(GE Copy) (Uncut Edition)

Chapter 9: When Learning of Nothing

“I wanted to have a chapter where the town was invaded and attacked by an army of ravenous blood thirsty squirrels like an Alfred Hitchcock movie... But we got this instead.”

“I’m getting really tired of this deep shit.” Aaron opened up, the reconstituted schoolcafeteria potatoes sliding into his mouth unattentively. Somehow so distracted, that the acidic metal taste of the ‘quality’ spuds didn’t make him gag as would normally. “One of us is gonna break. Either I’m gonna find out what is causing all this stress or be rid of the frustration eternally.”

“I could go for a break.” Zackery forwarded.

“Request accepted, and stamped, here’s your paper...” Aaron replied, stretching the tension from his face in his palms as he exasperated. “I’m starting to think an adventure to the candy store is in order, while it’s still in business... Heaven forbid it lead to someone’s basement. Really tired of getting kidnapped, having guns pointed at me,” Zack nodding to each bullet point, “Bad men doing bad things, running for my life, having no one I can talk to about any of this...” Briefly pausing for a solemn grief. “It’s a miracle we made it out of there. They would have killed us. I... I Almost killed someone. I thought it was all over with the big incident, but noooo, bunch of guys show up, throw us in the back of their white van, and taunt us into submission.”

Zack piped in. “If it’s not armies of squirrels with state quarterbacks, the Rune Scribblers from Outter Space... I can’t remember much more, yeah, just those and the Penticton thing... I’m not sure we can escape this at this point.”

“She told me, the ghost lady.... That... I have some kind of, special eyes. The kind that just... See. That I can’t help it. Said one day I’d have to blind myself or accept it. I guess when I wanted all this I never knew what it would entail. How much fear, and running, and anger there’d be, how many people are brutes, how big the playing field is... And the more I see the deeper it gets.”

“You know what was cool...” Aaron looking onto Zack as he said it. “Finding that gem... We were sore and tired, and I hated every moment of it, but...”

“No one tried to kill us?” Aaron cut quickly.

“The satisfaction of that day fueled me for days, well into the dangers, knowing there was such great wealth to be had.”

“Well, there would be if Sophie’s dad had the wallet for a research fund...” Aaron slouched, dreaming of the unlikely possibility. “Speaking of which, I got some things to ask him. After we came home, we just kind of accepted what happened and left for a nice bed.”

Just then, some guy came to their table, tongue tied and unable to really mark the reason for his visitation. His eyes looked dreary, unable to really fix onto them. He left a napkin on their table. Sliding it towards Aaron, he left, awkwardly. Staggering away at first, but then shied his sight entirely in silence. “The hell’s that?” Zachery dumbfounded himself, ever fixed on the paper. In fact everyone was. And when Sophie is nervous about something, you know it’s freaking strange. Aaron wiped his nose, rubbing the outside along the bottom of the bridge. They all looked intently on the paper, each wondering what kind of strange insignia was on it, threat or message of endearment. Zack let out a huff between pursed lips. Could be anything. Sophie’s eyes working hard to indicate it’s potential for either ensnarement or black market custard sales, perhaps both. It’s arrival was very auspicious indeed. Aaron’s forehead fell into palm, still fixed to let it not leave his sight as he gripped his skin harder.

Slamming his fist down, Aaron snagged the paper. “Thuck it.” Opening the folded napkin, his eyes dismayed, hanging his head loosely. “The Childrens Help Hotline? Are you shitting me!?”

Aaron felt the same slimy feeling in his stomach as he approached the mechanized door. They entered as was normal, and Sophie called her Father up from the depths. He declined his appearance for the time being until he risen some half hour later to find the trio vegetating on highschool romance shows, and popcorn. “Kids...” He announced, still wiping the liquid soot from the cracks of his fingers. “You caught me as I was installing the isocore.” The grey under his eyes speaking the sleepless hours in between their last meeting. “I couldn’t be helped, not until it could register any more... Visitors. You’re safe now. I feel I owe you at least that. It’s very important that the people who spend so much time with my daughter are treated well... It keeps her off the streets... And the cats on it.”

“She’d have to catch one first.” One of the boys remarked under their breath, not wanting to be identified of who said it.

“I’ve... I’ve not much to offer you, for... For being there for us, caught up as you were. I... Boys, please know you have my utmost gratitude. Though it dumbfounds me how all such things should align as they did, I suppose it makes either skeptics of us or give faith. I’m not a religious man. I have knowledge which inundates such ideology but even that I suppose could be subject to the larger karmatic force. But... Now that you know these things. It’s going to be harder for you. In fact, the debt I owe you is gaining interest as we speak. Perhaps for the rest of our lives... With...” Looking back down the stairs. “With the isocore I can detect any of the new model ships from a distance. Far enough to give ample warning, and protection. If I were the man of war to accept their blood so easily, there would not be a breath to utter our names but that mercy makes us vandals. A name, by those alive to speak it. My home is open to you, as was, but, should you ever need anything... And in time, my daughter’s hand, should the spirit be within you to do so.” The shock taking the room by surprise. “She will grow, but I’d be damned if the twist off doughnuts walking Stagalnia would ever amount any luxury as such. Stupid truly does walk the streets.”

