The Odd One
"Banzai!"
"Banzai!"
"Ban-"
"Amelia?" a voice called from behind her, "What are you doing?"
"I'm cutting wood for the fireplace, James: what else could I be doing?" the girl snickered, moving the axe to hit the log again.
"And, what gave you the idea we needed wood for the fireplace?"
"What do you mean?"
"First, it's still hot" the boy pointed to the still-sunny weather around them. "Second, Hop Pop didn't ask you to cut the wood, but to help the other girls pull the weeds; and third… why in the frog's name would we ever need so much firewood?" he pointed at the large pile of cut wood Amelia had been gathering.
"Well, in case we need it!" Amelia tried to excuse herself, "And besides, it's the best training in every movie of martial arts: whenever the hero is training under the old master, he asks him to chop some wood as a low-key training!"
"But you're not training: you're just doing work no one asked you to do, instead of the actual job you are supposed to do!"
"The annoying brat still believes she's on the path to becoming an elite samurai?" another male voice mocked. "Or were you just looking for an excuse to slack off?"
"Jacob" the girl growled, turning to face her cousin, "Why are you here? Don't tell me you ended up moving all those crates full of vegetables already!"
"I didn't," the boy smirked. "However, Sasha and Anne noticed that you had disappeared, and asked me to go check on you. It was the perfect opportunity to relax a little bit."
"You stinky backstabber! You are just trying to snitch on me to Hop-Pop!"
"So, the same thing you did every day on Earth with my mom, huh?"
"Guys, come on, let's settle-"
"James!" Amelia glared at him, "This is a private conversation: stay out of it!"
"While I don't like to agree with this brat-"
"Hey!"
"-I have to concede that this is a family matter, between my cousin and me. I appreciate you want to help, James, but this is something you shouldn't stick your nose to."
James took a step behind, as Jacob and Amelia's words slashed against him. Then, he channeled his sunny personality into a smile.
"OK, buddy, no problem at all. I'll go check the girls: return as soon as you're finished."
"Will do!"
"Now, you stinky rat bull-hat-"
"Hey, I got pictures of you, last time you went to the Manga convention!"
"You don't scare me: under that Sailor Venus's cosplay, it could be anyone!"
"Stupid weeds, stupid field, stupid hot, stupid work-"
"Sash, are you okay?" Anne asked, "I can hear you murmur about something."
"It's nothing, Boonchuy" the blonde girl lied, "I'm just…tired. I feel like we are doing this work for ages."
"I agree: this is a strenuous thing to do" Marcy nodded, washing off the sweat from her forefront, "Maybe I could design some agricultural gizmo to help pull the weeds out. If Hop Pop gives us permission-"
"Don't count on it" Sasha grumbled, looking with hate at the still-unfinished field with too many weeds still to pull. "Whenever he says something to us about our work, is to criticize everything we do: too much water; you don't plant seeds this way; don't step on the field after you seeded it; have you ever worked before?" she mocked, imitating Hop Pop. "Even if you could build something to make this work easier, he will find an excuse to forbid us from using it!"
"Actually, I already submitted three different projects to him" the Taiwanese-American girl confessed. looking at a large barrel and a sign with the word Suggestions nearby, "But he hasn't said anything yet. Maybe he has not read them?"
"Maybe he did read them, but he forgot: remember when he forgot where his glasses were and looked them all over the house, the other day?"
"That's because he had them on his head, Anne, but Sprig did not have the heart to tell him!"
"Well, he is always very kind to HP: he's his grandfather, after all…"
"And because he cannot tell him the truth, we must pay the price?"
"Hey, you were in the house too" a male voice announced, "Why you didn't warn him?"
"James!" Anne said, getting back on her feet, "So, did you manage to find Amelia?"
"Yup, she was on the back, cutting wood for the fireplace."
"With such hot weather?" Sasha yelled, pointing to the large Sun above them.
"She took the chance of chopping firewood to emphasize herself in the role of the young recruit forced to chop wood for his master to become the greatest kung-fu fighter ever."
"Oh, great, wonderful!" Sasha punched the ground, "Amelia tries to live her Karate Kid fantasies while we are drowning in our sweat! Why do we have to do this by noon, again? If we do postpone half of it to the afternoon, we could relax now!"
"Sash, we told you: we can't work in the afternoon" Marcy intervened, "I told Maddie that I would go to his home later, and she promised to teach me some more on magic theory. And I promised her that I would help take care of her sisters."
"Plus, Sprig and I have commitments later on. We wanted to go bug hunting in the forest and after that, I wanted to help him with some late house chores that need to be done by today."
Sasha grumbled, but this time, a note of sadness and jealousy blossomed on her lips. Since the day they arrived in this ugly, unhealthy place, Anne has started to change, getting more and more friendly with the young frog called Sprig, and while she still considered Sasha her best friend, her personality and behavior were getting unruly, and more rebellious.
Why is Anne paying so much attention to that slimy frog? Marcy, I can understand her desire to integrate into this world, but Anne? What's? We're not good enough for her now?
"Of course" the blonde girl snorted, focusing again on the weeds.
"You…don't have anything to do in the afternoon, Sash?"
"Well, Mar-Mar, I did have some plans! However, since I wanted to spend some time with you, I guess I'll have to think of something else."
"Come on, Sash-"
"Huh, Sash?" James intervened, "I'm still free for this afternoon, and while we have never had a chance to discuss about this before-"
"Sorry James," Sasha abruptly cut him, "But I wanted to spend my time…with my long-time friends."
"Come on Sash!"
"Anne-Banana and I have things to do, but after that-"
James listened in silence, the harsh words from the cheerleader burning him on the inside.
James had to admit that she was right: they didn't even know each other before arriving here. So far, he and Sasha had a good (although still neutral) opinion of each other, but in the end, they weren't friends. Not yet, at least.
Sasha, Anne, and Marcy know each other since childhood from what I learn. Amelia and Jacob, well, they are cousins, she has been living with his family, so I guess…she is almost his sister?
