Bridging Destinies

Chapter 34: An Interlude Between Points

The rest of the tour went by in a blur. I sank into my new role, acting as liaison and interpreter for the security team, which was of value to them. I managed to avoid any direct public exposure, which I was relieved by, but also not surprised. I knew that I would be safe enough, as long as the path remained as clear as it was. In the interim between concerts, and their busy schedule, I was able to find time to spend with Namjoon, and even the rest of the band, growing closer as the days and weeks went by. I found that my feelings for Namjoon grew stronger, and I could tell that his did for me as well.

It continued to surprise me. This attachment. I found new depth to it and to our connection. And where Namjoon may have appeared sometimes naive and a little innocent, I discovered the expanse of his intelligence and found it fascinating to engage in conversation with him. Our conversations were profound and varied, from the ordinary sharing of our lives to subjects of music, literature, psychology, science, history and politics. He was not as naive as he appeared, possessing what seemed to be an old soul that had not fully settled into its body.

He was very busy, of course, as was I. It was surprising, and yet not, how often the men were under threat from sasaengs, as I was able to easily sense the thoughts of the more obsessive fans. I was used to human obsession, as I had experienced it myself over the centuries that I had mingled with them. There was a lot more going on than I shared and as long as the band was safe, I wanted to be careful not to over expose myself. I walked a fine line between assisting the security team and my own safety. I knew that there could be risks I was unaware of, as I was not perfectly tapped into the weave at all times. I had to be cautious as much as possible. The choices I made and the choices of those around me could always change the paths, and I was always watching them carefully.

After the tour was over, we returned to Korea and I left employment as a liaison to the security team. The band was given two weeks off of personal time, as a precursor to their coming announcement, that they would be temporarily going their own ways, so that they could grow as artists and complete their military enlistment. Their company decided that the time off was necessary, because they needed a short break before gearing up for the next stage of their lives and career. During this time, Namjoon and I planned a camping trip to Jeju Island for a portion of the two weeks. Namjoon convinced me to stay with him at his home, in the interim. His home would provide us more privacy than the dorm, and it would allow more security from media and sasaengs. For our trip, I made arrangements to stay in an AirBnB for a few days, before setting out on our camping expedition.  The plan was to backpack into the interior and stay for a few nights before returning to the AirBnB, which would act as our home base. I would show him how camping was done in my world.

~~~

Namjoon sat next to Felina on the company chartered flight from Seoul to Jeju Island. He glanced at her and noticed the serious expression on her face, as she read through the newspaper that she had gotten at the airport. He leaned towards her and asked quietly, "What is it?" He tried to look over the edge of the newspaper to see what she was reading. She glanced at him and spread the paper out in front of her on her lap, "Nothing new. Tensions between North and South are a bit heated." He moved to take the paper from her and hesitated, "Are you done?"

She almost smirked and gestured for him to take the paper, with a nod, so that he could read it, as well. He took the paper and became engrossed for a time in the article. When he finished, he put it down and looked at her, about to speak. He noticed she seemed far away, as she stared at the wall of the airplane in front of them. "Hey Lina?" He asked, then moved his hand in front of her face.

Felina broke from her apparent day dream and gazed at him indulgently, "Yes, Joonah?"

"You were pretty far away just now. Where were you?" He asked.

"Uh. Nowhere, specifically." She stated simply, then leaned towards him and said quietly, "Just giving a notice, in a way."

His brows went up, "A notice?" He blinked at her and frowned a bit. It wasn't the first time that he'd witnessed her seeming to be far away and lost in thought. It didn't happen often, but it was the first time he had seen her unaware of her surroundings. His brow furrowed with the weight of choosing to understand and realized it wasn't any different than her previous explanations when they had first gotten close. As understanding dawned in his eyes and grew bright, his eyes glowed with his intelligence. He asked, "Do you mean, you are talking to your people?"

Grinning at him affectionately, she nodded, "Exactly. It was a report, of a kind." She explained.

He tilted his head, gazing at her intently, "How does that work, exactly?"

She took the paper from his lap and folded it, setting it aside as she considered his question. She spoke slowly, as if weighing her words, "Well, thoughts are energy. As is everything. Everything works along a spectrum of differing energies. The physical world is one kind of energy, resonating at a different frequency, and thoughts and emotions are another kind of energy. Spiritual energy is another kind. All resonates, again, at a different frequency. As your scientists have discovered, particles are not bound by time and space. They move about the ether, based on thoughts and intentions. All energy is like this. However, some energy is more dense, and behaves differently. As your body and mine. Mine is maybe less dense than yours, and my gifts, according to my kind, are different. Humans pick up on the energy of thoughts and emotions all the time, but most of the awareness is subconscious and doesn't flow into the conscious, often." She shrugged, "Though there are some humans who are more in touch with both sides of their conscious and unconscious."

He considered her explanation and stated, "So this is how you are able to pick up on the energy of thoughts and talk to your people even from far away."

Nodding, she answered, "Yes. It is the same. The pathways between our conscious and subconscious are clearer and we have more of them. And we pick up on energy in a way that you do not. We feel everything, you see."

He frowned at her statement, as he watched her expression change with her explanation, and he sighed, his heart aching for her. He took her hand gently, "That sounds exhausting." He asked, "Everything?"

"Well, most everything. We can block out what we choose to. But when the earth cries, yes, we hear her and will often join in her pain, so hold space with her for it. Some of us dedicate all our time to listening to the earth and her creatures." She explained further, then fell silent, thinking maybe she had said too much.

He looked down at their hands and began to run his thumb over her palm, "I'm sorry for that. That you have to go through that." She looked up into his face and sat up straighter, then moved her hand so that their fingers were entwined.

Smiling softly, Felina brought their hands up to her mouth and kissed his fingers, "It is life, Joon-ah. Your sweetness warms me, regardless." She told him.

Namjoon looked into her eyes as she kissed his fingers and breathed her words over his knuckles. He smiled faintly in a half grin and tugged her gently towards him to kiss her. The attendant on their chartered flight chose then to exit the pilot cabin, holding onto a tray with empty bottles and the two sitting in the main cabin, within view of the other cabin door, broke apart, reluctantly. Felina released Namjoon's hands and announced, "I think I need to use the restroom." She explained, unbuckling her seatbelt. She smiled at the man beside her as she stood and smoothed her clothes down.

As she stood, Felina looked around the passenger cabin and noted the presence of the manager and bodyguard who would accompany them. The bodyguard was reading a comic and the manager had his head tilted back, snoring lightly. Neither man would stay in the same accommodations as theirs, but would assist them, if needed. Once she and Namjoon were in the Gotjawal forest, it would be much more private, with just the two of them.