Annabel followed the bustling streets of New Albion, she had never expected the sunshine to feel this good on her face, Jasper’s joints creaked as they made their way to the park. Everyone stared at the odd pair. She pointed, “Look, over there is Eldridge Park, I did not forget my bag, did I?”
Jasper tried to sigh, but he could only feel his mechanical wheels turn as he tried to look at the bag. This is where Fay and I spent a lot of time together, I told her everything there was to know about being a stockbroker. My life has come to an end, I should not be here, maybe I can adjust my radio to sing something to Annabel, to tell her how I feel.
Annabel patted the bag and looked around in awe, she always wanted to visit the park, but she never dared to do so, there were so many people who were having a picknick on blankets on the grass.
Flower beds are meticulously arranged in patterns that change with every season, burst forth with blossoms of every hue imaginable. The sweet fragrance of the flowers hangs in the air, creating a sensory symphony that sets the tone for the park experience.
A winding cobblestone path meanders through the park, inviting visitors to explore its hidden corners. Towering oak and willow trees provide ample shade, their branches forming a natural canopy that dapples the ground below with patches of sunlight. Wooden benches, strategically placed beneath the trees, offer the perfect spots for visitors to sit and enjoy the tranquility.
She smiled at Jasper, “Come on, It is early, I still see a few spots where we can sit down, what about under the towering oak? If you agree with me, play music for me. I think that is a good idea to communicate with you.”
Jasper started playing music from the nearby radio broadcast, another country song. A plan started to form in his mind, a plan to get back to Elysium, all he needed to do, was wait for Annabel to ask the right question.
Annabel caressed his cheek, “I am glad you like the plan,” she made her way to the nearest oak tree and put a blanket down, and she put Jasper against the tree. “Can you play your own music, or only music that is being broadcasted?”
Jasper creaked as he adjusted his position, he imagined clearing his throat and he sang one word, “Elysium.”
Annabel grabbed some juice she had taken with her, “That is right, you come from Elysium, I get that you might be afraid of my formula to bring back the dead. I promise you, I will not share it with anyone, some people might see you but as long as no one has my wits, my intellect, and my formula, you will be the only one.”
Jasper was kind of glad to hear those words. At least she has no nefarious plans with bringing back the dead, she does not intend to sell her formula, no other poor souls will end up like me. Ripped from the freedom that Elysium provided them. If there is one thing that I am sure off, then it is that no one is as smart as she is. Despite the horrible situation I find myself in, I can find some solace in her words.
Annabel tilted her head, “I really wonder, what is going through your head, you must be so glad to be back. Oh, we all know and love the story about the Gambler and the Monk, do you know how to play cards?” She grabbed a pack of cards out of her bag, “I hope your mechanical joints can do this, I am unsure how all of this works. This is a whole new frontier, the frontier of the living dead!”
Jasper let out a mechanical chuckle, he realized how he quickly fell for Annabel, she is very closed off and hides from everyone, but inside, there is a warm and caring person. Maybe a bit, too caring since she brought him back from the dead, for a card game of all things, and he vaguely felt, connected to the gambler in the stories. He managed to move his mechanical hands and took some cards.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Annabel nodded with glee, “Yes, let’s play cards.”
“Well, audience, here we are, a woman who has raised a dead man, only because she seeks a lover, while Jasper just wants to be dead. It is a sad and harsh truth, but sometimes, the things we love, or people, do not love us back. This can happen the other way around too as well.”
“Annabel is thrilled with Jasper being back, so much in fact, she does not listen to his pleas or music, she doesn’t want to hear the true meaning of the word, Elysium. You are looking at me with that face again, you want me to tell her? I am sorry, I don’t interfere with the narrative. Why don’t we see how Jasper is doing as we continue to follow them?”
Jasper laid down a card, Is there anyway that I can tell her? I managed to sing a word, but she just misunderstood me. I am able to say yes and no by trying to use my head. This is all so complicated, I am no longer in my body. These mechanical joints feel, wrong. All of this is wrong. This body has to be destroyed, I need to be destroyed, I want to be free.
Annabel laid down a card and giggled, “This is so much fun, I love that we can finally spend time together, tonight we are going to the cabaret, but I also would like to show you the annual. You do remember, I have no idea actually, I don’t keep up with dates that much. The festival for the Monk and the Gambler.”
As Jasper looked at the card she had put down, he felt something strange, being alive again after being in Elysium, he felt, connected to the Gambler. Maybe he was related? Who knows, he just has to wait for her to ask, the question. She is smart, he knows she will ask her, hopefully today so this dreaded existence can end. But, he knows, he will be dragged to the parade soon, hopefully the last time he will ever see it.
Annabel grinned as Jasper laid down a card, “Don’t you know how hard it was to bring you back. Let me tell you about a potion I made to understand more about the light spectrums that allowed me to call you back from the dead. I call it the illumination elixir, a few potions sit in my lab, have you seen them? Play a song for yes, a case of vials with a liquid that shines like the moon.”
Jasper sighed and let out a few creaks, he played a country song, he had seen the vials, but he did not know what they were.
Annabel took a sip from the juice, “I had to get the essence of a moonstone, then there were these petals. I bought them from thieves who could only stare up. I cured one, but only temporarily, to get the petals. From the alchemists I bought an arcane catalyst. This park, I snuck into it once at night to collect the nectar I needed. Here comes a shocker, I temporarily opened a portal to Elysium, a tiny one, with a needle I extracted just enough essence. Come on, speak to me, tell me what you think.”
Jasper looked at the card Annabel had played as she spoke. This is, insane, she is dangerous, but she doesn’t get that. She just thinks she is helping me, helping people understand the dead. How can I make her understand that in Elysium, you lose all your sorrows, and that you are finally free? And she took that from me. This experiment she mentions, how did she even figure out how to open a portal to Elysium? What if someone, a living person went there? What would happen?
Annabel beamed with happiness, “You look so ecstatic about my experiment! Of course, you are because I used those results to bring you back, oh look at me, repeating myself. I am just so happy. There are so many places I want to show you. Jasper, can you please talk to me? I want you to know that I love you, I have loved you since that night.”
Jasper adjusted his position and his joints creaked, She loves me, we had one night, I have to admit, I was, or am infatuated by her. But why can’t she see that we were not meant to be. She is just using me as company, there is no way we can truly be together. I am, a doll for god’s sake.
Annabel let out a frustrated sigh, “You are acting a bit distant, with all the not talking, I bet the parade will lighten up your mood. Ignore the people staring at us. Say anything to me.”
Jasper thought for a moment, before he sang, “Elysium.”
Annabel lowered her head, “I know, you probably are scarred by being beyond the veil. I will give you some time, we should finish our card game!”