But in the middle of all that, what am I to them? The boy thought bitterly
The sunny world inside James' mind was broken. As if a dark shadow was covering him now.
Before the Box, I didn't know any of them. They went to a different school than mine, so we never meet. The reason why I ended up in this place is just that I was sky-watching late in the evening. I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time... Could it be that-
James felt a grip on his heart.
-that I am the odd one, the one who has nothing to do with the others?
Later at noon, the whole family gathered in the kitchen. Hop Pop was serving them his latest cooking creation: Mushroom and tomato-sauce pie, with fried crickets added on top for him and his grandchildren. With Anne's help, his cooking skills have decisively improved since the potluck. Sadly for the teens, the road to "normal" culinary dishes was still far, and a hazardous one.
Nevertheless, it was still something that humans could eat without problems.
"Marcy!" Hop Pop looked at her, "you should eat with less rush: no one is going to steal your portion."
"Sorry, mister Plantar, but I really want to finish lunch as soon as I can: Maddie and her sisters have asked me to be their Game Master!"
"Game Master?" Sprig asked with curiosity.
"It's the name we use in our world, to indicate the ones who regulate some kind of tabletop games" Jacob explained "You know, the one who narrates the story as everyone interpreter their own character…"
"Yup: I have large experience with roleplay games, but I never played a Game Master role before: this is a golden opportunity!"
"Remember to treat them well" the boy smirked, "Even if they make you angry, you can't use the Rock falls, Everyone Dies."
"I would never!"
"I'm quite puzzled you did not decide to join her, Jacob. Weren't you also in those games?"
"I am, Anne, but Mar-Mar needs a chance to test her own skills. Plus, I actually promised Amelia I would help her with a … side project of hers."
"Oh, yeah? And what that would be?"
"Top Secret, Boonchuy!" the little samurai replied, "Just let you know that, once I'll be ready, I will be able to take you and your Muay Thai, on frontal assault!"
"Then I'll be waiting" she chuckled, "But I'm a bit skeptical."
"Don't worry, Anne: I'll make sure my brat cousin does not end up cutting herself too much."
"Hey!"
"What about you, Anne-Banana? Want to come?"
"Sorry, Marbles, but Sprig and I have our plans already. Also, you know me: I have very bad luck with roleplay games."
"Come on, last time it wasn't so bad."
"Mar-Mar, I had to replace my character sheet seven times. In one scene."
"Well, many players end up losing more than one character at their first session."
"But mines weren't hunting a dragon or invading a dungeon: I was trying to wear an armor."
"…I admit that was a very rare streak of natural 1…"
"Don't worry, Marbles: you have your interest, and I have mine. I hope you can tell me how it went later."
At her place on the table, Sasha grumbled. Seeing her friends so happy and natural-joyful for the day, she wanted to reprimand them and remember them what a real friend is supposed to be! Yet, she realized she had too much anger on her to speak properly. Therefore, she did the best thing she could.
She got up and walked toward the door.
"And where are you going?" Hop Pop called on her.
"Outside" the blonde girl sternly replied, "I need to do something."
"Sash, are you ok? If you need help-"
"I'm fine, Marcy!" Sasha yelled back at her, her rage barely hidden in her tone of voice, "I just need some time to…think about…something."
"Oh, ok then. Want us to save your portion?"
"No, I don't feel like eating much right now."
She walked out, the door closing behind her.
"Is she still that critic of my cooking?" Hop Pop looked at the others.
"Nah, don't worry. Sasha just has something on her mind, let her be."
"Moody teenager" chuckled Hop-Pop while shaking his head.
"Make it two: James, you're awfully quiet. Usually, you are much more social and expressive."
"I have things on my mind too, Amelia" the boy forced himself to smile, "Hop Pop, do you need me for something else today?"
"Not necessarily: sure, we have some housework to do later, but Anne already volunteered herself, and the farm work is over for today. Of course, if you really want-"
"No need for that" he quickly replied, "Just asking. I am taking a walk, and I plan to return late."
"Any reason for that?"
"No, just want to do something for my health. I'm not leaving Wartwood, I promise!"
"Be sure to follow the road and don't stray in the forest!" said Hop Pop, looking at him, "And don't get too close to any tree with a strong smell, it's a trap that will kill ya'! And don't look at any large purple flower for more than five seconds! And don't look up if you feel a strange buzz like a lullaby! And don't get too close to yellow-colored water lilies: it's-"
"Let me guess: a trap that will kill me?"
"That's my boy! You should take more examples on him, Sprig."
"Hey!" the young frog exclaimed, offended.
"Anyway, I'll be back for dinner, so don't worry about me."
"Have fun, James!" Marcy looked at him, "We surely will."
"Yeah" the English kid replied, under his breath, "You sure will…"
Once in school, the teacher had talked about Charles Darwin, and his private "thinking path": it was "the Sandwalk," and it was a wonky rectangular track, around a copse of hazel, birch, dogwood, privet, and holly. Every day, the old scientist liked to follow the same schedule, and every day between barnacles and letters, Darwin walked. Walking helped him focus on his problems, and think about how to solve them. James remembered it clearly because the professor had used a very amusing metaphor: the hardest the problem, the longest was the walk, and since Darwin kicked a pebble every few steps, the difficulty of the problem could be calculated by the number of pebbles kicked.
If so, then this must be my greatest issue so far, he thought with sadness as his foot kicked another pebble.
He thought back on that night, the night everything started. He was minding his own business, peacefully star-gazing, when he heard the voices of the others, and thought of them to be punks. He could just have gone away to find a quieter spot, but instead, he chose to move closer to observe what was happening. The kid remembered when he saw the three girls on the empty playground, and then two other kids walking toward them. He saw the middle girl (Anne, he now knew her name was Anne) open the box, a flash of lights blinding their sight for a few seconds- and the next thing he knew, they were in a jungle populated by large bugs, in a world where frogs could talk, and walk, and…
He stopped for a second, focusing on making his breaths longer and deep to calm himself down. They were in another world, sure, but he knew that letting panic go all over his head was not a good idea.
