Hellamorgue

Chapter 10: Magic

It has been several minutes since Poppy and Jay left Ronnie's home. The two of them headed to the plaza. Jay was trying to cheer up Poppy by inviting her to play games with each booths he sees. However, Poppy was still in distraught of what happened earlier. Jay's distraction has no effect at all. The lad eventually gave up and confronted her red haired friend. He stepped in front of her and firmly asked a question.

"Are you still thinking about what happened earlier?" Jay asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean it can't be helped. I felt like I raised my voice too much..." she replied with a frowning face.

"Well, it already happened." the lad shrugged.

"Should we go back now?" asked by the bothered Flauraescan.

"Nah, give her some time more. You know how grumpy that shrimpy is. She need a few more minutes to cool down." Jay scoffed, tilting his head.

"Yeah... you're right." Poppy agreed. "Then, what are we going to do for the meantime?" she followed.

"Is that even a question? Let's roam around and find some interesting things. Killing time here isn't a waste after all." he answered.

Jay walked away, hands on his pocket. Poppy shrugged and followed the young man. They roamed around the plaza, hoping to find some things that will caught their interest. The atmosphere seemed to be awkward due to what happened earlier. Poppy just cannot move on about it. Even though she wanted to have fun inside the event, she can't bring herself to enjoy the present moment without thinking back what happened a while ago. The red haired girl was struggling to divert her attention. An argument between Ronnie and Poppy wasn't a new thing. They usually fight over small things, although what happened earlier, was more intense and heavy. The prejudice against humans has always been a big issue inside the town, thus explaining the two girls' conflict was no joke at all. Because of this, Poppy felt a little guilty by what she did, but at the same time, she knew that she has no intention to harm her friend at all. She only remained optimistic during that time and hoped for Ronnie to witness it herself, that not all non-human creatures hated her own kind. However, it came off as an insensitive remark, with her staying positive without even thinking about the negative consequences of her wish.

Poppy was stuck in deep thoughts. Now, she realized her mistake. She could've put her situation in Ronnie's shoes. Her feet were now itching to go back. Back through her friend's space and apologize. Suddenly, Jay interrupted Poppy's whims. He shook her shoulder and she snapped back to reality. She find herself in front of a booth. It has an old school design and sort of a merchant's ware. Although, the store's merchandises seemed to be sold out. Only a few products left. She looked at Jay who's still shaking her shoulder.

"What?" the red haired responded.

"Pop, look at this thing." Jay chuckled while looking down to his palm.

He was holding a crystal ball, similar to a snow globe. However, it was no ordinary ball. It contains a magic that responses to one's wishes and questions, although it is limited to directions only. A crystal ball that served as a compass. It projects a certain area inside the crystal that cannot exceed outside of a closed field.

"What is that thing?" Poppy curiously asked and tapped the crystal.

"Apparently, it's sort of a crystal ball but a compass." Jay briefly explained.

"A compass?" Poppy raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. A compass, dear." a man interfered.

Poppy and Jay immediately glanced at the man who was in front of them. He was about in his early thirties and wears a black trench coat. He has grey eyes covered by a rectangular eyeglasses. He has a bushy teal hair with a hairpin on. The man is smiling at the two warmly, yet his stare was cold as ice. The two teenagers remained silent. The seller calmly introduced the product.

"It's a magic induced crystal ball that tells directions. All you need to do is tap the crystal twice and tell a name of a place." explained by the man while twirling his fingers.

The vendor reached his palm to Jay. Showing it up in front of the lad's face. He was patiently waiting for the young man to give the crystal back. Poppy realized it and quickly tapped Jay to his arm. He gently handed over the crystal ball to the seller. The man tapped the crystal twice and chanted the town's name,

"Please show me the Sandertown."

The crystal ball's magic inside swirled, like a cloud forming a shape but the colors inside were ethereal and resembles a galaxy. Not long, it projected the whole town. They're were little townscape. Poppy and Jay's eyes widened. It was a jaw dropping moment. Witnessing a magic up close was truly bewitching. Sparkles glistened in their eyes while their sight was locked onto the crystal. The vendor smirked. He chanted again in front of the crystal, "Dear crystal ball, show me the town's plaza."

The townscape suddenly become obscured, and once again, covered in cloudy colorful wisps. It formed into another picture, this time, it was the town's plaza. Jay and Poppy saw creatures roaming around inside the plaza. The two teenagers were astonished by what they witnessed.

"It's so cool!" Jay yelled in amazement. He clapped his hands while staring at the globe.

"Wow...I never knew magic could be this more beautiful up close." Poppy praised.

"It is indeed beautiful." the man agreed, eyes closed.

"You said it's a compass. Does that mean it's only limited to directions?" Poppy asked.

"Yes. It can only display a place. In addition, it's only limited to a closed field." the man answered.

"What do you mean?"

"As long as you're in a closed field, such as inside of a mall, a castle or even inside your home. The crystal's magic was only limited to locate the inside of those. It cannot exceed to another places. But, if you are in an open field like the Sandertown. You can locate the plaza, the municipal tower, schools and many other places inside the town." the vendor further explained.

