Annalise
"Thanks, Annalise. You're literally lifesaver," said Riley as she took her aura amulet from me. "I seriously can't believe I forgot it again."
Aura amulets kept track of our health during battles. Some mages could infuse their amulets with extra aura for reserves, but this was very rare. I knew that Riley had a sparring match with Doctor Fulgur today. She must have been so nervous that she had forgotten to take it up off her dresser this morning, even though our mom reminded her a hundred times to do so before leaving the palace.
"no problem, Angel. What are sisters for? You know, you really should get your memory checked out though. At least you didn't lose it. Pretty sure mom would've killed you if that had been the case," I teased, stealing a piece of her snowybread, or, snowbread, as she liked to call it, in the process. Riley said her name made the treat sound more elegant, or something. I rolled my eyes at the thought, knowing that she would correct me in a second.
"Hey, I know I lost the other one, but it was totally not my fault. I was at the park, and a yellow AeroSprintSwimmer bird stole it from me. Honest, I even tried to rescue it, but the stupid bird was faster than I was, and it tossed mud in my face. How rude? Ugh, you don't get it, dear sister. I actually had to trash my entire outfit, and I paid 1000 Gold for it, the horror. Me? Throwing away clothes? That," she said, gesturing wildly with her snowybread, crumbs flying everywhere, "is the real crisis here. I couldn't even get a replacement. They were all sold out on NetBay. Seriously, why are there so many shoppers in the world? Next time, I'm getting two of the same outfits that I'd die for, just in case."
Even though I was secretly groaning inside, I plastered a smile on my face. Only my sister could think that losing an outfit to a bird would be considered a crisis. I mean, it's not as if there weren't people starving in some parts of Afrolasia, or as if there wasn't a current water shortage happening in Dusty Hollow, a small mining village that was located on the outskirts of the Baskdor region.
Rita, our student council President, was always encouraging us to visit the village, saying that it would boost moral, and bring a sense of joy to the children living there. Given our insanity with our schedules, though, we were not entirely sure if we could make such a commitment, but if it was possible, we would definitely go down there for a visit, even though I was somewhat reluctant to do so. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that I didn't want to help the less fortunate, but you could never please people. If we did, they would say that we were only doing it for the publicity, even though we had constantly asked the media not to advertise these excursions. The last thing I wanted was to make anyone feel as if they were a charity case, but if it was for the children, I would survive. I wasn't sure that Riley could handle anymore scrutiny from the media, though. I didn't need that. And my family didn't need that, either. If the mumbling morons running their traps on social media would offer to help the poor, instead of waiting on the kingdom to do everything, we would be in a much better place by now, I thought resentfully. Valdor was a rich nation after all, and, regardless of what we did, poor people would always exist in the world in one form or another. It didn't mean that we shouldn't try to help, but the leaders, no matter how well intentioned they were, could not single handedly solve all the problems in Alyncia.
Riley was an incredibly generous person, but she had the tendency to go off on a tangent when she was talking about fashion, gardening, cooking, morality, art, or the other subjects that she was interested in. She wasn't oblivious to the problems of the world, but, as much as I hated to admit it, we still had to live our own lives, and not dwell on the issues that we could not fix, not to mention that we had our own fair share of problems on the table, regardless of how insignificant they appeared to others.
"Don't worry, Angel. You'll have lots of time to go shopping before your epic birthday party that's coming up soon," I said, conjuring a cup of grape flavored water for her using my magic.
"yeah, I know. But, still, I lost my favorite jacket," she said, delicately sipping the water through the Bendy straw, carefully not getting her Ruby blue Glazer lipstick on the cup.
"I'm going to the coffee shop across the street. Want to come?" I asked, straitening my hair.
"sorry, I can't. Not today. I'm helping Ash with their math homework. Luthor is out of town at some developers conference for young entrepreneurs. Plus, it's extra credit for the advanced classes I'm thinking of taking next year."
"Hey, that's cool. Maybe we could go shopping sometime? That could be my birthday present to you, instead of, you, you know, making me wear a ridiculous dress to your party, or something." I said, knowing that she couldn't refuse my offer.
"nice try, pretty princess. You still have to wear a dress to my party, though. If you don't pick out a dress for yourself, then I will choose for you, and, Annalise, combat boots do not go with dresses. Just saying," she held up her hands innocently with a mock frown on her face.
"Fine," I said with a scowl, playfully swatting her shoulder as I walked by. "I'll see you later, then. I'll bring back a snack for you."
