Chapter 2

The description of a manner and an unexpected turn of mental behavior.

Chapter 2

    AA looked around at the house, it was gorgeous with brilliant decorations donning the walls as far as the eye could see. The furniture seemed flawless in the craft and in beautiful dark colors. Chandeliers lit most of the initial entry and main hall but from what little was in her peripheral AA could notice there were normal lighting fixtures elsewhere. She looked at the decorations, many paintings were mounted in the main hall which AA did not recognize. Her first thought was that there must be artists in Other Realm, her second thought was that perhaps it is art from other dimensions as Anthesus said they do overlap, her final thought was to raise the question to Anthesus.

    “Hey, where did you get all of the art?” She looked around at them and they were very similar to those on Earth, but different pieces to be sure.

    “Oh, I see you’re quite observant and quizzical. Well I got the art from artists through Other Realm, which brings recollection that I must remind you that we have jobs as well.” Anthesus looked down at AA, “Are you curious of my occupation?”

    AA looked up at him then back down, “A little bit.” She looked around yet persisting on keeping her head faced downward.

    “Well,” he reached out his hand offering to show her, AA took it with a slight hesitation which did not seem to bother Anthesus, “I am an Inventor. Particularly I davel in the incorporation of magic into technology to ensure maximum efficiency.” He directed her around the corner on their left into a corridor with a few closed doors. “I’m best known for inventing an efficient way to utilize wormholes to travel manageable distances. I’m currently trying to work on interdimensional travel.” As he said this he opened the door at the end of the hall to unveil what must be his laboratory with tools and blueprints scattered about on his desk, some machines hanging on the well, and something which appeared to be a work in progress to the side of the room. The walls appeared to be completely made of a foam like substance which AA assumed was to absorb sound, they had a strange wave like pattern flowing across them which made it look much nicer than if it were just flat and dark grey. The floor was hard concrete which was understandable as to not ruin any tile or wood.

    “Well that’s interesting, you davel in magic and science?” AA looked at the equipment scattered around the room and at what appeared to be several prototypes of Anthesus’ inventions. “On Earth you’d be called a madman.” She half-smiled and peered back over to Anthesus.”

    “Well, we no longer reside on that plane.” Anthesus let go of AA’s hand and rustled through some of the items in the room until finding a white glove with what appeared to be purple floral decorations, which he put on his right hand. “But I am aware that magic does not exist on that plane, so I doubt you believe in such,” to which he looked at AA and she confirmed the presumption. “Perhaps I will show you later then.” He proceeded to find the matching left glove and put it on.

    AA pondered the thought of magic, the thing detailed in fantasy novels everywhere on Earth. After reading countless stories describing the practice as fantastical and impossible it was easier to doubt its existence rather than trust it. “Well then I think I’m going to go wander around the house some more.”

    “Ah, well stay safe. I suppose I will be working in here if you need something of me.” He watched as AA walked into another door before sitting at his desk to work on whatever bizarre mechanization he would supposedly create.

    AA wandered into a washroom at first. “Wow, aren’t I just brilliant?” she muttered to herself before walking back out to explore the rest of the manor. The corridor had a brilliant wallpaper with what appeared to be white chevrons across a dark blue backsplash which reminded her of the night sky in a sense. The next room she wandered into was a library with such a wide array of new books to read that AA could only wish she had time to read them all. “I’ll have to read these later,” AA said this to herself looking at a book titled The Prism which intrigued her. However putting the book down only incited her to look at more titles of which she’d never seen: Off the Sky, Death After Life, If Only Time Allowed. A squeal was braced from escaping her body as her excitement of so much reading material was immense. Breathing deep AA was able to walk out of the library to continue exploring the mansion, closing the door behind her she wondered if Anthesus was aware of her love for reading and prepared accordingly. Yet that was just another question to ask him as the pile she possessed was developing swift.

    AA returned to the main hall and looked around once more at the grand interior design of the magnanimous hall. This time the chandeliers caught her eye, they appeared to be made of silver or a metal similar to it and they had 8 arms which were curved up towards the ceiling and covered with intricate designs which made the arms appear feathered. There was a lightning bolt design coming out of the center of the chandelier as well that gleamed brilliantly with the light produced at the tips of the arms. The chandeliers appeared as though a model of flawless cleanliness as AA could see her own face in them even though it proved a difficult objective.

