a little trip
Agatha narrowed her eyes, looking around the ship they were boarding. “Why are you so obsessed with these things anyway?”
“They’re symbols of constant motion, exploration, and escape. Mortals have been using these for centuries to discover new land.”
Agatha shook her head with a smile at Rio’s excitement. “I still don’t understand why we couldn’t’ve just tunneled there.”
“Because I’ve never tunneled that far or underwater.”
“Well, why couldn’t we have just tried?”
“I don’t want to risk it. My powers have been iffy lately.”
“Why?”
Rio’s eyes widened momentarily before she smiled. “No reason.”
Agatha narrowed her eyes. Something was off. She just didn’t know what.
“Yay, we’re next!” Rio squealed.
They stepped forward as the line moved up, handing in their tickets.
The teller looked them up and down. “It’s refreshing to see friends taking this trip. It’s usually couples.”
“Actually, sir, this is–”
“My best friend.” Agatha cut her off with the fakest smile Rio had ever seen plastered on her face.
Rio narrowed her eyes.
“That’s nice.” The teller handed them their tickets back. “Have a safe trip.”
“Why did you tell him we were friends?” Rio asked as they boarded the ship. “I know we haven’t really defined it, but–”
“Keep your voice down.” Agatha led them to their bunker, closing the door behind them and taking a deep breath. “Did you see the other couples boarding the ship?”
“Yeah, why?”
“It’s always a man and a woman.”
Rio stared at her blankly. “So?”
“Relationships are supposed to be between a man and a woman.”
“Ay, Dios mío. Well, that’s bullshit.”
“I know, but this is the kind of thing that gets you burned or hanged or drowned.”
“Why?”
“Wish I knew.”
“That’s literally the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Tell that to the church.”
“The what?”
“Don’t worry about it. I just–” She sighed. “We need to stay hidden in public.”
Rio paused. “Wait, so not only is there a huge bounty on your head for something you did accidentally when you were a kid to defend yourself, but you’re also wanted because you like women?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
Rio shook her head. “I just don’t understand…”
“None of us do.” She took Rio’s hands. “I know this is hard, but–”
“It’s okay, I get it. We can stay hidden for a couple of days for your safety.”
Agatha smiled softly and put her head on Rio’s chest. “Thanks, my love.”
–
Rio narrowed her eyes, trying to read the text on the itinerary. “What does this even say?”
“Can’t you read?”
“No.”
“But you read my mom’s books.”
“Those were spells and shapes.” She held up the brochure. “I have no idea what any of this means.”
Agatha grabbed it. “Okay, let’s see. It says we left at 5.”
“What?”
Agatha sighed. “I really need to show you how time works. After that, the bar opens when we reach open seas.”
“The bar?”
“Yeah.” Agatha paused. “Have you ever had alcohol?”
Rio shook her head.
“Okay, we have to take care of that later. Then… Oh! There’s an art class!” Agatha grinned wide. “Oh, this is gonna be so fun!”
She grabbed Rio’s arm and started running.
“Agatha!” Rio chuckled.
“You’re gonna love it! Art is right up your alley.”
Agatha stopped abruptly in front of the art room.
“Oh, wow!” Rio looked in awe at the people painting the Blue Puya in the middle of the room. “It’s gorgeous.”
Agatha went inside, and Rio followed. They sat in some empty seats and took the palettes.
“How does this work?” Rio asked.
“You take the brush,” Agatha wrapped her hand around Rio’s, helping her. “And you dip it in some paint.”
“Then what?”
“You put it on the canvas.”
Rio clumsily dragged the brush around the canvas. “Oh, screw this.” She put the brush down, dipping her fingers in it instead. She closed her eyes, feeling the paint, ignoring the looks of the other passengers. “There are flowers in these.”
“Yeah,” Agatha confirmed. “They crush up flowers and make them into paint.”
“I don’t know why you would use a brush,” Rio said as her finger moved around the canvas, leaving a trail of blue paint behind. “This is so much easier. And way more fun.”
Agatha chuckled. “You do you.”
–
“Do you paint a lot?” Rio asked as Agatha helped her wash the paint off her hands.
“Not as much as I’d like,” Agatha admitted. “It’s hard to buy paint outside with the amount of people after me, and making it takes a while.”
“Then maybe we could make some together,” Rio suggested as she grabbed a towel.
Agatha smiled. “That’d be great.”