33. Dinner Plans #2
“Stars curse it, Rosie!” Anger surged through him upon recognition of the nefarious Nocturnaturals logo on the candy bar that his daughter’s cat was playing with. “Nocturnaturals,” he spat out. “These things are outlawed in Primrose Court.”
Maida leaned forward for a better look. “Really? They’re so popular in California. Everyone is either buying them or selling them, or selling them to afford buying them. Do you really think it’s that bad?”
“Yes it’s that bad!” Arthur threw his napkin onto the table. “These products have ruined lives. They are highly addictive, and destructive. There’s an active epidemic amongst magical folk that can be directly traced to the use of Nocturnaturals edibles, patches, and oils.”
“An epidemic?” Maida raised a skeptical brow. “This stuff isn’t even classified as a drug. It’s just wishful thinking in a pretty package.” She waved her hand.
“I wish you were right.” Arthur pushed back his seat and stood up. He couldn’t sit any longer. He paced as he explained further.
“That may be the case for Ordinaries, but Nocturnaturals contain synthetic magic. And the fact that it’s a mass produced, mass market item…It’s everywhere. I don’t know how you combat that?”
Maida stood and examined the wrapper. Her face had grown pale.
She reached for her wine glass and crossed the room to where Arthur was standing.
Her next words were tentative, and quiet.
“You wouldn’t know this, Arthur, but my mother didn’t simply die in childbirth.
She’d been sick for a long time. Synthetic magic is what actually killed her. It nearly killed me too.”
She placed a hand on his shoulder. “I did not know that Nocturnaturals were so dangerous. I just thought it was crazy how people were going nuts over a bunch of silly patches and candy bars. I guess I should be grateful I never jumped on the bandwagon.”
Arthur shook his head and paced back to the table. “This shouldn’t be here. There’s a ban in place. Whoever brought this to our community needs to be held accountable.” His mind was racing in circles. It kept coming back to one person.
“I’m still not sure I understand how it works?” Maida said. “Maybe you can explain it better to me? What happens? Does it make magical folk feel high when they consume that stuff?”
“Initially. There’s an intense feeling of euphoria, followed by a surge of power.
Synthetic magic amplifies users’ innate abilities and grants them temporary extra skills.
It’s hard to predict what those will be.
Like a surprise gift!” Arthur could hear the sarcasm in his voice, and took a deep breath.
His emotions were getting the best of him.
“It’s addictive because the cravings set in immediately, but it also becomes less effective with repeated use. Over time, it obliterates users’ natural talents, while giving them a false sense of power. It messes with their heads, impairs their judgment. Younger folks are particularly susceptible.”
“That’s horrible.” Maida set her wine glass down on the counter. “What can we do about this?”
Arthur stared at his hands, both balled up in fists. He stared up at the ceiling, then back down at his feet on the floor. Then he exhaled and said it. He couldn’t hold his fears back any longer.
“I’m afraid that a friend of Rosie’s, Bardo Chan, has been using it. It’s one reason I didn’t want Rosie spending time with him. Now I’m worried I might have been too late.” Arthur raked a hand through his hair.
Which friend had Rosie said she was hanging out with tonight? What were they doing?
The temptation to use his T-watch to track her and bring her home immediately was strong, but he didn’t want to risk sharing this with the entire community.
How had that wrapper ended in Rosie’s cat’s belly?
“You don’t really think that wrapper is Rosie’s?” Maida asked, horrified.
“It’s the only logical explanation, isn’t it?” Arthur said, shoving his hands into his pockets and balling them into fist.
“No.” Maida stood slowly. “I’m sure there are other explanations. I don’t think you should jump to conclusions. The Mudpuddle is a public place, lots of people are in and out of here.”
“True,” Arthur conceded. “But given the fines for possession, I cannot imagine anyone being so careless with the wrapper, especially in such a public place. And Rosie has been so secretive lately. My gods. How could I have let this happen?”
He had to fight the ripple of magic that swept over him with the powerful emotions he was feeling.
The sting of an imminent shift felt like pinpricks in his pores and the walls were too close.
He wished to be outdoors in a large field.
Somewhere he could run and stomp and bray at the moon till exhaustion obliterated the guilt he was feeling.
Right under his nose. He’d allowed his own daughter to fall prey to a petty synthetic magic pusher, right under his own nose.
“Arthur, please calm down. You don’t have all the facts.” Maida laid a clean, manicured hand on his shoulder. He stared at her. It looked too perfect up against his increasingly hairy arm. He could hold back the full shift, but not all the effects.
She stared down at the thick hairs sprouting beneath her fingers. He had to look away as he jerked his arm away from her hand. He couldn’t bear to see the disgust he suspected must be on her face right now.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Maida. Rosie is my daughter, and this is my business!”
Maida winced. “Arthur, please. I spent a lot of time in my teens butting heads with my father. Give her a chance to explain.”
“This isn’t the kind of situation where you get second chances, Maida. I’m not sure you understand.”
And with this statement, he stepped out into the starless night.