"Later. Thanks for the snack. Oh, and it's snow bread, not snowybread," she called after me, carefully emphasizing the words, as I jogged across the street. "You are a princess, Annalise. You need to be elegant. Elegant, not acting like a back water fish from Tarren." Tarren was a fishing village near the plasma ocean. Supposedly, that's where my birth Mother, rumored to be named, Cassidy, was from. Whenever I was insolent, Janus took the opportunity to degrade me, by telling me not to act like a back water fish from Tarren. Frankly, I didn't care. I was all about acting rudely if it made him angry. It was now a running joke between Riley and me. I smile happily to myself.
Welcome to StarBrew! How may we, sip, I mean, serve, you?" said the robot at the entrance, handing me a customer survey.
I stepped into the enchanting world of StarBrew, a coffee and tea shop like no other. Its futuristic design was rather quaint, but it was charming in its own way I suppose. Plus, it was near the school, so that was a bonus in my book. The exterior of the shop was a magnificent fusion of a teapot and a coffee cup. Gleaming chrome and crystal-clear glass formed the structure, reflecting the sunlight in dazzling patterns that beckoned to passersby. It wasn't the best, but it got me through the caffeine fixes when I needed them. Not to mention, the tea was good here, also not the best, but I could deal with it.
As I entered, the magic continued. The interior was a masterpiece of design, blending elegance and whimsy effortlessly. The tables, crafted to resemble saucers, floated above the floor like UFOs ready for takeoff. The chairs, shaped like coffee beans, invited patrons to sink into their plush embrace. The ceiling was a spectacle in itself, adorned with intricate metallic vines and cascading LED lights, reminiscent of the night sky.
The walls were adorned with art that celebrated the rich history of coffee and tea. Paintings depicted ancient coffee ceremonies from Ethiopia and traditional tea rituals from Japan, offering a sense of connection to the roots of these beloved beverages. Apparently, these were countries from the human world, and the owners, who were human descendants, had acquired permission to set up shop in front of the school after the quarantine zones were abolished.
But what truly set StarBrew apart was its menu. The holographic menu projected on each table was a sight to behold. It showcased an array of delectable options, each with its own unique twist. There were teapot-shaped cakes adorned with edible gold leaf, coffee-flavored pastries with a hint of cardamom, and tea-infused ice creams that promised to transport your taste buds to distant lands.
One menu item that always caught my eye was the "Galaxy Latte." It was a work of art, with swirls of blue and purple hues that mimicked a far-off nebula. And when you took your first sip, you were greeted with the rich, comforting flavor of a perfectly brewed latte.
The popularity of StarBrew among teenagers was no surprise. It had become the go-to spot for young minds eager to explore the boundaries of creativity and technology. The shop provided a haven for students like me to unwind, discuss the latest trends, and brainstorm new ideas over a cup of steaming coffee or a fragrant pot of tea.
Pulling up to the table, I stopped short. The twins were already sitting there, talking and laughing with each other. I gaped like a fish out of water, which, at this moment, was exactly what I felt like. I cursed inwardly. I wanted some time alone, and I was secretly relieved when Riley had declined my offer. However, I didn't want to be stuck with the terror twins all afternoon. It was bad enough that I had to interact with them at school. This was why I always went to shops outside of the school district. I didn't know that they were going to be here today. Before I could quickly make my exit, they called out to me.
"Join us, Annalise," said Meril, fluttering her hand delicately, her fuchsia nails catching the light, and casting a purplish-red glow over the table.
"of course, my darlings. I would be perfectly happy to join you on this delightful afternoon," I said, unable to entirely stifle the sarcasm from my voice, and if they heard it, they politely chose to ignore it. "What are you doing here? I thought you were having dinner with your mother. Isn't it time for your monthly progress report?"
"well," said Hector, pulling out a chair for me, "we were supposed to have dinner with mommy dearest, but she, unfortunately, was urgently summoned to deal with other business. From what I understand, some macadamia bullfrogs got into the pantry at the emperor's Palace, again." Meril smirked. "Dreadful creatures. That's the third time this month, I believe. Not to mention the Tangonian Termites last month. She doesn't have time for an insignificant progress report from us. Our mother is quite busy dealing with her other naughty children." I sat down with a sigh, trying to keep the smear off my face, but I wasn't entirely sure whether or not I was successful in this endeavor.
"As you know, lady Petora is our legal guardian, but she couldn't have lunch with us today, because she was tired and was taking a nap. Poor thing. My, oh, my, I guess the slumber drops I slipped into her energy drinks this morning didn't quite agree with her," Hector added with a sly wink in my direction.
Cera, a quiet girl from school, was our server. She approached our table with her ever-present warm smile. "The usual, Annalise?" she inquired, her voice carrying a gentle melody.
A grin spread across my face. "Yes, Cera, please. A mocha latte and a slice of decadent chocolate cake."
