I blink a few times, first at the leaves, and then at the man in front of me.
...What just happened?
"Phew." Jisung sighs, his posture slumping a bit while his face was written all over with relief. "I thought for a second I wasn't gonna get him."
Still trying to comprehend of just what happened, I blurt out the only thing I could think of. "Who are you? And where am I?"
I take a step back, cautious. "And who was Minho?"
Jisung looks at me, before letting out a sigh. "Sohye, is it? Come with me, and I'll take you back to town. I can explain everything on the ride."
He lends me his arm, and before I hesitate, he adds: "Don't worry, I'm not going to seduce you. I'm too awkward for that." He mumbles the last part, a slight laugh escaping his lips.
"Hmmmm..."
I mean, from the outside, he sure looks charming enough for any girl to fall for him.
But I mean,
he doesn't seem bad.
A small smile appears on my lips.
Taking in trust from his genuine aura, I agree, and hop on.
He then grabs the reins attached to the "horse", and shakes it a few times. "Hold onto me tight." He says.
"Wait, what do you- AaAaaaaaHhHhhHh!"
Before I could finish my sentence, we take off, indulging in what I can say was the most bumpiest, and fast horse ride I have ever been on in my entire life. I immediately cling onto Jisung, my arms encircling his back as I squeeze him.
"Hey!" You call out to Jisung. "Now, can you tell me about this place?"
"Oh, yeah, sure." He says, not taking his eyes off the path in front of him. "I'll start off with the joker, since you're so curious about him."
"Joker? You mean Minho?"
I could hear him sigh, taking in a sharp breath as if he was preparing himself to say something bad. "Yes, now listen."
"He... Is interesting. For a faithful servant under the king of hearts, he's very, very, sly, devious as well. He seduces people into doing things for him, putting them under mind spells. You got lucky I found you in time."
I blink a few times, questions sprouting up in my mind one after another. "Wait, how does the king trust him so much... If he's like, you know, that?"
"Because there are no rules in wonderland. Almost everything has a mind of its own, making it impossible to steal, to commit murder, or literally do any sinful. Minho doesn't do anything overbearing to the people he seduces, he just uses them for better completion of whatever mission the king gives him."
But then suddenly, Jisung stops talking. He stalls for a bit, before saying something. "Just, heed my warning, and stay away from him."
"Ahhhh." I say, giving in to Jisung words. "I trust that you know your stuff. And where are you taking me?"
He spins his head around and smiles at me. "I'm taking you back to town, and you can find a place to stay, while I report to the King of hearts of your arrival."
"Hmm." Hearing the reassuring and gentle tone, I find myself comfort, burying my face into his back. "Thanks Jisung." I smile. "You're really kind."
"E-eh? Me?" I feel him tense up, voice turning embarrassed. Playing it off then with a shake of his head, he smiles. "I-it's nothing, I'm glad I could help."
I faintly smile, when my mind suddenly goes to the king.
"The King of hearts... He sounds intimidating." I sigh. "But, isn't he supposed to be a Queen?"
I feel Jisung pause for a bit, before I realise what came out of my mouth.
Shoot.
I probably shouldn't have said that out loud.
Jisung furrows his eyebrows. "No? Is it rumoured outside of wonderland that he is?"
Panicking, I wave my arms around frantically. "Ahhh, It's uhhh- nothing, don't pay attention to what I say." I laugh it off, hoping Jisung doesn't notice the awkwardness hanging in the air around me.
He chuckles. "Whatever you say."
Flicking the reins again, he continues. "Anyways, There's also someone else I'd like to tell you about."
"Eh?" I perk my head up. "Who?"
"People refer to him as the... Ace of spades. He's mysterious, and devious like the joker. But he's way more dangerous. Whatever you do, don't get on his bad side."
"Do you know his name?" I ask him, curious.
"That information... is something I don't possess." Jisung sighs. "I apologise."
Jisung then quickly pulls on the reins of the horse, causing it to lean back and come to a halt. "We're here."
"Wah?" I then arch my head, getting a glimpse of the destination.
It was the opposite of anything ordinary.
Houses were decorated with chiseled patterned shingles, different kinds of flowers and vines entangling to the sides of rooftops. Various potted vases were scattered here and there, all sprouting of plants and breeds of rare encounters.
Water fountains as well. They were everywhere, at the high end flower shops to even the rustic food markets and bakeries; all of different shimmering colours that gleamed under the rays of sunlight.
Different creatures strolled along casually around the streets, some human, some anthropomorphic, and some half and half. They talked and laughed, the murmur of conversations receding into a background noise.
"Hey look!" A voice came from afar, one that struck a cute, feminine tone. "Jisung's back!"
People's gazes immediately land on us, and it wasn't long before another voice followed along the first one. "Woah, yeah, it's Jisung!"
Two little kids then come up to us, both of them seemingly excited as bright smiles adorned their faces.
Jisung smiles, taking off his helmet and parts of his armour to put in his bag. "Hello! can you tell me where is the Hatter?"
"Hello Jisung!" The boy in the blue says, giving him a wave. "Sorry to say, but the Hatter just left a while ago."
"Yeah, we don't know where he is." Replied the girl beside him, shoulders going up and down in a shrug. "He'll be back soon though, you can wait at his house."
"But besides that, aren't you going to introduce us?" The boy asks, gesturing to me. "Who is she?"
The two peer at me curiously, as I freeze a bit, before giving them an awkward smile.
Would it be too weird to say that I loop-dee-looped from a portal?
"Oh, yes, I shall." Jisung clears his throat, facing in my direction. "The one on the right is tweedledee, and the one on the left is tweedledum. They're the famous twins of wonderland."
"Tweedledee and tweedledum, this is Sohye." Jisung says. "I found her in the forest south of here."
I look at them, and they wave to me.
Dee wore an adorable pink dress, her hair worn up and tied in high pigtails followed by some clips for accessories. Dum's hair was light blue, tied back in a ponytail that paired itself along with a dress hat. The two had almost identical features, making no mistake that they were definitely twins.
They're so cute...
I smile. "Hi, I'm Sohye. Nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too!" Dum then starts jumping up and down, going all excited. "Tell me, what alias do you go by as?"
"Alias?" I tilt my head. "I don't have one..."
Dee looked dumbstruck. "Whhaaattt? Sure you do! Everyone does!"
"I.." I pause, when a sudden voice resonated from inside me.
'You don't know who you even are yet?'
'Who you play as, your purpose in this world?'
"Wh- wha-" I step back, causing Jisung to turn to me, concerned.
"Sohye! Are you okay?" I he calls out, but I couldn't even hear him.
'Lemme tell you..'
I feel my head pounding.
'From now on..'
'You're..'
The last few words escape, and I let out a gasp.
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A/N: Please forgive me and my shameless chapter name sajsjjsjssjsj