Chapter 4

Seeing Stones: There are many tools and enchantments one can use to detect or see fairies and their influence in the human realm. Many fairies try to avoid attention, oftentimes shrouding themselves in one way or another, and portals into and out of their world are very rarely able to simply ‘be seen.’ Some devices even allow the user to see who is fae-touched, or under the influence of a fairy.

Seeing Stones are one of the few naturally occurring objects that allows the user to see such things. They can only be used by the one who found it, and can sometimes be located along the shore or under water. These flat stones have been worn by water or wind, capturing the essence of eternity within a smooth, polished out circle. 

Holding a Seeing Stone up and peering through it may reveal more than the user is expecting. Caution should be exercised while using one of these stones, as it is quite easy to get caught up in the revealed magic, and distracted from obstacles nearby. Being exposed to such wonders can also be overwhelming. Be sure to take glances, rather than stare. Many minds have been lost while gazing through a Seeing Stone, leading to speculation that these stones may be to blame, rather than what is seen.

It was shortly before noon when Summer left Boggury and Associates Legal, her new workplace where she knew she would feel right at home in no time. Not even a day in, and she was already quite comfortable there. The jitters she had earlier in the day had essentially abated, and there was genuine hope for her future, which was apparent in her cheery gait down the sidewalk. She actually had to focus on not getting too carried away with the excitement and joy running through her, having almost smacked more than one fellow pedestrian who accidentally wandered too close. An occasional thump against her chest reminded her of the pocket watch-turned-pendant, swinging and bouncing with her every step.

The smell of freshly baked bread permeated the air as she walked, and her stomach grumbled an annoying reminder of her skipped breakfast. A glass door swung open right in front of her, with a small bell announcing its sudden movement. Someone rushed through the open doorway, carrying with them a small paper bag and the heavenly scent of warm baked goods. Summer took a deep breath in, mostly through her nose as she turned towards the source of the delicious smell.

“Ralv’s Deli” greeted her eyes on a banner plastered to the closing door, along with a cartoonish figure of a bearded man holding an assortment of breads in his arms. The stereotypical chef’s hat leaned off the side of his head. Behind the caricature was a four leaf clover, which somehow felt out of place and appropriate all at once. 

A bell rang above the door as it swung open, snapping her from a swarm of thoughts she hadn’t even realized she had fallen into. The memories of those thoughts blinked out as soon as she was pulled back into reality, and the alluring aroma rushing out to her was a nagging reminder of her hunger. The next person who walked through with one of those precious baggies actually stopped to hold the door open for her! Another wave of tempting scents drifted around her, sealing her fate as she thanked the devil at the door and wandered in.

If it hadn’t been for the fragrant waves crashing into her on the walkway outside, Summer would have been utterly overwhelmed when she stepped inside. Her mouth began to water as so many different types of breads assaulted her nose, each variety obviously cooked within this previously unnoticed store. Some neatly woven challah caught her eye as an employee brushed melted butter across the baked hills, and she was nearly mesmerized watching the trickling rivers run down into the crisp valleys. The oblivious employee shook poppy seeds over the freshly buttered delight, but a booming voice snapped Summer from the stupor.

“Forty-seven!” 

Summer snapped her head toward the sound, loaves of French bread, brioche, bagels, and plenty of other amazing morsels blurring through her vision in search of the voice’s source. Behind the glass counter illuminating all of the fine breads on display was a large, burly man. He towered over the back of the counter, holding a tray with one large hand. The white apron he wore was clearly sporting puffs and streaks of flour, and it struggled over his strong chest as a thick, Boston accent again bellowed, “Forty-seven! Ya orda is ready!”

He was a spectacle to behold, with a hairnet secured down around his chin to cover his dark beard. A chef’s hat rolled forward, partially obscuring a gleaming medallion of some sort as he looked down at the smaller man who approached, smiling giddily as he handed over the tray. The white coat swelled over his arms with the movement, giving Summer the impression that he belonged in some bodybuilder competition more than a bakery. 

The customer walked to a table and took a seat. His tray held a serving basket, and nestled atop a sheet of deli paper was what appeared to be the most delicious roast beef sandwich the hungry girl had ever seen. It was sliced in half, with a generous pile of house made potato chips sitting between the slices. With a restaurant like this within easy walking distance of her office, Summer knew Ralv’s Deli would be a nearly daily stop. Assuming she could afford it…

Realization struck her like lightning. Through the interview and into a half day of work, no talk of salary or wages had come up. Surely her contract had that information? She could always ask, but what if they’d discussed it and she had simply missed the conversation? A mental note was made to review her contract as soon as she got home, and if it wasn’t in there… probably just not bring it up until her first paycheck. With a shake of her head, she knew she would have to ask. This line of work doesn’t have room for people who are too nervous or afraid of stepping on other people’s toes to get answers. Besides, maybe Mrs. Boggury would appreciate her forwardness in asking about-

Her line of thought was interrupted as another number boomed through the storefront.

