The Wind of My Life

*closing the door

At least it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. When I go back to my apartment, all I see is Ellyn opening the closet door while Jack comes out and starts to stretch.

- (pointing to the kitchen) Go get something to eat, Jack. I did…

- (Jack running to the kitchen) EXCUSE ME~~

I'll still get a ticket for noise. Without saying much, Ellyn and I just went towards the living room, where Jack ended up sitting down in one of the chairs and started eating like he hadn't eaten in years. Anyway, he's going to clean up this mess, so I don't have to worry so much.

- (Ellyn) I was a bit apprehensive, but she's really nice to talk to.

- Yeah, she is.

- (Ellyn) At least I won't need to hide when she comes here.

- (Jack slowing down eating) Yeah, but what about me? I don't think she's going to believe that I'm another cousin of Raphaella's who fought with my parents and ended up here with my dear cousin.

- First, God forbid if I had a cousin like you. And second, if something like that happens, just say you're a friend. It will be less complicated than creating a fancy story to deceive her.

- (Jack) Offend less, please. I starved for you.

- Take it as an ordeal that you will be able to handle the situation. And that applies to you too, Ellyn.

- (Ellyn sitting on the sofa) That's fine with me. I'm already your cousin anyway, hehe~~

- (Jack) Mysterious tea cousin…

- (Ellyn) Hey! It doesn't even start with that!

- Scream less, please. I don't want to pay a noise ticket.

After a few minutes, me, Ellyn and Jack had a more adequate breakfast, and after that, Jack and Ellyn went to clean the table and the dirty dishes, while I sat on the sofa to see some messages on my cellphone. As I was drunk, maybe I had sent someone the wrong message, which was not the case, but on the other hand, a message from someone else was there for me to see, and honestly, I was afraid to open it.

- (Ellyn) Raphaella?

- Huh? What?

- (Ellyn) Nothing, you were kind of sad. Something happened?

- No, I'm just still sleepy.

- (Ellyn) Right. It's just that we need you to stay awake because we need to talk to you about something that happened.

- (putting away the cellphone) You can start talking now, I'm paying attention.

- (Jack coming towards me) Shows your hand.

- (mocking) If it's to get another slap from me, know that I'm not in the mood to turn this into your fet…

- (Jack) The hand, Raphaella. Please.

Noticing the seriousness in Jack's eyes, I just shut up and show my hand where the symbol of the contract I made with Jack is. As said, the symbol appears in my hand when I focus a little and disappears after I stop focusing for it to appear. I focus on him, but when he appears, I soon noticed a different look from Jack and Ellyn, and when I saw the symbol...

- … Jack, is this normal?

- (Jack) That must have been it, Ellyn.

- Ooh, I'm here. Can you explain this?

Noticing the palm of my hand, I see the king card symbol from an ordinary deck colored blue, but looking at it now, it looks like the points have grown, lightly following the lines of my palm.

- (Jack) Last night, Ellyn and I felt something that happens a lot when we are on missions in other worlds.

- (Ellyn) Let's say that our powers are connected to our soul more intensely depending on the world and how we get our powers. Our state of mind can affect our powers, causing something we call "resonance".

- (slightly confused) Right, and what would this resonance be?

- (Jack) It's when our feelings explode and end up activating our powers somehow. If we get angry, our spells get much stronger and more destructive, just as happiness can have a similar effect, depending on who triggers this resonance.

- All the fanciful and cliché talk aside, what does this have to do with this resonance and the contract symbol of my hand?

- (Jack) Well, you and I are connected because of the contract. My theory is that somehow, you unconsciously activated my magic.

- (Ellyn) Considering that you went out with your friends and ended up having fun, Jack and I believe that for some moment, you "exploded" some emotion that generated a resonance.

- Right… And what does that mean to me? Like, am I going to turn into something or…

At that moment, Jack and Ellyn looked at each other for a moment.

- (Jack) I… I can't tell you.

- Are you kidding me? You told me it was just to help you and now that I'm through with it, you tell me you don't know what's going to happen to me?

- (Jack) Calm down. I said I knew the basics and that would be a good one. Would I have guessed this was going to happen?!

