I suddenly couldn’t exactly remember where I was coming from or what I had planned on doing. Why was I out here? What was I planning on doing? What had happened? I couldn’t even remember waking up, much less how I got here.

Must be a dream then, I thought to myself. If my inability to remember anything a minute prior wasn’t an indication of it, then certainly the fact that I was in a floating apartment building was.

The walkway I was standing was home to a series of completely identical doors, the only differentiating feature being the plaques on each that numbered them. I felt a sudden pull towards door 504. I’m on the fifth floor then? For some reason, the thought struck me as hilarious. The fifth floor in a floating apartment building? Wild.

I casually walked toward it and then stopped in front of it, listening for just a moment. Voices were talking with each other. It was quiet enough that I couldn’t really make out the words but I could tell from the timbre and pitch that it was an elderly couple.

I knocked on the door.

There was a rustle of movement and a question not directed towards me. Some shuffling and suddenly I was staring at a rather wizened face, long white beard and all. The chain lock was still on so it was only opened a few inches but it was enough. He looked so lifelike that I could almost touch him.

“Na’va toblinki?” He responded.

Odd that there would be a language barrier. I couldn’t think of any dream before that had one.

“Na’va toblinki?” This time with a little more of a questioning tone.

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

He stared at me intently and I returned his heavy gaze with something broaching impassivity. I really couldn’t get over how lifelike he was. His eyes scoured over me, probably noting the fact that I was in my underwear and a graphic tee.

Instead of responding to my initial question, the man held up a finger and then closed the door. I took it to mean that he would be gone only a moment but he was gone long enough that I started to wonder if I should wander off in search of some other adventure before I would awake.

But soon enough the man returned, shuffling as he did. This time he opened the door more fully, having removed the lock from its hook. He extended out a hand, shaking but not out of fear, if the glint in his eyes were at all pertinent. Likely due to old age or something. The object in his hand, though, caught my attention.

A pendant dangled in the breeze. It was a simple one, ordained with a shining red ruby in the center. He gestured for me to take it so I did.

“Um, thanks, I guess…”

I held it in my hands, noticing how cool it felt and stood there before him, not knowing what exactly I should be doing.

He chuckled to himself before taking the pendant out of my hands and putting it around my neck.

“There, now can you understand?”

“I can understand you?” I asked, more to myself than to him.

“Aye. That there is an enchanted trader’s amulet. Let's ya speak in the language of the Mishanite traders. Also just so happens to be the common tongue.” He clapped me on the shoulder as he spoke. “You look a little bit lost, ain’t that right? I can’t say I’ve ‘er seen clothes that look like them there.”

“Yea, you could say I’m from a far away place. Where are we now, exactly?”

He looked at me sternly for a second, likely trying to decide if I was punking him or not. He must have concluded that I wasn’t because he responded.

“Mishan.”

The look in his eyes was a mix of bewilderment and a stoniness that was so strong I began to feel awkward. I scratched the back of my head as I asked what was an even more absurd question. His gaze

“And where is that exactly?” I asked sheepishly.

His leery gaze sized me up one more time before responding.

“Northeast of the Yaton Dynasty. Boy, do you really not know where ya are?”

“No, not in the slightest.” I avoided his gaze, suddenly feeling even more self-conscious than before. I’m so awkward that I can’t even handle a conversation in my dreams, I thought to myself.

“How’d’ya get here?”

I shrugged my shoulders at him. “I’m not sure. All I really remember is being on this walkway here.

“What’d’ ya mean ya jus’ ‘member being ‘ere on the walkway?’” His tone was more quizzical than accusatory which eased my nerves. I also picked up on a slight tremble in his voice that was probably related to the shaking hands issue.

“I don’t know. My memory doesn’t stretch far back enough. All I can say is that I’ve never been here or even heard of this place.”

Suddenly, an elderly lady appeared, shuffling around in a bonnet and simple dress. Her back was terribly hunched but she didn’t appear to be in much pain.

“Who’s that, Tamul?

The old man, Tamul, turned and looked at her, giving her a warm and gentle smile. He spoke softly, as if she were so delicate his voice might cause her to shatter. “This is a new friend.” He turned to me. “What’s yer name?”

“Uh, Griffin, sir.”

“Welcome Griffin. I’m Tamul and this ‘ere lovely young lady is Rayna.”

Without looking at him, the woman gave him a light push, a faint smile dancing across her lips.

He motioned me inside.

♠

To say I was warmly received would be an understatement. Tamul cooked me some porridge and Rayna even provided me with some of Tamul’s clothes to wear. Of course, it wasn’t anything fancy. A simple brown shirt, and some dark-colored trousers along with a pair of shoes were provided.

