Another cup materialized and was filled by the pitcher while the first floated across the table and set itself in front of Oto. Then the new cup floated into Ireree’s body. It may have been a trick of the light, but Oto thought they saw the cup meetup with a shadowed hand within her flames.

What Oto chose to dismiss was actually a part of Ireree’s actual avatar form. She would have to use her form to interact with Oto as they were, but she’d intended to let Nicki be the first to see the humanoid form she’d spent a long time perfecting. So she chose to conceal her avatar by shrouded herself within an orb of fire resembling her Cosmic form.

“Now then,” Ireree paused and took a sip from her cup. Since Oto couldn’t see this, it was a moment of awkward silence for them. “While its good that you want to go out and test your powers, you seem to be struggling due to your inexperience.”

Ireree assumed that the Cosmic had just been overwhelmed by their newfound power and accidentally launched themself into her region. In which case, the best thing Ireree could do was answer their questions, offer some pointers and then send them off with a few words of encouragement. However that wasn’t the case for Oto.

“No, that’s not it. I just awoke somewhere over there in Space. Then I was rushed over here.” Oto explained the events that had brought them to where they were and soon remembered the questions that were overwhelming them before they met Ireree. “I actually have no idea what’s happened. Where I am, why am I here and. . .” It took a moment for Oto to realize the gravity of their next query before it could be voiced. “A-and, I don’t seem to know who I am.”

“Huh? What do you mean you don’t know who you are?” 

“I-I just. . . Can’t remember anything about who I am or where I’m from. . . Except for my name; Oto.”

While Oto said it was their name, once they had it felt like it was only done on instinct. Somehow the name just didn’t feel right.

“Cosmics don’t manifest without memories. Oto, are you sure you don’t remember anything at all?”

“No.” Oto and Ireree stared at each other in silence. “What does this mean?”

“I am uncertain. As I said, I don’t know of any other Cosmic like you.”

Those words caused Oto to slump back into their chair. If there wasn’t an explanation for their predicament and they were the first to suffer it, what were they to do?

“I’m sorry, but the best thing I could suggest for now would be to embrace your role as a Cosmic. With time maybe some memories will return to you.”

“But how do I ‘be’ a Cosmic?”

“Well. . .”