The Lost Mage

by Difar, Amy

  “Is he … are you trying to tell me that he watches television when we’re not here?”

  Yeah, but only when she remembers to leave those cabinet doors open.

  “When you remember to leave the cabinet doors open, he says.”

  “Forget to close them is more like it.”

  Well, if she could forget to close them more, that would be great. I like watching the magic box.

  “He wants you to forget to close them more often.”

  “Well, I suppose there’s no harm in it. Mrowley, I’ll leave the doors open for you.” She turned her head and said to herself in a surprised voice, “I can’t believe I’m having this discussion.”

  Darakin brought the conversation back to his search for the demon. “Is this establishment close to the summoning spot?”

  “I’m pretty sure there is one near there. We can look it up at the Internet Café.”

  “Good. Do you have any armor? Because I don’t. It’s not standard gear for a mage.”

  “Armor?” Nora asked in surprise. “Why would you need armor?”

  “You said it’s a chain restaurant. I assumed you meant chain mail is required because it’s some sort of tournament or jousting club.”

  Nora stared in astonishment for a minute and then burst out laughing. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled as she tried to stop the laughter. “I know you hate it when I laugh at you, it’s just that sometimes you say the most outrageous things. A chain restaurant means there’s more than one. They’ll have many locations, sometimes all over the country. And while there are theme places that do jousting and stuff, this place is just based on space and aliens.”

  “Aliens? You mean like us?”

  Her shoulders bobbed up and down again as she stifled her amusement. “Um, no. Not like us. We’re illegal aliens because we’re not citizens and don’t have legal visas. These aliens are space creatures.”

  “And they’re legal here? Because you don’t use the word illegal to describe them.”

  “Lordie, no! They’re not legal. They’re not even real!”

  “You don’t think demons and mages are real, either.”

  “Why are you arguing with me? You told me you don’t believe in space creatures!”

  “I don’t, but that’s in my realm. How do I know what’s real here? I’m just trying to make sense of all this.”

  “Sweet Jaysus, you’ll be driving me to drink soon. How do I explain this? See, space creatures don’t exist. At least I never used to think they did. Like you said, you’ve kind of blown away my perception of things, but anyway, there are a lot of people who do think they – meaning the space creatures – do exist. So this restaurant plays on a theme of aliens and space objects, like meteors and … you know what? Instead of trying to explain it to you, I’ll take you there. We’ll get the address and go there tomorrow. Sean’s is closed tomorrow, so we have the day off anyway. It’ll give us something to do.”

  “So, this place is all pretend, right? I mean the idea of man flying through the stars is ridiculous.”

  “Um, yeah, about that …”

  Darakin’s eyes open wide. “You fly through the stars?”

  “Oh, not me. There are these specially trained pilots, called astronauts that do. It’s still an experimental field. So, yeah, most of what you’ll see at this place is going to be pretend.”

  “This is good because we can look for signs of the krekdapop while we’re there.”

  “Okay, sounds like a plan.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The next day, Darakin awakened early and started to get out of bed. Nora grabbed his arm.

  “Let’s sleep in today, love.”

  “But we have to go to that restaurant and look for the krekdapop.”

  “Not yet, sweetie. They won’t be open for customers for hours yet. Please? I haven’t been able to sleep in for a week.”

  “Since I’ve been here.” There was a hint of sadness in Darakin’s voice at the thought that he was making her life uncomfortable.

  “Yes, but it’s okay. I kind of like having a purpose – you know, a reason to get up in the morning.”

  Darakin said nothing, thinking about Sean’s tale of what had happened to her family and how she left her home because she felt there was nothing there for her. He snuggled closer to her – as close as he could with Mrowley’s extended body between them, acting as a barrier.

  “Mrowley, do you mind?”

  Nope. I like sleeping in.

  “I meant that I can’t get next to Nora with you there. Could you move?”

  Oh, okay. The cat stood up and moved to the end of the bed and waited until Darakin had slid his body up next to Nora. Mrowley then crawled on Nora’s hips and lay down so he partially slid into the crevice between their bodies.

  Darakin started to say something in frustration, but Nora just laughed. “It’s okay. He’s part of the family, too.”

  Mrowley closed his eyes and preened, basking in the feel of having family again.

  After an hour, Mrowley stood and meowed loudly, startling both Darakin and Nora.

  “What’s wrong, Mrowley?” the mage asked in concern.

  Hungry.

  “I thought you said you liked to sleep in?”

  I do, but I haven’t eaten in days and my belly is rumbling so I can’t sleep.

  “Days? You ate last night! I should know, I’m the one who fed you,” Darakin said in outrage.

  Really? Last night? It feels like days.

