Smiles and a Warning

Chatter and smiles can be seen with the group, all under the spell Lila and Haruto used for group communication earlier. Lila holds Haruto steady while discussing her studies through her thoughts for all to hear..

“I’m not kidding when the teachers are surprised every time me and Haruto cast a spell. I think they might be planning me to conjure more advanced spells. That won’t be a problem with Haruto at my side.” Lila tells everyone.

“You two are lucky you haven’t been caught yet. Say, has any of the teachers wondered about Stickman’s eyes?” Taro asks.

Lila nods back.

“Only some. I just tell them I carved them for encouragement and they just look at me weird.”

“Weird or not, you two are lucky to have each other.” Mia happily says.

“I’m lucky to be here at all in this world. I’ve seen so much that can astound anyone from my world.” Haruto’s comment can be heard verberating in his friend's eardrums.

“Say Haruto, is there anything that is similar to our world’s magic?” Taro wonders.

“Unfortunately no, my world is just boring. Besides some technology and machinery, nothing comes close to magic.”

“What type of machines do you even have in your world? Here, it’s mainly common stuff like water dispensers for farming or thousand threaded weavers made by the tailors.” Mia asks.

Haruto thinks for a quick second.

“Well, we do have something for farming called a tractor. Think of it like a rolling metal carriage that is controlled by one person and helps flatten plants to be used for food.”

The entire group looks confused with what Haruto has described.

“Um, I’m trying to imagine it and it shouldn’t make sense. If not magic, what powers it?” Taro intriguingly questions.

“Electricity. The thing is, it’s really complex as tiny components that control the electricity and where it goes are used. We have something called gasoline that helps it run too”

Taro’s face becomes baffled with the added comment.

“Okay, you’re right Stickman. I don’t even know how your world can function without magic. My head hurts just trying to make sense of how the tractor works.”

“Same here Taro. Let’s be lucky Haruto has seen stuff no one else in his world has seen. What’s your favorite spell so far?” Mia says to Haruto.

“That’s tough. Lila has conjured up many that it can be any of them. I think it has to be the one she used to take out that guy who used despair on us.”

“Oh right, you showed him who's boss and saved my tail.” Taro smiles happily.

Mia inches closer next to Taro.

“If it wasn’t for you two saving Taro, I wouldn’t have met him. He certainly made my life better, making me know you two were very caring.”

Mia reaches into her right pocket and pulls out a seemingly long box that shouldn’t have fit. Haruto sees and is astounded by its length being nearly 2 feet long.

“What you got there Mia?” Haruto curiously asks.

“It’s dark sweets my mom delivered to me. She’s a baker and has wonderful recipes. Try some guys, there’s Firebreath, Icycool, Floral, Freamy, Speet, and Serenity.”

Mia points out some specific sweets in the shape of circles with numerous colored glazed curves.

Haruto looks to see the treats Mia is handing out to the group, albeit starving for one.

“I wish I had a mouth. Those chocolates look amazing Mia.”

“Chocolates?” Mia awkwardly questions, while the others look confused as well.

“Where I’m from, those dark sweets are called chocolates.”

Lila picks up a blue glazed treat and immediately is enthralled by its flavor. Her eyes lightly turn wide as the flavor covers her tastebuds.

“Mia, this tastes amazing! It's sweet and cold, like those flavored frozen icicles in town.” Lila comments as she chews.

“Glad you love the Icycool flavor. Oh right, when you swallow, lightly blow out of your mouth for a nice surprise.” Mia says smiling.

Lila shrugs and swallows as instructed. However, as she blows air out of her mouth, a cool breeze of mist flows out. It cools to become pure vapors and metamorphose into a glowing snowflake in midair.

Lila nudges the surprise with her finger and it falls to the ground and fades away. Taro looks astounded while Haruto stares at what he has witnessed.

“Enchanted chocolates? Mia, believe me when I say I would eat them so much to see what happens!” Haruto’s voice gleefully shouts.

“You’re too sweet Haruto. Say Taro, you’re holding the Firebreath one. I think you can guess what will happen.” Mia says as she guides Taro’s hand holding the treat to his mouth.

Taro chews and immediately feels a warm sensation in his mouth, although the sweetness covers his tongue. Swallowing, he blows air out of his mouth as a flame erupts out of his mouth. Haruto and Lila look on as it flows through the spell’s dome.

“You also don’t have to worry about the flames burning you. They’re meant for show and not attack.”

Mia lightly taps Taro’s back as some smoke residue is released.

“Mia, you have really become my bestest friend by sharing your chocolates. Your mom would be proud of you improving and making friends.” Taro replies as his tail moves side to side.

Mia lightly blushes after hearing Taro’s comment.

“Say Lila, how about your parents? Are they cool as well?” Taro asks.

“They’re simple farmers. Where I’m from, it’s mainly hand work and sometimes using magic to assist with large crops. They sent me here to follow in their footsteps and see me improve my magic as well.”

“Lila, your parents would certainly be happy you’re getting the hand at spells now. Who knows, I think they’ll be happy to meet Haruto too” Mia adds.

“Let’s hope they take it well. They’ll certainly be weirded out that my closest friend is from another world.” Lila smiles towards Haruto’s sight.

