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“We should go explore new worlds!”
Ally’s proclamation had started their adventure. While their world was full of wonder and mystique, Ally had started daydreaming about lands beyond their realm. She wanted to venture through space and time encountering new people, spreading love wherever she went.
Rafisol hadn’t been disinterested in the idea, either. Their home was appealing to a fault. As travelers, they explored every inch of their domain. From the winter wonderland of Bleuo to the golden desert of Yellowme, they had trekked far and wide, enjoying every step of the way. Eventually, it became redundant. They visited the same shops, ran through the same fields, hiked up the same mountains, and navigated through the same dungeons, which caused Rafisol to welcome Ally’s suggestion with open arms.
A quick game of Puyo later, they arrived in a colorful location. They were in a shopping municipality. Quaint stores lined the cobblestone paths. Townsfolk walked without a care in the world, holding their goods in straw baskets. Younger children ran through the streets, holding their phones or Puyos. The energy around them was simply electric, the vibes pleasant, with even the air smelling as sweet as the people living in Primp Town.
Ally took in their surroundings with wide eyes and spun in place. Rafisol observed a clothing shop closest to them. She spotted a skeleton through the window holding up a fancy garment in front of a young man wearing a dark green ensemble. They seemed to be in deep conversation, perhaps debating over the price, when Ally clapped her hands together.
“Oh, Rafisol, I can feel the love here! It’s positivity everywhere I turn!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms out.
Some glanced their way, but instead of frowns, they smiled. It was as if they anticipated a range of peculiarities from newcomers. She wondered what kind of events happened regularly in Primp Town, musing the question aloud as Ally took her hand.
“Well, whatever happens here, so long as we’re together, right?” she replied, beaming.
Rafisol stated that she answered a question with a question, and unashamed, Ally rubbed her neck. They walked hand-in-hand throughout the shopping district. They came across a florist giving away free samples. Ally exclaimed that she felt the adoration he expressed for his flowers. With a chuckle, he supplied them a pair of pressed daisies with their white petals flattened. They nestled the daisies underneath their pendants and pinned them down. And when Ally chuckled, her delight palpable, it was relaxing music to Rafisol’s ears.
They strode to what Rafisol believed was a school. Compared to the smaller structures back home, this building towered over them. With sturdy bricks, not a single one out of place, and gigantic Puyos acting as guarding gargoyles on the roof, it reminded Rafisol of a home for a duke. The presence of regality had her humming, and she tilted her head to fully bask in the sense of majesty that emanated from the school.
“Is this academy for the cream of the crop? The students who attend here, they’re probably magical champions,” Ally murmured.
“Indeed. Everyone who goes to this school must be training to become mages,” Rafisol replied.
She gasped and clapped her free hand on her cheek. “Do you think that great heroes learn here? Maybe, if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to meet a couple of them! Let’s go!”
With that exclamation, Ally tugged on her hand and guided her forward on the paved pathway. Rafisol didn’t bother to dissuade her. The closer they marched to the school, the more her intrigue grew. She felt as if they were approaching something unseen. While Ally rambled, she focused on the arched doorway, and the hairs on her neck stood at attention. Part of her tingled with the thrill of a potential battle, but instead, she squeezed Ally’s hand, stopping them in their tracks.
“Rafisol, is something the matter?” Ally questioned.
An unmistakable presence existed behind the wooden exterior and metal locks. Rafisol extended her other hand, shielding Ally. The door clicked, creaking open as if to beckon them inside. Rafisol sharpened her glare, and Ally gasped.
A flicker of somberness crossed the face of a small girl in a dark dress. When she raised her head, she sucked in a short gasp and narrowed her gaze. Her bright blue eyes were the shade of the sky. She held onto the doorknob and gripped her dowsing rods in her other hand, her knuckles turning white. She peered between Rafisol and Ally, wrinkling her brow, and in a dry voice, she demanded, “Who are you two? And why are you loitering outside of the school?”
