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<02/15/1972 – 05:11>
Compression of air and sound, encased in a barrier with rapid shifts in altitude and geographical position, increasing air pressure. This perhaps is what causes this annoying sensation inside both ear canals during the critical moment of takeoff in flight. Danny certainly had no other conclusive details drawn out to explain why the so-called popping of the ears hurts for a few minutes. Luckily for himself and the others, nobody suffered from motion sickness.
Multon Aeronomics, the company firm owning the technology used to build such an enormous passenger craft; this multi-national business of worldwide flight designed this plane among many others. While there wasn't anything all that special about a passenger jet which Nyar had seen before, Danny and his friends were certainly overexcited by this bore of a ride. This is most likely the energy of youngsters stuck in something so new and alien of an environment; however, Danny is defiantly holding all his excitement in, if there is any.
Nyar arranged to have second-class area seats on the flight. Therefore, the section in the plane here was quite comfortable and designed for a lot of room, despite the side-attached chairs being only two per side unit. Nyar sat himself by the closed windowpane, next to Danny, and Taylor sat next to Jane just in front. Despite having taken off more than 3 hours ago, neither of Nyar's passengers would settle down. Unfortunately for Nyar's nerves, Jane wasn't exactly seated in her chair.
"Bet I can do a backflip from the seat?" Jane challenged precariously as she barely struggled to balance on both feet, each pressed against the chair handles closest to the aisle. After having to gawk at all the amazing technologies and structural integrity of the jet airliner, Jane soon became hyper and excited upon losing the curiosity that came with that long moment of learning, and she had only been off of Sprawn Valley for 180 minutes.
Taylor's eyes lit up fast in a nervous rush to stop Jane from what she was about to try. Though only three feet to her left, Jane was standing on the armrest handles of the foam chair welded into the elegant carpet floor painted with black and red stripe designs. Despite the announcement that seatbelts were not currently required after ten minutes of takeoff, Jane was still taking her idea of a joke way too far.
Nyar was much quicker to react than Taylor could however, gleaming his angry brown eyes at the girl he promised to house and feed while in New York. "Jane Venn! Sit your butt down now!" Nyar had to be firm since Jane could seriously get hurt taking things out of line. She's been acting like a kid since this flight began, and to some extent, so has Taylor. But just look at her! Jane is making a scene in the entire section of the cabin. Though there are less people seated farther apart in this area, Jane is totally embarrassing herself and anyone associated with her. People must be thinking that the parent can't control their own child. If the stewardess were here to see this right now, they would make him formally apologize, and strap Jane to a chair using duct tape.
Jane could see the entire section behind her seat being so high, and almost had her head hitting against the upper storage section where people keep their extra luggage. Despite being steadily balanced, Jane felt Nyar's aggressive tone pierce through the entire jet, hurting her ears being as close as she was. Though she was joking around, Danny, Taylor, nor Nyar found it funny or exciting to say the least. Their disappointment immediately coaxed Jane to sink down back into her chair with a mild pout.
Taylor felt like she could be accidentally smiling, but not from joy. It's just amazing sometimes how much Jane could take her excitement to a new level. Sure, she is traveling by plane outside of her home for the first time, but so is Taylor and Danny. Even back on the Tidal Max did neither of them portray such careless energy, but Jane does get like this sometimes. Still, hovering on a seat while midflight is dangerous for anyone involved. "We've got plenty of time for that once we reach New York."
Nyar, ignoring Taylor's attempt to house or balance Jane's recklessness added to his long list of rules for this little trip outside. "You told me back there that you were sixteen years old, so start acting like it. An airplane is no place for horseplay. And I won't have either of you damage my house with such stunts either. Do I make myself clear?"
After a brief moment of silence populated by the continuous noise of the muffled turbines and wind draft from outside the surrounding metal, Jane sat herself on her knees, lifting her face slightly above the top of the rear padding of her seat to meet Nyar's face. "I won't horseplay again... Hey Nyar? Why do they call it New York? Was there an Old York? Did something happen to it?"
