Realm Komiks Prequel: New Worlds Chapter 22: Arrival

Chaper 22:

Arrival

Margret and Colm stroll through the long hallways, hands intertwined. “His room is in here.” Colm stops.

Margret pauses hesitant, “I’m a little nervous about this.”

“I know. I can feel it.” Colm leans in and kisses her forehead and Margret begins to feel a calm pressing against her nerves.

“You don’t have to try and calm my nerves.” she shakes her head.

“Of course I do.” He grins opening the door and allowing her to enter.

She gives him an unapprovingly glance before entering.

The room is much like all the others, plain and colorless, translucent shields keep digital labeled bins snug, hovering above one another.

“Hello, Margret,” the gentlemen eagerly greets her with a hug, as if this was not a first meeting.

He had an odd but pleasurable smell to her nose, an aged Cepaen still displaying many attractive features.

“She is a bit nervous.” Colm deciphers.

“Not to be.” He insists. “Hakim is the name.” He removes the translucent door, ejecting a bin and taking from it.”

“Should I sit?” she hesitates.

“If you choose, it can bring a slight dizziness, but only for a couple seconds.” He turns and smiles.

She looks at Colm for a moment. ‘If it makes you feel more comfortable sit, my love’. He intrudes.

She slowly sits, searching for the item Hakim holds in his hand. “So, I’ll be able to understand thousands of languages, in the universe, once it’s implanted?”

Hakim titters, “Oh no, Margret. You will be able to understand three billion languages, to be exact.”

“Are there that many to know?” she wonders.

“I am sure more than that. We haven’t discovered them all.” He grins. “Ready?”

“It’s very small?” she wonders, “I won’t be able to feel it?”

Colm kneels down to her, “Like a blade of grass, but thinner, shorter, and not green.”

“You have one, you said?” she seeks the reassurance from her love.

“All us Planeteers do.” He reminds her.

“So since, I’m partial human it will still have the same effect on my brain? You are sure of this?” She questions Hakim.

Hakim shows her the small rectangle, device with a yellow lit dot on it.  “I attach it to your cerebral cortex, up here, underneath your hair,” he points, “I then release the device, causing this small light to turn orange, it’s as thin as one of these hairs on your head. Acupuncture like, you will not feel a thing. The mechanism then guides the thin device to attach itself to Wernicke’s area of the brain. Once there the mechanism light will then shine red, informing it is time for removal.”

Colm chimes in, “Then once we step off the ship, there won’t be a country on your planet that will sound foreign. You will be able to speak all their languages and understand. You will be the same of us Planeteers, and importantly we will not have to decipher languages for you.”

“I remember.” She sighs flatly.

“Ready then?” Hakim politely asks, already searching for placement upon her skull before she can answer. “Hold still. Don’t move.”

“What happens if I moved?” she suddenly wants to know, not being able to see the device is attached and light switching to orange.

“Size of a folic of hair, is still an interruption in the brain. Don’t want to disturb the path and chance it slicing through a part of your brain that it shouldn’t...”

“Oh, good to now know.” She grabs to the chair steading her. “Okay I’m ready.”

The small device light flashes to red. “You’re already done.” Hakim smirks.

“Really? That’s it?” she exhales a sigh of relief, feeling Colm squeezing her hand.

“That’s it, Margret. It has been such a pleasure finally meeting you. I’ve heard so many wonderful things pertaining to you.” Hakim compliments stepping away.

“Why thank you, Hakim. Likewise.” She grins humble.

“Thank you, Hakim.” Colm nods leading Margret from the room. “Time we join the others.”

“I’ve always wanted to travel to European countries. The thoughts… of Paris… Wow. Never did I think that it would be like this, though.” Margret’s eyes lock on Colm’s causing him to grab her in an embrace and kiss her passionately.

“I promise, I will take you to Paris, after this over.” He softly gives her lips a last peck. “Your images are amazing.”

“They are only of what I’ve seen on television.” She admits.

He tugs on her hand leading her to a large room, so many winged creatures in one area, the radiant and beauty made Margret envision what a heaven must appear to be; their features so perfect and precise as if Michelangelo carved each one from hand.

Natika approaches, of course embracing them in a group hug for speaking. “This is it. We are here,” she tries enthusiasm but her voice quakes a bit. “I’ve never been to another planet or met another Earthling, other than you, Margret. I must say my stomach feels rather fickle.” She tries to grin.

