Chapter 13 Jasper

Part 1

The look Poppy gave me was unimpressed frost, she then rather ruined that by having another peek at me before she walked out of the bathroom. Not only does she fancy me, but she is fond of me too; otherwise she wouldn't have taken me out on such a thoughtful date nor already hung the painting I made for her in her bedroom. Our styles are so different and yet so were the words I'd chosen. My painting was of her, soft yet elegant flowing curves and grace whilst the painting she did for me has that cute stubby quality of a cicada. I will take it with me because she will be hurt if I leave it behind…

If only I had a few months to play with, rather than three weeks, she would succumb to me, I'm sure. Finding another way, as Poppy requested, is not going well. My first idea, holding her hand whilst she slept, was a massive failure. It was boring, and both times I feel asleep before I had managed to store a decent amount of her magic. Worse I was still in contact with her and that slow drain on her power exhausted her to the point, where I was terrified, I had all but put her in a coma.

Another way, hmm… Sophia's footwear had Vane's 'light'. If only I had had the forethought to have asked her and Miss Rei where exactly they had lived on earth. With my new friend google maps and Poppy's plastic money card it would have been easy to go and collect the belongings they left behind.

Legend says that having created Saligia, Vane stayed on earth. Therefore, it makes sense that earth will also have objects that have her 'light'. I need my pin. I hope Poppy didn't bin my clothes…

Part 2

I finally find my old clothes folded at the bottom of Poppy's wardrobe. She's tried to wash the blood out, then given up. They were ruined anyway, however hopefully they will act as a bridge back to Saligia in the way that I believe Miss Sophia's shoes acted as a bridge to earth, and luckily my pin is still safe in my trouser pocket.

It glows as soon as I touch it. I move it around Poppy's room, take it out into the corridor, up the stairs to the top of the building, and onto the roof where Poppy claims not to have been, as she hates heights. Yet the pin glows consistently. I place it on the ground and the light vanishes. Do I contain Vane's light? I was at death's door, if not already beyond it when she found me. I hurry back to her bathroom and using both her face and wall mirror try to get a good look at my back. My master's brand is now outlined in gold.

I'm not sure what to make of that or how much power this gives me in regard to returning home. I get her rubber gloves and hold the pin again. Nothing. Methodically I go around her apartment cataloguing the things that do and don't light up the pin. Her teddy does, as do her bunny slippers and her fluffy cow doorstop. So too does her orchid, her half worn away wooden spoon, and one of her kitchen knives, but not the others. However, the thing that glows the brightest is my hanging scroll.

I think back to handing over Miss Sophia's shoes. I am not prepared to sacrifice my memento, and I think Poppy will be exceedingly angry if her favourite things disappear. The best option is to search out some antique shops. Surely the older an item is, the more chance it has of having been used by Vane…

A vibrating sound interrupts my thoughts. There is a message on the old phone Poppy gave me. It seems my job application was a success.

Part 3

Having memorised the route I need to take, I make my way to my interview, descend steps into an entranceway, elegantly decorated with potted plants, and knock on the door. A man dressed in a tailcoat suit ushers me inside. The décor is luxurious, and I find myself led through a room full of tables set into fancy alcoves.

My interviewer, already impressed by Poppy's work credentials and the degree certificate I magically copied from the one I found in Poppy's draw, is even more so by the way I stand, walk, bow and pour a glass of wine. He hires me on the spot and as I have nothing planned for the rest of the day, he suggests I shadow one of the other staff.

There is a knock at the door, my mentor opens it to two giggling women and gives a low elegant bow to the one with pink hair. "Welcome home, my lady." He then turns to the other woman. "My name is Nobuo, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am a butler in this house and my colleague here is a footman."

I bow to them both. "My name is Jasper; I am at your service. Please follow me." I lead the couple to one of the alcoves, bow again and pass over the menu. "If you need any help, or have any questions, please ring this bell to call us." I bow again and leave.

Nobuo, says that the women obviously like my looks and I should subtly play up to that. I double check what kind of work is entailed, as I'd seen some other jobs advertised that would suite my talents but not Poppy's sensibilities. He assures me that no physical contact is required, the allure is based entirely on a woven fantasy of unrequited admiration.

Having elegantly pour their wine, I hold pink hair's gaze for a second too long. "Will that be all?"

She blushes and nods.

This job is a cinch, I think to myself as meal over I help the two friends on with their coats and say, "Please come back soon, take care."

Part 4

It had been my hope that I could present Poppy with some money and tell her about my having secured employment. That is not how earth operates though. I need a bank account. However, I will not be paid until the month is out and by then I will be gone. I have a chat with an AI and decide that it is best to turn Poppy's account into a joint one. Then she will receive the money and hopefully be compensated for looking after me.

