Chapter 04 - Learning Curve

While Genie was conducting his own research on how to reverse Abu, Iago, Carpet, and Rajah's transformations, Aladdin and Abu joined Jasmine in the Palace Library to try to search for anything that might lead them to information on the strange tome found in Jafar's lair.

Aladdin folded his arms across his chest, leaning against the wall near the shelf after going through several books. He'd picked up where he'd left off the previous night. "There's nothing about that tome in the stack of books I've gone through. And I've been through an entire case of books and scrolls! I really don't get it." Aladdin sighed. "What was Nefir looking for? Why would he want a spell where the only purpose was to turn the subjects human?"

"If there's something we know for certain," Jasmine said, looking up from the book she read. "Nefir wasn't planning on using that spell for anything good. Considering also it was hidden in Jafar's stacks, I think there's more to it than just a simple spell."

"For sure, Princess. Wish we had some hint to his plans. He said specifically he wasn't planning on selling it, if we can take that seriously."

Abu had been quietly sitting across the table from the princess, reading through the stack of books that were piled beside him. Jasmine frowned as her attention turned towards him.

"Abu, you don't have to do all of this if you don't want to. We wouldn't blame you if you were like the others and wanted to relax a bit. Turning into a human all of sudden seems like it's overwhelming enough."

Abu looked up from his book. "Thanks Jasmine, I appreciate the offer. But I think I'm okay. I'd rather be doing something than sitting around. Guess I'm a little restless. Might as well use the time and effort to help you guys."

Jasmine smiled. "I can understand that too." She studied Abu for a long moment before speaking again, as if she were trying to find the best way to phrase what she wanted to say next. "It's such a different experience speaking to you like this - as a human, I mean. I can only speak for myself, I know, but I don't intend that to be rude."

Abu shook his head. "Not rude at all. It's an adjustment for me too. Think the only reason why Aladdin and I are so used to it is because we've known each other for a long time. Once he figured out I was - well - me, we picked up where we left off. Can't speak for how it is for Aladdin though."

"Abu and Iago were the easiest for me to adjust communicating with, and not just because I met up with them first this morning," Aladdin admitted. "Iago really hasn't changed at all. I think the only thing that all of us have to get used to is him being in a different body. Abu and I didn't have any trouble once I learned who he was. Think it's because I've learned to adjust to when he speaks 'monkey' over the years we've known each other. There are certain phrases and things he says that I know are him, just more connected now."

"It's no different from how I communicate with Rajah either. If we're talking about years of knowing - I guess I've learned to know how he speaks 'tiger' for certain things. But now that he's human, it's more direct." Jasmine said. "The only thing I've noticed about Rajah that's changed - besides being human - is that he's much less relaxed. I think he's afraid of seeming too casual with me. Or it may be that he's having a hard time adjusting to being human." Jasmine sighed, her brow pinched with concern as she turned to Aladdin. "Aladdin, do you think you can possibly talk to Rajah?"

Abu winced. "Are you sure that's a good idea? Rajah has his moments of being both friendly to Aladdin and...not. History would show that."

To both Jasmine and Abu's surprise, Aladdin shrugged, seeming unworried. "I don't think that's a problem. If this morning's reaction was anything, Rajah wasn't particularly mean towards me, more the whole situation. I think he's only really testy when it comes to defending Jasmine. Which I understand completely."

Jasmine gave her husband an amused glance. "Yes, you're right. You both have a tendency to be overprotective of me when certain situations arise."

It was Aladdin's turn to wince. "That's not what I meant." He opened his mouth to say more, but thought better of it since it was an argument that he knew he would not win. Jasmine gave him a glance that kinda confirmed that. "Anyway, I'm gonna go look for Rajah and Carpet. Try to get a handle on how they're both adjusting to the whole 'being human' thing. I'll be back in a little while to help you guys continue searching for more information on that tome."

"Actually, I think you should spend as much of the rest of the day with Carpet and Rajah as you can. Abu and I are more than happy to keep searching. Between our efforts and Genie's, we should be able to find something that can clue us in on Nefir's plan. You searched a good portion of the shelves yesterday, so you've made our efforts a lot easier."

"Yeah, take a break, Aladdin," Abu said. "The Princess and I have things covered here."

Aladdin smiled. "Thank you, both of you." Aladdin gave Jasmine a brief kiss and gave a short salute to Abu before he left the library.

"Just gotta figure out what rooms Rajah and Carpet are staying in. I know the Sultan said earlier that they would all have designated guest rooms in the Palace after this morning's misunderstanding with Rajah. Iago didn't want to be bothered from what he mentioned earlier, but they're all staying around the same area, so..." Aladdin's own thoughts trailed off as he heard - then saw - members of Agrabah's royal guard running through the hall in the opposite direction of where he was going.