“We call it butterflies, feels like they are fluttering in your stomach. Nervous feeling.” She warmly grins, unexpectedly finding herself touching Natika for a bit of comfort. “Where’s Zulima?” she quickly switches gears, eyes searching the room.

“She’s out of transportation with Mother and Father. They are speaking to France government officials, meeting the commander of the Franco-German Brigade regiment that is located here. Now we wait.” Natika informs.

“Do you know where here is?” Margret wonders.

Natika nods, “It’s called Metz. Metz-Frescaty Airforce Base.”

Colm gives a toothy grin. “She has no idea where that is.”

Margret playfully elbows him in the side, “Must you tell everything?”

“France?” Natika tries to remember. “The country France?”

“Much more helpful to me. It all comes together now.” Margret blushes.

The door fades from the barrier to the outside, and Father appears in the door. “It is time to meet your joining forces. Zulima will stay in your company. Mother and I will depart from here to the city, Geneva. We will stay in direct contact with our devices. The devices operate on Earth as they do our planet. Please, leave inquiries for Zulima, once we all depart from this Air Base. Please remember that their army has never seen winged people. They have however been prepared for the appearance.”

Natika quickly falls back to Colm’s side, Margret close on the other, biting her lip. Margret’s heart suddenly becomes joyfully heavily, realizing at the same time as Colm, that two of their best friends have just entered, with Hakim close behind them.

“Opal.” And endearing relief falls from her lips, quickly nuzzling the handsome steed between her arms. Her fingers stroke his neck, feeling the softness and subtle twitching on her skin. His velvet muzzle finds her and gives a comforting sigh, misting her skin from his breath. She kisses Opal’s squishy muzzle, “I’m going to keep you safe. No one will hurt you.”

Her head tilts toward Colm who strokes Nacreous, promising the same reassurances.

“What will you do?” Natika ask Hakim bringing Margret and Colm’s attention directly toward him.

“I wait.” He nods. “My duty is here. I’m not alone. We will keep things close and safe until you all return.”

“All is a kind word.” Margret feels her heart heavy, for a moment, of the thought.

Hakim’s lips tighten and he gracefully nods, “Until then.” He gives the three of them a hug and then nods toward the door, the clearing becoming easy access.

Colm grabs Margret’s hand and Natika locks his arms tightly. “Let’s do this.”

*****

Tsunami is in awe of the Bahamas, it is much more like home, than what she had seen of the United States Country. Marlin had already departed with the Bahamas defense forces, and Acquavodians’ warriors. They are to join other forces throughout the countries, once it was figured why, walking reptiles are now walking cities along the coastlines. The only planet ever known of such a thing was Surraja, which seemed irrelevant to Earth or the Divobitian planet.

Kae retrieved the communication essentials for their division and then, the two were taken to an extravagant luxury, ironically called Atlantis.  Dressed now, in clothing of Earth custom, to ‘blend in’, yet followed by two beefy men to assure their safety. One appointed to Tsunami and one toward Kae, though neither of them were comfortable enough to separate one another.

Tsunami and Kae sat watching magnificent ocean creatures trapped behind a piece of glass, viewers ‘ooing ‘and ‘ahhing’ over their miraculous beauty, pointing and lifting their little Earthlings for better looks, not one, feeling the display of captivity, could be wronged. 

“It is odd, don’t you think?” Tsunami lets the thought roll from her lips as she observes.

“It’s relaxing.” Kae tries positivity, “Perhaps it is what soothes them?”

“They find knowledge in this custom as well.” Tsunami adds.

Kae looks at her curious, “You’ve read this?”

“Pure observation, Kae,” Tsunami smug, “Watch, some of the children’s parents, they’re reading those plaques to them, they explain what the creatures are. I believe it is a visual learning tool they need to understand the life in their waters.”

“What’s on her forehead, Mommy?” Tsunami sees the tot pulling at the mother who now blushes.

“No pointing.” The mother scolds, “I apologize.” The woman tells Tsunami, as if it were her words. She then begins to scurry the child along.

“They are different type of Oppenheimer.” Tsunami calls toward her.

The child halts intrigued struggling to walk back toward Tsunami. ‘Thank You’, the mother silently mouths pushing the child along to the next exhibit.

Kae shakes his head, “If they returned, curious, would you explain the significance and dimension, of each degree of Oppenheimer that rest above your brows?”

“I would not admit their power, if that is what you are asking.” She grunts, “You are now starting to sound like Bruinen or Marlin.”