Unlike the others, he did not have a friendly shoulder to lean on.
From what he was able to learn, Sasha, Marcy, and Anne were friends since kindergarten, with Marcy and Anne knowing each other since they were three. They grew up together, side by side, and while from his point Sasha looked tyrannical, Anne gullible, and Marcy hyper-enthusiast, they cared for each other. They went to school together, they spent their afternoon together, and they had sleepovers and pizza nights together. Sure, there was a lot of toxicity under it, but so far, none of the girls wanted to be separated from the others.
Jacob and Amelia were different, and yet, similar at the same time. Amelia's parents were divorced, and her father left her with her uncles (Jacob's parents) as he was always traveling for work. The two belittled and confronted continuously, but under that hate, James was able to see love: like brother and sister, when things got tough, Jacob and Amelia were able to assist and coordinate with each other.
The girls were a terrific trio, and the cousins were a dynamic duo. Then, why he was here too?
His mom once told him, that no things happen by chance. Everything was connected, and a small misfortune today might save you from a terrible disaster next month. Yet, would she have said the same now?
When he was taken away, he did not know them. They went to different schools, they had different habits and lifestyles, and James never met one of them before.
So, why he was here?
He thought back at his parents, his mom and dad, who were still in England when he ended up here. Did they receive the news about their only son disappearing? What was their reaction? Would he be able to see them again, and explain to them what happened?
He was so focused on his thought that he almost jumped out of surprise when he heard a loud crash just a few feet away from him.
"Ugh, not again!" an old, female voice called out. Quickly, James pushed forward and walked to see an old frog with dull purple skin and a padding of white hair, trying to move a voluminous (but not too large) fallen branch that was blocking the way for his vehicle, a ladybug.
"Excuse me" James called out, "You need help?"
The frog turned around, and James realized she had cataracts in her left eye.
"You are one of Hop Pop's-"
"Beasts? Monsters? Ugly creatures? Choose whatever you prefer" James sighed, "However, I must reassure you that we do not eat frogs, at any stage of their life."
"Believe me, young one. Even if you were, I would not be afraid of you."
"Why? You got some self-defense skills?"
"You'd be surprised."
James snickered. He didn't know what she liked the most: the old frog's sassy attitude, or her fearless personality.
"Anyway, I was just passing, and it looks like you could need some help, Madame…?"
"Croaker, Sadie Croaker. You know, I could actually use some help: my athletic skills are no more what they used to be."
"Then let me offer you my services!" James smirked, kneeling as if he was a butler of Buckingham Palace, before walking to the branch. It was heavy, yes, but with some effort, he was able to move it enough for Mrs. Croaker's ladybug to pass through.
"There!" he said, leaning for a bit to rest from the unexpected fatigue, "You should be able to proceed safely now."
"Thank you for your help, young one. You surely got heart!" Mrs. Croaker replied, "Please extend my greeting to Miss Sasha and Miss Amelia."
"You know Amelia and Sasha?" James asked, puzzled.
"Of course: they helped me with some work, once, for a hunk of cheese."
"Oh, it was the day of the potluck, huh? We needed cheese as an ingredient for the pizza."
"You did? Well, I guess that explains why Farine went to ask for some earlier…"
James looked at Mrs. Croaker as she left, smiling a little bit until her ladybug disappeared from his sight. Then, he moved forward and resumed his walk.
"Kendo?"
"Yup, cousin."
"You downloaded video lessons of Kendo on your phone? Since when?"
"I had them for quite some time" the wannabe samurai admitted, "Yet, I never got the chance to watch them and try to put them into practice. Until now, of course."
"And why the Frog you suddenly got the desire to learn it?"
"Because I need to refine my combat skills to compete with Anne's Muay Thai! She may look gentle, but she got strength in her arms and feet. And to compete, I need to gain the sublime art of Japanese sword-fighting!"
"Anne's been training for several years by now," Jacob replied, trying not to chuckle in Amelia's face, "And she had a proper instructor to help her develop such skills. Do you seriously believe you can get to her level in less than a week and with some generic video lessons?"
"Everything is possible, as long as there is willpower!" Amelia yelled, trying to focus her Japanese fighting style, "First thing I need to do, is empty my mind."
"This is an easy thing for you: you already do it every day!" the boy laughed.
"Ja-cob!" Amelia glared at him, "I asked you to be here to help me with the lesson and to check my progress, not to make fun of me!"
"Very well, but don't expect any praise from me. I can be quite severe in my judgments."
"Yeah, yeah" she ignored him "Now, by the power of Akiko!" she unfolded her training sword, "I'll master the supreme art of…Jacob!"
The boy could no more hide it, and fell on the ground, unable to control his laughter, much to his cousin's annoyance.
"Seriously, Akiko? Akiko was a dog, you clown!"
"Ok Maddie," Marcy said, looking at the tabletop in front of her "The Monster is weakened by Rosemary and Lavender's previous attack: your fire spell can incapacitate him, if you roll at least a 5, or permanently kill him if you roll a natural 7 or higher."
"Wait, I attack the monster from the back before Maddie launches her spell!"
"Huh, Ginger? You are supposed to be a rogue: you can lock picks and find treasure and traps, but your fighting skills are less developed than the others."
"But I want to kill the giant monster too!"
"Hey, my spell will neutralize it, and then you can loot the treasure."
"Pshh, boring magic! Let's see some action!"
"Fine, but you are suffering a two-point penalty because the monster, while weakened, is still alert and had augmented close-fight defense. To defeat him, you need a natural 8."
"Let's roll!" the little polliwog said, throwing the self-made dice that Marcy herself created.
Result: a natural one.
"Ouch" Marcy replied, noting the result "Not only did your attack fails to create any additional wound to the monster, but it strikes back, and you cannot evade it. Your character loses four life points by that attack alone."
"Wha- that's stupid! How did I fail?"
"Well, you rolled a one."
"Maybe next time you should listen to your older sister's suggestion before you rush to attack without a plan" Maddie chuckled, "Besides, your sister did worse already."