Danny chuckled against his control, muffling the noise with his hand. It figures that Jane wouldn't know something about New York or America for that matter. General School in Sprawn Valley is notorious for teaching their people a lot about the world inside and out of the nation, but geography and history were most likely not Jane's strong suit. Nyar's expression from Jane's question is what's really funny, not Jane herself. It's that puzzled look he gets mixed with disappointment and confusion. He's probably wondering what they teach in Sprawn Valley.
"What the hell do they teach kids these days?" Nyar kept his voice softer as to not attract any more attention to his area, but Jane already speaks so loudly that this ship has already long since sailed. If it were just Danny, this would be so much easier to handle. But Jane is impossible! She never sits still; she often has the mind of a nine-year-old... Why are Danny and Jane friends?
"That's just what they call it," Danny replied. Nyar didn't want to reply to Jane, but at least he wasn't being too harsh.
Taylor added the one thing she knew about New York, coming from the desire to be part of the conversation. "New York was originally supposed to be our only destination while on the cruise from Kalamo. But things didn't go as planned, and we ended up in your hometown. Now we can all see it for ourselves."
Jane sank further, trying to better seat herself against the chair while addressing Taylor. "How did you come off of the cruise anyway? Wouldn't something like that have guard rails or something?"
After two seconds of silence between Danny and Taylor, Nyar let out an inaudible huff of embarrassment and sympathy. Jane does at least catch on to some interesting details regarding their story. Nyar heard the details from Danny and Taylor directly from their story before, but as Jane would ask, how did they manage to fall off of a cruise in the middle of the night; a cruise outfitted with security locks, designs to make the entire vessel unsinkable, and of course guard rails all on the edges of the ship? You would have to be trying to jump into the ocean in order to succeed at such a catastrophe. Danny did promise that the storm outside made things hectic. He still has not provided a good enough excuse to why he and Taylor were wandering out on the pontoon at night in the first place during a storm. The boy is smarter than that... Then again, he did teach himself how to use Leray magic. Even if it was for the purpose of self-defense, this girl he is drooling over may have some part of that.
"It was a rough storm," Danny clarified. Surely this reply alone wasn't enough for Nyar, and Taylor knew the whole truth herself along with him, but Jane probably wouldn't see the reason as severely significant or curtail for detail. Danny knew that he and Taylor were jettisoned from the Tidal Max because he was a complete idiot, too curious for his own good. Even if the light outside was somehow from residual Leray magic, it wasn't reason enough to risk his life out there, especially that of Taylor's. Even so, trying to climb up that wet rock wall is by far the most unforgivable—
"Oh well," Jane answered. "I guess we'll just have to wait until we can visit all of the stores there."
Nyar crossed his arms as Jane kept her head just high enough while sitting on her legs to be seen. "You really think life in America is so simple?" Compared to the easy life of running around shooting magic, New York is not so similar at all, and Jane just doesn't get that.
Danny couldn't help but briefly return to a side thought he had earlier, particularly about the flight terminal and the concept of air travel in itself. Using a fuel source similar to that of automobiles, jet airliners can support tons of weight in the cabin of the vehicle while lifting off the ground with powerful turbines and engines, using the aerodynamic design of the build to save energy otherwise lost by gravity and air friction. On the inside of the plane, passengers are stuck in a small area often strapped to a seat with a stewardess to provide food and drinks for the passengers, but never did he believe the difference in time scale for the mode of travel. It will only be several more hours of time before they make it to America, probably around fifteen more to go. It doesn't feel that quick right now, but compared to the Tidal Max, the difference is much more noticeable. Luckily for himself and Taylor, they've packed up on loads of food and clothing before departing from Sprawn Valley. Taylor in particular was showing off something one would wear on a typical day outdoors, but as expected, Nyar brought more clothing and luggage of his own for himself and Taylor. Jane is lucky to have her own supply, since Taylor's clothing size is somewhat too small to fit her.
Jane calmly tried to figure it out, why Nyar kept on saying such words. "You said something about people having to work hard jobs to make money in America. But for those back home who don't rely on magic, life is actually the same for them."