Razoul led them as he quickly ran past Aladdin without acknowledging the prince. But that didn't stop him from shouting orders to his men, who were quick on his heels. "I don't care what you have to do - find him before he disturbs more of the Palace attendants!"

When he saw one of the Palace guards who lingered behind the others, Aladdin decided to ask what was going on. The guard, clearly one of Razoul's newly promoted guards-in-training, hesitated but didn't want to be disrespectful of the Prince.

"Forgive me your highness, but one of your companions has been flying around the halls and creating a stir among some of the Sultan's guests. Most are amused, but there have been enough dissenters to have Razoul trying to find him to regain order. I must go with the others to find him."

It took a moment after the guard had left for Aladdin to realize who they were talking about. His eyes widened with recognition. "Carpet! Figures. Maybe some of the dignitaries are freaked out seeing a kid flying above their heads, don't know why. I'd better find him before Razoul or any of the guards do."

Aladdin decided to continue in the opposite direction of the guards. If he knew Carpet as well as he thought he did, the former rug might be stealthily hiding somewhere where he could still move freely. The prince looked around the Palace halls for a while, before realizing it would probably be easier for him to get to a hiding space and use the familiar signal.

Hope it works this time, Aladdin thought as he whistled. He stood in a corner of the hall where it would be easy to duck into a room to hide from the guard. Sure enough, Aladdin saw a floating shadow in the form of a kid approach and turn the corner to where he was. As Carpet landed on his feet, he looked up with wide-eyed expectation as they heard footsteps of the guard not too far away. Aladdin realized he had no time.

"In here, follow me," Aladdin said, opening the door. Carpet quickly ran in, and Aladdin closed the door, locking themselves inside. Aladdin knelt by the door, waiting in silence as he heard the commotion in the hall from the guards. Razoul was clearly furious.

"It should not be very hard to find a flying kid in the Palace!" Razoul shouted. "Search the area one more time. It doesn't look like anyone's been here in a while."

"Yes sir!" The Palace guards echoed, though some of them didn't sound sure of themselves.

Aladdin waited for several moments, before letting out a breath of relief. He turned to look at Carpet, who just stared back, wide-eyed and slightly panicked.

To Aladdin's surprise, he understood what Carpet was saying the moment the kid spoke with his hands. "Hi Aladdin. I heard you whistle from not far away, so I came by. Couldn't this morning because Genie told me to stay put until we could figure out what was going on. Sorry."

"No need to be sorry about that. I understood that things were a little hectic earlier. Doesn't look like much has changed based on what we just avoided." Aladdin gestured with his hand to the door as he knelt to face Carpet at eye level. However old Carpet might be, Aladdin recognized him as the present kid he was. It didn't feel right to Aladdin to look down on him. "Guessing you didn't realize how much trouble you were in back there," Aladdin said, a smile turning up the corner of his lip.

Carpet frowned. "I was just flying around the Palace just like I normally do. No one cared when I was a flying rug."

"Probably because, before today, they recognized you and Genie as the usual company we keep. Things have changed. They don't know who you are. Probably in the same way that you probably don't recognize yourself right now - it's out of routine. Not to mention some of them are being sticklers for Palace rules and formalities."

Carpet's eyes shifted away from Aladdin's, a silent acknowledgement that the Prince was right.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. You didn't know," Aladdin said. "I'll put in a word to Razoul and the others to leave you alone. But, for right now, I don't think it's a good idea for you to fly in the Palace Halls. At least not until we figure this whole thing out."

"I hate this," Carpet said. "It's not that I hate being human, but I hate the sudden change of things. I don't blame Genie for that though. Not like Iago or Rajah does. And, well, not like Genie does himself either."

"Rajah's not happy about it either, huh? Guess I'll keep that in mind when I talk to him." Aladdin's expression turned to concern. "Have you talked to Genie recently?"

"Not since this morning."

"Well, we'll have to wait until we all find some way to reverse this spell in order for things to get back to our 'normal.' So for now, keep a low profile. If you need a place to fly, I'd suggest the Palace Gardens or just outside the Palace where you're not likely to run into so many of the guests. If you keep out of sight, the others won't bug you."

Carpet smiled a little. "I can do that. Better than being cooped up in a room that I don't want to be in all day. Will you still spend time with me, Aladdin? Can we still fly over Agrabah together?"

Aladdin winced. "Don't think so, you're not a magic rug anymore. I don't think it's practical for me - a bigger guy - to ride on the back of a small fry like you."

Carpet shook his head, his long hair spilling over his shoulders. "Oh, I know that. The magic works differently now that I'm human. I can still fly, as you saw before, but I'm limited in terms of who I can fly with. Just stand and take my hands. I can show you." The boy held out his hands to Aladdin, waiting for him to take them.

Aladdin stood, doing as the boy instructed. A sudden warmth flooded through Aladdin's senses, making the prince gasp.

