Phantasia

They didn’t expect that. Theseus’s face was screwed up in a cross between amusement and confusion, while John was smiling to himself. Even Phoenie was speechless, though it wasn’t for long.

“W-well! Theseus, would you look at that, we have a genuine psychic and paranormal expect in our ranks!”

“You’re obsessed…”

Phoenie skipped over to Phantasia, a giddy look of excitement spreading across her face as plans obviously began to brew in her head. “Ms Celeste, I had no idea. You’re a real psychic!” she said, clasping Phantasia’s hands tightly, “This is amazing! You must help our team, you must! We’re investigators – paranormal investigators! The newspaper is just a front; our true goal is to expose the truth of this world!”

Theseus was shaking his head sadly. “Your goal, girl, your goal…”

“We’ve been tracking this phenomenon for fifteen days now,” she continued, “As you are no doubt aware, this ‘leansídhe ‘ was involved with Kaori Shimomura’s suicide attempt. We also believe these events are related to Godhand in some way. If we could uncover a connection…” she had a pleading look in her eyes, as if her entire world was balanced on this one revelation, “Please, Ms Celeste, would you come with us on an investigation this evening? Your help could make the difference in helping save this town!”

Phantasia shrugged and smiled. It was another opportunity to get to know new people, and at the same time she might be able to investigate the origins of this leansídhe creature. Of course, it was also dangerous for these people to get involved in such things, so maybe she could dissuade them, while helping them out at the same time? Sure, she was stepping dangerously close to revealing her true nature, but pushing the boundaries was her nature after all!

“Okay,” she said, “I’ll do it!”

***

Phantasia arrived at the designated spot on the fringes of the industrial zone to find Phoenie pacing back and forth, studying notes of her clipboard.  Sitting on a wall nearby was Katrina, a tall girl with unkempt hair who was rarely seen without her ‘Kit’, a plush cat with turquoise fur and a constant expression of contentment in its tiny button eyes. Katrina was focusing her attention of a device she carried around her neck, and when Phantasia arrived she brought it level to her face and pressed a button.

“I hope you don’t mind,” she said as the device clicked and whirred in her hands, “Your wings are so beautiful,”

My wings?

Phantasia had never seen her wings before, and often wondered if she even had any. They weren’t technically wings – that was just human ignorance – and every faerie had them: manifestations of their spirit, which only appeared when they revealed their full power. The design of a faerie’s wings was unique to them, and grew in size and splendour as they did.

“Can I see them?” she asked Katrina.

“I have to develop the picture first,” she replied, “I hope it comes out. The others were blurred from movement so you couldn’t see them very well. I really want to see what they look like properly!”

So would I. Shame it won’t work.

Without even understanding her own basic powers, it would be impossible for Phantasia to open her wings and unleash them fully. The hazy light-shadows in the auragraphs were as much as Katrina would ever see.

Chapter 10
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