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But if I can’t even go there, or see any of them? How could it be?
I sigh and jam a Cheeto in my face.I’m fine, Barb. Did you bring Malphas for me to meet?
He’s waiting in the between plane. Whenever you’re ready, Lily.
I guess now is as good a time as any.
As you wish. I’ll be back in moments.
Barbas leaves my consciousness and I fight to keep control of myself.
I know it isn’t healthy to want him around all the time. But I can’t help it.
True to his word, Barbas returns, and I relax again.
Lily, may I introduce you to Malphas. Malphas, Lily.
Nice to meet you,I say.
Likewise. What do you say we get started right away?
I recognize his voice immediately. It’s happy and light and seems full of possibility.Sounds like a plan.
Then I’ll see myself out.Barbas leaves, taking his warmth, his affection, with him.
Oh. You like him. A lot. Don’t you?
I don’t bother saying otherwise. Not when Malphas can feel as much in my head.
Then, it’s my job to make you have so much fun, you’ll forget how much you miss him. Are you ready to go?
I glance down at my loungewear, fuzzy socks, and Cheeto-dust covered hands; but apparently, Malphas’s question wasn’t actually a question, because the next thing I know, we’re in the back of a crowded movie theater with a bag of popcorn.
What are we doing here? How did we even get here? Oh, don’t tell me someone’s going to die here.
We traveled through the soul plane and no one’s dying here for a very long time. But since your head was so full of sad thoughts, I thought I’d bring you to a happy place.
I mean, that’s nice of you,I say, sitting the popcorn down on the ground in front of me.But I’m not even wearing shoes.
Well, it doesn’t matter since you’re not really here, anyway. Remember, no one can see us when we’re in the soul plane. You can’t interact with anything in the environment besides a soul.
But I was just holding popcorn. I’m sitting in a chair.
Malphas laughs in my head. A bright, light hearted sound, full of hope of better things.Illusion, lovely Lily. I’m pretty talented with such things.
Oh,I say, trying to wrap my head around which bits are illusion.So, I’m not really here and I’m not actually watching the end of a buddy comedy right now?
No, that’s not quite accurate. We’re here, but not in any meaningful or physical way.
Ah, I see. We’re like, out of phase with everything but souls.
Yes.
Well, I appreciate the lesson on soul travel and your efforts to cheer me up, but I think the best thing for me right now is getting to work.
Malphas smiles.
I don’t see it, obviously. But I feel it. A rush of joy fills me through and through, sending surprising little shivers down my shoulders and back.