"It's okay, it shouldn't hurt you. It might feel a little funny though," Carpet said. "I'm gonna keep holding your hands while we float. But you'll see in a little bit what you can do."

Aladdin watched wide-eyed as Carpet floated with him in the middle of the room. Not quite as high as to bump their heads on the ceiling, but at a height that was definitely more than a comfortable distance to the ground.

"Whoa," Aladdin said. "This definitely feels like a different experience of flying with you."

Carpet released one of Aladdin's hands, signing the next instructions with one hand instead of two. "Not the last part yet. I'm gonna let go of your hands now."

"Huh? Wait, Carpet-" Aladdin started, his voice panicked. But when Carpet let go of his other hand, Aladdin was still floating in mid air. "Wait, what?"

"I just temporarily loaned you some of my power. It'll return to me when you land back on the ground. But you can fly like me. No limitations. If you land, though, I'll have to loan you my power again."

"That's incredible." Carpet showed Aladdin some basic maneuvers and glides through the air for a while. The entire time, Aladdin never once showed any indication that he'd fall. After a while, the two returned to the ground, as easily as they'd begun. "I can't believe we did all of that, Carpet. How did you know to loan me your power?"

Carpet pointed to his head. "Kinda came to me when I shifted forms. Tried it first on Rajah. He freaked out way more than you did. But once he was used to it, he was okay. I think he had fun, but he didn't want to admit it. Genie said that though I'm essentially made of magic, I can't loan out as much power as I want to. I'm not semi-phenomenal."

"Guess it would make sense that your magic has its limitations. But still, that's awesome." Aladdin realized he'd lost track of time. "Oh no. Not sure how long we've been in here, but I need to talk to Rajah, speaking of. Do you know where his room is?"

Carpet nodded. "Sure, I can take you. His room is in the same area as mine's, Iago's, and Abu's."

"Good to know. You look like you might need some shut eye anyway."

Carpet tried to protest, but a yawn escaped his lips. When Aladdin raised a brow at the boy, Carpet relented, his shoulders sagging as he signed with his hands. "Fine. Let's go."

The two exited the room together, making their way down the Palace hallway to the guest rooms. At one point, Carpet had fallen behind and Aladdin had meant to tell him to go ahead. But the boy's sudden gasp and a familiar voice behind him made Aladdin's back tense.

"Finally got you, you little troublemaker! Been looking everywhere and now you're going to be subject to my punishment."

Aladdin whirled around to see Razoul gripping Carpet by his collar. Carpet's eyes went wide with horror, and he kept gasping like he couldn't get enough air to breathe.

"Razoul, what are you doing? Let him go!"

Razoul frowned at Aladdin. "With all due respect, your highness, my orders come from the Sultan to apprehend this boy and punish him for his actions earlier."

Aladdin's expression didn't hold back his anger. "Pretty sure the Sultan didn't order you to hurt him. I'm not going to repeat myself again: Let. Him. Go. Unless you want the Sultan to get another strongly worded complaint equal to Jasmine's from how you treated Rajah earlier today. And you know how you were punished for that."

Razoul was quick to let Carpet go, as the boy appeared to gasp, recovering his breath. Carpet ran behind Aladdin's back, hiding himself behind the prince from the leader of the Palace Guard. "We didn't know that was Rajah!" Razoul complained, frowning. "We thought it was an intruder intending to hurt the Princess!"

Aladdin wasn't fazed. "Maybe so, but what's your excuse this time? You put rough hands on a boy who didn't know anything about Palace rules, who we already identified to you very clearly as an official guest of the Palace, as our friend? On top of everything else that happened today? I already talked to him about it. Didn't need to hurt him to make him aware of that. What you did just now wasn't under any order from the Sultan. That was all you."

Razoul's anger deflated, becoming much less than before, but his glare at Aladdin didn't yield. His words were still firm. "My apologies, your highness. I leave him to be your responsibility from now on. But know that if the boy does something like that again in the presence of dignitaries more powerful than you, I will be responsible for punishing him. Personally." The guardsman turned on his heel and left the hall. Aladdin watched Razoul walk out of sight, his own body still in the same rigid stance as he'd started when Carpet retreated. Part of it brought him back to so many times he'd defended his friends having hands laid on them because someone bigger, stronger, more unfair had done so.

He didn't relax until Carpet used his hand, fingers tugging on the edge of Aladdin's vest. The prince hadn't realized how hard his heart was pounding after the argument. He looked down at where Carpet stood beside him. "You okay?" Aladdin asked quietly.

Carpet nodded silently. Still, Aladdin could tell how Carpet's hand shook a little as he pointed in the direction they needed to go.

"Lead the way," Aladdin said, following behind him. It was already late enough and he hoped that Rajah would still be awake to talk to him. Navigating his friends turning human was already a learning curve, but if encounters like the one he'd had with Razoul were any indication, he'd have to be ready to defend them at a moments notice.