“Good.” He stresses, “The Earthling children are adorable, no doubt, but please stop trying to cater to their curiosity. It will only end up drowning us.”

She rolls her eyes standing.

“Where are you going?” he insist.

“I’m tired of sitting here. I’m ready to go outside and explore.” She begins walking and he quickly follows, noticing the guards hidden in the shadows, now moving.

The heat is heavy once she steps outside, but toward the sky only one blazing star makes it a tad milder than what she is used to her on her planet. She stops and watches the ocean, the clear waves crashing against the coast, families’ frolicking in the waves or sunbathing on the sideline.  “How difficult it is, not to engage with the ocean the way I know.” She sighs.

“Soon enough you will be engaging with it in a way you have never known.” Kae reminds her.

She turns toward him and his eyes suddenly widen, pulling her face into his shoulder, leaning against his thin chest.

“What are you doing?” she struggles to push away.

“Tsu, your forehead, its’ lighting up. The jewels…” he panics.

“Okay, let me go. I’ll cover them with my hair and we will retreat inside somewhere.” She pulls away from him letting parts of her hair dangle in front her face.

“Has that happened before?” he ask.

“Never.” She explains, “But we’ve never been this close to ancient stone.”

*******

Coming into the crisp air of Earth, it felt a little smugger than what she had become accustom to on the Cepae planet. The Brigades eyes, uncontrollably, wide toward all the winged beings standing before them and then suddenly wider noticing Opal and Nacreous following close behind. As her feet hit the runway she found her head protectively grasping Opal’s cheek, as if a mother protective of a child.

“That is everyone.” Zulima announces, the Franco-German commander gives a nod, then  spouting a command that causes the military to turn and march.

The Cepaen warriors follow behind, with no current formation. “Our formations are in flight,” Colm whispers to Margret, again must be prying upon her thoughts.

She wants to be annoyed but is in relief that he is so close to her. They walk through the large air force base, the military men in France now talking among the Cepae warriors, harmonizing. The commander fraternizes with Zulima, who appears so far ahead. The unipegs follow close behind, Margret curious to how nothing was concerned upon their entry. Do they know Unipegs will find their way outside if they need to relieve themselves… she wonders, finding herself searching Colm’s face, seeing if he were listening once again.

Instead, he is engaged with Natika, participating in mild chatter and brief laughter.

Margret struggles to not feel envy of their friendship, and decides not to pry, instead admiring the experience, flinging a small peck against Opal’s muzzle.

Up ahead, Zulima and the Commander pause, causing the reaction among everyone. “I am Commander DuPont, again for those of us meeting the first time.” He begins. “And again, this is Zulima, who resides next to my side.” He introduces, following with a speech, in French, Margret sure to not understand if it weren’t for Hakim’s implant.

“Let us unite among each other, find a harmony of peace and understanding as we move forward together in joining other European forces to stop the spread of the vampire into our world.” He continues, “It is our honor to work alongside a planet as peaceful and loving as yours, that we find trust and security as you fight above, to what we cannot reach. We are eager to learn your ways as we hope you are eager in learning ours, let this be a defining moment in truce between France, Germany and the Cepae planet as we move forward into a combat we not know what yet awaits for us.”

The earthlings begin to cheer, the excitement contagious to the loving Cepaens, who in return, begin grabbing random military, and in doing the thing they know best, hugging them. Margret finds too much humor in the loving but chaotic scene and begins with uncontrollable laughter; finally, her not the only victim to the huge amount of hugs, of the flawless, Cepaen people.

“We should contribute,” Colm grins.

“You go; I’ll stay next to Opal and Nacreous.” She insists.

“They are fine. Nothing is going to happen to them.” Colm tries to reassure her.

“Keep telling yourself that,” she squints toward him, “These two rarities, on Earth, will make someone very rich if they were to get their hands on them.”

She feels Colm trying to pry further in her mind and she quickly blocks him. Mind yourself. She mentally scolds. He returns a sly glance and he joins the crowd in introductions.

A man, walks to Margret, “They are magical.” His eyes light up. “May I touch it?”

Margret thinks for a moment meeting the unipegs sweet faces, feeling Opal’s flattery. “They are flattered. Yes.” Margret decides not to deny the unipegs their glory. “They are unipegs.”

The man gently holds out his hand for a moment, before stroking their velvety skin. “I feel as though I am in a dream today. Tomorrow I will wake, and everything will be as it always was.”

