Discovery

“When I teach you this next trick, you’re going to be tempted to becoming self-involved, decadent; in short, you will be so distracted by the things around you that you will be easy to kill. I won’t protect you. Survive or die.” It’s not like me to give a damn, what is it about this albino? I’ll have to keep my guard up.

“I’m ready. How do I exert influence on others?” And will it work on you? Where is this consuming hatred coming from? Grandmother would be so heartbroken. If last night’s dream was any indication, she’s watching, not happy. With me?

“Follow me.” She catches the wind easily enough. Let’s see how high can she go?

“Exhilarating…” I should be cold, but it’s something else. How high are we? Is this what eagles see?

“What is that?”

“A Wandering Albatross. Don’t get too close. Their wingspan is almost twelve feet long. Let’s go higher.”

“Are we—“

“At the edge of space.”

“Has anyone ever—“

“I don’t know.” She’s doing it. Separating from the gravitational pull.

“I had to lie. I needed to see if you had it in you. Very few of us ever go there. None want to admit that there is nothing else.” Is she strong enough?

“I don’t understand. Why did you grab me by the ankle, I could have kept going.” Does he not know about the other realms?

“There is nothing else. You would have floated away without being able to return. The only way to travel outside of the atmosphere is by knowing where the satellites are, you could travel to one and then back down to Earth or on to the next satellite. If you go without a plan, you will keep going until you reach one of the other planets or the asteroid belt. It would be pure momentum, not direction or control. Do you understand?” I have to rip the bandages or she’ll not survive. “Also, there are no aliens, Nothing in or past the expanse. This world is all there is.”

“You don’t know that.“ I have the advantage. What was it that he said; something about the next time I try one of my potions that he would rip my head from my body. He’s not afraid, but can he be influenced?

“You’re not listening and I’m not going to beg you to be careful. Tomorrow, we go see the leadership. Expect pomp and circumstance. They’re very much into the old world traditions of being announced before entering their presence and other such unnecessary nonsense. Let’s go shopping. Madison Avenue or Paris?”

“What about ‘Influence?’”

“How do you think we’re going to get in so that you can try on a new outfit? You’ll find that the simpler the mortal, the easier they are to influence. Let’s go!”