"No," Nyar directed. "It is not the same there as it is in America. I'm talking about hard work; back breaking labor. The only way out of that process is through incredible luck. Or if people follow the same road I've gone down with law school, you can make money so long as you have the brains to work out defense cases."
"But I've got all of these credits from my wins." Jane flashed out her identification card given to her at the Leray station in Eldora City. Despite having the same appearance as a Leray wielder's license, the material is no longer digitized or magically fueled, since it wouldn't run outside of the native country. On either ID card is displayed a full name, small frame of a person's facial ID, credit count, profession, and level or experience in that profession.
"You've already shown me." When will she learn? Nyar broke it down once more for Jane to understand the situation. "You can't just use credits like that in America. There is a rough conversion process that must take place before the currency is usable there, and such a process is also very difficult."
This would be the first time hearing about having a difficulty converting credits to USD, for Danny and Taylor both. "Why is that anyway?"
That's right, Nyar remembered. He had yet to explain it to Danny or to Taylor, perhaps because he assumed they wouldn't be interested. Maybe Jane plans to share her money between the two of them. "Well unlike most currencies, there are conversion centers set up in every country to handle out-of-pocket currency conversion. But among many other countries including the one we are heading to, the currency known as Leray credits are not accepted."
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Chapter Theme Shift: Cranktown Night ~ Resonance of Fate / End of Eternity OST
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Finally interested, Taylor sat up parallel to Jane, mirroring the same question on her mind. "But why? Do people hate Leray magic that much, that even their money is no good?"
With a sharp gaze and tone, Nyar answered to the assumed cruelty. "That's exactly the reason behind it. In order to trade credits for cash, you have to carefully navigate through a crowd of people who are usually below the law, people who are specifically interested in purchasing Leray credits and giving away their cash in the process. Such a personal trade is considered illegal in most fifty states of the country, which is why finding such clients is not easy to do, nor is the practice easy to conduct in a place as big as New York hiding their competitors. For that reason, offers to convert credits to cash are often one-sided profit based deals, in which the receiver of credits is gaining about double the amount if not more for the fair amount of initial cash value."
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"So they swindle people out of their money?" Danny didn't need much time to put that together. It makes sense in the process, but are people really that stupid to hand over 50% of their entire credit value for some useless paper cash?
"All of them do, but with steady competition in the credit conversion black market, you'll learn that all dealers have different rates of gain for this. Locating the right client who won't take as much to convert credits to cash, who also is a safe and trusted source comes with incredible difficulty... Jane, you won't have much of a choice here but to leave the matter in my capable hands. Such a process will take a lot of time, so you and your friends must take up part time jobs in order keep food in the fridge. Is this understood?"
With a mild sink in her expression, Jane copied the many replies she had to give Nyar before. "Yes sir."
Uncle Nyar sure knows a lot more about the Leray world than he initially led on. But then why do people hate magic so much? Isn't Nyar included on that list of people? Countries won't even accept Leray based currency, despite that currency just being a number. "Hey Nyar?" After waiting long enough to draw the man's full attention, Danny prepared to get to the bottom of this little mystery. There are reasons for disliking Leray magic, but none that go as far as what has been heard already. "What is it with people and Leray magic? I don't understand how half the entire world population outside scorn the practice so much, to the point where I had to be lied to about its existence for my entire life... Well?"
Nyar let out a rough exhale, giving himself time to process the fact that Danny, Taylor, and Jane were all staring at him intensely for the answer they wished to know. Unfortunately for them, they are reading away from the direction of truth. "Honestly now. What child wouldn't dream of running to a land full of magic and powers that they themselves can learn? To the untrained eye, it seems too good to be true. But despite Danny and Taylor being as old as they are during their unplanned arrival in Sprawn Valley, they were totally new to the concept of magic. This, I surmise is the reason you both went against my advice to stay away from the magic."
