Chapter 9 Jasper

Part 1

Poppy was upset, I could tell it from her eyes. And why shouldn't she be, I had insisted she buy me the best and unfortunately most expensive coffee beans in the shop, only to insult them. They were inferior to the red coffee beans I order in for my master, I was not lying, however I was tactless. I was too carried away with wanting to please her and achieved the opposite.

So why this desire to make her coffee worthy of my master. She is not Prince Guy; therefore, her tastes are bound to differ somewhat and how shall I put it, due to lack of experience may not be so discerning. Perhaps it is guilt. She took me in, a stranger she feared thinking I belonged to some crime gang. Whilst I mistrusted her, took her hospitality for granted and used her for her healing power. And yet would she have been so hospitable if she did not find me attractive, who can say…

While we were out shopping yesterday evening, I surreptitiously tested this places inhabitants. They, well at least the adults, don't recognise magic being used on them or even believe it's obvious effects. For example, in the seven eleven a young girl was admiring a white cat toy with a pink hair bow, so I made the toy wave at her. When she told her dad, he chuckled, ruffled her hair, and said she always had such an overactive imagination. I obviously had the toy blow raspberries at him, making the little girl collapse into giggles. Equally obviously, I made sure to keep my antics out of Poppy's line of vision. I'm not ready to test her properly yet.

Part 2

Also, in the seven eleven I changed the colour of the assistant hair from black to blond, to dip dyed pink, to highlighted blue. One of the customers even complimented her on her new style. The assistant looked confused, checked her phone, said, "Oh yes, I'd completely forgot I had that done, thank you for your kind words." She obviously liked it, so I did not change it back, my spell will fade with time after all.

Poppy has extraordinarily beautiful hair, long black waves, threaded with purple, it draws the eye and not just mine. The little girl liked it too, and asked her dad if she could have hair just like it. He said, 'no'. However, I was in benevolent uncle mood, so I added purple lo and high lights into her perfectly straight black hair; which had its own charm, so I didn't wave it. Her dad failed to notice the change. It would have been interesting to listen in on the domestic discussion when they arrived home…

I do wonder if Poppy will be equally determined not to see anything out of the ordinary, certainly she has made no comment about the aura that surrounds me every time we touch. Also, she has been kind enough to repeatedly show me how to work her gadgets, even though she suspects my amnesia is a lie. I would love to know what is going on in her head, regarding me.

Smiling internally at myself, I acknowledge that she is not the only one. I too refused to believe the obvious. Even looking out of her window I tried to cling on to the hope that I was still in Saligia.

Part 3

However, it is no longer deniable, with the strange houses, carriages, writing system, quantity of mundanes and the habitants' attachments to their mobile phones amongst other things, I am obviously on earth. This place is similar to how Miss Sophia described it, although she must live in a different area as it sounded wilder, having mountains and forests rather than all the houses they have here, and the pace of life sounded more relaxed; everyone living nearby seems in a constant hurry.

The question is, how did I get here. I can only assume my blood pouring over the altar, activated it somehow. Perhaps too, Miss Sophia's footwear, having originated on earth acted as a bridge between Saligia and here. Having evaluated the area and mapped it on to the consorts positioning in the cave when I was struck, it looks like only I made the journey. Still, in case Poppy was mistaken and they did arrive with me, I need to avoid all flesh-on-flesh contact with her in public, just in case.

I also need to work out how to get back to my master. It will take a lot of power, that is for sure. For one, the alter was humming with magic, and secondly the headmaster inferred that Miss Sophia only made the journey because she had unlimited power at her disposal. Still from what Miss Sophia said, she had no more intention of travelling to Saligia than I had of travelling to earth and according to her, neither had Miss Rei. They both saw a full red moon before retiring to bed, fell asleep, and arrived in Saligia thinking that they were dreaming. Curiously, Miss Sophia also mentioned the same thing happened to a Miss Helena.

Part 4

Not remembering a Miss Helena, I asked who she was. Miss Sophia said that Miss Helena used to be Fenn's paramour before she vanished and that she was always making delicious desserts for her friends. Miss Sophia had crossed her arms and frowned at me, hardly seeming to believe that I would have forgotten someone who had been so important to her.

I did not like to say at the time; however, I have no recollection of Prince Fenn ever having a paramour. I even asked him, about Miss Helena when we were drinking together one evening. He laughed and said he couldn't be expected to remember the names of all his sleeping partners, or treasures as he calls them. However, he would remember having a paramour. He then sunk into himself a little and after a few more drinks became quite morose. The man is a romantic at heart and must, as I do if I am being honest, feel jealous of my master's relationship with Miss Sophia. How lovely to find one's soulmate. Not that I am in a position to do so, I live only to serve my master.

