Rhia immediately raised her hands from the couch,
âW-what do you mean by that?â she inquired getting uneasy.
Theyâve been at what the whole time..? She shook her head trying to recapture control over her thoughts,
âThe embracing? That started not too long before you arrived actually. We wanted Absolem to take a breather because he looked beat.. they both got pretty overworked.. Grey lost consciousness and Absolem looked pretty ill before he ate.â Rhia took a deep inhalation afterwards. She definitely overreacted; her panicked reaction was evidence enough.
She yawned softly, blushing a dim shade of pink subsequently. Her world was upside down. Strength was hard to show in these conditions. She was still adapting. She wasnât even sure if what happened earlier was her new ability. She knew the two of the Chains were talking, but their words were blurred, incoherent to her ears. Too much happened recently. She couldnât remember anything about herself, she woke up in an empty hall alone, then she met Cheshire. She got angry at Cheshireâs forward and insistent attitude, he left her alone, he returned and she met Caterpillar and Grey, then Jabberwocky attacked Cheshire and she had to go on the run with Absolem, then Cheshire thankfully returned, then he embarrassed her.. and now everything was normal?? She just wanted sleep again.. partake in something effortless and serene.
I donât know how to feel. I canât tell the difference between who I am and who everyone wants me to be anymore.. but did I really know who I was in the first place?She felt her face ignite into a glow of bright pink when she suddenly noticed Cheshire was closer to her, much closer than he was before she indulged in her thoughts.
When did he come over here? She subconsciously chews on her thumbnail timidly, not breaking the nail, but just trying to release her nervousness on something else in a nonchalant manner. Her eyes shifted upon the room, pretending to examine it. She was calming down until Cheshireâs words broke through her attempts,
âW-what scandalous details!?â she squeaked out in a startled, disbelieving voice,
âN-nothing happened! Donât give people impressions like that!â she snapped in a flustered tone, scooting towards the opposite arm of the couch that the two of them were on.
Why would you say something like that!? Rhia pouted, resting her head against the one not inhabited by a chain bent of destroying her mental stability,
âI dunno. I heard it somehow.â She shrugs. She wasnât about to admit it was inside her head, especially more than once. She wasnât raving mad! Theyâd definitely tease her for going crazy and starting to hear âvoicesâ in her head,
âM-maybe I imagined it..â she tried to brush it off, biting her bottom lip nervously.
Definitely canât admit to hearing voices.. Cheshire would tease me or even worse, he might get even more worried about me.. I worry him enough as it is..Thankfully the next event drew attention off of her and onto Grey before the situation about her hearing Absolem's thoughts in her head or perhaps even the possibility of the two chains brawling in the floor got out of hand. Though, she jumped out of her skin when he moved so suddenly, hiding her face in the unoccupied arm of the couch.
Please tell me they were both too busy focusing on Grey and didnât realize that I got startled so girlishly? She gripped onto the arm of the couch, Greyâs behavior was concerning her. He was so much more composed than her, just what would she go through?
Die? When did he come close to dying? She couldnât help her inquisitiveness, but she knew now wasnât the time for her to speak up. This was Absolemâs problem, his business. Not hers or Cheshireâs. She gave him a look to not intervene, hoping he caught on. It was tough enough to face him once due to her rosy cheeks undesirably being on display in the process. She knew she couldnât do it twice. She returned her face to the vacant arm, nuzzling against it tiredly, trying to not be concerned with Grey.
Heâs frightening me.. am I going to break down like that? It looks painful, lonely..---
Absolem visibly twitched in his frustration at Cheshire.
Damn cat quit laughing at me or Iâll finish what the Jabberwocky began! He was about to shout out a few insults, however his disposition calmed as he noticed Cheshireâs contorted expression, a smirk replacing Absolemâs signature frown when the feline seemed to have overexerted his wounds, his cold eyes glistening with their own delight,
âDid you brush your wounds the wrong way~?â He teased in a âbaby talkâ voice, or at least, his best attempt of one,
âDespite common belief Iâm not in as poor health as many think. Iâm sturdier than porcelain glass.â The green haired man hisses, still in attempt to worm himself free of his contractor. He twitched a bit, snapping instantly,
âAt it!? What are you accusing me of!?â His face was furious, red. Almost as if heâd used the forbidden nickname.
