WONDER ( Twisted Forbidden Tales ) Book Three

Perfect Pitch and Scheming Tricks Part Three

HANK

I felt like road kill, but even with my strong resolve of not letting on to the pain I was feeling. Alissa was way too alert taking my hand into her and surprisingly some of the pain I had been feeling began to subside a bit. I knew she had questions but, I could barely give her answers to the things I was still trying to figure out myself.

Back at the border when we sang and I hit the perfect pitch, another presence was there guiding us both, and that set off an onset of memories again. Singing for me was a breeze as I had been the go-to guy for appeasing the ever-turbulent Snow when she was a baby. Honing my skills was nothing considering I took after my mother’s temperament in a lot of aspects when it came to family and friends.

The cat fur was starting to grow back albeit slower this time. Anfim was growing even more respect for me as he stood his ground with Tilly and that insanely colorful woman named Rainbow Rose. She was standing there the whole time at the other edge of the bridge, waiting for us to fail but when we succeeded she said she came to our aid instantly, what a joke!

Who expected that we would get a show after her haughty prelude in pretending to care about my Alissa? Now, as the true ruler of Fuchsia Island King Kai Fuchsia, took charge in leading us to where we needed to be. Alissa had yet to let go of my hand as we walked behind Anfim and King Kai in silence.

The winding path leading to Peony Way, soon revealed colors and scents reminiscent of a blooming peony garden, with delicate hues of fuchsia filtering through the design. It was a vibrant tourist spot opening up to streets lined with vendors each stall depicting a peony motif and the goods they had to offer. My rumbling stomach, made Alissa's hand tighten around mine. My throat was beginning to feel that familiar itch and dryness again along with a itch sneaking at a crawlsphere inside my nose. Holding my breath I willed myself to hold it in, the ever-looming sneeze that was on the brink of changing things once again.

The aroma of freshly prepared meals fills the air, as hospitable vendors beckon us along the way to sample their culinary delights, each dish artfully designed with edible peony petals. Alissa paused for a moment to take a peak. She picked up a few samples, one of which she held up to my lips. My vision was fluttering in and out. The poison was acting up again my blood was running both hot and cold and the sudden hunger in me was baffling.

“Try this for now Happy, this should settle your stomach until we get to our destination,” she said low enough for me to hear. My eyes felt a bit clouded but I trusted her and ate the food she offered. The texture was soft and slightly sweet like a steamed bun. The fillings inside it were indescribable, it did warm my stomach after a while as we continued walking and caught to Anfim and King Kai, who was waiting for us at another stall each holding a cup of steaming liquid. I didn’t fail to notice that she had called me Happy instead of Hank, I smiled wondering if she was missing that furry feline part of myself.

“Here you go Issa, and this one is for you Hank,” Anfim said as handing two steaming cups in his hand to Alissa.

“Thanks, Fifi,” Alissa said handing one to me and I took a sip at it instantly as three pairs of eyes watched me intently and with concern.

“What is this?” I asked, the question a bit late as I had already taken a sip. Warmth flowed through me from each sip I took of the steaming liquid. It had a slight flowery fragrance and the taste was both lightly sour then sweet. My slightly blurred vision returned to normal and the itchiness I felt before had subsided.

“Eh.. looks like it did the trick. Let’s hurry up and get you guys settled down, the sooner we can put the pin in this situation ASAP,” said King Kai as he looked at me with intrigue.

“How are you holding up Hank?” Anfim slowed down his steps to keep an eye on me while Alissa finished her drink.

“Well, I haven't kicked the bucket, and that drink I just had helped a lot so thanks for that.”

“No problem, but you should thank Uncle Kai and not me per se, the drink you just had is Fuchsia Island's signature native drink here with an added Kick in it since the shifts started. Back on Orchid Island, I noticed something about this poison that looked familiar to me and thought to give this a try. For now, your systems have been repressed, but it is unclear for how long.” Anfim said as I nodded in understanding and we continued to walk along the streets of Peony Way.

“Got it! But either way, even this is enough, I would rather not be a dead weight if you get my drift.” I said joking, watching as Anfim smirked his eyes landing on Alissa for a moment. So many emotions fluttered over his facial expression in mere seconds before he let out a heavy but heartfelt sigh.