Meril, always a fan of cappuccinos, ordered one along with a flaky, fruit-filled pastry. Hector, the pseudo health-conscious one among us, opted for a matcha green tea and a savory quiche. Cera skillfully noted down our orders on her digital pad and headed towards the counter, where the whirring of futuristic coffee machines filled the air.
While we waited for our drinks and snacks, our conversation naturally drifted to the latest tech sensation that had been sweeping through our school: the Snowball Tablet from Icecade Industries. Meril, ever the tech enthusiast, eagerly pulled out her sleek, translucent device. The tablet's holographic interface shimmered to life, displaying a vivid, three-dimensional projection of a virtual world.
Meril's fingers danced across the holographic screen as she showcased its capabilities. "You won't believe what this can do, guys," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's got an AI companion that learns your preferences, and it can even project 3D holograms for virtual meetings."
Hector nodded in amazement. "And the graphics on this thing are mind-blowing. I heard it has a Quantum Processing Unit for lightning-fast performance."
As Meril continued her enthusiastic demonstration, I couldn't help but feel a growing annoyance. Roger, at the nearby table, had his portable vision mirror playing an advertisement for the Snowball Tablet at full volume. The holographic images danced in the air, filling our corner of StarBrew with unwanted noise.
Seriously, I thought. This place needed to have private booths for conversations. I don't know why the owner doesn't upgrade the facilities here. Who needs interaction anyway? Ugh, this was ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. "Gee, Roger. I can't believe that your imaginary girlfriend is actually yourself. You're totally in love with yourself. Turn that racket down, will you? Other people are trying to eat here," I snapped, furiously smacking my hands on the table.
"What's wrong, Princess? Can't take the noise? Maybe you should go somewhere else. This is my territory, or did you not know that? If you're talking about the product that I'm promoting, then you should enjoy it to the fullest. Think about it, you know me, Roger, the model, in the flesh. You should be asking for my autograph right about now," he laughed loudly, waving to Cera for another raspberry muffin.
"oh, Roger, you shouldn't eavesdrop. It's unseemly," said Meril, glancing up from her tablet.
Just wait, I thought. I'll get my revenge on you.
I leaned over to Hector, my irritation evident. "Hector, can you please ask Roger to turn that off? We're trying to enjoy our coffee here." I smiled sweetly at him, playfully batting my eyelashes for maximum effect.
Hector nodded, understanding my frustration. He politely approached Roger and requested that he lower the volume or use headphones. Roger, though initially reluctant, obliged, and our corner of StarBrew returned to its serene ambience.
The holographic menu on our table continued to project tantalizing images of teapot-shaped cakes and coffee bean cookies, tempting us with their artful designs. Each item on the menu seemed like a work of art, a blend of culinary mastery and futuristic flair.
Cera returned with our orders, placing each one with precision and care. My mocha latte was a masterpiece, crowned with a delicate foam design that resembled an intricate snowflake. The chocolate cake, with its glossy ganache and edible gold accents, looked almost too beautiful to eat.
Meril's cappuccino came topped with a frothy heart, while Hector's matcha green tea was presented in a stunning glass teapot. Even the quiche was a culinary delight, with a flaky crust that promised a savory surprise within.
We ate silently for a while.
"You know, Annalise, you really should try changing your hair color. Black is so yesterday, and you have such beautiful eyes, but they are so, well, black," she hesitated for a beat before adding, "pink hair would totally look great on you, and marigold contacts for your eyes."
"Yeah," Hector whistled, "or you could be exotic, and go for something like magenta hair, and periwinkle contacts for your eyes. But, never fear, dear Princess, I love you anyway, regardless of your looks. If you smile more, you wouldn't look like such a ghostly girl." He laughed.
Clearing my throat, I pressed my hand to the payment portal at the table, depositing 50 Gold using the biometrics scanner. Without answering the twins, I politely excused myself and headed for the little girls room.
The restroom was as futuristic as the rest of the coffee shop, with automated faucets, touchless soap dispensers, and even self-sanitizing toilet seats, not to mention the relaxing jazz music that was softly playing from hidden speakers in the wall, courtesy of the amazing acoustics and sound system in the bathroom.
As I entered the restroom at StarBrew, I noticed a subtle glow emanating from the neighboring stall. The soft hum of a vision mirror on speaker mode caught my attention. Someone was having an unusually candid conversation, and I couldn't help but eavesdrop.
