A Strange and Adorable Encounter

Luciela blinked a few times, stunned by the appearance of the small creature. “Umm, who are you supposed to be exactly?” Luciela questioned the tiny ghost, who had been silent for almost half a minute now, barely moving a muscle.

However, at Luciela’s question, this small creature’s eyes suddenly lit up, seemingly shaking with excitement, and began to roll out a barrage of questions that seemed to have been quietly bubbling inside him.

“Ohh wow! You’re Luciela right? I love that name! It’s super duper suntastic! What’s your favourite color? Favourite ghostly smoothie? When do you start Scare Heights Academy? And oh, do you like animals? I love them! And also-” The little creature went on and on before Luciela covered his mouth reflexively, yet the ghost still tried to continue speaking regardless.

“And mough you fomgh tromph-” The ghost chattered, but Luciela cut him off, exasperatedly saying “Pl-Please talk more slowly! It’s hard to keep up when you keep chatting so fast, and I’d like to know who you are before I tell you anything about myself!”

The ghost finally grew silent, looking like he was in deep thought, considering Luciela’s words. Then he nodded his head and cleared his throat, finally saying, “S-Sorry! It’s just the first time I get to have a mission of my own and I’ve been really excited to meet you! I’m Bubble, a Scare-Carrier Level 1! I’m here to deliver an important letter to you from Ms. R, the one who sent for you to come into this world!” Bubble gave his brief explanation before gently handing the letter over to Luciela with a sincere smile on his face. Luciela raised an eyebrow at his words, not fully understanding what Bubble said.

“Umm Bubble, with all due respect, I need details, not a vague response and a letter from an anonymous per-I mean ghost! What is this place? And why am I here? I was attending an awards ceremony for actors and actresses back in Paris, France, but then suddenly I was brought here! Can’t I just go back? This isn’t where I’m supposed to be.” Luciela pleaded with Bubble, who was considerately listening to her every word, but had a blank look on his face the entire time.

He hesitated a bit, then answered her, “Umm, I’m not sure about awards or actors or anything like that. I was only sent to deliver this letter and say what I told you. But oh, not my name! I didn’t get instructed to do that, but I think it goes without saying that names are important to share on the first step to friendship! But yes, sorry I can’t help you more. I promised I would only share what information I did.” Bubble went from looking confused, to excited, to apologetic, all in the span of the ten seconds he spoke to Luciela.

Luciela however couldn’t simply accept being kept in the dark like this. She rubbed the top of her head in frustration while groaning, causing Bubble to get a bit surprised and look worried. “Umm, are you okay? You look like you’re in between getting sick and being constipated. I’ve seen my older sister like that, and let me tell you, she did NOT look great at the time, kind of like you right now!”

That earned him a glare from Luciela, who could not for the life of her understand why this creature could not seem to filter his words and seemed to simply say whatever came to his mind.

“Bubble, you’re supposed to think through your words before you say them you know? Otherwise you could unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings.” Luciela explained with a forced smile on her face. Bubble let out a dramatic gasp, frantically flying all over the place with his hands on his face before zooming up to right in front of Luciela’s face while frantically saying,

“O-Oh no! I’m so so sorry! I can’t help it, sometimes I just really really want to talk to someone and get too worked up and say whatever I’m thinking, my sister told me it’s a bad habit and I’m trying to be more considerate with my words! Are you mad at me? You’re not mad are you?” Bubble asked sadly, his head slightly drooping at the idea. “I wouldn’t want my friend to be upset with me, that wouldn’t be suntastic at all.”

Luciela looked at him, bewildered, the first thought coming to her head, ‘We’re not exactly friends when we’ve just met a few minutes ago, are we?’ but seeing the exaggerated reaction of the little ghost, Luciela didn’t have the heart to voice her thoughts to Bubble. Instead, she let out a sigh and reassured him, “I’m not mad at you, okay Bubble? But reasonably I am frustrated. You can’t just magically kidnap people to random places without their consent can you?” Bubble looked completely relieved, rapidly nodding his head in response to Luciela’s words.

‘At least he’s a good kid.’ Luciela smiled, a tired smile, but a smile all the same. She then continued, “Well, I know it’s not your fault at least, seeing as how you’re only here to deliver a message. I guess the next best step is to read this letter huh?” Luciela took the letter from Bubble, carefully opening it up. Thankfully, she was able to understand the language written in the letter. She mentally prepared herself, and then began to read;

Dear Luciela,

If you’re reading this letter, it means that the Scare-Carrier I hired has somehow managed to successfully deliver my message to you.

Luciela peered at Bubble, who was smiling innocently while watching Luciela for her reaction to the letter. ‘He clearly doesn’t know the exact words written here huh?’ Luciela realized, and she decided to keep it that way and spare the little ghost’s feelings.

She then continued to read.

Reasonably, I can understand you feeling lost or frustrated with suddenly being brought to the Soleil Kingdom. And you must have so many questions you want answered. While I can’t give you my identity right away, as I’m in hiding, what I can do is try to ease your tensions a little.

Firstly, you are not being kidnapped, rest assured. Abducting children from other worlds is not exactly a hobby of mine. But here you are, and not without reason. Truthfully, I was instructed to bring you here by those well acquainted with you, and for your own protection and convenience, I’ve enrolled you in Scare Heights Academy’s top course through my own connections.

In due time, I’ll come to meet you face to face. But I cannot do that until I can be assured that you are prepared for such a meeting. And thus, I ask of you this; pass Board Exam 1 in the top 25% of your class, and I will be able to reveal myself to you.

I’m sorry I cannot give more information, for it is better to not leave records of it, for anyone could simply take it for the wrong reasons. And thus, let go of this letter immediately once you finish reading.

I truly hope you stay in good health and enjoy yourself.

Until The Sun Rises and Falls,

Ms. R