Interlude Five - But What Does It Mean?

"Allow me to introduce myself," the blonde woman on the television in the wheelchair said with a smile. "My name is Dr. Bailey Hollister, and this is my colleague, Kittany Baek." She gestured to the Korean girl standing slightly behind her. Kittany Baek looked far less than enthused to be included, the scowl on her face betraying her displeasure. "I've been looking forward to meeting you, Ashvallen." Ashvallen stared in rapt attention at the television, devouring kernels of popcorn hungrily. Moon had been right, she decided, it was much better warm.

"My name's Moon Song," Moon interrupted. "I'm Ashvallen's agent. We want to know what's going on." Moon turned to Ashvallen. "Right?" Slipping another piece of popcorn into her mouth Ashvallen nodded vehemently.

"Agent?" The woman glanced toward Ayumi who merely shrugged. "Ah, well, that's why I'm talking to you now. Have you heard of the theory of Superpositional Thaumaturgical Multiverse?" Ashvallen shook her head.

"I don't think I can even say that..." Ashvallen mumbled, none of the words making sense.

"Sounds fake," Moon scowled suspiciously. Bailey giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Well, again, this was all theory, of course," Bailey continued. "So, the theory of Superpositional Multiverses is pretty commonly known."

"Where in the hell would that be commonly known?" Moon shook her head.

"It stems from Chrysippus in ancient Greece originally but gained more traction in the 18 and 1900s with philosophers and scientists like William James, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Stephen Hawking. Without getting into the mathematics, the basic principles state there are a group of multiple universes with their own laws of time, matter, and physics often independent or, at least, noticeably different than our own. These universes all exist simultaneously and are in rough sync with our own reality," Bailey explained as Moon gaped at her in confusion. "There are a number of theories about the possibility of reaching these different universes. Most center on black holes potentially being gateways wherein, should you survive the trip, you could reach a different universe like our own but stunningly different in fundamental ways. Isn't that fascinating?"

"I have no idea what you're saying," Ashvallen finally said, much to Moon's relief.

"Yeah. Sounds fake," Moon repeated.

"Well, it is a theory so normally I'd say you're not really wrong," the blonde woman grinned. "However, Ashvallen's presence has made the theory significantly less fake than it would otherwise be."

"My sister and Ashvallen were sucked into a black hole?" Moon narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "That seems like a pretty localized and specific black hole if you ask me."

"Well, here's where the Thaumaturgical part of the theory comes into play," Bailey tapped her fingers on the arm of her wheelchair thoughtfully. "The large hadron collider has been producing micro black holes for decades. These are extremely transitory, lasting mere nanoseconds in most cases and being microscopic in size, but science has a mechanism in place to create them. Thus, it's not a surprise another dimension's equivalent of advanced science could do the same but on a larger scale."

"Thaumaturgical…" Moon shook her head and chuckled. "Magic. Right?" The doctor shrugged and nodded her head. "What's next? Fairies and unicorns?"

"I think the reality of Ashvallen sitting next to you should afford some suspension of disbelief on your part," Bailey smiled patiently. Moon had to agree she had a point. "So, without getting too deeply into specifics, there are a lot of things that happen in this world which do not fit neatly into the package we're given after we reach a certain age and stop believing in fairy tales. Magic can do the same things as science and more in some cases."

"Like magical black holes," Moon couldn't help but feel like a total idiot even listening to this fanciful explanation, regardless of how earnest she seemed. She was, Moon reasoned, asking for the fundamental truths she'd grown up believing to be brushed aside while embracing "magic" as a legitimate force in the world. It was simply too fanciful.

"I don't think she believes you, doctor," the girl behind Dr. Hollister finally chimed in, her voice soft with a hint of danger.

"It's to be expected, I suppose," Bailey shook her head in resignation. "Do you think you can do something about that?" Kittany frowned and shook her head. "Please?"

"Fine," she finally groaned. "I was going to have to anyway, I suppose." Kittany closed her eyes for a second and when she opened them a vivid blue glow erupted from her like someone had turned on a brilliant floodlight. Kittany's form blurred on the edges and a second later she'd vanished from the screen.

"Special effects like that are a dime a doz-"Moon grinned before she felt something heavy pressing into the back of her neck. Turning slightly, she was more than a bit surprised to find the small Korean girl standing directly behind her, the end of an iron-shod staff pressed into her neck.

"If I'd been someone dangerous, you'd be dead, now," Kittany hissed with a wicked smile.

"I am someone dangerous," Ashvallen growled. Moon hadn't even seen her move but somehow Ashvallen was standing behind the dark-clad girl.

"Is that a dildo?" Bailey smirked. Moon glanced at the pink rubber toy in Ashvallen's hand pressed against Kittany's neck and sagged. It was past time to throw out that goddamn thing, Moon thought. "You don't have to worry, though, Ashvallen. It's simply a demonstration if you will. Will you be able to suspend your disbelief, now?" Moon shrugged. She was certain there was a reasonable explanation for how they pulled it off, but to go to those lengths seemed extreme. Ashvallen stowed the dildo back between the couch cushions and picked her bowl of popcorn back up as if nothing had happened.

