"You guessed it, the Circle Tower was non-stop cake and puppies. We're also fond of flowers, and get a tear in our eye at sad ballads."

The sarcasm is good-natured despite his persistence in it. Anders hasn't seen Nathaniel like this very often--relaxed, open to conversation. Maybe he'd been onto something to suggest age and experience had mellowed Nathaniel some, though it's just as possible that these quiet spring days have softened his guard a tad.

That's the dangerous part about Wonderland. How it relaxes people.

"If you'd like the pleasure of my company, you know all you have to do is ask, no need to make the cat an accessory," he teases, but he accepts the invitation to pull up a spot of grass across from Nathaniel, tucking long legs into a loose, cross-legged position.