FedoraChar
06-27-2015, 11:20 PM
Reflections
What if I told you that on the other side of every mirror, there is another world? Or rather, a world between all worlds. Well, technically another dimension, or the dimension between universes, or… I’m rambling, aren’t I? Sorry, I tend to, er, well… I have a few anxiety issues. Only a few. That I know of.
Anyway, as I was saying, there’s this… Between. That’s where all the mirrors lead, but you can’t see it because magic. See, we found a really clever way to disguise all the portals to our dimension by using a spell that simply reflects everything around it. The thinking behind that was that people on the other side would get too distracted by their own reflection to wander where they shouldn’t. That has worked quite well, except we might have underestimated how narcissistic other-worlders could be. With everyone and their grandmothers making mirrors of all shapes and sizes just so they could get a good look at themselves, we ended up more work for ourselves.
Sorry, who are we? Right, I’m getting ahead of myself. Well, we are the mirrorlings, and we’re the guardians of the passages between. Truthfully, it’s hard to describe what we’re like because we can be anything. Like the mirrors we watch over, we reflect the life around us. Since we all like to be unique, we’re typically a hodge-podge of different species—and we can change our appearance on a daily basis, if we choose.
But we are more than a bunch of shape-shifters. As I mentioned, we’re the guardians of the in-between. We monitor the comings and goings of travelers and objects—or prevent travel altogether, because some worlds are just so… delicate. I suppose you could think of us as border patrols.
I… really should clarify something. It’s been gnawing at me this whole time. I’m more of a, er, “intern” guardian. That’s not to say that I haven’t done any of that! I’ve had more than enough of my share of guarding, and really, I absolutely love this job. Keeping an eye over order like this just fits in nicely with my obsessive compulsiveness—though, let’s not bring in the anxiety.
Ultimately, I’m official in all but title. After today, that should all change.
I stood in the Ebony Hall before the Senior High Magistrate Elders—or the mirrorlings everyone refers to as the Shmees, for some absurd reason. Honestly, I prefer referring to them by their proper titles. Ridiculous nicknames like that are absolutely derogatory and—
And there I go again. Sorry.
“Young master Ydylu,” one of the Senior High Magistrate Elder peered down at me through her glasses, which I couldn’t help notice sat a little crookedly at the end of her blue feline nose. I didn’t dare say anything about it, however. I could hear in her tone that she was already annoyed with me. Looking down at the papers in her hands—and the many octopus-like tentacles that fell from her mane—she continued, “According to our records, you are now eligible for your final examination.”
I gulped and managed to squeak out, “Yes?”
She raised an eyebrow at me, but continued in a dull voice, “We as a council have decided to administer this test to you; should you pass, we will grant upon you the full title of Mirror Guardian, with all the privileges and responsibilities that entails. Master Thruburkel will explain the finer details of this examination.”
At that moment, I couldn’t decide if I was going to squeal or faint. I felt all degrees of giddiness and sickness and… it took all I had to stop from dancing across the Ebony Hall—which would’ve been difficult as said hall consisted mostly of obsidian pillars, and we stood on top of them.
Mr. Thruburkel sat up and cleared his throat, his green-toned waddles and double-chins jiggling. “It has come to our attention that someone has smuggled a rare and potentially harmful Wish Flower to a level-three world. Wish Flowers, as you might be aware, have the arcane ability to grant the wish of any who smell it. As you can imagine, this poses a threat to the order of any world outside the one it originates. You must locate and retrieve this flower before its abilities are discovered.”
“Certainly, my Senior High Magistrate Elders!” I cheered, ready to please my superiors. This was my moment, and I would do everything in my ability to prove myself. “Where might I find this flower?”
Mr. Thruburkel smirked. “Wouldn’t be much of a test if we just told you, eh?”
I blinked at him, feeling my fluttering heart suddenly seize up with worry. “W-w-w-w-what?”