“I completely understand.” She finds herself speaking the French language. “I at one time too felt this could only be a dream.”

“To be on Earth?” he decides.

She pauses for a moment, wondering if she should reveal her imposter self, but instead thinks of it being easier to not explain at all, “France. It’s lovely, from what I’ve heard, and I’m anxiously waiting to explore.”

“I can show you.” He enthusiastically offers. “Oh, may I?” he suddenly changes the subject pulling a small, black felted bag from the hidden pocket beneath his uniform. “May they have this small treat? It is called a sugar cube. It is what we give our horses. They look much similar without the horn and wings.”

“You’re an animal lover to carry around sugar cubes?” Margret’s lips purse as she sizes up the man’s integrity.

He finds a smile, “I am. I ride at night when I leave here. Our horses are nothing as impressive as your creatures, but I’d be honor to introduce you to them.”

“Honestly, I am not sure if they should have the cubes,” she quickly changes the subject, remembering Colm’s story of how horses came to be on Earth in the first place, “We have them on a strict diet from our own planet. It’s important they stay on it.”

He nods, “No offense taken. Of course.” Packing the sugar cube away, I can take you on that journey tonight though, if you’d like, we could invite some others from your planet if it would make you more comfortable.”

“Perhaps, not the horses so much as the city itself?” she suggest.

Colm returns to Margret’s side. “We have a night here before we depart on our journey.”

“Oh, yes, um…I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name?” Margret inquires toward the Franco-German solider.

“Lucas.” He smiles.

“Nice to meet you Lucas.” She turns toward Colm, “Lucas will take us out to see the city.”

“I’m not sure. Everyone is staying in; we don’t exactly fit in out there.” Colm unsteadily tries to explain.

“Nonsense. We do. We don’t have wings hanging off our back.” She disagrees, “I want to explore Metz while we are here. Please come with. Maybe Zulima will even join, some of the other healers?”

“Look, I do not want to cause friction, it was merely an offer. Please find me if you decide you want to go.” He nods giving Margret a kiss on her hand and turning away to some of his other men.

Colm is blind to Lucas’ subtle flirtation, “Very well. One night we see the city, but I feel we should seek Zulima’s approval.”

“Of course.” Margret agrees turning to the unipegs, “Don’t worry, you’ll stay with the warriors. You’ll be safe.”

******

Tsunami exits the restroom, short, thick bangs dangling above her brows, “Better?” she ask.

“Oh, yes, I can’t see them at all.” Kae stands.  “Are you ready to check out this place?”

“I am.” She excitedly admits.

*****

The night air is smooth against her face; the salty, ocean scent, falling heavenly against her nose. They walk into the casino area of Atlantis, now booming with nightlife. “That man over there has drinks. Let’s see what an Earth drink taste of.” She suggests.

Kae hesitantly follows her to the bar. “What can I get you?” the bartender asks.

“Uh…. A drink.” Tsunami decides.

“What kind,” he tries to hurry her along.

“My first time here, surprise us.” She smiles.

“Okay, your surprise then.” He nods his head, then mixing liquids, shaking, pouring and garnishing; Tsunami’s head swings back and forth trying to follow the man’s sudden movements.

He slides two blush, iced drinks, with floating orange slices, cherry and topped with a decorative umbrella.  “That’s eight.” He instructs.

“Only two…?” Kae questions.

Tsunami quickly whispers toward him, “Their currency, remember. They do things with paper or that plastic stuff, here. Do you have that thin card thing, they gave us?” she ask.

“It’s in the room.” Kae sighs. “I have that card key they gave us.”

“You room here?” The bartender chimes in.

“We do.” Tsunami nods.

He slides over a piece of paper and gives her a pen, “Just write your room number here and sign.”

She observes the pen for a second and then spies a man across the bar using the writing utensil. She watches as he confidently scribbles and slides the paper across the wood and walks away with his drink. She chews her lip for a moment and then subtly, lets the ball point tip touch the paper, lifting and witnessing a small microscopic dot against the paper. “Hmmm, look at that,” she grins writing their room number and making a line across the paper where her signature belongs. “Our penmanship is slightly different.” She hands it back to him.

He eyes her oddly, “Well, okay.” He swipes the paper and quickly falls into the next customer.

Tsunami hands Kae his drink and with a grin at one another they begin sipping, the sweetness sparking against her tongue, followed by a faint burning, trailing down her throat. “Wow.” Her pupils exploding against the taste.

