Vincent leads us through the bustling streets on the bustling pathways of the bustling city. Even though I've now seen a lot of this human city, and I have lots of more important things on my mind, I still find myself gazing in awe at my surroundings. Some things are familiar, like the cafes, shops and merchant stalls. However, other things are completely alien, like the glass rectangles many people seem to be tapping. I turn to Madgick. She's gazing ahead with a far-off, dazed look in her eyes.
"What are they?" I whisper. She starts, and turns towards me. Blinking rapidly, she follows my pointing finger.
"Oh, they're just phones," she says. "I'll show you mine when we get to the safehouse if you like." Her gaze flickers to Vincent.
"Yes please! What do they do?" My friend doesn't reply.
"Madge?" I place a comforting hand on her arm. "What are you thinking?"
"That my brother is a lier. That he could destroy the world. And that I ... that I left you to die back in the warehouse. I'm really, really sorry, Araya. If only I'd known. If I hadn't left you, they would never have tried to, you know, throw you off a building." I shake my head.
"I thought we were over that! Besides, you did nothing wrong. If anything, I'm the one to — merciful magic, what in Alyncia is that?" I can hardly believe my eyes. A huge machine, resembling a metal bird, is soaring over our heads, a strange humming sound emanating from it. A spinning object slices through the air, seeming to propel the object forward.
"That," Vincent says proudly, "Is our way to the safehouse."
"You hired a helicopter, brother?" Madgick looks disbelieving, but at least she's stopped thinking about her troubles. Her brother nods, beaming.
"When you have as much power as I do, you can do anything! Araya, prepare to be amazed. The human way of flying is very different to griffin transport. The helicopter will land in the outskirts of the city, so you can expect to do a lot of walking." He gestures towards the "helicopter", which is flying towards the south.
"I have to admit, this is actually pretty cool." Madgick grins. "Thank you, Vincent." He nods at her.
"But can me and Araya have a quick look around the city before we go?"
"I thought you hated the city." Madgick shrugs.
"I do, but I want Araya to experience something possitive in the human world. And then back to Alyncianna."
"Alyncia," I correct her.
"Yeah, that. Please?" She stretches out the word pleaia. Vincent considers for a moment. He frowns thoughtfully, before sighing deeply.
"Okay, okay. You can have three hours here at the most. I'll send a guard with you, just to ensure your safety. Meet me at the collection point later. The guard will know where to go." We thank him, and then Madgick grabs me by my wrist and runs down the street.
"Where are we going?"
"Well, I don't really know. Let's just keep going until we find something. Ooo, have you ever tried hot chocolate?"
"Of couse I have," I say, panting now. Madgick doesn't slow down as we talk. "That came from the human world?"
"Yup. What about waffles?" I nod.
"Ok, what about a funfair?"
"What's a funfair?" Madgick smiles mischieviously.
"Follow me."
Wow. That is all I can say. I honestly I have no idea how to describe what's before my eyes. Well, ok, I do, but souiously. Just wow.
Madgick has lead me to a huge open area near what I assume is the centre of the city. It's entrance is manned by two smiling guards. There are dozens of adults and children alike, chattering excitedly as they que to enter the so-called funfair. And beyond that, I can see the most exhilarating machines that I can imagine.
We pass through the ques and arrive at the gates. One of the guard holds out his hand, and Madgick places some strange paper in it.
"Our version of payment," she whispers upon spotting my curious look.
"You two kids have fun!" the guard calls after us. And that is exactly what we have.
There are spinning things that speed around and around, swinging things that turn upide-down, small cars that people seem to be driving no where for some strange reason, houses full of moving obstacles. We try it all. And then I see it. A pair of metal tracks rise up into the air, and then suddenly slope downwards and around in loops. A vehicle is riding up it, and I watch as it hits the slope at a miraculous speed, and people cry out in both fear and delight. I have to try it.
When I tuggest it to Madgick, her face pales slightly.
"I ... amn't the biggest fan of rolercoasters..."
"Oh Madge, please can we try it? I know you'll enjoy it when we're on it. Besides, don't you want me to experience the human world to it's fullest?" Madgick slumps in defeat.
"I suppose I do," she says slowly, and gleefully I drag her towards the ride. I am slightly surprised that she seems scared of this when she so rarely appears scared of anything, but maybe she had some bad experience on this machine. We step up to the staffmember who seems to be in charge.
"Can we have two tickets, please?" The woman nods, and gestures us forward.
"Put any delicate or valuable belongings in that box, and you can retrieve them afterwards." We do as she says, and I remove my pouch, which contains pretty much everything I own. Madgick pulls a glass rectangle from her coat pocket, and hovers it over the box. She shakes her head, and places it back in her pocket.
"We HAVE to take a photo when we get to the top." We clamber into one of the rickety carts, and wait for other passengers to climb in. They we start up the track. I clutch Madgick's hand tightly, both for her and for me. We inch up the track, which grates underneath the wheels. Chug chug chug. Chug chug chug. And then— whizzzzzzzzz. We're hurtling down the slope. I cackle with exhuberence, and Madgick does the same. Suddenly forgetting our fear, we throw our hands up in the air, and wave them wildly. Madgick grabs the rectangle and holds it in front of us. She presses a button, and a minature version of the two of us appears on the glass. I look demented: my hair is tangled around my face. My eyes are wild. And I look like the hapiest person in both Alyncia and the human world.
Afterwards, we stumble drunkenly from our cart, stopping only to collect our belongings from box.
"Did you guys have fun?" the staff member asks as we pass.
"It was amazing!" I say, and we continue on. We decide to get something to eat at a small cafe. I get a toasted sandwitch and, per Madgick's request, a hot chocolate.
"Good, right?" Madgick asks with a grin.
"Meh, my guild can do better." Madgick throws a napkin at me, which I barely dodge.
Finally, it's getting late and it's time to meet back up with Vincent. The Valdorian guard, who has been following us at a distance all day, leads us through the city and to a large field on the outskirts. The helicopter has already landed, and there are men buzzing around it, presumably making preparations for the next flight. A small crowd has gathered to watch. I guess they're just as excited to see a helicopter as me! I turn to Madgick, intended to comment on the power of it all, to see her franically looking around the field.
"Where's Vincent?" she asks anxiously. I glance around as well. I see all kinds of people who are all shapes and sizes, but no vincent. I look towards the helicopter but none of the people standing around look remotely like Madgick's brother. Vincent is nowhere to be seen.