Just then, the door to the café swung open and Gabby sauntered in. Her hips swaying and drawing the attention of everyone in the room. The ethereal presence she carried with her, like a dark star in human form, was impossible to ignore.

“There you are, Gav Gav,” she cooed, her voice a melodic purr. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

The chatter in the café died down as all eyes turned to Gabby. She glided towards our table, her dark, flowing hair shimmering like liquid night, and her eyes gleaming with cosmic knowledge.

I smiled, unable to hide my amusement and slight embarrassment. “Gabby, this is a surprise. Everyone, this is Gabby, my… well, I’m not quite sure what to call her yet.”

Gabby slid into the seat next to me, her presence both captivating and intimidating. “Oh, don’t be modest, Gav Gav,” she teased leaning in close. “I’m just here to make sure you’re not getting into too much trouble without me.”

Derek raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by her arrival. “Uh, nice to meet you, Gabby. Gavrin, you certainly have an interesting circle of friends.”

Just then, Fernando, scampered onto the table. “Hey, Gav! Where ya been buddy? We’ve had spiders, bandits, and all kinds of craziness since you’ve been gone!”

Gabby looked amused at the sight of Fernando. “Well, aren’t you a curious creature?”

Fernando smirked, his leafy tail twitching. “The name’s Fernando, lady. And yeah, I’m the best lookout this village’s got. So, Gav, you gonna tell us what’s up?”

I glanced at Gabby, who merely smirked, enjoying the attention. “Well, it’s a long story involving some very interesting astral journeys and, uh, let’s say, cosmic bonding.”

Gabby chuckled, her laughter like the tinkling of distant stars. “Oh, you make it sound so mundane, Gav Gav. But yes, it’s been quite the adventure. I’m just glad I found you in one piece.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of everyone’s curious stares. “Yeah, it was enlightening. But I’m back now and it seems like I’ve missed quite a bit.”

Kim, who had been standing behind the counter, finally broke the silence. “Well, Gavrin. It’s good to have you back. And Gabby, welcome to Schoolville. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting here.”

Gabby’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Oh, I have no doubt about that. And don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on Gavrin. Wouldn’t want him wandering off again, now would we?”

I rubbed my head, still trying to wrap my mind around everything. “Yeah, about that. Gabby, did you know about the spiders?”

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Gabby raised an eyebrow. “Spiders? Oh, you mean Loki’s little pets? They’re harmless, really. Just a bit protective.”

I laughed. “Harmless for you, harmless for me or harmless for the average person out there?”

“Is there a difference?” Gabby asked.

I sighed. “Yes.” I turned to Kim. “I promise I will figure something out. I am certain Loki means no harm, but she really does take after her namesake. She has always been a mischievous little scamp, even as a puppy.” I shook my head recalling her antics all those years ago the first time I brought her home.

Kim nodded, her expression softening. “Alright, Gavrin. Just make sure those spiders stay out of the kitchen. They’ve already scared off two of my best cooks.”

I chuckled. “I’ll hand it. Now, I guess you guys want to know what I’ve been doing?” I saw the nods around the table, so I continued my story.

“As you know, I dabble in a little herbology. I like plants and plants like me. The special plants I retrieved from the special store matured, and I was eager to give it a go. But I miscalculated. Noting has been able to hurt me, and the effects of all the plants I have tried have been pretty mild. Or I have resistance against the effects up the wazoo. But this manajuana; trademark pending, is out of this world. Literally.”

I sipped at the now cold coffee. I smiled; it was the way I liked it. “I astral project and floated free of my body. I saw the fabric of reality. I’m not sure if the effect was emphasized by my location or what. But I suddenly saw all the twisting glory of the void.”

The room fell silent as everyone leaned in, captivated by my words.

“The colors,” I began, my voice dropping to a reverent whisper, “they were unlike anything I had ever seen. Swirling hues of violet, azure and emerald intertwined with threads of gold and silver, forming patterns that defied logic and reason. I felt myself drifting through an endless expanse, where stars were born and died in a blink of an eye.”

I paused, taking a deep breath. “Time lost all meaning. I witnessed the entire civilizations rise and fall, their stories etched in the very fabric of the cosmos. I danced with beings made of pure light, conversed with entities that had seen the birth of the universe, and felt the heartbeat of creation itself. The void was both beautiful and terrifying, an endless sea of potential and nothingness.”

Goose and Ethan stared at me, wide eyed. “That sounds…intense,” Goose muttered.

I nodded. “Intense doesn’t even begin to cover it. I lived forever and an age in that place, experiencing wonders and horrors beyond comprehension. And then, just when I thought I would be lost in the void forever, Gabby found me.”

Gabby smile softly, her eyes reflecting the cosmic knowledge she carried. “I sensed your presence, floating aimlessly through the void. You were like a lost star, burning brightly but without direction. So, I took pity on you and brought you back.”

I looked at her, gratitude and awe mixing in my gaze. “She guided me back to my body, anchoring my spirit with her own. It was like waking up from a dream that spanned millennia. When I finally opened my eyes, I was back here, but everything felt different. The world seemed, smaller, more connected. And Gabby was there, watching over me.”

Ethan whistled softly. “That’s one hell of trip, Gavrin.”

I chuckled, feeling the weight of my experiences settling into a place of understanding. “Yeah, it was. And now, with Gabby’s help, I feel like I can explore the boundaries of our reality even further. But first, I will go take care of the spiders.”

Gabby laughed, a sound like tinkling stars. “Indeed, let’s get those little troublemakers under control. And then, who knows? The universe is vast, and there’s so much more to discover.”

Kim held up a hand to stop me from getting up. “Wait, Gabby? You’re not from earth are you? Do you know what caused the system? Why is all this happening?”