Kae chugs his down and when he comes up for air grinning, “I’m ready for another. That was quite invigorating.”

*****

Three hours later they find themselves stumbling against one another over man made rocks, decorated through imaginary streams, caves, decorated with aquariums of fish. “I feel a bit dizzy, Kae and tired.”

Kae begins to chuckle, “Look at those Earthlings over there.”

“What are they doing?” Tsunami slurs, “Talking to the fish?”

“Do you think the fish understand?” Kae laughs.

“Perhaps we should take note, maybe they are cleverer than we have thought…” she tumbles up to the couple who quickly quiets their laughter, judging her “Are you talking to the fish?”

“Ooooooh, I thought you meant the fish more clever. Not the Earthlings!” Kae howls.

The man laughs with them, “We were. Oddly, talking to the fish, that is.”

“Wow.” Tsunami’s mouth exaggerated. “When did Earthlings require this gift?”

“Uh…Well…” words lost, he turns to his lover.

“We’ve always had it.” She smirks. “Look at the fish; he just keeps staring at us. Observing us as much as we observing him.”

“Yes! He is. Though he is obviously a she.” Tsunami laughs trying to lean her body against the wall and falling over. Kae runs to pick her, struggling and falling over her.

“Have fun tonight you two!” the couple calls back to them quickly hurrying away, “You get too drunk, the hangover is awful under the sun.”

“What’s drunk?” Tsunami pouts to Kae, trying to push herself off the ground, she surrenders resting her head down on the concrete and staring up at the fish swimming over her.

Kae cracks up laughing, “I’m not sure Tsunami. I need to get some of these drinks for back home though.”

*****

Margret’s head rises to the night sky, hitting the peak of Cathedrale Saint –Eteinne, even more massive under the spotlights, defining the huge stain glass window in center. “It’s breathtaking.” She sighs.

Colm pulls her into his side, “The structures here are magnificent. I’ve never seen such royalty owned, in simple buildings such as this.”

“Because they aren’t simple at all. Not only does the magnitude of the beauty amaze you, but the history of them, it burns a curious flow deep in your veins.”

Colm brings her in, embracing her, “Come let us see more before we need to meet up with the others.”

Margret and Colm run through the city, dancing past the fountain of the Opera-Theatre and traveling in taxis to the Temple Neuf and further; the full moon adding light to their exploration.

The night finally ends them at Vivian’s Pub Fairy, where Zulima sits at a table with some  military men, including Lucas, and Cepae’s healers.

“It’s a shame that Natika and the other warriors don’t get to experience this.” She thinks aloud.

“I agree. But they are having their own festivities with some of the other people of Franco-German resident. A gala of a time. Even our unipegs are there.” Colm beams with the excitement, “After our meal here, let’s join them.

“Okay,” Margret agrees, then hesitates, “Wait, how did you know about the other festivities.”

“Natika contacted me when we were out, of course.” Colm approaches the table.

“Of course.” Margret mumbles from under her breath.

Margret’s body quickly drifts toward Zulima, wrapping her arms around her. Zulima pulls a chair from another table allowing Margret to sit beside her, feeling suddenly important, as Zulima has felt untouchable since they have arrived. “Commander DuPont, this is Margret, your very own Earthling I have spoken of.”

“Margret, what a pleasure and honor it is for you to be part of such a beautiful planet, yet were grounded here on Earth, with us at one time.” He tries to compliment.

“Thank you, sir.” She nods, “It is indeed a honor. Zulima found me, here on Earth, became the mother I’ve always wish to have.”

Zulima’s lips widen warmly as she slightly lets out a bashful burst of laughter, “Really, Margret often talks up a rare moment that presented itself. I merely acted and fell in love with the dear child.”

“Modest too, if you noticed, Commander, Sir,” Margret finds Colm chatting toward the end of the table, meeting her hazel eyes for a brief moment and giving a twinkle. She returns the gesture as he returns to his conversation, her head toward Zulima and the DuPont, yet her eyes shifting. One long table, laughing soldiers and healers among one another; Cepae and Earth, two planets sitting in the same pub, Metz, a city of France… Margret’s heart feels warm as she lets her head fall against Zulima’s shoulder, the laughter, the French people’s inappropriate pub humor, falling upon the peaceful night… now becoming interrupted with horrid visions of death… 

Read Chapter 23: Rogue
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