"How could I have known that the treasure box was a shape-shifter monster?"
"It was breathing and drooling: Marcy explicitly told you."
"And how could I know that gem was a trap?"
"It was out in the open, with no defense, and surrounded by the bodies of all the adventurers that tried to grab it before you!"
"I have to be sincere;" Marcy said, signaling the game was now on pause, "You're going quite well for your first time adventuring: sure, you made some tragic mistakes, but you all survived until now, and you didn't need a new character sheet."
"But Maddie hasn't got any penalty yet! Why?"
"Because Maddie is acting with her mind rather than her muscles; plus, she did save you all from certain death six times already."
"Seven, if we count the time they almost set a whole brewery on fire."
"Also, this is the best part of the game: you can learn from your mistakes, you can grow with your character, and learn how to not make mistakes that might end up killing your adventurer. And you can level up, acquire priceless artifacts and get rich by plundering treasures-filled dungeons."
"Yay! Treasures!"
"I have to admit this, Marcy," Maddie said with a small, beginner-level smile on her face, "This game is fun. Plus, it's a perfect way to keep these little rascals in check and teach them why it is a bad idea to go forward without a plan."
"I know: when I played, I always wanted to be a badass mage or ranger fighter in a fantasy world, fighting large monsters or endless hordes for a living. And now…I can do it for real!"
"That reminds me, next lesson we are going to cover more elaborate magic: this time, we will use the cauldron."
"Really?" Marcy's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.
"Yes. Of course, you will still have to follow my instructions, and you cannot practice cauldron-compelled spells without supervision. Even the smallest mistake can lead to dramatic consequences."
"Are you still thinking about that pink carnivorous tree?"
"That, and the time you removed your own gravity and were almost taken away by the dragonflies."
"I told you master, the two flowers you talked about were very similar!"
"Anyway," Maddie smirked, "Your progress is steady, and you have shown to be very determined and careful about my teachings, thus next time I'll teach you some medium-powered spells."
"Boring!" all three of Maddie's sisters grumbled, "When you and Marcy go magic-learning, you always leave us alone! Why can't you bring us along?"
"Because spells are dangerous! If you little rascals care to listen to what I say every time, you would know it by now. And since none of you act cool enough even during a pretending adventure, to involve you in magic spells is recipe for disaster!"
Marcy looked up, between Maddie and her sister feuding. She knew that Maddie has a point since uncontrolled magic was dangerous (as she personally learned), and yet, her sisters didn't sound too unreasonable about not being left alone.
Suddenly, she got an idea.
"What if, instead of magic, you could try direct fighting?"
Maddie stopped talking and looked at her, and so did her sister. Maddie's eyes were full of confusion, her sister's excitement.
"Marcy, what are you-?"
"My friend Amelia" the black-haired girl continued, "is passionate about martial arts. She is still quite a newbie, but she is very determined to learn and develop; maybe I can ask her if she can take you three, so you can train with her. Would you be interested?"
"Amelia? The funny hat girl with a wooden sword, that was sparring with Sasha and Ivy?"
"Yep! She has a personality close to your sisters, so I guess they could be friends?"
"Maddie, can we?"
"Say yes! Say yes!"
"I want to learn how to fight!"
Maddie shrugged, "I guess that's fine, as long as dad-"
"What about me?" a grumpy voice called.
"Dad!" Maddie's sister said in unison as they saw Mr. Flour enter, "Can we join Marcy friend's martial arts training?"
"Please, say yes!"
"Marcy's friend…what?"
"Just a suggestion of mine, mister Flour-"
"Marcy, I told you already: You are my daughter's student and friend, you come here every week to help them and me. You do not need to address me like that, call me Farine."
"Sorry, I was talking about my friend Amelia and her intention to learn fighting skills, and I proposed about Maddie's sisters joining her."
"Sure, you can do that" he replied. "Of course, Maddie, if something bad happens-"
"I'll resurrect them, fine!"
"Wait, you can resurrect-"
However, Marcy's upcoming questions about the nature of magic regarding resurrection spells were forgotten, as she noticed that Farine had brought some items with him: cheese, basil…and tomatoes.
"Wait, is that-"
"Yes," Mr. Flour smirked, "Since a group of strange, sticky creatures helped Hopediah Plantar not end up in the Shame Cage at the last potluck, your pizza had become quite a talk in Wartwood. And since you shared the recipe with me and your farm can provide the tomatoes, I can't let down such an occasion."
"You're making a new batch already?" Maddie asked, with bewilderment.
"They sell fast! Especially after frogs found they can personalize each pizza, and garnish them with whatever they liked! And since I am one of the few who can make the right dough for it, at least for now, I'm the only one selling them!"
"Looks like you're going to make a mint, huh?"
"What does that mean?"
"It's an expression my friend James taught me; it means you're earning many copper coins and becoming rich."
"Wow, dad, are we rich?"
"Not yet, Rosemary, not yet; however, I do have to admit it is quite a nice development. Moreover, I'm not the only one to benefit from it: as long as frogs want to taste pizzas, they'll need dough, but also cheese and tomatoes. And there is only one farmer right now who can furnish the tomatoes."
"You mean Hop Pop, right?" Marcy asked, "Yet, when Jacob introduced the idea to him, he was quite worried that they would grow and eat us in our sleep. Still, Anne and Polly managed to tame them."
"Considering just the tomatoes I bought today made him earn fifty coppers alone, I guess he'll change his mind very soon."
"Fifty copp- you actually spent fifty coppers in tomatoes?"
"Hop Pop has always been honest in his prices and vegetables, and from the look of it, I'll earn them back in a couple of days at most. Plus, he has six more mouths to feed now…"
Marcy shrugged and looked aside, while she felt her heart warm. She had no action on it, and yet, she felt like they were helping back Hop Pop, as thanks for taking care of them.