Assuming that there was a Miss Helena, and that perhaps she and Miss Sophia thought there was more to her relationship with Fenn that he did. Travelling back and forward between earth and Saligia is possible. I imagine that I will need to caste a conveyance spell at a full moon. Considering that both Miss Sophia and Miss Rei arrived during that particular celestial alignment, I doubt it was a coincidence. I will need to syphon off as much magic from Poppy as I can before the month is over. Hopefully I can quickly become one of her 'friends'…

Part 5

In the meantime, I need paid employment. Until Poppy's rant, I had not given a second thought to what I may be costing her. Now I look around her apartment, with a discerning eye. After she had gone to bed last night, I had an extensive browse on her tablet and have now seen enough of this world to realize her apartment is as basic as her salary. There are other things I notice… Before I start my job search, there is a considerable amount of cleaning and tidying to do.

As I'm wiping down the surfaces in the kitchen, her cat winds his way around my legs. I rub him under the chin. "Has that mistress of yours forgotten your breakfast? She did seem somewhat distracted this morning."

He gives a plaintive, "Nyan."

"So, what do you want to eat? I'm not sure there is anything edible left…" I remember the bolognaise I threw in the bin when Poppy wasn't looking. Perhaps her cat has equally unrefined tastes. It is no longer there. Surely she did not take it to eat?

Her cat is pawing at a cupboard. "Nyan nyan." Inside are some tins with pictures of cats on them. He paws at a specific tin and gazes at me expectantly. I look around her kitchen for a tool to puncture it with. Not finding any particularly apt looking instrument, I settle on cutting the lid off with one of her knives. As I do, the smell hits me and I feel like gagging. Still, her cat seems happy….

Having ventilated the kitchen and left her rooms spotless, I use Poppy's tablet to highlight some possible avenues for employment. Sadly, many of the jobs advertised do not seem suited to my abilities, or indeed my knowledge. As Poppy rightly surmised, I do not have an electronics degree, although the field interests me now, nor many of the other degrees listed as essential. However, one vacancy in particular seems perfect. I send of my application.

Chapter 10

Part 1

Poppy does not arrive home until late in the evening. Her feet seem to drag as she walks, and her face is expressionless. She drops a paper bag onto her table. "I had to phone the police. They may be calling around, so be warned. This is Curry and shrimp tempura, from a proper restaurant. Eat it or put it in the fridge and I'll have it for lunch tomorrow."

"Whatever is the matter?"

She stares at me, and I cannot read her.

"Alright, dinner first." I take her arm, and she lets me guide her to the table. There is only the one packet of food in the paper bag. "Have you already eaten?"

"No, I'm not hungry." Even on our limited acquaintance I know this is very unlike her and she seems to have built a wall between us; I have no idea why. I look up the word police on her tablet.

"Did something happen at work, or did the police worry you?"

"Japanese police have a 99.9 percent conviction rate. Yes, that scared me, and it should scare you too. But, I don't want to talk about it."

I have no idea why having such an effective police force should be a cause for concern; however, I acquiesce to her wish.

I open up the packet, it looks rather pretty with the large, battered prawns on the rice in one half and what I presume is the curry in the other. "You should eat something. We can share." I pick up one of the prawns dunk it in the sauce had hold it out to her. She narrows her eyes at me. I heat it with magic until the aroma begins to flow off it and waft it under her nose, then place it in her hand.

By the second mouthful she is distracted from her sorrows. "Mmm, this is so delicious."

I laugh to myself and take a bite. Fortunately, I don't have to lie to say. "Actually, I agree." A joyful smile bursts onto her lips, and I feel that we are once more connected as friends, then the light goes out of her eyes. Surely this is not about the bolognaise! Once we have finished eating, I pass her a cup of roasted green tea. "Are you ready to talk."

Part 2

Poppy sighs. "I had a friend at work." She looks at me with her 'I think you are lying face'. "They were English like me. Now they have vanished, no goodbye nothing. It makes me feel..."

This could be just what I needed. I grin at her. "I am more than ready to take on the role of your new 'friend.'"

Poppy rolls her eyes at me. "Is that your initial take! She wasn't that kind of friend. Really, Jasper do you ever quit?"

I give her a wink that has charmed many people out of all of their garments. "Not when I think my perseverance will be rewarded."

She turns sulky. "But why do you want to anyway? No, don't answer that."

"Because someone needs to make sure you eat properly."

Her lips twitch and a soft expression momentarily appears on her face before she squashes it. She cuddles her drink between her hands as we sit facing each other in silence. More is expected from me by way of an explanation, it seems. I decide to flatter her. "And because you are pretty." As I say it, I realise I am making a mistake, that it will no doubt rile rather than mollify her.

Instead of anger, she lowers her eyes and sighs sadly. "Save it for someone more naïve."

I'm shocked. "Don't you think you are pretty."

"Quite the contrary, I find myself beautiful in a non-lusting after myself kind of way."

I choke on my drink and try to get my attention back on her in the now, rather than the memory of her showering.

"However, I recognise that different people have different tastes. If you thought me pretty you wouldn't have been so reluctant to be seen holding my hand in public."

