Josh returned to my table and we dived into conversation again. He would be graduating from his studies soon, and go to work in his family’s engineering lab. I felt sad that he would be focusing on cosmological engineering rather than his true gift of music.

My throat blocked up as I wanted to ask him how to get into university. As a traveller most of my life, I had no idea what settled people did and what governed them. I had no idea what this other way of life was like, and was not sure how to enter this world.

“Josh, I need to know how to apply for the university here. I’ve never done this before.”

“That’s no problem. It’s very straight forward. Just go in and speak to the professor about what you want to do there, and what you want to achieve while you’re there. Do you know which professor you want to study under?”

I felt empty inside. I did not know a single person. “Do you know any of the mathematics professors?”

“You know what,” he said, shifting forward in his seat as his eyes lit up, “There’s a renowned theoretical professor in Dunkel. Mr Hatter there would be amazing to study with. He’s in Dunkel University. It’s a ground-breaking centre for study in mathematics. He works very closely with the cosmology and music departments. I did a short stint of work for him a while back, where I got to help him with one of his instruments. It was this giant machine,” Josh gestured enthusiastically, “that not only measured time and space fluctuations, but also created musical output. This was how everything was quantified. It produced real time auditory soundwaves that were a response from the Earth and our immediate surrounds. We could hear the Earth move, and hear her interact with the moon and our neighbouring planets. We could even hear how the other planets were interacting with the Earth. This was the sound of the spheres.”

“I’ve heard of the music of the spheres!” I exclaimed.

“Yes, many musicians have created their interpretations of it, but this is the actual thing. Now there are many applications for this. This can not only help us interact with the Earth more wisely, but it can also help us with our own travel and how we can do this with minimal impact to other planets and the cosmos at large. We can maintain a pristine environment as we advance more and more. This also helps musicians as we become more in tune with the natural harmonics of the cosmos, and therefore of the people. We can add so much more depth to our sound that truly resonates with humans and the Earth and the cosmos all at once. It’s incredible!”

I wondered if this whole university caper was something I was capable of. I felt a rush of excitement as Josh described it all, and what it was like working for Mr Hatter, but when I looked down at my hands as I clasped my tea cup, I remembered that I was just a magician. My gift was in the dark arts. It did not feel natural to suddenly leap into the light arts. My head felt cloudy as Josh stood up to go back to the piano.

I had planned to go to university here, but now that Josh was finishing here soon, I had no ties to the place. I had no ties to anywhere. Perhaps an unfamiliar town would be a better choice, lest Mr Bishop decided to pursue me here.

Josh finished his set and I profusely thanked him for his knowledge, his advice, and his conversation. We walked out of the cafe together. He turned right to go to the university, and I turned left to find accommodation. I saw a bed and breakfast on the way in, and decided a night here before moving on would do a world of good. I checked in, and was shown to a cosy cottage at the back of the main house. I was happy to see the kitchen well stocked, and put my bag in my room.

I woke up to darkness, hearing strange noises. A possum was carrying on outside. I threw an apple towards it and it ran off with its tasty treat. I woke up several times in the night, with my heart stuck in my throat, and sweat dampening the back of my neck. I didn’t feel safe knowing that Mr Bishop knew I was likely in Jonton. I opened my notebook and wrote a quick list. Lists seemed to calm my mind.

Map.

Dunkel.

Mr Hatter.

Food.

Pillow.

With my shopping and thinking list done, I was able to get a couple more hours sleep.

I woke up as the sky was beginning to lighten. I opened the front door of the cottage to find a delivery of food in a basket. I brought it inside and cooked up a hearty breakfast of pancakes with jam, and a large orange polenta cake that would keep well for a few days of travel. I drank one large cup of coffee, and did what was so familiar to me. I walked.