Still utterly flustered. “Whoa, now, that escalated quickly.” Zackery uttered.

Sputtering “I, I can’t.” Aaron confessed.

Sophie utterly flush with embarrassment “I know I offered him already, but you can’t just up and say shit like that around us!”

“Oh...” Belship halted. “He already knows. Good then. She’s picked a fine upstanding and intelligent person. You’ve already fulfilled three of the four requisites.”

“I wouldn’t, I couldn’t. It’s not like that.” Aaron shied away.

“In either case, I’m still giving her a few years so don’t go sipping from the wine before it’s finished aging.”

“FATHER!” Sophie shot out.

“So...” Aaron commented, his demeanour returned after they sorted out the awkwardness. Albeit, very awkwardly and for much longer than was comfortable. “This is what you’ve kept down here?” Following Belship into the workshop as they came to agree upon for their partial reward as of right now.

In behind, Zachery stumbled down. “At least we didn’t have to wait like five years to see what was in the basement.” Remarking, still trying to find his steps.

Flicking the switch at the bottom, Belship welcomed. The stairwell above altering like a disappearing box trick. “You wanted to know what the world looks like, from a safe distance. This is the accumulation of knowledge that has been gathered from other worlds, and my own research... None of which has been translated to your tongue.”

“Language?”

“Tongue.” He assured. Inside was a haven which made Sophie’s junk drawer sleeping quarters look like a second hand Electronic Boutique. It was rustic like a car shop, filled with welding equipment and saws but bore a style which shone like a future no one envisioned in any movie or concept art. Some of the tools and spaces had a radiant hue which at times blinded their sight the closer they got to it. Although it couldn’t really be said to be brighter, it merely cut the light from meeting their eyes like a bright invisible fog. Behind them, was another room. One which seemed more cluttered with equipment than even the garage for what little they ever saw of it.

Aaron marveled. “I was expecting plasma bulbs, and theremins and shit.” Walking the space once over. “Be nice if I knew what any of this did.”

Nodding, a pride overcame Belship, and he rambled it together through his sleepy eyes. “The main table is the constructor. It has a hollow inside.” Belship demonstrated, the opening panel. “From there it can off gas as it needs, if it is being welded, platorized, or caltonically rebinded... These” Catching himself. “These words don’t bare much to you, but they are processes which material is molecularity shifted between it’s inherent subpartner. The potential for it’s material presence. The outside we see is merely a result of that potential so if it is reprogrammed, the material alters it’s chemistry to fulfill that potential before it’s set in it’s new resting position. As of such, it emits radiations and carapuls, which are highly volatile ‘spaces’.”

“So, one matter gets turned into another? Like alchemy?”

“I’d have a quip about alchemy, but there wouldn't be enough time to get through the tour if I did. The top side of this table also functions as a work area. The off gassing, depending on the extraction, can process fuel so I’ve taken to turning plastic wastes. It saves about fifteen dollars a month on garbage services, and it can operate my ‘soldering iron’. This piece here can impregnate material with new material under the surface, and in three dimensions for complex circuitry. It can go down to the nucleon for scale reliably so a computer can be made out of a solid, sturdy sphere and of dense lightweight material. It also works between the oxidation layers as your people understand, thus creates a similar effect to cold welding, but I’d refer to it as sewing stone with more malleable stone. These here are transmitters, which accept frequencies of energy that pulse through the vacuum of space such as solar flares or the differentials between gravitational pulls and collect a charge. On a ship, it would be used as a short range navigation aid to avoiding debris at high speed by analyzing the native distortions that travel. You ever wonder why spaceships in movies never run into anything at warp speed? This is the real life device that makes that logical miracle happen. Now it just wirelessly powers the three devices I have no extra plugs for.”

Bored out of his mind, “I don’t suppose you have any devices that make clothes invisible, do you?” Zackery inquired, starting to later see the brilliance in his request.

“A man does not give another man such tools when his daughter does not wear lead clothes.”

“That’s a no, isn’t it?...”

Sighing, he scratched his head in full disclosure. “It’s possible, and can be made easily depending on the application and how you want it to function... And no, I’m not giving you one.”

“How about hover boards?” Aaron inquired.

“This generation...” Shaking his head. “Would you like holigrams and a cellphone installed with that?”

Aaron and Zack both look at each other, his sarcastic tones going over their heads. “You mean it’s doable?” “Yeah, sure, if can add it.” simultaneously overlapping the other.

“Ay, I asked...” Belship dismayed. “I’ll probably skim over that request. Is there anything practical?”

“Laser sword.” “Plasma Rifle... Preferably with aim assist.” Overlapping the other again. Groaning at the boys, they continued to fit his available commission. “All in one survival kit” “Portal gun” Still shaking his head “Invisible suit” “Replicator... Oh... That’s a good one, Aaron...”

