Arialas by Brian Duvall (the kiss of deception read online txt) 📖

Lovely Day

Frederick sat on the park bench as the sunlight warmed his face. The sounds of children playing and birds chriping arose all around him. His body loosened as the relaxing enviorment overcame his mind like a gentle wave coming onto the shore. He let his eyelids close softly."Freddy!" The soft, high-pitched voice called out.

"Ah, Rosalyn, is that your voice that graces my ears?" He inquired.

"No need to be so formal, Freddy. Are all Brits like that?" She giggled as she sat next to him on the oak bench.

"There are no Brits here, Rosalyn, just as there are no Americans. Arialas is a place of unity, not seperation." He reminded her.

"Oh yes, how could I forget?" She spoke in a mock English accent, "We are all just happy folk, good show! Good show!" She laughed and leaned onto Frederick.

"You're quite the childish spirit, aren't you Rosalyn?" He chuckled softly, patting her brown curly hair.

"Well with everyone here so super-duper serious, someone has to brighten things up!" She giggled.

"Frederick, is that you?" A soft voice called out. Frederick looked up to see Maxwell walking down the path, a wide grin on his face as usual.

"Ah, Maxwell, a pleasure to see you." Frederick tipped his auburn tophat to the young Maxwell, who was no older than twenty.

"I just got my alchemist's license!" Maxwell presented a laminated card identifying his approval to practice the profession.

"Ah, how lovely. We should celebrate with a trip to the Conlis!" Frederick proposed. Rosalyn's eyes lit up with excitement and Maxwell smiled in agreement.

 

 

"Here we are!" Frederick announced with glee as they arrived to the rocky terrain that sprawled just above the cloud layer. Rosalyn ran to the railing that surrounded the park, much like it did all of Arialas, and leaned her torso across it. She giggled as her hands touched the elegant shapes that formed below by the clouds.

"Look Freddy, look!" She shouted as she giggled and pulled her wet hand up.

Maxwell leaned into Frederick, "It must be nice being twelve in this day and age."

"In Arialas, it's nice being any age. Paradise in the sky." Frederick said and placed a hand on Maxwell's shoulder.

"Yeah, well, still. The imagination of a child is an amazing thing." Maxwell chuckled.

"Indeed it is, Maxwell, indeed it is." Frederick reached in his pocket and pulled out the silver fog watch that he carried on him, "Oh dear, it's nearly five. We better be back off before your parents start to worry about you two." 

Maxwell and Rosalyn groaned but followed Frederick with no protest. They walked up the copper stairs back into the central foundation of Airalas. They emerged into the bustling metropolis. Men and women walked through the streets, going about their daily lives. Shop signs lit up and steam shot into the sky above. Airships pushed through the funnels of steam, their propellers shooting the vapor in every direction. "Now, off home you two. You'll be later for dinner." Frederick said, gently pushing Maxwell and Rosalyn.

"Fine, bye Freddy!" Rosalyn said cheerfully as she ran off into the streets.

Maxwell turned to Frederick, "Frederick, why do you live alone?"

Frederick chuckled softly, "I have yet to find the person I wish to spend my life with is all. Why do you-!"

Frederick was cut off by the pressure of Maxwell's lips against his. Frederick hesistate before gently placing his hands on Maxwell's hips and returning the kiss.

Maxwell pulled his head back, "Sorry... I must be going now!" He ran off into the streets.

Frederick chuckled and readjusted his tophat, "Those two..." He trailed off and smiled, "Oh dear me! I've got to get off to home myself. Prepare for the end of another lovely day in Arialas." He whistled as he walked down the street.

 

 

 

The morning light shot through the window and fell upon Maxwell's eyes. He yawned and sat up straight, his blond hair falling over his eyes. He pulled a strand out of his mouth and sighed, "Why did I do that..." He groaned and fell back onto his bed. The door flew open as Made walked in with a tray in her copper hands. Her eyes lit up a bright blue and a speaker was placed where a human's mouth would of been. "Tea, Mr.Linlock?" She inquired, presenting the tray with a ceramic kettle and cup.

"Yeah, set it on the table. I'll be down in a bit." He yawned again.

"Yes sir!" She turned on her wheels and drove into the kitchen. Maxwell stood up out of his bed, his teal sleepwear wrinkled. He stretched and bushed his bangs out of his eyes. He walked to the wardrobe and selected an outfit for the day. He wore a white button-up undershirt with a dark black vest. A pair of brown trousers fell ontop of black sleek shoes. He placed his brass pocket watch in his vest pocket, clipping it on the other one.

He walked down the wooden steps to the kitchen, where Made had set down a cuppa and a breakfast platter consisting of bacon, eggs, and some toast, "Did you fetch the morning paper?" He inquired as he sat down, placing his napkin on his thigh.

"Yes I did, Sir. It seems Princess Lillith will be parading down The Pipelines. Perhaps you could invite Frederick to see the coronation with you?" Made hinted and chuckled softly.

Maxwell's cheeks turned crimson, "He's surely already attending with someone more suited!"

"Oh you'd be good for him," she set down the newspaper infront of him, "and he'd be good for you."

"I do not need dating advice. I presume there is no mail." He inquired as he sipped his morning tea.

"Actually, there was a letter from a Mr.Charles Pollium." She said as she sat the envelope next to his plate.