Hospitality reigns supreme along Peony Way, with warm smiles and welcoming gestures from the locals guiding us as we continued on our journey. Each interaction is imbued with the spirit of the island, fostering a sense of belonging and kinship among all who wander through. My thoughts ran back to the magic collars I saw on the ground as that horrid Queen Rainbow Rose was taken away from our sight.

Where had I seen those before? The memory was right on the tip of my brain just about to tip over when I was interrupted in thought by the sound of Alissa’s voice.

“We are here,” Alissa said excitedly, her eyes on me the look of concern eased up a bit in her eyes and face.

At the end of Peony Way lies Buttercup Village the sign just off the edge slightly hidden away, displaying a tranquil haven tucked away from the bustle of the main thoroughfare.

“Watch your step,” I said grabbing Alissa’s hand to help her off the pathway into another with a steep dip going into the pathway to the village that is lined with lush foliage, with bursts of vibrant yellow buttercups dotting the landscape like drops of sunshine against the verdant backdrop.

The two of us didn’t notice two pairs of knowing eyes watching our movements with smiles on their faces as they followed behind us into Buttercup Village. King Kai soon took the lead escorting us to one of the Buttercup Bungalows up ahead. My eye is immediately drawn to its quaint porch, with hanging baskets overflowing with vibrant blossoms. The door, painted a cheerful shade of yellow held a magic flare similar to a warm embrace, beckoning my curiosity to step inside and discover the cozy haven within.

“It’s so lovely,” Alissa said with a smile. For an Island, this place carried a different kind of aura in the atmosphere. As if it laid in wait for us completely untouched by the shifts and Christine’s spells' aftereffects. I had questions as I looked and King Kai as he opened the door with a smile.

“It's one of my favorite places too Issa, just wait to see the digs inside,” said Anfim from behind us as we walked inside the Bungalow.

The living room boasts plush furnishings arranged around a crackling fireplace, with ease Anfim took a seat in one of the armchairs while Alissa and I followed suit taking a seat on the plush sofa.

“Okay, so this is settled. I’ll leave Anfim to the rest. We meet at the Butter Club tonight at 8 o’clock sharp, so rest up and be ready. Rose and Tilly are not ones to give up so easily regarding you Issa and Hank nor about my recent upheaval, so stay ready for anything.” said King Kai as he promptly left the door closing on its own behind him with a soft click. Soon intense pressure could be felt all around us in the Bungalow, making me feel apprehensive but I wasn’t afraid.

“Ahh, Ahh, Ahh choo!” the sneeze hit my body hard. Causing me to close my eyes tightly for a moment before I opened them back up. Two large figures were standing looking back at me on the sofa, I had changed back into my Happy little self with a bang if the the expression on Anfim's face didn’t give things away straightforwardly.

“Oh, that is just too awesome! So that’s the underlying poison I couldn’t decipher. The old man wasn’t lying when he said the tinge of the Angel Fairy was there. This I can work with when breaking down the Euphoria Orchid later. But I’m going to need his cooperation if it's not too much trouble.” Anfim said his eyes filled with wonder and intrigue as he stared at me in my cat form.

“Meow!” I responded to my cat called a bit lazy yet getting the point across.

“Oh, my Happy Hank, are you okay baby, does it hurt anywhere.” Alissa’s response left both me and Anfim in a state of the unknown as she hurriedly swept me into her arms. In no time I found myself purring as she caressed my fur, my tail contently whipping back and forth.

“Not even going ask boo, but okay,” Anfim said shaking his head as he headed to the kitchen. Alissa continued to pet and coo at me as if I were a child.

“I know my behavior seems odd, but I’m just relieved that you're okay. You’ve been through so many changes of late that I couldn’t help worrying about the after-effects. I feel more at ease when you are like this. When you’re my Happy cat, so don’t worry about me, I’m fine I’ll protect you until we get the antidote and then we can go find Haku and finish the mission those letters set for us to do.”

“What letters?” Anfim asked as he sat a tray of cut fruits on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

“Um… about that….” Alissa’s voice trailed off as I watched her expression ponder over what she should say.

“Don’t tell me you got those too from Snow,” said Anfim nonchalantly as looked at Alissa’s expression who held a frown. On the other hand, I was amused, what was my niece up to again, it seemed she was well than adequately versed in her fairy lineage true enough. As I was appointed by Talia as one of her Kingdom Ambassadors it appeared Anfim had been tapped in as one of Snow’s Shadow League Warriors I had yet to see what other abilities lay hidden under his flamboyant surface and directly what those said letters tasked him to do.