After paying no more attention to what the butler had to say, finished and quiet, Alice sat silently on her side. While paying no mind, Luna openly conversed with the man.
Alice could hear them speak, Willy-and-Nally-and-all.
She remembered this: That Luna is the happy type at some occurrence. Although she has a calculated tone and takes things to heart, she can sometimes be a bit of a nerd. If she finds something interesting, she will no doubt find that which she seeks. And that is what she is doing right now. There was no stopping her when she was all out. She is like a relentless beast.
That did not interrupt Alice. Quiet. She stayed carefree as though there was no one in her visibility range. She only looked out the window of the car and watched the changing scenery. First was the open field, coincidentally. Some small houses second, and then bigger buildings third. The bigger buildings signified a town, and a town meant that they were closing on the hotel.
~~~~~~
When the car was coming close to the hotel, there wasn't much of a hotel insight, but instead what appeared was a formation of a wall stretching in length. Where are they going? It was still a blur.
"E-excuse me sir, where are we going?" Luna asked the driver as they were on the road for a long time but never made it to their destination. Yet.
The driver said this "You'll see" as he kept his hands on the wheels, stilling driving, and motioned with a slight nod.
The gate entrance of the hotel opened. The car drove in and the gate closed after they were inside. Alice and Luna couldn't tell how to describe the place. For sure the place was big, big in a way as if the same as the wealth of a nation.
Their gaze and stare reach almost everywhere. From the grass to the flowers scattered in a wonderful pattern, it was like a garden, a garden decorated with pillars, a water fountain, fences of stones, and many other solid objects, presenting place beautifully. Animals like a duck or a wolf stood as sculptures. And as the view changed from the movement of the car, there lies a shrouding behemoth of trees that encapsulates the sky, nearly blinding, of course, the sun did filter through the leaves.
"Interesting, isn't it," the driver said, but did not hear any reply as the two were too much fixated on their own amazement.
The driver intentionally slowed down. Having questioned to the point of having no response at the end and feeling absolutely absolved of his thinking power, he wanted the girls to get a good glimpse to what they were really in for. It could be said he got his revenge but truthfully, over just a good talk. No. He wanted to see a smile. So he did. Prying over to the top mirror once again he sensed his goal achieved. Satisfied, the driver ended the tour and the car was back to its initial speed - he exacted a small fraction of pressure on the right paddle and sped up just a little more.
In a three-quarter of a circle around a larger fountain, the car made its stop and the girls were out in seconds. Out and breathing the fresh air.
At the height of the hotel looking down on her, the hotel dwarfed her size, making her frozen in plain sight before the real entrance to the hotel. But however so felt more like a mansion rather than a hotel. Glamourous in white and lovely in design.
The driver handled the baggage.
With Alice, Luna too darted her eyes in awe. "Amazing!" She said next to Alice's ear.
"Yeah, it really is," Alice responded in awe-inspired. I don't really have what to describe it, she thought.
When the two girls stepped inside finally there was more of a surprise than what they'd ever imagine. Clap! - the sound of people clapping hands repeated furiously erupted the interior. Pop! A gun fired a string of coloured paper, scattering in the air.
Huh? Both were surprisingly confused.
Ten minutes later and Luna lands on a bed. She do stretches and a squeak leaks through her lips. "Much better!" She groans. Being surprised too many times about this country had taken toll and drained her off her energy. She felt...weak.
Alice was impressed too. She walks around the interior of their room and scans the place with a genuine chill expression. The room in which they accomodated was no where near small. Premium standard huh, not bad, she thought. A kitchen, a living room, a veranda and a second floor, this just spilled an apartment living space. It even has a sliding door that leads to a garden. When opened, Alice imagined herself in another world. Bliss. Pure bliss.
After time had passed, Luna had already taken a shower and so has Alice. Since they still time on their watch, they came up with a plan. A list of things to do before they made their way to the mining site.
"I suggest we visit the town," Luna suggested. "And there, looke around and take some photos - even grab a bite or two."
"Sounds good," Alice nodded.
For some reason it seemed as if Alice was agreeing to whatever Luna came up with, and not in a bad way, but it was just that Luna was always the backbone of their survival, metaphorically speaking. Back when they first met and lived side by side, she handled the necessities for their livelihoods. Whether it was in times of hardship or in times of prosperity, she had this mindset of staying true to her goals and objective. And while Alice's dismay for following orders didn't uphold to such expectations, punishment and order from her did mold Alice in some shape or form. How would she give it you might ask? Well, it terms of punishment, let's say something of a parenting related issue.
But for the time being she seems happy. Maybe a good thing that she is happy. Because most of the time there hasn't been a moment in time Alice has seen Luna that wonderfully looking and honest.
I like it. I should do the same, besides, this is that big break we've been waiting for.....and I'm not just gonna let her have all the fun, Alice thought.