âI couldâve worded it quite more exquisitely if I wasnât exhausted and having gained an extra hundred pounds suddenly.â He ushers towards the sleeping Grey, then decides to taunt Cheshire,
âWho knows, maybe there would have been a nice dinner waiting..â but he shrugs with an aloof nature just after using a hopeful, depressed tone. He was trying to irritate him in return,
âOh well. Do help yourself to soup. I figured you probably forgot to feed the poor child so I took the liberty in cooking.â He ran a hand through his now quite knotted green locks before returning his attention back to the feline,
âYou saved your contractor, thatâs heroic enough I suppose. Considering this game, thatâs all that matters for the moment.â He closed his eyes, shaking his head,
âWould you rather me speak of your failures? I can bring out the old scrapbooks.. Iâm sure Rhia would love to see..âAbsolem blinked, deciding to play along and follow in Cheshireâs display, feigning an uninformed disposition,
âYouâre not the Queenâs housecat?!â he inquires in false astonishment, mocking Cheshire,
âGood, the only pet sheâd be capable of keeping would most surely have to be immortal.â Absolem raised an eyebrow at the two.
Something seems.. different about these two. Did something happen outside? Now this is curious indeed, very entertaining seeing Cheshire behave this way. I will have to pay much closer attention.. Absolem chuckled a bit, watching the girlâs face light up like a Christmas tree. One could surely fry an egg on her face by this point.
So thatâs how it is.. Typical female. He saved her life and now sheâs gawking and fawning over him subconsciously? Donât tell me he chose this feeble of a contractor.. Cheshire just what did you base your decision on? The green haired man sighed to himself, laying back and closing his eyes,
âAre you two taking this serious or simply kicking it back and romancing..?â he asked exasperated with a hardly noticeable indication of concern. His eyebrows raised as Cheshire was informed of his thoughts,
âAh, I see she may prove useful yet! She snuck her way into my thoughts, it wonât happen again I assure you..â his jaw was tense, a bit angered that heâd for once been clearly bested,
âI thought about shaving it if you ever anger me.. your new toy invaded my thoughts without permission.âAbsolem was actually almost asleep until Grey shot across the room and under a table. He sat up slowly, walking over to the other male regardless.
Heâs still asleep technically isnât he? He sighed, deciding to try and calm down his own contractor.
Apparently he was coping as well. How much was Grey silently enduring for him? Am I being selfish expecting so much from him?He knelt down slowly infront of the boy, hand outstretched, for once, a full smile across his features. Absolem looked gentle and kindhearted as he spoke in a soothing voice,
âCome on out. Itâs me, Absolem.. Iâve been here the whole time..you were hugging me!â he chuckled,
âWake up Grey, youâre still having a nightmare.â He cooed gently, slowly reaching to touch the other maleâs cheek reassuringly.
âYouâre alive for the same reason Rhia is. You're alive because as long as me and Cheshire are here to protect you and Rhia, youâre both going to be fine. As much as we disagree I am sure by now he can agree with me on that.â Do I really care about leaving Wonderland? Leaving this poor child to become a chain without guidance? Though.. if we lose.. Iâll be imprisoned and never see the poor thing anyhow..Absolem withdrew his hand, knowing it might only unset Grey further.
âIf I was trying to harm you, I would have already now wouldnât I?â He tried to reason with the boy,
âHere, Iâll prove itâs meâŠâ He closed his eyes pondering for a moment before biting his bottom lip, jerking back to liveliness and a comforting expression after an idea hit him.
âIf Iâm not Absolem.. how would I know the first riddle he ever asked you? It definitely was; If you come across two men, one always lies, and one always tells the truth. One is an Saint, the other a sinner. What question do you ask to tell whom is who?â He smiled satisfied with his approach.
Tease my child and someone shall be missing a hand.. heâs been so brave and loyal until now.. âOr would I know about the punishment threats?â