“Calm down, hold your horses,” the turkey-faced Elder chuckled. I’m sure he thought he was being especially clever, given that I was currently in the form of Gifforse—which, if I had to explain it, resembles a cross between a leafy sea dragon and a horse. I liked having multiple arms, which is why I also sported three insect-like appendages and no legs. It makes more sense to fly in the Between than walk—and here, there was no difference between flying and swimming.
“We will offer you one hint,” Mr. Thruburkel continued, and I decided that he looked very strange without a proper nose. He held something out in his six-fingered palm—a pocket mirror. In its surface, I could see the reflection of a blue-colored flower, resting with a bed of thick grass. Wait, not grass… He snatched it away before I could get a closer look.
“Good luck, Young Master Ydylu. You have until Blue Day to find the flower.”
“I…” I shook myself, remembering my manners. I bowed awkwardly, stuttering out, “Th-thank you, Senior High Magistrate Elders! I won’t let you down!”
I left the room with a façade of calmness, but the second I was out of the Ebony Hall, I was hyperventilating. Retrieving a flower was one thing, but finding it? And before the coming of Blue Day? Looking at the cottony clouds that made up the Between, I could see that Pink Day was nearly over. The pink tint in their fluff was beginning to darken.
I tugged at the antennae protruding from my forehead with a wheeze. But this… this wasn’t getting me anywhere. I had too much at stake, and I needed to collect myself. Straightening, I took a deep breath. “Okay, Ydylu… Breath. Calm down… This shouldn’t be too hard. The Senior High Magistrate Elders wouldn’t give you a test like this knowing your… difficulties. I can do this.
I glanced upwards, staring at the branches of the Nature Hall on the next level above.
“Okay. We know one thing,” I continued talking to myself. “It’s a level-three world… Pretty primitive. Primitive and green. There, that cuts down the numbers a little. That only makes up for…” I wilted. “Half of the portals in the Between…”
Well, the mirrors weren’t going to search themselves. After fighting against another anxiety attack, I set to work searching the portals. From this side of the Between, they acted as windows, allowing us mirrorlings to spy on the worlds outside. It’s fascinating to see the similarities and differences between them all, though we rarely interfere with the worlds’ natural courses. We observe, and intervene only when necessary. As I was supposed to do with this darn flower…
I nearly missed it; a few hours into my search, I was skimming over the mirrors hanging in the Bronze Hall, and as quickly as I was trying to move through, it took me a moment to realize that one of the frames had a splash of blue amongst a den of green colors. The image was vastly distorted; it must have been a reflection cast in a pond. I narrowed my eyes and stared into the wavy projection until I was sure—it was a lily-like flower with ice-blue petals.
I squealed, startling the mirrorling who I was sharing the corridor with. The bird-like creature gave me an odd look before flapping away, but I didn’t care. All that worry, all that stress came to this moment. Here it was—the Wish Flower.
Now came the interesting part. I closed my eyes and murmured a spell, then slowly placed a hand through the portal. The surface rippled like water, which caused me to frown. I… was probably going to get wet…
But getting my guardian title was more important that a little water. Taking a deep breath, I pressed through the glass, and phased into the world.
When a mirrorling enters a portal, they must transform into whatever last looked into the mirror—as a safety precaution, mostly. Because I imagine most inhabitants—especially those of primitives—would overreact to a fish-horse-insect monster suddenly spawning out of their pond. This time when I emerged… I was a mouse—small, anthropomorphic (thankfully) and dressed in a bizarre arrangement of feathers and skins which soon became waterlogged.
Sputtering up a storm of complaints, I swam up to the shore—and found that I was not alone.
A whole tribe of mice stood on the banks, looking at me in awe. Including the mice whose reflection I stole. I froze, panic seizing my heart again. This did happen on occasion, but… Never to me. There was a procedure, but with the panic building up in me I couldn’t remember it.
Thankfully, the mice saved me from doing much. As one, they cried out with cheers.
“Flower God shows us his mighty power once more!” My copy shouted, raising his paws above his head. “Flower God blesses Tee-Fo-Tu with other Tee-Fo-Tu. Praise the Flower God!”
