The Adventures of Pupu The Bubble Witch

Chapter 34: The Edge of Opportunity

After hours of walking slowly and being very careful to not stumble on unseen obstacles while carrying Punkin, Cer finally sets Punkin on the ground and stretches while smelling the air and scanning their surroundings. I smell salt water. We must be near the port.

Yawning and stretching before rubbing her eyes, Punkin looks around and jeers. "Daddy, there are a lot of houses and boats over there. They are so far away."

"If you can see them, that means we are close. You ready to find Miyas?" yawns Cer while finishing the stretches. We have to be careful. We have no idea what we are walking into.

                                                                                                   -break-

Slowly approaching Efatas, Cer notices that many of the auras entering and leaving Efatas visibly look distraught- the auras look as if conflicted with guilt and intense sorrow.

"Pupu, what do you see?" asks Cer.

"Huh? Why is everyone so mad or sad here?" asks Pupu as she tugs on Cer's sleeve.

"I don't know. Let's find out." answers Cer as Cer lifts Punkin up from the ground and carries her.

Looking to the nearest aura, Cer tries to inquire about any news that may be impacting people's attitudes in Efatas. "Excuse me, what's going on in Efatas today? Any new happenings or fresh new catches to rave about?"

Turning back to scowl at Cer and Punkin, one dark red aura amongst a group of five other dark purple and blue auras respond. "You should leave. There isn't enough food for you or your kid. We have enough of you refugees from the North. Whatever misfortune it is that fell on you we don't want here. Just leave!!"

Noticing a subtle shift in the auras vibrate, Cer focuses more deeply on the feeling of the conflicted auras and the resonating colors emanating from the outer aura of each person.

Wanting to test a theory, Cer shows The Apiary's logo on the hoodie and offers a subtle warm smile. "I apologize for any inconvenience, we have our own supplies and are here only looking to enjoy local activities with a friend in town while conducting business. We won't be taking up any resources that are already scarce."

Suddenly Cer notices a thin dark grayish blue aura lining the outside of the dark red aura pull and reach towards Cer, influencing and pulling the red aura behind it. As the aura reaches towards Cer, Cer notices it turns from dark red to dark green while the thin dark grayish blue aura remains unchanged. I knew it. This is like the auras during the battle with Nin. The demon driven souls possessed them in some kind of way.

Perceiving Cer's concerned look. The dark green aura responds with a deceptively warm tone, attempting to lower Cer's guard with persuasion. "If you wish to enter or stay, you can pay us in honey then. Consider it your tax for our town. We can guide you around. Come with us and stay with us."

Wary of the demon driven soul's influence on the possessed person, Cer remembers the oath and curse that would make it difficult for Cer to protect Punkin should the people attack. I need to be careful. I can't protect Punkin if we are assaulted. I can't hurt these people. I need to find a way to set a psychological boundary with these demon driven souls and people.

Setting Punkin down, Cer turns and reveals the Shriver symbol on the back of Cer's collar shirt.

With their aura shifting rapidly from dark green to mixes of lemon yellow and light red, the person responds with surprise. "A SHRIVER? The Apiary has its own shriver?!? What is teh actual business you have here? We have not had incursions of monsters or demons in ages. So are you here for shriving or honey delivery?"

Thinking quickly, Cer responds "I bring clemency for those displaced. So if there is business here, I will conduct it as Shrivers have always done- free and any resources that are in need by the Mayor, I will see to it if able. I have enough supplies for ONLY things that are necessary."

Piercing through the air, a woman's voice interrupts the conversation, causing the auras of the demon driven souls and the possessed to quiver and retract while changing to light yellow with red streaks. "We welcome you openly. I am sorry for my citizens, they are just wary of people since we have been getting influxes of travelers and new residents from the East and North, all seeking some new adventure or treasure we clearly do not have."

Scanning carefully so as to not give away Cer's blindness, Cer looks around slowly but is unable to pinpoint the source of the voice.

Being familiar with Cer's scanning, Punkin tugs on Cer's sleeve and points to an approaching figure coming from the entrance of Efatas. "She looks nice, daddy. Maybe she can help us find Miyas."

Still unable to detect any new auras, Cer agrees while focusing in the area of Punkin's pointing. "Yes, she does seem nice." Pupu can see her. Why can't I? It must be Miyas' illusion again... "Pupu, she must be the new Mayor. Last time I was here, the Mayor was a lad my age."

Startling Cer, the voice responds right in front of Cer. "Yes I am new here. Please call me Chasity. The former Mayor fell ill about three years ago and could not complete their duties. This place has been Mayorless until I arrived last year. Pleased to meet you and so glad to hear you are from The Apiary. We are in need of your services as The Apiary and as a shriver."

Smiling from Chasity's warmth, Punkin chimes in. "My daddy can shrivel anything. He is the best shriver ever.

Chuckling, Chastity responds. "He shrivels things huh? I would love to see that. Though I am not sure that is what shrivers do."

Getting annoyed from being corrected, Punkin explains. "Yes it is. Shrivers and shrivel is the same thing. Shriver shrivels. Right, daddy?"

Starting to perceive Chastity's semblance of a barely visible gray aura slowly filling up with a muddy yellow-green aura mixed with swirls of white and black streams, Cer offers a reciprocating chuckle as a response. "Shrivers bring peace, Pupu, by battling monsters and demons that infest and terrorize the living in these lands. In a way we shrivel monsters' terror and we shrivel demon's powers and influence. So I guess you aren't wrong."

Pursing her lips with furrowed eyebrows and an air of innocent arrogance, Punkin chides. "See. Daddy said he shrivels. That's what shrivers do. We will shrivel all the monsters and mean things."

With her aura shifting to a light blue, Chastity turns back towards town and beckons for Cer and Punkin to follow. "I see. Well welcome to Efatas, the new haven of those who are lost in their journey. Here at our ports we trade lost dreams for rich opportunities. We take gems, coins and metals here. Anyone also bringing in honey can conduct business here. Honey is the lifeblood of our systems afterall."

Still wary of the residents of Efatas, Cer holds Punkin's hands as they follow Chastity into town, noticing how the people in the area clear the way for Chastity as she walks.

Testing Chastity's alliance with demons, Cer watches Chastity's aura as Cer brings back the focus on Shriving. "It seems that some people here may be plagued by demons since there are so many lost people."

Smiling in her voice with an unchanged aura, Chastity responds. "Well then, come on in and let's get to work."