The World Beyond the Doorstep

        Finally, it was Saturday, the day of rest and the day that Bradley and Zenyr decided to head out.

Between the day that they had the discussion and today, nothing special had happened. No aliens dropped out of the sky, the government didn’t show up on their doorstep and Audrey didn’t suddenly come home.

‘Wait, why did I classify my sister coming home with events on that scale?’ Bradley held a beloved cup of coffee in his hands and gently blew on it before taking a sip. It was 5 in the morning and this was his everyday weekend ritual.

“Bonjour!” until a purple skinned lady burst out of her room, yelling out greetings in French.

“Morning. How was your night?” Bradley remained unfazed and greeted Zenyr.

“Fine. What are we having for breakfast?” Zenyr responded and sat down on the dining table opposite Bradley. “Bacon and eggs.” He replied.

“Again? You really have no creativity.” Zenyr let out an exasperated sigh and sat down opposite him.

“If you have a problem, then cook it yourself.”

“If you don’t mind me poisoning you, then I can give it a shot.”

Today, Bradley and Zenyr had a mission to accomplish. To get Zenyr accustomed to this world and find a way to get a means of identification for her.

“How did you even get that card you used?” Bradley asked.

“I used a brainwashing device.” After seeing Bradley freeze, Zenyr chuckled and continued. “Well, it only had the function of influencing his decisions. I didn’t break him.”

Bradley grumbled, “Lead with that next time.”

“Do you have any clothes to wear?” Bradley called out from the kitchen where he was washing the plates after they finished eating.

“Isn’t this fine? It was made to serve a variety of purpose.” Zenyr pointed at the uniform she was wearing. Bradley poked his head out and after looked at her, he shook his head.

“No. For various reasons.” He shook his head.

“Ah! If it’s the design you’re worried about, then I can just use an illusion to disguise it.” Zenyr clapped her hand as she realized what he was worried about.

Or not. Bradley took another look at her and the instincts drilled into him by his happy-go-lucky family sprang into action.

“First off, regardless of how it appears on the outside, illusion doesn’t change how it looks on the inside. Clothes still get dirty, you know.”

“Don’t worry. This suit was made with an auto clean function.” Zenyr patted her chest with pride.

“That’s not the point. Regardless of whether it’s clean or not, there’s still a mental aspect to consider. If you didn’t have the funds, then it’d be understandable. But you’re probably a million times loaded than me so buying a couple of clothes won’t affect you.” Bradley reached out for a cup and tried to remember the last time it spoke this much in one go.

“Still…”

“It’s decided. We’re getting you the daily essentials. You can’t keep using my sister’s stuff or else it would become too noticeable that someone was around.” Bradley shut her up with a sound argument and Zenyr folded.

…..

“Are you ready?” Bradley stood outside the house and looked at the watch and called out to the only person remaining.

“Yeah.” Zenyr opened the door and stepped outside. The unfamiliar sun stung her eyes a bit causing her to squint before she adjusted to it.

“…. How hard was it to just change clothes? I know my sister’s size may not be the exact same as yours but she does have some loose gowns.” Bradley averted his eyes and spoke in what he hoped was his usual tone.

“You’re the one who made an emphasis on dressing properly. Besides, the clothes feel uncomfortable.” Zenyr tugged at the waist of the lavender purple gown she was wearing.

“I think it looks good though.” Bradley looked at her again and nodded. In order to disguise her appearance, her hair color had changed from pink to black and her skin was disguised as a human’s own.

‘Still, she…’ Her features were quite different from what he was used to. While she was in her normal, alien form, he wasn’t affected by it. But seeing her as a human, she was.

“Beautiful.” He subconsciously muttered causing her to look at him.

“Hmm?” Zenyr tilted her head. For safety’s sake, she had temporarily withdrawn her feelers to her body. The sensitivity was dulled so even though she was able to sense something from him, she couldn’t tell what it was.

“It’s nothing important… Just thought that you looked nice in those clothes.” For a moment, a lie was at the tip of his tongue until he realized that he had nothing to lie about. Still, there was a small piece of embarrassment lodged somewhere withing him.

‘What am I, a maiden?’ he laughed at himself internally and started walking.

“Let’s go.”

….

“Ara, Bradley? How are you doing?” not long after leaving the house, an elderly woman called out to Bradley and he stiffened up slightly and turned to her.

“Good morning, Mrs. Claire.” He greeted with a small smile and the woman nodded satisfied.

“How are your parents? I haven’t heard from them in a while. Are they on another trip?” Mrs. Claire asked

“When are they not? Even now, I don’t know what part of the world they’re in.” Bradley shrugged to show his helplessness and his neighbor laughed.

‘Good. Perhaps she won’t ask about Zenyr.’ He relaxed a little.

“By the way, who’s the lovely lady by your side? I don’t think I’ve seen her before.” Mrs. Claire’s eyes suddenly sharpened as she narrowed her gaze on Zenyr, almost causing Bradley to flinch.

“She’s—”

“My name is Zenyr. I’m an associate of his parents and I was staying in his place due to various reasons.” Zenyr did not even flinch and with graceful movements, greeted the woman.

For the first time in a while, scratch that… the first time ever, he felt the gracefulness one would normally expect from a noble or an envoy.

‘Of which she is both.’ Bradley thought and the sharpness in his neighbor’s eyes receded and she flashed a bright smile at Zenyr.

“You pass. Please take care of our Bradley. Despite how he may act, he is a kind and caring boy.” Mrs. Claire said.

“I will.” Zenyr nodded firmly and the two women exchanged looks and smiled at each other.

‘What just happened?’ Bradley stood there confused until Zenyr tugged at his hand and the two of them continued moving.

“Darling, have you seen the paper?” Mr. David, Mrs. Claire’s husband called out from inside the house.

“Not yet. Though I did see something interesting.” Mrs. Claire looked in the direction the two of them headed off in and a faint smile appeared on her slightly aged face.

‘I’m sure they don’t know it yet but please, let them reach the best conclusion.’ She offered a prayer to the heavens and headed back inside.