Chapter 9

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. 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.

Also, in the seven eleven I changed the colour of the assistant's 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 didn't change it back, my spell will fade with time after all.

Part 2

Poppy has extraordinarily beautiful hair, 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 low 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 wryly at myself, I acknowledge that I too refused to believe the obvious. Even looking out of her window, I tried to cling on to the false hope that I was still in Saligia.

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.

Part 3

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

Not remembering a Miss Helena, I'd asked who she was. Miss Sophia had said that Miss Helena used to be Fenn's paramour before she vanished and that she was always making delicious desserts for her friends. She'd 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'd even asked him about Miss Helena when we were drinking together one evening. He'd 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'd then sunk into himself a little, and after a few more drinks he'd become quite morose. The man is a romantic at heart and must feel a tad jealous of both my master's relationship with Miss Sophia and Prince Toa's with Miss Rei. How lovely to find one's soulmate. Not that I am in a position to do so, I live only to serve my master…. I wonder how long I will be away for, hopefully no longer than a month? Enough time perhaps for Prince Rio to realise that Miss Houky wishes him to be more than her friend, or for another of the princes to win her affection. My money was riding on Prince Rio, they made such a sunny couple. Although I had been thinking of putting a side bet on Tino inviting her to go shopping with him one day.

Part 4

Assuming that there was a Miss Helena, and that perhaps she and Miss Sophia thought there was more to her relationship with Fenn than he did; travelling back and forth between Earth and Saligia is possible. I imagine that I will need to caste a conveyance spell during a full moon. Considering that Miss Sophia and her friends from Earth, 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. Which requires seducing her. I doubt it will be too difficult; she is obviously quite enamoured with my looks which is a good starting point…

In the meantime, I need paid employment. Until Poppy's rant, I had not given a second thought to what I might 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. Moreover, one of her pairs of trousers has some nasty gashes in the fabric, that is a mending job for another day though.

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 would you like? 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's vanished. 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….

Part 5

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 and decide to scout out the local area.

As I turn the corner towards the lift, a man chucks something at me. Instinctively I dodge and his items fall on the floor with a disturbing crack. He looks horrified. I imagine I must have surprised him, perhaps I should try to tread less quietly whilst on Earth. I hastily pick up his laptop and pass it over, politely saying that I'm please to meet him and give my name.

"Albert," he replies absentmindedly while turning over his laptop sadly. "Nakamura-san is going to kill me for sure this time."

I'm horrified and wish I knew a spell to mend it for him. Is he perhaps part of the crime gang Poppy mentioned? Is breaking their equipment considered so dishonourable it deserves death. I hastily try and make amends. "It was my fault; I will pay for the repairs." Or rather Poppy will have to.

Albert chuckles. "Don't worry buddy. She won't actually kill me, she'll just yell at me… a lot."

I pick up his dropped packet too, it has a strange picture on the cover. "What are these?"

He opens it and holds it out to me. "Fig rolls, would you like to try one."

After my social faux pas with Poppy, I accept his kind offer and manage to fool him into thinking that it tastes ok.

He then explains that it is his lunch, because he has a long walk to work and needs the energy. I smile, I have another plan to make it up to him, I shall find out his favourite food and cook him a meal….

"Do you like Anime?"

I have no idea what Anime is; however, I give an affirmative to be polite.

"You must come round to mine and watch some, sometime."

I thank him and we part ways.

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 our 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. 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 good."

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'. "She was English like me. Now she's 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! Friend wasn't a euphemism. Really, Jasper do you ever quit?"

I give her a wink that has charmed many people out 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."

She cuddles her drink between her hands as we sit facing each other in silence. I'm getting the vibe that she would like a reason despite telling me not to give one. "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.

"But that is not the reason you want to be with me like that. Is it?"

Still semi-distracted by how enchanting she'd looked, I cannot think of a response.

"You might be happy with fake intimacy, with sharing your body with people who know nothing about you and care less, but I'm not. I was trying to explain to you how I felt, because I stupidly thought you cared. More fool me. Goodnight Jasper." She grabs my bedding from the sofa, carts it into the 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 leave her apartment and knock on a few doors in the hope that I'll find Albert's flat, as he did invite me around, or at least my charm will work on one of her neighbours. Initially I don't get any responses and I'm feeling a little desperate when a woman with soft white hair, wearing loose cotton trousers and a wrap-around flowery top, 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 home 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 few 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."

I take of my shoes, and she shows me to her bathroom. 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 restroom 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 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 have nothing to do with Flower going missing, that I didn't endanger her in some way, that our meeting was a total coincidence."

She must feel me jolt at her last plea, as she tenses in turn. "What is going on? You owe me the truth."

I doubt my saying, 'I wish to drain your magic by being sexually intimate with you, so that 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 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 at my honeyed words, but what other option do I have?

"You lie all the time."

"Not all and you seem to know when I do. A small crease appears above your nose." I tap her gently. "Perhaps because I wish I didn't have to, which gives me a tell."

She smiles and makes me feel like a man who deserves to delight in such warmth.

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." 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. If the latter, I should expect a police visit soon….

She like me has lapsed into thought, then she gives me a half smile. "You don't even know me." 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 kissing you, let alone engaging in anything more intimate, and I kinda get the feeling that sharing my bed is part of your master 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, however, I am loathe to pursue the obvious alternative to seducing her.