[https://i.imgur.com/l8uOUjU.jpg]

South Tori High

September 24th X288

Mayor Banquet stepped on stage with the crowd roaring. His white suit shimmered at the center of the stage.

His floating smile spirit stretched its neck to the ceiling of the auditorium. The massive lump of air in the back of its throat expanded like a garden hose accumulating pressure from being pinched off. Its lips puckered as it steadily blew bubbles into the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” Banquet removed the microphone from the podium and placed his hand on his chest.

“To all the citizens of Tarot Tori City, I can’t thank you enough. I couldn’t ask for better citizens to represent. Your generous contributions for the ransom were all compiled, and along with the survey results, the decision was unanimous. It’ll be awarded to our local hero, right here and now.”

-POP-

That son of a— Florian’s hair stood on end as his words shocked through her body. How dare he?

“It’s what you, the people, wanted. And it’s rightfully deserved,” Banquet continued.

Banquet’s soul shook its goggle eyes, aimlessly darting about. The pockets of air systematically wormed their way up to its throat, reaching its mouth. The head released bubbles of different sizes, colors, and thicknesses. The entire auditorium was filled with balloon spirit bubbles. Its eel arms twisted and bent the bubbles into different shapes, animals, and objects, infecting everyone in unique ways.

“I truly feel indebted to you all. If re-elected, I’ll continue to dedicate my life to implementing the previous mayor’s legacy.”

-POP-

Florian clenched her teeth.

“Now, presenting our young hero of Tarot Tori City, Florian Lilly Cobblestone.” Banquet clapped his hands along with the audience.

His soul’s smile turned to Florian. It drifted back to the stage, opening its mouth big enough to swallow the six-foot-three mayor. It exhaled the pent-up air at the back of its throat, expelling a fleshy rubber stomach lining balloon. Too heavy to move, the flesh bubble sat there, engulfing Banquet’s half of the stage.

What the hell is that? What’s going on? Florian was cued to go on by the staff. She cautiously approached the dome of flesh, walking on stage as directed.

Florian scanned the auditorium filled with people. The sheer number of spirit gazes made her bowels tremble. Every soul in the audience, and through the cameras, every soul in the city had their eyes on her.

In another part of town, Dr. Ronaldo was watching the live TV broadcast. Florian had no idea Ronaldo was seeing her soul, the rose bramble, slowly enveloping her. Thorns, much like the dark urchin’s, grew from the foliage. Vines wrapped around her arms, covering her dress with multicolored roses. Intimidating, yet somewhat beautiful.

Florian’s heart raced. The police and security were buzzing around in the background. She saw her parents, Honest, Fumblehouse, her friends, and Hope, cheering with all their might.

All I gotta do is repeat what I said before. I can do this in front of everyone! But why is his soul so excited? If I reveal everything, his entire career will be ruined. Is he insane, or is this a part of his plan? All the bubbles are already in place as if he prepared for this. Who am I kidding? I don’t have proof! Everything I accused him of was just my speculation. I thought I could get him to confess in private and now look. If I make a fool out of myself, I’ll never be taken seriously again. Banquet’s hands may be clean, but I can tell just by looking, he’s a threat equal to Ghost, that much is certain.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Florian was unable to move.

“Come on. This way, young Cobblestone.” Banquet waved with a smirk.

Slowly, Florian moved toward Banquet, unknowingly already caught in his pace. She stopped when her vision blurred a bit, face inches from a wall of transparent flesh.

“What’s wrong? Come forward and take your scholarship.”

Florian stood in place, refusing to enter the bubble.

“It’s fine; I’ll come to you.”

Banquet approached Florian. She took a single step back, but the bubble stayed in place. Unable to see what Florian saw, the mayor handed Florian the portfolio with his right hand. In his left was the microphone. Both were up against the wall of flesh. Banquet wasn’t facing the audience; both he and his soul were staring directly at Florian, smiling brightly.

Florian reached for the portfolio.

Banquet shook his head and sighed. He pulled his right hand back and laughed. “Didn’t you have something you wanted to say?”

Florian looked up at Banquet.

“Go on. . . Just like how we rehearsed moments ago.” Banquet offered her the microphone.

He can’t be serious? He wants me to say it?

The flesh dome inflated further to the point where it touched Florian’s face.

“You were so adamant before. What’s the matter?” Banquet frowned. The excitement on his face slowly disappeared as he turned toward the audience.

“She’s quite shy, isn’t she?” Banquet laughed.

Florian shrugged. Why is he so annoying? He’s egging me on to announce all his crimes to the city. Either my accusations were utterly wrong, or he has something up his sleeve. He wants me to choose. If I report him, I’ll lose the scholarship. The microphone or the scholarship?

Florian couldn’t see her own soul, but she knew it was there. It was right behind her, just like how Ronaldo told her.

Florian raised her right hand.

She reached over toward Banquet.

-POP-

The fleshy bubble disappeared.

Florian looked at her right hand, finding nothing. Did my soul puncture Banquet’s soul?

Banquet plopped the microphone into the very hand Florian was inspecting. Florian looked up at Banquet. His excited smile returned. Banquet whipped out a microphone for himself.

“I’ll let you start, young Cobblestone.” Banquet adjusted his tie and closed his eyes, full of valor.

Florian faced the audience. “I can’t thank you enough for this scholarship. I’m not strong enough now, but I swear, I’ll use it to apprehend any criminals that cross my sights.” Florian glanced toward Banquet and handed him the microphone.

“What? Is that all?” Banquet looked bewildered.

Florian nodded in a cold sweat.

The crowd applauded as confetti and balloons showered from the ceiling. The audience cheered harder as the music elevated everyone’s spirits.

Banquet handed Florian the portfolio and shook her hand. Both smiled for the cameras. Pictures flashed as they made their way down the stage. Blythe joined them for a few photo ops.

Banquet was swarmed by the majority of the press for questioning. He promoted himself and his campaign.

Florian only got the leftover press that didn’t get to Banquet in time.

“Do you plan to go into law school?”

“I plan to become a detective. It’s a long road ahead, and I’ll have to research where to start.”

“Did Mayor Banquet inspire you to become a detective?”

“No. Well, he did play some part in my decision.”

A microphone pressed close to Florian. She turned to its holder.

It was a woman with long brown hair, a white button shirt, a black skirt, and piercing red eyes. She stood like an empress winking at Florian, with her spirit in her hair. Brown tentacles blending in like an accessory reached out to Florian.

The woman asked, “Do you plan on continuing your pursuit of the kidnappers in question?”

Florian looked her in the eyes. She couldn’t believe it. Glaring with a smile, Florian saw through her disguise.

“It doesn’t matter where you hide. I’ll hunt each and every one of you down and catch you all myself. Even if I have to flip the entire world upside down.”

Clarissa Lantern smiled from ear to ear. “I’m sure they heard you, loud and clear.”