James was daydreaming. His feet were still moving, but his mind was elsewhere. Specifically, he was back in his hometown, Worcester, where he was born and used to live, before moving to California. He could see the large building of the city, its streets filled with people, and the people he knew. His parents, his relatives from London and Birmingham, the shopkeepers close to his home, his schoolmates and friends, the neighbor families and their children; he left just a couple of years before, but now, it looked like a century, or even more.
Somewhere, there is my world, the world where I came from, and where my parents still live. What was their reaction when they were informed their only child has disappeared? What happened to them?
He clenched his fist, focusing once more to remove these thoughts from his head: no matter how much he missed home and his parents, thinking about them would have just kept hurting him more, since they had no fast way to return.
Yet, a small doubt, the tireless woodpecker, kept nagging at him.
Why did they have to suffer this? Why you had to be brought here too if you had no reason to?
He didn't know them. A nobody like any other guy, minding his own business. And somehow, he still found a way to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and to be caught in it.
It's not fair…it's not fair! If everything that happens has a meaning under it, if even the smallest actions have a meaning behind them…why I was kidnapped as well? Why couldn't I stay on Earth?
He walked forward, trying to think of something else. Yet, the woodpecker was still inside of him and struck again with endless violence.
I'm the odd one, and no one needed me in the first place. What am I, if not innocent? And if I am innocent, and my presence here was not meant to be, what I can be, if not a casualty, someone who got involved against their will just because he made a choice that, in retrospect, turned out for the worse?
And if I was meant to be there, what is my purpose? What I can do, that no one else can?"
"Ivy Sundew, where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going outside for bug hunting, mom. Didn't I tell you this morning? You said I was free."
"I remember saying that you would be free after your chores. Now, what is it?"
"Huh, a plate?"
"A filthy plate! And looks like it's not the only one."
James jerked up, and he realized he was now standing close to a large tree stump, resembling a large teapot, with a teacup-shaped sign that said "Felicia's Tea Shoppe". Intrigued by the shop, he walked to the window and looked inside.
Inside, two yellow-skinned frogs, one younger with a turquoise hat, and an older one with long braided red hair were discussing with each other.
"Sorry Ivy, but until you fix your work, you're not going anywhere!"
"What? But I'm already late! I cannot stay!"
"Should have thought of that before you rushed-"
"Huh, hello?"
Both frogs stopped to talk and looked aside, as James made his presence known to them. The boy saw the older frog narrow his eyes, while the younger one gleamed.
"And who are you supposed to be?"
"Sorry for the interference, but I was walking close by, and I couldn't help but hear. My name is James, and I'm-"
"You're a hummun? Like Sasha and Amelia? Are you their friend?"
Wait a minute, how does this little one know about Sasha and Amelia?
"Well, yes I am a human" James spoke, being careful to spell the name right, "My name is James Blueingham, and I am currently residing at Plantar's farm, with Sasha and Amelia; however, we are not friends, just acquaintances."
"Cool! Hey, want to enter?"
"Now, one moment, young lady-"
"Since I presented myself, I guess it is basic etiquette to ask who you are as well. I guess she is your mother?"
"Name's Felicia Sundew, owner of this café, tea shop, and hostel" the long-haired frog replied, "And this is my daughter, Ivy. She told me she had met some of you some time ago, and that they spar regularly."
"They do? I guess that's why Sasha and Amelia go together every once in a while, and they always return sweated and tired."
"Anyway, I apologize for not inviting you in, but my daughter and I had unfinished business to deal with."
"Come on; just let me go for once! I'll promise I'll be more careful next time!"
"Sorry young lady, but the dishes need a new cleaning. So, unless you find someone willing to take the heat for you-"
"About that, Mrs. Sundew, what if I took it for the girl?"
"What."
"What?"
"I mean, I may not know much about this world, but I do have some experience in dishwashing from back home, and I have nothing else to do right now. Plus, dishwashing shouldn't be very different, no matter what world we currently are."
Ivy looked at her mother with puppy eyes, waiting for her response.
"Fine." the teashop owner replied, "But just once! Next time, I expect you to finish all your chores flawlessly and by yourself!"
"Thank you, thank you! Thank you for your help, you have a big heart!"
"And you!" Felicia's eyes focused on James, "I do hope your skills are as good as you claim because I do not tolerate sloppy work in my shop!"
James smirked, "Lead the way, ma'am."
Ivy left (quite in a hurry) while James followed Felicia inside the shop. The dishwashing was not particularly hard, and after some awkward minutes, he felt safe enough to try to chat with Felicia.
"I must admit, this is surprising: I mean, I would have never expected to find a real tea shop here."
"Why, don't tea shops exist in your…whenever you came from?"
"Believe me, tea exists in my world and is quite prevalent: the nation I came from has the fame to be the homeland and main nation of all kinds of tea."
"Oh, really?"
"Quite so! We have long-standing traditions on the time to drink tea, ceremonials and all. It all started because of a queen-"
Felicia did not stop him, so James kept on talking about the long story connecting England and tea, talking about the start of such traditions and the continuous evolution through history, while Felicia limited herself to listening passively. She was still tense at first, but as James kept on talking, she started to relax as she realized the human was no danger to her or her shop (plus the fact that tea was as much important in their world as it was in Amphibia).
Still, there was one issue she wanted to check.
"Ivy told me before, about you and the others." she said, once the "tea history" lesson was over "I admit that, while you still look ugly, strange, gangly, horrendous-"
"I get it, I get it. Cut to the chase, please."
"-from what I was able to hear, Ivy is happier and less turbulent since she started to meet with your friends for sparring weekly. And while your body looks ugly, your heart is surely in the right place."
"Contrarily to what some might still believe, we humans do not eat frogs to survive. And none of us is ever interested in that, we are just waiting for the mountain pass to clear up, so we can go look for a solution to get … back home."
"You mean, return to your world?"
James lowered his head, "All of us had families in our world that right now are undoubtedly worried since we disappeared with no warning. How would you feel if, one day, Ivy would disappear with no trace, and you could no more find her?"
"I don't even want to think of such a possibility."
"Then, you can guess why we are determined to find a way to return home."
"What do you have planned, then?"