Danny glanced down somewhat in memory. Though Nyar is right that he ignored the helpful advice, it wasn't due to curiosity. "It's not the reason though." Sensing Nyar's closer attention alongside of Taylor's, he elaborated his point. "It is true that I was somewhat coerced into learning Leray magic, and for some time I too feared its effects, but it's nothing more than a powerful system to help defend people, yourself or others."
"But you see Danny," Nyar continued, "that is exactly the problem I have with it. In Sprawn Valley, other than magic wielding people or creatures, what would you have to defend yourself from?" Seconds passed... Five more long seconds... Danny and Taylor aren't talking anymore, perhaps finally understanding the issue here. "Magic is just a powerful tool, more like an entire arsenal of weaponry. People with good intent wish to use it for fun or to protect people. Others with harmful intent will use that power to destroy and raze land to the ground, while taking lives in the process indiscriminately. Outside of Sprawn Valley, you have the good and the bad; honest working people mixed into a crowd of criminals ranging on a scale of petty thievery to outright murderers. If you add magic into the equation, nothing changes. Although the ability to kill or destroy becomes more efficient."
Jane argued quickly, sensing that Nyar was somehow getting to her friends with this nonsense. "But the veil protects people from dying when stuck by magic, and other things."
Nyar retorted before Jane could get anymore out. "And on what level do you see this type of immortality a natural thing for the human body? You think it is actually healthy for a veil to affect people's sleep and eating patterns, or how about their very essence of life force energy?"
There he goes again, Danny realized. Nyar defiantly knows what he is talking about, but this context never came from his own input nor from Jane's. "Listen Nyar. I know you don't like magic either. But if I didn't learn it, I would never have made it to the airport safely. And I don't hate Leray magic. Magic really can save people from sudden death. It may not be natural, but so what?"
"So what? I'll show you what," Nyar promised. "You said just a moment ago that people cannot die from magic. But Danny? You and I both know this to be a load of drivel. In fact, I knew about that before the moment I learned that you were stuck on that insane asylum. It's something we refer to as dark magic. Many of the government officials try to deny the very existence of this, but we both know even from your claims and stories that dark magic can be used to kill regardless of the veil. We're all lucky that such magic cannot escape from the veil of that country."
But... No, Nyar's not wrong there. Danny knew he was losing his argument with that. Leray magic can defend against dark magic, but not with ease. The fact that magic isn't really safe these days; is this the so called lie put out into the world that people hate so much?
"And what of the animals there affected by that forced curse of what's called Leray magic? Nobody asked those creatures if they would accept such a violent change. Now I hear all about mutated creatures and even evil monsters that reside somewhere in that zone. It could be isolated to creatures of the air, or perhaps it goes all the way down through the Hollifax Ocean. But I've at least seen one of these creatures before on the restricted television channel. I believe actual mages refer to such things as summons, but they were once real living breathing creatures that were harmless well before their forced transformation. How then can that be okay with anyone?"
Jane knew this was just crap coming from Danny's annoying uncle, but trashing her own summons is not okay. "There is still no proof that all creatures were transformed to become summons. The missing link to the drakes and dragons has never been found to back that up. Also, summons help us out in battle, and we don't treat them unfairly."
"Can you really say the same for all magic wielders?" Nyar questioned. "How about the so called criminals I spoke of before? Nobody is born a bad egg. I would assume it to be easy for a magic wielder to one day turn on their own people, and use that summon as a monstrous slave to get their bloody work done for them. A summon is the same as magic, a tool. But worse, the creatures that have been forced to change into magical monsters also have no apparent say in their masters or their orders. You may still not see magic as evil for that reason, but I promise you that many others around the world agree with my own testimony."
Magic was never supposed to be used this way though. Taylor could feel this much in her heart, but Nyar isn't buying any of it, and Danny won't defend himself right now. Why does Nyar act so much more like Danny's father than some distant relative? And how does he know so much about magic already?
Nyar continued since nobody was arguing back anymore. "I get that lots of people don't understand the length I have gone through to classify why magic is an evil art. But I also must make myself as clear as I can. Magic is not safe, nor has it ever been safe."
