The only sound that could be heard was the swinging zipline harness. The Gedeh Fairgrounds was in desperate need of repairs. The auditorium had long ago started showing its wood, to the point that only the grandparents could remember what the original color of the paint was. Likewise with the cabins that doubled as storefronts during the Carnival. The windows in the food service area had been removed because of all the times that it had been vandalized. It was always humid in the summer. Even at night, it always felt like a sauna was turned on too high. So, when the wind turned cold, those that were outside welcomed the change. No one expected thunder. The weather forecast (which are always a little off) promised clear night skies perfect for stargazing. People were inclined to believe the reports because the day had been cloudless. Two lightening bolts reaching down into the earth, clutching at it’s core and opening a gateway that allowed two beings to emerge from the collision. Then they were gone as quickly as they appeared. The land under their feet reemerged as the lightening dispersed across the night sky in a silvery haze. A natural light show in the middle of the county fairgrounds transported the Chi twins in the middle of the night. Gold mist hung in the air as the two new arrivals settled into existence. The force displaced by their transportation came back with a force that would have level forests if it could, but the siblings did not feel it. No pizazz, no fanfare, away from prying eyes. Orodena Chi scanned the campus for onlooker while Isio stood stock still.
"Shocked that worked. Maybe we can complete this mission without causing too much of a stir."
After a spell, Orodena turned to see his twin staring in front of them incredulously.
“This,” they motioned around themselves. “Is Ormigiah?” Though their voice was measured, her face betrayed their disgust, almost immediately regretting the decision they made.
“When the lights come on, it will be better,” Orodena comforted Isio. Isio, looked around, her disappointment settling further in. She felt the air around her scratch at her skin, whis=ch is something that she didn’t know would happen.
“SO, how long do we have to wait here before we are taken to our destination?” Isio asked, trying to get used to the idea that they may be here for a while. Orodena was silent for a while, causing Isio to turn in their direction.
“You have to be joking,” she responded to the look on his face. Orodena shrugged, unaffected. “How do we not have transportation coming?”
“We didn’t notify anyone that we were coming?” He raised an eyebrow at his sister. “Look, their home is never too far from where we land. If anything, it’s just right up the road-”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better, Dena,” Isio whined. “I thought this was supposed to be a simple mission-”
“You thought that finding someone who spent fifty years on Ormigiah, cultivating a life and learning to blend i-”
“Okay, I get it,” Isio scoffed. “So, we are looking for the Baraquins, correct?” Isio asked, looking around her for some clues.
“Yes. I think if we just follow the road, we will be on the right track.” With that, Orodena headed towards the entrance of the park, leaving Isio to spare one more glance at the fairgrounds. She ignored the void of sound that she sensed and followed her brother, which would explain why she didn’t notice the grass dying and her feet. Or the buildings behind her twisting slightly on their axis.
Day began to break as the Orodena and Isio made their way to the front door of the Baraquin residence.
“How do we know he will be in there?” Isio asked her brother.
“The only way to find out is to check,” he replied, knocking on the door. They heard rustling papers inside before steps approached them. A tall lanky man dressed in a blue three piece suit answered the door as he adjusted his glasses.
“Can I help you?” He asked the pair.
“Aubrey Baraquin. We are looking for our sibling, Anaborhi Chi, and we were wondering if we could ask you a few questions.” Isio beamed at the man, who seemed to look over her head at her bantu knots.
“We believe you encountered them-”
“You guys just come on in,” Aubrey looked at the young man with a fade haircut. “You guys are going to have a lot of questions.” He moved out of the doorway for the two deities, ushering them into his home.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” Aubrey commented, leading the two deities into his office just off of his foyer. Isio looked around her, noticing that she actually couldn’t see the end of the house.
“We tend to take a subtle approach,” Isio offered.
“We who?” Aubrey asked, as the settled into the chairs around the desk
“The Baloq like to show up without a lot of fanfare,” Isio clarified. Orodena turned towards his sister, crossing his arms.
“Really?” Aubrey asked. Isio nodded her head enthusiastically, causing her brother to snicker at her. “Hmm,” Aubrey nodded his head. “I remember when they showed up during my time, we thought a village had been destroyed off.”
“Well, Anaborhi has always been a bit of a showoff,” Isio offered, her enthusiasm wavering slightly.
“And my grandfather thought the ground was opening up when Ogba showed up.” Orodena at Aubrey’s admission and Isio’s frown. “I think he even said the neighboring town-” Aubrey continued, unfazed by Orodena’s outburst
“We’re trying to keep a low profile,” Isio mumbled, as Orodena tried to keep himself in his chair during his fits of laughter. Aubrey simply nodded his head. “Can you tell us where to find them?” she asked.
“In the time that I knew Anaborhi, we didn’t have time to map out their path through the rest of this world.” Aubrey stood up from his chair, going to the bookshelf behind his desk.
“Well, is there anything-” Isio started.
“I might not have talked to them,” Aubrey cut in. “But it doesn’t mean that I didn’t have anything.” Aubrey turned back to the pair, a book in each hand. “If you guys are here to retrieve them, I know it’s bad. These are the accounts of Anaborhi, in their own words.”
“I do have a question,” Orodena had finally stopped laughing and righted himself in his chair. “How do you know not to deem us a certain gender.”
“My father always told me to never judge a book by the cover, especially when it comes to you guys,’ Aubrey shook his head, as if he remembered something fondly. “So,shall we get to work?”
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