"I can't believe that I'm fake dating Roger," the girl said in a tone of exasperation. "He's such a loser. I'm calling you from the bathroom. I told him that I needed to touch up my makeup." She giggled. "Seriously, he can't stop watching the ad. Pathetic! He's charging kids ten gold for autographs, and twenty gold to sit on his lap for photos. Gross! He only got the job because daddy said that I had to recruit new teen interns for the company. I couldn't choose you, because it's against company policy, something about diversifying the workplace, or whatever. I'm already working as a model, and I'm valdorian, plus I had a yellow butterfly hawk goldfish as a pet once, and he was part horse. See? I'm totally multi-racial. He won't pay for my holographic media specialist classes otherwise."
The guy, who sounded a lot like Calem Val-Dem, responded, sounding equally irritated. "I know, babe. But your dad won't let me do the ads, and it's not like I can say no to your father. He's my mom's boss."
I couldn't help but suppress a chuckle at the absurdity of their conversation. Roger was a frequent annoyance at our school, often showing off his gadgets and boasting about his connections. The idea that he was in a fake relationship with someone left me baffled, but thoroughly intrigued. I pressed closer to the wall to listen.
And I was rewarded, because the conversation didn't end there.
As Emily and Callum discussed their exciting adventures, Emily couldn't help but reveal a recent mishap, saying with an annoyed sigh, "You know, Callum, I have some bad news. I took daddy's prized car, the cheetah Glide X Ultra, which combines the speed of a sports car, the safety features of an SUV, and the eco-friendliness of an electric vehicle, for a spin, and I ended up crashing it."
Calem's laughter grew heartier, though tinged with disbelief. "You crashed it again? Third time this month. I'm impressed. How?"
The girl sighed, the sound of her makeup brush against her vision mirror growing softer. "I'm always in a hurry, you know? I was late for my latest rounds of solar relaxation surgery. The place is always booked, but Mia always gives me a discount when I'm early. She's the new intern there, And the car was supposed to stop me from crashing. It's got all those high-tech safety features, like, crash detection, and the shock wave booster thingy. What's the point of spending so much gold on high-tech vehicles if they're not going to do their job correctly? I was watching the road this time, honest, but there was a disco duck light post in the way."
Calem couldn't contain his amusement. "You need to stop listening to music, putting on your makeup, checking the news, and playing games while you're driving, even if the car is high-tech and futuristic. You almost hit a seeing eye bird once, remember? The blind kid thought that you were trying to steal his bird."
She sneered derisively, "like i'd ever touch his nasty bird! Ugh, the kid clearly needed glasses. He should have used the money to fix his eyesight instead of spending it all on that hideous creature. Blind people sure are dumb." She tittered.
Calem chuckled. "Maybe he needs a smart girl like you to take charge. Emily, you're too funny. Oh, stop, my sides are hurting. You know I gotta be nice for the viewers. I shouldn't be laughing at you being mean, but I literally can't help myself."
Calem's voice held a hint of playful impatience as he asked, "Babe, how long is this fake dating thing gonna last? Roger is so bland and boring. Plus, he always smells like fish. I don't wanna catch dork fever. I mean, it's fun and all, but seriously, it's been, like, forever."
Emily giggled, her voice taking on an up-talk rhythm reminiscent of a valley girl. "Oh my gosh, Calem, you're, like, such a hoot. You know I love you, right? Plus, we don't spend time together in these dumps. Roger thinks that we're distant cousins."
Calem chuckled, his response carrying a laid-back surfer vibe. "Yeah, Em, I know you do. I love you too, even if you're pulling off this fake dating thing with Roger. I don't like sharing my toys. You're my girl. Mine, not his. Roger is a sniveling old fool."
Their laughter filled the restroom, blending with the soft hum of the vision mirror.
I stood on the toilet seat, and peered into the stall. OK, this was so wrong, but I had to see what was happening. I needed visuals, not just the auditory cues from the conversation.
Changing the topic, Emily said, "By the way, have you heard about the Red Day fair at Mount Asura? It's, like, the event of the year, and I totally need to go." She dusted a light pink powder over her face.
Calem's interest was piqued, and he started describing his outfit for the occasion. "Oh yeah, babe. I'm gonna rock my brand-new holographic board shorts that cost me, like, a thousand Gold, and this limited edition surfboard-themed shirt, another two grand. Gotta look fly, you know?"
Emily's voice took on a wistful tone as she responded. "Ugh, Calem, I wish I could afford to look fly like you. But Daddy's, like, making me work for my money now because my Mom ran off with her ballet instructor."
