Musing Through

Can also be read on Ko-Fi. One day this might become the opening to a full story, for now it's a drabble.

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Stepping into Amber Valley is… strange. Not because there’s anything particularly strange about stepping into town, but precisely because there’s not. And maybe that’s on Darius. Maybe he shouldn’t have been expecting something magical to happen the moment he stepped over the town border. But well, he was kinda expecting something magical to happen.

It’s just… it’s just a town! With normal town things, like supermarkets and schools and gas stations and nice little houses. It’s so normal, Darius has to double check he’s in the right place. He is. Of course he is, he’s had the name burned into his mind for years now.

“Why was Ruden so scared of this place?” He asks, falling backwards onto his bed to stare up at the very normal looking ceiling of his dorm.

Maybe all magic has faded from Amber Valley, Darius thinks with a frown. Ruden’s letter made it sound like that was impossible but it’s already happened most places. Why not here? He shifts to his side to spy to forest that seems barely held back from the university property. It’s a good argument that Amber Valley does still have magic. Natural woodlands usually do.

Still… wouldn’t Darius have noticed it by now? It’s almost been a whole day and he hasn’t even noticed a hint of mythical energy. The way Ruden wrote about Amber Valley, Darius thought it’d be oozing with magic.

“It doesn’t really matter, I suppose.” Darius grumbles, turning back to start at the ceiling once more. Sure, it’d be nice but Darius isn’t here for a magical town. The only magic he needs is in the woods.

It’s own fault for hoping for something…

What was he even actually hoping for? He’s not actually mythical himself. It’s foolish of him to want access to a community he’s not… magic enough for. A well, Ruden used to call him. Possessed of great power but capable of accessing very little of it. Ruden was so scared someone might take advantage of that, he kept them both as far from magical communities as possible. He’d probably be furious to hear Darius moved to Amber Valley.

Or maybe he’d just sigh. The letters he left certainly make it seem he expected Darius to return.

And of course he would. There’s a mushroom circle in those woods, and though it’s occupant knew Ruden’s death was coming they still deserve to hear it’s happened.

“A nap.” Darius decides. “I’ll have a nap and then I’ll go wandering around the woods.” His plans are immediately waylaid by a knock at the door. Darius gives it a moment, weighing his desire for that nap, before he rolls off the bed and opens the door.

“Hi!” The person on the other side greets immediately, grinning widely at Darius. They’re slightly shorter than him, with broad shoulders, olive skin, and dark hair.

“Um, hello.” Darius returns, a little awkwardly.

“My name’s Kadir. I’m the RA for this floor.” They introduce, holding out their hand. Now prompted to look, Darius spots the RA badge on Kadir’s chest, right above the a he/him pronouns badge.

“Darius, it’s nice to meet you.” Darius returns the introduction, shaking the offered hand only to immediately pull away at a sudden static shock.

“Ouch.” Kadir reacts, shaking his hand.

“Sorry.” Darius mumbles, shoulder’s tensing. “Metal door handles, I guess.” Except he knows that’s not it. Apparently he’d written of Amber Valley’s magic too quick. Instead of the excitement he felt at the thought, the reality of it brings a sudden dread.

“No worries.” Kadir quickly assures, smile returning to his face as quickly as it’d faded. “I just came to introduce myself. And invite you to a floor dinner today. We’re going to do a potluck. It’s a dorm tradition.” He speaks quickly, his words almost tripping over each other in his effort to say them all.

“Oh, um, sure that sounds nice.” Darius says. Actually it sounds terrifying.

“Great! See you then!” Kadir says. He waves as he rushes off to invite the rest of the floor and Darius stands there a moment before realizing Kadir’s gone and shuts the door.

Okay, okay, so Amber Valley does have mythical creatures just like Ruden said. Is there anyone else on the floor that’s mythical? Maybe this dinner is a bad idea. Did Kadir notice Darius’ magic? Mythicals rarely do and surely he’d had said something, right? Or maybe he was expecting Darius to say something? Or maybe he’s already plotting Darius’ demise to steal his well of magic.

Or maybe he’s over thinking it, Darius thinks as he forces himself to take a deep breath.