Chapter Text
The room took a brief pause as soon as we heard what Candy said. The magic thing was already kinda off to me and Tyla me, but her blurting that out made us both stand there shocked. Never did I think that was the answer to why Candy was like that. It pieced together a few of my other questions, too, like her drinking the ocean water. Finally, after a few moments of silence, I finally had the urge to speak up.
“I thought witches all died out.”
“You mean at Salem, right?” Candy asked. “Yeah, that was all a bunch of baloney anyway.” She scoffed at the notion as she started pacing around. I followed her movements as I continued.
“Still, I figured Witches wouldn't be here anymore.” I said, thinking about how Candy could even say she was one.
“Well, most of them did die.” Candy added, seemingly going back on her words from before. “Killed a bunch of innocents along the way but most witches got caught. Some however escaped.” She then moved her hands to look like a picture frame before expanding them. This created a mock projection screen between her hands, which showed a doodle of an old lady. Candy then added to the picture, saying “That's my great grandmother, one of the survivors of those trials.”
Candy then went on a long story about how her family was able to survive. I didn't remember all of it but here's what I got down; Candy’s great grandmother snuck out of Salem, hiding in an old home in what we now call Boston. She then proceeded to raise a kid who grew up to be Candy’s grandmother, while managing to hide her magic powers. From there, it was standard family affairs. The family tree grew over time, and as the family tree grew…well I’ll let Candy explain, this part I did remember.
“All of what people know about us now are those trials and cartoons of us being monsters.” Candy angrily added, breaking up the story a bit. “We couldn't be seen with magic anymore because of that.” She started to break a little bit as she finished the story. “I'm here but I can't show my true self because god forbid somebody notices and I turn into a ‘hag’”. The tears started to flow out of her as she looked at me and Tyla dead straight in the eye and said. “There! You know my secrets, you might as well fire me now.”
“No, no! Candy, that's not what I was gonna do at all.” Tyla tried to snap Candy out of her screaming. “Your powers don't affect your company standing at all. It's ok to be magical here. Sally knows that.” Tyla was mostly silent during the little get together, so her suddenly standing up was kind of surprising to me. Nonetheless, I tried to explain myself quickly after Tyla put me on the spot like that.
“Well…mermaids weren't as…me and my magic...” A lot of stammering came out before I finally said what I needed to. “I used to hide my mermaid powers, too.” I finally admitted.
“Really?” Candy asked.
“Really really.”
“Figured mermaids were easier to spot. You know because of the tail and everything.”
“Well, mermaids are far more of a rarity than witches it seems because of that.” I clarified. “Mermaids were hunted for years by fishers. They were killed as if they were any other fish.”
“That was still a long time ago, right?” Candy then asked.
“Yeah, if by long time you mean 20 years ago”
The room felt silent for me as tears started welling up in my eyes. Thinking about what I was gonna say next nearly made me explode. Nonetheless, I had to say it, come hell or high…ya know.
“That's when my mother was... She went out…” I paused a little. Just talking about this next part took me back to hard times. “...then my dad came back and…and…” I couldn't take it anymore, I bawled my eyes out and hugged Candy. She hugged back, clearly knowing what I was gonna say next.
“There there.” Candy said while patting my back. “I lost relatives, too. The past can hurt, I know that. What matters is using that past to make a brighter future for yourself”
“Thanks, Candy.” I said, slightly recovering from my fit while still sniffling. “You know, that's how I came to Aquarius. I figured I could use my powers for something helpful.”
“Yeah.” Tyla suddenly spoke up, walking towards us during our little moment. “Honestly, Candy. I see a lot of the energy Sally had when she started in you.” She put her meaty hand on Candy's shoulder, making Candy feel a little shocked that her boss would immediately be this open. I decided to join in on the support
“Yeah, you don't need to keep hiding your powers just because of some stupid expectations.” I said, fully regaining my composure. “Know you're amazing just how you were born. Nobody can take that away from you but you. Don't even try that.”
“I-i don't know what to say, you two” Candy then said, a light blush starting to creep on her cheeks. “Thank you. I needed that.” She then rushed to me to give me a hug.
From that, Tyla joined both of us to make it a big group hug. I looked up to the sky for a bit while this was going on, feeling a little tingly inside. Poor Candy finally found something that made her happy, and we helped her find it. This hug, heck, the party in general was the cherry on top.
“Ok, you two.” Candy finally broke the silence a bit. “This hug is starting to crush me a little.”
“Oh, sorry, Candy girl.” Tyla laughed. She tended to do that a lot with hugs.
Once Tyla stepped out of the area, it was back to me and Candy. The blonde turned to me with a practically ear to ear smile as she saw me a little frizzy-haired from the hug. I could tell she was liking me a lot. Honestly, I was a little comforted by that. She truly did have that troubled look during work, so seeing her with that big a grin was a sign that she was finding her place.
“Thanks for coming, Sally.” She then commented. “Nobody really came to my home other than my family. You and Tyla brought a spark to this place I couldn't imagine before.”
“Thank you for inviting me.” I said, feeling even more happy that Candy would say that about something so small. Neptune, I really made an impact on her. “This was a nice quiet night.” I yawned, the moon out the window practically made me feel tired looking at it “I would stay more but I gotta head back home. Gotta prepare for tomorrow after all. Can't wait to see you then.”
“Can’t wait to see you too.” Candy then waved as I took my leave. With one last look at her behind me as I stepped out, that was the end of the party.
“She's a nice kid, huh?” Turns out Tyla also stepped out a bit earlier. Her voice kind of spooked me as the atmosphere outside was otherwise quiet.
“Yeah, she really is.” I answered. “Gotta admit, that hug felt good.”
“Yeah, you rarely see that kind of attitude with newbies.”
“Trust me, I know. I was a newbie once upon a time.”
“I know.” Tyla giggled, clearly loving my sense of humor. “Candy's truly something, though.”
“Yeah. Definitely a keeper compared to the others.” I added, remembering that outburst she barged into the party with. “This was a nice first day, right?”
“Oh hell yeah.” Tyla agreed. “Definitely the best in more recent years. Hope tomorrow is just as good.”
“Me too.” I sighed, remembering all that happened today. “Night night, Ty!” I then said, waving and walking away at the same time.
“See ya tomorrow, sista!” Tyla waved back.
Looking back on what had happened, I clearly had done a lot. I got summer off to a good start, had a nice party, and I made a new friend. No matter what happens the rest of the year, one thing is certain: I’ll never forget the first time I met Candy.