Burgeoning Companionship

Miriamelle awoke in a stupor. All around her, birds chirped and insects buzzed. A light wind ever-so-gently teased the back of her nape. It was hardly believable what had happened. Anders seemingly gone, her whole reality shifted. With an effort, Miri pushed back the existential dread that threatened to overwhelm her and drag her unwilling consciousness back to sleep. She stretched, cracking her shoulders and starting the process of waking up. It was still dark, but off in the distance, she inferred a hint of lighter colors rising. Miri didn’t bother to track how long she slept, accepting her bodies need for recovery.

After she had gone about her business, Miri walked her little clearing. Glinting in the morning sun, Miri could make out a metallic shape a foot or so from where she had first stepped in this new land. Bending down, she brushed the long grass away from the object. It was a gun, the one that been **** into her mouth last night. Miri nearly dropped it in shock; in the chaos, she couldn’t remember how the gun came with her. While Miriamelle was not an experienced gunsmith, Anders had liked to play first-person shooters and Miri had watched him play.

Miriamelle carefully laid the gun on her jacket and brushed any remaining soil off. Miri could tell it was a pistol, a six-shooter, though she couldn’t figure out how to check if it had any bullets at a glance. It wasn’t like the guns used in the Western’s her adopted father liked to sit and watch while drinking Coors. Rather, it had a short, stubby almost, barrel and a grip that was proportioned evenly with the barrel. There were two little points on the end of the barrel- Miri presumed it would help line up any shot. It was a gaudy thing as well: originally painted black, but someone had spent a great deal of time, effort, and money to trace Gold Filigree along the entirety of the weapon. Inlaid along the handle, different strands of gold mixed with pink rose-gold to form an intricate rose. Each of the petals spiraled off toward each of the different chambers, creating a beautiful mosaic of gold. On the other side of the handle, the initials IV were inlaid in gold. The weapon was remarkably light for all that gold, Miriamelle estimated it at 12 oz (0.45 kg). Miri picked up the handgun and placed it in the breast pocket of her leather jacket.

Emptying her pockets, Miri pulled out her phone. For a brief heartbeat, hope swelled in her breast at the thought of rescue, but she unlocked the device and discovered it had no service. What was worse, the power was showing 72%. Thinking quickly, Miri opened the camera and recorded a video.

“Hello. I don’t know who or what or if anyone will ever see this, but I am Miriamelle de la Cruz. I have no idea where I am or how to get home. I don’t even know if I’m still on Earth. My phone is currently at 72% power and the time reads – 7:31. I’ll try and live as long as I can, but no promises. If anyone finds this, please… Let Anders Mitchell know I love him and I wish… Just give him my love.” Miriamelle proceeded to document what had brought her to this location, leaving out how precisely the thugs had got the jump on them.

“Are you done pitying yourself, Miri?”

Miri jumped. It was the same gender-less voice she had heard last night. The one that commanded her to move. She squealed, half in surprise and half in terror, “What the fuck!?”

“Calm traveler. The name given to me by creator is Aiano. In your tongue, it means portal. I am the bracelet you wear on your wrist. I have full sentience and we can converse. I apologize for not communicating with you until now, transferring your biology from Earth to Midguard was… challenging… It was all I could do to keep you in one piece. When we arrived, the power drain sapped my consciousness. I have only now awoken.”

Miri blinked in astonishment. Holding her left hand outstretched, Miri looked expectantly at the moonstone bracelet. She examined it, trying to find out where the voice came from. Miriamelle tapped the bracelet curiously and asked, “What is going on? I’m so lost. It’s like swimming in the ocean without a life vest.”

“Of course, my lady. First, although your curiosity is much appreciated, I am speaking to you through a simulated sound spell my master incorporated into my creation. Your touching does nothing except tickle.”

“Oh. OK. I can’t really offer anything, but is there anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable?” Miri blushed, embarrassed by her hasty investigation.

“Nay, I see through your eyes, feel your bodies needs, and hear through your ears. I wouldn’t impose upon you at this juncture. Do you acknowledge that big tree with sap oozing through it?” Aiano queried. Though his voice was genderless, Miri could detect a hint of compassion and empathy. She nodded her assent. “The flower growing near your head level, next to it, should have a fruit growing in its center. It’s not much, but should keep you from starving.”

Miri walked over to the flower, it had yellow blossoms and tentacle like structures growing from the center of its bulb. The flower was big, about the size of her head. As she peered down into the flower, she noticed a red ball streaked with violet highlights. It connected to the flower via a green stem, and when Miri twisted the fruit off, that stem emitted a scent not unlike caramel. Grinning ear to ear, Miriamelle struggled to pull the heavy fruit out, it was easily five pounds with the mass of a baby and had a soft texture like velvet.

She hopped back to her jacket and sat down next to the garment. Uncaring about how it looked, Miri peeled the skin off the fruit. Inside, seeds floated in a blue-gel-like substance. Miri paused and asked, “How much of this is edible?”

“All but the seeds. Creator Culver particularly enjoyed the skin. He called this fruit lover’s kiss.”

Miri shrugged and began to dig in. The taste was foreign, but delicious. Somewhere between dragon-fruit, jack-fruit, and pomegranate, though the vibrancy of this new fruit was unmatched to Miri.

“Eat, and I shall tell explain what I can. Please feel free to query me, Creator Culver used to accuse me of speaking too quickly.” Miri nodded in acknowledgment.

“OK. Before you begin, can you take me back to Earth? I need to care for Anders.” Miri asked, though her tone demanded his obedience.

“No. The short answer is I don’t have enough magic… Energy… Fuel… Forgive me, it’s hard to contextualize magical terminology to the untrained.”

Miri sighed, then nodded. “I should have expected. I’ll be quiet now and let speak. This kiss is fantastic, I can see why your creator liked these so much.”

“Good! I am pleased to serve you, my lady. Let me start at the beginning.”