Their wildest dreams washed off Belship like the water off a ducks back. “Then... What’s ain’t a waste of your time?” Zack questioned, half expecting his offer to be a bluff altogether.

“You could bring calm to your neighbours with a light wave that brings them peace... A nutrient which mimics any sustenance a person is lacking... Perhaps something that halts the degradation of our genetics...” But having no desire for the things Belship suggested, Zack turned to marvel at the pretty lights and let Santa get back to his workshop.

But Aaron caught him off guard “The knowledge to do these things ourselves...”

Belship smiled, with a hint of pride towards them. “That’s not a device... I was really hoping you’d spout out some inspiration or youthful revolution amidst that ruckus. Such that would level my dreams into selfisness... But I was wrong...”

“Is that a no, too?”

“I understand the creativity in men, that desire, it should be cherished... Even if short sighted by fancy toys and trinkets. Still, I’d suggest thinking more carefully over such things because the price of them is much higher than you will likely ever be owed again in the future. I’d be much more inclined to bestow knowledge, it grows many more miracles than a commission they know not how to operate... But this process is long and arduous... Do you truly wish to know these things, Aaron?”

“I’m gonna be the first to admit, that I’m not smart.” Zack opened, “My test scores are abhorring, and I flunked the introductory to web design two years running. You guys can run your collage course, I’m gonna be calling in on that party favour.”

“Very well Zachery... But I’m going to give you a weeks’ time to think of what really matters to you before getting to work on your harebrained hot rod. And nothing freaking huge! I can scarcely pay my bills as it is! I’m sure you can come up with something valuable, given time... Is there anything else you want to know about?”

Aaron was brimming to learn more from the tech shop, but watched disappointed as Zack went for the up stairs. “Not overly,” Zack confessed, trying to figure out the stair mechanism. “Sure I could cruise the catalogue but you want my creativity, so I’m gonna go get some inspiration from the TV.”

With Zachery out of the room, they continued, Sophie tinkering with the newer additions. Belships tour followed the same structure of dry, yet fascinating explanations. From devices that could alter gravity, which they used on ships, to matter converters which also made it into the ship catalogue. It seemed most things were scrapped from somewhere, or recreated at one point from an original model. Some, still corroded from physical assault, and smoke staining. In the back, for what little they saw, were old pieces of disassembled metal hull and electronics aside more scrap. The whole sight left Aaron uneasy. Picking up a metal bead, he turned it over to see the deformation, before dropping the bullet tip on the ground beside him; making sense of the perforations he saw from bullet holes to shrapnel. The ghosts of a war field. Belship lead them out, and managed to give a lesson on the practical use of everything else. So, to spare you the details which I’m certain you’re all excited to hear about: Aaron was happy to finally leave the dungeon and remember what fresh air smelled like again. Even the sound of whatever idiotic show Zachery was watching was refreshing.

“Sophie,” Aaron called, as her Father left earshot for the facilities. “I really hope that he doesn’t teach the whole lessons like he does his tours. It’s really bland. Not saying his stuff ain’t cool with how it works and what it does but... He kinda strikes me as more of a Mr. Simos Math class kind of guy.”

“Aaron...” Sympathizing to him

“I’m gonna get what I’m gonna get, aren’t I?...”

“That certain does simplify it, yeah... Not everyone can be a Mrs. Newhouse, but you’ll get a lot further with my dad than they’ll ever teach you in class. I’ve mostly grown to appreciate it as a vacation excuse to think about my next projects aside a mental exorcism. If not for my legal obligations, you know...”

“I’m bored.” Zack mentioned, walking past towards his shoes “You’re sticking around for his after school lesson?”

Aaron confirmed. “The sooner, the better. I gotta figure out this world’s next move on screwing us over, before we run out of luck in squeezing out of it. You sure you rather not know?”

“Dude’s half asleep as it is.” Tying off the laces “Try not to suffer an annurism. They’ll have to call an ambulance up from Penticton if you want to see a real working hospital. Anyway I got a future to plan, peace...”

“I should attend to my work as well...” Sophie mentioned.

“You gonna leave me all alone on this, huh?” Putting a few pieces together in his head. “Is it that bad?”

“Would you sit down for a kindergarten class for shits and giggles? You’re on your own.” Ditching for her room without time for him to answer.

“Right...” Belship announced, freshly relieved. “Get comfortable...”

Sitting down, Aaron thought to his morning. He was happy to be given this knowledge, but the questions from earlier still troubled him. “I feel like I gotta ask, so... I’m sorry if I’m going beyond the payment of my lessons with this, but... As a friend; what is the story with all this? Medieval castles, space vikings, this ‘Stagna’ place how the future clashes with the past, and how we’re the few that can actually see all this stuff.”