Ally uttered a nervous snicker and raised her hand. “Oh! Um, sorry if we startled you! It does kind of look that way, but we’re not scary. We just arrived here from another world,” she explained with a kind smile.
The girl was unimpressed. “Uh-huh.”
Inside the school, a chime went off before Ally could defend themselves. Doors opened, and students filled the hallways. They didn’t approach the entrance and instead moved to various rooms. Rafisol spotted students from a confrontation long ago, the trio conversing as they entered another classroom.
Ally hummed and gently asked, “Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“I don’t have to answer you,” the girl huffed.
Ally winced and glanced at Rafisol. Her fingers fidgeted around Rafisol’s hand, her palm warming up to an uncomfortable degree. Rafisol sighed. She fixed her expression to pure neutrality. She didn’t want to give an inch to the girl who glared at them with such irritation that it would have scorched her skin if it was magic.
And that glower was more than familiar. Rafisol knew her. She was Feli, one of the heroes who defied her. She remembered the truth while the memories had withered away from Ally. Considering the nature of the universe and space-time travel, it was evident why they regarded each other with apprehension. In Feli’s position, she was staring at two strangers on school grounds. In Ally’s point of view, she was a girl who seemed to be skipping class. Rafisol decided it was in her best interest to preserve the delicate balance of the cosmos and lowered her voice.
“We don’t mean any trouble, but if you accost us, then I will give you a reason to be troubled,” she warned, Ally squeaking out her name.
Feli’s grin deepened. She laughed behind her clenched teeth. “Well, isn’t that a threat? Give me one reason why I shouldn’t teach you a lesson.”
Rafisol pointed at the nearly empty hallway. “Because judging by the initial look on your face, you didn’t receive the answer you were seeking inside the school.”
The guttural noise Feli emitted was enough to make Rafisol bite back a laugh. Feli grumbled, pursing her lips in a tight scowl. Ally took the initiative when Rafisol slowly withdrew her hand. She leaned forward, cupping her knees, and she gave Feli her full attention, who leered at Ally with continued mistrust clouding her demeanor.
“Back in our world, we like helping everyone,” she said, her smile genuine and pearly white. “So, if you want to ask us anything, we’ll be glad to help.”
Rafisol leaned to the side and examined Feli. She shifted her weight on her back leg and pulled her dowsing rods in front of her like daggers. But Ally didn’t waver, continuing to smile in the way that Rafisol adored.
As if sensing she was not going to win by intimidation, Feli sighed. She slipped the rods into her pocket and crossed her arms. Although she hadn’t fully opened herself up to them, it was a step in the right direction.
“I doubt you can help me,” she mumbled, then cleared her throat, “but I suppose there’s no harm in asking. I’m looking for a tall guy wearing a mostly green outfit. He was supposed to be teaching a class today, but he’s the one skipping, not me.”
Ally straightened her back and clasped her hands in front of her stomach. “Oh, I’m sorry. He doesn’t ring any bells. Do you know him, Rafisol?”
“Yes. I did see the man she’s describing,” she replied.
Feli perked up. The corners of her mouth raised in a light smile. “Oh! Really? That’s a relief. Where was he?”
She cupped her hand to her chin. “He was speaking with a skeleton inside a clothing store, but I didn’t notice the name-”
“Oshare Bones’ shop, I already know,” Feli suddenly interjected. Her tone took an uplight note, erasing any trace of agitation. She hurried around them, shouting over her shoulder, “Thanks for the tip! Oh, if you’d like a divination reading later, feel free to find me!”
Feli ran off without waiting to hear if they’d agree. Ally called out to her, but the chimes clamoring within the school overpowered her voice. Rafisol surmised they were the late bells.
As the entrance door closed, Ally pivoted on her heels. She wrapped her hands behind her back, rocking back and forth. “Well, she was certainly interesting.”
“She was rude,” Rafisol flatly said.
