DAY 52-3: HOUSE OF CARDS

   The masked boy who'd fallen from the tree is now silently quivering in the corner of her room. He's down on four limbs, his ominous mask instilling nothing but unease at the pit of her stomach.

   It hasn't been long since Leda let him in here but she already knows she's made the wrong decision.

   Then again, after his dramatic drop, a streamline of guards came hurtling into the area, adamant on securing the "wolf" that had run in this direction. Which led to this guy's blatant panic, where he raced up the tree and leapt through her open window, leading to her situation now.

   Although Leda has a ton of questions—primarily why this boy's head is accompanied by realistically fluffy ears, craning and twitching every now and again—she instead starts with: "You okay?"

   He flinches, much more vigorously than she anticipates. Then, he ducks in an attempt to hide from her.

   Her lengthy eyelashes flutter seamlessly as she spares her attire a glance. How hideous does she look for him to be so scared? Or is it her odour? Sure, taking a shower at the moment sounds blissful, but knowing Nia and that uppity Rhett, the idea may as well be unattainable. The two can barely give her answers on her whereabouts, let alone a shower.

Regardless, the idea currently swimming in Leda's mind is much more pressing. Can it be this boy is the "wolf" this entire tower has been in a disarray to find? One can argue his ears have a wolf essence to them; they are sticking out from the top of his head, after all. Plus, if Rhett can possess a nose resembling a toucan, then maybe the notion that they're real isn't so improbable after all.

But, half-animals, half-humans? Such a thing can only be possible through imagination. Leda can admit to not having the brightest mind, but even she isn't gullible enough to fall for such fantasy.

   Thinking about her situation along the same lines, however, only erases that notion.

   How she should've been dead and yet ended up here, trapped within this gorgeous tower. Nia and Rhett's formal yet enigmatic manner of speech. And now this boy.

Anyone with working brain cells can decipher this unbelievable place is not her home city.

Not that she wants to believe she's been kidnapped to some foreign land...

The boy hasn't halted his shuddering. Nor does he make the motion to look anywhere in her direction.

   Seeing him so frightful of her allows Leda's features to fall flat. She averts her focus, out the window toward the distant shouts belonging to those guards. Then, eyebrow twitching, her last sliver of patience wears thin. Hands to her hips, she refocuses her attention downward.

"You don't have to shake so much," she says, exasperation slipping into her tone. "I'm sure you realize since you're from here and seem to be aware that I was in that cage over there, but I'm not exactly harmful. If anything, I should be the one shaking and begging you to spare my life."

The boy stiffens. His head twists, and once again, his eerie mask is on her. It's almost blood-curdling and works to remind her of various antagonists in horror films. With it on, deciphering his intentions and facial expression is impossible.

   Shoulders sagging, Leda purses her lips. Is he really so afraid of her that he can't muster any words?

"I-I apologize."

She perks straightaway. His shaking has lulled considerably, but his definitely youthful, higher-pitched tone remains apprehensive as he rises to his feet.

"I-I'm..." He pauses, ears frantically waving upon his head. His fingers fiddle with his black cloak, his other hand reaching to part the mask from his face. He has a head of thick, lustrous red hair—so bright it emulates a scorching fire. Along with baby cheeks and a sepia-coloured skin tone, his eyes are a mesmerizing emerald. "I-I'm not used to interacting with many people," he stammers onward. "Let alone a human, s-so I don't know how I should behave."

Leda doesn't even notice she's gawking until his awe-inspiring irises shift towards her, tense for a response. He's so pretty, so much so it's difficult to believe he's a man. It's enough to make any girl swoon.

"So you can speak," Leda finally says, nudging free of her ogling.

   "I-I'm s-sorry," he whimpers. "I-I know I shouldn't have opened my mouth. Master Rhett always orders me not to."

From where she is, Leda can clearly see the film of tears that have washed over his eyes.

"You don't need to apologize," she says before he can cry. Though she knows there's little point in being concerned for one of the people associated with her kidnapping, she can't help herself. He really is sensitive.

For a split second, awe of some kind sifts across his countenance. Whether it's surprise for her concern or her willingness to hear him speak, Leda doesn't have the leisure to figure it out.

A booming shout rips through the air, seizing all attention.

"There he is!"

