Civilian

There was a sharp pain throbbing in my head. I bit back a cry and forced my eyes to open. I stared back a white ceiling and turned my gaze sideways, seeing a wooden stand that had a jug and a metal tin sitting on top of. Just as I thought, I was in some room; I knew this because the surface I was lying on was too comfortable to be the dirty ground that I fell down against. My limbs felt as if they were being weighed down by lead, so I lied on the bed wondering who could it be who brought me into this place. Then I recalled the two Deadly Sins that I met, Lust and Gluttony—also known as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I recalled Ling and Roy—the stupid hare and the stupid Hatter. I wonder if Ling thought that I had abandoned our promise of trying to make Roy into a happy person, even though I was reluctant that I could be able to change him. Did he try to look for me? Did he hear about Tweedle Dum roaming in the town?

"What a drag," I grumbled. Maybe if I'm lucky, the person who held me captive would be a friendly old lady instead of a stern-faced warrant nursing me so that he could take me to jail. Not that I would know. The hysteria of the public deprived from Gluttony's appearance must have alerted any sort of law enforcement, or whatever pertains to justice. I was in the duration of the crisis, after all, and wasn't screaming or panicking like how the citizens behaved. However, I was trying to run away from the monster, but did happen to kick a dead dog at his ugly face. Because of my actions, this might have caused suspicion amongst the public.

Then I heard the door creak open and footsteps shuffling on the floors. What I saw was a dark silhouette moving about. I didn't realize that the room was dimmed, but when the curtains were pushed aside I groaned from the brightness, causing my eyes to squint. When my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw a blond haired boy about my age. He smiled kindly and said, "Hi."

"Uh, hi?" was my automatic response.

"I'm Fletcher. And you are, miss?"

"Ed."

He blinked and tilted his head to the side. "Ed?" he repeated.

"Long story," I sighed.

"Oh, okay." He smiled again. "You must be hungry."

I didn't really notice my hunger, but once he said so I realized that I was starving. "I am."

He nodded and went out of the room to retrieve a tray of food. Everything on it looked simply delicious, but that could be due to my hunger. Fletcher helped me into a sitting position and offered to feed me, but there was no way in hell that I would allow some boy who I don't know feed me. Of course, I dismissed the offer and picked up the spoon, disregarding the unpleasant soreness in my arm.

Fletcher lifted the jug and poured water into the tin. He dropped a towel in there and allowed it to soak in, he then lifted it up and wringed all the water out so it wouldn't drip heavily. "Here," he said, giving it to me, "you might want to wash your face first."

I raised an eyebrow but accepted it anyway. "Thanks." I buried my face into the towel and felt the coolness of the moisture emanate to my skin. It felt nice and refreshing. Not only had I realized my hunger, but I also realized that I was filthy. Ick. Did I tumble my way into a pile of muck while I was unconscious? I need a bath!

I finished scrubbing my face and handed the towel to Fletcher, who placed it into the tin again, wringed it again, and handed it back to me. "So Ed," he said, "you must know about my brother, huh?"

I stopped scrubbing to look at him. "Your brother?"

"Yeah! He was the one who brought you here. His name is Russell."

Russell. Russell. Russell. "Doesn't ring a bell," I said.

"Hmm, really?" He tapped his chin in thought. "That's weird; Russell brought you here yesterday and placed you in his bed. He asked me to watch over you till he comes back." He then sheepishly smiled and scratched his head. "From the looks of things, I was convinced that you were my brother's lover."

I frowned. "From seeing him put me in his bed?"

"Actually, this was the first time he ever brought home a girl, which doesn't make sense since you don't even know him."

"Where am I exactly?"

"At our house in the Ark District."

I have no idea where that is! "Is it close to Central?"

He blinked. "What are you talking about? The Ark District is in Central." I sighed with relief. Good. That way I could probably find Ling. "Where are you from anyway?"

"Not from here."

"I noticed that. Can you tell me more?" I was hesitant on answering. After all, explaining to a random stranger about where I'm from isn't exactly a smart thing to do. He could send me to a mental institute for blabbing about how I'm a foreigner when foreigners were presumed to be extremely rare. Perhaps even believed to be diminished from existence. I don't know really. I could only guess how a person not from Wonderland is an uncommon topic to talk about. It would be sensible for me to make up something.

"I don't feel comfortable answering that." Oh great, Ed. What an intelligent answer.

Fletcher shrugged. "Oh well, that's okay. I didn't mean to pry."

Shit. He's too nice. "No, no! That's okay…Um, it was just me who didn't want to answer your question."

"I suppose that I was asking something personal."

"No—wait, um…"

"That's okay. Anyway, you should eat up before the food gets cold. I'll prepare a bath and a set of clothes for you." Fletcher paused, and then a blush was apparent on his cheeks. "Sorry, but we don't have any girl clothes for you. If you don't mind, I'll give my clothes for you to wear. It's a shame that I don't have a pretty dress for you, just like the one you're wearing."

"That's fine. Thanks for everything, Fletcher."

He nodded and exited the room.

I tore a piece of bread and plopped it into my mouth, and then a thought occurred to me: Fletcher had an uncanny personality like Al. They were similar, except Fletcher seemed to be someone too nice and shy, especially right after he blushed. But then again, doesn't Al blush too? Well, certainly he wouldn't be that timid. Wait—would he?

Gah. I'm forgetting my own brother! No, wait! It's just my memories being mixed up all because of what's happening. I mean, I just died and then woke up in a field with a stupid puss right next to me. Then I tumbled my way with other freaks, especially ever since the Tweedles happened. And now here I am aching from bruises and being taken care of by a boy my age. Hold on—this doesn't seem right. Don't girls usually be the ones taking care of the guys? Oh well, I did happen to oppose a man-easting Deadly Sin after all.