While taking a short break in a coffee bar, I think back over my time at the bank. I totally understand now why Vane separated of Saligia from earth. It is way too easy to enchant mundanes into doing whatsoever you wish. Handy for me though. And surely, Vane will have left something in this world to help a lost thaumaturge return home. Having separated of Saligia, I doubt she would want someone with that power abandoned here with nothing to do except satisfy their whims by using magic on earth's inhabitants.

I scroll through the list I made of local antique shops on my mobile. Oddly a lot of the shops I've been in so far didn't sell anything truly antiquated. For example, one shop's most ancient items were a Japanese paddle from 1980, a flowery plate and paper fan both from 1990 and a ceramic green tea bowl from 1970. Although I guess this does go with all the people here being in such a constant hurry, that 50 years to them is probably the equivalent of a thousand on Saligia.

While Poppy is eating dinner I tell her the good news. "I have secured employment in a café."

"Which café? And how, when you allegedly couldn't remember what a passport is or a residence card, let alone have access to yours….."

Part 5

Giving her an enigmatic smile, that suitably riles her, I tell her the name with a touch of pride. It is a prestigious establishment and I already feel at home with my colleagues. Her eyes flash with concern and she looks like she wants to ask a question, I give her the space to.

"That's a butler café? They claim to offer attentive and courteous service, however I've never been to one myself… erm nothing happens there, does it?"

Keeping my laughter very much internal I say, "My, my is that jealousy I hear. Am I to assume that by 'happens' you mean nothing untoward happens at the café?"

She blushes.

I wink at her, "Well obviously, I turn on the charm. The idea after all is that the customers will want to repeat the experience. That my sexual allure will entice them back to be waited upon again… Don't frown like that. You can have me anytime you like, you know…"

She folds her arms across her chest. "I am not the sort of woman who hires an escort for that, I don't care how attractive you are, how skilled, I refuse to pay you. Either with money or whatever it is that you really want. Stop smirking, has the adoration of all the women you've serviced, I mean served today gone to your head?"

I show her my 'way too pleased with myself smile', more Sirius really. I wonder what she would make of my alter ego… unfortunately he wouldn't fit into this land of manners and politeness, so I will never know. Still, I decide to have some fun with her. "Why would it bother you anyway?"

"Ok here is the thing, I know it sounds selfish and unreasonable, considering but I …" her gaze sinks to the floor.

Poppy is not a woman who is good at expressing her feelings, she's getting upset and it's my fault. I wrap my arms around her and interrupt. "Please forgive me, I'm teasing you. It would bother me if you were seeing someone else too."

Chapter 14

Part 1

With holding down three jobs, one as a fake butler, one as Poppy's real one and yet another as an antique hunter, I awake feeling shattered when Poppy rubs my shoulder and says, "I've made you coffee."

Still, years of practice allow me to keep a smile in place while my stomach sinks. I haul myself of the sofa and head towards our kitchen. She's made me breakfast too, and I'm actually impressed. "This looks beautiful just like the cooking programs, and it tastes amazing. But I thought you hated cooking"

She laughs shyly. "I like cooking, I'm just too tired after work to enjoy it. Although I was nervous at first, you are a daunting person to cook for. However, I remembered how much you enjoyed my marmalade and without a challenge where is the reward. Moreover cooking…"

I wink at her. "My thoughts exactly, and you are quite the challenge."

She frowns at me, however there is no real fierceness there, she is still so happy that I think her breakfast pretty. "So how long would it normally take you?"

"A couple of drinks."

Her mouth opens slightly in surprise. Perhaps I should explain about Sirius, that the women I spend time with as him are on the lookout for a fun evening because there isn't much else in their lives that isn't dull. Before I can formulate an explanation she's already recovered. "I had no idea red coffee was such a powerful aphrodisiac?"

I chuckle. She's so fun to flirt with now that I've backed off from the hard sell. I'm enjoying myself way too much. "It is when I make it. And I'm sorry I interrupted you, what were you going to say? Moreover cooking…"

She blushes. "That it is an expression of love… but I didn't mean that in a romantic way," she switches languages, "more agape than eros."

Part 2

I check the words on my tablet and smirk. "Come on, just confess it, you're totally besotted with me."

She taps me on the nose with her finger looking decidedly coquettish. "Hmm, besotted yes, how much with you though depends on how much of the real you you've shown me."

"You don't sound that bothered that you may love an illusion."

Sadness clouds her eyes, making me regret my words. "You are leaving soon, why shouldn't I enjoy the lie while I can."

Trying to reclaim the earlier mood I wink at her. "About that, you could enjoy the lie a lot more you know. The illusion is exceedingly talented in bed."

"I was thinking more in lines of another mystery outing."

Last Saturday had been a complete surprise. However, I have an idea of what her surprise is this time, which is confirmed as she leads me towards the train station. I've been studying this country and may have mentioned my fascination with bullet trains on several occasions. In real life it is even more sleek and impressive, an engineering marvel in aerodynamics based on a kingfisher's beak! I imagine that carriages in Saligia would benefit from such a design, less magic would be needed as the air would be causing less resistance. Who would have thought that there were things earth's inhabitants could teach us.