The boy, bluntly put, screams. Without even whipping his neck to the window where the shout had erupted, he takes a nosedive under the covers of the pristinely made bed a foot away.

Leda watches him cower under the sheets. Her face falls flat.

   Is he serious?

The guards below go on to grumble about a false alarm. Leda ganders out, observing them loiter right below the window while they nonchalantly discuss where to go next.

"H-have they disappeared?"

"Not yet," she deadpans. "But now I kind of want you to."

He carefully pokes his head out from the covers.

Her bottom lip catches between her teeth. Might as well ask.

   "Why are you the talk of this tower anyway? That Rhett guy said something about ripping off your legs when he finds you."

His green eyes become glossy with newfound tears. "I-I'm going to die!"

   "Well, that sucks. I hope you rest in peace."

He lurches onto his knees, distress consuming every inch of his face. Clearly that isn't the response he expected.

Regardless, Leda merely drapes a hand over her hip. "I don't mean any harm, but as much as I enjoy having you here—like really, look at the joy radiating from my face—I'm starting to think that if I notify the guards that you're here they might set me free."

He scrambles off the bed, nearly tripping over his lengthy cloak in the act. "You do not— How do you know for certain that I am even the one they're looking for? Unless you know my name—"

"Orian?"

"—Yes. My name is Orian and you don't—" A horrified gasp leaves his mouth as he recoils. "You know it?"

"I mean," she says, "it'd be stupid of me not to remember the name everyone here keeps yelling. I was a little unsure at first but, thanks for confirming, Orian. Oh, and just so that everything's equal, my name's Leda."

All the while her lips quirk up into a gaudy smirk, he gapes. As if she's sprouted two heads. As if his will to live has been completely sucked out of him.

"P-please do not tell them!" In only an instant, he's bobbed his head, hands clamped together to fortify his plea. "I-I cannot die just yet!"

As Orian warbles off in an incomprehensible babble, tears streaming down his cheeks, Leda observes blankly. In hindsight, this stranger begging for his life shouldn't concern her one bit. Especially considering the novelty of the situation; her capture, these strange individuals, and odd animal-like humans. Nevertheless, that's exactly why she knows she can't let this chance slip.

Unlike Rhett, Nia, and those stoic guards who dangled her like a sack of potatoes only minutes ago, Orian isn't intimidating. He isn't reminding her of her inferiority in this tower. Because, like her, he isn't safe here. He's being targeted. Regardless of the reason why, it's clear they're in the same boat.

And Leda can use that.

"Fine."

Orian's chin jerks up. Hiccuping, he snivels, further words catching in his throat. His fluffy ears have flattened on his head. Identical to a pouting dog, he stares at her with huge, watery puppy-eyes.

As someone who's a sworn dog person until death, Leda must restrain the urge to pet him. He's human, she has to remind herself. No matter how unbelievable the notion is.

"I won't say anything to them," she goes on. "If you help me get out of here."

He sniffles again, then flutters his eyelids. Resting his intertwined fingers to his sides, he surveys the empty room. "Now that you mention it, I was positive Miss Nia said she left you in a cage. And that you cannot break free without a special key..."

Leda dangles the set before his eyes. "You mean this?"

"Yes, exactly that— I-I am extremely scared of you."

A boisterous chuckle passes her lips. Considering a boy with wolf-ears is telling her this, it's tough to accept the compliment.

"Look," she says to rid him of newfound fright, "just as I don't want to be held captive here and you don't want to be slaughtered, I think it's best we work together right now. Plus, you seem to know this place better than I do. Considering that, there's a higher success rate. Ignoring the fact that I'll be trusting a freaky stranger with animal ears, of course."

She smirks from ear to ear like a mischievous child about to pull a prank.

"What do you say, Orian? Why don't the two of us officially break out of here?"

The idea appalls him. But, as if knowing he can't fight her resolve, he concedes.

"A safe place," he murmurs, placing a finger to his chin. "Maybe the House of Cards, but..."

She perks. "How far is that from here? Would Rhett be able to find us?"

"It is located on the coast of Meisyr, so it won't take long..."

"Mei-who?"

He shakes his head as if her bafflement is understandable. Then, he tries again, "Master Rhett only heads there on formal business. I can guarantee it won't be the first place he'd search for us. We can spend time there thinking what to do next."