“Forty-eight!”

Someone scurried forward to claim their order, a baggie with a receipt stapled to the side. The line stemming from the register moved again, but someone was staring at her. It was unnerving enough to distract her from the delicious sights and smells all around, especially when his piercing, jade eyes didn’t dart away. There was no attempt to convince her that he wasn’t looking right at her, and every time she glanced his way his eyes remained fixated.

The guy was standing on the far side of the deli, leaning back against a wall in the corner. He was wearing what appeared to be a long, dull green trench coat, hanging lazily open down his front. Under the coat was a forest green shirt, with dark buttons lining the center from his fiery red beard to his golden belt buckle. Loose, emerald green slacks covered his legs, with a lined texture that reminded her of corduroy pants.

Summer removed her glasses, trying to look casual as she followed the line forward. Another number boomed through the restaurant, and number forty-nine rushed ahead to take her lunch. The stranger in the corner was reduced to little more than a green smudge against the wall as Summer wiped the lenses of her glasses with the fabric of her navy top. She nearly dropped her violet glasses while bringing them back up, forgetting the large pendant hanging from her neck. With a start, she hurriedly grasped the eyewear before any harm could come to them, and placed them back on her face.

Surprisingly, the figure was gone when sight was restored. The line moved forward again, and she followed. Both fifty and fifty-one were called back to back as she tried to rationalize what had happened. Had anyone else seen him? Where did he go? Would people think she was crazy if she spoke up? So many worried thoughts tumbled through her mind, that she was utterly unprepared when it was her turn to place an order. 

“What can I get ya?”

A girl, no older than fifteen or sixteen, stood on the other side of the counter. She gave her best customer service smile to Summer, but clearly wanted her customer to hurry with their order. Based on the accent and dark hair, Summer guessed this was Ralv’s daughter, though there was no time for pleasantries. Her eyes quickly scanned the menu, searching for something that sounded good to her grumbling stomach. An image of the staring man danced through her mind again, distracting her from the task at hand.

“Uhh… roast beef?” she asked hesitantly.

“What kind of bread?”

While the young girl had almost perfected the customer service face and expression, Summer was mildly surprised at her need to learn the voice. There was more than a little annoyance in her tone, as though the type of bread should have been included in her initial request. Then again, maybe it should have been? Her only experience with a shop like this was a chain where the sandwiches were listed out with all of their ingredients, and you would have to ask for any deviations.

“Wheat?” Again it came out like a question. Summer kicked herself mentally, and tried to get a handle on the situation. “With onions. And, easy on the tomato, uh… swiss cheese, please.”

She felt a little better with the nearly complete order. Resisting the urge to smile at such an easy accomplishment, Summer waited for the girl to have another problem with her list.

“You want any sauce or lettuce?”

Another mental kick as she tried to find some list of available sauces. How could she forget something so basic, leaving her with a dry sandwich? She agreed to the lettuce in an attempt to buy more time, but settled on mayonnaise instead of any house special sauces. There would be time to try those later.

“Chips?”

“Yes, please,” Summer replied with a genuine smile. 

“What kind?”

The lack of emotion other than nonchalant annoyance was beginning to grate on her. Summer kept the smile and kindness in her tone, reflecting on something her father used to say when urging patience. ‘You never know the battles and hardships someone else is facing.’ It rang through her head just as clearly as if he was standing right behind her, and she clasped a hand around her grandfather’s pocket watch. Assuming the young girl was annoyed with something in her life rather than her current customer, Summer shrugged.

“Surprise me,” she said with a chipper tone.

That seemed to catch the annoyed girl off guard. She hit a few buttons on the register, keying in the ordered sandwich, and then paused. Her brow furrowed as she strummed her fingers over the glass countertop. 

“You… wanna be surprised?” 

“It’s my first time here, I don’t really know what’s good,” she responded. “You seem to know the place pretty well, I figure you’ll send the right chips my way.”

“Fine,” the girl said through an exhale. “Anything to drink, or ya takin’ it ta go?”

