Part 17 (cont.)
I told her 'yes' before we traded goodbyes. The next call was Uncle Nolan. I formulated in my head what message I was going to leave him but I happened to catch him. Usually, he was napping at this hour.
“Sean! Oh, it’s been too long since we’ve talked. What’s on your mind?”
It sounded like he was mixing something. I settled into the couch and leaned back to look at the blank-white ceiling. “So many things, Uncle Nolan. I have so much to tell you and no real place to start. I did see….Theresa…today.”
He gave a respectful pause and then continued, “Was it because of our…particular conversation? I hope I didn’t pressure you.”
I told him that wasn’t it but rather, “Things have been confused lately. I kinda needed to settle my past and mom and dad both were a part of that reckoning.”
“Sounds quite monumental…please tell me more.”
I sighed a little and offered, “Well, for one, the whole thing with the so-called Kinrae has changed a lot. I’ve learned so much about them for reasons I never expected. It kinda goes back to what I saw long ago in the accident. And I also have to confess that I’m actually a duplicate of Sean who has been dreaming his life and became him through that long dream. Before, I was a Kinrae. Only that’s not their real name. Their real name is something lodged in the depths of history.”
It was a serviceable opening. I could even use it in class. I’d need to polish it. I wondered if I should be preparing something. I mean it was probably going to be one of those…huge events in human history. That’s all…I should probably say something memorable.
To his credit, no doubt crept into Uncle Nolan’s voice. He gave a breathless exclamation and responded, “So I now have two nephews? Fascinating. Although I hope they don’t charge you extra for housing another you. Do tell me more.”
I presented him all I knew and I even worked in the new abilities. He reiterated the ‘niece’ comment from my mention of the devices originally. But above and beyond all the mysteries revealed and secret histories of the world I spun, I told him, “I’m in love. Well…we’re in love. The other me is cuddling right now. We want to marry Allison, who has the ability to shift genders too.”
He applauded into the phone and responded in all the ways I could’ve hoped a real parent to respond. He delighted and pronounced, “Not that you would ever need it, but you have my blessing. No, 'blessing' is too frail a word, wrapped in the meanings of permission and rejection. You have my ecstasy with all the joyous wishes of love that love may ever evoke for you. May all your days together be glorious and please come over as soon as you can as a couple…or trio rather.”
We parted with our usual multiple efforts until we got to ‘goodbye’. By that time, other Sean was lingering in the hallway by herself with just a robe draped across her. She smiled and waved and I passed along the calls and what was said.
She tucked herself next to me on the couch and resolved, “Everything is going to change soon…if we go ahead with both staying and revealing what we know.”
I told her, “It has to change. It’ll be rough. I don’t know how it’s going to resolve but it’s the choice we’ve made.”
She nodded and hugged me as she said, “I hope it’s the right one.” Later, she went to study for her other classes. The ‘Kinrae’ class may be facing chaotic upheaval but Math would march on.
I studied a bit with her for the sake of becoming a study buddy but Allison soon distracted me with games and a few scenes from ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’. Her inspiration was a two-person play with shifting male and female characters. She giggled and wondered if with our reveal then she might actually be able to do it with one or both of us volunteering. She was getting good at shifting between sexes without too much trouble. I still had to hold onto the couch.
We settled down and other Sean soon joined us in the Seanwich configuration. She took Allison’s hand on her side and I followed her lead. Allison glanced between us with a curious look and asked what was up.
Leaning close, we kissed Allison on both sides of her cheek and said, very nearly in sync, “Will you marry us, Allison?”
Immediately Allison chuckled and remarked, “No fair! I proposed first….but… FREAKING YES!” She hugged us both and giggled.
The rest of the day disintegrated into the possibilities about what came next. Allison was already drawing up plans for how the ceremony would go and debating whether there should be three ceremonies or a minimum of eight to take care of all the genders and permutations. I told her that our reveal might throw a wrench in things since people would know there were two of us.
Allison lamented, “I CAN’T CHOOSE!” And so it stayed. Marriage but how? Much to ponder. And Allison still needed to call her brothers and father about the last couple of changes. Neither Clayton nor Malcolm seemed surprised by any of the new things happening to us. They’d both pretty well shifted to the female pronoun with Allison, even though she did spend some of her time as a boy, especially while preparing supper.
Their concerns were more about Allison’s offer/threat that Malcolm could be the flower girl at the wedding and promising Clayon he could prepare any pyrotechnic display at the reception.
After supper, the three of us settled down on the couch again. Allison enjoyed her position between us. Before picking out a movie, she brushed at her eyes a little. We asked if anything was wrong. She laughed and said, “Not at all. I was just…remembering. I never imagined life would come together like this for me. With such love and joy. I didn’t live through an ounce of what you both did but it wasn’t all happiness. It seems ridiculous how blindly hateful random people can be when you just want to smile. But I learned early on to keep my smile despite the pain, the words, and the anger. And here I am.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she laughed lightly, embraced us, and added, “I just want to say thank you so much.” We kissed her in turn and enjoyed the movie as the evening slipped by.
Night in the top bunk was restless. We talked to one another about what we were going to say, as though we were prepping for an actual exam. I ran through the possibilities in my head.
Everyone laughs us off. That was unlikely with our abilities.
Everyone runs screaming from the room. That actually wouldn’t be too bad. We’d have some quiet time before the riots started.
Everyone charges us like we’re demon-spawn. In which case, I tried to make a mental note of the best weapon at the front of the room. Probably the computer monitor, although I remembered there being a broom one time. Imaginary broom judo.
No one says anything…That would be especially tough too. Not sure how I would respond.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
The day of class came quickly but with a hearty breakfast from Allison and the three of us in some of our best clothes. Might as well look as professional as possible with what we were going to say.