Jane held the chair firmly with both hands and fingers, desperately trying to put her way of life in the spotlight it deserves to be in. "Well just because you are afraid of magic doesn't mean I'm going to give it up."
"I never suggested that anyone give up anything so suddenly." Nyar had everyone's direct attention again, and he laid Jane's assumptions to rest. "And I was never fearful of Leray magic. Loads of people really do fear magic because of their suspicions, but also for what they don't yet know. However, I already understand completely how that disgusting art works in the first place. Therefore, my reason for hating Leray magic is simply the factual evidence already confirmed by the story Danny and your friend Taylor has summarized for me. I am grateful that all three of you never chose to go down such a dark path by hurting other people with such a deadly weapon."
Is this what Nyar is really like? He speaks so confidently... I can't say anything else to change his mind. Taylor sank just slightly, entranced into all of the thoughtful memories of Sprawn Valley that she might not see ever again.
"Danny? And Taylor?" Nyar addressed. "I am not against the life style choices that you've made in that zone. Even now am I okay with the fact that both of you learned such a dark art, but only because you both already understand the dangers that come with it. Had you come to me with no idea about the potential dangers and twisted concepts attached to Leray magic, I would never forgive either of you until you did understand. Luckily for us both, we won't have to worry about that in New York."
Danny felt confused. Nyar wasn't mad at him or Taylor for learning Leray magic after all, but as Nyar just said, it was because he knew what he was getting into and why. At least that is what Nyar sensed. Danny never threw in the part where a particular Leray agent tricked him into learning the style of magic in the first place, even though his views matched up with Danny's in the end. Still, Nyar just hates Leray magic. You couldn't ever convince the man otherwise... But maybe it's for the best. Danny knew he wouldn't have to worry about dark magic, or evil cults, or bloodthirsty monsters in New York. This is a nice change of pace for this vacation.
"So then..." Taylor struggled to keep her voice level, sensing the answer she didn't want to hear. "What happens after this? You're not sending me back, right? I can go back to Sprawn Valley if I want to?"
"Don't worry about those details," Nyar promised. "With you in particular, I'll find some way to work out the kinks you caused with your family. If they don't change their way of thinking, then you can return to wherever you want." Noticing Taylor sigh in relief, Nyar added, "But Danny's situation is another story. His family are nice people, and they miss him already. If Danny decides he needs to return to Kalamo to visit them instead or before returning to Sprawn Valley, then that is a possibility you will just have to accept."
Danny wanted to protest the thought, but he couldn't get the words out. His family, Arias and Jenson have to be worried sick, even with the good news that Nyar has finally taken Danny into custody. But what would they think of all this magic business? Surely they wouldn't approve either, considering they chose not to say anything about it for his entire life. Come to think of it, nobody in the entire area of Slatetown or perhaps all of Kalamo spoke of Sprawn Valley or Leray magic. Does this amount of people not know the truth?
Still, there's the issue of leaving Taylor behind to visit them. Danny knew he couldn't allow for that, even under Jane's supervision. Taylor has been through so much already, and if she returns to Kalamo just like Lonagan said, Taylor will be subject to renewed citizenship status if discovered there. And of all times, Jenson has to have stage two cancer. Danny never really did receive a status update to any of that. He hasn't spoken to his family for over a month, longer than Jane tried ignoring her own. There should be plenty of telephones stationed in New York, and Nyar would defiantly know all about their locations.
Taylor noticed how quiet and entranced Danny suddenly became. Is Nyar right about that? Danny misses his family so much that he'll leave back to Kalamo instead? A long denied thought crossed Taylor's mind in the silence ensuing. Am I a horrible person for keeping him here?
"Well we can worry about that later, right?" Jane worked quickly to change the subject, interested again in what the area will be like. "Let's try to guess what New York City will be like."
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Chapter Theme Shift: Play With Me, My Fellow! ~ Two Worlds 2 OST
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"Good luck with that," Nyar sniffed.
Taylor took onto the subject immediately, picking up on Jane's excitement where she left off. "We've both never been there before Jane. It could be like anything. I guess if it is a city, it may resemble Gross City, perhaps Eldora City."
