Zaira crawled right back into bed once she was done with her morning routine. She had worked the previous day and had nowhere to be. She rolled over to face the wall and noticed a teddy bear next to her. That had been on the couch when she had first gone upstairs. She couldn’t sense the little ghost so she reached out and allowed herself to snuggle with the stuffy. She heard a car door shut outside. She chuckled.
They had piled into a taxi a few days after her conversation with Ryan. The trip would have been shorter had it just been Ryan and Zaira, but Hannah had looked at them with such puppy dog eyes that they had agreed to let her come. Truth be told, it hadn’t taken them long to crack. As a result, they spent 4 hours at the dealership as Hannah exchanged life stories with the dealers, even though they had already picked out a car model from the catalog. And, once groceries were done, they hopped from small shop to small shop listening to Hannah talk to the employees.
As much as Zaira had just wanted to go home, this trip proved that this spontaneous idea had been a good one. Both Hannah and Ryan still had their driving licenses so Hannah would be able to go and chat up whoever she wanted whenever she wanted and Ryan could get supplies easily and, hopefully, find what he was looking for in the vets' meet.
After getting the car the only thing on Ryan's list was to get into that vets meeting. They weren’t in the legionnaire’s office long as Ryan had strategically sent Hannah to get them coffee at the same time.
As for Zaira, she had had nothing in mind, but she did snag some books. She also managed to sneak the teddy bear into her purchases without the Rosses’ noticing. It was a simple fluffy brown bear with a pink ribbon but she had a feeling a little someone would like it. And sure enough, the bear had been moving around the house ever since. She had also bought a little wooden horse. She didn’t know where it was now, not that she minded. It reminded her too much of her son, she didn’t know what had possessed her to get it.
When they had returned home, they decided the small SUV would live in the Rosses’ driveway. A couple weeks later Hannah came skipping into her kitchen to deliver the cookies that couldn’t fit in the containers Ryan had brought to his vet’s meeting. She proceeded to tell Zaira how much more relaxed Ryan was and about her new friends in her knitting class.
Zaira snorted and snuggled into the bear. Maybe she should get herself a cuddly friend too.
There was a knock on the door.
“Hello dear!”
Zaira groaned.
“One minute!” The demon threw off her covers. Her glamours went up, she put on mismatched clothes and headed downstairs.
“Still in bed? Are you sick?”
“Nope. Just didn’t feel the need to get up.” Zaira flipped on the kettle. “Tea?”
“No, thank you, dear. I’ll let you have breakfast in peace.”
Zaira watched Hannah as she waited for the water to boil. Hannah's eyes wandered around the first floor and her face scrunched up.
“I'm sorry to trouble you, but it seems that I may need your help.”
Zaira waited as Hannah strung her thoughts into words.
“You see, I'm starting to think you may be correct about identifying these things.” Hannah rubbed at the back of her neck. “The priest blessed the house… But things are still happening.”
“Yeah...” Zaira walked to the kitchen window and looked in the direction of the Ross home. This would be interesting. She had yet to feel an uninvited presence there during her visits. “I’m not surprised. How about I have a look after eating?”
“That would be great dear.” Hannah smiled.
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Roughly an hour later Zaira was standing on the Rosses’ porch. She had done a quick scan on the way over. Stretching out her senses to their rough half-mile limit. No creatures or beasts, plenty of animals. She may have to come back with her spell book.
Hannah greeted her at the door and ushered her in.
Ryan was sitting in his armchair, he gave her a quick, “Hello,” before returning his attention to the day’s newspaper.
Zaira looked at Hannah, tapping her hands on her hips.
“Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you. Let's concentrate on your guest.”
“Good. Good.” Hannah swung her arms a couple of times and then clapped her hands together. “So, where do we start?”
“What does your entity normally do?”
“Oh, it mostly likes to move things around. We hear scurrying a lot.” Hannah rubbed her arms, “The worst is when it scratches at the window.”
Zaira stretched out her senses over the house again. Nothing
“What gets moved?”
“Mostly the tools in the yard. Our windows open a lot. Sometimes these pieces have moved or fallen.” Hannah pointed to a few small tables and dressers, all of which were under windows.
Zaira's eyebrows furrowed. “What makes you think it’s a ghost?”
“Well, what else could it be?”
“Does food disappear?”
“Surely you can’t be suggesting it’s a raccoon or something? Ryan and I aren’t that dumb. We would have seen it by now. Ryan’s even left a live trap overnight a few times.”
Zaira shrugged. She took a deep breath. She couldn’t smell anything, a creature would have left a scent.
“Ryan? Thoughts?” She leaned to peek into the living room.
