David looked around for his friends, Brian and Sam. The group of 16 year-olds where enjoying the late summer carnival before school started in just a few weeks. It was nearly 9, though still bright out, but soon, the sun will set and lights on the rides will be coming on causing the park to transform.
"So where did you disappear to and why do you keep checking out your hand?" Brian asked.
"I'm telling you there was a tent, some woman gave me this," David held out his hand and showed the ring, "and she said it was magical, can change reality, and anything I say will become true if it isn't already."
Sam's face twisted, "And how much did she take from you to tell you that?"
David scowled, "It was a gift, I didn't even pull out my wallet, but I guess I should repay her for such a kind gift... She will have a long life filled with joy and love, hard times will be brief, and she and her lineage will be blessed. When her time comes, it will be painless and her loved ones will celebrate her life well lived."
*************************************************************************************************************
The woman was reeling, she had been cursed by a rival family's shaman. The curse was nearly unbreakable, any action she took to break the curse would not work, and anyone who knew of the curse couldn't break it... all seemed hopeless. Even the ring of truth itself couldn't directly counter it... She did turn to the ring however, "I will do what I must to get this curse broken." she whispered and her body went on autopilot.
"Only the one I need will visit me this day." her body uttered though she didn't know what was happening or even that there was 'one she needed'. She remained on autopilot the entire day. Late in the evening David appeared and she heard and saw herself freely giving the ring way! She panicked but could take no action to stop herself, she was giving away her most powerful and most prized possession, as she had locked herself into doing what she must.
The instant her free will returned she used what was left of her magic to disappear, knowing a painful end was drawing near, but then, she felt her curse lift and knew blessings where being showered upon her, though she didn't know how or why. It came at a terrible price, but she had her health and her family, and that was what mattered.
*************************************************************************************************************
"Uh huh, you becoming a poet now? Don't tell me you believe in that stuff." Brian asked looking toward the rides.
"It didn't even rhyme, how is that a poem? Besides, she hasn't given me any reason to not believe her." David countered.
"That isn't really a good reason to believe in something. You have a lot of conflicting knowledge about how the world works." Sam thought out loud. "I guess we should experiment somehow. Something obvious enough that it would be clear that it works, but not in a way that would ruin things if it does. Like, please don't summon aliens or turn everyone but us into cats."
"I agree, but if it really changes reality, how would we know? We are part of reality, so we'd be caught up in the change." David asked.
"The most obvious answer," Sam scowled, "is that is that you use the ring to say that you will remember the former and new reality."
"Oh yeah, I will remember the former and new reality." David said.
"You guys are dumb." Brian interjected.
"Aren't you forgetting something David?" Sam asked. After receiving David's blank stare he continued, "You will remember both realities, but we won't, so if you are trying to prove it to us..."
"Oh yeah, You two will remember the former and new realities with me when I say stuff in front of you."
"Great, now what to try?" Sam smiled.
A sly smirk crossed Brian's face as he glanced around the food and drink tents. "Hey David, why don't you go get us some beer to try." The boys exchanged glances with hesitant but growing excitement.
Sam squirmed, "Maybe something that won't get us kicked out or have security call our parents on us. You know, in case the woman is playing a joke on you."
David bit his lip, "No. Here's what's going to happen. Sam, You're gonna pay, give Brian $40, you've got several hundred in your wallet. Brian, you're going to buy three beers for us. Nobody's going to question our ages, doubt we are adults, or try to stop or confront us at this carnival, even if we see someone who knows us tonight they will see us as 3 random men. We aren't going to get in trouble for anything, and nothing is off limits tonight."
"At this carnival? Tonight? Man, you should have said ever!" Brian moaned.
"Guys!" Sam pulled out his wallet brimming with bills, "It worked! I had like 12 bucks left."
The group exchanged glances realizing what this meant. Brian held out his hand and Sam forked over 2 twenties. A few minutes later Brian returned with three beers and an amazed look on his face. After distribution among the boys, "Hold on," David said apprehensively, "I've heard beer is an acquired taste, like coffee. It can be pretty disgusting if you haven't acquired it." He looked at Brian and Sam who were nodding, "But we have." he finished with a devious grin that the other boys shared.
"Bottoms up" Brian cheered and the trio clinked their plastic cups and drank the yellowish-amber liquid finding it satisfying and familiar.