WONDER ( Twisted Forbidden Tales ) Book Three

Friendly Excursions Part Two

HANK

“What a naughty girl,” I murmured in amusement as I took off the gas mask and followed in tandem to catch up with Alissa and her friend. Anfim as I come to know his name to be, was full of personality and interesting to me as well, as a person that is. I was against same-s*x coupling after all my niece and best friend were among the few coming out back into my realm and kingdom.

I just found his particular race which was similar to that of an orchid and human to be intriguing as he had changed in clothing without a single breath when he moved. From one flamboyant appearance to the next just like his eye color. One couldn’t help being reeled in by him if they weren’t careful.

It was clear he held a high authority here but as to how much so I was yet to be seen as Alissa and I caught up with him after his daring joke about where we needed to go before time ran out on the Euphoria Orchid’s stay once it bloomed. This Anfim guy acted feminine at its best but there was a hidden danger lingering around him as well, but the way he sincerely cared for Alissa from what he spoke of, I wasn’t too worried, though I would stay on guard with all the unknowns fluttering around in such a place as Wonder Kingdom.

Catching up with the two, Alissa and Anfim talked like time didn’t matter. Of course, Anfim talked the most catching up on the changes and new look of this Orchid Island, which I had to say was something as he led the way into the main part of the Island. You couldn’t miss the glittering sign either with the name Pansy Town dazzlingly written on it.

The inhabitants of Pansy Town were truly as unique as Anfim was, as we passed yet another magic barrier entering the Town. They move gracefully among the blooms, their petals fluttering in the breeze as they go about their daily lives. Their faces have delicate features, and their eyes sparkle with a wisdom that seems to transcend their floral forms. Each individual wears attire woven from delicate petals and leaves, their clothing a testament to the natural beauty of their surroundings.

Just like Anfim, their clothing was also interchanging as they moved as if they were in between time and space reminding me of Sapience Kingdom and Doc Harbor which never stayed the same but also kept changing until Ward completed his mission as a kingdom Ambassador. Making his words of having to wait for daybreak now to head to the Orchid Sanctuary, would it be a different world here then? I couldn’t help the excitement rising in me at the thought of it.

“Okay, I did not expect this big of a change FiFi. What happened?” asked Alissa in surprise.

For a newbie in this world, to me, this seemed normal but after Alissa's question, I knew that wasn’t the case. My instincts automatically thought of Christine’s spell. Just how many people and places and things were caught in the after-effects after here death?

“I told you boo to prepare yourself just now, and to answer your question, the letters happened. It’s a good thing that woman Christine is already dead or she would have a fate worse than death coming from me. We have to live this way now after our memories begin to return and the letters fill in the details. If we hadn't been so friendly back then to a conniving snake maybe I could have spared my people from this, but in the same boat if I hadn't it wouldn’t have led me to you .” Anfim said with a sad smile on his face for just a moment before he sighed them smiled a bright warm smile again.

“Fifi….I”

“Don’t you dare blame yourself, none of this was your fault. I know what I have to do now and one of those things is to help you and your friend here. Enjoy the new look and people of Pansy Town Issa, while you are here. We have to wait til daybreak now to enter the Sanctuary besides you look tired, so rest first or I will worry.” Anfim said with a frown as we walked along the town. I had noticed her exhaustion too but she shrugged things off like her health right now did not matter.

Without further thinking I found myself entwining my left furred hand with hers while we walked alongside Anfim. He looked at our hands but didn’t say anything and just smiled. Alissa didn’t pull away from me, understanding that I wanted to lend her some silent subtle comfort. Alissa softly squeezed my hand in hers. She had gotten my meaning loud and clear.

Something had been going on with her since we ran into Enzo and Zuri Tweedle back in MuDeath Village, I was spotted at the opposite end of the Mushroom Festival pre-competition when I sensed something wrong with two of the bowls before we ended up here. But what if those two bowls weren't the only ones tampered with? Since I was further away I wouldn't be able to sense anything, this worried me. On top of that her emotions had been fluctuating off the charts from time to time. As much as I wanted to help Alissa, I couldn’t do anything if she didn’t let me in.

“Resting won’t be so bad eh, Pansy Town looks pretty awesome. I wouldn’t mind a bit of an expenditure myself.” I said with a smile.

“See, that’s the spirit, Hank, we must make the best out of what we are given. I starting to like your Hank even more now, Issa. I will house you two at Pansy Town's famous Tulip Bed and Breakfast. Fair warning though Tilly is back in town and currently running said Bed and Breakfast since she owes you one…” Anfim said leaving me hanging on what else needed to be said.

I looked down at Alissa to find her rubbing in between her eyebrows in frustration. Did she not like this Tilly person? who I heard earlier was Anfim’s cousin. And what exactly did she owe Issa? If she gave her a problem I would surely stand up for her about it.

As we walked down the colorful sandy streets of Pansy Town, we were greeted by a variety of colors and scents. The homes, cabins, and apartments here are like something out of a certain city, but instead of brick and wood, each one was fashioned in the likeness of a delicate flower. There are quaint cottages with tulip-shaped roofs, towering sunflower apartments, and cozy daisy cabins tucked away among the blossoming trees.

Some of the inhabitants greeted Alissa along the way, while I got curious looks and a polite greeting with a simple head nod. The stores lining the streets are just as intriguing to me, with their storefronts dolled up with petals and vines.

“Hey, you two come pick what you like, Mr. Tiger’s pastries are simply to die for! Go ahead and put something on your stomachs before our ride arrives,” said Anfim walking inside a bakery named Tiger’s Delights. Following him into the bakery, to found it was more than it appeared with cupcakes frosted to look like roses, tulip-shaped bread, and many other goods drawing me in to sit and have a bite.

After polishing off a few treats and a hot steaming drink, fifteen minutes later a carriage fashioned from a giant tulip stopped outside the bakery. Alissa and I glanced at each other but didn’t say anything to Anfim.