“I don’t think it's a raccoon, it's too clean.” The man pinched his brow, then rolled his eyes. “But a ghost would not need to unlock the window. I don’t know what to think Zaira.” He readjusted himself.
“Right, thanks.”
Unfortunately, she didn’t have any better ideas at the moment. Though, she had never been in the Ross’ backyard before.
“Mind if we go out back?”
“If it’ll help assure you that we aren’t crazy.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy,” Zaira stated as they went out back. “I just hope to find more clues.”
The backyard wasn’t gated. There were two sheds near the tree line, but otherwise, the yard was bare. Their grass was kept long and they allowed the smaller wild plants to take over. “For the bees.” Hannah had said. Most of the plants were done blooming for the year, though Zaira could still smell wildflowers. Zaira walked out into the yard, looking at everything for a place to start. Near the sheds, she spotted a glimmer in the grass. Walked over to pick it up. A saw. Very well cared for, not rusted in any way.
“That’s Ryan’s. The ghost must have moved it. He doesn’t just leave his tools outside.”
Forgetting herself, Zaira brought the saw up to her nose. The handle smelt of wood and Ryan of course, and the blade of metal, but… Zaira got down on the ground and smelled the ground. It smelled like dirt and grass. She smelt the blade again. Wildflowers. She took a deep breath. The air smelt of the same wildflowers, but the earth didn’t.
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Zaira placed the blade down right outside one of the sheds for Ryan to store later and walked back to the house. She opened the backdoor and took another deep breath. The wildflower smell was present.
She turned to see Hannah right behind. The woman was looking at her intently, eyebrows furrowed. “What are you doing?”
“What do you use to scent your house?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Your house smells of flowers. I can smell it out here too.”
“I don’t use anything that would smell that strongly. Actually, I don’t really use anything. I guess the house does smell of flowers. I hadn’t really noticed. Not that it matters.”
As rambled, Zaira’s mind suddenly remembered that extra soul, that other sentient being on the Ross property that day she was trying to identify the entity in her own home.
“When do you have the most issues?”
“At night.”
“Hannah? I think you may be the one to find me crazy now.”
“What are you thinking dear?”
That soul signature had not felt like a beast’s. And the smell… “Cryptid.”
“I’m sorry what?”
“You don’t have an issue with a nonphysical entity. It’s a cryptid.”
“Now dear, really?”
“You’d believe in ghosts but not cryptids?”
“It’s more likely to be a raccoon.”
“More likely, yes. But as you said, you’d have noticed a raccoon.”
“And, and… Ghosts are just the souls of the dead, humans exist so they do too. Cryptids… Bigfoot, Nessie… They don’t exist.”
Oh no. She broke Hannah.
“I believe they do. Well, not Nessie, the loch is too small. Tell you what, I’ll come back tonight and investigate. See if that changes my mind.”
“Alright dear, I’ll see you tonight.”
“No, no, please. I’ll be by at two or three, stay in bed.”
Zaira guided Hannah back to the house. She didn’t trust the elder to not trip on the way back. Hannah had started speaking to herself about the smell, and the more commonly known cryptids.
Zaira let Hannah in the house and called out; “Sorry Ryan!” Before closing the door behind her.
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A few hours before dawn Zaira found herself sitting just on the inside of the tree line, looking into the Rosses’ backyard. She had been sitting there for at least an hour, and she leaned her head on the tree behind her. A creature had yet to show itself. No new smells or signatures either. This may have to be a multi-day operation.
She closed her eyes, feeling herself drifting. She took deep breaths, taking in the smell of the evergreens and the earth which was heavily perfumed by the needles rotting on the ground.
The gentle snap of a twig made her eyes fly open. Her eyes immediately focused on a dark shape. It was out in the open. Her first thought was of a large porcupine. But despite the quills, it stood on two legs and had an athropomorphic face. The smell of wildflowers was stronger now. She didn’t stretch out her senses, lest she alert it to her presence. She watched it open the shed door. Standing on the tips of its toes it reached the shed handle. It put both hands on the handle and used its weight to slide the door open a crack. It dropped back down and leveraged on one door to be able to slide the other door open a foot, then slipped inside.
It came back out with a rake, needing both hands to hold on to it. It bounced into the middle of the yard, then started spinning in place, arms outstretched, still holding the rake. A few seconds later it let go, sending the rake flying. She heard it emit what she believed was a high-pitched giggle and it ran to the rake. Her lips quirked up. The process repeated a few times before it decided to change the game. It ran and vaulted, jumping into the air, giggling all the while.
She'd never seen this species before, but she had come across it when reading about this land. She tapped her claws against a tree, she could not remember their name. They were known as tricksters by the human nomads. Mischievous, but not harmful. She didn’t know how to get rid of them. Or if she should. After all, it lived on these lands. Would it be open to negotiation?