"I'm sure he is in need of a repair again. Let's see here.." He opened up the envelope and read the parchment, "It seems his Tive has sprung an oil leak. Would you mind fetching me my work bag?" Made zipped off and returned with the brown duffle bag. Maxwell opened the sack. Inside were clutters of herbs and other ingredients, a few empty viles, an elixir rack lined with sparkling liquids of every color of the spectrum, and brewing instruments.

"I'll be gone until around six. Your free to your own affairs." He grabbed his coat and walked out the door.

 

Maxwell stepped out into the narrow street, apartments lined on both sides. He looked up above as steambikes jetted across the sky. Children ran and skipped down the path to the school, the morning commuters made their way to their daily jobs. Airialas was teeming with activity even in these early hours. Street vendors were selling fresh fruits, quick snacks, drinks, newspapers, and other cheap things one may need on the spot. Maxwell purchased a ripe Granny Smith apple and bit into it. He closed his eyes as the sour fruit danced on his taste buds.

He walked down the street, making a turn here and there, as he made his way to Mr.Pollium's house. When he arrived at the apartment, Maxwell saw the broken machine, "Ah, Maxwell, good to see you boy!" The elderly man stood up as he saw Maxwell approach. Charles's hair was a snow white, his teeth were gone for the most part, and he had a noticeable hunch in his back.

"Good morning, Mr.Pollium. What seems to be the problem with Old Myrle?" Maxwell looked at the inactive Tive unit.

"She started spewin' oil like a the 'ol wells!" Charles walked over to the bot, "I ain't lettin' that girl quit on me though, she just need'a tune up."

"Well, I'm sure I have a Sarcio elixir somewhere." Maxwell dug through his bag and pulled out a vile filled with a brown vile. Maxwell walked over to the machine and gently poured the elixir on the brass chasis. The metal bent and moved as the robot began to repair itself. Soon the Tive unit stood up and turned to Charles.

"Would you like some tea, Mr.Pollium?" It inquired.

Charles smiled wide, "I knew you coul' do it Max! She goo' as new!" 

Maxwell chuckled softy, "You need to stop letting her rust. Just send me a write if she breaks down again." Maxwell closed his bag and walked off.

 

 

Rosalyn sat at her desk, her hair in their usual curls. She shot up as the whistle blew, releasing the class to lunch. Rosaly sat down at an octagonal table and sat her lunch box down. She unpacked a PB&J sandwich, a bottle of water, a pudding cup, and a chocolate chip cookie. She smiled as she plunged her teeth into the sandwich. A familiar voice interrupted her meal.

"Hey Rosie!" Benedict called out as he sat next to her, "Mind if I sit with you?"

Rosalyn looked at the boy, he was orriginaly from a land known as Australia and had golden hair, "Sure!"

He smiled with his porcelain white teeth, "I hear you're planning on taking the enchantress path when we get to Uppers." He sipped a warm soup from his Thermo.

"Yea, I have a natural magick pressence. Watch!" She giggled as her eyes lit up with a midnight blue. The water bottle lifted into the air and moved around the table. She gently let it drop as her eyes returned to their normal green.

"Whoa! I've neven seen such advanced telekinesis at our age." He looked at her with absolute awe.

"Oh it's nothing really." She giggled as her cheeks turned a crimson red.

"No, come on no need to be humble. You have a real gift Rosie." The whistle sounded, notifying the students to return to class, "Hey, do you think you could meet me at the Farview today after class?" 

Rosalyn's eyes widened, "Sure! I'll send my mom a write while I'm in my Arcane Arts class!"

"Alright, see you then." He smiled and walked to his class.

 She giggled gleefully and made her way to her own destination.

 

"Alright class, who can tell me the effects of a shockwave discharge?" Ms.Torila looked around the class and saw the singular hand raised, "Rosalyn?"

"A shockwave discharge releases a wave of energy through matter and can stun or even incapacitate an enemy." She smiled wide.

"Very good Rosalyn. Now, I hope you all prepared your demonstrations." The class groaned, "Oh no need to fuss! Magick can be a fun experience if you allow it to be. Now... let's have... Gerald go first."

The boy sighed and stood up, walking to the front of the classroom. His black suit, uniform for boys, was wrinkled and stained. He looked up and allowed his eyes to swirl with a purple energy, "Conspectu Imaginem." He spoke and the class let out a gasp in awe. Their eyes swirled with rainbows, as their world around them morphed between colors.

"Good job Gerald, B plus. Now... how about... Rosalyn!" Ms.Torila looked directly at the young girl.

Rosalyn shakily stood up and walked to the front of the classroom, she had worked on this for months, no way she would mess up. Rosalyn pushed her hair out of her eyes and looked straight forward, the midnight blue swirling in her eyes. The entire class gasped and clung to their desks, as the furniture began to rise into the air. She spun them around a bit, then gently put the desk back in their original locations.

"Very good Rosalyn! A plus, as usual." Ms.Torila smiled.

 

 

Frederick wandered around the park. The fresh air greeted his nose with a calming sensation. He looked around at the utopia. Children were playing, parents were talking, and there was nothing but joy to be seen. He bit his lip as he let his mind wander into deep thought. He was brought back to consciousness by the jerk of a little girl on his sleeve. He looked down and saw Rosalyn grinning, "Hey Freddy!" She giggled.

"Hello Rosalyn. How was school today?" He inquired with a warm smile.

"I