Between Realities

Closure and questions

(M) M POV:

"...M... how long have I been gone...?" Dopple asked quietly, looking down at the birchwood floor as she spoke. She sat in a small chair, near the other end of the long couch I was sitting on. The entirety of her home was, well, homey. It was comforting and colorful, like the painting of an obliviously pure Orange Steve. I noticed that Dopple had looked up, waiting for an answer, and I brought a hand to my mouth.

"Oh... Right, sorry," she said with a sudden embarrassment, giving a sheepish smile. Then, a sudden look of realization filled her expression. She quickly, and somewhat clumsily, took out a strange looking potion, and stood up, walking over to me. "M, I have something to help you. It took a while, but a friend was able to conjure up something so that you could talk again!"

My heart missed a beat. I- what?! Could this really be happening?! Can I trust her? Will this work? Who's this "friend" she's talking about? My mind was a whirr of confusion and questions, and I hesitated as she held out the bottle to me. If this is true, if it really works, then I'll finally have a voice. Maybe, just maybe, it would help me forget what had happened with Twisted. I sincerely doubted I could forget what had happened, but it was worth a shot. At this point, there was no reason for Dopple to trick me, no reason for her to lie.

Reluctantly, I nodded, cautiously reaching out and grabbing the bottle. She let go when it reached my palm, and it felt light in my hand. Closing my fingers around it, I examined the bottle. It was a flurry of colors, all swirling around, almost looking like it was sparkling. It made me think of the night sky, but colorful, and the strange dapples of light in it reminded me of stars. Finally, I slowly brought it to my mouth, then drank it. It had a strange, indescribable flavor that sent shivers down my spine, but I swallowed it nonetheless.

"Well? Try talking to see if it worked," Dopple coaxed me, anticipation resonating in her voice.

Feeling somewhat shaky, I took a deep breath, then stammered, "I-... It worked!" A huge relief washed over me, as well as excitement and enthusiasm. It really worked!! I can't believe it!

Dopple gave a sigh of relief. "I'm glad! I would've felt horrible if it hadn't..."

"Th-thank you...!" I stammered once more, still getting used to hearing the sound of my voice again. I hadn't heard it in so long that it felt almost alien. I'd almost forgotten what it was like to speak, but feeling it once more filled me with an energy I never knew could be possible. I felt the dread I'd had moments before drift away, like a feather blowing in the wind.

"Of course! I'm so happy I was able to help you!" Dopple gave a big smile, her joy filling the room. And, for the first time in a long while, I smiled back.