"Oh, yeah, and limiting your credit card to 50,000 Gold? That's practically a crime. Seriously, dude, that's not even enough cash to afford the most basic infinity pouch anymore, I think. I don't check the price tags on items," Calem flipped his hair, and started pouting. "What were you thinking of getting for the fair? Plus, we all know that your mom is gonna return in a few months, claiming that she got abducted by aliens, or that this was a journey of self discovery, and she has finally come to the conclusion that she's madly in love with your father, more like, she's totally in love with his money, and the fame. Hey, remember Adam, from grade school? I think your dad has been seeing his mom. Maybe she's the one encouraging him to make you spend less? They're super rich, and they have this restaurant in Windsorhowl, but she wants him to be humble, or some nonsense. They're loaded, for crying out loud. If they get married, you'll be even richer. We should go to the restaurant for dinner sometime, plus, Adam is pretty good looking. Uh, not that I'm into dudes, or anything, but I'm not blind, you know." He chuckled.
"oh, totally. Daddy should start paying me extra for the modeling jobs, plus, you're right, daddy totally needs a new wife on his arm now. I love my mom, but she's so basic. Blonde hair, blue eyes, the all-American look is outdated now. People want exotic, intriguing, alluring, you know."
I snickered, covering my mouth to muffle the sound.
Emily's eyes sparkled as she described the items that she wanted for the fair. " I want a Crimson Dream Dress. This dress is a masterpiece of futuristic fashion. It's made from a fabric that shimmers like liquid silk, and it's a vibrant crimson that changes shades in the light. Holographic accents are on the dress, creating the illusion of stars twinkling in the night sky. The butterfly earrings are crafted from iridescent materials that catch and refract light in mesmerizing patterns. It's literally the cutest! The purse matches the dress. I must get one. It's guava pink color perfectly complements the dress, and it has a holographic surface that makes a mesmerizing play of colors when it catches the light. It's totally fashionable and functional, with compartments for essentials and a sleek, modern design. I've also been, like, dreaming of these high-tech shoes to match the dress. They're, like, self-lacing, and they change color with your mood. So futuristic, right?"
Her excitement dimmed slightly as she contemplated her outfit dilemma. "Ugh, Calem, that dress I want, the shoes, the butterfly earrings, and the matching guava purse—it's, like, a hundred thousand gold for everything. I don't have that kind of cash."
Calem couldn't help but chuckle at her predicament. "Hundred grand? Seriously? Maybe you need a job, Em. You could work at, like, the coffee shop we're at right now. Yeah, I'm outside. Roger is flirting with the waitress. What's her name, Sarah, Siana, something? Anyway, I'm gonna order us a strawberry doughnut pie, and a bottle of bubble pop lime flamethrower tea to go. Plus, you totally forgot your hair, makeup, and even more accessories. It's cool. You know I can afford everything you want, and then some."
Emily sighed, clearly unenthusiastic about the idea. "It's so dumb, Calem. Oh, stop, you know I can't get a job, especially not in this backwater dump. The food here isn't even good. It sucks. Since I crashed his car, daddy put a tracking bracelet on me, and it totally clashes with all my outfits. I only come there because it's near the school, and I don't have my car anymore."
Calem playfully teased her, sending her pictures on his vision mirror. "You know what, Em? You should totally show this to your dad. Pigs throwing mud at a hologram that looks like him. It's hilarious."
Emily giggled as she glanced at the images. "Oh my gosh, Calem, that's so funny. Daddy would flip if he saw this. But, oh my gosh, thanks for buying me everything I want. You're literally, like, the best, the best of the best. But seriously, how do you afford all this stuff?"
Calem shrugged, the carefree surfer boy in him showing through. "I do some odd jobs here and there, and I've got, like, this sponsorship deal for my surf vids. Plus, my show, This Is Valdor, on the network pays pretty well."
Calem couldn't contain his excitement either. "After the fair, we should totally go get some ice cream. By the way, Em, I just got myself a brand-new motorcycle. It's super cool, and, like, crazy wicked fast."
Callum excitedly shared with Emily that he had acquired the cutting-edge TurboStrider Rocket blizzard motorcycle, combining the sleek design of a sportbike, eco-friendly hybrid technology, smart features like a heads-up display and holographic projector, adaptive suspension, and advanced AI capabilities, planning to take her on thrilling rides through the city's futuristic streets.
Emily hesitated, her valley girl charm slipping just a bit. "Um, Calem, that's, like, awesome and all, but won't riding on a motorcycle mess up my hairstyle?"
Calem burst into laughter, the carefree surfer boy finding humor in the situation. "Em, you crack me up! We'll figure something out so your hair stays fabulous. But, please, you're always fabulous. Plus, messy hair is all the rage right now, like, literally."
At this point, hearts and butterflies seemed to flutter in their conversation, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Their sudden professing of undying love was becoming grating, especially in the confines of a bathroom stall.
I stepped outside to wash my hands when I saw Emily packing up her makeup products.
