The Garden Lunch

Marci smiles as Tyler treks across the field of flowers. She is sitting with her hands folded on the table facing the direction he is approaching from. Metal platters line the center of the table with lids covering them all.

"I see you decided to join me after all," Marci points out when Tyler is in earshot.

"My attendant seemed to be sure that I would choose to come," Tyler responds as he sits opposite her. "Don't tell me that he read me better than you did."

"It bothers you that I read your mind and made an assumption."

"No, it bothers me that you read my mind and don't tell me what you are thinking. Have you ever told me anything that wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear?"

"My powers can't be turned off for you, Tyler. If you want proof, I can tell you everything the governor of Jaysteria's husband thinks of me, right in front of his wife! Besides, my ability to read your mind isn't always bad." She lifts the lid off of the closest platter to reveal what looks and smells like roasted chicken.

"Is that-"

"Yes, the bird you would prefer to eat over anything in our country. This is what you wish for whenever our food is offered to you. Though I must admit, you think more about the dish than how to make it. I was able to buy a chicken from Ernesto, a friend of mine in another realm. This is also his recipe..."

"It looks wonderful! Thank you!" Tyler attacks the chicken while Marci opens other platters with multi colored meats, breads, and plants. There is nothing else Tyler recognizes or wants to try.

"See, my magic isn't all bad, nor is it only for manipulation and telling people only what they want to hear."

"Are you about to bribe me with this food?" Tyler says with a smirk.

"What?" Marci turns red as she talks, but her voice remains at a steady tone. "I would never do that. Why are you determined to demonize me?"

"I'm not, I-wait. Why don't you just read my mind?"

"I... Tyler, all you are actively thinking about is that chicken..."

"Oh, right, right, I'm glad that works. Honestly, it's nothing against you. Also, there is no need to turn off your magic. To be fair, you need to tell me what you are thinking."

"Have I not been talking with you this whole time?"

"You have been telling me what I want to hear. There is a difference."

"You want me to..." Marci starts, focusing intently on Tyler's expression.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Tyler rolls his eyes. "If you read my thoughts before you say anything, then I will never know what you think."

Marci's face flushes, and she focuses on her plate. "Why would you care? My power allows me to know what people think. I see what they expect and want from me. Do you want me to purposefully say the things they disagree with? Would it be wise for a diplomat to intentionally make enemies?"

"I'm not a politician. Do what you want with 'them,' but please be real with me."

"Can you stop thinking about chicken?"

"Why? It's really good; you should try it."

"Tyler, I cant tell if you are lying to me or not. If you want to know what I think-"

"Marci, I never get to read your mind and know if you are lying. If this is frustrating, try imagining that I'm reading your mind and telling you what you want to hear."

"That's-" Marci stops herself mid sentence and takes a deep breath. "Fine, it seems frustrating, but I never tried to manipulate you by telling you what you wanted to hear."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"When you told me that it wasn't impossible for a girl to fall in love with me quickly this morning, what was I thinking?"

"That's not exactly what I said," Marci stammers. "Actually-"

Tyler interrupts her with a heavy sigh. "Just answer the question."

"You were thinking that you didn't want to marry someone who you didn't fall in love with..." Marci admits, dropping her eyes to the ground.

"What about when you offered me time to think it over?"

"There is no way in hell I'm agreeing to marry her right now." Tears form in the corner of Marci's eyes as she recites Tyler's thoughts. "Fine, you win, I'm a terrible person. Is that something you wanted to hear?"

Tyler slaps his forehead and sighs again. "Let's change the subject..."

"Wait, are you sure?"

"Yes, I definitely don't want to talk about this anymore."

"No, not the subject."

"What then?"

"Your first thought that wasn't about chicken since I showed that to you." Marci rolls her eyes.

"I didn't think anything... but it's nice to see an honest reaction from you."

Marci avoids Tyler's eyes and blushes again. Her voice is barely above a whisper as she asks, "How are your thoughts not hostile towards me?"

"Hostile? Is this a trick question?"

"You... never mind, what is the other topic you wish to discuss?"

"Actually, the topic is whatever you were about to say." Tyler leans forward and locks eyes with the blonde Princess.

She tucks a lock of golden hair behind her ear, which is as red as her face. Her eyes dart back and forth between her plate and Tyler's chocolate eyes. "Do you hold animosity towards me for our previous conversation?"

"Oh, is that all? No, not really."

"Why?"

Tyler shakes his head. "Does it matter?"

"Yeah, it does."

"Okay, okay, I was pretty angry this morning, but then I started thinking about it. If I was being forced to marry someone—I would also look for a way to take control of my situation. Can I really hate you for a decision I would make in the same situation?"

Marci opens her mouth and closes it without saying anything. She picks at the food in front of her. Her blue eyes glance at Tyler but do not maintain eye contact.

"Mind reading isn't my thing," Tyler adds when Marci doesn't respond. "Tell me what's on your mind."

"We can discuss other topics," Marci offers.

"Sure, after you tell me what's bothering you."

"Chicken," Marci replies with a plot smile. "Are you enjoying-"

"Pretend I'm reading your mind: tell me why it's so surprising that I'm not mad at you!"

"You can't actually read my mind!"

"No, but you owe me this much!"

Marci thinks for a moment and sighs. "Very well, I can summarize my thoughts on this issue; however, after I do so, we are even.

In lieu of a verbal response, Tyler leans forward. He nods his head up and down with a silly grin slowly spreading across his face. Marci blushes again, but she clears her throat and keeps her word:

"With the position my country is in, my powers have been a great tactical advantage. We rely on getting raw materials imported at prices low enough that our finished products are priced competitively. Reading the mind of the seller, doing or saying whatever they prefer, appeasing them, that is my purpose. Defiance, disagreements, and emotional outburst mean that I have failed."

Marci hangs her head and slumps her shoulders. Tyler furrows his brow in thought. After a pause, he replies, "I get it: that's why you hate Dani, right? She never hides her emotional outburst."

"Perhaps," Marci sighs. "If you would prefer to eat with her I-"

"Oh, no, sorry, that was just me thinking out loud. You were right when you told me that you and her were complete opposites. Anyway, I'm sorry that you have to bury your emotions to purchase raw materials at a lower price."

"That is quite alright, I-"

"Maybe for them, but it's unfair to you. Fortunately, I don't have any gemstones for sale."

"What do you mean, how is that fortunate?"

"I mean that you don't have to placate me! In fact, what did you want me to make again? Graphene and diamonds, right?"

"Yes, that would be-"

"Perfect, I'll do it."

"You will?" Marci stares at Tyler. Confusion spreads across her face. Panic takes over when Tyler stops actively thinking about chicken. "No, I can't."

"Come on, I'll make as much material as I can for your people; you will tell me your honest opinion about everyone we encounter through the Destiny Dating app, oh, and scream. That's a fair trade."

"How's that fair to you? What value does my honest opinion carry?"

"More than you think it does, apparently."

"What's the point of the scream?"

"It's hard to hold everything in and scream at the same time. You will have to feel something to scream. Besides, no one else is around. I'm surprised you are fighting so hard against free materials for your people..."

"Now who is using their magic to manipulate others?"

"Ha, maybe we have more in common than I thought..." Tyler chuckles, grins, and reaches his hand across the table. "Deal?"

Marci stares at him. Her eyes bounce between his hand and eyes with frustration painted on her face. Finally, with a heavy sigh, she shakes his outstretched hand. "Fine, deal."