I was seated at their table, working very slowly through the food. I was surprised by how good the food tasted. In fact, it was so concrete, the tastes so genuine, that I started to wonder if this was really all just a dream.

“So, ya say all’s ya ‘member was being out there?” Tamul was cradling a hot cup of tea, the tremor in his hands worrying me that he would spill on himself.

“Yea.”

“Well ain’t that just the darndest,” Rayna said from the sink, having placed down the dish she was currently scrubbing to look at me. An amalgamation of gears, pipes, valves, and gauges took up most of the wall. It was a monstrosity, at least ten feet wide and equally as long. Attached to it was the sink Rayna was using, the main pipe leading back into the monstrosity and then down below the floorboards. It looked like all the water ran through the system. Antique cupboards lined the rest of the walls and floor.

“Do ya ‘member where ya came from?” Tamul asked.

“Yea, sir, I do. Although, this is gonna sound a bit crazy.” I couldn’t help but be embarrassed by how ridiculous it all was.

“What’s that?”

“Well, I’ll be honest. I’m not even sure… that I’m from the same planet.” To say those words, outloud, was certainly odd and, with the hot porridge against my lips, I really did feel as if this were real life.

The two had looked at each other as I spoke. It was only a glance but for some reason, a chill went down my spine.

“Hmmm. Interesting. And what is yer world like?” Tamul responded.

“For one, we don’t have magic.” I lifted up the amulet. “We also don’t have technology like this anymore.” I motioned to the weird mechanical contraption.

He nodded, as if he understood exactly what I was talking about.

“Rayna and I ain’t no mages so I can’t say a whole lot on this business but I ain’t ever seen clothes like yers so I think it’s fair to say that ya were brought here by a spell.”

“A spell? Like a teleportation one?”

“Somethin’ like that. Listen, like I said, I ain’t no mage so don’t go takin’ my word to the stake. All’s I’m sayin’ is that clearly ya ain’t no commoner like us.”

Rayna had shuffled over while he was speaking and tugged at his shirt a little, looking at him expectantly.

“Don’t ya think ole Zeckmas might know a thing or two?” she said.

He rubbed his beard at that and leaned back into his chair. “Zeckmas. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the old geezer but that might be a good place to start.”

“What might he know? Like how I got here?”

They both nodded in response. Tamul explained. “He’s a High Mage. Mean’s he’s top of the food chain over ‘ere down on ground level. I use’ah work with him back in the day at the factory. We made ‘em magic lanterns and he did the runes. Might be able to get ya in touch. I’ll go down ta’marra.”

“Oh wow, thank you,” I said, not really knowing what else to say.

“‘Course. It’s jus’ the Mishan way.” He smiled gently.

I returned to my porridge and finished it up. Feeling overwhelmed by the hospitality, I asked if I could be of service, to return the favor.

“Ain’t no problem, dearie. I might be old but that don’t mean ’m old enough to need

help,” Rayna said.

“No, really, put me to use. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

She looked at me, deciding. Eventually, she relented and I was set to work. It was nice in an odd way. I wasn’t really one to love chores back on Earth but with the company of these two, it made it kinda fun. Plus I got to ask a lot of questions, my natural curiosity taking over.

“So we’re floating in the sky. How does that work?” I was currently washing dishes, having just learned how to operate the faucet since it was connected to the mechanical contraption, which was apparently called the ‘central plumbing system’ but they just called it the plumbing system for short.

Tamul answered. “Well, it’s a bit o’ magic and a bit o’ science. Steampower is how we get these ‘ere machines runnin’ and magic keeps it powered. Big ole propellers keep us floatin’.”

“Wow, that’s pretty crazy.”

“I can see why it might seem like that.” He chuckled. “A large portion of the city lives up ‘ere in the sky with us. Mostly the poorer folks. If ya take a good look outside, you’ll seem ‘em floaters all over the place.”

Now that he said that, I did remember seeing quite a few in the distance.

“That’s incredible. A floating city…”

The conversation continued to wander about until I had to excuse myself for a bathroom break. They pointed me to the bathroom and I made my way over. It certainly wasn’t anything to write home about. A single toilet, a shower with curtains and a sink were the only things in there.

It was all such craziness, even for a dream. Here I was, pissing in a flying apartment building, wearing a magical amulet translator and hanging out with old people. Not only that but the old couple were going to set me up with some high magic dude.

I heard a faint knocking on the entryway door outside. Must be another visitor. I finished my business and went to wash my hands when I heard two shots in quick succession. My body froze, the water still running over my hands.

Boy. Another voice echoed inside my head. Awake now. A miscalculation on my part or perhaps the interference of another god. Regardless, now my power wanes. You must survive. Within the space of a single breath, clarity returned like a tidal wave, sweeping over me.