Pristine's Problem | ONC 2024

07 | chaosophilic : the love for causing chaos

"I am really sorry," he spoke clearly, abolishing his anxiety. "I never meant to hurt your feelings, ma'am. I was just curious about –"

"Can we leave this topic now? I have other respectful customers to attend to besides you," the receptionist interrupted rudely.

Normally Alan would have picked a fight until and unless he could prove his point. However, he decided to shut his mouth and brain from spurring anymore comments as they all backfired him.

It is a common nature of humans to remain silent, even when truth is on their side, as long as they have a favour in it. And Alan picked up that trait easily.

"Sure!' he replied.

"Is your service a long-term one or a short-term one?" the angelic timbre was replaced by a monotonous one, as the receptionist asked wearily, revealing her true form.

"Is one month considered long-term?"

"Okay, short-term," she casually ignored Alan's concern and fixated her eyes on the computer screen, her hands moving with the mouse in accordance.

"Your SPA has been assigned. Your token number is 1516. Please wait in the lobby until your token number is announced through the speakers."

"One second," Alan halted. Even though he was aware he would receive some insulting remarks, his body couldn't remain still without clarifying the mystery.

"Is this agency located in the magical realm itself? Like is the world outside this building Pandora?"

The receptionist was obviously maddened by the guts Alan had to ask a question after degrading their community, however, she decided to answer it.

At the end of the day, she was a receptionist and her job was to tend to the customer's needs, whether they were flirty old men or cheeky ignorant visitors.

"This is located far away from our world," she replied calmly, "I am guessing you reached here through the ametrine portkey, right?"

"Yes," Alan nodded.

"Okay. So thank God for reaching here safely, Mr. Alteiner."

Alan appeared confounded. Thank God for what?

"Why?" he asked like an innocent child inquiring about the perilous world they lived in.

"Just because you have the key doesn't mean anybody can access Pandora. While all Etherials are excluded, every human is subjected to a great mental and physical test during the teleporting process. When a weak heart, skepticism in magic and no strong desire are identified, the ametrine immediately destroys its user. Their body is splintered into threads and their existence is wiped out from the memories of their loved ones."

Alan stared at the raven eyes, his soul slowly departing from his body. Dread was the only emotion that hugged him tightly and barred his brain from thinking.

The receptionist smirked; she was happy that she had terrorized the boy who almost insulted her lineage. She decided to add more terror and leaned forward, beckoning him to come closer to reveal the secret.

Alan mechanically leaned his ears as his eyes remained motionless.

"Also," the receptionist whispered, "only 0.4% of the humans make it out alive. And you belong to that category only because you have magical blood. Or else, I wouldn't have had the trouble of dealing an impudent super hero like you."

***

How did she know me?

If she knew my identity, then why didn't she address me from the beginning?

Alan ruminated as he sat in the steel chairs that were covered with sky blue vinyl sheets in the waiting area. Questions piled his over stacked brain as he reclined backwards, covering his temple with his palm and placing his elbow on the handle.

As he re-examined their conversation continuously, he realized that it was one revealing identity which he leaked involuntarily for the woman to figure out his whole history and identity – his surname.

The Alteiner's family were quite popular in Etheria(not as much as in Caperwood), again for their significant contributions. Obviously, the Etherials weren't the very generous and giving community who had helped Mateo in creating superheroes and obtaining their magic without payment as a social service for the greater good. No. They simply had a win-win situation – Mateo and the Etherials.

While the Etherials assisted in creating supernatural pills, Mateo introduced them to the world of scientific and technological innovations. He equipped the realm with all sorts of technological advancements – from vending machines to space satellites and educated them about its theories.

The Etherials were spellbound by the mundane innovations and sought to acquire all of them. Concepts of materialism and commercialism seemed to entice their interest as they embarked on their technological journey to make their community an all-rounder. Through Mateo's guidance, some of the Etherials were also able to slip into the mortal world and experience the mundane life, which seemed very fascinating.

The single name 'Alteiner' was enough to reveal himself and now, a new reign of fear governed his thoughts.

What if someone tells my father?

Now this was an actual problem, something even worse than getting arrested by Pandorian cops.

When will this get over?

Alan sighed loud enough for the person sitting next to him to avert his attention from the pamphlet he had been reading. He immediately apologized to the man for causing the disturbance to which the man smiled endearingly.

"What are you here for?" he questioned softly, his salt-and-pepper moustache gleaming under the tube light.

"A - A - birthday celebration!" he lied, well enough for the man to believe.

"Great!" the man shrieked, his wrinkles widening in length.

"I am here for an instant trip to Australia. Flight journeys are tiring me out, bones are too weak, so I decided to use this service," the man winked as Alan smiled politely. He badly wanted to end this conversation as his brain was too muddled to reciprocate information.

He immediately turned his head away from the man and though he knew it was extremely rude, he believed his situation to be helpless. The man didn't seem to notice his uninterest, as he continued the conversation.

"Have you been to Australia? My daughter tells me it's incredible and –"

"Token number 1516, please go to room number 4," the automated voice chimed right in time through the speakers and Alan couldn't thank the invention of technology more than ever.

He shuffled from his seat and hurriedly headed towards room number 14 after offering a clumsy wave to the man and did not bother to look back at his reaction.

"Hey!" the man's voice echoed through the corridors and Alan fought hard not to turn back. However, his conscience didn't let him and he ended up responding to the call.

"Yes?"

"Your token receipt!" The man waved the piece of blue paper in the air with a balmy smile.

This time Alan returned with a smile and rushed to retrieve his receipt. As the man gently handed over the receipt, he stared at Alan and said, "You are an Alteiner after all! And there I was thinking you looked very familiar..."