Letting the polite smile drop from my mouth, I say. "And you cannot think of any other reason for that."

She pales. "You didn't want your attackers thinking that I was a good way of getting at you."

I nod.

"And yet you are happy to be seen in public with me. Are happy to be seen entering my apartment. If they wanted an easy target, I would already be it. Goodnight Jasper."

She grabs her bedding from the sofa, carts it into her bathroom and locks the door.

Part 3

Believing that Poppy will not be any more kindly disposed to me in the morning if I have urinated in her kitchen sink, I decide to leave her apartment and turn my charm on one of her neighbours. I knock on a few doors until a woman wearing loose cotton trousers and a wrap-around flowery top, yukata I believe it is called, with soft white hair, answers. She smiles at me, "Can I help you?"

I bow deeply, give my name and explain about Poppy locking herself in the bathroom. A cat that looks identical to Poppy's walks over to me and rubs their cheek against my trousers. I bend down to stroke them, and they purr.

"Poppy asked me to take care of him while she was looking after a guest. In her one-bedroom flat!"

"I can assure you that nothing untoward..."

The woman laughs. "Through her choice or yours?" Years have made her too shrewd it seems.

"Hers," I confess, "however I will be returning to Canada soon and I cannot take her with me..."

It would upset the balance of power, and I serve Prince Guy, I have no time for another. Although why I have to constantly remind myself of this, and worse feel melancholy at the thought of leaving her so soon, is somewhat disturbing. I correct my thinking; I've only known Poppy for a couple of days… I merely need her power to return to my duties.

The woman chuckles. "Young love, always so intense, so impatient, so fleeting. You have made my day. I'm Tanaka Yuki. You may come in."

Having relieved myself. I thank her, bow, and make for the door.

"Ooh, Such lovely manners. Please whenever you've annoyed your English girlfriend, my bathroom is always at your disposal." She chuckles again. "If I were you though, I would knock on that bathroom door and make peace with her. And if she doesn't realise that you will be returning to Canada alone, you should tell her before I do. I will not have her hurt."

Part 4

I approach the bathroom and hear quiet sobbing. I have opened the door and flown Poppy into my arms before the thinking part of my brain starts to function. She wriggles so that she can hide her face against me.

"Please tell me," her voice is barely a whisper, "that you don't have a nefarious reason for staying with me, that our meeting was a total coincidence."

She must feel me jolt as she starts to cry again.

I hold her tighter. She manages to pull herself back together. "What is going on? You owe me the truth."

I doubt my saying, "I wish to drain your magic, so I can return home," would go down well. "How about you tell me what you fear and I'll tell you if you're right."

"OK, I thought you were badly injured but the following morning when you were in the shower it was obvious that there wasn't a scratch on you. So fake gore. It was a set up, you wanted me in particular to find you and take you in. I don't know why; however, it's got something to do with my friend going missing from a locked and chained room."

"The gore was not fake, I just bleed a lot." She doesn't believe my half-truth, and why would she when it sounds so dubious. I can only hope she will believe me when I tell her, "I can assure you that I had nothing to do with your friend's disappearance. That was a coincidence." She at least appears to be willing to hear me out. "As to why you found me, that was serendipity, fate. We are meant for each other you know." I feel a tinge of guilt, she has been nothing but kind to me and all I'm doing is trying to seduce her for her magic. But what other option do I have?

"You lie all the time Jasper."

"Not all and you seem to know when I do. A small crease appears above your nose. I must have a tell that you only notice subconsciously, perhaps picking up on the fact that I don't wish to lie to you."

She smiles, it warms me up and makes me feel like a man who deserves to bask in such a glow.

Part 5

However, that is not true, I don't. I lower Poppy to her feet.

"So, you have nothing to do with Flower vanishing." She is watching me intently. Fortuitously I am innocent in that regard at least and nod.

"However, there is a reason that you are staying with me in particular and haven't returned home yet, that has nothing to do with enjoying my company… Do you wish me, or anyone I care about, ill in anyway?"

"No, of course I don't." She is like an everlasting battery; I won't harm her by utilising the power that she constantly leaks. "I am fond of you, Poppy." As I say it, I realise it is true. She has qualities that I admire. She is either clever, kind, honest and incredibly loyal or at least more than my match in cunning and deceit. That I'd like her either way is intriguing, there must be something else about her that draws me. Although, there is little point in pondering as to what that is.

She like me has lapsed into thought, then she gives me a half smile. "You don't even know me. Nor I you, although I feel like I've known you for years. We should be wary of each other." Her smile increases and she edges towards cunning. "Cook for me during the week and you can stay as long as you like." The smile vanishes entirely. "However, I have no intention of having sex with you, and I kinda get the feeling that sharing my bed is part of your plan, so you will have to rethink it."

Rethink a way to have access to that amount of magic, within such a short timescale. I am not sure that is possible, but for her I will try.