Chapter 3
The first day
Acorn felt something was off the minute he woke up. The bed was too warm and he was being smooshed. He shoved Aster off of him, his hands feeling numb. He sat up. He slowly remembered the day before.
"Ugh, why did I do this?" He asked.
"I'm sleepy." Aster mumbled. "Wanna sleep."
"We're in the human world, remember? To find Puck." He reminded her.
"Huh? Oh, right." She turned over. "Nighty night, Acorn."
He shook his head and sighed. He guessed it would be alright to lie in bed for awhile. It was still dawn. Acorn yawned, snuggling deeper into the pillow. He was still tired from yesterday. Aster ended up right back next to him. He fell back asleep soon after.
"Acorn, wake up. My braid came undone." Aster shook him.
"What time is it?" He rubbed his eyes.
"The chefs are making breakfast so it must be about time to eat." Aster said, sitting down in front of him.
"How does Puck stay transformed all the time?" Acorn asked.
"I dunno." She shrugged.
Aster's hair was quite long. There was no way she would get it done in time all on her own. She handed Acorn a brush. It was made of wood and horse hair. He brushed her hair in long slow strokes then separated it into three strands. He slowly made it into a French braid, tying it off with a piece of grass. They got dressed and washed up. It was 7 now.
Turning human, they walked into the lobby. Off to side there was a buffet table. Aaron picked up a plate and grabbed a few berries and fruit. Willow reached across him, eyeing the main course of eggs and waffles. He shook his head then continued to take some more fruit before moving on to waffles. They sat and ate. After eating breakfast, they walked outside.
Willow turned to him. "Ok, we'll go to the bank and then to the Empire State Building."
"What about the police station?" Aaron asked.
"Uh, after the bank." She nodded.
Willow waved down a taxi and driver to take them to the international bank. The views didn't catch Aaron's attention despite Willow's attempts to point things out. They arrived at the bank. It was modern and clean. It took a minute before they got to a window.
"Hello, what can I do for you?" The teller asked.
"I'm Aaron Barlow. I'd like to deposit this check." Aaron dug through his bag.
"Driver's license and bank card as well." They prompted.
Willow realized getting money was harder than she thought. She concentrated on faking information. Aaron helped her. For a brief moment, a check and a scrap of cloth was in his hand before turning into two small plastic cards. The teller was too busy with the computer.
"Ok, Mr. Barlow. It seems my computer is working again. Let's see… Ah, here you are. You may take your cards back." They said, running the check through a machine.
"Can you take 200 dollars out?" He asked.
"Certainly. Just one moment." They typed something. "Would you like an envelope?"
"Yeah." Aaron nodded.
They reached under the counter, got it out, then opening the cash drawer. "Is 20s alright?"
"Uh…" Aaron looked at Willow.
"We'll need some smaller denominations, tens and fives." She told him.
"Does half in 20s sound ok?" They asked.
"That's fine." She said.
The teller sorted the money, showing it to Aaron before putting it in the envelope. He put in his bag. They said goodbye then got another taxi. The drive to the police station was a little longer. Willow opened the door and they walked in. The person at the front directed to a free officer. They squeezed past the busy people. The man noticed them as they sat.
"Hello, I'm Officer Morgan. How can I help you?" He said.
"We're looking for our cousin. He changed his name. We know he lives in Manhattan though." Willow pulled out the drawing.
"That's Owen Burnett." He said in confusion.
"And?" Willow prompted.
"Are you sure he's your cousin?" Officer Morgan asked.
"Yes." She nodded.
"He lives in the Eyrie Building." He typed something on his computer.
"Is that all you know?" Aaron asked, disappointed.
"Uh, yeah." Officer Morgan without thinking.
"Ok, farewell!" Willow waved as they left.
Walking to a small park, they sat down on a old bench. The sun was getting high in the sky. Pigeons were walking toward the pair, looking for food. Willow cooed at them. The birds didn't seem care and kept waiting. Aaron fiddled his backpack strap. They weren't getting any closer to figuring out where Puck was. Letting Aster indulge in her curiosity was taking a lot longer than he thought. But the alternative was was her sad pouty eyes and possibly a fierce tongue lashing.
