Chapter 155. Kray: I Just Wanted to Ease the Mood
In the afternoon, a blazing fireball hung high in mid-air.
Olivia lifted the suitcase, opened the door, and hurried in, her face beaming with a smile.
"Kiana, are you ready?
I've already brought Duncan's case."
"Mm, I'm ready.
We can set off at any time!" Kiana nodded gently in reply.
She had long since got up from bed and changed her clothes, her whole body tightly wrapped in a set of blue robes.
Apart from eyes like sapphires, not a single bit of skin was exposed; everything was covered snugly.
Olivia's movement paused, and she said, a little sorrowfully, "Actually, you don't have to..."
"It's fine.
This way I won't frighten him," Kiana said with a smile.
"To tell the truth, sometimes when I catch sight of my own hand by accident, I jump—let alone people who have never seen me.
I'm already very grateful that he's willing to let me in to have a look."
"All right," Olivia said, gently stroking Kiana's head, then set the case on the floor and opened it.
She thoughtfully reminded her, "In a moment, put your hands on both sides and go straight in through the case opening.
But be careful—there's a staircase below.
Only let go after the foot you put in has found its step.
Don't fall."
"Mm-hmm!"
Kiana bobbed her head like a pecking chick, her eyes shining with excitement.
Looking at Kiana's impatience, Olivia's lips curled in a smile.
With a grand sweep of her hand she said, "All right then—since you're all ready, let's set off!"
Kiana watched in wonder as Olivia's body gradually vanished.
Then she crouched, braced one hand on the floor, and—very carefully—stretched a foot through the case opening.
After wobbling a few times and deciding it was safe, she fully entered the case.
Her feet stepped onto the wooden stairs with a creak.
The brief darkness fell away.
Kiana held the banister and cautiously craned her head to look.
Below was a simple room built of planks.
Several long tables were covered with many books and some instruments she didn't recognise.
Directly ahead, a banner swayed in the breeze, on which several neatly written large letters could be seen.
"Welcome, Kiana Jones, to visit Duncan's magical case!"
Next to the banner floated several colourful balloons of various sizes, and the wooden posts were wrapped round and round with pretty streamers.
Olivia stood in the middle of the room.
Beside her stood a handsome boy and two beautiful unicorns.
Kiana took in the decorations, an indescribable look flitting across her face, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Although everything before her looked very cosy, she couldn't help feeling something was a bit strange.
Especially that line of big letters on the banner...
"Duncan, Duncan, hurry, they've arrived!"
Pro, who had returned to the case earlier, hopped anxiously on Duncan's shoulder.
"I know, I see them."
Duncan subdued the fidgety Pro with one hand and, with the other, raised his wand and gave it a light flick.
Bang, bang, bang—several bursts.
The fireworks set off at the side exploded, and a string of magical creatures made of brilliant sparks rushed out one after another.
They darted wildly across the air above the work shed, and with each stride they left behind a glittering, star-shaped footprint.
When the footprints had covered the ceiling, turning it into a resplendent sky, the fireworks-creatures faded, leaving only a gorgeous glow.
Eyes wide, Kiana gazed at the beautiful starry sky, and, holding the banister, she walked down softly, murmuring, "It looks really lovely."
"So long as you like it."
When Kiana reached the work shed, Duncan stepped forward and, smiling, held out his hand.
"Hello, my name is Duncan Scamander.
I'm the owner of this case and a friend of your sister.
All the magical creatures at my side are my good partners—there's no need to be afraid.
They're all very friendly and easy to get along with."
In the only part of her that was exposed, Kiana's eyes flickered with hesitation.
She bit her lip lightly and slowly took Duncan's hand, saying softly, "Hello, I'm Kiana Jones.
I'm very glad you're willing to let me come in and have a look."
"It's nothing."
Feeling the small, thin, hard touch in his hand, Duncan went on smiling.
"Actually, visiting my grandfather's case would be better.
There's more space, more magical creatures, and lovelier scenery.
Unfortunately, he took his case out last night and hasn't come back yet."
"So I'll have to wrong you to wander around here for now.
When my grandfather returns, I'll take you for a proper visit."
"N-no need."
Kiana waved her hands in a fluster.
"This is already more than good enough.
And those fireworks just now—they were amazing.
It's been so long since I saw fireworks that pretty!"
"Those were designed by my two good friends.
If they heard your praise, they'd be moved to tears!"
Duncan said, "I can introduce you later.
They're very friendly.
Although they love pranks, and being friends with them can be a real headache sometimes, most of the time you'll be very happy!"
"Mm-hmm, thank you," Kiana said, nodding obediently again and again.
"Come on, let's go outside for a look.
The things in the work shed are all rather dull—the interesting things are outside."
Smiling, Duncan led everyone out the door and towards the magical-creature habitat that had been fenced off.
Pro's eyes rolled.
He slid down from Duncan, snuck to Kiana's side, and, with effort, crawled up onto her shoulder.
Delight showed in Kiana's eyes.
She carefully cupped Pro in her hands and followed closely behind Olivia.
When they reached the area screened off by canvas, Duncan, every inch the gentleman, lifted a corner and didn't let it drop until Olivia and Kiana had gone in.
Then he put his thumb and forefinger to his lips and blew a whistle.
From the high sky, Kray swooped down with a clear, ringing cry.
Kray landed precisely on the boulder in front of Duncan and the others.
The wind from his wings roared and sent everyone's robes flapping wildly.
Startled, Kiana took a step back and hid behind Olivia, sticking out a little head to peer at Kray with some fear.
Pro stamped his paws furiously in Kiana's palm, angrily berating Kray's roughness and telling him to treat a lady like a gentleman.
"Don't be afraid.
Kray is a very reliable partner," Duncan said.
"Would you like to ride him for a lap in the sky?"
"Ah?
May I?"
Kiana's eyes widened in delight.
For the moment she overcame her fear and leaned slightly past Olivia.
"So long as you like, it's no problem."
Duncan smiled at Kray.
"Our friend would like to soar in the sky for a turn—how about it?"
"Leave it to me!"
Kray lifted his head proudly, puffed out his chest, and—legs lifted high—stepped forward.
But he seemed to have forgotten he was standing on a boulder.
One foot stepped into thin air and—thump—he crashed straight to the ground, going face-first.
"Pfft..."
Seeing Kray staggering about in a comical way, Kiana couldn't help herself and, hand over mouth, burst into laughter.
Mori—who had turned into a Niffler and was sitting on Duncan's shoulder—laughed with absurd exaggeration, the sound battering Duncan's eardrums.
With a grimace, Duncan pinched the back of Mori's neck, swung his arm as if whirling a lasso, and flung him off into the distance.
"I only wanted to ease the mood, so you wouldn't all be so serious and tense..."
Kray scrambled up quickly and pretended nothing had happened.
Duncan did his best to keep a straight face and nodded solemnly, but the hateful sound of Mori's loud laughter still carried clearly from afar.
Kray's brow twitched.
He couldn't hold it in and turned to roar, "Shut it, Mori.
She wants me to take her flying, not you!
You're absolutely useless!"
At that, Mori's laughter stopped at once.
After a moment's thought, he leapt into the air and—whoosh—turned into Kray's shape, bellowing:
"Duncan, you mustn't play favourites.
I can take her flying too.
You can't give it only to Kray!"
Kray roared in fury, "Get lost, you shameless, brazen bastard!"
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