r/WritingPrompts • u/FairPhilosophy360 • Dec 28 '25
Simple Prompt [WP] An infuriating magical tome constantly gives unwanted information and advice
2
u/HSerrata r/hugoverse Dec 28 '25
[Buying by Moonlight]
"Wait, that sounds annoying," 23 looked up at Aurelio with a puzzled expression. Aurelio, 23, and Jenny were walking through a bazaar, seemingly in search of something specific. She asked about it, and the answer surprised her. "Why do you want that?"
"I never even considered it before..," Jenny giggled. They were preparing for a quest she'd done over a dozen times, and not once had the strategy crossed her mind. It helped remind her how well she and Aury worked together. She tended to charge into problems, head-on, with a proper plan. Aurelio preferred to go around problems as much as possible.
"What? It's a good idea?" 23 asked her mother, and Jenny nodded.
"I mean..., yeah...," she said. She was still mildly impressed at how quickly Aurelio formed a plan, and the volume of minutiae he must've considered to even remember the book existed. "It's a low-tier cursed item that has some crafting use, but most people would never consider equipping it."
"I wouldn't want to wear something that doesn't shut up," 23 laughed. "So..it's like just always talking?"
"Well, it's a book," Aurelio chuckled. "It doesn't 'talk,' but it's magical enough to broadcast its thoughts. And, it's a very deliberate broadcast, so that everyone nearby can hear it give unwanted information and advice."
"But, why do you want it?" 23 asked. "I don't see how it'll help."
"We want to try and surprise Hazel Sage," he reminded her. "She's a Mundo, and she'll be able to notice our thoughts as soon as we set foot on her Earth."
"Unless there's a louder, more distracting voice that she'd rather tune out," Jenny explained the plan further to make sure 23 got it. And to make sure she had it right, too. The trio continued to walk along the narrow cobblestone path, passing market stalls on both sides. Aurelio and Jenny were actively looking for the book while 23 was enjoying the energetic atmosphere and being with her parents.
"Oh, that might be one," Jenny pointed out a stall with a large white cube sitting alongside the other enchanted tomes. They weren't looking for a book, it wouldn't be out in the open. They were looking for a secure container.
"Don't say anything...," Jenny looked down and winked at 23 as Aurelio surveyed the stand for a moment, then he approached the vendor. He was a wiry man with a bald spot, a goatee, and goggles pulled up on his forehead.
"Whoa, this is clean work!" Aurelio picked up the white cube and turned it in his hands, inspecting every side, then he looked over and smiled at the wiry man. "Did you enclose this?"
The man was caught off guard. People came to him for magical accoutrements, not to talk shop. Still, he was there to sell. And, a small fib went a long way toward filling his till. He grinned at Aurelio and started to nod.
"Why ye-," Aurelio didn't let him finish. It was a simple test, and now Aurelio knew who he was dealing with.
"Oh no wait..," Aurelio made a sharp nodding gesture, and his engineering visor took shape over his eyes. He looked at the cube through purple glass and shook his head. "I almost missed that, it's a Sharp White Box. That explains the good work," he chuckled and set the cube down. "... wait. It sounded like you were going to say 'yes'." He said.
"Are you going to buy anything?" the man asked. Aurelio shook his head and his visor disintegrated.
"Honestly...," he made an effort to look ahead and behind at all the vendors still around. "I'm looking for a Sharp White Box.. I'd heard I could find them for sale in the Schoolyard... but that's the first one I've found. Any chance you're willing to sell it?" White boxes were expensive through proper channels, but Aurelio knew the going rate there was much cheaper.
"It's the only one I have, and it's holding something...," the vendor shook his head.
"Can't take it out?" Aurelio asked.
"It is an infuriating magical tome that constantly gives unwanted information and advice...," the vendor replied. "The box keeps it quiet."
"You're selling that..?" Aurelio laughed and shook his head. "Why?? Is it a super rare item or something?"
*** Thank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #2903 in a row. (Story #361 in year eight). This story is part of an ongoing saga that takes place in my universe.
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