   "Perfect." She sneaks a glance at the door, cracking her knuckles. "So how are we getting past the guards? I know I may not look like it, but I've gotten into plenty of fights in my life. Aiming for the balls is a surefire way to win. The question is how to get to them under their armour—"

   She's seized by the wrist. Her eyebrows dart upwards from surprise but before she can ask for Orian's intentions, the world distorts before her eyes. There comes a swift blow of wind, suffocating her. The floor beneath her sinks until vanishing completely. Her heart drops as they fall.

Then, before she can dare scream, the ground returns. Her lungs rush with oxygen, heartbeat hammering in her chest. She peeks open an eyelid and finds Orian's face there to greet her. Dazed, her eyelids flutter as she whips her head around, only to realize they're no longer inside the room, but instead, a forest.

Leda gapes at the innumerable trees and bushes that encompass them, too stunned and breathless to come to comprehend the situation.

"What the... What's going on?" She warily stares herself over. "What did you do?"

"Are you all right? You're looking a little lightheaded," Orian says, releasing his grip on her shoulders and retreating.

"That's because you did some weird technique! Weren't we inside the tower right now?"

She swivels around, beckoning to the lush forestry that doesn't disappear for as long as she stares. Just as she presumes, she's outdoors. But how?

"The Deck Tower is right behind you, Miss Leda," Orian merely says.

She exasperatedly peers in the direction he hints at and her pupils automatically enlarge at the sight of the colossal tower poking out above the tallest trees.

It's the kind of tower in Rapunzel. The exterior is coated in the colours of beige, grey and white; the vibrant green vines and moss spotting the concrete portraying its old age. Staying true to the title 'Deck Tower' though, a large stack of cards rest at the top edge of the building, spread out similarly to a peacock's feathers. From where she is on the ground, encased by vegetation, the external view of the building isn't entirely visible, but one thing is certain: with its tall, thin frame it definitely doesn't look as wide and spacious as it had been on the inside.

"What the hell," Leda says the sole thing she can amidst her shock.

She swerves in Orian's direction once more, but he is completely calm. But what looms behind him, far closer than the distant tower has her gawping once more. Hovering above cobblestone steps is a house of cards—literally. From the windows to the doors—even the pathway leading up to it—everything is made from cards. Various suits and numbers; Jacks, Queens and Kings, too. Considering the magnificence of the overall complexity of the building, put bluntly, it's amazing. And no matter how much she eyeballs it, she can't get over it.

"I must be dreaming," Leda sputters. "I have to be."

Everything in this place is completely fantastical. Is it really a figment of her imagination? But how else can she explain it?

"Let's go, Miss," Orian says, snapping her from her racing thoughts. "Master Rhett has the outside of the tower and most of the town guarded. If we stay out in the open too long, we'll be found."

When he turns his back to her, his cape sways. She catches a brief glimpse of the "1" carved right into the centre of his black t-shirt, exposing his dark skin in the outline. She doesn't have the leisure to ask him why it's there because he beckons her to follow him. With a big gulp, she does as told, watching as he moves up the spiral staircase. Her heart feels ready to burst with each step, but surprisingly, the card stairs are surprisingly sturdy.

"When you said 'House of Cards' I didn't think you meant it literally," she whispers.

Orian casts a meek smile over his shoulder. "This must be odd for you. It took me a while to get used to it myself."

Leda goggles the intricate faces of cards as well as the glistening greenery and blue sky above. This building—if you can consider it one—is truly standing firm in the middle of nowhere, with no strings. At least, as far as she can see, anyway.

"What is this place used for?"

"Master Rhett watches over the suit kingdoms from here."

"The... suits?"

"The four suit kingdoms," he says, as if startled Leda doesn't know. "Edaps, Straeh, Revolc and Dia."

Her eyebrows furrow together. "What gibberish are you speaking?"

"What is "gibberish"? Is it edible?"

She asked the wrong question.

Upon lagging behind, she rushes to the top step only to have to hold back her surprise. The sun streaming through the slits between the cards allow a glimpse of the rocky terrains far in the distance as well as the expansive forest, extending far beyond the eye can see. More shelves than she's ever seen adorn the room with thousands of books to choose from. Odd writing is inscribed on the spines, identical to Rhett's room in the tower. It's larger than any library she's come across, and all structures consist of playing cards themselves, furthering her wonderment.

