1 Chapter 1: A Common World

*Maria*

"Excuse me, what the hell is this?" Said the annoying patron.

"Your order. Is there a problem...sir?" I said.

"You forgot the pickles!"

I take a deep breath, trying to hold in my frustration while keeping a blank look on my face

"You didn't order pickles, sir. But I'll do you the gracious favor and ask the chef to fix it for you."

I take the burger back and silently stomp my way to the back.

"Antonio, code 73." I said to my boss Antonio.

"Another one!? Either someone is failing at their job or someone is targeting my restaurant."

"Get this, he complained about the lack of pickles."

"My mistake for trying to bring one of my favorite cartoon restaurants to life."

"Ignore the haters Antonio, you're doing fine. Let's just give him his dame pickles and move on."

"Maria, what would I do without you?"

"I'm sure you'd be alright."

With that, I exit the back kitchen and go back to the floor. It's a pretty small restaurant that sells burgers and nostalgia. It's small enough that it only needs one waiter, me. Which is great, fewer workers means more money for me.

Despite the perks, this place still gets "those" people.

Even as I serve the few other customers, I can feel that guy's eyes on me. It's starting to make me recall things I rather forgot. Before I do anything drastic though, Antonio calls for me.

"Maria, code 73 is prepared."

"Gotcha."

I rush to the back trying to avoid eye contact.

"Here's the man's pickle burger."

I take the plate and return it to the annoying customer.

"Finally, did you remember to check the pickles?"

"Yes, yes we did."

I swear if he tries to hide them under his tongue, I'm going to lose it.

No, no, don't think like that Maria. I can't afford to lose another job.

I place the plate down and quickly slip away. I won't suffer any more nonsense today. I only have 1 hour to go before my shift is over.

"Wait!"

I stop in my tracks and slowly turn around.

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to say...great burger!"

"...Huh?"

"Thanks for playing the part for me. You earned yourself a repeat customer."

"...You're welcome?"

I don't know if I should be happy, mad, or confused.

"Well, if that's all..."

"Yeah, thanks for the meal."

I bow and get the heck out of there. I hope he was joking about being a repeat customer. I don't want to repeat this episode.

Thankfully, the rest of the day was normal. Serving customers and cleaning messes. Normal and boring...just the way I like it.

Eventually, the time came for my shift to end and the rest of my day begins.

"See you tomorrow Antonio."

"Later, Maria. Good job today."

I walk out of the restaurant to be greeted by chilly winds in my face. And was that a raindrop I felt on my nose?

"Son of a-"

I take out my favorite blue and purple scarf, wrapping it around my neck. Instantly, all my submerged worries melt away in its familiar warmth. It gives me the strength to make it home to my apartment a few blocks down. Right before the heavens unleashed their fury on my head.

I unlock the door and enter my humble abode.

"Smokey, I'm home!"

Down the hallway comes a running my cute little black corgi. My mood is instantly lifted as I hug him. The little licks here and there help too, haha.

"You missed me huh? I know you probably want to go on a walk but as you can see."

I point outside.

"It's raining and cold. So how about we just have fun indoors for the day."

That got a happy bark and smile out of him.

"Great, let's get started."

For the next few hours, we played treasure hunter, hide and seek and we even danced like fools. Finally, we ended it with an action-romance movie.

I had fun, I really did. But as I caress Smokey's head, I can't help but look back at my life so far. Perhaps...I need to see Dad again...

As if sensing my discomfort, Smokey snuggles deeper into my chest while looking into my eyes.

"Don't give me that look. You know how hard it is to say no."

He whimpers but I can see that he understands. Sometimes, I...just need to be alone.

"Finish the movie, I won't be long."

I get off the couch and go to my room. Within my closet, in a number-locked case, is my 2nd most precious possession. The last picture I have of my father before the car accident. The only other thing I have is the scarf he made me.

I take out the picture that shows a bear of a man and his little girl smiling like idiots. As if he didn't lose his wife when I was born and wasn't going to die a short decade later.

I place the picture on my nightstand and get into bed. I stare into it for a bit before confessing.

"Hey Dad, it's been a while. Just wanted to...talk."

I gazed at the silent picture that stared back. My heart clenched from the influx of memories.

"I still have the restaurant job. It's alright and pays well. We do have strange customers but it's nothing I can't handle. You've taught me how to live well."

"But..."

Tears begin to trickle down my face.

"It's hard. Rent increases every year, the world has seemingly gone insane, and worst of all..."

I stroke the picture and close my eyes. Remembering all the fond memories I had with my father. A strong and wise man taken by foolishness.

"I don't have you with me. We have so many plans for the future. You wanted to save up and start a movie studio. You had the talent for directing, I knew you can do it."

"As for me, I w-wanted...I wanted to sing. I wanted to sing for you and the stories you would spin. The ones you used to write and read to me when I was a child."

"And then with our money and influence, we'd be able to help people. Actually take steps in healing this broken world."

"But...you're gone and I-I'm...a step away from being forced to take a loan. Something you've said could easily put me in debt."

"W-where did we go wrong...w-what did we do wrong..."

"This...is not the life I wanted..."

I couldn't take anymore so I turned around from the picture. I further escaped into my covers and hopefully into a happy dream. Away from all of...this.

"I call upon my ever faithful shadow and light."

My eyes shoot open and my heart explodes with fear. I hear a voice booming all around me. It vibrates through my core but I can't find it's source.

"Who's there!"

I throw off my covers and reach for something I didn't think I'd ever use. I reach behind my pillow for the knife.

"J-J-Jonathan?"

No, it can't be him. He's long gone! The voice doesn't sound like him either. But if it's not him then-

"The invisible blue string that binds my soul to another."

"S-Smokey, come here!"

My trusty dog runs to my side and gets ready to defend me from whatever is haunting us.

"Who are you?! Where are you?!" I screamed out into empty room.

Nothing answers me but the raising of purple mist and strange lights emerging from beneath our feet.

"Hear my plead and grant me audience with the one that will complete me."

"What is-"

My words are cut off as the world is filled with white light. But more than that, I feel like I was somehow thrown a thousand feet into the air. The sudden lack of foundation and sense of direction made me cling to the only thing that's true and real.

"Smokey!"

I grab him, not hard enough to hurt but hard enough to reassure me that I'm not going crazy. Not again, anything but that.

After an eternity praying for my peace to return, the light fades and the world starts to make sense again. The first thing that registers are voices. Many hushed whispers but some I could make out.

"Is that-"

"Impossible."

"A-A human?"

Human? Why would that be shocking? I braved the unknown and opened my eyes. I almost wished I hadn't. Around me is something I've only read in my father's storybooks.

Elves. Fair-skinned, blond-haired freaking elves!

But that is not really got my eye and attention. It was the elf man standing tall before me. For some reason...I felt...good while looking at him. As if it was right to be in this position.

His medium well-kept hair, ocean blow eyes, and stern but secretly soft expression. I don't even know how I know that, I just do.

There are many words that come to mind when I see him but only one escapes my lips.

"He's-"