“To understand that, you must first come to understand what binds it. You’re science only explains this archaic realm, all it knows is this realm, because that is what it was built to do. It was a land of cohesion, of simplicity made for simplicity sake for simple people and don’t think for a moment that’s an insult.”

“What about the quantum science? How close is that to bringing us to understand what else is out there?”

“If anything, its’ construct is the first step in understanding there is more to this, just not by it’s results... But I fear by the rate of entropy for your kind, that, that dream will be no more than the knights fantasy we are told as children. Just something for someone to dream about. To be made a silly concept, and tucked away under their pillow... These...” Taking a heavy yawn. “These nights are going to catch up with me...” Getting up for his refreshment.

“What, are we all going to devolve back into cavemen?”

“I suppose I should begin to explain the method. Stagalnia, the realm we are in now, is particularly unique. What your science has explained is a fraction of it’s foundation, but outside of that, is Tapia, Alban, Lucalieh, and anywhere else you could name, speak it and there it is. Eupah, Gwam, and so on. There are nearly infinite, and yet more being created even now as we breath. Like a biom, it adheres to it’s own constructs. The inherent design.” Belship listed, choosing between his varying levels of wake up brew from the cupboard, then settled on a medium roast. “Where I have the knowledge, I lack the power that a child could pass through and thus I am limited to the first three I mentioned, and obvious Stagalnia.” Smacking his lips exhaustively “Tapia is like the cervix, the intermediary space between life and birth, but Stagalnia still refuses to leave the womb and is diving for a miscarriage. The silk wrapped cocoon of it’s passages are like the placenta to protect it.” Filling the coffee filter, he continued. “It appears like an earth but is only tunnels through existence, like a welding of past journeys linked somatically. Like the tiny holes in this coffee filter, arguably solid, but try to hold water in it.” Closing the machine. “These distortions are easy to find in the case of Stagalnia which is woven too tightly to notice, or most realms at this point. One of my greatest studies is why the people here have forsaken the greater knowledge. It would be one thing to simply have never learned of it, but they came here with that power, the power that made these realms... And in time... They lost it. And I never posessed it. Perhaps I live here to understand the entropy which degradates the understanding of truth.... In fear of it as though it would be death creeping upon my own hour whilst unawares. Being here, may too degrade us, like a miasma which constricts the heart. Perhaps it lays in tradition, or the death there of. It may be a growing tumour, or a gravitating singularity... An enigma, of self being. One thing for certain Stagalnia is the ending place of truth... Tapia is merely the corridors which lay all around, like our current realm, but mostly unperverted and fray in every direction.”

“What about the other places?”

Remembering to actually turn on the maker, Belship stood beside it, embarrassed of his mindfulness, rather the lack of it actually. “Alban a rubics cube, you can understand Alban. It is a construct of receptacles and is the closest to the principals of quantum science as it’s root; One force is caused by another, and so forth from it’s core. It seems archaic just the same but can be reasoned such as my old home of Alter which is loosely based on such perception. A crossbreed, almost, thus it’s own name by location. As Stagalnia is a glorified ball of Tapian passages, Altart too is a node which reality meets frequently by it’s own conceptual nature in the grand scheme” Belship stood silently in his frail attempts to logistify the remainder as the machine ran loudly. “Lucalieh... Is the hardest of all to find, and is located somewhere without any location or passage, but can be found anywhere. Some select few called this nirvana, a state of being, or place of oneness... And having fallen from it, being as they could spread the word to the rest of us, they could not remember how they achieved it. Thus, it’s myth to all, a fools journey. Only trying to reenact the faulty degrading memory of the man who got there. Most who achieve it, return, because there was nothing there anymore... Not like there once was and no word of why.”

“So, do they have trees, and hills and stuff? There any kind of visual you can give me? Do people fly, are there monsters, humans... Do we breath air?”

Belship appeared troubled, sympathizing with the state of Aaron’s knowledge. “If I told you to go right, that it turn you left, you’d think that to turn right, you must go left. These are explanations that your kind understands, they reflect Stagalnia, and Stagalnia alone. If you cannot comprehend these, I suggest you stay here, and avoid the outer realms. Tapia is the connection between you and the primordial gates of creation, thus is most coherent and straight forward if you understand that pun. I suppose I’m going to have to explain that pun one day... Tapia is a place of intent, something that only a few people in Stagalnia still have, you have already found these places, thus you still have this gift.”

“This left and right stuff is neat and all but these places I’ve been, I can turn in any direction I want there. It doesn’t seem so difficult... Have I just not gotten there yet?”

“You still haven’t grasped it yet, have you?” Fighting to talk overtop of the cheap coffee maker “You only believe you are choosing, even now but you follow the same road as another instinctively, thinking that it is your own... Like Tapia, Stagalnia is made from the intents of others only wrapped in a ball on itself, you only play within their intents. The core of Stagalnia, is a woven cloth, near indistinguishable from a truly foundational world. At it’s edges, lays it’s origins, the passages to the rest of Tapia and this world’s beginnings and beings of folklore. Unless you can break free of that, the Tapian corridors are only the journey someone else took, and no matter how original you think you are, you are only following a path someone else made. The only way to move off the grooves of an old record is to move the needle. It is all that separates us from madness... If you cannot comprehend this, then Alban is a place to get lost for eternity... And Lucalieh. Pray you never go there.” Watching the slow brew they stood silently listening to the loud percolation. “Are you satisfied to continue with our lessons?”