"So the crystal's magic cannot reach the outside of the Sandertown?" Poppy interrogated.

"Yes... Sandertown is an open field, yet closed at the same time." he paused. The man raised his hands in action. "The life here is a whole new world. Although, a magical barrier keeps us inside. That's why the crystal cannot locate the areas outside of this town." he continued.

"I see... Now I get it." said Poppy. Her eyes narrowed while stroking her chin.

The man calmly looked at the two teenagers. Suddenly, Jay popped a new question. He tilted his head and tapped the crystal,

"This is such a cool invention. How did you come up with this, Mister?"

The man closed his eyes. He sticked his palms together and said, "It wasn't my original idea, honestly."

"Huh?" reacted by the two teenager with a puzzled face.

"I got this concept originally from the Solacetian soldiers." the man happily spelled out.

"Solacetian...you mean the town's leader's own kinds?!" the red haired girl yelled.

"That's right. Solacetian soldiers used to possessed a magical compass in a form of a crystal ball. Although, theirs was way too smaller than my own versions. I just thought of designing it like a snow globe has more aesthetics with it. Especially for display, it's perfect. Even the leader, Sanders, owns one of my designs."

"Wow, that's so cool! Now it makes me want one as well." Jay inserted.

"Well, if it wasn't your lucky day. This is the only stock left." the merchant followed.

"Only one left?! But how about that one." said Poppy, while pointing out to another crystal globe behind the counter.

The merchant turned his gaze backward, "Oh, that?" He turned his sight back to the young woman. "That was for a friend." he said and smiled.

"Oh, I see. Sadly, I want one too.." Poppy wept.

"Yikes! I didn't expect it to be this pricey!" Jay interjected.

Poppy looked at his friend. His eyes were widened and stunned by looking at the price tag of the crystal. Poppy raised an eyebrow,

"i***t, it's obviously a pricey thing. A magic induced crystal? Is not something you see everywhere." she sassed, crossing arms.

The man chuckled, "Ahaha. Flower girl has a point. I know it's pricey but it was never easy to make." he explained. "But I'm sure it's a worth to buy." he subtly persuade.

"Hmmm...maybe we can share bill to this one, Pops." Jay suggested. He pouted and looked at his red haired friend.

"Eh?"

"Please, please Poppy!" Jay begged, making puppy faces.

"Eugh, Hmmm...I guess we can.." the girl decided.

"Hooray!" the lad cheered in success.

They picked up their wallets and combined the money together. They handed it over the counter. The merchant packaged the crystal ball gently. He inserted it inside of a box with bubble wrap and other supporting materials. He put it inside of a paper bag and gave it to the young man. Jay happily grabbed the bag. A wide grin can be seen on his face.

"Thank you for purchasing the last product. I hope it come in handy to the both of you." the seller gratified.

"Thank you too, Mister!" Jay thanked.

"Thanks, Sir. Have a nice day!" Poppy followed.

"You're welcome. Oh, I also put a freebie inside the box." the man leaned and whispered. He smirked and winked.

"Oh, that's so nice of you! Anyway, we have to go now." said the young woman.

"Bye, Mister!"

The two waved their hands as they walked away from the booth. The man waved his hand for a brief moment, then proceeded to fixing his stuffs. It seemed like he's about to close the booth. Meanwhile, Poppy and Jay hopped around the plaza. They tried different games and won multiple prizes. Poppy who was lost in thoughts earlier, now is relaxed and enjoying her moments with Jay. She forgot her problems and concerns, although temporarily. After few more wonderful moments, they stumbled upon a banner. It was few feet away from the plaza's stage. They walked closer and read the contents of it.

"Residents of Sandertown. We are open for passionate and talented people to showcase their abilities and skills. May it be in singing, dancing, acting and other more mind blowing performances! What are you waiting for? Apply now and the stage is yours!"

"Woah! Looks promising... if only I have a talent." Jay snorted.

"Jay..." Poppy called softly.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think....Ronnie would like to join this one?" she wondered.

Jay's eyes slowly widened. He glanced at his friend, Poppy, who's eyes were still locked on the banner. Jay's breathing slowed. An idea popped up inside his mind, like a bright light bulb. He gasped and said,

"Ronnie...likes talking about her inventions, right?!"

"Yes... So what if...." Poppy mumbled.

"She joins the program...." Jay continued.

The two exchanged glances. They grinned to each other. Eyes wide open.

"And showcase her talent as an inventor and scientist?!" The two spelled out together.

Poppy and Jay clapped their hands in excitement. Ronnie was dedicated to her ambitions so much. They thought, in this way, Ronnie could introduce her inventions to impress creatures as well as represent a human's capabilities. The two teenagers leaped their way back to Ronnie's home. They never felt this so excited for their intellectual friend. A great opportunity in an important day makes everything extra special for her. A chance awaited for a half-human present herself in front of the townspeople.

The red haired girl and the young man finally reached the scientist's place. They walked their way near the door, ready to face their nerdy companion. Poppy breathed in and out. She slowly raised her hand that formed a fist. Poppy knocked three times. After a few seconds, the door finally opened. She greeted the scientist's eyes. Poppy brought out a wobbly smile, hoping to make the ambience feel light.