I shake his hand tentatively as I introduce myself. He nods to me and turns around again to begin walking away. I follow, wishing Twila was here to help me know what to do. I managed to heal everyone, but now what? Is this man another method of attacking me? But no, he saved me and everyone else, he… killed that gunman… but then I saved him. No one died. I hurry to keep up with his long strides. I can’t help but feel anxious that perhaps it’s all a trap, though for what purpose I can’t puzzle out. I let him lead me for blocks and blocks before he finds an alley that he deems ‘safe’. He turns to me and smiles, lips pressed together.

“Would you like to have this talk with your companion here as well?” He asks, and I start. How does he know about Twila? But he’s right that I’d much rather have her here. I still hesitate though, my earlier wonder if this is a trap coming back to me. Well, if it is, I suppose two of us have a better chance of fighting than just me. I nod and mentally call for Twila. She pops into appearance a moment later and takes in the scene. Her eyes fasten on Trigger and she tilts her head, a faraway look in her eyes. After a moment he speaks,

“As promised, I’m here to answer any questions.”

Twila glances around, then speaks up.

“Actually, Lillith, perhaps we could go to your mansion. The pocket plane, I mean. It would be safer.” Trigger raises his eyebrows.

“Alastor has told me about such things. He says they’re incredibly useful. Would you allow me entry to yours?” I hesitate, then nod. If Twila suggested it, it must be okay.

‘Don’t worry. If something happens you can kick him out, but I’m confident nothing will happen.’

Twila says in my mind, carrying a sense of comfort with it. I bite my lip and touch the ring that appeared on my hand with a thought, pressing the emerald in the center. A door appears in front of us, and I gesture to it.

“Um, come inside,” I say, and Twila leads the way, Trigger following. Once they’ve entered, I do the same, and the door disappears behind me.

It’s a Victorian-style mansion, with too many rooms for me to know what to do with. I haven’t had a lot of time to explore my new house, but I know where the parlor is. Or, one of them at least. Twila leads the way in, and we all sit down. Twila nudges me and motions to Trigger. I stifle a sigh. She thinks I’m not outgoing enough and that I need to talk more. And, I do have questions. But first, an introduction.

“This is Twila,” I say, then fall silent again, contemplating what to ask first. Before I come up with something, he speaks.

“I am Trigger. I am also a magic user. Twila, may I assume you are Lillith’s pact companion?” Twila nods, but seems to be waiting for something.

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“My pact companion is named Alastor. He… he does not have a physical form like you do.” Trigger says. I tilt my head, confused, but Twila nods as if she understands.

“That’s common enough.” She tells me. I nod again and finally settle on a question. A vague one to be sure, but it’s enough to get started.

“You’re a magic user? What can you do?” He smiles again.

“Alastor allows me to forge mental connections with people of all sorts. He tells me that I am a planeswalker, and can travel between worlds, though I’ve never tried it. I have various other abilities, magic, psychic abilities, and superpowers, if you would like to classify them as such. I can send you the full list later, if you like.” I glance sideways and see Twila narrowing her eyes at him. His eyes go unfocused for a moment, then hesitates as if he’s going to say something, then stops, and starts again.

“Alastor and I saw you arrive on Earth. Have you known about your powers for long? Was that your first time jumping between worlds?”

“I haven’t known about it for long…” I explain about the truck, how I accidentally jumped to another planet, how the creature helped me to get home again, and what Twila said on that other world about reincarnation and unlocking my powers again. He nods thoughtfully throughout my story.

“And what do you want to do with your ‘new’ powers?” He asks once I’ve run out of words.

I shrug slowly. “I mean, I think I’ve had all this before, so I just need to learn how to use them again. Right? How long have you known about yours?”

“Somewhat longer than a month. I was military, and I was presumed dead and yet miraculously recovered from my injuries. In the process, I met Alastor again, and he has been helping me understand my powers since then. I am interested in what you intend to do with your powers.” Trigger says, seeming strangely calm, all considered.

I eye Trigger for a moment. “I’m not really sure. I don’t know why I have them, why me? But I’ll probably try to do something good for the world, or, erm, worlds I guess, with them. I mean, why else would I have them? And, you?” I ask, thinking about the gunman earlier. I mean, he was saving people, but he also killed someone. He begins talking before I finish my thought.

“Fair enough. I intend to observe, explore, maybe make a mark on a world. And, well, others are not nearly so kind or thoughtful with these powers.”

I find myself nodding along with his words, without meaning to. I can feel my face going hot.

“Um, would you like something to eat?” I ask, trying to cover my embarrassment. I summon my food replicator so I can turn away for a minute.

“Thank you kindly,” He smiles a longer smile, his developed canines visible. I wonder what race he is, or if he just enjoys shapeshifting into something that looks dangerous. I skirt around that uncomfortable thought for the moment, promising myself I’ll consider it later. He seems to be about to say something else, then falls quiet.

“What would you like to eat?” I ask after an awkward moment. I send a mental command for cream cheese wontons and vegetable fried rice to the food replicator as I talk. They’ve always been my comfort food, and right now, comfort is desperately needed when everything else has been flipped on its head.

“Well, you see, I’m a vampire, so blood is my food source. I’ll go with water, if you don’t mind.”