Another day passed by. Lily was still in her room. Listening in, faint sounds of paper shifting, and scribbling could be heard from the door.
“Please, give me some time. I promise I will come out tomorrow.”
Lily calls out after I knock on the door.
“Ok master”
“...”
I reply, waiting for a response. Shifting around the coin pouch, I turned around and headed down the tavern stairs.
Pale gray light leaked from the frosted windows, illuminating the well-worn tables like a glistening crystal. The usual tavern keeper made his rounds around, sweeping and wiping away to a melodic hum. Rubbing my stiff shoulders, I let out a drowsy yawn and sniffed food in the air.
“Let’s eat, I guess”
I shrugged and bought breakfast again. It was pleasant and filling, but tasted hazy. Each bite forced me into thought. A recollection of that odd desert covered in snow surfaced in my mind.
“This is real right?”
I wave away a faint blue petal and toss some coins on the table.
The cold winter air stung my cheek as I stepped out the door. The sounds of playful laughter were heard nearby.
“...Take this!...”
A swishing snowball flies past my view, followed by a dull splat.
“...You got me good! hahaha!...”
Wiping off the snow, the young kid forms a snowball and throws it with all his might. However, the snowball crumbles in the air, exploding into a hazy mist. The other kid tosses another snowball and lands another hit.
“...Hey, unfair! Why do you have all the good snow…”
Smirking, I stiffen my legs and pace down the sidewalk.
Metal poles stretch down the snowy streets,
As mundane chatter fills the air.
Passing by the many lamps
Into a off putting alleyway
A lone bird’s song could be heard
I turn into the familiar alley way, guided by an off-sounding bird-song. The chirping goes off as I arrive in front of Monty’s store.
Bang* “Damn it all!Why do I even bother!?”
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Monty yells as I jump back from the door handle.
“No no no, this time it will work. Please…”
I take a deep breath and knock on the door.
Knock* knock* knock*
“The door is open!”
Opening the door, a messy, and cluttered store lies before me. Creations lay messily everywhere; half finished, and partially destroyed. Monty sat on the floor, shadows hung below his eyes. Bandages covered his fingertips as a pitiful bird sat in his hands. Scrap metal, and sharp edges covered this rubbish shaped bird. Its brass gears tarnished with specks of reddish-brown dots.
“No, this isn’t it”
Monty throws the creation at the battered wall. Glancing towards me, he burst into anger.
“What's the point of all of this!? Why can’t I get this accursed obsession out of my head?”
His eyes flare up in tears,
“What are you even here for? To mock me? To call me an idiot?”
I take a step back as he glares at me, awaiting a response.
“Hey man, calm down. I just… Can I not say hi?”
“...”
Silence fills the dust ridden store. Monty wipes away some snot, keeping his head low.
“Ah, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore…”
My legs freeze up as a frog builds up in my throat. What do I even say? Monty pulls over a seat and slumps on the chair.
“I… I’m selfish. I keep going and going for my own sake. But I know it’s dumb. I can't keep going like this. This eternal clockwork machine project is truly impossible.”
I head over to the rubbish bird and pick it up. A sad expression of madness and frustration. Cold and lifeless, like a random stone on the road.
“Have you tried implementing magic to the project?”
Monty lets out an irritated laugh and blows his nose.
“And you think mages are easily accessible? We hardly have any people who’ve shown magical potential in this city! The very few people with magical potential, or those sorcerers, go to Beldonia and live a stuck up life away from all the troubles in this dastardly world!”
Monty inhales a sharp breath as he slams his fist on the table. Random scraps and metal parts bounce up and down. Silence ensues as I awkwardly look around the store and tap my finger on my satchel,
“Have you looked into magic at least?
“Do you take me for an idiot?”
He remarks almost instantly, snapping at the end of his sentence. Tossing a pile of paper off the table, a nonsensical wall of sketches and notes plumed in the air.
“It’s all theoretical nonsense that can’t work unless a mage powers it. I was told a lie you know? That there was a magic circle that attracts mana from the environment. I spent years searching for it, but it was just a myth from the gala of deities era. Even then, I tried over and over to make it work. But how can I go about it if I can’t manipulate mana myself?”
I take a step forward, looking at all the papers on the floor. Scribbles upon scribbles of nonsensical lines and etchings revealed themselves to me. I glanced up at Monty who seemed to be running out of steam.
“Did you know I can manipulate mana?”
He glares at me as if I told an insulting joke.
"You? Mana manipulation? Keep dreaming!”
I bring the bird towards my eye and notice small engravings. Tiny nonsensical scratches were etched into the gears, slightly resembling the scribbles on the floor. Maybe it was in a fit of habit, or a re-use of parts? I wouldn’t know. Closing my eyes, the weight of the bird shaped rubbish burdens my palm. A soft breeze uplifts the paper on the floor. Suddenly, the wind scatters the papers away. Leaving behind a blue flame which engulfs the bird, scorching away the red specks. With a screech of metal, and a birdlike tweet, the shining brass bird flutters its wings once more, and comes to a stop.
“Is this enough proof?”
I place the brass bird on the ground and give my cut up hand a rub. Holding back his excitement, Monty stares off at the lifeless bird.
“I…I need a drink. It's all too much to bear.”
I take a step forward and ask,
“Can I come along?”
Monty wobbles out of the store, ignoring my response. I shrug and look around at the mess around me. Rubbish was everywhere, unkempt and disorganized. A heavy sigh escapes me as I step out the creaky door.