A Planning Session

Lerato and I were the last to return to the base. By the time the simple grey buildings came into view, the others had already settled around a pleasant orange campfire.

I had to wonder why fire remained the same color I could see. Was fire universally the same color in all worlds? Come to think of it, was the grey colors I saw in this world the same grey as I might see in another world? Could I be sure a grey tree was the same grey as a grey paint?

I shook my head and pushed the questions aside. If I had time to think about colors, I had time to try to recall my missing memories.

The group was engaged in a lively chat as we came close to the fire.

“I’m telling you, the steaks they had on that floating world were to die for!” Pythagoras was happily saying.

“No, we got that last time,” Casey shot back.

“Ah, is it time?” Lerato said as he sat down near the fire. I followed suit, though I stayed a little further from the flame and the discussion.

“Yes, it is!” Orrin happily declared while putting his hands on his hips. His green eyes darted my way; it was as if he was waiting for me to ask what was going on. I sighed and humored him.

“What are we talking about?”

“Ah, yes, this would be your first time,” Pythagoras began. He cleared his throat like he was about to give a long speech. “Well, you see. Orrin here can freely travel between worlds. He can leap out back to this one from any place in any world. However, this ability takes several days to recharge—that is to say, he has to use it carefully, or he may spend several days trapped in a world.

As an added effect of his ability, we can accompany him, and he can pull us out. As such, we have made it an occasion to pick up delicious meals whenever the ability is ready to go!”

The orange-yellow goblin finished his explanation with a rather odd way to use such impressive power.

“How about we get shish kababs from that world with the giant insects again!” Lerato happily said.

“I told you, those kababs were made with the insects… I’m not eating them again!” Casey added.

“We should get the cupcakes from that shop on Hauteur,” Enas suggested.

“Oh, those were pretty good….” Pythagoras added.

“We can’t keep eating junk food!” Casey tried to argue.

“That eliminates about all of our options then,” Lerato said with a laugh.

Orrin began to chuckle.

“Fear not, my trusting friends; I have a great plan for what we shall get this time!”

The others made worried expressions.

“Why don’t we let Kiko suggest a place to eat,” Casey suggested in a hurry.

“Agreed!” Enas seconded.

Orrin let his head hang slightly.

“Guys, I picked a good one this time,” he said in a dejected tone. He quickly bounced back to his happy self, “Besides, Kiko can’t remember any good places to get food.”

He spoke the truth, but he didn’t have to say it so bluntly. My lips turned to a frown as Orrin carried on with convincing the group. At the same time, a desire for a flavor seemed to come to me. It was vague, but I felt like I had once had a favorite dish that was trying to return to my thoughts.

I tried to focus on the thought, but I could not recall where I ate the dish or what it was called. After some time of trying, I gave up and focused back on the conversation.

“I suppose you can pick this time, but it better be good,” Enas said with a roll of his blue eyes.

The others had reluctantly decided to let Orrin pick the shopping trip, wherever it was. The conversation quickly changed after the matter had been decided. They moved on to the next topic, and unfortunately, it was a topic I didn’t want to cover.

“Have any memories come back, Kiko?” Orrin asked with genuine curiosity.

I shook my head.

“They don’t just come back, Orrin; you ought to know that,” Pythagoras said.

“Well, she remembered her name! Maybe she’s slowly getting them back now!” Orrin tried to defend himself.

He wasn’t wrong, but I didn’t feel like sharing what else I saw in my dream.

“I heard blunt force could help recovery,” Lerato suggested with a grin.

“If we find a good enough surgeon, they might be able to do something,” Enas added with a serious face.

I shook my head vehemently at both suggestions.

“I bet I could make a machine that might jostle a memory or two loose,” Pythagoras continued.

“Nothing like that worked for me, but maybe you’ll have better luck!” Orrin said with a thumbs up.

I slid back from the group slightly. They began to laugh, save for Casey, who only shook her head. She put a large, furry hand on my shoulder.

“It’s in poor taste, but they are joking,” she reassured me. The others flashed smiles at me in unison.

“Whether you get your memories back, it will be alright. We will always make time to tease you!” Orrin said with a smile.

I didn’t feel very reassured.

“But perhaps we should go a little easier on her for a while,” Lerato laughed.

“Or, maybe don’t do it,” I suggested. Orrin, Lerato, and Pythagoras looked at each other a moment before shaking their heads.

“Nah,” they said in unison. Enas’ stiff expression didn’t change, but I felt like he agreed with them.

I let my head hang down in defeat. The conversation took several more turns through the night and through several topics, as each person seemed to have plenty to say.