- (Ellyn) You two. Calm down. First, Jack. Do you know of any side effects that could happen?

- (Jack) No. The most that will happen, as far as I can remember, is the connection gets better between the battery and the Gacha. Let's say that if I use a basic spell, she will be more resistant or it won't suffer the fatigue generated by it.

- (Ellyn) Right. Second, Raphaella. Notice anything different about your body or the way you think, feel, or anything like that?

- Mentally speaking, no. And on my body, only if I check.

- (Ellyn) So, Jack… I think it was just a basic resonance. Since Ella doesn't use magic, it could have been something null. If anyone with magical ability sensed this other than us…

- (Jack) Maybe she could know where it was. And we would know how to identify.

- Is she suggesting using this as a way to track someone for your mission?

- (Jack) It's a possibility, but we better make sure it won't harm you or change you in any way. Or if something has already happened and we don't realize it.

- (Ellyn) Since that's the case… Ella, time to shower~~ You haven't changed your clothes since yesterday.

- You don't have to talk like you're my mother. Anyway, I'm going to take a shower and see if there's been any change in my body. What should I be concerned about?

- (Jack) Anything.

- But then it gets very ambiguous, but ok.

Without taking too long, I entered my room, grabbed a change of clothes and my towel, and headed towards the bathroom.

*10 minutes later

Okay, nothing different. My back is without any stains, my body hasn't changed, my skin is still tanned and I don't feel anything different… Explosion of emotion… Could it be that when I sang was… You know what, I think I better wake up properly so I don't get confused.

*goes to the living room

- (Ellyn coming up to me) So?

- Nothing different.

- (Ellyn) Because you don't use magic or aren't compatible, it may have been just an event without much effect.

- I hope that was it. I don't want to wake up one day with white fur coming out of me.

- (Jack sitting on the couch and looking at some playing cards) So you offend me~~

When I look at Jack, I notice that his eyes have turned a deeper blue tone, while he is looking at some playing cards that I have never seen. Unlike the traditional deck he always carries, this deck seems to have a different design, being dark blue in color with symbols marked in a greenish tone that I wouldn't be able to identify.

- (looking at Jack) What are you doing?

- (Jack) Consulting my knowledge.

- How it is?

- (Ellyn) Jack is not much for reading or memorizing things in the long term, so he keeps the most complex memories such as how spells work, effects, general knowledge and other things in this deck that you are seeing.

- It would be very functional if you teach me this.

- (Jack) Not even if you threatened me I would teach you that.

- (Ellyn) This is something unique to him..

- So you can't do that too, Ellyn?

- (Ellyn) My spells are exclusively related to nature, mainly with the wind, so I can quickly understand the concepts and remember some things related to these factors, but if I learn something new, and if it is something unrelated, I need to practice it as if you were studying for a test, for example.

- It seems like something common for any human.

- (Jack) Not cutting your perception of what we are, Ellyn is human just like you. Even though she is a demigoddess in her world, the human factor still exists and will act like any other human.

- It's OK…

- (Ellyn) Found something, Jack?

- (Jack) Not yet, but at some point, I will. Just give me some time, 30 minutes max if I'm lucky.

*Ringtone

As I pick up my cellphone, I see it's a call. And precisely theirs.

- I'll be on the balcony. If anything happens let me know.

Without saying anything, Ellyn just nodded. At that, I went to the balcony of my apartment, closed the glass door and answered my phone. Let's go…

- I believe that the time zone would not be a problem, is it, mother?

- Hi to you too, daughter.

- Hi Mom.

- How are you? Is everything okay over there?

- Everything is alright. How's the trip going?

- Daughter, it's wonderful~~ Who knew Paris would have so many interesting things~~

- It's Paris, Mom. Just turn the corner and there will be something for tourists to do.

- Your father and I went to the Louvre just now. Even to take a picture of the Mona Lisa there is a whole security rigidity. Not even at her aunt's birthday party was she so sure of herself.

- Just one of the most famous paintings in the world, Mom. Do you really think they were going to let anyone get close and let them do something?

- You're right, daughter. Things around here are well organized.

- Well, mother.

- How's college going?