However, my annoyance was only beginning. As Emily emerged from her stall, she fixed me with a rude glare. "Get lost, you freak. Stop eavesdropping on my conversation and mind your own business."
I replied sternly, "This is a public facility, and you should take your conversation elsewhere, Emmy cakes."
But before I knew it, Emily's foot shot out, and she tripped me. I stumbled and fell, hitting my head on a corner of a sink, my outfit, a modern ensemble of sleek silver and holographic accents, taking the brunt of the fall. It was a stark contrast to her own fashionable preferences.
In a surge of anger, using my magic, I turned to the sink's pipe and twisted it. Instead of water, a fountain of sticky, chocolate-colored milk erupted. It gushed into Emily's stall, damaging her makeup products and staining her clothes.
Emily shrieked in shock, "What did you do, you freak?"
Callum, from outside, joined in, "Emily, are you okay?"
Emily's reply was a mix of fury and panic, "I'm not okay! Some weirdo just tripped me and flooded the place with chocolate milk!"
I smirked, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "Oops, my bad. Looks like there's a little malfunction here."
Emily, her face contorted in rage, shouted, "You're going to pay for this!"
I retorted, "You're going to need a job to replace those products. I'll put in a good word with Cera and the manager. You should also call a clean-up drone to help sort out this mess."
I slammed the door in her face before walking back to join Meril and Hector, a sense of satisfaction washing over me. However, as I closed the bathroom door behind me, I couldn't help but overhear Emily's distressed calls for help and Callum's loud cursing. The automatic ancillary drone was on its way, and it seemed my actions had caused quite the commotion in the restroom of StarBrew.
Hector complained, "Annalise, have you seen Roger? He's blasting that tablet advertisement from his vision mirror again. It's driving me crazy!"
I turned my attention to the menu, deciding to order something to distract myself from the blaring advertisement. "You know what, guys? I need something sweet to drown out Roger's noise. I'll have a bag of Sugar Cube Delights. They change flavor in your mouth, from watermelon, to roasted beef, to sweet potato fries, and even blueberry salad. And for drinks, let's go with the Cherry Mango Bliss Smoothies. They come in these cute ice cream cone cups with edible frosted lids. They even change color from cherry red, to orange mango. My treat. I even made the deposit already."
Meril and Hector nodded in agreement as we waved down Cera to place our order. "Four sets of Sugar Cube Delights and Cherry Mango Bliss Smoothies, please," I requested. "Actually, have them delivered to our homes instead. We're leaving now."
Cera, our server, smiled and jotted down our order. "Certainly, I'll have them delivered."
I strode over to Roger's table with determination, kicking it over swiftly. His meal, a holographically garnished fusion of flavors, crashed to the floor. His vision mirror tumbled down with a clatter, the holographic display flickering.
Meril and Hector followed me, their faces a mix of surprise and amusement, and we made our hasty exit from the restaurant, leaving Roger in the chaos of his own making.
As we stepped out into the futuristic world beyond, our Cherry Mango Bliss Smoothies and Sugar Cube Delights receipts in hand, we couldn't help but share a knowing look. Sometimes, in a world filled with high-tech wonders, a little rebellion against the noise was all it took to make a memorable exit.
At the exit, a giant kettle-shaped robot extended gift cards to each of us, its mechanical voice friendly as it encouraged us to return to StarBrew. We thanked the robot and stepped out into the bustling city, our taste buds still tingling from the delightful surprises of the futuristic coffee shop.
After saying my silent goodbyes to Meril and Hector, I felt the call of adventure pulling me toward the Plasma Sea. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, orange glow on the horizon as I made my way to my room.
Inside, my high-tech surfboard, the Wave Rider Magnet, awaited me. It was a marvel of technology, with a sleek design and features that seemed straight out of a sci-fi novel. As I picked it up, I couldn't help but admire its advanced capabilities.
"This beauty," I said to myself as I ran my fingers over its surface, "has real-time wave analysis, magnetic stabilization for balance, and even a built-in emergency beacon. Let's ride some waves, my friend."
The Plasma Sea stretched out before me, its purple waves inviting and mysterious. I paddled out, feeling the thrill of the sea beneath me. As I rode the waves, I couldn't resist playing with the curious seals and graceful seahorses that inhabited this unique aquatic world.
My surfing adventure took an unexpected turn when I decided to venture into the Nightshade Forest, a place rumored to be teeming with rare and dangerous flora. I needed to collect some of the elusive, poisonous mushrooms that grew there for a project I was working on, although the nature of that project was a secret I kept even from myself. I quickly got the job done, transporting the goods to my room using my teleportation spell. But, that's when I heard a noise behind me.
Gutter skunk, gutter skunk, gutter skunk.
