Someone once said that when you encounter something so shocking, your brain will freeze. My body couldn't move as my eyes fixated on the woman in front of me. Is she even a woman?
Of course she must be a woman.
Her chest, though concealed by what resembled maple leaves, her abdomen adorned with what appeared to be a thin, long grass-like material seen previously, and atop her head sat a flower crown composed of small white blossoms and twigs that gleamed like gold, exuding a sturdy appearance.
Was it fear of the unusual that immobilized me? My body couldn't budge in front of this being indescribable as human.
Vincente found himself questioning if this was a dream or reality once more. Since waking up in this strange place, wariness and suspicion never left his mind.
It's a miracle he remained calm at this moment. Luckily, the woman in front was only observing me as if she, too, was trying to understand me.
"Shall we go now?" her voice, like a melody, flowed effortlessly.
She walked ahead, leading the way. I quickly put on my socks, shoes, and suit, then hastened to follow her. Strange as it was, having someone to talk to about my situation felt like a stroke of luck. Even if that someone wasn't what I had expected, at least she possessed enough intelligence to communicate, right?
As I trailed behind her, I couldn't help but gasp. I wasn't sure if it was from surprise or amazement, but the closer I looked at her, the more enigmatic she became.
What kind of species is she even?
The being's appearance is truly perplexing. From the long, large leaves sewn together on her waist like a dress, extending down to her leaf-covered ankles, to what seems like high-heeled shoes with a spiral pattern connected to her ankles, it's unclear if these are props or part of her body. Her legs appear to be coils of leaves, leading up to vines with buds of leaves for hair.
And there's even a horn on her head!
Vincente's mind is in chaos, trying to make sense of what his senses are perceiving, yet his brain struggles to accept it. Despite the confusion, he realizes that understanding her species is not a priority at the moment.
How long have we been walking? The silence during our walk feels endless. The surroundings are dense with trees, making it easy to get lost if one isn't familiar with this place. As I kick off twigs, the crunch of dried leaves underfoot fills the air. The occasional chirping sound of the bird added to the silence.
"Uhm," my mouth hesitates, unsure of how to address her. I gathered my courage, remembering her polite demeanor. Asking for her name might lead to an awkward silence if she doesn't respond, but not asking could also have its drawbacks. What if she becomes annoyed with me? Despite her intelligence, she is still an alien. What if her way of thinking differs from that of humans?
"May I ask your name?" Holding my breath, I spoke up. The moment of nervousness passed as I finally mustered the courage to ask for her name.
Her step halted, and she turned to look at me. Her light green eyes, clear and bright, met mine as a comfortable smile graced her face. "Laurel," she replied, "you can call me that. By the way, I haven't caught your name. May I know what to call you?"
Wow! She's truly polite! I felt like a child looking at a talking toy.
"Vincente!" I responded, my voice sounding more cheerful than anticipated. Though I felt a tinge of embarrassment, I managed to conceal it.
I hope she didn't notice my embarrassment.
"Vincente," she softly uttered, "that's a lovely name."
"Oh..." Despite her unusual appearance, she exuded a captivating beauty, especially when she smiled. Her face, resembling that of an 18-year-old human with a tall nose and harmonious features, exuded a youthful charm, yet her demeanor and actions revealed a deeper maturity.
"I know, right?" I felt like I had become as proud as a peacock from her compliment. "My Pops created it for me, hoping I would be victorious in any challenge I faced."
"Your Pops sounds like a remarkable person," she smiled. "I hope you've lived up to what your name suggests."
"Thank you," I said, feeling embarrassed.
"But may I inquire where we are headed?" I asked cautiously, mindful of how she initially labeled me as an intruder. I needed to clarify the misunderstanding.
"You know, it might be hard to believe, but I swear I had no intention of trespassing. I simply woke up earlier and found myself here. I really have no idea how I got here."
As the words left my mouth, my explanation sounded more like an excuse, making me feel somewhat absurd. I lowered my hands, which had been moving loudly in a display of my desperation.
"I understand, don't worry," her sincere gaze seemed to genuinely believe my account.
"You do?" I was taken aback. "How?" Did she observe me while I was asleep? No, perhaps she knows how I arrived here.
Just as hope began to flicker, Laurel clarified, "Regrettably, I am unaware of how you arrived here and for what purpose. In fact, I too am just as curious as you are about how you entered this secure and secluded forest. However, I sensed your presence when you woke up. And…" she smiled regrettably, "ultimately, the decision is not mine to make. I am simply here to escort you to those individuals."
"I see." A bitter smile crossed my face. I had hoped for a clue as to why I ended up here, only to be left with more questions. My mind was full of questions; my expression displayed disappointment. She seemed to be saying that she had no authority or voice.
If I pushed further, I don't think she would maintain her favorable impression of me. Her demeanor showed an unwillingness to be asked further.
Anyway, I just hope that such people will be more understanding, like Laurel. But I cannot just optimistically hope that everything will get better. I have to formulate a plan to at least persuade those people and somehow prove my innocence.
"Now that you've mentioned it, where did you come from?" Her voice sounded beside me. Without my realizing it, we were already walking side by side in this vast forest. Not only did she look like a bundle of leaves, from her clothing to her skin, but she also smelled refreshing.
I fixed my expression and was about to answer, "I came from—"
"Now that you've mentioned it, where did you come from?"
Huh?
"I came from–"
"Now that you've mentioned it, where did you come from?"
What?
Vincente's confusion peaked as Laurel repeated the question, halting him in his tracks. Under the soft, warm light of the setting sun, his face displayed puzzlement.
"Why? Is it hard to say?" Laurel tilted her head, noticing Vincente's hesitation. "I apologize if that's a sensitive topic for you. It's just that the things you're wearing are unusual. It's the first time I've seen such attire."
"No, no, no!" Vincente waved his hand, though puzzlement lingered in his eyes. "It's not like that. Definitely not. I already–"
"Why? Is it hard to say?" Laurel tilted her head, sensing his discomfort.
Goosebumps rose on Vincente's skin, prompting him to unconsciously take a step back.
"I apologize if that's a sensitive topic for you. It's just that the things you're wearing are unusual. It's the first time I've seen such attire," Laurel added quickly upon seeing his reaction. "But you're aware that such a question will come up later from those people, right?"
Turning fully towards Vincente, Laurel's expression shifted to one of concern and suspicion.
"I already–"
–answered your question earlier.
"I apologize if that's a sensitive topic for you. It's just that the things you're wearing are unusual. It's the first time I've seen such attire," Laurel added quickly upon seeing his reaction. "But you're aware that such a question will come up later from those people, right?"
This time, it could not be my illusion. Something is definitely going on.
"I came from–"
"Shall we go now?" her voice, like a melody, flowed effortlessly.
Suddenly, the scenery around me shifted. I found myself barefoot, my suit vanished, and my belongings scattered on the ground. Before me stood Laurel, her gaze now suspicious, yet her posture maintained the same politeness as when we first spoke moments ago.
Boom!
My heart pounded fiercely in my chest, sweat trickling down the back of my neck. Confusion clouded my mind once more. What on earth is happening?