Anguilles Soleil

“The wish?” Lily repeated, regarding the other woman carefully, “That’s a little random; what makes you bring it up now?”

Putting down the cards in her hand, Maya gave a slight shrug, “I’ve been thinking about mine a lot. A lot. So, I started wondering what other people were thinking about using it for. After all, if I get my wish, no one else gets theirs…I just feel like we haven't really talked about it, and it feels like… She twirled her hand on her wrist, “It feels like if I don’t know that I’m kind of sticking my head in the sand…a bit? Like I don’t want to know what I'm taking away from others.”

Stella smirked, “Said with all the definitives of someone who thinks they’re going to win, not that they might win.”

Maya simply shrugged again, “I’m not going to back down, no matter the challenge, no matter what I have to do to get there.”

Next to her, Mira crossed her arms, “Let's try to keep this from descending into chaos; it might just be easiest to go around the circle and name what our wishes are then.” The agent lifted her hand to her chest, “I’ve already told some people, but my wish is the financial success of all my talents in my agency.”

Lowering her gaze from across the table, Eliza said flatly, “So that actually is your wish. I thought maybe you had been blowing smoke before.”

Mira shook her head, “No…for all my faults, I’m not trying to mislead anyone here. My talents are important to me, and regardless of the end of the competition, I will likely not be in a position to maintain my role, so wishing that they are successful without me is the least I can do. Not to mention, as Caleb is one of my talents, it should reap secondary benefits for the group.”

Nodding her head gently while glaring, Noemi muttered, “It's extremely tactical, the sort of thing I’d expect from a woman like you.”

Mira did not respond to the jab, merely closed her eyes and reached for her drink as next to her, Maddy spoke up.

“I-it probably sounds silly, but I just want to wish for my parents to live a long and happy life, to pay them back for everything they’ve done for me.” She shifted her weight, embarrassed as her face flushed as she got the words out.

“I don’t think it’s silly at all,” Maya said stone-faced.

“I guess I’m a little surprised,” Lily looked to her side to peer at Maddy’s tomato red expression, “I had assumed that you would want something like your own restaurant, or a bakery, something like that?”

Steepling her fingers, Maddy smiled, “I won’t pretend I hadn’t thought of doing something like that. I just…I feel like if I wished for something like that, regardless of how successful I ended up being, I’d end up worrying if it was really my success or just because of the wish. Like, would I even deserve any accolades that came my way? I already have a hard time accepting compliments…sooo” she let the words trail off.

Lily gave the chef a light nudge, “That sounds very you, though having eaten your food I don’t think you need to worry that much.” Maddy gave a slight grin in response before Lily continued, “As for me, I dunno, I’ve put some thought into it, but I’m not exactly confident in my answer.”

Amy popped her lips, “Yeah, I know what you mean…I’ve thought so hard about it.”

Eliza placed her hand on the table and looked over sympathetically, “I don’t think anyone here is going to judge you if you end up changing your answer. It’s a magic wish, outside of fairy tales; how often does one realistically consider what they would do if infinity was placed in front of them?”

Lily nodded and then gazed up at the ceiling, “That’s kind of what got me stuck; everything I thought of kept feeling too small. I think though, where I’m at now- and I’m aware of the humor in this-” she snickered before continuing, “is something like a magic garden full of plants with beneficial effects? If I could take some of the magic we’ve experienced home to actually help people I’d-”

“Be branded as a witch?” Stella offered.

Lily shot the imp a look, “Regardless of how it appears, it would be nice to help people in that way.”

People looked over to Amy, who was next in line, and the Oni shoved her cards down and deflated on the table, “Ugh-I don’t even know! Like, it’s hard! If I just think about what I want right now, it would be a really comfy bed-but like that seems lame y’know?”

Stella smiled uncomfortably, “It might be best to leave it at that; Amy isn’t really in her normal state of mind. I doubt we’re gonna get much more clarity from her than that.”

“Meanie,” Mumble Amy as she tossed her head from side to side.

Skipping over Caleb’s empty chair brought the group to Noemi, who puffed her chest up proudly, “Well, I’ve had this picked out for a while; what I want is a large plot of land, set up with self-sustained agriculture and housing big enough for all of us and any family that would be living with us.”