“I guess. I... Still have no idea what they are like.”

“In time, I suppose they will make sense.”

Upon many questions as they waited for an evanescent pot of beans, Belship attempted to gauge Aaron. It was clear as day what he was doing, as the man’s subtleties weren’t so subtle. The abstraction of inquiries were met with a satisfactory response but at the level of one who only barely passed. Between things Aaron seen, and experienced. From distortions of the air around him, to even a few minuscule phenomenons in a dry logistical spoiling of their natural wonder. Nothing of his emotional connections, which Aaron was privy to, but each thing he was asked that he could respond to was spot on accurate. Even some older memories made a logical sense, and some forgotten ones coming to the surface. Maybe from this, it could begin to make sense, but without the things Aaron understood, it was just another question to ask Belship later.

Without much to go off of, Aaron cut to ask Belship for a simple connection between their discussion and what he knew somewhat about. “You mentioned potentials before, with your workbench, the... Totally not alchemy station... Is that like states?”

“There are no states...” Belship returned, coffee in hand. “It is not a fallacy, just a concept. It either is or it isn’t.”

Confused, Aaron played it like a trick question with a clever tone. “Still sounds like states...” But the unamused disappointment on Belship’s face quieted Aaron once more until this response struck the old man and Belship let up on Aaron.

“I suppose I can’t fault you...” Reevaluating his description “Small minds understand larger functions through segmentation. This is your origin of ‘states’...” Belship went to explain a great deal of fantastic and controversial descriptions of the scientific method: From their irrelevant series of checksum methods in proofing and the rotating pantheonic fundamental beliefs over who’s formula to worship. How they defined their findings with using the word they were trying to describe in the process. The process which drove outside points and figures into the equation by slipping in their own bias in the faulty associations only for another to finish the work for them. For a moment, Aaron could comprehend but it flew over him time and time again. Finally wrapping it back around. “So the term ‘it is, or it isn’t,’ refers to catch and release of the reality itself, not the position of an object within that reality which your kind refers to as ‘states’ and is thus superseded by this concept. Until this method is abandoned, pragmatic anomalies such as polar cavitations, cannot be comprehended.”

“I wish I could understand even a fraction of what the heck you just said...” Looking glum, Aaron dipped his head. “How long does it usually take to grasp this stuff? I want to believe that I can keep up with all this, and I was, for about the first two minutes...” The frail outlines of his facade smile falling apart. “...But it’s becoming a blur.”

“It’s possible that you might never grasp it.” Belship admitted, administering another dosage from his cup. “It’s also possible that for those first two minutes, you had the capacity and that is the focus that you need to train... It’s also possible that it’s weak because you put arbitrary figures in their place to seem as though you understood and the real falling out is when you realized your unconfirmed analogies weren’t able to explain what you knew this far.”

Twiddling his thumbs, Aaron expressed himself, without the confidence to keep eye contact. “I’ve always been a physical example kind of guy, which is why all your devices looked so simple, like I could almost comprehend what was going on when I see it work. In seeing the function, but... Yeah, I don’t really understand it I guess, no... I know that when I see something work, I can have a million ideas of what I could do with it, and it’s really inspiring to see all these... I can’t even figure out how to get a lawn mower engine to work, let alone how to attach it to the wheels of a wooden box for a go cart. Worked on it for years apart and still nothing.”

“How do you do in class? ‘B’ point, ‘C’?”

“A lot of ‘A’s, I’ve been able to understand what they want from me, and it’s mostly a repeat after them kind of course... With exception to Mr. Simos... So if you know what they expect you to say and how to spice it, it’s easier than actually picking the knowledge out of the page.” Finally having the strength to look up from his seat, if only through the veil of his account.

“My daughter is well acquainted with that.” Belship mustered between the groans and disappointment in their facilities. “She’s told me much about the system, even from an early age. If you smile and nod for your marks then it means you’ve learned nothing of what they tried to teach you; The mark of a good student, but a terrible learner... I’d blame the teacher who allows that kind of behaviour and moves on. Although,” Belship admired. “To see that in yourself, you might be worth more credits than they merit you with.”

“It only goes up to ‘A+’ so I’m not sure about that...”

“Something I’ve found in Stagalnia is that people have lost the ability to see why they do what they do.” Scooting his chair forward. “If you simply told me that you appeased them for your marks, you would be an ass kisser. Pardon my language... And if you said it was just natural you’ve have a talent but no ability to take it anywhere. In my case, with knowing that I lie to protect my family, that I fear what you could ask me... That is more than most people understand about themselves. The people of Stagalnia don’t even know they are lying most times. Like the groove of following in line, they’ve lost track of when they started to stretch the truth and continue in instinct. It’s the starting point of being able to make a change.”

