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(Jenny had known that her aunt had a very different personality from her own, but she always had thought of her as so confident. And those who had known her, like Bob, Burt, Liliath, and Miriha, had all thought of her as kind and optimistic.
To be let behind the veil to see Lizzie in this way made her realize how much people changed and grew over time. She knew that she, herself, had definitely changed since she had first picked up the keys to the house on Infinity Loop and had unknowingly connected herself to the Alliance via the tiny key that still hung around her neck.
She touched the key unconsciously. She didn’t think about it much anymore; but, like Lizzie, everything had changed from the moment she put it on. Although in many ways their journey had been decidedly different, they both learned more about themselves than anything else.
It was as if her aunt had reached across time and space to give her a gift worth more than anything Jenny could imagine. She stretched and turned another time-weathered page.)
Lizzie couldn’t believe how quickly the time had passed. Her holiday seemed to be over almost before it really began. She had spent nearly an entire day catching up with family on phone call after phone call. Then she had gone shopping with Gaston tagging along as she looked for things she wished to take back with her to the training center.
She had eaten lunch most days with Gaston, their usual lunch date in the office, and had caught up with mundane things like answering mail and finishing up some of the interrupted projects she had been doing for Gaston before she had been recruited into the agent training program.
Gaston had said she didn’t need to complete them, but there was something in her that just couldn’t let them go.
When she wasn’t working on projects, she spent time continuing to learn to play her mbira. She liked the logic of the way the keys were laid out; and before she knew it, she was playing harmonies in the songs she was learning.
She also picked up, wrapped, and addressed packages to various family members, dating them so Gaston would know when to send them out for birthdays and other holidays. He would send them from various places around the world to coincide with her cover story. She hadn’t intended to do that originally but realized that this might be one careful step towards getting closer to them.
The entire time, her mind was whirling in circles trying to discover that spark she so wanted to kindle. She was committed, without a doubt, to the course she had chosen, but it was not that deep commitment, that intense fervor she had seen in others under similar situations. Over and over, she found herself wondering what was wrong with her.
When Gaston picked her up on her last day to take her back to his house to go through the gate to see Miriha before going back to training, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this holiday had only been a dream and she would awake in her bed in the pod, as if none of it had ever really happened.
On the drive back to the house, Gaston had said, “Lizzie, are you all right? You seem almost melancholy.”
“I’m really not sure. I got plenty of rest and did all the things I had planned to do. All the boxes are checked off. And yet, I really don’t know what’s going on with me. I’m looking forward to getting back into training, as it was just beginning to get interesting. It’s almost like I don’t really have a life here on Earth anymore. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Ah, yes, it does feel a little unreal after being exposed to how big it all is,” Gaston agreed. “Somehow, when I first went through the training, I felt like the Earth was very, very small and I was the smallest speck of matter in the multiverse. It can be so overwhelming.”
Lizzie nodded. That was close to what she was feeling, yet still not beginning to touch the edge of it. She sighed.
“I’ll figure it out eventually. It’s what I do. I think I really hate to see a challenge without an answer, and I’m afraid the answer to this one will be a long time coming. And I’m not at all sure I will like it when it does.” She sighed. “I’m not a very patient person.”
Gaston chuckled. “I noticed that.”
After that, they chatted about Lizzie’s conversations with her family members and friends, and by the time silence had fallen once again, they were pulling into the driveway of the little house on Infinity Loop.
Lizzie let Thumble loose from his travel carrier as soon as they got inside, and he scampered off to visit with Tidbit, who was sprawled lazily on the bright sunny window seat in the living room.
Nita greeted her warmly and ushered them into the dining room, where a simple lunch of soup and salad was laid out.
“Can’t let you leave on an empty stomach,” she said with a grin.
Lizzie knew that Nita was well aware of Gaston’s activities and seemed to take it all in stride.
While they ate, Nita entertained them with stories about the various neighbors on the loop and their activities, and before Lizzie knew it, they were sitting back in their chairs full and satisfied.
“We’ll be saying goodbye, Nita,” Gaston said, cheerfully patting his stomach. “Lizzie still has a long day ahead of her.”
Nita nodded and stood and gave Lizzie a motherly hug.
“Thank you, Nita. I hope to see you again soon.”
“I look forward to it, Lizzie. Thumble and I will be happy to see you when you return.”
Gaston led her through the gate office into the gateroom, Tidbit trailing behind them. They emerged onto the beach, and the gem eyes scanned the three of them. They moved on through the little grove of trees, with the crooning linklings humming in concert above them.
It was somewhat disconcerting to see Tarafau striding along beside them. He dwarfed them both, in bulk and in height. He seemed very much at his ease, not even glancing up at the little faces peering down at them as they made their way under the shady palm-like trees that lined the path.