Now Summer was the one getting annoyed. She tried not to show it, still holding to her father’s saying. If she hadn’t just had the most amazing morning, it was doubtful she could have kept her demeanor. Sarcasm and a snarky attitude was scratching at the surface, but she remained warm, and as pleasant as she could.

“To go, please.”

If it hadn’t been for that strange, staring man, she may have wanted to stay. It would have been a good opportunity to become more familiar with the menu, but she knew there would be other chances in the future. As it was, Summer just wanted to get home and away from… wherever he had gone.

Her eyes flicked through the store while paying for her lunch, trying to make the search seem like a casual glance. The person in green didn’t appear to be around anymore, but she certainly hadn’t seen him come up to claim his order. Could it have just been a figment of her imagination? Maybe he wasn’t actually staring at her, but getting rid of the trash remaining after lunch? No scenario seemed likely, but she continued to try to convince herself that it was all just an innocent misunderstanding. That, at least, would help keep her skin from crawling.

“Fifty-six!” 

The big man boomed Summer’s number, and she walked up to claim her baggie. She flashed a smile to him as she reached out, but he was still holding onto it. Other orders had been set onto the counter to wait for their owners, but Ralv hadn’t released her little bag.

“I heard you hadn’t been here before,” he said in a softer, soothingly deep voice. “Put a little somethin’ extra in it for ya. Ya know, as a thank you.”

“Th-thank you…” Summer’s face felt hot as they burned a shade of red.

He finally released her order, and she scurried to the door. The embarrassment of being singled out so unexpectedly continued nibbling at her cheeks well on her way home, but pleasantly enough it made her forget about the starer. She rushed up the seven flights of stairs and made it to her floor’s landing before remembering the green man. Her heart was racing from the climb, but she steadied her breathing as she cautiously looked all around. The stairwell and halls were clear, so she felt comfortable walking to her own door.

She unlocked her door and stepped inside, leaning her back against the closed barrier as a sigh spilled from her chest. Without even looking, Summer dropped her briefcase and engaged the deadbolt to further secure her door from whatever may or may not be lingering in the hallway. Her heart raced, hammering away at her chest as she focused on the rhythmic ticking from her grandfather’s pocket watch. 

Before long she finally managed to peel herself away from the door. The bag from “Ralv’s Deli” hung heavy in her hand, and she was so very eager to rip it open. Her quick advance to the table came to a halt when she saw the golden fabric spilling from her closed laptop. Somehow, she had managed to forget the supernatural elements of the last couple days, and another rumble from her stomach fought to keep her attention on lunch. She set the still closed bag beside her laptop, eyes locked on the reflective logo squarely in the middle of the plastic panel.

Another sigh escaped as she subconsciously reset herself, preparing for the mental task at hand. The shakiness rippling through her was largely thanks to her unanswered hunger, so she went to the kitchen for a drink to accompany her sandwich. Some sort of alcohol would help with the stress, and sheer craziness of her situation, but she’d never cared much for the stuff. Having been so focused on maintaining a strict budget, she had little more than a half-finished jug of kool-aid, and water from the tap. 

Returning to the table with a glass of grape kool-aid, the ice cubes clattering around the juice’s top, she sat down and scooted her chair aside. The movement pulled her away from the laptop with its clenched tie, but her eyes were drawn to the impossible sight. She still had difficulty accepting that this could be happening, but reflecting on all the reasons why this should be impossible simply wasn’t rational. The proof was right there, clamped between a keyboard and screen with golden remnants rolling out of both sides.

A sharper breath was pulled into her lungs before being exhaled as a more forceful sigh. She took the bag with one hand, and tugged the top of it open with the other. The paper ripped along the staple that had held it shut, and that glorious aroma escaped into her apartment. Inside was her sandwich - neatly folded inside of a sheet of checkered paper, a plastic baggie of chips which was twisted and tied shut, and a plastic card. Her brow furrowed as she remembered what Ralv had said as he handed her order over. “...put a little somethin’ extra in it…” tumbled through her mind as she picked up the card. The same cartoonish figure from the restaurant’s door was there on the card, along with a sticker with “$5” written on it.

“A gift card?” she asked no one. It was a nice gesture, and one that would most definitely bring her back to the store, but not at all what she had expected. Really, she didn’t know what she expected to find in there after all of that, but the small gift brought a smile to her face.

Her attention quickly returned to the wrapped sandwich. The gift card found a home on the table as she unwrapped the warm delight, and she took a deep breath through her nose as the toasted bread came into view. Despite it being just a roast beef sandwich with mayo and lettuce, it looked and smelled wonderful. She held the sandwich with both hands, giving the crisp wheat bread a gentle squeeze. Mayonnaise leaked from around the lettuce and meat packed inside, and her mouth watered as she brought it closer. Her teeth sunk into the bread, cutting through with a satisfying crunch as her tongue was finally permitted its first taste. 