She watched it flip over small stones and accidentally spill the flower pots. She frowned when it scratched at the living room window. Her entity still did that, scratching at the ceiling above her. She knew what it was and that it couldn’t harm her, yet she still found herself clutching her blankets and taking shaky breaths. Her teeth bared at the thought of Hannah doing the same.
It scratched at the living room window once more before somehow unlocking the back door and letting itself in. Zaira stood, and gripped a nearby branch instead of running in after it, waiting to see what would happen. Her forced patience was wearing thin when it finally re-emerged with some of Hannah’s cooking. It plopped itself down against Ryan’s cutting block and began eating.
Zaira continued watching for a time. Still standing, her eyes drifted close, and she jolted herself awake. Zaira rubbed her eyes and looked back into the yard. The cryptid was still munching away. She stretched. There wasn’t any reason the continue her watch. She tiptoed through the trees back home.
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She found herself in Refuge’s community hall the next afternoon. She returned the professional smile from the receptionist with a nod and a tight smile. On the right was a heavy door with a large sign above it with the words; Public Portals. There were two guards on either side. They didn’t move as she turned the knob. Nor should she expect them to, they were only there in case of an emergency, but she still kept a close eye on their expressions as she entered. Zaira nearly tripped over herself as she entered the room. She felt rooted to the ground as she looked at the security in the room. There were two guards for every portal, of which there were about a dozen. She also recognized the runes on the wall meant to trap any person they decided was dangerous.
“First time?” A guard approached. He was wearing a slightly different uniform than the others as well as a warm smile. “Where are you heading?”
“Yes, um,” she normally preferred to use the Underworld Gates, fewer people. But these were more practical. “library please.”
“Right this way.” He led her to a gate that was very clearly labeled Velong Library.
She followed, thanked him, and within a stomach-churning second was standing in the foyer of the brain-child of Abraxis. A magical library that contained a copy of all volumes which had crossed the border of the continent of Verlong. A true magical marvel. It was modeled after an Afru-ikan legend. A worldwide library that had existed during Ra’s reign in the Northern part of Afru-Ika. But hadn’t survived the collapse. Or perhaps it was the brainchild of a powerful wizard who lived in Milerna, the great walled city in Southern Afru-Ika. Multiple other continents are said to be working on their own version.
The round chamber she found herself in had no visible door to the outside. On either side were large entryways leading further into the building, showcasing a sitting area, filled bookshelves, and curved staircases leading up. Lamps lit every corner and not a single book was out of place. Despite the opulence and cleanliness, the atmosphere welcomed the visitor. The building smelt of old books and a hint of burning wood from the enchanted fireplaces.
In between the entrances was a wonderfully carved desk depicting the biomes of Verlong, with a few figures hinting at the creatures that lived in them.
Behind that desk sat the most unlikely creature, one which did not even belong to this planet. A Sherrossi demon. He was massive, at least twice Zaira’s size if not thrice, tall, and every limb thick. Bright red skin. His large black oxen-like horns stuck out at least three feet out the side of his head. She couldn’t see his feet but knew they ended in hooves. Despite the intimidating form, he himself did not radiate anything but calmness. He was writing in a ledger, small spectacles perched on his nose.
“This is a safe space.” He said, not lifting his head.
Zaira’s wondering thoughts were grounded as the Sherrossi spoke to her. “I’m sorry?”
He looked up and straightened out. “Anyone found harassing others will be removed from the premises.”
Zaira felt her eyes tear, and she lowered her head. “I’m not planning on harassing anyone.”
“No, no, no, no, no.”
Zaira heard tiny hurried footfalls. She looked up to see that a cave elf, about the size of her forearm had run across the Sherrossi’s desk. These were native to the caves of Owijane, the continent north of this one. She spotted the cave elf’s desk; it was sitting on the larger desk off to the right.
“Abraxis is referring to your glamour spells.” The elf’s large eyes blinked at her. “You don’t need them here.”
Zaira’s chest tightened, she was finding it hard to breathe.
Abraxis stood and walked slowly around the desk. His large form loomed over her even before he reached her. When he reached her personal space, she felt just as small as the cave elf.
“I’m afraid if you don’t drop your glamours, I will have you removed.”
Zaira did so.
“And the last one?”
“Please no.” She whispered. She was crying. She switched to Uavic, an Underworld language enchanted by Death themself to make lying nigh impossible. Praying this old demon would understand her. “I’m not here to cause trouble. The humans. You know what it's like.”
Abraxis took a few steps back, she took the opportunity to take some deep breaths.
