“Phew!” Mel flopped himself down into his chair back at the office letting his feet stretch out, body sinking down low. “That Trish can be scary” he let out softly to no one. “I thought for sure I was caught.”

Mel sat listlessly. It was late in the morning now. While it was late in the day where he had returned from, here back in Golden B.C. it was still morning, thought just about noon. The girls had not noticed the transition in time once they had stepped between worlds. At least the company had made the transition between worlds smooth. Mel couldn’t possibly imagine his ploy working so well if the transition between worlds had been noticeable. In fact, the area in which he set the portal up was an almost near copy of the area in the other world. If he had not known, even he probably would not have noticed the slight scenery change. The major difference was the travel time. Once they got off the main highway onto the dirt side road, they were still much higher up in the B.C. mountains than in the other world. But once they crossed over, they were much lower down. The trees had covered the view, hiding this fact from sight. He set the portal down lower, as the mountain in the other world was not tamed lands like on earth. There very might well have been a monster encounter if they dallied too long upon the heights.

“Nothing like a goblin attack to ruin a house viewing.” Mel chuckled to himself.

“What? You were attacked by goblins?” Wen almost shouted, she had overheard the slouching dwarf grumbling as she opened the shop’s door.

“What? No. Everything was fine. I was just musing about what might have happened if I had set the portal higher up on the receiving mountain. Never now what lurks where darkness reigns.” Mel waved her off.

Wen didn’t know if she should be relieved or not. On the one hand if they had been attacked, the girls would have known what they were in for and could have made a more informed choice. On the other hand, House Hunters Inc. really needed this win.

“Poor girls.” Wen sighed.

“What? I doubt it. You know why we have come to this planet. No innate magic. Those two girls will likely become monsters in their own right!” Mel huffed. “Kind of wish I had been born here and taken over.”

Humans from earth were like magic vacuums. Ones sent over alive had a much greater chance of having greater magic abilities. Almost as if their bodies sucked in magic energy like a whale taking a breath before submerging.

“Well… You’re not wrong I guess.” Wen conceded with a slight nod.

“And that Trish.” Mel shuddered again. “I was a bit worried about that girl being a bit weak. Now I feel bad for the other side.”

“Oh? Something happen?”

“Not really. But when it came to crunch time, she stood fiercely behind her friend and well… Let’s just say she could put Amber in her place if push came to shove. That girl is hiding a fierce fire.”

“It’s always the bubbly ones, isn’t it?” Wen chuckled for the first time in a long-time imagining Trish scolding Amber Fuller.

“Right?” Mel smiled back hauling himself up into a more natural sitting position. He was starting to feel a bit better.

“So how was your sale? Did John catch on or give you any trouble?”

Wen lost her smile. A dark cloud passing over her visage.

“No. The opposite really. That man is strange. I swear he noticed when we passed over. Something in his body language just changed. Like he knew he should be wary of where he was. While he is situated nearer to town than your charges, his land is a smaller plot on lord Kails’ land. Enough for a small garden and a few animals. He wanted a bit of land and a simple house to retire into. The guy seemed like he was a trained adventurer or something. Alert and yet calm. I would have expected him to just nod his head if he did see a goblin.”

“Huh.” Mel’s simple grunt of a response. “Still think he’s company?”

“I… hmmm.” Wen sat in her own hair and rested her chin in her hands. “My intuition tells me he was looking to cross over. But no. I very much doubt he is company.”

“Well, that’s good news, right?”

“I guess?” Wen seemed unsure of the whole thing. “He didn’t even bat an eye when I told him he would be contacted by the landowner to finalize all the details.”

“Huh. I wonder if he somehow knows about cross overs. It would explain much.” Mel nodded more to himself.

“It would. But how could he have found out?” Wen wouldn’t let it drop.

“I wonder…” Mel stared up at the ceiling getting serious.

Wen looked over at him head still propped in her cupped hands. Her elven ears poking slightly out of her hair after she wiggled them in frustration.

Mel’s head jerked towards Wen. “He a reincarnate that remembers his past life!” Mel blurted.

Wen shot up at his sudden outburst. Her face going blank.

“It makes sense. I bet he was reborn here from the cycle and was lucky enough that we chose this area. If he was from that world, he could likely feel our magic! AND if he remembers his past life he could be looking to return. Except this time, he will have all the advantages. Of knowledge about both worlds and in the unique properties between the worlds should someone pass over without being reborn.”

“That…” The gears were churning in Wen’s mind. “We need to report this!”

“We do.” Mel agreed.

**********************

“It has been a long day.” Trish smiled at Kelly. “I seem to remember there was some food left for us in the kitchen.”

“Sure.” Kelly returned Trish’s smile. “Let’s see what they supplied us with before we go out shopping.”

Trish grabbed Kelly’s hand and they walked into the kitchen in high spirits. Even if this was all some elaborate farce, they were intent on enjoying themselves in this gorgeous house to their fullest.