Once our amazingly fast ride is over, she takes me for a short walk to the Omono Riverside Ryokuchi athletic park. "Are we going to see a race too?"

"More a fierce competition between Japan's leading pyrotechnicians." She sounds super excited and I'm reminded once more how cute she is.

Part 3

There are exhibitions about how the fireworks we are about to see are produced and a myriad of stalls selling drinks, street food, local delicacies and regional specialities, I'm so spoilt for choice I hardly know where to start. Poppy notes my indecision and laughs light-heartedly at me. If only I could always make her this happy…

We find a good vantage spot and wait for the competition to begin, eating and chatting together as if we have been best friends since childhood. Then the air is filled with colourful smoke set against the fading sunlight, I'm amazed at the floral patterns made without the use of magic. Poppy is enchanted too. I wrap my arm around her and pull her close to myself. She doesn't resist, her thoughts dancing in the sky with the rockets.

The display switches into fireworks and I'm stunned. The synchronisation between the music and fireworks is incredible, the artistry, the creativity, I have never seen anything like it. The park is now completely packed and yet equally it's as if it's just Poppy and I here enjoying this moment together. I commit it all to memory, I'm determined to never forget this night. Nor how Poppy rests her head so familiarly and trustingly against me, as she closes her eyes on the bullet train home.

The following weekend she took me to a paper making experience, which was fun for me mainly because we were there together, and she was enjoying it. Although learning about the rich history of the art of making paper by hand was interesting. As too were using the traditional techniques ourselves, and creating a sheet of paper to take home.

Poppy wasn't to know it, however the weekend after that was our final day out together before the full moon and my departure. Perhaps if she had we wouldn't have been wandering around temples and being menaced by overly friendly deer. Although nothing could have topped our firework date anyway.

Part 4

"I made you a lunch box." She seems very excited about it.

"Can I look now?"

She nods. Inside is a flower meadow made out of vegetables. Sitting on top of it is a cicada, she has formed its body from coloured rice, giving it wings made out of nori, carrot legs and cucumber antennae.

I lower my lips to her ear and make a chirruping sound.

She giggles and turns to look at me, her face delighted. I kiss her. I instantly regret it, however her smile turns into sunshine and I bask in the glow. I'm still basking as she shuts the door on the way to work. I catch a glimpse of my goofy smile in her mirror. What is wrong with me? It is lucky I am leaving tonight, or I believe my heart would be in danger.

Come evening, I prepare Poppy's dinner and wait. I check my mobile, usually she is back by now. Should I message her? That's what a normal mundane would do, right. I give her half an hour because I don't want to appear a worrywart. "When do you expect to be back?"

"Sorry, had a bit of a delay. I won't be home for about 45 mins"

While I wait, I bath her cat, much to his consternation, and sit on the sofa with him on my lap, rubbing his neck to make amends, while we watch 'Jiro dreams of sushi.'

Poppy comes in, taking her shoes off but not her jacket. "Prince seems to like you."

"That's because I'm extraordinarily good at petting." I wink at her. "Jealous?"

She blushes at the wink rather than my words and collapses into the chair opposite me with an exhausted sigh. "Yes, I am a bit. If I were a witch, I'd totally switch bodies with Prince. He could go to work. While I'd curl up on your lap. It was relaxing, you know, when you were stroking my hair." Her voice sounds wistful.

"Is there something amiss?

Part 5

She bursts into tears, and I've placed Master Prince on the floor and pulled her into my lap instead, having flown her across the room using magic. She doesn't seem to notice though, just nestles her head against my shoulder and wraps her arms around me. Even when she's ceased crying, she still clings to me as I hold her tight. Is it warped of me to be enjoying this.

Eventually she raises her head a little. "I'm so sorry, Jasper. I've just had such horrible day."

I smile to myself. I wonder what constitutes a horrible day for Poppy. She's told me she works in a bookshop. Which ticked good customer service for me at the interview. I've never worked in one myself, however I have browsed through all that Colde has to offer and they have all struck me as safe, structured, somewhat uneventful places to work. Ohh….

"Did you sense that I was going to say goodbye tonight, perhaps?"

She pales, her expression resignedly sad. "So soon. No, I didn't realise. However, I will pray that wherever you are going you will be happy… because you where right… I love you."

Finally. Everything she does screams that fact to me. And yet I have still been so desperate to hear it from her lips. Is she saying it because I will be gone by the morning? Has she changed her mind about us parting having never known each other fully? I kiss her.

Poppy responds urgently. I should have lied and told her I was leaving two weeks back. I deepen our kiss; her head lulls back. I hold he up, but her tongue is unmoving her arms fallen away from me. My hand supporting her back feels oddly damp, it's covered in blood, her blood. I shout her name, there is no response. I cradle her limp form against myself and run to Yuki.