- It's going well. The teachers are nice, I have some interesting classmates, the classes are well…

- Oh, sorry daughter. I was having a coffee. But everything is going well, right?

- … Yes mom.

- How good, my daughter. I'm going to need to disconnect here, but know that I love you. Kisses~~

- Bye mom…

*disconnecting the call

At least she asked how I was. It's been a while since she called me to see how I was doing since she started this European trip with my father. It would be nice to do that, but I don't like to forget reality to enjoy a dream of many people. If that were the case, I wouldn't even be in college, working my a** off to become an actress or at least qualify for it.

When I put the phone back in my pants pocket, there's a knock on the door and I see Ellyn beckoning me in, which I do right away.

- (Ellyn) Sorry, did I disturb you?

- No. It was just a call from an acquaintance asking about something at college.

- (Ellyn looking at Jack) Oh, I see. It's just that Jack has become fully focused and won't answer anyone until he finds something about the symbol.

- Serious? Oh, furball. It's messing up my couch.

*silence

- Is it his thing?

- (Ellyn) Yeah, it's just his way of focusing. And I was thinking of going around town, doing a round and all.

- I see… Anyway, he'll have an answer by the time you get back, right?

- (Ellyn) Possibly.

- It's OK. Go around and I'll keep an eye on him.

- (Ellyn walking towards the door) See you later~~

With a slight wave, Ellyn headed for the door and ended up leaving the apartment. Since Jack will be in this state for a long time, I think I'd better get busy with something. Cleaning time.

10:20 AM

- (mentally mocking) 30 minutes with luck…

It's been a while since I cleaned the house my way. I cleaned and tidied up my bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living room as much as possible without disturbing Jack and the closet. The closet was a little trickier because it had a moderate amount of fur from Jack, so I ended up taking out everything I could to clean the place more properly. The time I spent cleaning there was long enough to notice that Jack didn't change his serious expression at all. But in contrast, his ears fluttered whenever I made noise, as if he was still aware of his surroundings.

After cleaning the cloths and dusting the broom that I used to clean the house, I went towards one of the chairs in the living room and played with my cell phone.

*seeing unseen message on notification screen

- (Jack) I thought I was going to walk along with Ellyn.

- (looking at Jack) Are you back from your student trance?

- (Jack chuckling lightly) Student... Yes, I'm back from trance.

- Did you find something?

- (Jack holding out his hand) Yes, but I ask you to adjust yourself in the chair so you don't fall the wrong way.

- What you a...

The moment Jack's eyes stopped glistening, I felt my body slump to the side, as if I didn't have the strength to keep sitting up. Eh, here comes hurt… Hmm?

- (Jack pushing me off the couch with his hand) I told you to adjust.

- (panting) Oh… So it's after… using that comes… the tiredness.

- (Jack getting up and coming to hold me) Raphaella, would you mind getting ready soon?

- (panting) If I could… I would have done it already… I can't… me…

*closing eyes

…

- (?) Mom, it's an amusement park!~~ Let's go?

- (?) Son… One day we will go there.

- (?) Why can't we go there now, mom?

- (?) Son… People… Wouldn't like it if we showed up there. So one day, but not today, we will go there.

- (?) Is it a promise, mother?

- (?) Yes~~

- (?) Yay~~

…

*opens my eyes slowly

- … Oh!

POW!

- Oh! My head!

- (Jack startling) Hey! Don't wake up like this! Scared me to death… Wow, it hurt.

Opening my eyes, I notice that I'm lying on the couch, but instead of having my head on the pillow, I notice that my head is in Jack's lap with the pillow, hence the reason I hit my forehead on the Jack's face.

- (rising quickly) What was that?!

- (Jack touching nose) You breaking my nose… Damn, that hurts like hell.

- Because I was…

- (Jack holding his nose) You passed out. Did you do something during my trance?

- (Going towards my room) I cleaned the house.

- (Jack) Did you forget that you were going to suffer fatigue after I finished using my magic?

- (Picking up a small first aid bag and speaking loudly) And that was magic? I thought it was your business with no power and all.

- (Jack) Look, half of the things I do, use magic. So, you should have noticed by now... Oh, I hate it when it bleeds.