Apparently when they wanted to go out and explore the town, transportation wasn't much of a problem as when they stepped out of the hotel entrance, the butler or the coach, waited for them in preparation for this sort of things, as if they knew what the customer was after. Having someone who can guide them through and help them in any way possible, is how lucky they were in.
When they made it to the town, the car parked and dropped them off. They were later given instructions and guidance from the driver as well as contact details and a map if they ever got lost. But as much as the driver knew of what they didn't know to do, and if possible they got lost, the blame would be punishable. They were the hotels granted request from the client. That and this, he would likely be the first person to be questioned. So he followed close by (Yes, he did notify the girls) keeping his distance just enough like watch tower but not a stalker as he didn't wasn't any of that. Specifically speaking he is like their guard dog - one made out of the fear of his mind.
_________________________________
The town was pretty decent. Looking like just any other town would be, Alice wasn't that much perplexed. Fun was it she thought prior before their departure. The fun wasn't anything much. However, not all was left out of the tour.
In an aimless stroll and without a clue, maybe sticking around for a while, it was Luna in front of Alice that she saw her having a blast.
Alice watched her. Luna. She toured places of importance, a statue, a stop, food, and even having a go with the locals who were somehow lively and actively chatting even if they, the locals, saw them as strangers and acted bizarrely.
According to what the driver's little giving details and now humble security guard on standby. What a bumper. Anyways, the town is a quiet town; not much happens around the place and even if it did not much is done to expand upon the event. Negative events that cause havoc like a bank robbery or a building fire, which occurs rarely than usual, is handled by internal governance. To put it simply: the town authorities. But those days have long been passed. With new laws and policies applied, the likelihood of an incident is straightforward reported and is taken smoothly in the most efficient and effective ways only imaginable to a few. Because of its high probability rate and law extinguishing justice, the people and town as a whole have since been cluttered with minimal concerns. People happy. Town quiet. And Economy brimming. Who wouldn't agree to stay at such a place. Those that do committ irreversible have it hard times. But really though. Will they be doing that if their town status is at an high mark. Nah, don't think so.
But it is concerning for new comers too. How does the system work and who's spending that money to make all that happen.
It is something to think about.
Deep in thought, eyes lowered to the ground, a faint shadow caught her sight. A glint flinging through her shiny pupil.
When Alice looked up to see where it came from she spotted it outright 'What the? What is...that?' And it quickly vanished as it leaned to the left descending mid-air.
The figure in the air piqued her interest.
Of course such a thing as a bird can quite be a reputable creature to behold on tours and can be an eye-opener at times...though what Alice saw was no mere bird. It was something entirely out of a children's book. In her own two eyes - the figure bath in sunlight - had low accuracy for interpretation but Alice could still make out the details with a overwhelmingly light. It was the silhouette instead that bought her a chance. She saw it. A type of flyer on all four. Wings.
That the flyer turned a different direction, it was in that moment that Alice instantly had a light bulb switch on. Slowly and carefully she slipped away from the driver and ran along the direction the flyer was descending for.
She ran and ran as fast as could unable to fathom what she saw. She really was intrigued.
'...And I'm running? Why am I running?'
Unlike that of Luna's curious mind, the mind of Alice was completely in a different state when interests piqued. Why satisfy your interests when you can use it as an opportunity. This was the type of mind Alice possessed. With this type of mindset she could use it in ways to enrich her opportunities in places where she might just be able to attract a little incentive.
Money. Fame.
'For all it could be, a bird....no, I saw what I saw and I'm never wrong,' Alice talked herself in her head while she ran. 'I'm gonna make it right.'
~~~~~~
Where is the flyer?
Between two large buildings, the flyer must have fall probably at an alleyway. When Alice stepped in, there was nothing at first, however what did make Alice react was the rotting stench from a bunch of smelly dumpsters that were stationed on the sideway. Coupled with spare bags of added trash just laying around randomly, the smell from the dumpster did not die down but rarely. Piping down her pride, she walked cautiously. She then reached the centre - of a square-like area - that seemimgly had one dumpster with plastic and paper stuffed and crumbling.
Additionally, on the ground, the flyer laid on a piece of cardboard papers just next to the dumpster. 'There it is.' Alice had a thought as she closed in.
Take a much closer look at what the flyer is really about. The flyer resembled a bird. It's colour was mostly green around the back. The wing feathers split into blue, red, and purple, as well as the tail and the side of the beak which had limited stripes of black and grey. And just like before, the bird really did have four wings.
"What. Are. You?" Alice whispered and knelt down. She wanted to touch it. She reached her hand, her pointer finger, and tapped the wing.
Tap (2×)
Nothing.
She placed her hand on the bird and she could feel no pulse originating from the bird. Its as if the four-winged bird died upon its final destination which was the landing.
Alice took hold of the four-winged bird with both hands, brought it just closer to her face while still kneeling and flipped it around gently on one hand to inspect.
