WONDER ( Twisted Forbidden Tales ) Book Three

Mu Drama Part Three

“Those two will never change, such a shame considering how good their mum was. Anywho, am I that much of a humdrum for you to only come to visit me when you need a top-up child? Humph, you owe me brat, especially with that oddball of a cat you got in your arms.” he complained to Alissa, yet his tone was the least bit scolding but instead filled with mirth and love. He wrapped an arm around Alissa’s shoulder as the two walked along in happy banter back and forth.

“Hey old man, is that why you roped me into this whole judge thingy with those two ass hats. Even though I had something on I still could spend an extra day with you, top-up or not. And the oddball of a cat in my arms has a name, I would like to formally introduce you two. Say, hello to Mr. Shitake, Happy.”

“Meow!” I answered in a prideful tone, if didn’t say so myself. It felt good to be worthy of Alissa’s introduction to someone that was important to her. My tail wrapped itself slightly around her arm as she carried me and for a moment Mr. Shitake and I eyes met. He arched a brow then brought his other free hand up to rub his chin.

“Interesting, hmmm…Happy is his name you say? You sure he’s just a mere cat Issa?” Mr. Shitake asked as he turned to look at me and then back at Alissa.

“What? ..wait what do you mean old man. Of course, he’s just a cat what are you insinuating here …I mean this is how I found him alright, he’s my companion now and that’s that. Let’s go inside.” Alissa stammered, my eyes caught the red tinge to her cheeks as her inner thoughts amused me to no end from Mr. Shiitake's questions.

“Hmm, alright, I’ll leave it for now, I’ve already set out what you need in my office. As for your stay here for the next couple of days, your room still stands at the G Puffball Inn. I only ask that Happy keep his lodging with me instead, given the Tweedles will be also staying at the Inn and we can’t have your identity as the Mad Bandit exposed if they were to see him.”

Alissa had sat me down to wander the gardens as she collected what she needed for the Mad Bandit’s top-up to replenish the cloak. I was awed by how it worked similar to that of a living being, also needing replenishment and making my paws itch to dive into the makings of such an amazing cape cloak.

Mr. Shitake's Office might as well have been the entire Mu Gardens so to speak it was a massive beautiful sight, filled with herbs, flowers, hybrids mashups, and mushrooms but as a cat now I was sure to get lost if went exploring on my own. Mr. Shiitake's warning was clear and it also answered a lingering question back in the city center of why he stood the way he did when he asked Alissa to step forward during the feud. The Tweedle’s had seen Alissa when they greeted him but his body had covered me as she held me in her arms.

My presence was not one to miss with my fur, eyes, and cheeky smile. He did cover her ass so to speak albeit we never expected to run into Enzo and Zuri Tweedle here in Mushroom Bay. How to keep Alissa safe here in the middle of a Mushroom Bay Battle of the Best Festival cook-off, was without asking. The old man was prepared. My instincts felt he didn’t want me staying with him just to keep Alissa’s identity hidden. He must know something about what happened to me.

The Tweedle’ was close to the MuDeath Family. From what I gathered from the feud, they specialized in poison from helpful, harmless, and even deadly. That knowledge put me on edge a bit. Having Mr. Shitake on our side was a welcome relief of sorts, from Alissa and his interactions I could tell they went way back especially since he knew she was the Mad Bandit and a few other things he hinted to me in his words.

I chose to stay by Alissa’s side following her steps as she collected the goods she needed. Mr. Shitake tagged along as he watched us with intrigue. The calm smile never left his face as he folded his hands behind his back as if pondering something.

“Wow, old man, this season’s harvest has flourished. This will last in the capes resources for a longer time.” Alissa said as she collected a few field mushrooms in the small wicker basket she had looped across her forearm.

“Is that a low-key way of you saying you won’t see me for a long time after this? Humph, oh whoa, it is me, such a lonely old man with no one to keep me company. Oh, how my heart aches! I feel dizzy is this the end!..oh me…oh my..” I watched as the old man put on a play for Alissa he even staggered a bit and held his chest.

“Ha! Such a drama King! You may be a wise old man, but your acting skills need some work. I won't be gone long and will come visit more often. It's just right now a lot has landed on my plate that I need to clean up. Thanks for this Master! This season heaped a bountiful harvest.” Alissa said with a smile as she lifted her full basket, the sunlight shining down on her and a peaceful light shining in her eyes for the first time.

“Well, at least your manners haven't gone kaput. As for the harvest this season that’s due in thanks to the sudden Haze fog, not me child. It was particularly vigorous and feisty in spirit this time. I wonder why? Boy, I tell you I haven't experienced a good Haze trip like that in a long time. Say, it did reach pretty far out this time too, it may not affect us Mu Folk here around these parts, but as for you Issa girl it would be different. Did you and Happy hold up well during the fog the other night?” Mr. Shitake asked out of concern, unknowingly causing a bout of coughing fits to be triggered in Alissa.

“s**t! ….Uh, Cough….Yeah, we held up well…….Cough…it was fine and dandy……cough old man….no need to worry about me…cough, cough, cough, I need some water.” Alissa dashed off in a hurry to the old school water pump nearby. Wooden cups sat alongside a tall small circle shaped side table in convenience for residents, visitors or customers to take a reprieve from the pump's water stream. After, downing three cups in a go. Alissa seemed right as rain with her emotions.

The old man did it on purpose. Just how much could this wise one see? The Haze fog had a different effect on the Mu people here in Mushroom Bay. From the sounds of it, they would just be fluidity high. He walked up to Alissa and reached out his hand to give her back a good pat. I silently trailed behind just watching him and Alissa suspecting he would hint at something more next.

“At a girl, slow down next time. Look at you all flustered and stuff. Let's get you two settled before we discuss how this judging panel for the festival contest is about to go down. Keep your guard up against the Tweedles while you’re here. It seems I got some Backstabbing Fungi to rid the Bay of while you’re here as well. My apologies for using you as a cover for myself as well.”

“If it's Enzo and Zuri old man, use me as cover all you want. Just keep yourself safe in the mix okay? You’re my family and I can’t lose you just like….. well, you know what I mean. I’ve got your back, I’ve heard about the changes made at the Inn does that include my room as well?” Alissa asked as she handed over the basket to Mr. Shitake, then scooped me up in her arms her hands running through my fur making me purr.

“It’s better to show you than tell you right.” Mr. Shitake said with a smile Gesturing toward a pathway that magically appeared that led out of the Mu Garden’s and back toward the city center. It was then I realized that the Mu Gardens were more than just a Garden for a glimpse of a second I could have sworn I saw the old wisdom tree. It couldn’t be a coincidence, could it? It had a happen of appearing whenever it was most needed, but since it wasn’t yet clearly visible to my sharp cat’s eye. I figured it wasn’t needed yet, but at least it was a sign of hope for me in having a way back home once the mission I had yet to figure out was completed here in this world.