"Is it lunchtime yet?" Aaron asked.
"We can have early lunch." She nodded.
"All I've seen is hotdogs and pizza." He blanched.
"We'll find something for your sensitive tummy." Willow teased.
"They're too greasy." He snipped back.
His souring mood would bring attention to them. Animals would get upset and the plants lash out. Willow had to intervene. She was also getting hungry from the lack of dinner last night.
"Shush. Let me think." She hummed. "Bagel?"
"I suppose it'll do." He got up.
The search for a bagel shop begun. An excellent bagel shop. Asking some passersby gave several answers. Willow made the decision to just start heading toward one. They scoured the block and found a long line. She wasn't above shoving her way ahead, but it'd be more noticeable since she was bigger now. They waited. She noticed a shorter line and pushed Aaron in that one. It turned out that was the bagel and cream cheese line. He ordered one plain and one everything with the cream cheese on the side. Willow got them two sandwiches and a side of potato knishes.
"Let's go eat somewhere else." Aaron told her.
"Ok." She agreed.
Willow and Aaron went back to the little park they found, claiming a table. They cleaned it with magic. Willow took the turkey club and Aaron got the lox. It was silent as they ate. Aaron burped. Willow giggled. The last two bagels were put in Aaron's bag for a snack.
"Let's play." He smiled.
Willow wasn't going to say no when he finally was having some fun. "Let's race to the tree!"
A bright flash of light overtook them and the two pixies flew to the nearest tree. Childlike laughter filled the air. They tumbled over each other to try to touch the trunk first. A small argument over who won fizzled out. A few squirrels climbed down to see what the fuss was about.
"Hello there. Did we wake you?" Acorn asked.
The squirrel chittered. Aster petted one of the babies.
"We'll be quiet." She told them. The squirrels climbed back to their nest.
Acorn made a rope swing out of grass and tied it to a branch. Aster took her turn then Acorn his. After swinging for awhile, they played tag. Zipping to and fro, the pixies wore themselves out. Aster wanted to laze in the sun next. They landed in a sunny patch and lost track of time.
A horn blared and jolted them awake. Acorn yawned. Aster sat up. She was slightly disheveled, dress dusty. Her stomach rumbled. Acorn got a paper bag out. They ate their last bagels and cream cheese. She went through her bag and pulled out a watch.
"Uh oh, we gotta go. The Empire State Building's gonna close soon." She turned human.
"Ok." Acorn stood up.
One last taxi took them to their final stop. The Empire State Building was crowded as it was the last tour of the day. Aaron bought the tickets and they waited to go up. The elevator was jammed packed. It was a long ride. Aaron took a big breath once they were able to get out. The sunset make the buildings look imposing. They made their way from left to right. Just before Aaron gave up, he saw the tall building that stood above the rest.
"I found it!" He cried.
"Where?!" Willow shoved her face against the glass.
"There." Aaron pointed.
She dug through her bag and got out a compass. "North...east."
"Good. Let's get back." He grinned.
They went back to the elevator. As they waited, a large group including a family with a baby joined them. The door opened. People pushed in. Willow tried to step on and it buzzed loudly.
"You'll need to take the next one down." A staff member told her.
"Willow!" Aaron was stuck between an adult and the stroller.
"Wait for me in the lobby." She said.
The door closed. It took ten minutes for the next one to arrive. As she got on, she hummed to herself. The elevator opened again and she stepped out.
"Aaron?" Willow called.
No answer.
"Acorn?" She frowned worriedly.
She didn't see him on first glance. Maybe he was just hidden. The lobby was quite grand with lots of art to look at. She pushed past tourists and office workers looking for her friend, ending up near the front desk.
"Do you need something? The lobby will close for the public soon." The secretary asked.
"I'm looking for my friend. His name is Aaron Barlow. This tall, brown hair, green eyes." She described.
"I'm afraid there were several men who looked similar to your friend. I can make an announcement if you like." The secretary looked at her.
"Yes." Willow nodded.
The announcement was made, but after 15 minutes he didn't show up.
"Perhaps he stepped outside." She offered.
"I should go find him." Willow walked out the door.