“Alright, so I got good moral character.” Aaron tossed away, unable to pride himself.

“This isn’t about the morals, or who’s in the right,” Belship comforted. “It’s who’s being honest. A man who lies his whole life but remembers that he does it still knows the truth, he’s only too weak to embrace it. I...” Catching himself sorely in a guilt. “I, am still too weak to embrace it. If you know that you smile and nod, but can remember the rest of your reasons, then you know what your mind is capable of even if it falls short. It means you might be able to learn after all. Do you leave your teachers ignorant of this because of the pressure to appease your superiors, or because they cannot give you the challenge that invigorates your mind?”

“I think they just don’t care as long as they put in their seven to three. I’ve never been a puzzle guy, but I’ve always adopted projects. I’ve loved making things, mostly out of foam pads and school glue. When I had an image in my mind, and I simply made it.” Aaron’s fresh kindled passion fell under him. “I... Kinda gave up on that years ago. I felt defeated, like there was no way to keep up with my inspiration or how to express it so I just gave up trying... So I went into mechanical stuff and discovered I had no knack for it in the slightest. Just... Dreaming one day I would simply understand it and move on.”

“Well, a creative mind needs the knowledge on how to use it. If he simply creates, he does not adapt. If he cannot learn, he will blame the world for not having his scope. A learned person, will have the understanding that he himself can always make better or himself first.” Looking at his cup, Belship smiled. “Come outside, my coffee is getting cold... I’ll give you a visual example of the world.”

Standing out in the sun, he took a deep breath. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Belship embraced. “...And to some, a busy street, or a rainy day should bring them comfort. The sun still shines, or the clouds roll by, but it is the smell of this old wood which reminds me of when we first arrived.” Drawing a deep line in the soil which to pour out his coffee. Belship beckoned Aaron to crouch down next to him and watch. “This is the simplest explanation. Matter interacts with other matter, it does not ask is there is a wall there, it simply moves because there is one. Computations ask the question before proceeding, whereas this is free flow.” Following the stream along it’s journey with his finger. “The freeflow doesn’t care if it’s asked a question. Energy is rebounded from the walls, and creates a momentum.” Taking a sip of the lukewarm liquid before his cup was emptied to increase the flowing stream. “In the argument, it cannot supersede the walls and thus compromises it’s activity into another direction until it is no longer received with resistance. Such are the passages between worlds.” Watching the curving liquid path dash from rock to dip. Pooling and fraying into it’s own path when the tension could rip two surfaces into opposing directions and rebind themselves down along the line. “This, though magnified into something much larger than what I intend to teach you, this water is the flow of energies that we cannot see. The existence of a higher reality which governs all these forces. Their interactions are the life within the equation itself. You simply need to understand what that equation, or otherwise ‘argument’ is. Then you can create the form which advantages off said principals.”

And of the days in between, the more Aaron heard, the more questions it gave him. It was one day, not too far in, that Aaron began to wonder about the poor state of Belship’s place as he entered the house after school. Sophie greeted him with a smirk across her face.

“You getting board yet?” Sophie asked, the smug creases of her lips bordering sadistic.

“Yeah, but when you say it, I feel you’re referring to your own breed of boredom with it, not mine.”

Belship met them up the stairs in a mannerly and well timed fashion. Introducing his entrance, Belship reminisced “When Sophie was learning these things, I’d have to give her a Coffee to keep her attention.” Ready for the next set of lessons. This time, with a more rested, and easy disposition.

“Yeah, we had jokes about that back in the day...” Aaron heckled, “Hard to believe you turned out so mellow.” Directing himself towards the busy girl.

“I’m off to check on the traps.” Sophie informed, finding herself a swift exit from the house. “Now that we’re all clear to do so. Got my phone!” Closing the door behind her. The electronic locks binding the hinges shut.

After it began for the next iteration, and after the new basics began Aaron began to marvel at the utterly alien form of knowledge in it’s new organized structure, and perhaps understood some portion of it’s use. The odd thing was how it seemed parallel with what he knew, however it challenged nearly every concept he was taught. Perhaps a newborn could be acquainted much better. Still Aaron wondered from his seating, as was the moment he entered the house. “Of all this... All of it... Why is it that you keep all this hidden? Would people really silence you? You can beat alien space crews and one of the Seven, how would our governments be of any threat to you?... Why not release it to the world slowly, you could be making much more than scraps.”

“What? So I can become the God Dalmayo suggested I could be?...” Belship scowled, roaring at the insinuation. “Sorry, I may be sore from that. It’s still fresh within me... “I wish to seek peace, it’s why I’m here. Back there, in Altar, there was no peace any longer. If I gained fame or notoriety for the contract of a higher dollar there would be no such peace. Neither be there solitude in bestowing knowledge in the hands of people in the stead of higher powers. That is to make enemies with greedy men, with innocent or otherwise unlearned men in danger of those tools themselves.