Trish separated from Kelly and headed to the built-in fridge. The outside of the fridge and even the freezer unit beside it were the same wooden exterior as the walls. It looked like a light red cedar. The whole house smelled wonderfully of wood. While built in, the units were not installed to be hidden like you would see in some fancy homes.

Trish pulled open the fridge. The inside of the fridge was lined with a bright white stone that was cool to the touch.

“How do they keep it cool?” Trish mumbled to herself.

“You say something Trish?” Kelly asked while standing on the other side of an island in the kitchen. There were stacked cutting boards and knives in wooden blocks on top. She had pulled a larger knife and cutting board over to get ready to help in making their meal.

“Uh no. I was just marveling at the construction.” Trish replied.

“It all does seem a bit magical, doesn’t it?” Kelly asked whimsically.

Now that it was just Her and Trish alone, Kelly was more relaxed. She did not feel the need to be protective of her friend. Trish was almost too much of a kind soul. She had been the target of cons a few times. Though Kelly had all but stomped all over those people. Which was why she had been so worried about all of this. Though, even if it turned out to be a con. The two had decided to enjoy the hell out of it. With Trish’s law background, she had assured Kelly that the two had done nothing wrong here and would come out fine when the chips fell where they may. And iff it was the real deal. Well then…

“Fuck yeah.” Kelly whispered.

Trish didn’t know what to do. The items in the fridge were not things she has seen before. Or at least the way things were packaged was different. The butter for example was not in foil, but in a small metal tub, slightly larger than a coffee mug. The apples and oranges were normal… ish. The apples were more orange than red. The oranges had a bit of a flush to them. Like a red blush that grapefruits would have. There were plums… Yay! The milk was in one of those old-fashioned metal urns. There was a chunk of meat… ham? Maybe? On a plate that was very likely fine china.

Well, whatever. There were tomatoes and lettuce. Hmmmm no mayo or anything though. The eggs were in a simple basket.

Trish grabbed the plate of meat, set it on the island then returned for the lettuce and tomatoes.

“Looks like it’s going to be a simple sandwich for supper tonight.” Trish called out to Kelly who was rooting around the cupboards looking for dishes.

“Finally!” Kelly popped up holding two china plates like she was surfacing for air after a deep dive holding treasures.

Kelly almost skipped over to Trish, who was slicing of cuts of meat.

“Hey Kel, can you check that box there? I bet it’s a bread box.” Trish pointed to a largeish rectangular box near the stove on the main counter.

“Sure.” Then with a light voice Kelly replied. “Everything here does seem to be more old-fashioned. Or old-world should I say.”

“I find it very charming!” Trish said with enthusiasm. “I really hope this is a real thing. This is the longest we have spent in a single room, yet I really am falling in love with this place.”

“It is nice.” Kelly nodded lightly. She was feeling happy for the first time today. “But if it turns out to be a scam, I’m going to have to hire you to defend me, cause I’m going to punt that Mel into next week!”

Trish laughed brightly. “Oh Kel, whatever this is, lets just enjoy it. K?”

“Yeah, ok blondie.”

‘Pffft.” Trish blew a raspberry toward Kelly.

The two girls made themselves two large sandwiches. The bread they had to cut, ended up being a bit thick. The tomatoes were a bit crisp with a less acidic flavor than they expected. The lettuce was lettuce but very fresh and crunchy. The meat was almost certainly salted ham. Which was very filling.

“Mpph, haven’t had tomatoes like these before” Trish let out while chewing a small mouthful.

“They are different, but tasty.” Kelly nodded her agreement. “Love the fresh lettuce! Hard to get it like this in the stores nowadays.”

Once done the two girls began to clean up. They both stared into the “dishwasher”. It looked just like a grey stone kiln. There were places to put your plates and cutlery etc. But they couldn’t see where the water came in.

“Just odd.” They both whispered together, then chuckled.

They loaded it up, then pushed the button. There was no noise at all.

“Huh.” Kelly grunted. Then she went to open the door to see what was happening. But it wouldn’t budge.

“Safety feature?” Trish asked the room tilting her head.

“I guess.” Kelly shrugged. “Anyway. I’m beat. Let’s go see about that bed. Then maybe get an early start and check out the garden and maybe see the sunrise from the wall.” Kelly added.

“So romantic.” Trish nudged Kelly.

“I have my moments!” Kelly stuck her tongue out at Trish.

The two girls went upstairs to the master bedroom. The bed was huge. Obviously custom made.

“Room for four.” Kelly said with a dull tone.

“More than enough for us two!” Trish sung. Then she hopped onto the bed sinking into it. “Soo soft!”

Kelly pressed her hand into it. “Wow!”

The two girls stripped down to their undies then slipped under the sheet and thick comforter.

“Night Kel.” Trish said with a yawn.

“Night Trish.” Kelly replied. Then yawned herself.

Trish giggled.

That was the last from either of the two that evening, except maybe a few cute quiet snores here and there.