The Mad One: Part One (special preview)

In the City of Red Tide, far from the Grand Hall, in a stretch of buildings known as the Broken Nails, there is a small restaurant. From the outside, the small establishment looked like any other of the Broken Nail buildings. It was narrow, squat, and had a garden growing on the roof. The sign out front advertised the place as the ‘Happy Bunny’, with a small cartoon of a bunny waving eagerly for patrons to come inside. This is where the place was different from the rest of the Broken Nails. Inside was not much different, but it was the contents it held which made it different.

Inside the Happy Bunny, behind the counter, inside the kitchen, was a woman with a height that was a tad over six feet, a physique built to make statues cry, and a face like a cherub. It wasn’t her appearance that made her special, although some would beg to differ. No, this business owner was different because of who she is, where she was born, and what will be happening to her.

This woman’s name is Madelyn, and though her body is hardened by years of effort, covered by scars well earned, and maintains a smile as shining as the sea, she will strike you down if you call her that. She prefers to go by Mad One. Not Maddie. Not Lyn. Just Mad One. I bet you’re wondering now why her charming little eatery is called ‘Happy Bunny’ when she insists on being called Mad One. Well, Mad One wasn’t alwaysalso a cook, she had once been one of the most powerful thaumaturgists of the City of Red Tide. In fact, Mad One was a princess, daughter of the even more powerful Red Witch, Queen of the Red Tide. Sounds like a lot to cover, so let’s begin.

Mad One was cleaning the kitchen, preparing for the day like always. For the past few years she had taken up residence in the Broken Nails, creating her restaurant, and distancing herself away from the life she knew before. Having once been the next in line for the throne, she had been doted on, and been expected to become even more powerful than her mother, Red Witch. Mad One was said to be blessed by magic, as if she was chosen to be something even more than her mother. But this was what Mad One was trying to forget. She was more focused on the food she cooked, and the few strands of gray hair that had appeared in her part. Although she was fretting such a thing, her husband assured her it was nothing, and that one day, a mane of silver hair would suit her.

Yes, Mad One was married, happily so to a LA-Pin Unit, a special series of automatons that ran on excess magic debris in the air. Because of this, the LA-Pin Units had their own personalities, minds, and were to a degree conscious depending on the amount of debris in the air. Thanks to Mad One’s gifts, her husband was exceptionally special too. Huni Buni, as he was called, was the same height as his wife with his ears, but his head was at level with his wife’s bosom. Something he enjoyed immensely. Huni Buni was supportive of his wife, and of her endeavours to distance herself from what was once their home. Without him, Mad One would have been lost during her recovery. The restaurant had been named after him, as Mad One was so grateful for Huni Buni’s love and loyalty.

You see, Huni Buni hadn’t been Mad One’s only partner. Before she left her home, as the heir to the throne, Mad One had several partners. In the Cities it was expected for the Queens to have several husbands or wives to show their strength, power, and unity with the other cities. But, before Mad One left home, they all had left her. But that is both behind and too soon to explain. Anyways, Mad One was cleaning in the kitchen and worrying about the gray in her hair. Huni Buni was coming from their upstairs apartment, dressed in the uniform he made for himself. Small pink dress, little frilly apron, and a small hat that wrapped around the base of his ears.

“We’re going to be busy today, I just feel it!” He says, his voice having a slight metallic ring to it. Most of his body was a pearly pink, but his face was a monitor that often projected images of a pixelated face.

“We’re never busy,” Mad One replies simply. “We have our regulars and then we’re lucky.” She throws the carafe into the coffee maker without looking and it begins to boil water immediately.

Huni Buni leans over the counter to the look at her. “You have to have a little hope, my love, or else, what are we even here for?”

Mad One looks at him, not annoyed, not pressed, but gently. She smiles slightly, the scar on her lip tugs tight, pulling the corner of her lip down slightly. “You know why.” She dips down, kissing the smooth screen of his face. “It’s quiet.”

Huni Buni sighs softly, images of hearts flickering on his face monitor. “But if we are busy-”