Lizzie, on the other hand, couldn’t help but look up. The little creatures seemed to emanate a peaceful and cheerful feeling that was somewhat infectious. To her surprise, as she continued to watch them, one of them scampered lightly down the trunk of one of the trees ahead of them and stood in the path directly in front of them, as if waiting.
Evidently, Lizzie wasn’t the only one surprised by this behavior. Both Tarafau and Gaston halted and waited quietly to see what the little creature would do next.
The linkling was tiny, only a couple of feet tall, and covered with pale green fur, with the exception of the tufts on her little ears and the eyebrows that blended into long mustaches that hung halfway down her chest; these were dark green, the color of an evergreen tree of Earth. Her large blue eyes were surrounded by white circles that only emphasized the deep blue irises and wide dark pupils. The nose on her short snout was wrinkled in what Lizzie guessed might be a smile—or at least she hoped so, as the little square teeth were bared.
“This one is Lizzie, yes?” came a soft melodious mind voice that made Lizzie jump in surprise.
“I am Lizzie. May I ask your name?” was the only reply that came to Lizzie’s mind.
“I am called Ynni, and your mind shines like a bright star to me.”
Lizzie looked from side to side at Gaston and Tarafau. Both appeared to be as shocked as she was at this pronouncement.
“Can I do something for you?” Lizzie asked, not knowing what else to say.
“You are mine,” Ynni replied simply, and then added mysteriously, “You have finally come.”
“Yours? What does that mean?”
“Mine. Our link is complete. I am also yours. We are us. We are now one.” And Ynni reached out a tiny hand toward Lizzie.
As she did so, Lizzie found herself mimicking the motion unconsciously and took a step towards the little creature. Their hands touched, and Lizzie felt a tingling warmth spread from their hands to her heart. It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket by a mother’s hand.
Ynni leapt from the ground to Lizzie’s shoulder, but this time Lizzie wasn’t surprised. She knew in the split second before that this was Ynni’s intent. How she knew, she couldn’t have explained, but a connection had been made that could not be denied. Ynni’s tiny hand was warm on Lizzie’s cheek as she gently turned Lizzie’s face to hers. Looking into those deep blue eyes was like looking into the vastness of space on a night with no moon.
“We go now?” Ynni asked. “Miriha waits, and we have things to do.”
Lizzie nodded. Looking at Tarafau and Gaston she asked, “Did either of you hear any of that?” They were both looking at her with raised eyebrows.
“What does the linkling want?” asked Gaston. “I’ve never seen one of them behave like that before.”
“I’m not sure. She says we are linked, and I believe her, even though I have no idea what just happened. She’s coming with us to see Miriha. Maybe she will be able to explain this to us?”
Tarafau sent in his deep baritone. “I believe you have just been offered a great honor, Lizzie. It appears that there is much more to you than any of us expected.” The tone was thoughtful and a little wry. “Few can say they have ever been honored so.”
They continued down the path, but before they got to the end that opened out onto the village square ahead, Lizzie realized the little creature had disappeared. She could still feel the slight weight and warmth of the little body on her shoulder, but she could see Tarafau striding along beside her through the space where Ynni had just been.
“What just happened, Ynni? Where are you?”
“Ynni has turned her reflection off. No one can see me when my reflection does not stop light. Light can pass through me. At any time, Lizzie can tell me to turn my reflection off or on, and I will obey.”
“Turn your reflection on,” Lizzie told her tentatively. Immediately Ynni was sitting on her shoulder again looking into her eyes. “Why did you turn it off?”
“I did not wish to attract attention in the village. They all know about linklings, of course, but I guessed Lizzie might not want them all staring at her or gathering around her as she proceeds to Miriha’s home.”
“Good thinking. Then, please turn your reflection off.” Once again, her little companion disappeared from view.
The path opened out onto the village square, the marketing of the day in full swing.
As they walked down the street by the permanent shops that lined the square, people nodded as they passed one another or gathered in small groups of two or three, gesturing and smiling to one another, apparently engaged in interesting conversations.
No one remarked at the three of them passing along the edge of the square.
At the far end of the square was the large, dark-green building, the only one of more than two stories on the square.
When they finally got there, they were once again met by the two uniformed townsfolk in green.
“Welcome,” they said, greeting the travelers. “You are expected.”
They all removed their shoes and as she did so, Lizzie noticed how well Ynni balanced on her shoulder without wobbling as she performed this task. She guessed the long silky tail helped her in this, but Ynni didn’t try to grab Lizzie to support herself. It was strange to feel her there and not be able to see her. So many strange things in such a short time....