"Where did you come from little fella?" Alice questioned.
The four-winged bird was nothing she has ever seen. Quite the unique find.
With bird in hand, her possible opportunity doesn't seem that far. In fact she sees with this bird.....but as she held the dead corpse of the bird, she could not think of sadness. She felt it. Her memories resurface abd she is reminded of her loved one. Her grandmother. Although the four-winged bird would be a fair trade, the four-winged bird remind her of her grandmother and what she has forgotten.
So rather than taking advantage of the dead corpse and making it out of her less fortunate life, the bird deserves better than its ultimate downfall. She decided otherwise for a befitting gift.
"Come on, here, I'll, give you a resting place."
~~~~~~
The clock was ticking. The sun was on a 135° angle.
Luna however was still touring but she knew when stop when she looked at her phone. She said bye to the locals and was about to go when all of a sudden their security guard bumped into her. Oooff!
"Sorry about that Ms," the man said apologetically even though if it wasn't that serious.
"No, it's alright, so you're here to pick us up," Luna knew it was time and wanted to know from the side of the man but he didn't give an exact answer.
"Yes, about that," he told Luna his part.
"What?! Alice got lost!?" Luna couldn't believe. "Come on, we should look for her." She said.
The man nodded and they went searching.
~~~~~~
Alice walked and on her hands was the four-winged bird, so as not to cause any eyes from the crowd of locals from peeking over and seeing tye strange four-winged bird, Alice hid the four-winged bird underneath her red jacket while still holding it. But seeing her walk just on her own where was she gonna leave the bird at.
There just three building blocks she came across a park; not a big one but a good place that had lots of trees and vegetation as well as an open field of soil, unlike the cemented streets she had been seeing along the way, the park had a better feel for it - nature if would. She decided to bury it near a tree. When she got there, she got down on her legs, and laid the four-winged bird on the ground. What she needed to is dig. She lowered her hand on the soil and felt it with a slight scratch, she realized that the soil was hard. Getting her hands she can do but on hard and dry soil, no. There had to be something she could use. Tool or something? Then it hit her in the head when she turned around to the right.
The park was no ordinary park. It was a kid's park. The slides and swings where located on the right side and the trees on the left side. Alice was on the left side - a few shorter of a distance from the kids playing on the other side.
On the kid's side, there was a sand pit. And in that sand pit, there were little toys that came into different shapes and sizes but one stood out. A shovel. So while the kids played and were too much occupied with game, Alice moved over, closer and closer, until she snatched a plastic shovel and returned back to her spot believing to no-ones witness that she stole (or borrowed) the kid's toy.
Alice then proceeds to digging the soil. Although the shovel wasn't tough and yes, was made of rubber, the speed of digging a small hole for the four-winged bird was slow. About a minute and a half later, the digging stopped and the hole was just enough to lower the bird in and cover it back by the unearthed soil. But before she got to that part. Alice got caught.
"Excuse me miss, you stole my shovel. I want it back," a little girl said at the back of Alice which startled her.
When Alice sided her head she the little girl. She was around 6, 7. She stood there on her high legs and handed her left hand forward. She looked cute. Of blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Sorry there....little miss, here, here is your shovel," Alice apologised and handed over the plastic shovel.
"Thank you," the little girl said in politeness, even though it was her toy to begin with and not Alice's. The little girl then ran back with her toy and got to play in the sand pit.
Hufff. Alice sighed in relief. 'For a second there, I thought I was done for.'
"Right. Back to the task at hand," Alice began to lower the four-winged bird into the hole, carefully, and with ease poured the soil until all the soil was used up.
That was it.
Alice also hammered the soil just to make sure that no loose ends slip away, and it was as rock hard when she felt it prior to her digging. And like that, Alice stood up and walked off. She stopped and looked at the burial site and then at the park. Mostly, it was the little girl playing in the sand pit. Alice could see herself in the little girl. Playing. Running. But she was no longer that young. She's old.
~~~~~~~
As the two, Luna and the driver, were hard on their hopes of finding Alice. They were at their last hope and were about to call the police but saw her at that very moment.
"Alice, over here?!" Luna shouted.
"Oh, hey Luna.....Mr Driver, sir," Alice said when Luna caught up to her. "Why are you sweating?"
"Do..DON'T, don't," Luna bowed on her knees and was breathing heavily.
"Is something wrong?" Alice asked again.
"ITS YOU!" Luna finally caught her stand, "We were trying to find you and were about to call the police, but then you appeared right at that moment. I thought I lost you."
"Really," Alice said. "Well, I'm not?"
Then Luna just had enough. She knew Alice was like that at times. "Come on, let's go before it gets dark." She looked at the driver. "We are going."
"Yes ma'am, right this way," the driver nodded and ran to get the car started. The driver was prepared. Because of Alice's sudden disappearance, the driver thought it wise to park the car nearby so that they could hit the road at any time if things took a turn for the worse.