"So far? First, we need to wait for the mountain pass that connects the Valley to the outside world to clear up; then, I guess we'll move to Newtopia and, once there, look for a way to return home."
"And do you have any idea how you got here?"
James stopped. For a moment, he wanted to tell her about the Box, how the gems were no more glowing, and if she could know something that could help them. Nevertheless, Felicia was not someone they knew, and while her daughter was close with Sash and Amelì, the humans were still uneasy at the idea of showing the Box around.
Maybe, because if something happened to it…
"We- we only have some hypothesis, nothing concrete so far. Our best guess is that it was something magic-related."
"Does magic exist in your world too?"
"Actually, it doesn't" the boy admitted, "Before we ever ended here, we all believed magic was just a superstition, something that couldn't even exist."
"You… don't have magic in your world?
"Absolutely nothing. By contrast, however, our technology level is much more developed."
"How much developed are you talking?"
James smirked, and took off his phone, "Would you like to see with your own eyes? Stand still for a second."
"What-"
The boy's phone flashed, and then he moved to show Felicia the photo he made "This one is called a telephone, and is a gizmo everyone has in our worlds. It allows the creation of instant portraits, but in our world, we can also use it to keep in check with our friends, to know if the next day is going to rain or if it will be sunny-"
"And you say everyone has one of them?"
"Yes. We had machines that allow us to conserve our food for long periods, to keep ourselves clean and tidy every day, talk with people who live on the other side of the world-"
Then, James stopped, as he imagined the chance to be able to contact his parents and the impossibility of a phone capable to contact another universe.
"Sorry" the red-haired frog replied, guessing his pain, "I can empathize with you: your big heart can't face the idea of being separated from your family forever."
What I really cannot face, is the fact that we have no idea why the Box has stopped working. Sure, Marcy suggested that the gems lost their powers, but- where we can even hope to recharge them? What did they use in the first place?
And where we can find such energy here?
For a second, unseen by Felicia, James' pupil glowed with a bright, white color.
"Stupid boomer! Stupid house! Stupid town!"
Far from the farm and from Wartwood, Sasha was focusing on working out. And by "working out", we mean she was in truth punching a tree's trunk, trying to vent all her frustration.
For the blonde girl, used to 21st-century bathrooms and services, Amphibia's standards were intolerable: she had to sleep in a farm's basement, with no working bathtub or shower (thus, she had to go to a nearby lake every time she wanted to clean herself). She had disgusting (and often inedible) slops for lunch and dinner. She had to work as a slave on a farm pulling out weeds, picking up the vegetables, and planting the fields, all the time with Hop Pop checking her work and ready to reprimand her for the slightest mistake.
But that was not all.
Instead of worrying about her, and helping her with such drudgery, Anne and Marcy were getting used to life in Amphibia and were now having fun…without her.
How dared they?
For this impertinence, the trunk was punched once more.
She thought back with hostility at Sprig and Maddie, the ones who stole Anne and Marcy out of her. Maddie, a part of her could understand: she was a mage, and Marcy had always loved everything that was connected with magic, wizards, and the games she liked so much. The fact that Marcy was attracted to the idea of learning magic was somehow expected by Sasha.
But Sprig? What does Anne see in him?
He wasn't someone exceptional: he was annoying, troublesome, careless, etc. They met him for the first time when he was hunting them!
Why would someone like Anne prefer to spend time with him rather than with her? What does he have that she didn't?
"Stupid frog boy! You think you can steal my friend, huh?"
"Are you ok?"
Sasha was about to punch the trunk once again. Hearing this voice, she stopped and turned around, facing a little frog she had met before.
"Ivy?"
"Yep: everything ok? What did this tree do, to make you so angry at it?"
"Nothing" sniped Sasha, "I had a little tiff at home, and I was trying to vent my feelings."
She chuckled, "I understand you: Mom was even more nitpicking than usual this morning. If your friend hadn't showed up and agreed to help me-"
"Which friends are you talking about?"
"The one with metal hairs? Said his name was James?"
"Oh, him," Sasha murmured, as her memory started to fill with images of him. Their first meeting wasn't very friendly, as he had landed on top of her after being captured with them. Plus, Sasha didn't pay too much attention to him.
"Yes, he was walking near the tea shop, and he asked mom if he could help in my steed. If it wasn't for him, I would be still on there, instead of free to go bug hunting."
"I guess your mom is quite overbearing, huh?"
"You wouldn't even imagine: I have to fold those swan napkins, sift the tea, change the tablecloth every day, and even if I'm doing it right, she forces me to redo it all over again! Have you ever faced a parent who was always unsatisfied with everything you did?"
Sasha blinked, as hurtful memories flooded back into her…
"Esther, it's so good to have you here among us" Amanda, Sasha and Esther's mom, said with a smile full of pride "How are your studies going?"
At her seat at the table, Sasha did her best to ignore the situation. Whenever her older sister was home, she felt lonely and ignored, more than usual at least.
"Pretty good," Esther replied, cutting the steak, "If my grade point average stays steady, I could take the final exam as early as the end of the month."
"Oh, have you heard that, Sasha? Your sister will take the exam early: why can't you be more like her?"
Sasha gritted her teeth: her whole life, every day, she was compared with her older sister. If she got straight A's, Esther got A+, often with the professor's praise; if she came second in a competition, her sister came first.
"Mom, Sasha has her own life; we can't expect her to be like me. Besides, she has her own things to tell: what about your martial arts, Sash? I know you're quite fond of your Tai Chi…"
"True to say, I have the most important match in a week's time: the master says, if I pass it, I can move from the yellow belt to the orange belt..."
"It's a good thing you're also interested in your sister, but don't forget what's really important, honey" her mother intervened, looking at Esther with an air full of admiration while giving cold shoulders to Sasha, "It seems like only yesterday you won the gymnastics tournament."
"That was over three months ago, Mom!" Esther replied.
"But you won, didn't you? You could even go to the Olympics if you keep up your training. How about...?"
"My Tai-Chi match is next week" Sasha repeated, "Will you be there?"
