Magic and Rainbows

Daphne was in the middle of cooking for her cousins when it happened. It wouldn’t have been so had if her current activity didn’t involve things that were every flammable. When she tried to enchant the wooden spoon so it would stir by itself, it burst into flames. “What the fuck!” 

She quickly picked up the pot and placed it in the sink, turning on the faucet and putting out the fire. “What just happened?”

I– I didn’t mean for that to come out but it’s out there now so, you’re welcome, I guess. Anyway, the important things, right. Uh, emotionally, mentally, or physically? In order I’d say, eighty, five, and we’re eighteen up. Either way, we used to run our shop back home, so it should be fine, right?

While I probably shouldn’t let people who say they are mentally five run a bakery, fill out the form I’m going to send you. It’ll kind of be a condensed version of a business plan. You’re going to have to provide an estimate of start up costs. We have two open spaces right now. You can take a look at them and decide which one you want any time between eleven and four this week. Just let me know. 

Hey, um, hi. You’re Daphne, right? — I’m Kat, my sisters want to open a bakery, you’re pretty, can we have a building in the square, yes, no?

Uh, okay? First, thank you. Second, a bakery sounds nice. How old are you and your sisters? Can you guys run a shop?

I can’t even hit a tambourine, so maybe I should sit this one out. Thanks though. Enjoy….not contributing anything to musical success. The recording industry is dead, and all that. Good luck.

That sounded sarcastic, but I meant it. That’s just sort of my default.

Tatiana, do you ever have fun? You can play the kazoo or something.  Besides, it’s not about actually contributing anything. Just go and yell into the microphone and get your feelings out. Almost all artists that were considered iconic and legends were shitty people, anyway. As long as you aren’t, who cares and go be the visual. 

Wow. I didn’t know that. I assumed you guys were like, totally swamped.  Like, firing people every couple days, or something. You do? I know it’s good, and I’ve been drinking it since I was twelve. Why?

I only fire people if they don’t show up, honestly. Actually, I have fired people who still can’t do things correctly after a month. 

“Seriously? That’s an actual perk of working here? I can’t believe no one told me that before. You guys must be swamped with applications.”

Eh, campers mainly want jobs for the summer but after what went down, it’s not on everyone’s mind. I just lost a barista so I need one right away. What do you know about coffee?

Oh, gross, that doesn’t mean you’re gonna start dating people in their twenties when you’re old, right?

Okie dokie artichokie. [gasps loudly] She wouldn’t do that, right? Or maybe she would… just to try and fill the void we left in her heart… I would understand then, you know? I would want her to be happy with other us.

Uh, I can do whatever I want, Pedro. But ew, no. That’s gross and I’m not some kind of predator. 

“that’s exactly what island daphne woud’ve said.“ he perched over and saw the image, “what the fuuck? i’m cute as hell.”

“You’re not the actual Dia so you’re not cute. She is.”

“Ugh, seriously? I really needed a caffeine fix. Maybe the Hermes cabin has a coffee machine I could use….”

“You know, if you worked here you could get your caffeine fix for free anytime.”

“can i see a picture of her? she is…cooler and prettier than  you.“

“Wow, rude. I’m the prettiest, just so you know. Camp me is the Alpha Daphne.” She pulled up a picture of her and Dia on her phone.

“wait…i’m a girl here? i bet i’m super cute. it’s weird how i’m also best friends with daphne from the island. do you need to go to the infirmary? you aren’t looking so hot.“

“She is super cute. The cutest. I can’t believe island Dia is a boy. I’m fine. It was just shock. So, what’s island me like?”

“well, it’s dian but yes to everything. —wait, how did you know my favorite color is…never mind you’re daphne.“ he noticed her composure and was tempted to comfort her but in reality they didn’t know each other. “uh, what’s wrong?”

“sounds nifty, i’m a trainer at the island and that would be useful for us to have. it’s paik, p-a-i-k.

“Paik? Paik. Like, Dia Paik? As in your mom is Lauren Paik and your aunts are Lou and Cecilia and Aphrodite is your grandmother and your favorite color is pink and—” She stopped to take a deep breath, trying to hold back tears. She wasn’t sure if the rush of emotion was anger or sadness.

“that’s exactly what i said when i found out. it turns out there are, like, thousands of us. hate to be the bearer of bad news. i came the same time as everyone else. maybe my counterpart is a loner or something. do you have a list of all the campers? i might be able to find my name on it.”

“Actually, I do. There a list on my phone. That sounds creepy, but I’m a counselor. I need a list for counseling purposes. It’s easier to look you up by last name.”

“rop, you aren’t as fun as my daphne. she would’ve gone along with my joke. also, disney doesn’t care if it’s your birthday so hah.”

“Your Daphne? Damn, I was hoping to be one of a kind. I don’t think I’ve ever seen your face at camp before, so did you just land over here? Because I think to switch, you need a counterpart.”