  “What’s he on about now, Darakin?” Nora murmured.

  “He says he hasn’t eaten in days and he can’t sleep because of the hunger.”

  “Days is it? And people say the Irish exaggerate.” She laughed and closed her eyes again.

  Darakin laughed, too, and put his arm back over her. Another minute passed before Mrowley let out the most pitiful sounding meow either of them had ever heard.

  Huuuuunnnngry.

  Nora’s eyes flew open. “Oh, for pity’s sake. Would you go put some food out for that cat before he wakes the whole of the neighborhood?”

  “Fine.” Darakin got out of bed and went to the kitchen with Mrowley right on his heels. He opened the cabinet and took out a can of cat food. Mrowley jumped up and head butted Darakin’s hand.

  “Mrowley! For the last time, stop jumping on the counters,” Darakin said through gritted teeth.

  Huh? Oh, sure, sure. You only had to ask.

  “I have asked. I’ve asked each and every time that you do this. And each time you act as though I’ve never asked even though I have. Many times.”

  Hey, I’m only here to get my food. Mrowley rubbed against Darakin’s hand again to prove his point.

  Darakin dished the food out and put the small plate on the floor. Mrowley jumped down and sniffed the food before turning his nose up at it. He walked back over to rub against Darakin’s legs.

  “I thought you were starving?”

  I am. I haven’t eaten in days.

  “Then, why … aren’t … you … eating?” Darakin asked, slowly emphasizing each word.

  Is that the only flavor you have? It smells funny.

  “Of course it smells funny. It’s cat food. I think all of it smells funny.”

  Dude, you can’t possibly be comparing your nose’s abilities with mine? Did you know that cat’s sense of smell is something like fourteen times greater than a human’s? I think we both know who would know if something smelled funny around here. Mrowley’s head bobbed in a knowing nod.

  “I give up. You win. Jump on the counters, don’t eat the food, whatever. It’s impossible to reason with you.”

  It’s because I’m so soft and cute, isn’t it?

  “What does being soft and cute have to do with not being able to reason with you?”

  So you admit that I’m soft and cute? Mrowley rubbed against his legs again, purring loudly.

  Darakin’s anger and frustration melted and he picked the cat up and gave him a hug. “Ye
s, I do.”

  Good. Now, about that food …

  “Fine. I’ll open another can and I won’t buy,” he paused to read the label on the can, “superb supper ever again.” He pulled another can out of the cabinet and turned back to find Mrowley on the counter again. With a sigh of frustration, Darakin said nothing. He dished out the food for Mrowley and went back to lie next to Nora again.

  She chuckled softly as he got in bed. “I heard all that. You’ve finally realized that you’ll never best a cat, have you?”

  “Indeed. I give up. He’ll never do what I ask him to. I just can’t win.”

  “Welcome to the world of being a cat slave.”

  “Humph. I am no slave!”

  “It’s what people say here. Dogs have owners, cats have slaves. Think about it. You’ll do anything he wants, won’t you?”

  “Perhaps, but it’s only to keep him quiet.”

  “Motivation doesn’t matter. You’re still his slave.”

  Darakin laughed. “I guess you’re right.”

  “You know, we’ve time for a little togetherness before we go to the restaurant.”

  Darakin needed no more encouragement and tiptoed to the door to shut it.

  When the couple finally opened the door, Mrowley stood right outside, his tail wagging in an annoyed fashioned.

  I thought we were all going to sleep in this morning.

  “But you got up to eat!” the mage exclaimed in surprise.

  I was going to come back.

  “Well, sometimes we need a little privacy.”

  Dude, I know what you’re doing in there. I wouldn’t get in the way.

  “I can’t, I mean I wouldn’t feel right … look, kitty, there are some things that just need to be private, okay?”

  Humph.

  “Is he mad at the closed door again?”

  “Yes.”

  Nora bent and picked Mrowley up, cuddling him next to her. “It’s okay, love, now you’ll get some attention of your own.”

  Mrowley peeked over her shoulder and gave Darakin a smug look.

  Darakin laughed.

  After a few minutes, Nora put the cat down on the throw blanket on the sofa.

  “I’ve got to get dressed so we can go to the Galaxy Café.” She went to the bedroom.

  Can I go?

  “What? No. You’re the one who told me they don’t let you in shops. Plus, Nora thinks you’re safer here than coming outside.”

  I’ll just hang around their garbage outside. Those places have really tasty garbage.

  “No, you’re not going to eat their garbage!”

  “Now what?” Nora asked as she passed on her way to the bathroom.

  “He wants us to take him so he can rummage through the restaurant’s garbage. He says it’s tasty.”

  “Ugh! No, but we’ll bring him home a doggie bag.”