Aarons face of disbelief bordered on disagreement. Aaron rejected the preaching of Belships undefined refusal, as though it were an excuse.

Greiving, Belship sat there unable to put into words that Aaron could comprehend. “You’ve never seen Gradia... You’ve never seen the magnificent Balba-lonius gardens... The Charatist that subsumed the brightest grace with a malignant yeast, and the fall of Paradee. Neither the turn of powers which shook the peace we were all too blinded by... Neither I knew them until they were at our door. These powers throughout the stars called Paceefa, converted monks, like an anti-Dahli Lama taking his place, claiming to restore greatness from a synthetic cause in Hegelian dialectic... Men of ‘peace’, who snuffed out the peaceful land for the sake of their own so called ‘peace’. Be certain, the heroes who call themselves by name with no merits, or hide their deeds have a lisp of deceit within them. We were the last hope, but though the cause remained, the means changed. Funny, that the topic can change and the same evil ways can rest within; yet people bat less of an eye at substituting one evil for a greater one as long as they first butter whatever they want it to be about. Sashaenya was never fooled by this. They made her a villain, and besmirched her name... And when they made away with her I knew I would follow, as they cheered the death of an Ashaea. Watching the fall of worlds unfold... This is why we hid, for our peace.

“Earth is not your dystopian techtropolis home world...”

“Percisely, but it can become that just the same... As Altar once was... There is freedom in the silence.”

“It doesn’t seem any better than a hole in the side of a cliff. Seems you have the freedom of a rat in a cage just the same. How can there be peace in being locked up from your freedoms?... Why not give it to them, without your name attached... So no one knows? If there are such knowledgeable people of earth that can hurt you, why is here where you want to be?

“You are the smartest idiot I know. So brilliant and perceptive, it’s no wonder I fear the things you could ask me... But... You have no idea how to use it to spite me. There is a plague amidst the Calree, your people as mine call them. Their potential withers with the genome, neither evolving nor passing on any benefactor without loosing another. If not for that, in generations you may very well been in capable hands for such advancements. The men of old in your world were nearly as brilliant as even I, yet their tools so primitive that it stifled them. Now, as you gain the power to make their dreams flourish, they have lost so much that brilliance to the entropy, that such dreams may never arise...

“So you think that if you are here, that this entropy will safe guard you from their destructive nature?”

“Admits the sheeple of earth, I have what I want, else without warning I could terry elsewhere. As was before... How even open air was a snare, and every crack and crevice was the only hope to escape... It would guilt me greatly if they should find that fate themselves, no less by my intervention of their progression. Even if it were all done in secret, they would be found out in time, and still I would have to move again or to submit. There is no refusal for some men. If it went to the powers, I would be required of as was before, and that is no peace to be at the end of their yard stick nor at my bedside for what they use it for. Poverty is peace, with a tight lip to what we can do and never show it, unless someone else should end up coveting it... I’m actually grateful for this. When my pride was broken, when my arrogance shone onto me... It was then that I learned. Our hardships remind us of what we have to loose, and why it’s important. I wish I could give without flaw to my family... What little is left... But if they too see such flawlessness, they would not be encouraged to grow. To spite betterment for simply existing, as they stumble, to feel worthless as a result. As are the people of this world. I can always make more money with my knowledge, more toys more high school supplies... I don’t always make the best choices, but in this peace; I can focus on my passions and keep my family clean. Cleaner than was, a powerful, and famous man.”

“I don’t see why they can’t be given something more banal”

“If you mean ‘benign’, they removed most of a city with a single atom, like the things we have all around us... And yet they made larger ones than the founding father. This could power houses, generate food, make medicine... They hold it in storage to deter other men from releasing their own. They make rules about the incident down the lake, you’re seeing those all around you, in your school, in your home. They made rules in Gemany too, we saw how that went. They made rules over which side of the damned plate to put their third fork before a meal. Arbitrary social standards modeled after themselves about when to call someone after a date, and to ridicule anyone different for their own insecurities. Elbows on tables, you know how long it’s been since the kings feasts? Chemical Warfare? Signed by every country, and still produced like it never existed, and the people who made that rule allow it with a slap on the wrist. I just want them to find a peaceful life. You’re father was a Farmer, I respect that very much... But I cannot reach them, from an acreage. All I can do, is raise a good influence into the world, and hope it can give them some peace onto a dying world. Or at least an extension on their genetic lifespan. They will kill themselves, of their own ignorance with a mere paperclip... So, how could I ever bestow them the power which could eviscerate men with a single sneeze?”

“As long as you know the truth...” Aaron instilled in his difference. He knew there was no arguing it. Aaron had his doubts, but nevertheless Belship was still more knowledgeable and was all he had. Thus did Aaron bowed his head, and accepted that his teacher would not be reasoned; merely a fountain for whatever knowledge he could possible discern out of the endless unfathomable drivel and complicated formulas.

