THE MOMENT
“My stars…” Deliah couldn't believe her eyes. She held the freshest, most vibrant unicorn horn she'd ever laid eyes on. It was a ripe golden color that still sparkled with reflective specks as she appraised it in the light. “This one's been bigger!” Another unicorn horn in the bin caught her eyes and she didn't hesitate to grab it. She replaced the first one and took the larger one. But she glanced at the bin and the larger wall of ingredients.
Dragon scales, newt’s eyes, witches' tears, manaberries, and more were all neatly organized in colorful bins. And it was only one wall of products in the convenience store.
Deliah started out the day like any other, by heading into town. She couldn't do her job during the day because her suppliers were mostly light-sensitive. She liked to get all her own chores out of the way while she waited for her fae compatriots to be available.
Her job was procuring ingredients for black magic spells. At least, that was how she liked to present it to new acquaintances. People liked to imagine the worst interpretations. Despite the technical truth, she was essentially the buyer for a magical school.
She visited town daily and yet without any apparent leading construction, she found a brand new ‘Chroma Convenience’ shop on an out-of-the-way corner. She was too curious not to enter. Yet, even as the friendly clerk welcomed her, Deliah's eyes fell on the ingredients display.
They had everything she needed to keep the school stocked, and at much cheaper prices than her unlicensed distributors.
“I guess this is the price of progress,” she laughed to herself as she began collecting the items she'd planned to buy that night. She knew she wasn't the only buyer of shady goods, but she did like to think she was the biggest. Even as she carried the assortment of ingredients to the counter, she thought about the black market taking a real hit by this store's presence.
She'd forgotten all about her own plans now that she could just get work out of the way. She paid and happily carried the plastic bags back out of town to the school in the forest. She wondered what she'd do with the sudden excess of free time. It wasn't just today. The convenience store meant she could gather ingredients any time of day.
“Deliah?” She was in the storage room putting things away when the Principal knocked on the open door.
“Hi, Judy.” Deliah smiled at her coworker. They were best of friends, but only off the clock. Each respected the other professionally.
“Why are you here?” she asked with an uneasy tone. Deliah’s presence during the day wasn't the norm, but she did still work there.
“Putting things away…” Deliah nodded. “I found an amazing new supplier.”
“Oh.” Deliah was facing the shelves and didn't notice Judy staring at the plastic bag with the Chroma Corp. logo. “Maybe it's not too late! Wait here!”
“Okay…” Deliah giggled with a shrug. She was too caught up in her own thoughts too realize Judy was acting a bit off.
Almost 10 minutes later Deliah was almost done rotating the supplies when Judy came back.
“Deliah, I'd like you to meet Annabelle.” Deliah wasn't expecting a minotaur in a crimson blazer and slacks, but she was a professional.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Annabelle.” Deliah returned the Minotaur's polite smile.
“Deliah’s the best buyer we've ever had,” Judy said. “Over the years, she's figured out various ways to ethically source the ingredients our students need.”
“We can use that kind of expertise at Chroma Corp.!” Annabelle nodded. “I have other appointments today, but let's get together next week and discuss what you're looking for.” She said.
“What am I looking for?” Deliah asked with a confused expression.
“I'll arrange the whole thing! “Judy nodded and patted Annabelle on her large shoulders. “Thanks for this extra few minutes, but don't let me keep you longer.”
“Then, please excuse me,” Annabelle nodded at both of them, then made her way towards the school entrance.
“What's going on? “ Delilah didn't waste any time in asking.
“First, why are you here so early?” Judy asked.
“Got the stock early, found it in that new Chroma Convenience store,” she said.
“Annabelle represents Chroma Corp. She was here to offer their services to our school, and I accepted.” Judy said.
“Okay… what's that got to do with me?”
“Well, I was feeling horrible and didn't know what to do. But moments after leaving that meeting, I found you here. I realized Annabelle was maybe still in the building and I went to go track her down.”
“Judy, I'm still missing some information…” Deliah said.
“I had to do what's right for the school. With Chroma Corp. offering fresh ingredients at rock bottom prices… we don't need your position anymore. But you can work for Chroma Corp.!”
“I see.” Deliah wasn't sure how to handle that news, but she wasn't going to figure it out there. She started walking past Judy, but she left her with cold appreciation.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity, Principal Roberts.”