"So, as I was saying, there are hidden things in this world. Things we call magic for lack of a better term. There aren't many people who can use magic and they keep to the shadows for the most part. Kittany is one such person," Bailey gestured at Kittany, now leaning against her staff as she stood behind the couch.

"So magic people…magicians, wizards, whatever you call them, switched Ashvallen and my sister?" Moon tilted her head quizzically.

"Well, one particular person did, yes."

"One person made a black hole and sucked Ashvallen out of her world?"

"It's more complicated, obviously, but in essence, yes. Three years ago, we figured out the process and switched our benefactor here with someone in Ashvallen's world," Bailey said. "She has been there ever since, using her magic to switch others."

"Why?" Moon shook her head. It made no sense. Bailey shrugged.

"Ah, yes, why. The greatest question of all and, unfortunately, one I can't answer," she returned with a sigh. "She never told us and, as it wasn't a condition of our agreement, we never asked."

"So, this person you sent over is responsible for this?" Moon indicated Ashvallen.

"Yes. She, basically, created a black hole and dragged your sister's consciousness into Ashvallen's body and vice versa."

"Wait!" Ashvallen exclaimed, jabbing her hand filled with popcorn at the tv. "She's in my body?"

"Yes, sweetie," Bailey nodded. "And you're in hers." Ashvallen thought for a long moment before shoving the popcorn into her mouth.

"Weird," Ashvallen grumbled, chewing thoughtfully.

"Quite. Normally, the subject doesn't wake up before we are able to get to them and keep them safe."

"Normally?" Moon cocked her eyebrow suspiciously. "How many times has this happened?"

"Ashvallen makes 32."

"Shit," Moon breathed. "Are you building a village or something?"

"Err…not exactly," Bailey looked uncomfortable. Moon was immediately uneasy with the question that popped into her mind and, seeing the doctor's sudden awkwardness, knew the answer before asking. Still, she needed to know.

"What happened to the other 31?" Bailey sagged noticeably.

"They died."

"Wait…you people killed 31 people?" Moon was aghast. What were these people? Serial killers?

"What? No!" Bailey exclaimed, plainly flustered. "They died in the other world."

"So…if Minji dies so does Ashvallen?" Moon whispered in horror.

"And vice versa," Bailey nodded. "It's why we show up before the subject is awake and keep them in a catatonic state so they don't become conscious, and we can keep them safe…"

"Except this time," Moon finished.

"Except this time," Bailey nodded. "We are, obviously, in a new area with our Ashvallen. We've never had anyone wake up before so, although there were theoretical plans for this sort of thing, we are at something of a disadvantage."

"So, just out of curiosity, what do you mean when you say you 'keep them safe'?" Moon circled back to what the doctor had previously said. "Is Ashvallen in some kind of danger?" Bailey ran her hand through her blonde hair uncomfortably.

"The short answer is, yes, you all are," Bailey agreed. "The long answer equates to basically the same thing, I suppose, but with more ancillary details you shouldn't have to worry about if we do our job right. I'll just say there are a number of forces in the world that have an interest in figuring out the power necessary to slip from one world to another and were her existence known, would believe Ashvallen is the key."

"But doesn't whoever you work for have the power? Why would they think Ash did?" Moon scowled. This was all quite a bit to deal with and, though she was trying her best, she felt as if she were on an amusement park ride without the safety bar attached and the monsters crowding the track all turned out to be real.

"I like my nickname," Ashvallen nodded in satisfaction. Moon glanced at her for a moment before smiling.

"Do you? Good! I was trying to decide on Ash or Val or Len, but I think Ash works best for you!" Moon enthused, bouncing slightly on the cushion, all thoughts of monsters and rides vanishing from her mind.

"You two have the attention span of hamsters," Kittany snorted. "Let's focus on the conversation, ok?"

"Now, now, Kit," Bailey grinned from the screen. "This is all a lot to take in. Be gentle with our friends."

"I…I'll…Don't…You!" Kittany sputtered impotently. "O-Only Ai can call me that!"

"Oooh!" Moon gasped, sensing the possibility of gossip, and seizing on it. "Who's this Ai person when she's around?"

"Do you see what you've done?" Kittany scowled at Bailey, pointedly ignoring Moon's question.

"Ok, ok, I'm sorry," Bailey laughed, plainly experiencing no remorse. "I'm not sure if I've answered all of your questions…"

"What happens now?" Moon said, snapping back to the topic at hand, but storing away the gossip for further exploration at a different time.

"Now?" Bailey sighed. "As I said, we had contingencies for this sort of scenario, but nothing fleshed out so we're mostly playing it by ear. We'll keep you there for now as I think it'll be safer without Ashvallen moving about but you'll have to be prepared to go at a moment's notice. Your safety is our top priority, and we will protect you no matter what."

"This is all pretty unlikely," Moon sighed.

"I know," Bailey nodded. "I'm asking for a lot of faith, and you can choose to believe or disbelieve as you see fit, provided you keep aware and do as Kittany says if things get dangerous." Moon thought for a long moment before glancing over at Ashvallen. The two shared a look before nodding.

"I guess we don't have much choice," Moon nodded. "But I won't let anyone hurt Ashvallen. Including you."