I blinked. Flower God? Tee-Fo-Tu? Getting over my initial shock, I lifted my gaze past the celebrating mice and spotted it: the Wish Flower. It towered over my new form, looking like an almighty sentinel over the blades of grass. The mice had built structures around it, each one bearing primitive drawings and runes. At the bottom of all that mess, I could see a ginormous pile of cheese.
Mice.
“Come forth, fellow Tee-Fo-Tu,” my copy spoke up again, his language very choppy. “Come see the gifts Flower God bestows on his people.”
I winced. I had been too late; the natives had already discovered the power of the flower, and now were worshipping it like some deity. This is exactly what we guardians try to avoid. Who knows what kind of path these primitive mice-beings have started down? How far had they strayed from their destined course?
The mice continued staring at me, and I realized I had to do something before they grew suspicious.
“Er, okay?” I stuttered. I’m a quick thinker, I am. Idiot. The leader mouse didn’t seem put off by the behavior, though. Taking me by the shoulder, he led me through the crowd to the shrine built beside the cheese mountain. I could see various offerings placed on the shrine: bird skulls, shiny beetle shells, and a half-dead fly. I tried hard not to curl my lip at them, lest I insult these people.
Playing the part of the fool, I stammered out, “Er, th-this all came from the… Flower God?”
“Flower God is kind and benevolent,” the mouse grinned at me, baring his buckteeth. “Tee-Fo-Tu two should leave offering and smell good flower, and Flower God will give.”
An idea popped into my mind just then. “What offering should I give?”
Tee-Fo-Tu tilted his head, stroking his furry chin thoughtfully. “Flower God love color. Give him feather from tunic.”
Doing as he said, I plucked one of the feathers from my “tunic” and placed it across the alter. Tee-Fo-Tu nodded excitedly.
“Good, good. Now Tee-Fo-Tu two go up ladder, smell flower.”
The poor mice had no idea what was coming. I climbed up the scaffolding next to the Wish Flower and leaned over, catching the fresh, honey-sweet scent that came off it. I lost myself in the smell for a moment, nearly forgetting the plan. It reminded me so much of the Strawberry Days that came in the warm season, when the clouds of the Between gave off sweet perfumes. Some mouse below me cleared his throat, bringing me out of the memory quickly.
“Good… er, Flower God?” I tentatively called out, raising my voice. “I wish for all these mice to fall asleep and forget everything they’ve seen.”
The words rang out, and not even a half-second later, all the watching creatures collapsed.
*****
Mr. Thruburkel smiled down at me. Not a pleasant smile, grant you. He looked ready to burst into laughter, as many of the Senior High Magistrate Elders did. I continued holding my head as high as my tiny mouse body could. It hadn’t been easy dragging the flower back into the portal in this form, but I had done it. And I had never felt so happy or humiliated at the same time.
The cat-octopus woman didn’t look so annoyed anymore, at least. “Well done, Master Ydylu. You demonstrated a sharp wit and a keen sense of observation. You’ve diverted a disaster and earned your place among the ranks of the guardians. …Would you be interested in a piece of cheese?”
“No, Senior High Magistrate Elder,” I dropped the flower stem, heaving a relieved sigh. I had imagined this moment countless times—how elated I’d be, how I’d dance and cheer—but right now, all I wanted was to rest. And find another reflection as soon as possible.
Mr. Thruburkel rose from his chair and hopped over to my column, his spider legs giving him surprising speed. He lifted something from a box and held it over my head. “Then it is with great pleasure that I present to you this medal—which marks you as an official Mirror Guardian.”
The giant medal nearly squashed me, but I managed to get a good grip on it. I sighed, realizing I had more carrying to do. “Th-thank you… Can I go home, now?”
Mr. Thruburkel laughed. “Yes—but I expect to see you here first thing tomorrow, for your first assignment as a guardian.”
In other words, nothing had changed. I gave a hollow chuckle. “See you tomorrow…”
With that, I waddled to the back door with my new burden in tow.