Ally giggled. “I think you were teasing her a bit too much.”
“Because she was rude.”
Ally lightly tapped her shoulder, and Rafisol grinned. They walked away from the school, letting their hands find each other. Rafisol glanced over her shoulder and wondered what the others were learning. She knew they had a poignant teacher, and each student showed promise in their abilities. It would have been fascinating sitting in on a lesson, but they couldn’t barge into a class already in session and make themselves comfortable.
As Ally stopped to marvel over a nest of baby robins in a tree, Rafisol paused. Her eyes lingered on one of the windows. There, a girl with green hair hiding a small pair of horns stared at her. She winced as if embarrassed Rafisol had caught her. Rafisol slowly raised her hand and shifted it from side to side, and the girl, Lidelle, waved in what Rafisol deemed was a mixture of relief and jubilation.
“Do you know her?” Ally asked as they left the school grounds.
“Just trying to be friendly,” she said, and Ally beamed.
They returned to the shops. Ally mentioned she was intrigued by the fashion and wanted to visit the same store where Rafisol had spotted Feli’s person. After retracing their steps, they discovered the same brick store that seemed to feature more than clothing. Signs outside of the entrance promised bargains on potions and other goods.
Gasping, Ally exclaimed, “Do you think they have anything related to love?”
Rafisol reflected for a moment. “Such as love in a bottle?”
“Oh! Capturing the very essence of love! How marvelous!” Ally wasted no time pulling Rafisol into the store, but just as she was about to announce their presence, she found herself at an impasse.
They should have been impressed with the variety of items on the shelves. Fine clothing made out of silk and velvet, tomes filled with knowledge, trinkets to increase magical power, and even plush dolls for children lined the walls. The air was sweetly perfumed in a fruity scent, and the decor was sleek and fashionable. It was a store that would have made their jaws drop in any other situation.
But by the center table were Feli and the one she sought. He held up a wool tuxedo in a shade of blindingly bright red. Rafisol was unable to tear her eyes away from it. Even Ally, who was in love with everything, grimaced.
“Lemres. That is ugly,” Feli deadpanned.
“No way!” he cried, and Rafisol could have sworn a tear formed in the corner of his eye. He whipped his head over to them, gesturing for them to come closer. “Sorry to bother you girls, but what do you think of this outfit? I really like the color and the material.”
“Oh, you, um, you do?” Ally wondered, her cheeks losing their natural blush. “I’ve, well, uh, never seen a tuxedo made out of wool.”
“It’s not as if they don’t exist, but they are uncommon,” Rafisol said, cocking her head, “and I’m not sure if they suit a tuxedo with that tint and texture.”
She had never seen a man’s heart break in an instant. Lemres glanced at everyone in the store for support, but he found none. He turned to the shopkeep, calling out his name.
“Oh, no, don’t bring me into this when you’ve already purchased it. I’m busy reorganizing the hats on clearance,” Oshare replied, shaking his head. He focused on the hat racks with designer caps, whistling to himself.
Lemres sighed, and it was at that moment Ally sprang into action. She pointed at the tuxedo, yelling, “While I might not understand your fashion sense, I can tell you have so much love for your new outfit!”
Feli furrowed her brow, holding out her hands. Rafisol stepped closer to her before she could speak. As Lemres thanked Ally and dove into a conversation with her about the tuxedo, it left Rafisol and Feli alone. Feli raised her head, pointing her chin at Rafisol as if challenging her to say something.
She didn’t take the bait. Instead, she swatted it away and asked, “Do you dislike it that much?”
“It doesn’t suit Lemres. He’s the Comet Warlock, not a prom night goofball,” she insisted, crossing her arms.
Rafisol surmised that was true. People judged others based on their apparel, just as she and Ally had done. If Lemres wore something that diminished Feli’s view of him, then she rejected it. She cared for him and didn’t want him to appear foolish in public, appearing to have his best interest at heart, even if Lemres fancied the outfit.