    Looking across the main hall there laid another corridor and at the end opposite the front entrance was the route upstairs. She made her way to the other corridor and saw that there was only two other doors within its reaches; one at the end of the hall and one to her right which she promptly opens given it was nearer. Through the door appeared to be a bedroom most likely for guests as it was comparable in size to the washroom in which she wandered into prior. The room was painted a soft blue as opposed to the midnight colors of the majority of the interior and was rather basic in decor as it contained only a bed, bookshelf, and a small closet. It appeared that either Anthesus had guests over rather often or he has no time to tidy the room as it was, at bare minimum, a mess. After a brief look into the guest bedroom AA ventured to the end of the corridor to locate the kitchen which was rather small in contrast to the sheer magnitude of the manor yet it was at the least very well kept and stocked. Perhaps AA had yet more quarries for Anthesus now, this time considering if he cooks or not.

    AA returned to the stairway and gazed in awe at the lavish red carpet which draped the steps in contrast to the wood floor and the midnight blue with white wallpaper. It appeared to have, sewn into it, a series of illustrations which detailed some story which AA was unable to discern. Adjourning her venture upstairs, AA stood in amazement at it for quite some time as she could not make sense of any potential materials or what sort of craftsmanship it must have required to create such a rug, neither what the pictures meant. After some time AA surrendered her attempts at deciphering the details of the silk on her own and she continued her exploration to the higher reaches of the household. The stairway split both left and right, which led to the same destination regardless, and upon reaching the second floor there were four additional doors now visible on the sides of what appeared to be the main entertainment room with inviting chairs and a sofa surrounding a large table as well as viewing a white board above the fireplace. However AA was unsure of the purpose of the board and instead investigated the games which were present on several shelves.

    The games which AA inspected caused her to shine with glee as it appeared there were some from Earth as well as ones she had never heard of. The thought befell her that she could chance upon making friends here and being able to play these games as she was always ridiculed for her childish desire to play games with people on Earth as it was not an act of a lady her age. It was plausible, in her eyes, that Anthesus may indulge in similar behavior that her family had.

    With a heavy sigh AA began to recall her family’s refusal of her various tendencies which did not fall in line with her parents’ expectations. They had called her an oddity since early childhood but somehow did not expect it transition into adulthood as it did. AA always had a quirk of maintaining a closeness to her childish side, having a desire to play games and becoming infatuated by anything which interested her in the slightest. It did not hinder her performance in life whatsoever yet it crafted dents in her familial relations despite her being, what she considered, prosperous. She looked out of the large window as the moonlight beamed its last before the sun rose and whispered to herself her anxieties. It did not feel right to exonerate the sudden arrival of a promise of a better life as truth, she would never had been worth this back on Earth so it was nonsensical she would be worth it in Other Realm. Her hands were pressed into her face as she began to curl and lamented anew over the situation as she continued to recall her life before. AA could not help but pursue only the negative memories in this moment as she remembered all the times her parents, more so her mother since it was seldom her father be around, treated her as a failure. The tremors in her body affected her very soul as she recalled how often her mother was disappointed in the things she did. It was inconceivable to impress her mother or, in AA’s eyes, it was inconceivable for her to accomplish anything of which to be impressed by.

    Amidst her trepidation Anthesus arrived in the room and grabbed her shoulder in a gentle gesture to which she jerked to view him in her surprise. Her face was red and painted with tears as she sat on the floor in the aftermath of her negativity. Gazing up at Anthesus, AA had no idea what was happening in the present as she was so lost in the past moments ere.

    “Exonerate my transgressions if this was an inappropriate occasion to discontinue however I heard your dismal disturbance from within my lab and wished to scrutinize the situation.” He proceeded to kneel down to AA’s level and offered to assist her in returning to being seated straight.

    “No no, it’s not an inappropriate time at all,” AA accepted Anthesus’ assistance as she stammered out her speech. “I was just reminded of home and how- rough it could be sometimes.” She wiped her face of any stains and continued to place her head upon her knees as she sat against the wall.

    “May I catechize an elaboration?” Anthesus settled next to her and became a man of concentrated attentiveness. “I would repudiate the notion of it recurring to you.” AA, of course, did not comprehend his words’ intent but inferring from his body language would do.

    “Well, I’m not really sure I trust you with my life story.” She half-chuckled at saying this and looked back at Anthesus’ intense stare.

    “That’s quite coherent. Yet I am available if ever you wish to speak.” He gave another gentle smile to AA and she sighed at him.