What if I told you that on the other side of every mirror, there is another world? Or rather, a world between all worlds. Well, technically another dimension, or the dimension between universes, or… I’m rambling, aren’t I? Sorry, I tend to, er, well… I have a few anxiety issues. Only a few. That I know of.
Anyway, as I was saying, there’s this… Between. That’s where all the mirrors lead, but you can’t see it because magic. See, we found a really clever way to disguise all the portals to our dimension by using a spell that simply reflects everything around it. The thinking behind that was that people on the other side would get too distracted by their own reflection to wander where they shouldn’t. That has worked quite well, except we might have underestimated how narcissistic other-worlders could be. With everyone and their grandmothers making mirrors of all shapes and sizes just so they could get a good look at themselves, we ended up more work for ourselves.
Sorry, who are we? Right, I’m getting ahead of myself. Well, we are the mirrorlings, and we’re the guardians of the passages between. Truthfully, it’s hard to describe what we’re like because we can be anything. Like the mirrors we watch over, we reflect the life around us. Since we all like to be unique, we’re typically a hodge-podge of different species—and we can change our appearance on a daily basis, if we choose.
But we are more than a bunch of shape-shifters. As I mentioned, we’re the guardians of the in-between. We monitor the comings and goings of travelers and objects—or prevent travel altogether, because some worlds are just so… delicate. I suppose you could think of us as border patrols.
I… really should clarify something. It’s been gnawing at me this whole time. I’m more of a, er, “intern” guardian. That’s not to say that I haven’t done any of that! I’ve had more than enough of my share of guarding, and really, I absolutely love this job. Keeping an eye over order like this just fits in nicely with my obsessive compulsiveness—though, let’s not bring in the anxiety.
Ultimately, I’m official in all but title. After today, that should all change.
I stood in the Ebony Hall before the Senior High Magistrate Elders—or the mirrorlings everyone refers to as the Shmees, for some absurd reason. Honestly, I prefer referring to them by their proper titles. Ridiculous nicknames like that are absolutely derogatory and—
And there I go again. Sorry.
“Young master Ydylu,” one of the Senior High Magistrate Elder peered down at me through her glasses, which I couldn’t help notice sat a little crookedly at the end of her blue feline nose. I didn’t dare say anything about it, however. I could hear in her tone that she was already annoyed with me. Looking down at the papers in her hands—and the many octopus-like tentacles that fell from her mane—she continued, “According to our records, you are now eligible for your final examination.”
I gulped and managed to squeak out, “Yes?”
She raised an eyebrow at me, but continued in a dull voice, “We as a council have decided to administer this test to you; should you pass, we will grant upon you the full title of Mirror Guardian, with all the privileges and responsibilities that entails. Master Thruburkel will explain the finer details of this examination.”
At that moment, I couldn’t decide if I was going to squeal or faint. I felt all degrees of giddiness and sickness and… it took all I had to stop from dancing across the Ebony Hall—which would’ve been difficult as said hall consisted mostly of obsidian pillars, and we stood on top of them.
Mr. Thruburkel sat up and cleared his throat, his green-toned waddles and double-chins jiggling. “It has come to our attention that someone has smuggled a rare and potentially harmful Wish Flower to a level-three world. Wish Flowers, as you might be aware, have the arcane ability to grant the wish of any who smell it. As you can imagine, this poses a threat to the order of any world outside the one it originates. You must locate and retrieve this flower before its abilities are discovered.”
“Certainly, my Senior High Magistrate Elders!” I cheered, ready to please my superiors. This was my moment, and I would do everything in my ability to prove myself. “Where might I find this flower?”
Mr. Thruburkel smirked. “Wouldn’t be much of a test if we just told you, eh?”
I blinked at him, feeling my fluttering heart suddenly seize up with worry. “W-w-w-w-what?”