Its body was compact and agile, resembling that of a squirrel, with fur that shifted in color from a soft, lavender hue to a deep, velvety black. Its large, expressive eyes sparkled with intelligence, and its ears twitched with a constant curiosity. Its fluffy tail, reminiscent of a bunny rabbit, was its most deceptive feature, concealing a hidden arsenal of mechanisms.
As our battle commenced, the gutter skunk unleashed futuristic weaponry concealed within its adorable exterior. From its tail, it fired streams of incandescent plasma bursts, each shot a dazzling display of energy. Its rapid movements made it a challenging target, as it darted between the trees and leaped with uncanny agility.
In response, I wielded my high-tech staff, a weapon imbued with the power to generate electromagnetic fields and launch energy projectiles. The staff hummed with energy as I defended myself against the skunk's relentless attacks.
In the dense foliage of the Nightshade Forest, the skirmish with the gutter skunk escalated into a furious ballet of combat and evasion. My heart raced as I leaped, dodged, and wielded my high-tech staff with a fervor fueled by the need to overcome this formidable adversary.
The gutter skunk, its lavender-and-black form a blur of motion, fired relentless streams of incandescent plasma bursts. The forest echoed with the sizzling sound of energy projectiles narrowly missing their mark. I somersaulted through the air, agile and determined, dodging the deadly beams with a hair's breadth to spare.
With each leap and roll, I used the towering trees as both shields and weapons. Branches became my allies, deflecting the skunk's attacks as I swung from them like a futuristic acrobat. The very forest itself became my battleground, and I embraced its elements with a warrior's spirit.
My voice rose in a defiant battle cry as I engaged in this high-stakes duel. "You won't defeat me!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the forest as I launched a barrage of energy blasts toward the skunk, my aim true and unwavering.
The gutter skunk, displaying its own remarkable agility, continued to unleash energy nets crackling with blue electricity. Each net was a deadly trap, and I countered by flipping, rolling, and twirling to avoid their clutches. The dance of combat reached a crescendo, an intricate interplay of tactics and resilience.
In the middle of the intense battle, I felt the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of facing a worthy adversary. The gutter skunk, for all its cunning, found itself pushed to the brink as I relentlessly pressed my advantage.
But as the battle seemed to tip in my favor, the gutter skunk played its final card. It expelled a noxious, smelly chemical compound into the air, a foul odor that filled my senses and momentarily disrupted my focus.
In that brief moment of vulnerability, the gutter skunk seized the opportunity and managed to land a glancing blow with its plasma burst. Pain flared along my side, but I refused to succumb. With sheer determination, I channeled my energy into a final, powerful strike with my high-tech staff.
The gutter skunk let out a defeated cry, its hybrid form shimmering briefly before it vanished into the shadows of the Nightshade Forest. It seemed that this creature was only able to communicate by using its own name in the form of words and gestures. Victory was mine, but it came at a cost—a pungent, lingering odor that clung to me like a battle scar.
Breathing heavily and exhilarated by the intensity of the encounter, I collected myself. The echoes of the fierce battle still resonated in my mind as I turned and made my way home, a smelly reminder of an unexpected and thrilling confrontation in the heart of the enigmatic Nightshade Forest.
Gross, I thought. I needed to get rid of this putrid stench, and the only way I could do that was to take a bath and milk. Approaching the fountain, I quickly shoved aside the muffies that were trying to drink, and plunged myself into the middle of the fountain.
"girls, can you please check to see what that smell is? Smells like something died in the palace," came my mom's voice.
Teleporting to my room, I quickly changed my outfit, and summoned for a trash compactor drone. My outfit was done for. I guess now I knew how Riley felt when she had lost her favorite jacket to an animal. Stupid skunk, I said silently to myself. I'm never going to feel clean again, I thought regretfully. Using my magic, I healed myself, and went to go find my mom.
"hey, mom, you should totally go look for the new stable boy, you know, Randy, I saw him hanging out with Jakkol, and they were playing with plutonian stink bombs. Maybe that's where the smell came from, or perhaps the automatic waste cleaner for the Griffins is broken again? I mean, it's so hard to find quality help these days," I smiled at her sympathetically. "If you're busy, I could do it for you."
"Listen, sweetheart. I have a meeting with the teenage tech developer from IceCade Industries in an hour, but I made a Swiss cheese chocolate cheddar dragonberry pie to give to the Timecrest family as a way of mending our friendship. Would you mind running it over to unity?" She sighed, rubbing her temples as if she had a headache. "I will deal with your brother and his friend later on. I can use the extra time to organize my notes for the meeting, and greet your father when he comes home from his business trip. Thank you, sweetie. You're such a darling. I don't know what I would do without you and Riley. You're the best parts of my life, honestly."