I finished my breakfast with the feeling of satisfaction and the disgust of my grimy skin, feeling the need to rinse my entire body with soap. With perfect timing, Fletcher entered the room and led me the way to the tub. The tub was an oversized metal bowl that was filled with soapy, warm water; it was secured inside a tiny room with windows that almost touched the ceiling.

"The towel is over there along with your new set of clothes. The bar of soap is next to the tub. Um, I think that's it. Well, if you need me you can just call me and I'll wait outside," he said, smiling sheepishly.

"Thanks, Fletcher," I said.

"Sure thing! I'll be going now. Enjoy your bath."

When he left, I turned to stare at the prepared bath. Then I began to peel the dress off and the undergarments till I was bare. I settled into the water and released a groan, feeling the warm bath relax my tensed muscles. When was the last time I ever took a bath like this? It seemed like ages. And how is it that I never stop to take one? Funny…

Though, the thought of Wonderland having something useful never crossed my mind. I mean, this place has flying pigs and don't have toilets after all. Kind of an insane world. I'm even surprised to find Wonderland having at least one decent person living here, which is weird. Fletcher said that his brother brought me here and he allowed me to make accommodations in his own house. Then he brought me food, clothes, and a bath. I might suspect this to be downright suspicious; people of Wonderland are supposed to be mad people, not nice. However, I also suspect Fletcher and his brother—though I'm not sure considering how I didn't even meet him—could be exceptions. Perhaps there are sensible residents in Wonderland.

Like…Like the Duchess, Sloth. She was rather sane.

Speaking of which, was it possible for Deadly Sins to maintain stability? I know that Wrath and Greed sure can't. Especially that fatass Gluttony. Lust seemed to be exhausted of going through the same things over and over again, but it could be her feigning an act in order to trick me, though I didn't see any cases of her being corrupted. Envy—he's crazy, period.

"Thinking about me?"

There was the stupid puss perched on the sill of one of the windows. "Shit!" I curled into a ball. "How the hell you get here?"

"Ah, we reunite once more and this is the greeting I receive? Tsk, tsk, tsk." Envy's tail swished and his smirk ever so annoying as ever. Infuriating monster.

"I'm freaking naked. Get the hell out of here," I hissed.

"It's not as if there's anything to see."

Okay, Ed. Just breathe in and breathe out. The stupid, stupid, puss is just being a complete major pain in the ass as always. Besides, if I explode right now, Fletcher would know.

"If I didn't know better," I started to say, "I might consider you as a creeper for stalking me wherever I go."

"Hmm," Envy hummed idly, tapping his lips, "could this be fate then?"

What the hell!

"Anyway," he continued, "I just came by to check how things are going. Looks like you seduced your way into taking residence of an innocent civilian. I am absolutely appalled."

"Don't label me the same as whores, ass. I just happen to be here all because of one of your friends happen to see me as roast beef. You know that I nearly gotten eaten by that thing?"

"I know. I saw the entire thing. I am, after all, the Cheshire Cat."

What. "And you didn't do anything?"

"I thought you could handle it since you're a big girl."

"I almost got eaten by a freaking monster."

"But you're alive. And you're taking a bath. And you have new clothes. And your stomach's full. And you're alive."

Infuriating, irritating, horrible, stupid, stupid puss!

"Why are you still here?" I barked. "Shouldn't you, you know, go die in a ditch or something?"

"Now that sounds extremely dull. Accompanying you brightens my day to a whole new level."

I rolled my eyes. "It's unfortunate that it does the opposite for me," I snorted.

"Oh, no need to be shy about it, shrimp. I know you feel the same way."

"I AM NOT A SHRIMP!"

"Ed?" Oh boy. "Ed? Is there something wrong?"

Fletcher's voice called through the door of the room. "Nothing's wrong," I quickly said. "I, erm—it's just a huge bug here, that's all."

"Oh, well, okay."

When I heard footsteps that were reduced into soft taps, I sighed and sunk deeper into the tub.

"That wasn't very nice; calling me a bug?" Envy sniffed. "I'm hurt."

"Quit the sarcasm, puss. You pretending to be innocent make me nauseous."

Envy tilted his head as his tail rocked side to side. "Lust told me that she attempted on negotiating with you. Turns out it was a bad idea—you were much too stubborn to consider things," he said idly, obviously changing the subject.

"For your information, I did consider it and found it to be too obvious. Why should I do all the freaking work and hand the amulet—whatever it's called—to that bitch? So that she could take over the world or just die? Common sense tells me to not team up with a weirdo and use it for my own purpose."

"Amazing. You stayed with Greed for a little while and he already influenced you."

"Better than being an idiot. And there is no way that dimwit can influence me!"

"Whatever you say, Edward." His smirk disappeared, now a neutral expression and a raised eyebrow replaced it. "By any chance you know where you are?"

I frowned. "In a house owned by a random guy? Why?"

"No reason. Well, if you need me, no need to hesitate by calling my name. Later shrimp."

"Okay, don't call me shrimp and when is there a moment when I even need—" He disappeared. "—you…"

Damn.

Something in my gut tells me to hurry up washing, put on the damn clothes, and leave the house. Oh, and tell Fletcher that I appreciated his generosity. Can't forget that.

So I did so. I stepped out of the tub, dried myself with the towel, and wore the clothes Fletcher had given me. And, really, the clothes felt nicer than that dress I wore. When I was done, I tied my somewhat damp hair into a ponytail and went out of the room. Before me, Fletcher was walking towards me, a mild surprised look on his face.

"Oh, you're done already! Great timing," he said.

I blinked. "What for?"

"Well, my brother Russell came home, and he wants to see you."