Into the Human Realm [Book II] Rascal x fem reader

16

A long one because I hate uploading short chapters after so much time. There is jazz music up the top if anyone enjoys ambience that matches the scenes. ^^^^

Can you believe I pumped this 3000 word chapter out in under 24hrs? Ahhhhhh

Also apologies if there are any mistakes :)

~

The next surprise reveals itself the very next day. At work.

You weren't thrilled to have to get up to go to work at 6 AM the next morning. After all, your apartment is now housing two pixies and a jester. With its newest addition, you've been preoccupied spending time with your old friend. On the other hand, the antics of these pixies—Ricky and Rascal, not Pop—while entertaining, have left your home in a constant state of chaos. Understandably, the two haven't seen each other in a while, and there was some catching up to do... and unresolved tension to resolve. Although you're grateful there haven't been any arguments, you needed to get out; it was the only way to preserve your sanity. There are only so many pranks you can take.

Last night, as the four of you spoke more, Pop said he was going to spend the day using his pixie psyche to try to identify Nogo's exact whereabouts (and force Ricky to join him). The idea was a long shot. Pop was already so exhausted from bringing Ricky home that you didn't place your hopes too high. You had to insist that everyone needed a rest. After all, even magical creatures need downtime to recharge their powers, and Pop, the sweet thing, looked absolutely demolished after opening the portal last night, sleeping through your entire morning routine. You made Rascal promise not to wake him up, and for once, he agreed. You were grateful for the small mercy.

Even though you were in a world surrounded by magic only years ago, the fact that a portal was opened in your living room still struck you as utterly surreal, and continuing daily life afterwards was a challenge. You have noticed how harder it's becoming to wrap your head around things. Part of you still doesn't believe Rascal is here with you, everything feels off and hazy.

There's also an unsettling awareness within you. Nogo's spirit most definitely did something when it offensively passed through your body the other night. You become extra sensitive to how your body is feeling, tuning into every small sensation. So far, so good, but deep down, you sense a change. Something is brewing, and you do not feel like yourself. You don't want to think about it too much, or at all, so you push the feeling away whenever it decides to pop up. It's not like the flu or anything mundane; if anything, it's magical. Not human. Your only hope is that Pop gathers more information soon.

The cafe is cold and neatly packed up when you arrive. Felix did a good job the previous night. The countertops gleam softly under the dim morning light, and everything is in its place. You silently thank your luck that you don't have to do much and that the right person packed up the night before. The quiet calm of the empty cafe offers you some solitude, and you happily bask in it for a moment. It's quite a contrast to the bustling energy of your apartment.

A sweet and buttery aroma wafts through the front from the kitchen at the back. There's also a speaker spilling out... jazz? It's soft, but loud enough to fill the space with energy and make the early hour feel a little more lively.

That's right. You are meeting the new baker for the first time.

Quickly and quietly, you shove your belongings into the cabinet beneath the register and follow the music to the kitchen to greet them. The tall tray holders that line the slim, dimly lit corridor to the kitchen are already filled with trays that hold almost all of the fresh pastries needed for the room temp cabinet. Your eyes widen as you notice how each one is topped flawlessly. The sheer volume of perfectly crafted pastries is astonishing, and very pleasing to the eye.