Chapter 2: First Broomstick Ride
Everett held on for dear life as the broomstick sputtered beneath him, like an old car that couldn’t quite decide if it wanted to keep moving. The wind whistled past his ears, and the city of Astoria stretched out below in a blur of enchanting colors, magical creatures, and shimmering buildings. If only he could enjoy the view.
“Uh, are you sure this thing is safe?” Everett asked, his voice tight as he gripped the back of Evanora’s robes.
Evanora glanced over her shoulder with an awkward smile.
“Safe? Of course! Broomsticks have a—uh—fantastic track record.”
The broomstick wobbled violently, and for a heart-stopping second, Everett thought they were about to plummet straight into the roof of a nearby building. He clenched his eyes shut, his stomach flipping over as they somehow managed to veer out of danger.
Evanora laughed nervously, gripping the broomstick tighter.
“Just a little turbulence. Happens to all the best witches.”
“Turbulence? On a broomstick?” Everett muttered under his breath, opening one eye cautiously.
“Great.”
They were supposed to be flying toward the lodging house that Evanora had mentioned, but so far, they had done more falling than flying. Every few minutes, the broomstick would dip suddenly, sending them hurtling toward the ground. Evanora would frantically try to steer it back up, muttering spells and flicking her wand, but each time they barely avoided disaster by inches.
"See, the thing is," Evanora explained as the broom wobbled again, "this broom is a little... temperamental. I think it's just shy. Once it gets to know you, it'll fly as smooth as silk."
Everett, who had nearly lost his grip for the third time, shot her a skeptical look.
"Shy? It feels more like it’s trying to throw me off."
Evanora giggled, though her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"It's got personality, that’s for sure."
Before Everett could respond, the broom gave an unexpected lurch to the left, sending them spiraling toward the ground at an alarming speed.
"Whoa!" Everett yelled, his arms wrapping tightly around Evanora's waist as they plummeted.
Evanora’s eyes went wide, and she hastily waved her wand in the air.
“Steady, steady!”
The broomstick jerked upward again, but not before they crashed into a fruit stand below, sending apples, oranges, and enchanted pomegranates flying in all directions. The two of them tumbled off the broomstick and landed in a pile of fruit.
“Ow,” Everett groaned, an apple rolling off his head as he sat up.
Evanora scrambled to her feet, her face flushed with embarrassment. She dusted off her robes, glancing around at the fruit scattered across the street. A few passersby stopped to watch, some shaking their heads in amusement.
“I am SO sorry,” Evanora said, rushing to pick up the fallen fruit and handing it back to the annoyed vendor, who gave her a disapproving look.
Everett, still sitting in the pile of fruit, couldn’t help but laugh.
“You really know how to make an entrance.”
Evanora sighed, helping him to his feet.
“I promise, this doesn’t usually happen... well, okay, maybe it happens sometimes. But I swear, once we get back on the broom, things will smooth out.”
Everett raised an eyebrow.
“You really think that’s a good idea? Maybe we should walk?”
Evanora shook her head vigorously.
“Oh, no, no! Walking is for tourists. You came here for the full Astorian experience, right? That means flying!”
Before Everett could protest, Evanora grabbed the broomstick, which had somehow miraculously avoided damage, and mounted it again.
“Come on!” she said, patting the back of the broom.
“One more try. Third time’s the charm.”
Everett looked at the wobbling broomstick with uncertainty, but he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. With a deep breath, he climbed on behind Evanora again, this time holding on even tighter.
“All right,” he said, bracing himself. “Let’s do this.”
Evanora grinned, her enthusiasm never wavering. She flicked her wand again, muttering a small spell, and the broomstick shot into the air once more. Everett's stomach did a flip as they soared higher than before, the ground quickly shrinking beneath them.
"See?" Evanora called over her shoulder, beaming with pride. "Told you we'd get the hang of it!"
Everett managed a nervous smile. “Yeah, just—uh—keep it steady, alright?”
For a few minutes, it seemed like Evanora had finally gotten control of the broomstick. They zoomed over the streets of Astoria, passing by floating carriages, magical markets, and glowing shops. Everett’s heart started to calm, and for the first time, he let himself enjoy the view. The city was unlike anything he had ever seen—an endless sprawl of enchanted buildings, rivers of liquid stardust, and parks filled with magical creatures lounging in the afternoon sun.
“This is incredible,” Everett muttered, his voice filled with awe. “I mean, I’ve read about Astoria, but seeing it in person is something else.”
Evanora smiled proudly. “Isn’t it? There’s magic everywhere, even in the air. Some of the wizards say you can breathe it in and feel it in your lungs.”
“I think I’m starting to feel it,” Everett replied, his grip relaxing slightly on her robes.
Just as they were passing a towering spire that sparkled with thousands of magical lights, the broomstick gave another sudden lurch. This time, it didn’t stop wobbling. Instead, it veered wildly to the left, spinning out of control.
“Not again!” Evanora yelped, frantically trying to steer the broomstick back on course.
Everett’s heart raced as they spiraled downward. The buildings below rushed up toward them, and for a terrifying moment, it looked like they were going to crash into the roof of a nearby inn.
Evanora yanked on the broomstick, shouting a spell that Everett didn’t quite catch. At the last possible second, the broomstick jerked upward, narrowly avoiding the roof and sending them careening down an alleyway.
Everett’s knuckles were white as he clung to Evanora. “We’re gonna crash again!”
Evanora gritted her teeth. “Not if I can help it!”
The alleyway was narrow, with walls that seemed to close in on them as they flew. A row of laundry hung between two buildings, and before either of them could react, they barreled straight into it. Sheets and robes tangled around them, and for the second time that day, they tumbled off the broomstick, crashing to the cobblestone street below.
Everett groaned, untangling himself from a particularly large bedsheet. “Okay, that’s it. I’m officially done flying.”
Evanora sat up, her face once again flushed with embarrassment. She pulled a pair of socks off her head and sighed. “I’m so sorry, Everett. I swear, I’m usually better at this... well, maybe not *better* exactly, but I’m learning.”
Everett couldn’t help but laugh, despite the ache in his limbs from the fall. “I guess flying isn’t as easy as it looks.”
Evanora smiled weakly. “It really isn’t. But hey, at least you’re getting the *full* Astorian experience.”
Everett grinned, shaking his head. “If you say so.”
As they sat there in the alleyway, surrounded by laundry and with the broomstick lying pathetically on the ground beside them, Everett couldn’t help but feel that, despite the chaos, there was something endearing about Evanora. She was clearly trying her best, and while her broomstick skills left much to be desired, there was a certain charm to her determination.
“Maybe,” Everett said, standing up and offering her a hand, “we take a break from flying for a bit? You know, give the broomstick a rest.”
Evanora looked relieved, taking his hand and standing up as well. “That sounds like a good idea. I think the broomstick might appreciate it too.”
They both glanced at the broomstick, which wobbled slightly in the air as if it was sighing in relief.
“So,” Everett continued, brushing some dirt off his jacket, “how far is the lodging house? We can walk the rest of the way, right?”
Evanora brightened, nodding eagerly.
“It’s just around the corner! And I promise, no more crashes.”
Everett chuckled.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
As they walked through the busy streets of Astoria, the chaotic broomstick ride already becoming a funny memory, Everett realized that while this wasn’t the magical guide experience he had expected, it was turning out to be far more interesting. And, in a strange way, he was starting to enjoy Evanora’s clumsy but well-meaning company.
Maybe Astoria was going to be more magical than he’d ever imagined just not in the way he thought.