“I’ve been lucky enough to avoid it, but I’ve heard the stories. I’m sorry for whatever’s happened to you. You are in good company here, do not worry about your glamours. But, I won’t keep you from putting them back if you feel more comfortable.”
Zaira nodded, head low. “Thank you.”
The glamours were up again as soon as Abraxis sat down. He gave her a sad smile but didn’t comment as he returned to his work.
The cave elf jumped off the desk and ran up to her.
“So, what are you looking for?” The elf looked up at her with a large smile.
“Um, Verlong’s cryptids.”
“Myth or science?”
“Science.”
“Um...” The little elf bounced from one foot to another, their large ears flapping with every bounce. “There isn’t much. They aren’t well studied, you know, on account of them being willing to eat anything.” They stilled, staring at the wall behind her. This was quickly followed by a large nod. “I know where to look. Follow me.”
They waved to her.
Zaira followed behind, keeping a close eye on the small creature, not looking up to either marvel at the building or look at the many diverse creatures she saw pass them.
“Ok. You stay here.”
Zaira looked around, they were in a sitting area with large plush chairs. Long low tables sat in the middle of sets of four chairs. Each seat had a small side table with coasters.
“I’m not allowed to go browse the shelves?”
“Of course you are! But you don’t look ok. Let me go get you your books.”
They led her to one of the chairs. She didn’t argue and sat down. Only then did Zaira realize she was still trembling.
“Thank you.”
“What would like to drink?”
She going to ask if that was allowed but heard herself whisper. “Cocoa.”
The elf smiled and snapped its finger. A cup of cocoa materialized and drifted onto the little side table.
She took the mug in both hands. “Thank you. What’s your name?”
“Kial. I’ve worked with Abraxas all my life. He’s not really scary... you just looked a little suspicious.”
“I understand. It's ok.” Zaira smiled at Kial and took a sip of the cocoa. The warmth radiated throughout her torso and did wonders for her composure.
Kial smiled back and disappeared with a pop. They returned with two books and place them on the long table in front of her. She picked one of them up. Then another book arrived, and another, and another. She had a neat stack to flip through in no time. The issue was, these were very broad, going over mostly the same few cryptids. She flipped quickly through the pages looking for a picture of her unknown cryptid. The sixth book yielded results.
“Kial,” she caught them as they were putting more books on the table, “I’m sorry to change things up on you, but would you have anything on this specifically?”
Kial leaned in. “Pukwudgies… I don’t know. Let me check.” They disappeared again.
Her attention returned to the book entry.
Pukwudgie
Pukwudgies are commonly found in Canadensia and have been seen as far west as Eastern Saanich. They are small, around 2 to 3 feet tall, anthropoids, with long faces and quills running from the top of their head all the way down their back.
As with most cryptids they are loners. They are known for their trickery. Not much else is known about them as they are flighty when approached and hostile when aggravated. There have been reports of pukwudgies brandishing spears, indicating they may be able to use tools.
According to legends, they can teleport independently and shapeshift. It is hard to determine if reports of them teleporting are accurate as they could simply be quick and/or adapt at disappearing around the foliage of the forests they call home. Reports of shapeshifting are unsubstantiated.
Zaira tapped her claws on the armrest. It was a start. She picked up another book. Nothing.
“I couldn’t find anything more precise.” Kial dumped three more books on the table. “These do have entries in them.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything else?”
“No. Thank you, Kial.”
Their smile was wide as they offered her a sight bow. They walked away, back towards the entrance.
Zaira scanned the room. The shelves in front of her seemed to go on forever. To her right was a large window. A shapeshifter was lying on a rug under it, right in a sunbeam, book in hand. She could hear calm breathing behind her somewhere. All the other seats were empty. Zaira took a sip of her cocoa, leaned back, and settled in for some reading.
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Zaira stood and stretched. The sun was starting to set. She had not spent that entire time reading on pukwudgies. She had only found three entries on those, mostly repeating the same things. They did seem to like food. But was it wise to encourage them to come back? Granted it was already stealing the Rosses’ food, perhaps an offering would mitigate the mess.
Her fourteen books were placed on the trolley labeled ‘returns’. The shelves had stood out to her as the most organized she had ever seen, and she didn’t want to ruin it by attempting to return the books herself.
The fourteenth book had been a fantasy she had picked out herself. Her hands lingered on the cover of The Dragon’s lair. She had stayed long enough to finish it, they weren’t allowed to remove any books from the premises, though there was a reservation station.
She supposed it was time to go inform Hannah and Ryan of her discovery. Though, how much would they believe?
She paused on the way out to say thank you to Kial and nod to Abraxis. The return to Refuge was smooth, her nerves returned, but she fast-walked out of the community hall and avoided locking eyes with anyone. She took off outside and headed in the direction of home.