  No! Darakin, make sure she knows I’m a cat, not a dog. Mrowley howled.

  “Nora, why would we bring a doggie bag to a cat … and what exactly is a doggie bag?”

  She laughed. “Silly. A doggie bag is what the restaurants call what they put your leftovers in – you know, what you can’t finish from your meal. We’ll bring him whatever we don’t finish.”

  Phew. I thought she was species-confused for a minute there. I like the sound of this doggie bag, though. Please don’t eat all of your food.

  “Don’t worry, kitty. I’m sure there’ll be some left for you.”

  “Oh, there will be plenty,” Nora said on her way back to the bedroom. “I can never finish anything I order.”

  Can I request beef, please? Or pork. Or something made of pork and beef – with a side of chicken.

  “I don’t think people here mix all of those things together. I’ll be sure to get beef, pork or chicken, though. Okay?”

  Sure, sure. Whatever, dude. I’m not picky.

  Darakin let the remark pass without comment.

  Nora came out of the bedroom, having finished her makeup and dressing rituals. Darakin admired the slim cut of her figure in her jeans and it suddenly occurred to him why this society wore such form fitting clothing. He smiled. She seemed to feel his smile and looked up at him. She smiled back and took his hand to lead him out of the apartment.

  At the door, she turned back to address Mrowley. “Now, no fly chases, no messes, no broken … anything. Just sit on the couch and watch TV.”

  As always, Mrowley stared back at her silently, blinking in innocence.

  “Mrowley,” Darakin said, a warning in his voice. “No counters or battles with insects or rodents. Okay?”

  Sure, sure, you know you only have to ask.

  Chapter Twenty

  Darakin gaped at the Galaxy greeter just inside the door of the restaurant. From her shiny, silver metallic dress and matching platform boots to the green-toned facial makeup and antennae that bounced atop her head, she was every inch the old sixties-style space creature from the movies. Nora reached up and closed his jaw before turning to the girl.

  “Welcome, intergalactic travelers. Shuttle for two?” the greeter asked in a voice that indicated she’d done this one too many times to be enthusiastic about it.

  “What’s a shuttle?” Darakin asked in confusion, watching as the girl’s costume antennae waved back and forth.

  “She means a table,” Nora said. She turned to the greeter. “It’s his first time here.”

  “Oh, well in that case, have a terrific flight. Right this way.” The greeter headed off into the dark interior of the restaurant.

  “Flight?” Darakin asked in panic. He grabbed Nora’s arm to hold her back. “We’re going to fly? I don’t want to fly, Nora, men were not meant to fly. You didn’t tell me they did such magic here.”

  “Shush,” she hissed. “It’s all just pretend. They’re pretending that we’re going a space ship and traveling through the stars. But we’re not. We’re just going to have dinner. Relax.”

  The greeter waited impatiently for them to catch up to her. When they did, she continued toward the back of the restaurant where she indicated a small booth for them to sit in. Nora slid in one side and motioned to Darakin to sit on the other side.

  The greeter dropped two menus on the table and said, “Your server tonight will be Mary. She’ll be with you in a minute.”

  Darakin looked around the booth area. A fake window that was actually a display monitor showed stars passing as though they were actually moving. Controls for their ‘shuttle’ surrounded the window. He ran his finger over them lightly.

  “Go ahead and play with them. That’s what they’re there for.” Nora reached over and pressed a button. It lit up and a small speaker played sounds that might be associated with a rocket preparing for liftoff. Darakin jumped at the sudden noise, causing Nora to laugh.

  “It’s all pretend, see?” She pressed a bunch of buttons to show him that nothing bad would happen.

  Darakin began pressing buttons, too, looking more like a child in a toy store than an adult in a restaurant.

  “Ahem.”

  They turned and saw another girl, dressed in a similar getup to the greeter standing at their table. “My name is Mary. I’ll be your flight coordinator for the evening. Can I start you off with some drinks?”

  “Yes, please. I’ll have … we’ll both have a cola.”

  “Be back in a jiffy.”

  “What’s a cola?”

  “It’s a carbonated beverage that we like to drink here. You’ll see.”

  “And that flight coordinator thing?”

  “Yep, all part of the shtick.”

  “What stick?” Darakin appeared confused.

  “Not stick, shtick. It comes from … oh, I see what the problem is. It comes from a different language and you only understand English. Well, it means it’s just their way of playing along with their space-travel theme thing.”

  “Does your language borrow from many others?”

  “Yes, it does. There’s words from German, Yiddis
h, French, Spanish, Italian … the list goes on. Doesn’t your native tongue?”

  Darakin thought about that for a minute. “Yes. When we don’t have a word for something, we just use a word from a language that does.”