Tarafau led the group up the winding staircase to stand in front of the door at the top. Although he didn’t knock, the door swung open quietly and he went inside, followed by Lizzie and finally Gaston.
Miriha stood in the center of the room and held out both hands in her usual gesture of welcome. In turn, Tarafau, Gaston, and finally Lizzie took her hands in theirs. She gestured for them to sit in the comfortable chairs circling the room, and she sat as well, folding her hands gracefully in her lap.
“I notice we have an additional visitor with us today,” she sent to Lizzie’s surprise. Suddenly Ynni appeared on Lizzie’s shoulder, nodding in agreement.
“Miriha is wise and sees deeply,” Ynni remarked. “Lizzie should always listen to Miriha.”
“How did you know? She hadn’t turned her reflection on and even I can’t see her when it is off.”
“My Amni told me.” And with that another linkling appeared on Miriha’s shoulder. “He says he is happy for you on your linking day.”
“Thank you, Amni. I am still trying to understand what has just happened. I am glad Ynni chose me, but I really don’t know what it means.”
“It means, that Lizzie will never be alone. It means that Lizzie has a forever friend,” Amni replied.
“You have been accorded a significant honor, Lizzie. Few are ever chosen by a linkling. You have become a part of Ynni and her family. It is like being sisters, but more intense than any sibling relationship you may ever have. For one thing, linklings have no secrets from one another. And you will never have any secrets from her, since, unlike the rest of us, they can accurately see the minds and hearts of those around them.” Miriha clarified.
“They read minds?” Lizzie asked, realizing she wasn’t doing a very good job of controlling her facial expression and she tried to smooth the look of shock from her face, “Really?”
“Yes, but it is more than that. They see deeply into parts of your mind you may have even hidden from yourself. They are empathic and feel your joys and pain and sorrows. They are completely nonjudgmental, but they are very careful to link only to those who are true of heart and spirit. It is a signal honor to have been chosen by one who knows all of your shortcomings, as well as your accomplishments and talents, and still wants to spend forever with you.”
Lizzie looked once again into Ynni’s deep blue eyes. “Are you sure about this?” she asked timidly.
“Ynni is sure.”
“But what about my training; what about all of the traveling and schooling I need to do? And what will the Alliance have to say about this?” Lizzie asked Miriha.
“As for that, allowances will be made. If anything, this strengthens your position as an agent. It verifies our analysis of your character. It doesn’t mean you don’t have a lot of growing to do, and you still will make mistakes. Nor will you always be successful in all of your challenges, but being linked will give you an edge beyond your podmates.
“However, this will work only if you continue to put out the same effort you have shown in the first stages of your training. In the meantime, the purpose of our meeting today, beyond a celebration of your link, is to advise you of what to expect in your next stage of training.
“You are about to be exposed to cultures and beings very different from anything you have ever seen so far in your training. You are going to get to know much more about those of your podmates whose dimensions are members of the Alliance. Under controlled circumstances, probably in Switzerland, you will play host to some of them as well.
“You will also be starting mental training with Liliath herself. This will challenge you in ways you cannot imagine. The same mental mechanisms that allow you to do mindspeech grant you so much more, depending on your natural gifts and the work you are willing to put into it.
“In another eight weeks, you will return to us for another break and will be able to once again spend some time catching up with friends and family. In the meantime, your tablet has gotten an upgrade. You can now call home directly from your tablet and send what will appear to your family as regular physical mail, as often as you wish.
“Keep in mind the cover story we have given you. You are doing an internship with a high-level international corporation with a strict nondisclosure agreement and will be away from your apartment for long stretches. All physical mail will be collected from your mailbox at the lab apartment by Gaston and transmitted to you via your tablet.
“Any questions?”
Lizzie was getting really tired of people asking her if she had any questions, as if she ever ran out of questions to ask, but she asked only one.
“In the meantime, what do I do with Ynni?”
“Ynni goes with you for now. You will find she will be an asset in this stage of your training. At any point that your training requires you to leave her, we will make arrangements. Simply tap my face in the messaging area on your tablet and I will take care of everything.”
Lizzie nodded. The rest of her questions would be best answered by her instructors and podmates at the agent training base.
Gaston stood. “Then I will be off, Lizzie. Congratulations on your little surprise today. None of us were expecting that. I never even realized that this was why they call them ‘linklings.’”
He patted her back and turned to Tarafau. “Coming?”
“I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon enough, Lizzie. In the meantime, give my greetings to Liliath.” And with those mysterious words, he followed Gaston through the door to the gateroom.
“I’ll be escorting you to the training base today, Lizzie. I have some business with Liliath, and I need to get things settled for Ynni to accompany you in your training,” Mirihah said, as they departed.
She led the way through to the gateroom, and they departed for the next stage of training.