“Calm down, hold your horses,” the turkey-faced Elder chuckled. I’m sure he thought he was being especially clever, given that I was currently in the form of Gifforse—which, if I had to explain it, resembles a cross between a leafy sea dragon and a horse. I liked having multiple arms, which is why I also sported three insect-like appendages and no legs. It makes more sense to fly in the Between than walk—and here, there was no difference between flying and swimming.
“We will offer you one hint,” Mr. Thruburkel continued, and I decided that he looked very strange without a proper nose. He held something out in his six-fingered palm—a pocket mirror. In its surface, I could see the reflection of a blue-colored flower, resting with a bed of thick grass. Wait, not grass… He snatched it away before I could get a closer look.
“Good luck, Young Master Ydylu. You have until Blue Day to find the flower.”
“I…” I shook myself, remembering my manners. I bowed awkwardly, stuttering out, “Th-thank you, Senior High Magistrate Elders! I won’t let you down!”
I left the room with a façade of calmness, but the second I was out of the Ebony Hall, I was hyperventilating. Retrieving a flower was one thing, but finding it? And before the coming of Blue Day? Looking at the cottony clouds that made up the Between, I could see that Pink Day was nearly over. The pink tint in their fluff was beginning to darken.
I tugged at the antennae protruding from my forehead with a wheeze. But this… this wasn’t getting me anywhere. I had too much at stake, and I needed to collect myself. Straightening, I took a deep breath. “Okay, Ydylu… Breath. Calm down… This shouldn’t be too hard. The Senior High Magistrate Elders wouldn’t give you a test like this knowing your… difficulties. I can do this.
I glanced upwards, staring at the branches of the Nature Hall on the next level above.
“Okay. We know one thing,” I continued talking to myself. “It’s a level-three world… Pretty primitive. Primitive and green. There, that cuts down the numbers a little. That only makes up for…” I wilted. “Half of the portals in the Between…”
Well, the mirrors weren’t going to search themselves. After fighting against another anxiety attack, I set to work searching the portals. From this side of the Between, they acted as windows, allowing us mirrorlings to spy on the worlds outside. It’s fascinating to see the similarities and differences between them all, though we rarely interfere with the worlds’ natural courses. We observe, and intervene only when necessary. As I was supposed to do with this darn flower…
I nearly missed it; a few hours into my search, I was skimming over the mirrors hanging in the Bronze Hall, and as quickly as I was trying to move through, it took me a moment to realize that one of the frames had a splash of blue amongst a den of green colors. The image was vastly distorted; it must have been a reflection cast in a pond. I narrowed my eyes and stared into the wavy projection until I was sure—it was a lily-like flower with ice-blue petals.
I squealed, startling the mirrorling who I was sharing the corridor with. The bird-like creature gave me an odd look before flapping away, but I didn’t care. All that worry, all that stress came to this moment. Here it was—the Wish Flower.
Now came the interesting part. I closed my eyes and murmured a spell, then slowly placed a hand through the portal. The surface rippled like water, which caused me to frown. I… was probably going to get wet…
But getting my guardian title was more important that a little water. Taking a deep breath, I pressed through the glass, and phased into the world.
When a mirrorling enters a portal, they must transform into whatever last looked into the mirror—as a safety precaution, mostly. Because I imagine most inhabitants—especially those of primitives—would overreact to a fish-horse-insect monster suddenly spawning out of their pond. This time when I emerged… I was a mouse—small, anthropomorphic (thankfully) and dressed in a bizarre arrangement of feathers and skins which soon became waterlogged.
Sputtering up a storm of complaints, I swam up to the shore—and found that I was not alone.
A whole tribe of mice stood on the banks, looking at me in awe. Including the mice whose reflection I stole. I froze, panic seizing my heart again. This did happen on occasion, but… Never to me. There was a procedure, but with the panic building up in me I couldn’t remember it.
Thankfully, the mice saved me from doing much. As one, they cried out with cheers.
“Flower God shows us his mighty power once more!” My copy shouted, raising his paws above his head. “Flower God blesses Tee-Fo-Tu with other Tee-Fo-Tu. Praise the Flower God!”
