I always found the name Terostun funny, it just sounds like a hilarious name. Oh well, it looks cool! You can tell we're further inland from the wall, it's a lot hotter here, I couldn't begin to imagine trying to live at the equator where the sun is at its hottest, all year round!
"So, where exactly is this museum again?" Mabel asks me.
"It's the National Sunside Historical Institute, it's the only one in the world. They've had the crystal for who knows how long now." I reply
We stroll past the town market, tiny little stands, full of life, all with something new to offer. The ancient and historical buildings still stand strong in the sun as only a few clouds drift through the teal sky without a care in the world.
"I must say... There are a lot more trees here, and local business, and a severe lack of skyscrapers on the horizon." Mum says.
"Exactly, wouldn't it be so cool to live here!" I quickly say, stupidly getting my hopes up.
"Oh I wish alright, but we know why we can't." Mum said with a disappointed expression on her face. "Honestly, you should see how much it costs for train tickets here, let alone trying to buy one of these gorgeous houses!"
"One day! You will one day, I'm sure!" James chirps up.
"Oh, I hope so, love." Mum smiles at James.
"Oh! Look! There it is!" Luca exclaims, pointing at the museum.
It's a massive building, with 8 large pillars holding up the large roof, which has "NATIONAL SUNSIDE HISTORICAL INSTITUTE" engraved in gold letters above in the brickwork.
"Woah! That's massive, I've never seen anything like it!" James tells us excitedly.
We stroll up the endless marble stairs to the very top, where we reach a set of double doors. Open and welcoming for our entry.
"Looks like its free admission, then?" Mabel asks.
"Yes, although, I've already told you that before." I say laughing, albeit a bit annoyed.
We walk in, and we see a thousand winding corridors, all with different signs and doors and labels, marks of different staples of history throughout the world.
I can see the people touring around gaze in awe and shock when they see Luca and James. It's clear that I don't think they expected them to be up in Terostun, but I imagine it's almost impossible that they haven't already heard the news.
I see Luca quickly look down at the ground, trying to shield his scar with his other hand.
"Don't worry about them, probably just their first time seeing a Shadownite, that's all." Mum tells both Luca and James reassuringly.
We reach a set of signs pointing in several directions. I spot one of the signs that says: "CRYSTAL EXHIBIT >>>"
"There it is!" I exclaim jovially, pointing at the sign.
We cautiously walk into a large room, plated with plaques and murals and writing, in the middle resides a crystal shard in a small glass box, placed upon a red, jolly, plush pillow.
As we approach, I hear the sound of footsteps approaching behind us.
"Hi ya'll. Are you looking for a guide-" I hear the voice of one of the staff members say, before cutting out when they see Luca and James standing with us. "Oh sweet heavens, it's happening-"
"Oh, no- we don't want any trouble." Mum smiles reassuringly.
"Right, right." The tour guide says, calming down a bit. "Is there anything I can help y"all with?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, yes!" Mum exclaims. "We were wondering if we could borrow the Crystal for a while, we want to see if we can assist in freeing the Shadownites from the autocracy they live in and the other crystal shard might just be the key."
As mum says this, Luca pulls his necklace out from under his shirt, revealing the dark Crystal.
"Well... look, we've had this for centuries, we can't just-" The tour guide stutters, his brow sweating profusely.
"Please... think about so many lives it could potentially improve or even save!" Luca begs.
"I... I'll lose my job if it- I-" the tour guide stutters once more, before he adds. "Let me just go talk with my boss."
He quickly does a 180 and rapidly departs the room, hopefully going to go and convince his boss.
Time passes by, time passes by, time passes by. Delicate sunlight creeps in and out of the room, fighting the odd cloud that coats the sky every occasion or so.
After what feels like centuries, longer than the crystal has been here, the tour guide returns with his boss.
She looks us all up and down, including at Luca's crystal necklace, with a stern and concentrated face.
I anticipate the horrible words I'm out to withstand, but instead she smiles and says.
"I've been waiting for the day. Have it, make your people proud." She tells Luca, unlocking the box with a key and handing it to him.
"T- thank you!" Luca stutters.
"You lot should probably leave now, don't want people realising you have such an old artefact, but you're very welcome to come back another time." The boss adds.
As we turn to leave, she tells us one more thing.
"Take care of it, and yourselves, please." She smiles.
"We will, oh, thank you ever so much." Mum praises her as we turn to leave.
YOU ARE READING
Purple Roses
AcciónStep inside a world where two sides are separated, one being a lot happier than the other. Look through the eyes of multiple different people from different backgrounds, a family forged not by blood but by love. It isn't all pretty though, sometime...