Lily frowned, “You’d use your wish on a house?”

Noemi narrowed her eyes, “Um, excuse me? Do you know the price of land and the amount of work and infrastructure it would take to get us set up in a place that allowed us all to do our respective jobs, but also house and feed us? Do you know even, barring expenses, how long that would take to set up? Do you want to be waiting years after the show ends before being able to live comfortably?”

“It makes sense,” Stella smirked smugly, “Though is it any surprise that our resident cult leader is trying to create a secluded commune?”

“Well, you sure are enjoying yourself sniping at everyone’s choices!” Noemi turned on the imp, “I don’t suppose your idea is so much better?”

The redhead gave a noncommittal shrug, “I’m not claiming it’s better, just what I want.” She leaned her weight on her elbow and placed her head in her hand, “I want a book containing the Akashic Records.”

Maddy looked puzzled, “Akashic?”

Eliza cut in, “What the Theosophical Society dubbed the collection of all thoughts and knowledge in the known universe.”

Noemi balked, “So you’d use your wish to have a book of Wikipedia?”

Stella rolled her eyes, “The Akashic Records contain all knowledge, objective and subjective. I could look up things like the meaning of life, what exactly Caesar felt as he was stabbed, or the first thought of a sentient being on this planet. It’s a bit more than Wikipedia.”

Maddy frowned, “I don’t completely understand; why use your wish on something like that?”

For once, Stella didn’t jump to answer, instead looking thoughtful for a moment before responding, “Because Knowledge is the only thing worth collecting.”

“Following up on that answer is rough,” Eliza reflected, “That being said, I’ll keep things simple. I just want for none of us to have to concern ourselves with material discomfort, lack of wealth for the rest of our lives.”

Mira, “That answer is very like you.”

Amy frowned, “Why not just make us all rich?”

“Wealth beyond a certain point doesn’t guarantee happiness,” Eliza said plainly, “I just want all of us to be in the position to seek our bliss without needing to worry about rent.”

Amy frowned, “What would that even look like though?”

Eliza shrugged, “I’m sure the details could be very messy; it’s more the outline for a wish rather than the wish in and of itself. We should all assume this thing works like a monkey’s paw and treat our wishes accordingly.”

Stella studied Maya, “And you? What wish do you feel so concerned with that you felt the need to have this discussion?”

Looking physically uncomfortable, Maya took a second, swallowed, and then answered, “I want to bring my mom back from the dead.”

Silently, Maddy lifted a hand to her mouth while Noemi looked aghast. Mira gently put a hand on Maya’s shoulder.

The professor was the first one to speak up, “If you don’t mind me asking…what did your mother pass away from?”

“Complications arising from pneumonia, apparently; if she had come in a month earlier, she probably would have lived. That's what I overheard the doctor saying anyway.” Maya was staring determinedly at her thumbs as she ran them in circles around each other.

The table grew silent. What did you say to that?

Eventually Mira looked over, “Do you feel a bit more comfortable now, hearing what everyone else is working for?”

“No?” Maya choked out, “Sorry, It’s just. It wasn’t about feeling better; it was about knowing. I think it’s important to know.”

The seconds clicked on, and eventually Stella broke the silence, “Did Caleb fall into the toilet? Where is he?”

Caleb was currently sitting awkwardly in a barstool as the Devil across from him sipped her drink. He held his hands in his lap, trying to keep as still as possible. Like a mouse hoping the serpent slithering by wouldn’t lunge and swallow it whole.

As Andrea finished the last dregs from her glass, she set it down and looked over at Caleb and smiled not unkindly, “Oh, ease up a bit there, boy. I’m not here to harm you or any of your precious girls chatting away in the other room.

“Sorry, I find it a bit difficult to relax when I’m summoned with veiled threats.” The Master tried to keep the anger out of his voice, but he could feel the edges of it creeping through his teeth.

This earned him an amused look from Andrea, “Was it veiled? I was aiming for more implied. Subtleties are often difficult with you humans. I imagine it was something to do with your self-absorbed nature. Makes it difficult for you to see things as they are.”

“Is that what this is about? Here to explain why you hate Humans as much as Lucian?” Caleb glared at the Devil as she blinked in response and then burst out laughing.