“How about you Stickman? How’s your parents?”

Haruto blinks a few times, briefly remembering his parents and their expectations.

“My parents were very strict with me about studying. They didn’t like my life of playing games or reading stories that had nothing to do with my studies. Unfortunately, they seemed to give up on me as I just barely passed any class.”

The others become silent, with Taro’s tail no longer moving and Mia looking melancholic.

“I mean…I do love them but I just wished I didn’t disappoint them like I did. I felt like I was more connected with fantasy and magic. My world sadly doesn’t look too kindly on people who read or write about magic for stories.”

Lila then pulls Haruto close to her cheek.

“You’re not a disappointment Haruto. Your existence has brought our hopes up. Maybe one day, we can show them what you have seen and how you helped us this far.”

Haruto blinks softly and gazes towards Lila.

“If I ever make contact with them, I want to make sure they know I appreciate them for dealing with me.”

“Haruto, your parents will be extremely proud of you man. Stick or not, you’re a great guy.” Taro supportedly replies.

Glancing at his fellow Kitsune friend, Haruto eyes are astonished at the compliment he has given him.

“Thanks Taro, although I do wish I could try those chocolates you all have. I wonder what Freamy tastes like?”

Lila takes the dark treat Mia pointed out as Freamy earlier, she immediately begins tasting it and is surprised at the flavor.

“This tastes like berries, yet it feels so soft like air. If we find a way to make you try these chocolates, you should try this one first. It’s really good, in fact all of Mia’s treats are.”

Lila finishes eating and begins to blow air out of her mouth, yet nothing happens to her confusion.

“Oh right, a bunch of these chocolates don’t have the nice effect like Icycool or Firebreath. My mom is still trying to think of what to do with them.” Mia puts the chocolates aside and grabs one that appears to be glazed in a violet coating.

“This one, however, is one I do want everyone to take a piece. Serenity is my favorite and can calm your nerves and mind for 10 seconds.” Mia expresses as she splits the chocolate into thirds and hands pieces to Lila and Taro.

All three eat their pieces as Haruto looks on curiously.

“Strange, it just tastes sweet. Yet it feels…” Taro immediately feels his whole body relaxed.

All nerves on his body feel relaxed and his body feels lighter yet his feet are still on the ground. Swallowing, the effects subside after 5 seconds.

“Whoa, okay, my body feels so relaxed.” Taro joyfully thinks.

“Glad you love it Taro.” Mia happily remarks.

They look at Lila as she feels the effects of the treat. Her body feels the exact same as Taro did, yet something felt off in her arms. Haruto immediately feels something soothing in him, as if he was on the comfiest bed in the world.

The spell’s communication dome begins to shake, as Mia and Taro look around nervously. Haruto’s eyes begin to relax more, as the dome is fading away.

“Lila, please don’t be relaxed anymore! I think it’s affecting Haruto!” Taro verbally yells.

Lila’s eyes blink a few times and she snaps back to reality to see the spell is now beginning to fade. Lila grips Haruto and waves him a bit to refocus. Haruto’s eyes roll from the confusion and realizes the spell is about to diminish.

With the two now refocusing, the group’s telepathic communication spell is reformed.

“Few, way to close.” Lila comments.

“I don’t know what happened guys, it felt like I was on clouds about to go to sleep.” Haruto exclaims.

“I think the Serenity one affected both of them. I honestly didn’t know guys.” Mia pleads.

“It’s okay Mia, I have to say it felt really nice feeling the effects. Your mom certainly can make amazing chocolates.” Haruto says to a surprised Mia.

“Thank you Haruto. I just hope we all can have more days like this.”

The group all smile with their unshaken support shining strong. Haruto gladly sees everyone getting along well, but a strange feeling is felt by the tip of his form. Haruto looks at his end and sees something along the wall.

“Uh, guys, something is up with the wall.” Haruto’s comment grabs everyone’s attention.

Taro's ears shift towards the wall and he stares.

“He’s right, something is up with the wall.”

Everyone begins seeing some glow in between the cracks of Lila’s room. However, the atmosphere begins to turn as light shaking is felt throughout the floor. All four of them hold on to a piece of heavy furniture as the shaking gets more violent.

Lila holds Haruto close to her face, while Taro and Mia hold onto a table as the shaking continues. A blue glow keeps shining through any crevice possible, it’s shine going on and off, making the group disoriented.

“What is happening?!” Mia shouts.

The shaking and glow begin to subside as Mia hugs Taro.

“Y…y…you’re all in danger.” A mysterious voice is heard by four of them.

Haruto looks at the wall and sees the blue glow transforming into liquid. It oozes down as strands of it begin to form letters from its streaks. All four look straight at the wall, eyes wide open and speechless.

A message is seen on the wall, one that has altered the feelings of everyone. Writing can be seen to make out “Despair is Winning” from the liquid. The letters begin to fade away as the entire group looks on, scared and confused.

“What was that?” A shaken Taro asks.

“I…I don’t know.” Haruto comments.

Lila and Haruto’s spell vanishes as they all try to come to terms with what they had witnessed. What once was a relaxing time has now turned into a tense atmosphere they all were not prepared for.