Huffing, Neera climbed the last steep slope that would take her to her destination. A light breeze refreshed her and kept the sweats at bay.
She had taken two buses to get to Conconello, but then she had to walk the remaining mile uphill to get to the upper parking lot where Theo was going to meet her.
Finally, she reached the top of the slope, and found herself in the empty parking lot. She had come here with some friends, when they were young. The place was isolated, with tall fir trees on three sides, a small road cutting through (hardly ever trafficked) and a view of the city, that lied almost a thousand feet below.
She looked around, shielding her eyes from the midday sun, and immediately found who she was looking for. The parking lot was empty, except for Theo, who was leaning against his red Norton, contemplating the view.
“Hello!” She called out, while walking towards him.
He whipped around, and a broad smile lit up his face. Neera’s heart nearly stopped at the sight, but she forced herself to keep her cool.
“Um... Why are we meeting all the way up here? Not that I don’t enjoy the view...” she said, waving her arm at the city below. “...It’s just a bit, um, far out.”
He smirked and said, “You wouldn’t believe it, but not a lot of people know what I’ve told you last night; it’s better to discuss some things away from curious folk... Plus, you wouldn’t want me to throw fireballs around in the main square, right?”
She blushed, realising just how stupid her question had been. “Well, no... Wait, do you intend to throw fireballs around again?” She asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
“Only if you ask nicely.” He winked.
She scoffed in mock annoyance, but truly her mind was all over the place. He seemed so relaxed and at ease around her today, it reminded her of different times.
His expression now somber, he prompted her. “So, I guess you have questions?”
Let’s get to the point then, shall we? She brushed her budding feelings deep down and went to sit at a picnic table located by the fence that looked out to the city.
Once he joined her, sitting on the opposite bench, she started. “Are you human?”
The question seemed to take him by surprise, as he hesitated before answering, “Yes, I am. And so are you, by the way,” he added.
“… But you can... ehm, we can... use magic?”
“That’s right.”
She reflected for a moment, then, “How did you find out?”
He sighed, reminiscing. “Much like you did, actually. One night, walking home, I was attacked by a pawn in an alley. By pure chance, Andrea was passing by, and they banished the pawn back through to the Veil.” He paused. “They... had a hunch, and assessed my magical potential. It turned out I was a fire wielder.”
He looked at her taking in the story. Neera remained silent while processing; he continued, anticipating her next question. “Andrea has magic as well. They are mainly an ether wielder, but can also control wind, plus various other spells."
Neera knitted her brow, “What is the ether?”
“It’s what exists between worlds, the interstitial space through which you need to travel to get to other worlds.”
“Worlds? Plural?” She asked incredulously.
He nodded. “Though we mainly interact with the Veil, because it is closer to ours in terms of proximity and elemental composition, there are others worlds across the ether.”
“Okay,” Neera said, shaking her head, “I think we should stick to our world and the Veil for now.” She could only handle so much at the same time. “Yesterday you said that Andrea can test me, and that they assessed your magical potential as well... How do they do that?”
“Oh, it’s quite a simple process really. Andrea taps into the ether, they force a little bit of it into you, and if you have magical potential you instinctively react to push it away,” he explained, as though he was giving her a recipe for a cake.
“...And if you don’t have magical potential? What happens if you are just... ordinary?” She had never felt any sort of weird, magical force within her. Theo might be wrong; she might be just a regular human.
“Well, you die,” he said simply.
“What?!” She squeaked, alarmed.
His serious expression melted away as giggles shook him from head to toe. “I’m only joking, Nyr! Did you really think I would risk your life just to see if you had potential?” His face was serious again, and she felt her cheeks grow hot as he grabbed her hand across the small wooden table. “I will never do anything that might put you in harm’s way, I promise you.” His expression was so fiercely serious, she believed him in that moment.
This is not the time to revamp old flames, Neera, she thought to herself. Plus, you don't even know if you can trust him yet. “So, what happens if Andrea hits me with a ball of ether, but I don’t have magical potential?” She asked, pulling her hand away from his and averting her gaze.
“You would not feel anything, the ether would not interact with your body in any way.”
Reassured a bit, Neera granted, “Well, it doesn’t hurt to try then.”
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