“Finally, some real food...” Zack admired, seating in the corner of their booth seat. The refreshing cool air and aroma of sizzling food of the old Greek inspired restaurant setting the mood for a good evening this time. A lovely engraving of Santorini on it’s wall, and food that smelled and tasted nothing like it! Patting Aaron on the back, he gratified. “Thanks for spotting me like five bucks...” Looking between the two others. “So, how long?...” A confused silence taking the table, Zack continued “’Daddy’ says a couple of years, but who really listens to all that.”

Striking an irking nerve, Sophie defended “Seeing as you weren’t offered, I don’t see what use you have to such information. Frankly, it’s irritating.”

“NO! Don’t give me that crap, I demand to be let in on this shit. Two people in a group start dating, and I’m gonna be in the back line like a third wheel, and when it ends, I’m gonna be missing both of you.”

Confused harder “Wha... You want in?” Sophie astonished, “That’s not Earth custom, at least not mainstream...”

“The friendship dynamic gets all wacked to shit. Johnny and Sarrah, tangent relationship out of nowhere coz the writers ran out of ideas. They have a breakup, then all of Season four has to play catch up to a money grab so Phil, that’s me... Has to choose which side he’s on, when he picked neither, everyone disowns him and he leaves the cast. Tired of seeing this shit happen... I won’t let it happen!”

“Guess I failed to see it from that viewpoint...” Sophie confessed. “Excellent intuition on your behalf Zachery. I maybe have taken you for a fool.”

“It’s not going to happen.” Aaron inserted, “Things are awkward already being childhood friends, let alone letting her Father bestow me the secrets of the universe. I really don’t feel like bogging that one up.”

“Thank you... Someone understands.” Zack relieved.

“How long do you think we have, Zachery?” Sophie riddled. “You love asking me questions from our lives to test answers... What do you see with your human eyes?”

“I see bullshit, clinging to the air, making the water taste funny...”

“But it’s life, no guarantees. We’ve established that you’re Phil at this point, but lets say you’re Jake now. Who says that dynamic doesn’t hit us like it hit Phil? Now we are outcasted, while you have a domestic with Mrs. Auburn Curly Locks?”

“If we all met someone outside our circle, no one would be choosing which side to take, we’d all stick together.”

“Aaron, you’ve got to have an idea about all this. We are talking parables about you after all.”

“About all of us...” Zack instilled.

Spaced out “Not a clue.” Aaron pushed aside. “Still... Trying to figure out why your dad is the sad mess that he is. I honestly expected more... Explanations, more details, more tangible things. That I’d come out with more answers than questions. Here I am learning calculus without the textbook. Quantum calculus, atherial space calculus from another dimension! Every dimension! When a matter simply chooses it’s form, or a reactive inversion of an action exists in a separate space. I made a joke about space time, and he almost had to take the night off from laughing his ass clean off his body. Apparently that’s some year two level shit right there. Guess talking about how little I know is how they used to make jokes back on planet Asstar. Sorry that’s insensitive... Actually no, I’m not sorry, planet Shitstar. Planet Crap Cone from the bitch galaxy.”

“My man...” Zachery congratulated him, giving him five above and under the table. “You make me proud...”

“And you?” Aiming to Sophie. “What’s your take on all this?”

“Pbth...” She exasperated. “You’re not wrong, and I came from there.”

“So, like...” Gathering it back together, Zachery reinstalled. “We’re still gonna all be friends, right? No... Mucky ducky horse shit with highschool drama and ‘B’ movie scripts?”

Assuring him, Aaron laid back. “Got too much riding on this to care about finding that ‘certain someone’ for all I know, love’ll only slow me down, or guiltily put them in danger. Be nice to have someone to take the edge off, man gets pretty lonely, but his knowledge comes first.”

“Virgin...”

“Double... Besides, I’m sure someone in University would be a better pick for Sophie than me. I’d make a shitty husband, and a shittier Dad...”

“I know some chicks who like beer bellies... Maybe we’ll find a babe who can carry our ass through the abyss with a giant ass sword, and a soft spot for dweeby ass kids.”

Quieting the dinner topic as the plates coming in, Aaron and Zack politely thanked the hot waitresses with their overblown high school chivalry. They got their chuckles out of it, all around. No luck, obviously but there was still supper before them to enjoy. One Alaskan Salmon Burger, one Rose Linguine, one Club Sandwich with extra bacon and a side Cheddar Broccoli Soup in a plate. Over salted too, Mmm... Yeah, not so much, but it’ll grow on him one day, don’t worry.

As they left happily, they walked down towards main street. No cold night or windy street could diminish that evening as they split off on their ways back home. Every so often, it was nice to take a moment and remember the freedoms they had; that no matter how trapped they felt getting older, their growth still had some benefits that got them through the week. Heaven knows, they’d need it. Aaron laid looking to his ceiling, wondering about tomorrow and how much more he could learn before he could not longer take it.