Parable of Arcastia: Journey between the dual world

(5) Out at Twilight

At Least the line won't be long...

Zaidan thinks to himself as he walks through the quite orange streets of Aquouir. Zaidan looks at the machines as they work tirelessly on polishing the roads and buildings. There are so many of them at this time of day, that he has a hard time not bumping into them.

Despite the abundance of workers, Zaidan soon makes it to the window of the restaurant and tries gaining one of the staff member's attention.

"Hello, excuse me!" He looks over the counter-top to see if anyone has heard him. He sees one of the employees come to the window, and he digs in his pocket while placing an order. As he does so, the line begins so extended one individual at a time. A man who is standing behind him looks upon Zaidan flabbergasted. He wonders as to why such a young boy is out so late. He cannot help but ease drop, feeling worried for the boy.

"Hello, what can I do for you today!?" said a jolly round man leaning on the counter.

"I'd like your cheapest fish please."

"Our cheapest eh? Well, that'll..." he turns his head to the holographic menu. "Be forty cales."

"Forty!" Zaidan Fumbles around in his pockets and pulls out only but a small portion of the required currency.

"But I don't have that much!" he says looking at the man with pleading eyes.

"Sorry lad, wish I could be of help." Zaidan ducks his head in depressed motion. Now not only was he going to be late getting home, but he was also going to have to go home hungry. He knew that they wouldn't be able to afford any home brewed meals for meals for a while.

They were a poor, the two, not being overly affluent like the majority of Aquouir. They expected one another to find very affordable quick meals before the arrival home. Small purchases were all they could make do with, given the unbelievably high prices in Aquouir. With no way to purchase any goods, Zaidan turns around and heads home, and the man behind him steps forward. Seconds after he left the line he heard someone call out to him.

"Hey, boy!" Zaidan turns around to see if someone was pleading for his attention. As he looks back, he saw the man who was standing behind him in line, was holding up the restaurant's finest seafood items Zaidan could ever imagine feasting on.

"It's yours, grab a seat, and dig in."

***

Zaidan eats his meal like he's never eaten before. He eats along with the man who purchased his meal for him, it was a meal for two after all, and although he was still a growing boy--he couldn't finish in on his own.

"My, quite the appetite we have here."

"Yeah-" Zaidan stuffs his face, breaking his sentence. "Thank you."

"Thank nothing of it. Now, might I ask, what a boy your age is doing out so late this twilight?Zaidan halts his eating to answer the man's question.

"Oh, well...Uh...I"

"Got into a bit of a scruff?" He says as he looks at a bruise under Zaidan's arm, and a cut on his elbow.

"Yeah..." Zaidan takes his eyes off the man, as he feels for another shell to crack.

"Hmm, well you do realize the streets become a bit more, adrenaline filled through the twilight."

"Yeah."

"Well then, with that being said, I can't in my right of mind let you gallop home alone."

"I guess So, but I can handle myself." He says with confidence as he completes his meal.

"Ah, but I doubt you'd be able to handle yourself with a shady brute any better than your previous opponent. Come now boy, I may be an unfamiliar, but I assure you I mean you know harm. I wish to help you my dear boy, but only if you meet me half way."

"...Fine..."

"Splendid, I see you've polished your plate. Mustn't we be off then?"

The two leave the table and begin their walk. Making their way down the glistening yellow road. They admire how gorgeous Aquouir looks at twilight. With the crystal buildings becoming orange by the light, and some were even reflecting light in an enormous rainbow of colors. All while water gently poured from the rooftops, as the cleaning devices were hard at work at this hour.

"Beautiful don't you think."

"I know, never get a chance to see Aquouir at this time of day."

"Yes, it is a magnificent sight. However, not meaning to boast, but I do believe I could pull off better."

"Really, how?"

"Why I am a magician boy! I do magic for all to see!" Zaidan smiles to show a sign of disbelief.

"Magic?... I've never heard of that word before? What is... Magic?"

"What is magic! Why magic is the very way of the world. Magic is the energy source of all living things. Are you telling me you have never heard of such a thing!?"

"No... Sorry. Could you tell me what it is?"

"I could..." The man reaches into is inner jacket pocket and pulls out a card. "Or I could show you, at a later time. Take this card, whenever you get into a hopeless situation again, take this card to the center of Aquouir, and light it in front of the clock tower."

Zaidan takes the card and places it in his back pocket. The two resume their stroll and come to a stop in what feels like no time.

"Well, this is my street."

"Then I shall get going. You should be alright from this point. Ah, I've gone and forgotten my manners. Before I go allow me to introduce myself upon departure. My name is Tremontio." He gives a playful bow as he speaks his name.

"And my name is Zaidan."

"Zaidan. Why... That's an interesting name. Though you don't look like a Zaidan in my eyes. Nevertheless, it was a treat meeting you boy-Zaidan. I look forward to encountering you in the future at some time." The man tips his hat and leaves Zaidan to conclude his walk on his own.

He walks along the brick road. He steps over small robots and watches them scurry across the road, polishing it even more than it already was. Many vehicles phase through his body as he crosses the road. Soon he arrives at the front door. Gently opening the door, He enters the house slowly. As he gets closer to the staircase he believes that he may be Mr.Harkin's fell asleep early and he wasn't going to get punished for being late.

"Zaidan!"

That, however, wasn't the case. Zaidan hunches his self over. He clinches his fist pushes down upon his teeth and tightly shuts his eyes at the shout of his name. He heads downstairs. Each steps more nerve racking than the last. He enters the room and sees just how upset he is with him. With arms crossed and a stern look, he begins to lecture Zaidan.

"You're late. Don't toy know what time it is? Don't you know how dangerous it is out there at this hour!?" The more he rambles on, the less attention Zaidan pays mentally. When Mr. Harkin's takes the time to breathe properly, Zaidan tries his best to lessen Mr. Hark'n's anger.

"Sorry, but I-"

"Know how worried I was? And you'd like to deliver packages to clients all day tomorrow?"

"What! But I'm trying to practice for the big game in two weeks and-"

"Zaidan!" Zaidan sighs as he comes to a point of resignation.

"Yes sir." he drops his head and goes upstairs.

Upon entering his room, he takes the card the man gave him and places it in his drawer. Zaidan then prepares himself for an undeniably restless sleep.

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Please vote and comment. Who could this Tremontio stranger be? How is he the only one who know's what magic is, and how could this be leading to events in the future?