The master looked on, confused as Andrea slowly collected herself and wiped a tear from her eye, “Hate! Oh, that’s a good one.” She shook her head, “To hate something is to acknowledge it as being on the same level as you. Do you hate a mosquito that bites you? It may annoy you, but hate? Why would you waste the effort?”

She wiggled her fingers and her glass refilled with liquid, and as she raised it to her lips, mused, “When your first ancestor crawled out of the mud, I had already been around for longer than your star, risen in the eyes of the almighty and was cast down to perdition. The weight of the entirety of your kind is of that of a gnat buzzing around a rotting piece of fruit.”

Caleb stared on, feeling indignation rise in his chest. He didn’t want to rise to the barb, but there was something he couldn’t overlook: “If we mean so little, why waste your time on some boy from Italy?”

If Caleb had expected prideful exasperation in response, he was disappointed by the happy grin that spread across Andrea’s lips. “Ah yes, that is an interesting question, isn’t it? But we’re just getting to know each other, you and I. Maybe after we’ve talked some more, I will indulge you.”

“So I should expect more of these talks?” Caleb tried to keep from flinching as a large black snake coiled up his leg and made its way around his abdomen.

“I should say so, after all, what is a vacation without entertainment?” With a flick of the wrist, the Devil's glass refilled.

“If I refuse?” The snake was around his shoulders now, and he felt its tongue flickering against his neck.

Andrea let out an exaggerated sigh, “Then I will need to seek my fun elsewhere. There are eight lovely girls here. All of them at the precipice of some very interesting falls. It would be very enjoyable to see where they would land.” She flicked her eyes to match Caleb’s gaze, “That is, of course, unless you keep me occupied and entertained. Can you do that for me, Caleb, or will you disappoint me?”

Through gritted teeth, Caleb responded as the snake hissed in his ear, “If keeping you occupied keeps them safe, I will be your entertainment.”

“Hmm, safe is such a fragile word given their position, but I understand your intent.” She snapped her fingers, and the snake uncoiled itself from Caleb's body and slithered across the bar to rest around Andrea’s arm.

Caleb felt his chest relax with a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding as the serpent slithered away. He brought a hand to his chest and slowly looked up to meet Andrea’s eyes and realized that despite her eyes being on him, she wasn’t truly looking at him, but past him, not behind, but at something only she could see. He felt his fingers tighten on the fabric of his shirt as he regained enough composure to ask, “So what did you want to know then?”

“Know?” Andrea set her drink down and tickled under the serpent’s chin.

“I’m entertainment, right? There must be something you wanted from me.” Caleb tried to keep his voice even, but the longer he spent with this woman, the more he felt every hair on end, like his entire body knew it was in danger and was begging and pleading him to flee.

“Ah- I see the confusion. No, I don’t need to learn anything from you, Caleb Ward.” She raised her hand and let the snake coil down to her shoulder, “As far as who you are, your life history, what you’ve done, I know all that. It’s plain as your soul. So no, that’s not what I’m after.”

“Then what-” Caleb started, but he was interrupted by Andrea closing the distance and grabbing his chin, her chest inches from his, her breath hot on his ear.

“There’s a metal, Francium, an Alkali Metal. Just knowing that alone tells you most everything you need to know to understand it. Highly unstable, very reactive to air and water. But knowing that isn’t the same as seeing it come in contact with water and combusting and sending shattering glass around the room.” Adjusting her grip on Caleb’s face, she made him look him in the eyes, “I’m not here to learn about you, but to appreciate the way you combust when exposed to different circumstances. I am the scientist, and you are the francium.” She leaned in close to the master’s ear. “Do. You. Understand. Now?”

Despite everything, despite the fear, the revulsion, Caleb was ashamed of the physiological response he was having as the woman held him steady. His mouth was dry, and he found words eluding him as he nodded silently.

Amused, Andrea backed away, “Now then, as long as we understand each other. Go join your girls before they miss you.”

Caleb practically leapt off the stool to make his way to the stairs when he heard the words from behind him, quiet but filling the space of the lobby, “Oh, and Caleb?”

Andrea grinned and raised her glass, “I’ll be seeing you again soon.”

Caleb swallowed and practically broke into a run to create distance and swore he heard jovial laughter following him as he made his way to the game room.