"Sorry Sasha," her sister said awkwardly, "I promised my friends I would help them with the exam. But I'm sure Mom and Steven will be there, right?"
"Don't worry, honey," Amanda said to Esther, her back completely turned on Sasha, "I do remember...what is really important..."
(…)
On the day of the meeting, neither Amanda nor her new boyfriend, Steven, showed up. It was fortunate that Sasha could ask Anne's parents for a car ride; otherwise, she would have not been able to reach the gym where the match would happen on time.
During the matches, Sasha would look through the crowd between breaks, looking for her mom, hoping she would appear at the last minute, like in one of those teen movies. Yet, throughout the evening, she never saw her, no matter how much she looked at the public. Not even winning the hard-earned orange belt was enough to erase the humiliation of that night.
That evening, Esther texted her to ask how she was doing, but Sasha decided not to answer.
"-Sash? Are you ok?"
"Yes, sorry Ivy" the blonde girl replied, returning from the painful flashbacks, "Anyway, I think you're right about being angry. No matter how stiff your mom is, she cannot take away your free time with such draconian thinking."
"Draconian?"
"It means: harsh."
"Ok, yeah! Anyway, I need to go now. Maybe we can talk again, next time we-"
"One second!"
Ivy stopped, dead in her tracks "What it is, Sash?"
"I just wanted to ask you, what if I come to help you at the teashop, in the future? Even if I'm not practical with dish duty, I could help you finish your chores earlier. Plus-"
"You want to work at my mother's teashop?" Ivy asked, with puzzlement, "Why?"
"What, can't I help my friend and regular sparring partner? Plus, I prefer to help you there than on the field all day long."
"You'll also be subjected to my mother's continuous scrutiny. She is quite rigid on that!"
"Hey, I have already Hop Pop criticizing every time I made a mistake on the farm. At least, I can't get dirty washing dishes and teapots."
"You'd be surprised. Anyway, have to go now; but I'll make sure to ask mom when I return!"
"Thank you!"
Ivy ran, and Sasha waited for a few seconds before smiling: if she went to help at the teashop, Hop Pop could no more reprimand her at the farm, and she would avoid most (if not all) of the farm's dirty work; plus, if there was a chance to earn something for her own use, she would take it.
Above all, working there would allow her to be closer to Ivy, who was Sprig's friend…and deepen her bond with her.
Sprig wants to steal my best friend, huh? Well, two can play this game!
I wish I could play some games…
James' help at Felicia's teashop had ended (with Felicia awarding some leftover tea bags for his help) and the boy was once more walking on his own, in the lower area of Wartwood. Around him, the hot climate of the afternoon made way for the cooler weather of the first evening, and therefore, many frogs' inhabitants of Wartwood were starting to head back home for the night.
James, as a hot-blooded mammal, didn't have to care about the cold air; but the cold in his heart made him feel worse.
A beautiful place, sure, but this is not my place. I wasn't born here, and I am still not used to the habits and customs of the inhabitants. I'm merely- just-
He stopped walking, feeling the woodpecker inside of him use doubt to chip away at the fundaments of his beliefs.
What is my role here? What is my place? Why I had to end up in this place and I couldn't be spared and left at home on Earth?
Again, his mind went to his mother. Was she suffering back home? For his only son disappeared with no warning? Why did he have to disappear too? What role could someone like him have? To be kidnapped away from his everyday life, and stranded in a world that didn't make sense to him?
A hiss and the sound of torn leaves, alarmed his senses, and his instinct made him grab something fast and round, aimed at him. Only after a couple of seconds, James realized it was a small ball made of fabrics.
"Well done, you bungler!" a young, male voice called out from beyond the brushes, "You threw it too strong, again!"
"I'm not throwing the ball with too much force!" another voice replied defensively, "But we are missing the fourth player. This is why we have to stop every time to retrieve the ball!"
"Well, you threw it, so you have to get it back!"
"I'm not-"
"Excuse me?" James said, moving through the bushes and walking in a small open area, where a trio of young frogs (all of them with green-like epidermis) were playing a game somewhat resembling baseball.
"It's one of the monsters!"
"The ones with bumps on their faces!"
"I'm not a monster" James sighed, "I was just wondering…did you lose this?"
"Our ball: give it back!"
"Sure thing" the boy replied, throwing it back at them.
"Wow!" the three little frogs said, as they noticed the too-good-to-be-true throw of James.
"Have fun!"
"Wait, Mr. Monster-"
"I'm not a monster: my name is James!"
"S-sorry, sir. You see, we were having a small game of base-bug, but we are missing a fourth player, and thus, we have to interrupt our game continuously to retrieve our balls."
"No need to worry about hitting me. Would have been worse if you ended up hitting something valuable, and fragile."
"Actually…would you like to join us?"
"What? Didn't you just say I was an ugly monster? I thought you would be terrified."
"Well, we are-"
"But that throw was epic!" another frog kid added, "Can you do it again?"
"Plus, we do need a fourth player; and it doesn't matter who plays, as long as he can play well."
James smirked, "It would be my pleasure."
(…)
Thus, James joined the game as the pitcher, and soon, he landed other powerful throws that brought new amazement from the small frogs. Mentally, James thanked the kids for the chance to forget about his issues and have some fun in the meanwhile.
"Another good pitch! Where did you learn to throw like that?"
"I used to play sports from where we came from. There was a game I was so good at, I ended up winning a scholarship."
"You did?"
"Well, yes. Gave me the chance to go study abroad and see the world."
Tough, in hindsight, it also put me in the right spot to be kidnapped by the Box.
"What name was called that game?"
"Handball" the boy added, "I suppose you do not have something similar here."
"We have bug-ball!" one of them replied, "There is a contest, once a week-"
"Guys, we have to go now. Look, the stars are rising! We have to get back home if we don't want our parents to come and look for us!"
"That's bad. Mister, I hope next time-"
"If I'm around and I'm free, I'll be happy to join you for another game. I have to say: you kids sure are talented in sports."
