Against your better judgement, you agree, shaking her hand. As soon as your fingers touch, you feel a slight
spark, and are sure you saw a tiny green flash. The pain succumbs to the pleasant feeling of her soft hands.
She smiles at you, and then releases your hand.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Naeima." She said, confidence in her voice. You smiled.
"Hello." You reply nervously. "You said something about… getting to the lake?" Naeima put a finger to her chin
and thought for a moment.
"Hmmm… Yes! You're right. I can help you." She sighed then, her excitement dying away. "But it's difficult. It
will take you places you've never even imagined, and you sure as hell won't come out as the same person. I
mean, I don't really want to put you through all that if you don't want to. If you want to change your mind,
it's OK." She paused, looking at you expectantly.
You aren't entirely sure what to say. Who knows where you want to go now? Maybe you want to stay with this
strange girl, but maybe you want to go to the lake, or even maybe you want to just go home. You sigh and shake
your head, conflicting thoughts flying from your ears into the nigh silent forest. Naeima interrupts your
ideas, sensing your confusion.
"It may be the best time of your life. You may never want to go back. But who am I to tell you? I've certainly
never been there. I just know the way." She stops, but you don't speak. There is a silence where the purple in
her eyes penetrates yours, and you feel a clearing in your mind. You still say nothing, however.
"Here's what I'll do. I shall create two vortexes: one will take you home, and one will start your journey to
the lake. I can't come with you though. I don't go to the lake. But beware: your home can be just a dangerous
as the lake. I mean, look at mine!" She gestured to the forest and giggled. You laugh along with her
nervously, fiddling with the hem of your jacket. Naeima turns from you and waves her hands, fingers flexing in
many different ways, some you didn't even know were possible.
In front of the girl, two dark blue orbs began to swirl and grow, spreading and multiplying into thousands of
different colours. They expanded and spread outwards until two person-sized ovals of colour swished around
before you.
"The one on the left will take you home. The one on the right will begin the journey. Take your pick." She
smiled gently.
What now?