Even though I wasn't one for hugs, I gave her one. She seemed like she needed it. Before leaving the palace with the pie, I refilled the fountain with fresh milk, and even gave the muffies some milkweed cookies as a special treat for disrupting their meal time earlier on.
Teleporting to Unity, I waved to Ash who was currently picking apples from a tree on the premises. This was now private property.
Heading towards the stairs, I found Luthor in his lab.
"I come baring gifts," I said, setting the pie on a table. Luthor was currently bent over a test tube with a clear liquid inside of it, and there was some kind of storage device on the table beside him. It looked like a cryogenic chamber, or a large ice cream freezer. There were also some light blue crystals nearby.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was Kurt, almost dismissive, rude, even.
"Listen, genius, I'm only here because my mom asked me to drop off a pie for your family. Apparently, she thinks that we should make amends, or something. As you know, Riley's birthday is coming up soon. You really should think of attending her party, but let me warn you now, if you hurt her, I will hurt you, and I promise I won't be gentle about it, either. What are you working on? These experiments sure do seem dangerous." I reached out to touch one of the displays on the table. The infinity pouch was truly modern and high-tech. Needless to say, this family was rolling in money, but they never flaunted their wealth. I guess I could respect them for that.
"Don't touch anything," he snapped, before making a generous attempt to soften his voice. "Listen, Annalise, if you must know, I'm working on some very special projects. I can't afford to be distracted. Ash doesn't even know I'm here. I lied that I was attending a summit for young entrepreneurs. I need to get this done."
"fine, whatever. You don't have to tell me anything," I picked up one of the vials from the table, and shook it fiercely. "If you don't, though, I could accidentally break something. Oops," I said, pretending to drop the container, "I have very clumsy fingers today. I guess my battle with the gutter skunk did a number on me." I laughed lightly.
"Hey, Princess, if you must know, something was stolen from me a few years ago, and now, I guess I'm trying to get it back, somehow. Even if I don't, this is a pretty good investment, either way," he said, roughly grabbing the container from me.
"Now we're getting somewhere," I said, placing my hands on my hips. "It must be terribly inconvenient to have your plants and schematics stolen away from you. I mean, I know you were the one who had the idea to implement technology that could allow us to change the shapes of our homes and business places. Now, that technology is in the kingdom, and you're not the owner of it. That must suck," I pouted.
I relished the flash of surprise in his eyes. I smirked, "come on, little scientist, you're not the only one around here who knows things. I have a pension for eavesdropping in places I shouldn't be, and it has served me quite well so far. I actually thought you were up here building a bomb, or some grenades. Planning to blow up the palace, maybe? After how my father treated your family, you can't possibly tell me that it hasn't crossed your mind, a few times? I wouldn't blame you, if you did. You can be honest with me. We're friends, and friends share secrets with each other. Don't worry, I know how to keep my mouth shut," I gave him my most innocent smile.
"I'm working on a memory deletion serum. It's complete, actually. I don't have any subjects to test it on, though," he dug his nails into his palms, wincing slightly at the pain. "Regardless of how I was treated in the palace, I have absolutely no intention, none, of hurting anyone. It makes me quite sad that you would think so little of me, Annalise. Your family, with the exception of your father, has been quite good to me, and Ash, even after our less than amicable separation."
"if you want my advice, which, you probably don't, but, it's free advice that I'm gonna give you anyway," I said, delicately crossing my legs, "if you're planning to erase the memory of the technology that we have available, thanks to your stolen ideas, then, don't. I'm sure you have other special projects that you could be working on. That's a waste of time. However, this memory deletion serum is a good idea. You should keep it. It will help to keep your mind occupied. I'm sure you'll find a use for it one day, and I'm not just saying this because I might need a favor from you in the future, regarding this product. Come on, I know you're not after the fortune or the fame, And you can't possibly think that you're the only one to ever have come up with the idea of interchangeable buildings, you simply didn't get the opportunity to capitalize and brand it with your name first."
Luthor sighed, "yes, I suppose that you're right. Still, this was a variable that was within my control. Regarding your special project, though, care to share any details? After all, we are friends, and friends share secrets with each other. Don't worry, I know how to keep my mouth shut." We shared a smile.
"Not yet, but, if I'm successful, you will have a test subject soon enough," I smiled smugly to myself. "If you help me, then, I'll help you. Anything you need, day or night, just call me. Don't worry, though. You'll know when it's time."
We tentatively shook hands. Now, I thought to myself, now, we were both partners in crime, and there was no coming back from the impending explosion that was going to rock the inhabitants of Alyncia.