    “I’m just not sure about this whole thing,” AA looked across the room and began to trifle with her hair, “I don’t really belong here, but the more I think about it the more I realize I don’t belong on Earth either. And this whole caretaker thing is still a tad bit hard for me, like I can maybe believe that you’re meant to take care of me here but I just can’t trust you yet.” She sighed once more and looked up at the ceiling as she finished.

    “Well, what can I accomplish to procure your certitude that I will care for you. I postulate that I have expatiated my objective as attempting to achieve your utmost trust.” Anthesus looked as though he was peering into her very soul in an attempt to seek answers.

    “I don’t think there is anything you can do,” AA closed her eyes as the aura around her seemed to be more sullen with every phrase, “I don’t feel like I can trust anyone very much.”

    Anthesus did not respond for a moment before embracing AA in his arms. “I’m sure I can do something, or at least with enough time you’ll trust me.” AA was shocked at the sudden embrace, she did not expect to be hugged by Anthesus under any circumstances. “I already care a lot about you, it’s why I selected you out of infinite other choices.”

    “But how do I know this isn’t all a lie. Trust isn’t as strong as people say it is.” AA almost began to cry once more despite the sudden action taken by Anthesus. “I’ve been told that trust is as strong as steel, but it’s not.”

    “It isn’t that strong, you are correct on that.” Anthesus sounded upset to admit this yet he continued. “It only possesses the strength of that which both patrons will allow. I am willing to make it as strong as the indeterminate material which meshes the edge of the universe.”

    “And how am I to believe that?” AA looked up at Anthesus with tears swelling in her eyes of confusion and turmoil. “How am I supposed to believe that when my own family couldn’t uphold that?” She began to raise her voice in correlation with raising anger.

    “I’m not your family AA. Nor did I ever wish to be, I want to be your caretaker which may sound similar but it isn’t. There are numerous children who are not cared for by their familial ties.” He tried his damndest to show her a smile while saying this but his countenance was not much of a counterweight to his words.

    “I don’t think that really helped your case.” She smirked a little and buried her head again. The coat was soft of inviting to burrow her face into and AA did not even resist the urge to do so in an instance such as this.

    “Perhaps not, but we all make mistakes after all.” Anthesus seemed to struggle with his words for once and his tone began to waver. AA was not sure if this sign of vulnerability in his facade was redeeming or distrustful. Regardless he continued his wavering speech in his attempt to calm the child he held close, “I may not be the best caretaker if I am to provide the purest of candor, but I will attempt with maximum effort to be your ideal caretaker.”

    AA hesitated and returned the embrace at last, “I just don’t want you to be like everyone else who was always disappointed in me.” Although muffled, her timbre conveyed her precise mood and thought of confusion and past regrets at the moment.

    Anthesus stood up and in the process stood AA up as well. “If I was disappointed in you then I wouldn’t have selected you out of infinite other options as I said before. I presume you found the library?” AA nodded to the question but did not provide any direct answer nor did she appreciate the glaring change of topic. “I did stock it just for you after all. If it wasn’t implicitly stated before allow me to make it explicit, I’ve tried extensively to make you comfortable.”

    “I’ve sort of noticed, you didn’t have to get all of this stuff just for me.” AA stepped back, wiped her tears away from her, and looked up at Anthesus. Their eyes met for a mere second but a second was enough for both to understand the compassion they felt for each that was yet inhibited by something neither were willing to say.

    “You’re correct, I did not have to. But I wanted to.” Anthesus grinned and took off his glasses to clean them of debris as he proceeded his proposal, “So why don’t you come back downstairs and read some of those books I stocked for you?”

    AA nodded back at him although she had more to say and they began to journey to the library. Many chances to explain more presented themselves to AA but she could not make the thoughts into speech so the short walk was rather silent. By the time they had reached the library AA was absorbed by the thought of what kind of book she wished to indulge herself in while she was here. Seeing as she had not even scratched the peak of what she may find in Other Realm she had no grounds to make a decision. Even so AA was once again bewitched upon entering the library by its sheer capacity. The options were numerous yet the time was presumably limited.

    “How much time would I have to read all of these?” AA asked not adjusting her fixation upon the books. “Because this is a lot of reading to do.” Both her expression and her thoughts glowed with excitement of that fact as she began making an effort to dismiss her despair for at least this moment.