- (Arriving with the suitcase on the sofa) Come on, take your hand away.

- (Jack looking) What?! Don't pre…

- (Taking cotton) Are you going to want me to open the wound more or are you going to let me clean it?

- (Jack) … Yeah. Just don't pull too much...

With Jack removing his hand from his nose, I started to wipe the blood from his nose. I don't know much about care, but just in case, better to do what I know. Every now and then he shakes a little, but before long, I ended up cleaning around his nose and where I hit it, and finished it off with a band-aid. Hope it holds.

- It will be a pressure, but it will pass.

- (Jack) Thank you.

- Now tell me... Why did you put my head in your lap?

- (Jack) Eh... Because I thought it would be more comfortable, but then it would be an unnecessary weight, so I put the pillow.

- I hope I'm not implying anything... How long have I been out?

- (Jack) 10 minutes.

- I thought I'd stay less time considering what you told me about how much you spend and how much I can handle.

- (Jack) I said basic spells, not more advanced spells. The good part is that you woke up and I managed to remember something.

- What would it be?

- (Jack) No side effect. Since you don't have an aptitude for magic and it's just battery, the resonance was just like a "sound knock" that someone with aptitude would feel.

- So... Only you and Ellyn felt it?

- (Jack) I told "someone". Not just me and Ellyn. Of course, if we consider that there are people with enough magical aptitude to feel.

- I understand.

- (Jack) I'm surprised you're not getting confused by what's been said so far. Generally, it would take a while for ordinary people to understand these concepts.

- Perhaps because I have already accepted that you are magical beings and I am constantly exercising my intellectuality?

- (Jack) Need to go overboard and simply say that you pay attention to what I say?

- No, but try to talk more simply about these concepts with me. It's better than using a technical term for something that's easy to understand.

- (Jack) You are saying, Ella.

*silence

- Can I ask you something I should have asked a long time ago?

- (Jack) It depends on what it is~~ My favorite food is stroganoff and … that's not what you want to know, is it?

- It's good that you know.

- (Jack) Okay. Ask.

- … What are you exactly?

- (Confused Jack) Excuse me?

- I know you must be some kind of half human and animal, or something. But the cards and those so-called spells… Are you a fortune teller or something?

- (Jack) Fortune teller is a very strong word, but that's not quite it,

- Then? What you are?

- (Jack) Well, I'm a… circus performer.

- ... I already expected it with that clown face of yours.

- (Jack) If so, I would be a court jester, not just any clown.

- Circus performer… A guy who predicts the future or something?

- (Jack picking up an ordinary playing card) No. Well… I'm what you would call a magician here. I use my cards to activate my spells which when I'm in artist mode are things like...

By taking a card from the deck that is always with him, Jack turns the card. In this turn, the card emits a slightly strong blue light and ends up turning into a flower that I can't tell which one it is. The stem is thin and its slightly blue color with yellow aspects at the ends and in the center made me curious. As the light was slightly strong, I just closed my eyes briefly, but I saw the change from the letter to the flower.

- (Jack) Fireworks, flowers, images of animals generated in a fog… I'm a magician who transforms something that people ignore or don't risk having contact into something that makes them happy. At least, that's what the people of my world call me.

- And became a Gacha for that?

- (Jack) No. If so, many people in my world would be too, but there are certain restrictions. And trust me, it's not the kind of thing you want to know.

- In my defense, I was curious to know if you were a fortune teller or a wizard of some sort. There are many stories and fictional things here that talk about these types of people, and I wasn't surprised that you were something like that. But being a circus performer and still being a "hero"...

- (Jack chuckling lightly) Yeah. And you're still discrediting me.

- You don't help yourself, so there's no way I can take you seriously. But can I teach you something from this world?

- (Jack) Like what?

- Some attitudes don't always mean the obvious. And that applies to me as much as it does to you.

After I said that, Jack just looked at me in silence and I also started to do the same. Perhaps I said something that is far more significant than I realized.

- (Jack) I better get back to cleaning things up...

- (smiling) Of course. Come on, furball.

- (Jack) With pleasure, madam.

…