"You look scared, don't worry, it's simply a formality. All the passengers come through here as well and a real witch would never be stupid enough to try space travel." Arii swallows hard and stares out the window. From here she can see a second outer ring where row after row of interstellar space ships line up in perfect order. These are the heavy hitters for travel within the solar system, but they're nothing compared to her father's ship.

"How does the Jaded Gem travel to the stars?" Arii asks. She knows the basics about worm holes and folded space, but what kind of magic can control the fabric of reality at infinite distances. Just the thought of such vast power sends a shiver down her spine.

"You know these things are classified, and you don't really need to know." They approach the airlock, a round door with one person sitting at a table. Her father greets the old man and Arii can see the deep wrinkles and hunched shoulders of someone pressing towards death. Behind him is a large mirror reflecting the wall behind Arii. Her father is grinning from ear to ear, staring at her with that carefree look, like he hasn't a care in the world. Arii on the other hand is slightly disoriented. She looks at herself and sees only a ghosted image fluctuating in the artificial light from above. Her reflection seems to blend into the scenery painted intricately on the reflected wall, and she resists the urge to reach out and touch it. Then it hits her, another test, and her face grows flush with anger. She's not used to being pushed around and she's had enough.

"Can we get going?"

"Sure honey, this is Max, hold out your hand." She reaches towards the mirror and the wise old eyes look up for the first time. He smiles a toothless grin and turns to the mirror, standing in a painstakingly slow manner. Then his eyes lock on hers and she can feel him holding her. He reaches towards the mirror and tries to touch her hand. In that instant, despite passing security, she knows in her soul she is inside the mirror. She feels herself looking out at herself looking in, a double image blindsided in mystery. Her soul-like half is hidden in the realm of magic and she can hear it chanting a rhythmic phrase inside her head.

Mind and matter become one

Let the old witch be undone

In my realm, I need not hide

Show myself and I will die.

Ak-braduk pecon doe

Harlen brianet neenan noe

Max tries in earnest to touch her hand, but there is only glass and the moment passes. "Have a safe trip," he says in an ominous voice, and then he sits down. From behind them, the door bursts open and a terrified scream pierces the otherwise tranquil lobby.

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