“But isn’t the final decision his?” Rafisol quietly asked.
Lemres showed Ally the silver buttons on his suit. As she watched them, the tips of Feli’s ears burned. Her shoulders tensed, and her fingers curled into her palms. “I - that is something I - well, I had considered that thought,” she stuttered, not meeting Rafisol’s eyes, “but Lemres is a respectable person around here. I admire him. He shouldn’t be wearing a fuddy-duddy tuxedo.”
“If you admire him, then you should ask why he selected it,” Rafisol countered, maintaining an impartial tone of voice. “If you do, maybe you’ll be able to understand the reasons why he likes it. From a wise girl, I learned that communication is the key to everything.”
Feli lifted her head. She didn’t respond, choosing to inspect Rafisol’s expression. Rafisol managed a tiny smile, feeling the tension in her face loosen.
She had learned the same lesson from Ally. Rafisol had set her sights on domination, confused by her position as an inverted creation, and she was compelled to conquer. But Ally had offered her helping hand, every bit of her exuding love and compassion for the girl who lacked any comprehension about affection. Even though she had tried destroying Ally, it was Ally who welcomed her with open arms, and for that, Rafisol discovered love.
They had spoken in many manners. Casual conversations, gestures, embraces, every type of communication was invoked. Rafisol loved Ally, and whenever she heard her voice, it was like listening to her favorite record.
Something sparked in Feli’s eyes. When she blinked, her pupils seemed larger. As if a flash of recognition awakened in her, Feli tiptoed toward Lemres, and Rafisol grinned at her backside.
“Lemres?” she began, shifting her arms behind her back.
He stopped in mid-sentence. Turning his attention from Ally to Feli, he kindly asked, “What is it, Feli?”
“Well, I can’t, uh, stop you from wearing that. I guess if you like it, then I like it,” she said, swaying her foot out.
It took a moment for him to realize what she implied. He broke into a grin. He patted her head and ruffled her hair. “Aw, Feli, I appreciate your support. I was a bit hesitant to wear it out after we had our dispute, but I’ve decided that this is the outfit I’m gonna wear for my teaching gig today, so thanks again.”
Her eyes shot wide open. “Wait, what?”
“See you later, Feli!” he called, scampering out of the shop and throwing on the tuxedo over his clothes.
A hushed silence fell over them as the door swung shut. Rafisol fixed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Ally pressed her fingertips together, looking between Feli and Rafisol. Feli lurched toward the door, stumbled, and grabbed the nearest shelf for support, nearly knocking down a selection of trinkets.
“He left,” Rafisol said.
“Just like that,” Ally added.
Trembling, Feli whipped out her dowsing rods from her pocket. She jabbed them at Rafisol and Ally, the latter yelping and clinging to the former. Her lips spread in a tight, eerie grin, and she stomped toward them, shaking the floorboards.
“For the egregious crime of potentially embarrassing Lemres, it is time to P-U-Y-O P-U-Y-O battle,” she sneered, then unleashed a keening battle cry.
“Hey, hey! Don’t fight in the shop! Take it outside!” Oshare snapped, halting Rafisol before she could reply.
Feli, Rafisol, and Ally looked at him for a moment before complying. He slammed the door behind them and flipped over a sign, closing the store. Ally patted down her dress, filling the second bout of silence until Feli coughed into her palm.
“I’m going to stop Lemres now,” she said, shuffling in the direction of the school. She offered them a meager wave before dashing off.
“Goodbye! May your quest be filled with love!” Ally shouted, waving with both hands above her head.
Rafisol snickered, rather glad she didn’t have to fight. She didn’t want to utterly decimate a potential friend on their first meeting. It might have even brought out a few of her bad habits that she had smothered.
“Well, shall we continue on our lovely exploration of this new world?” Ally asked, offering her hand.
Rafisol laced their fingers together, nodding, and together, they ran off into Primp Town.