THE KEEPERS RISE

Chapter 1 - Reaching Nirva - Part 3

*Remember to click the play button to listen to the soundtrack as you read!*

Velda crossed the clearing and made her way back, and Cha floated a few strides behind her. "I would like to know where you got all of this information about magic," Cha told Velda. "And why you are so comfortable with it."

"Well, Myusaria is pretty famous for its Magistones. They're much more common here than on other planets. I've seen enough of them to know a bit about how they work, and Mortimer's shown me plenty."

"Who?"

"Another kid in the orphanage." Velda didn't offer any more details, so Cha decided to drop the topic.

After a bit more walking, Cha said, "Remember that nobody else will be able to see me. The Powerstone is what makes me visible to you. If the stone was to be taken, I would be undetectable to you as well."

"Let's hope that doesn't happen. Anyway, maybe you'll find someone you like better, and I'll give the Powerstone to them." In all honesty, Velda was not feeling up to the task that Cha had presented to her. She was desperately hoping that it would realize it had been wrong.

"I have been told that the fates have strange ways of bringing the correct beings together."

"But you are a fate."

"Precisely."

Velda squinted. "You talk funny."

"I apologize, this is simply what I am accustomed to."

They reached a larger, sunnier clearing where Cha saw many more fuzzy beings playing. In the center stood the largest one, almost blending into the ground with her maroon fur. "What do you fluffy beings call yourselves, Velda?" Cha asked curiously.

"We're meps. Our planet is supposed to be pretty important. You haven't heard of Myusaria?"

"Not by name. Who is that in the center?"

"Miss Lexio. She owns the orphanage."

Chalchiuitl was about to ask more, when the woman turned, saw Velda, and stormed towards her. "Where did you run off to this time?" she asked sharply.

Velda didn't answer the question, replying shyly, "Sorry, miss."

"There'd better not be any funny business when we head back. I couldn't stand to lose you."

"Yes, miss."

Cha watched Miss Lexio reach down into her fur and appear to pull a whistle out of the air. She blew on it, and it produced a single shrill note that quieted the birds as well as the children. "Where was she keeping that whistle?" Cha asked.

"In her pocket."

"You are covered in fur. Where would a pocket be?"

"On a sash." Velda slightly lifted a small pouch slung over her shoulder to show the vaya, then glanced around uncomfortably at the other meps who were lining up behind Miss Lexio. "I'd rather not talk to you much when they're listening."

"Would you rather I speak to your mind?"

Velda pursed her lips. "What?"

"I can facilitate communication with the owner of the Powerstone telepathically. I prefer it to normal conversation, actually. Would you like to try it?"

Velda seemed a little confused by this. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"Certainly, though it may take some getting used to."

As Velda became too close to the other meps to get away with talking to the air, she nodded. A shimmer filled her ears, followed by a booming voice that rattled her thoughts. Can you hear this?

Velda shuddered and put her hands to the sides of her body, where Cha assumed her ears would be. Trying to think as clearly as possible, Velda directed a phrase to Cha. Not so loud.

Velda felt an apologetic feeling come from Cha. This time the voice was much subtler. I am sorry, young one. You seem to be quite talented in this art, but I could not have known how sensitive your mind was to these things.

It's okay. This is neat!

I agree. This is also how spirits communicate with one another normally, though inside the spirit realm it makes as much sound as any voice in the material realm would.

Velda felt happiness come from Cha and directed a question to it. Why can I feel your emotions?

It is something that comes along with the connection. I can understand yours as well. I will leave your mind now if it is fine with you.

Sure, but how can I start talking to you like this? Is that something only you can do?

Direct a thought to me and I will listen. Velda heard the shimmer in her head again, and then the link was gone. She could feel the absence somehow, though she had no idea how exactly it was different. Without any vaya to listen in, Velda thought to herself that Cha was a very interesting being.

Miss Lexio set off down the path, and the meps broke into a trot to keep in line, though they quickly dissolved into a few chattering groups. A boy caught both Velda and Chalchiuitl's attention. "Where were you, Velda? Did you find some quiet tree to cry to about how you'll never be adopted?"

"I'm sure I had a lot more fun than you," Velda snapped, watching the boy intently.

"Well, I was just wondering when it would be best to tell you that the royal family is going to visit the orphanage soon. I'm sure they'll pick me out. Everyone knows that I'm the only one that doesn't belong with you losers."

Velda knew he was referring to the letter from his parents, claiming that they were rich and promising to return when they were able. "Actually, Mortimer, I think your letter might be a guarantee of you staying here. Even your own parents refused to come back for you."

Mortimer glowered at her. "Watch yourself, pipsqueak, you're asking for it," a boy to Mortimer's side teased at Velda. Cha observed that she was small even for mep standards. Her eyes were barely level with their mouths.

As the boys drifted to other topics, Cha asked Velda, Why would you let them treat you like that?

After the initial shock of Cha's telepathy, Velda responded, Mortimer has been that way for years. Though the words had stung, Velda was much more concerned about the royal family's visit than she had let on. This visit by the royals could be my way out of here! Everyone knows they have no heirs yet. All I have to do is make sure Mortimer doesn't win them over before me.

By the time the orphans reached the cobblestone streets of the town, it had started to drizzle, and as Velda looked between the soggy meps and Cha, she noticed that the raindrops were passing right through the vaya! Why aren't you getting wet? she asked Cha, experimenting with starting the mental connection herself. It took a few tries before she got the message across.

I do not directly interact with anything physical.

But you don't fall through the ground!

I do not touch the ground, I float above it. Though, I could go through it if I wanted to. Cha reached a pointy leg downwards experimentally, and half of it disappeared before the vaya came back up and said, I do not enjoy touching things like that for very long. It is tiring and makes me feel tingly. Velda laughed, and Cha also made a noise like a laugh, but with more of an echo to it.