Groggily opening his eyes, the first thing Undead sees is a bright green fairy snoring on his chest.
Quietly lifting her up, placing her atop his helmet and walking out the dungeon, Undead looks for Prayer Master.
As he walks towards where they talked yesterday, the constant scraping of metal rouses the fairy. Rubbing her eyes, Leaf lazily yawns, staying sprawled out atop his helm.
"Morning, Undead."
The usually chatty Leaf is keeping her words short? Probably still tired from the cleaning she did last night.
With a slight nod acknowledging leaf, "Morning."
Leaning over the front of his helm, Leaf locks eyes with Undead. "You know, I realised this yesterday but you're not much of a talker, are you?"
"There's no point in talking more if I get what I need."
"But you got me now, so why even go back to that rabbit? Why are we still in this forest? Hurry up and let's just leave that rabbit behind!"
Leaf pestered, knocking her little fists repeatedly against his helmet.
Undead slightly tilts his head, causing Leaf to roll off his helmet, he questions. "Do you know about this world then?"
"Of course I do! Who am I but the most knowledgeable, kind, cute, amazing, immaculate, honourable, trustworthy, cute-"
"Enough. Then can you tell me what this land is called, and where I should go next?" Cutting off Leaf's incessant self praise, Undead sits under a nearby tree.
Floating in front of him, with a mischievous grin, Leaf teases. "Why should I tell you? The only reason I'm with you right now is because that wilful rabbit pleaded and begged me, and that was only with fights."
Giggling loudly, she mocks Undead. With hollow eyes, he brushes her off, looking for Prayer Master once more. Seeing the lack of reaction from him, Leaf's expression falters.
Quickly chasing after him, blocking his way forward, does she change her statement. "W-well, what I was going to say if you let me finish was that I would tell you. But on one condition~"
"What."
"You… uhhh…" Not even sure what condition she's talking about herself, Leaf racks her brains trying to create one on the spot. "You… will become my stead! Whenever I'm tired or want to rest, I will rest on your helmet or shoulders."
Proud that she came up with this on the spot, Leaf now bares a smug grin. Undead, Finding it more than convenient that he now has a portable guide, agrees.
"Hmmm, well let me tell you about this world then, seeing you're an amnesiac. This world is called Wonderland. Well, more specifically, this continent is Wonderland. Further to the south, south-east I think, across the vast ocean is Orleans."
Undead pauses at the mention of Orleans, he's sure he heard it before, but from who? J… who is J? "Orleans? Let me hear more about that."
"Why would you want to hear about such a backwater nation? Well fine, I can grace you with this. That foolish nation worships a god they call Mary Ann, hmph, worshiping me would be better than that non-existent trash."
"Anyways, they are a foolish bunch who say they can 'hear' the voice of god. All of its nonsense though. Cults have more of a connection to god than they do."
Spouting all sorts of heretical nonsense, she continues her rant. All of it just snide remarks and jabs at Orleans residents and believers.
Tilting his head as if it just doesn't add up, his armour clashing together as he does, sharing his confusion. "If they're such fervent believers, then shouldn't there be proof of Mary Ann's existence?"
"Good question, student Undead! Let Teacher Leaf tell you. They have a saintess. Catherine I think. Well she's just a puppet of that cult, not like you'll meet here in wonderland anyways — so there's no point in learning about Orleans."
"…Okay." Still feeling something still doesn't add up, why does this fairy, who seems to have never left the forest before know so much? "Leaf, why- no. How do you know this?"
"Isn't it obvious? Undead, you foolish fellow. You've seen me use wind, so I'm a wind fairy right? Words travel along the wind, so of course I hear it!"
Telling him this like this is the most basic of basics, Leaf reprimands. Looking down on Undead like he's some pitiable child.
Mixed feelings arise while he's relentlessly mocked by this dimwitted fairy. Pushing them aside, he moves back to his focus. "Right… answer the next question then. Where should we go after we leave the forest?"
"How boring, at least give me a reaction, no matter how fake!" Leaf whines, still answering anyways. "Well I would recommend Behemoth ranch. They're pretty welcoming. Plus, I heard they have high quality food!"
"Why visit a ranch? Shouldn't there be better areas to visit?"
"Thats because just past the ranch is Princess Rapunzel's castle. And she's really smart, so she can probably help you find a way back into Fort Ivern or whatever."
"Alright… sounds reasonable enough"
Undead, still unsure on how much he can trust Leaf's information, decides to double check it when he Prayer Master again.
Undead stands up, dusting himself off and starts walking again, not bothering to wait for Leaf. Already used to Undead's indifference, Leaf catches up with a huff.
Complaining with a pout etched onto her face, she crosses her arms while sitting crossed legged on Undead's head. "You know, you could at least tell me when we're going to start moving again. It's the thought that counts y'know!"
"There was no thought behind it."
"…Just, stop talking for me. Please!"
Leaf, tired of Undead's responses, shuts him up, grumbling under her breath.
——
Not long after, silence enshrouds the two, the only noises heard are the occasional chirps of birds or the rustling of leaves.
With another sigh, Leaf whines. "Why are we even going back to that rabbit? It would be faster to just go to the ranch."
"I need more info."
"Then there's no need to go to that rabbit, I'm right here! This wise and whimsical Leaf has chosen to help you." A mischievous smile blooms onto her face as she whispers into his ears. "And I'm even more knowledgeable than Prayer Master themselves! Trust me, that statements Leaf approved."
"Werent you in a rush to get to Fort Ivern? Just follow my advice, not that rabbits. All he does is nag and nag, not worth it at all!"
Undead's steps come to a halt, thinking for a second too long. Realistically, the rabbit suggested Leaf because he trusted her. That also means she should be the most knowledgeable, second to the rabbit, so it should be alright following her advice.
"Fine, well depart for the ranch now." Picking Leaf up by her wings and holding him in front of him, he questions. "Point which direction it is in. The wind should tell you that, should it not?"
"kyaaa~ being manhandled by my mysterious knight! I didn't take you for the sort." Giggling while she teases Undead, she points to a certain direction. "Go that way, you can already smell the food!"
With a gulp, she wiggles her way out of his grip, sitting back on his head. Sniffing the air, all he can smell is the scent of grass, and the slight floral wafting from the fairy.
"Leaf, tell me about this ranch."