I blinked. Flower God? Tee-Fo-Tu? Getting over my initial shock, I lifted my gaze past the celebrating mice and spotted it: the Wish Flower. It towered over my new form, looking like an almighty sentinel over the blades of grass. The mice had built structures around it, each one bearing primitive drawings and runes. At the bottom of all that mess, I could see a ginormous pile of cheese.
Mice.
“Come forth, fellow Tee-Fo-Tu,” my copy spoke up again, his language very choppy. “Come see the gifts Flower God bestows on his people.”
I winced. I had been too late; the natives had already discovered the power of the flower, and now were worshipping it like some deity. This is exactly what we guardians try to avoid. Who knows what kind of path these primitive mice-beings have started down? How far had they strayed from their destined course?
The mice continued staring at me, and I realized I had to do something before they grew suspicious.
“Er, okay?” I stuttered. I’m a quick thinker, I am. Idiot. The leader mouse didn’t seem put off by the behavior, though. Taking me by the shoulder, he led me through the crowd to the shrine built beside the cheese mountain. I could see various offerings placed on the shrine: bird skulls, shiny beetle shells, and a half-dead fly. I tried hard not to curl my lip at them, lest I insult these people.
Playing the part of the fool, I stammered out, “Er, th-this all came from the… Flower God?”
“Flower God is kind and benevolent,” the mouse grinned at me, baring his buckteeth. “Tee-Fo-Tu two should leave offering and smell good flower, and Flower God will give.”
An idea popped into my mind just then. “What offering should I give?”
Tee-Fo-Tu tilted his head, stroking his furry chin thoughtfully. “Flower God love color. Give him feather from tunic.”
Doing as he said, I plucked one of the feathers from my “tunic” and placed it across the alter. Tee-Fo-Tu nodded excitedly.
“Good, good. Now Tee-Fo-Tu two go up ladder, smell flower.”
The poor mice had no idea what was coming. I climbed up the scaffolding next to the Wish Flower and leaned over, catching the fresh, honey-sweet scent that came off it. I lost myself in the smell for a moment, nearly forgetting the plan. It reminded me so much of the Strawberry Days that came in the warm season, when the clouds of the Between gave off sweet perfumes. Some mouse below me cleared his throat, bringing me out of the memory quickly.
“Good… er, Flower God?” I tentatively called out, raising my voice. “I wish for all these mice to fall asleep and forget everything they’ve seen.”
The words rang out, and not even a half-second later, all the watching creatures collapsed.
*****
Mr. Thruburkel smiled down at me. Not a pleasant smile, grant you. He looked ready to burst into laughter, as many of the Senior High Magistrate Elders did. I continued holding my head as high as my tiny mouse body could. It hadn’t been easy dragging the flower back into the portal in this form, but I had done it. And I had never felt so happy or humiliated at the same time.
The cat-octopus woman didn’t look so annoyed anymore, at least. “Well done, Master Ydylu. You demonstrated a sharp wit and a keen sense of observation. You’ve diverted a disaster and earned your place among the ranks of the guardians. …Would you be interested in a piece of cheese?”
“No, Senior High Magistrate Elder,” I dropped the flower stem, heaving a relieved sigh. I had imagined this moment countless times—how elated I’d be, how I’d dance and cheer—but right now, all I wanted was to rest. And find another reflection as soon as possible.
Mr. Thruburkel rose from his chair and hopped over to my column, his spider legs giving him surprising speed. He lifted something from a box and held it over my head. “Then it is with great pleasure that I present to you this medal—which marks you as an official Mirror Guardian.”
The giant medal nearly squashed me, but I managed to get a good grip on it. I sighed, realizing I had more carrying to do. “Th-thank you… Can I go home, now?”
Mr. Thruburkel laughed. “Yes—but I expect to see you here first thing tomorrow, for your first assignment as a guardian.”
In other words, nothing had changed. I gave a hollow chuckle. “See you tomorrow…”
With that, I waddled to the back door with my new burden in tow.