," he greeted with a small bow. "I have to say, I wasn't expecting the honor of a visit."

"I'm not surprised, you don't look like you expected to see anyone," Anastasia said, looking him over briefly before focusing on the hat he still held. "I find myself in need of your talents."

"I see," Jefferson said, making the subtle mental shift from Storybrooke Jefferson to The Hatter. "And what can I and my talents possibly offer the Red Queen?"

"There is someone in Storybrooke I need you to find and bring back," she said, looking at him.

Jefferson raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You know about Storybrooke, Your Highness?" he asked.

"I know enough," the queen said with a negligent little hand wave. "I am not without my own magic here."

"Of course," Jefferson said, nodding once. "Unfortunately, I am of no use to you right now, your Highness. It will be another few days before I am able to open another portal with this hat."

"Days?" Anastasia asked, her eyebrows raising. "You never had trouble before getting your hats to do your bidding." Her eyes narrowed a little, trying to see if he was bluffing.

"Magic is not the same, in Storybrooke," Jefferson said carefully. "It took much more magic to open a portal out, enough so that the hat needs some time to recover before a portal back is possible."

Anastasia nodded after a few moments. His words rang true, and besides, she could always keep an eye on him and make sure he wasn't lying to her.

"Alright," she said. "If you need a few days, you will spend a few days at the castle." She arched her eyebrows, daring him to disagree.

Jefferson considered that, weighing how good of an idea it really was. Finally, he nodded.

"Of course," he said, nodding. He glanced at Mai. "My companion as well?"

Anastasia considered for a moment. "If you insist," she said with a careless shrug. Mai was still ranking as harmless to her, after all.

"She is here with me from Storybrooke," Jefferson said. "It would be best to get her back as soon as the hat is able."

"Very well," Anastasia agreed. "Come along, then." She nodded to her guards and started walking, and the guards fell into rank around their queen and the queen's new guests. Mai briefly made a face.

"Come on," Jefferson murmured to Mai. "Looks like we're staying at the Red Castle for a few days."

"Should be interesting," Mai murmured, keeping an eye on the guards. She was really kind of wary of guards now, or anyone with weapons, really.

"As long as nothing happens, it should be safe enough," Jefferson said as they walked. "The Red Queen isn't like the Queen of Hearts. She doesn't have the thing for beheadings. At least, as far as I know." Absently, he touched the long scar that went all the way around his neck.

"As far as you know?" Mai repeated. "I thought you knew everyone here." She frowned a little but kept walking.

"I've met a lot of people," Jefferson said. "I don't know everyone. But I've met both queens once or twice, and the Red Queen seems a bit more reasonable than the Queen of Hearts, for the most part."

"Alright," Mai said, still uncertain, but willing to go with it for now.

Things were quiet for an hour or so as they walked, and then they managed to come across the Jabberwocky.

The guards all promptly closed in around Anastasia to protect her, spears all pointed towards the Jabberwocky. Jefferson slowly began to creep back behind the guard formation to put them between him and the monster.

"Mai!" he hissed. "Mai, come on!"

"Get rid of it," Anastasia told her guards, her voice cold.

"Hey, now, wait a second," Mai protested, ignoring Jefferson. "Don't just kill it." She looked at the Jabberwocky, which tilted its head at her and made an inquisitive sound. "No, nobody is going to be killing you, you don't need to worry." She stepped towards it, one hand held up, and the two continued to communicate in words and cheeps and gentle noises, until the Jabberwocky resettled its wings and shoved its head into her hand.