Maybe it was the hunger, or perhaps her overall mood from such a great day. No matter the true source of the sensation she felt, Summer knew “Ralv’s Deli” would be a much too frequent stop for her. Heaven was the only acceptable word to describe it. Goosebumps spread down her arms, and she found herself fighting a shiver as her tongue flicked through the roasted beef. The lettuce was so fresh that it provided its own crunch to every chew, and the bread… She tilted her head to the side, releasing a pleased groan as the flavors and scent burned into her mind. 

The chips were every bit as good, somehow. They were warped, browned and perfectly salted, having clearly been sliced in-shop before getting cooked that day. All in all, Summer couldn’t believe that such a lunch would be so easily affordable, but she dared not question it. She would simply make use of the deli for as long as she could.

Once lunch was finished, the distraction regrettably taking its place as a memory as she wiped her mouth with a paper towel, a splash of gold nagged the corner of her vision. She looked at her laptop, mere feet from where she sat, and took a long sip of kool-aid. The ice nudged under her nose as the cold liquid streamed beneath her lip, washing remnants of the sandwich down her throat. Her eyes flicked away, looking at anything but the laptop with its ensnared tie, but her mind was racing around it. 

‘How do I find information about fairies?’ she pondered. ‘Reliable information…’

Over the next few hours she would stumble through dozens of websites, seemingly hundreds of articles about fairies. The tie sat mockingly beside the laptop as she typed, scrolled, clicked and searched, without finding an ounce of information that seemed credible. Obviously there wouldn’t be much research paper from some PhD on the subject, let alone the specific one… trio she was looking for. Still, she expected to find something other than page after page of information that danced around the subject when not directly contradicting the last.

“This is hopeless…” she said, leaning back in her chair with a sigh.

The clock at the bottom corner of her screen caught her attention when the final digits hit :00. Her eyes widened and she stood from her chair with a gasp, shocked that it was already five. So much time had slipped away during her fruitless search, and she still had to go find a suitable cellphone to replace the one taken yesterday.

‘Has it really only been a day?’

The thought tumbled through her mind, leading a parade of recent happenings through her mind. She went back to the door and retrieved her briefcase. Her keys were already on the table, but the briefcase had her wallet secured inside. After a quick change of clothes into something slightly less professional, she was ready to go.

It had been a little too long since the last time Summer had done laundry, leaving her with little more to wear than the lime green, form-fitting leggings and loose pink running shirt. Two colors she generally felt opposed to wearing, but beggars can hardly be choosers. 

She was still a little apprehensive, remembering the green-clad starer from the restaurant, but he hadn't seemed to follow her home. There wasn't much reason to think he'd be waiting for her anywhere, but the memory left her on edge. Her heart beat expectantly as she went down the stairs, fortunately not finding anyone the whole way down the stairwell. Plenty of people were going their respective ways out on the sidewalk, but no one was wearing even as much green as herself.

Feeling confident that the dreaded starer was now nothing but an uncomfortable memory, Summer began walking down the sidewalk. The bus did have a route including the electronics shop she had in mind, but it was such a nice day. She felt inclined to walk the mile or so, happy to breathe the fresh air and take in some sun. It wasn’t long before the shop was in sight, and her mind spun through all the ads she had seen for cell phones. 

Nothing super fancy was needed, but this was going to be her first official phone. Something she would rely on to help her keep her schedule, maintain a pace with her boss, and maybe even handle client calls and texts. It would need to be reliable, secure, and have plenty of storage space. Not that most phones were lacking in storage, most had enough memory to rival some laptops. Her mind began to wander through the advances of technology while still considering which phone would be right for her needs, and still had the headspace to wonder just how her life had progressed so rapidly.

The sliding door wooshed open when she got into range of the sensor, bringing her automatic walk to a halt. She had just been approaching on the sidewalk with the whole parking lot separating her from her destination, and now she was in the store? Without even noticing? This wasn’t necessarily anything new, but she had assumed the earlier experience with the man in green may have had her more on her toes. She certainly didn’t need to add “kidnapped” to her agenda.

That morbid thought brought a smile to her face with a secret giggle, and she had to roll her eyes. No one was going to kidnap her, certainly not in broad daylight. Even so, the thought, while ridiculous and humorous, sent a chill down her spine. 

“How can we help you today?” asked a smiling, uniformed man.