Nyar again interrupted to shoot down their wild guesses, ensuring they do not get their hopes up. "With that colossal tower going up into the sky? Try again. New York is about as boring as any other place on Earth."
Jane lifted her arms up high to fuel her imagination while speaking. "Just imagine if we could use Leray magic there too! I bet that would make things interesting."
"More like a nightmare." Nyar muttered softer to avoid criticism from either Jane or Taylor, expecting it after being so negative this whole time. Still, all Jane can think about is magic this and magic that. Is she in for the shock of a lifetime or what?
"Even if we can't," Danny suggested, "think about all of the other places they might have there. Surely the must have parks, all sorts of animals, restaurants, stores, and maybe activities for skating."
"Oh, I want to check out all of the clothing and jewelry!" Taylor let the excitement flood back in at the thought of it. Even without any money on her, window-shopping a jewelry and clothing store is still so much fun.
There they go again with their imagination. Still, Nyar soon remembered how much into skateboarding Danny was back then. Is that still a thing even after all of the horrors he had to face back there?
"I bet they have a beach here or there," Danny concluded. "That means we can do a lot there too. I want to try out this thing someone showed me. I think it's called surfing. It's like skateboarding on water instead of land."
After a muffled quick exhale escaped through his nostrils, Nyar managed to interrupt all three of them, and finally let out an interesting laugh that lasted for more than five seconds. Unfortunately did this confuse or scare all three of the kids out of context. Nyar then hugged Danny firmly while rubbing the top of his hair. "Surfing huh? It's a lot harder than you make it sound, but that's still a manly sport."
With a peaked interest, Danny decided to accept that Nyar's behavior must have changed so suddenly because he could somehow relate. "Do you know how surfing works Nyar?"
"Of course I know how it works. I was once young too, boy. When we get enough time to go to the beach, I'll show you the basics, but you best be prepared to fall off a few times. Nobody masters surfing on their hundredth try."
"Th—thank you." Danny didn't mean to sound hesitant, but after all this time, Nyar had nothing to talk about that wasn't in some way depressing. Maybe he does know how to have fun. This is a vacation after all.
Nyar realized that there is a whole process to this trip, and all members must follow the rules. "Don't forget that we first need money to do just about anything, with the first priority stocking up on food. Even for a man like me, holding down a place to live while paying such hefty bills comes with difficulty."
"The job won't pay enough?" Jane questioned.
"Right now," Nyar confessed, "I'm on paid leave of absence. I'm to return to my duties as city lawyer in three days, and I only have one day remaining for that. When I do return to work, I'll have a tight shift, and I doubt my earnings will be enough just to feed the three of you. Obtaining part times jobs amongst the three of you will be paramount."
Jane balanced her neck on the top edge of the seat while backwards to face Nyar. "But how does that work then, since you keep saying it's so different?"
"I'll just show you when we arrive."
"And what else do they have here? You should know, since you live in the city, right?"
"When we make it to my home, we'll discuss it then." And that was all it took to calm Jane down. She soon turned to seat forward like a normal human being, though he could barely hear Jane and Taylor talking quietly between each other. Danny was as quiet as usual, but it's liberating to see that he hasn't cast away all of his normal ideas of fun for the sake of Leray magic. Still, that must mean that somewhere in Sprawn Valley, there must be a small selection of people who reject the art too. If so, why bother to live there? "I think we're only six hours away by now. So everyone just hang tight. I'm going for a long power nap."
Danny saw that Nyar was serious, attempting to slide half his body to lean near the windowpane, with a pillow already set before his head for the comfort of sleep. It really wasn't all that fun on an airplane. Actually, the Tidal Max had so much more to it, and the view was better too. Right now, it's almost pitch black out of that window, which means it must be totally dark outside. Even with all of the handheld television screens mounted into a compartment of the back of each chair, there wasn't much use for them with only two movies to choose from. Aside from that, Danny's eyes were getting heavy too. So this is another thing Nyar wasn't lying about. Airplane rides are so lame.