    “Indefinite time AA.” Anthesus said so in an odd combination of casual and matter of fact as if this was a normal idea for him, “The magic present within Other Realm will prevent death by old age, and as long as I have any say in your life then any unnatural death will be reversed one way or another.” He did not avert from his task either as he still worked to assist in finding a book for her which she might enjoy.

    “Wait seriously? I’m going to live forever?” This dragged AA’s attention away from the inventory and towards Anthesus. The idea of immortality was so displaced from her potential idea of reality that it could not fit into her comprehension yet he treated it as if it was such common knowledge to everyone. Perhaps with infinite time she could decipher her own turmoil or the complexity of life itself; though bold these were her first conceptions in reaction to the concept.

    “Yes, Other Realm has some form of magic energy woven within it’s matter that I have yet to fully understand.” AA’s eyes were fixated upon him as he began to climb a ladder to investigate higher shelves while still speaking about it as not a wondrous fact. “But it is the cause of all the inhabitants’ immortality which you will exhibit similarly to all those before.” Anthesus pulled a book from a higher shelf and eyed over it for a moment as though the design of immortality was unimportant.

    “I’m not sure how to process that.” AA also pulled a book out of the inventory to gloss over. “I have no idea what I’d do with an eternity of time.” After all that was a hard thing to process for any human despite they had prized immortality since their conception. Countless inventions were made in hopes of achieving such a goal but it was hard to believe that any mortal was capable of comprehending their lives if there were no deadline.

    “Well, you do have an eternity to figure that out. And I do recall you desired to read all of these stories.” Anthesus grinned at AA and offered her the book he pulled, titled The Energy Abound. “It’s an interesting enough story, I’m not sure if it’s you’re kind of genre but it’s mine.”

    AA took the book and looked over it and put it in the same hand as the book she pulled which was titled When We All. “I’ll look into it, and I did want to read all of these but, what about after that? Then what do I do?” The curiosity of a time so distant was futile to observe yet impossible to ignore and it was almost tearing AA’s attention entirely away from the collection of literature she stood it.

    “Well, that’s years, quite possibly decades in the future. Why not think of it when that day comes?” Anthesus’ casual demeanor was not displacing to AA somehow as he walked to the door and offered her out. “Come on, you can read in the lab, I’m not doing anything cacophonous I promise.”

    AA went to the lab door and looked again at Anthesus with a subtle gleam of joy in her eyes as she was understanding his compassion albeit a slow process, “I suppose so, just as long as you don’t break any of the promises you made today.”

    Anthesus nudged her slightly on his entry to the lab, “I’ll try my very best, and if I did break one I’d just invent a contraption to transport me back in time to fix my mistake.” His consideration of such possibility excited his scientific nature to imagine the capabilities of a mechanism capable of such.

    “Aw, would you really break the laws of time and space just for me?” AA smiled slightly in conjunction with her sarcastic statement while finding a seat in the lab as Anthesus went to his desk.

    “Oh AA, I already have,” Having said this Anthesus pulled out a strange contraption with four rods attached to the end of a gun’s barrel but the firearm could not even be considered as such since it had strange batteries, wires, and other contraptions attached to it. Regardless he held it as though it were a rifle and aimed it as such which sparked AA’s curiosity as she sat down to observe the demonstration. The rods began to invoke electricity between one another and some of the contraptions began to hum while others rattled making a sound reminiscent of any cliche, unbelievable, invention from a movie. After a moment of this supposed charging process he pulled the trigger to eject a miniscule orb of black fluid which splattered against the wall as he fired it again at a different wall. Anthesus reached his hand through one and it came through the other which was an odd yet fascinating demonstration. “Wormholes should technically be impossible but here we are.”

    AA smiled with a childlike presence emanating from her in this instance as she was ignited by the intrigue of a strange contraption in a stranger reality. Anthesus put the invention in its necessary place and sat at his desk and began working; AA presumed it was important if the transition must be so rigid. Afterward she started reading the books she and Anthesus picked as he got to work on whatever it was he was researching. Hours passed as they had small chats about each other, the books, and the research Anthesus was conducting. When the sun positioned itself in the height of the sky that day both of them were asleep in the lab. The previous day was long and difficult for both of them, and they had dreamt that the preceding days were not as trying.

Author's Note

Just as with the rest of the book, ignore grammar mistakes. Just the stuff like tone, theme, and pacing is what I'm focused on.