She joins Orian by a card table where countless documents and maps are strewn. Once more, what she's known to be flimsy sheets are brawny enough to keep its form. Is it because of some super adhesive glue or something similar?

"Annadia consists of four major kingdoms and other small populaces."

"'Annadia'?" she echoes, craning her head upwards.

He retrieves a book from the pile. The one thing that stands out, however, are the four symbols of the playing suits, each with an exotic design. A raven in the form of a spade. A heart covered entirely in sharp vines and a scythe. A book with a bookmark in the shape of a clover. A goofy looking diamond with a crown.

"They are all amazing kingdoms," Orian presses onward. "Spades have been the strongest warriors since ancient times with the most abundant military, while Hearts specialize heavily in both magic and medicine. Oh, Spades are what we call the people of Edaps, and Hearts are the people of Straeh. There's also Clubs who are the people of Revolc and—"

"Do you talk the ear off of all the other people you meet?"

"Yes." He shamelessly bobs his head. "But you're the first who's ever listened to me so attentively. Usually they get fed up and tell me to leave them alone."

Poor thing.

Regardless, the once quivering crybaby, doused entirely in fright, is now beaming with overwhelming joy, on par to a child who's been offered candy.

Leda observes the colourful maps and images as he flips through the book. Kingdoms... Is that the norm here—wherever she is? Then, in other words, there are four different countries that make up Annadia? Thinking about it that way allows the dots to align in Leda's mind. Everything he's said before, she can process.

Her gaze drops, near the bottom of his cape that moves. When a fluffy tail split in two pokes out, she finds herself open-mouthed yet again. Not only ears. He has a tail. And it's wagging like an elated puppy.

"Miss," Orian says suddenly, pushing forward and staring at her with his wide, sparkling green eyes. His ears are tall, tail swishing frantically. "They really are amazing. Far more than you think. I have always, always wanted to visit them!"

Leda squints, unable to handle this boy who's a manifestation of the sun itself. His babyface and grin don't help to rid that assumption.

Before he can sweep her up into his own pace, she holds up her arms in defence. "Why don't you?"

All at once, his excitement evaporates. He retreats, a look of sorrow enveloping his face.

"I... have never left the Deck Tower and House of Cards since Master Rhett brought me to Meisyr when I was little. Since I arrived, I've spent every day of my life between these building, simply reading and rereading all of the books here and in Master Rhett's study. Merely gathering knowledge about these suits—learning about their histories and all this world has to offer—has always been enough for me. That is why setting off by myself to see them first-hand is simply too—"

"Scary?" she finishes.

He nods. Pouting, he balls his fists. "H-how about if I get hurt, or eaten, or— or the citizens find my personality to be annoying?"

"I mean, them realizing you're annoying should be the least of your worries."

Tears fill his eyes. "You should deny that at least. You are very mean, Miss Leda."

"Sorry. I don't believe in having a filter."

"Is a "filter" also edible? Did you eat your filter and that's why you cannot be nice?"

A beat of silence passes.

"Yes."

He retreats to the far end of the room, cowering behind one of the bookcases. Accustomed to it by now, she turns a blind eye, lifting up other sheets of papers with those foreign symbols on them.

"Still," she says, "there's really kingdoms about the card suits? This feels unreal. I did have a hunch that this isn't reality. Say, where does Rhett fit into this whole kingdom business?"

"Master Rhett... is the ruler of Meisyr," Orian says from where he is. "The capital of the Land of Cards—the city which we are in now."

She had a feeling he held a position of power but who'd have thought it'd be something like that. "A mayor, huh? For someone who's a 'ruler', he sure is barbarous. Setting me up for Russian roulette, locking me in a cage buck naked and coming after your poor legs."

"H-he may have questionable actions or say morbid things, but he's very considerate. He means the best. Master Rhett is an incredible person!"

Is it her or is he defending the man who's out to slaughter him right now?

"If you believe I am so incredible, why did you run away you stupid wolf?" a yell resounds, so loud the reverberations jolt the cards themselves.

Orian and her go on the defence, swiftly rotating in the direction of the source.

It's Rhett. Eyes narrowed fiercely, eyebrow twitching. An anger as hot as lava radiates off him, sucking the air itself dry of oxygen.

Well, Leda thinks, calmly draping her hand on her hip. There's no escaping death this time.