He was about a head taller than her, and his expression appeared genuine. Summer scanned him quickly, taking in his blue eyes, the blonde wave of hair on his head making the style look intentional, while at the same time giving the appearance of being carefree. His yellow shirt was neat and wrinkle free, and he was wearing black slacks light enough to be blown against his legs when the door opened behind her again.

“Just,” she started, catching a breath she hadn’t realized she had lost. “I’m looking for a new phone?”

The tone. That voice that always seemed to carry a question with it. It was something she had long struggled with, and the darn thing kept creeping up on her. She had managed to keep it under control at her new job, and even mostly during the trainwreck of an interview. But now, with everything in the world seeming to be working out for her, and a cute guy? She felt like her high school self all over again.

“We have some crazy good phones,” he - Manny, according to his nametag - said. “I can show you, if you like?”

Summer nodded at the offer, and followed Manny to where the phones were located. Neither said a word until they arrived at the phone section, and Summer began to wonder if he was as taken as herself.

“Here we go,” he said, sweeping a hand over the wide selection. “Looking for anything in particular?”

“I don’t know, really,” Summer started, though she had a pretty good idea. “What do you recommend?”

“Well,” Manny replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully with one hand. “Samsung has the best camera option, in my opinion. If you want something with a great display and sound, then I would recommend the latest Pixel. Motorola has been struggling lately, but I do like this year’s flagship. It would be a good option for gaming.”

Noting the obvious exclusion, Summer crossed her arms and leaned casually against the display table. She arched an eyebrow and gave the guy a smirk.

“What about these iPhones I’ve heard so much about?” she asked sarcastically. 

Manny chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. The gesture made Summer’s heart beat a little faster, and she felt just a little warmer. 

“Apples are for eating, not electronics,” he finally said with a grin. “Though, if you wanna be trendy…”

He added some extra spice to the final word and let it linger, but it was obvious he wasn’t an Apple guy. Summer nodded while glancing over the phones on display. She didn’t have an iPhone before, and had heard nightmare stories of making the switch between the operating systems. It didn’t seem particularly appealing, especially while trying to get used to a new job. No sense in struggling with a new phone, and letting her career suffer for it.

“I’ve been a Samsung girl since my first phone,” she said with a sigh. “It’s always nice to have a good camera.”

Would a camera be important at her job? Each phone had its own space on the long tables, and she was able to do side-by-side comparisons. Their hard drives were almost identical when it came to storage space, and every phone was almost the same. It was just the little technicalities that separated them, each with its own… draw.

“Google’s AI is pretty great,” Manny offered. “That was my deciding factor.”

“A-I?” Summer asked, glancing at him.

“Artificial intelligence,” he replied.

“Thanks, yeah. I know what AI is,” she said with a smirk and an eye-roll. “What sets it apart?”

“Oh- uhh…”

Now it was Manny’s turn to feel warmer, and Summer had to concentrate to avoid laughing at him. His cheeks burned red as he stammered, and his eyes avoided hers while he pulled a phone from his pocket. A nervous laugh escaped from him as he unlocked the device, and pressed a few buttons on the display.

“Their AI is Gemini. It’s been really helpful for school and stuff. The voice recorder app- um, it can transcribe what is recorded into written notes. The security is really good, too, keeps information from being accessed by… outside people.”

He was flustered, clearly. Summer listened intently to what he had to say, nodding and smiling as he spoke. It was… cute, honestly. But, he hadn’t shown her anything on the device he’d pulled from his pocket. She found it odd he would retrieve it at all, if he wasn’t going to use-

The critique was interrupted in her mind as he finally turned his phone around. Everything he had just said was displayed on his screen, stammers and all. She looked from the screen to him, only a little annoyed at the confident smile now plastered to his face. 

It was everything she had set out to find. Secure, useful, and with technology that wouldn’t be lacking for at least a couple years. The price wasn’t outlandish, either - well within her budget. Even if it wasn’t, Mrs. Boggury had offered advance pay to help cover the cost. 

“Sounds like everything I’m after,” she said with a bright smile. “What colors are available?”

“The pro comes in a few different colors,” he explained, pointing to the circular depictions of each color.

Summer was drawn to one of the indicated options instantly. She had never been much of a fan of it before, but porcelain suddenly seemed like the best of any option. Manny retrieved the phone she had selected, and walked with her to the front of the store. This journey involved much more conversing than before, and by the time she was leaving with her new phone in hand, she felt as though they’d just finished their first date. Which was odd, since they had set that for a couple days from now.