I had to wonder, did Olivia feel like this? Well, if she could talk before an audience of billions then a pair of video-linked classrooms wouldn’t be such a big deal.
The steps were nerve-jarring all the way, even with Allison nearby to keep pace. We’d all dressed in clothes that would be comfortable in either sex. A trip to buy enough clothes for both sides had been considered earlier in the morning but that plan depended on how the rest of the day went. We were almost to the main street when a familiar face greeted us.
Tessa.
She held up a hand calmly but didn’t give a smile. She looked a little different than before, less like our mother but still with similar features. Sean stared at her and asked, “Are you here to stop us?”
Bowing her head, she offered, “I would have plenty of reasons to ask you to reconsider but I doubt my words would sway you. I just wanted to congratulate you on dealing with Theresa. If either of you wished now, I know you could assume a Daemonrae form without much effort.”
I figured that was the case. However, I’d never tried it. I wondered if we were like Tessa now, able to take on all types of forms. She sighed and added, “And it’s not too late for one of you to join us. It would need not be a permanent thing. Think of it like studying abroad, only you can come home on a more regular basis.”
I wasn’t interested but Sean gave her a curious look and asked, “Why? And why couldn’t we come and go as regularly as you?”
Tessa leaned lightly against a nearby wall and said, “Lots of reasons for why. There are things out there that are beyond compare, worlds of beauty, societies, and ideas which can change a person forever. There’s so much to see. So much to know. And so much to share when you return. As to why it’s not an easy back and forth, there are two reasons. One, it’s a tradition that a new Daemonrae spends some time away for the full experience. It makes returning all the sweeter. As well, I assume each of you know that certain abilities can be exhausting. Moving between worlds is especially so when you start. First times often leave us exhausted and needing to nap for a week.”
Sean frowned but tapped his chin and said no more. I asked, “Since this whole game thing is done then why don’t you reveal all your teasing little secrets, Tessa?”
She gave a shrug and said, “By choice. There’s really not that much else to say. Who am I? I am one for whom a decision was made which didn’t quite turn out like I hoped. So, I’ve been encouraging other possibilities.”
I frowned and asked, “Are you saying that revealing everything to the world is a bad choice?”
She waved her hand. “I’m not saying that. It’s actually a fresh and curious possibility. And I’d like to stand with you in support, if you’ll have me. I presume we’ll be visiting the classroom? Having an actual…Kinrae around to bolster claims never hurts. The choice I’m referring to is something different. And there’s one more secret. I’ve met the Aeternal who was with Sean in the accident.”
Allison squeezed my hand but I hardly felt it as Sean and I both had to ask, “What do you know about her?”
Tessa turned her hands and said, “I could say that I’ll only tell one of you if you’ll agree to travel with me…but that would be mean. It is a secret which is better kept that way for now. But I will offer that there is a legend deep in our folklore, something I’m sure Professor Brandt would be chomping at the bit to know. We have a legend that the Aeternal ones sometimes walk among us. They choose a mortal body for their spirit to inhabit, to guide others, to share and spread love, to learn more than they can as they are, or for reasons we can’t even comprehend. And, as I’ve said, I’ve met one…in the flesh.”
I widened an eye and looked at her suspiciously before asking, “Are you implying something?”
She gave that little smirk and a shrug as she said, “I’m implying nothing. As I said, it is only a legend. One of many we have and keep to ourselves. If I’m implying anything then it is that both Seans have so much to learn and to teach us. That’s all.”
By this point, Sean was deeply rubbing his chin. Allison grabbed his hand and mine and asked, “Won’t you be late for class?” Time was getting tight but it just meant we could make our big entrance without having to wait on the professor. Tessa apologized and joined us.
Having a ‘Kinrae’ around drew and also deflected some attention. On the one hand, people around campus had seen us enough times that the spectacle had worn off. I assumed if we suddenly decided to go girl mode then we would gather plenty of eyeballs. The walk, as it was, still felt doubly long.
Class was already bustling when we arrived. Allison led ahead so neither of us would have to be standing alone in the room. Tessa followed and immediately attracted attention. We followed as the last with a murmur building to full-on side discussions. The people in my row asked if there was some sort of special event or presentation. I offered them a half-smile and hustled along. Lissa had her regular space in the back. She was set. She nearly had her legs up and was grinning at the other classmates.
Lucky her. She didn’t need to be up front, where the room suddenly felt ten degrees hotter. Tessa took the lead when Professor Brandt’s image appeared on the video feed. She’d switched the image from a class view to one where we could be seen on the other end. Brandt looked quite confused as she asked, “Miss Shortridge? Is something wrong?” She didn’t seem to notice there were two of us yet.
Tessa smiled and leaned so she loomed in the view of the camera. “Not at all. Just something of a special presentation. I’m just here to support your students. Young Sean Kurtz has learned so very much lately. Special research on his own, you could say.”
Now she noticed there were two of us, to which she fiddled with her glasses in consternation. Tessa added, “No, you’re not seeing things and Sean does not have a twin. But he does have a lot to share and he’s decided to share it with you before the rest of the world. You’re about to hear things which will forever change the way humans and our kind see one another. And, if he’s ready, I will cede the floor to him.”
She looked at me. Of course…me. With my heart fluttering all over the place and pools of sweat already draining down my back.
But Allison and Sean held my hands on either side. Immediately, I felt the heat soften and the sweat begin to dry. I could do this.
I stepped forward with a nod, my other self and the beautiful boy/girl/woman/man we loved right beside us and I began with the words, “A few days ago I woke up, for the first time in a long time, from a dream which changed my life forever...”