"We just like to play, but we couldn't do this without you. You're a big-hearted thing."
James smiled as the young frogs gathered their things and quickly left, while a strange, palatable warmth spread inside of him.
Heart.
"Thank you for your help, young one. You surely got heart."
Heart.
"Thank you, thank you! Thank you for your help, you have a big heart"
Heart.
"While your body looks ugly, your heart is surely in the right place."
Heart.
"You're a big-hearted thing."
James leaned on one of the closest trees, trying to process his feelings and emotions. He remembered the smiling face of Mrs. Croaker, the happy expression of Ivy Sundew, the hidden warmth under her mother Felicia's eyes, the joyful eyes full of delight of those kids whom he played with just before.
Every time, James was there; every time, he helped; and every time, he got thanked in return with similar words.
What am I? What is my role?
That was the question James asked himself. And now, he had his answer.
Am I…the Heart? Am I…the group's Heart?
James felt his own leg getting weak, and he dropped down, sitting on the wet ground. Was it like this, to receive an illumination?
Whenever one is sad or angry, I can bring back their happiness.
Whenever someone is hopeless, I can bring back their determination.
The warmth spread all over his body, and for the first time since he left the farm, James no more felt the cold feeling of the air on his skin.
Until we get back home, I will keep their heart light, and help them to not lose hope.
Until we get back home, I'll make sure to keep their hope alive.
I'll take care of everyone; whenever sadness or anger will try to pry on them once more, I'll keep them away. And if the group will be at risk of separating, I'll be the sticky glue that will keep it together.
He looked up, at the stars that were just starting to dawn on the sky, while the Sun had already left. For others, they would have been just a poetic coincidence.
For James, they were a sign.
Thank you, the boy thought, no word escaping his lips, thank you for showing me what I have not seen. Thank you for showing me…what I can do for others.
What I am here for.
"Hello, everyone!"
"James, you're back!"
"Were you actually hoping I would never return, HP?"
"Don't call me HP. Anne, look what you did? Now he is using it too!"
"Hey, looks like I created a trend."
"By the way, James, where did you go?"
"Nowhere in particular: I just had a long walk, helped an old lady cross a stress-"
"I heard you meet Ivy and his mom today; you saved her free afternoon."
"Sash, how do you know?"
"I met Ivy while I was outside, and she told me you volunteered to do her chores in her place."
"Seriously, James? You met Ivy and even helped her?"
"Come on, it was just a couple of dishes to wash. Plus, Felicia gave me something in return;" he said, taking out his small "payment" "Check this out!"
"Is this...a tea bag?"
"The payment for washing the leftover dishes and china. I was thinking about sharing a coup with everyone interested, if you're in it."
"I'm in"
"Me too!"
"Great job, bro!"
"Also, while I was away, did something happen? What did you do today?"
"First, I and Sprig went looking for some peculiar bugs, and later, we helped with some house chores that were long overdue. Up and including some rooms that needed to be cleared, some non-urgent cleaning that it was better to finish as soon as possible, and someone's late chores"
"Anne, I wasn't planning to skip that: I was just very busy!"
"Sure, Jacob; anyway, next time you should try to hide it better."
"Huh-uh. What about you, Mar-Mar?"
"I went to Maddie's house and helped them with their first-ever roleplay game. Short story, Maddie's had fun while her sisters made some noob errors. Also, Jacob, if you are still thinking about joining…they could use someone experienced."
"I think I'll come then; better than watching Amelia hurting herself trying to learn Kendo."
"Hey, I managed to learn a lot today!"
"Yes, how to stand on your feet and not trip on your fake katana. Seriously, Amelia, while I admire your desire to learn real fighting skills, I doubt you can study them by watching some videos. Especially if you ever plan to face someone who learned first-hand how to fight" he glanced at Anne.
"Also, while I was at Maddie's house, I found out Mr. Flour is getting into the pizza business. It is real that he paid fifty coppers for the tomatoes?"
"Fifty?" many of the presents asked, in shock.
"Well, yes," Hop Pop said, grinning sheepishly. "I know that I was very opposed to such an idea when Jacob and Anne proposed it; however, in my defense, I did not expect Anne to be actually able to tame them."
"The credit belongs to Polly" the Thai-American girl replied, "Who would've believed she could be so efficient in scaring just-born tomato plants into submission?"
"Ah-ah! Bow to me, you vegetables!"
"Anyway, I guess I must thank you for that. While I still think tomatoes are quite dangerous for my taste, they do sell pretty well. And Farine promised me that, if Wartwood's inhabitants will want more pizza, he will buy even more!"
"So, you are actually happy that our ideas help to improve the farm?"
"But if so, why you didn't reply to my projects yet?"
"Your what?"
"My projects" Marcy continued "The one I made to improve the farm and augment work effectiveness: I submitted all of them to the suggestion barrel."
Hop Pop's face quickly went pale, sweat running down his cheeks "Oh, that. Well, now that I think about it-"
"Hey Sprig," Anne said to her friends, while Hop Pop tried to evade the talk "Want to go again in the forest, tomorrow?"
"Yeah, Anne!" he quickly replied, "Time for round two!"
"Sasha, I know you were quite angry because you were left alone today. If you want to join us-"
"I don't care."
"What?"
"I don't care" the blonde girl spoke again, a strange smile on her lips, "You and Sprig are friends too, after all, and I can't force you to decide among us. Plus, while I was outside today, I found something to fill my time: I asked Ivy if I can come and help her and her mom at the teashop."
"You asked to work at Felicia's teashop?" Sprig asked with shock, "With Ivy?"
"Sash, you amaze me: I thought you hated old and stuffy things."
"Well, I thought about it: Ivy and I are friends, and while we cannot spare with each other every day, I would like to have a chance to meet her regularly, and I do love tea too." Plus, if there is a chance to earn something on my own and get away from all the farm work …
"Ok, I do not know how to feel about this."
Yes, frog boy, Sasha thought evilly, this is the reaction I was hoping to get from you. And it's just the beginning: you'll see what happens when you mess with my friends…