(Day of the Switch)
Location: Downtown San Francisco, California, on Earth
After being drenched and forced to evacuate for cleanup and repairs, Ben and Ally relocated to another, smaller apartment his firm kept for clients. Ally expected Ben to be angry, but he just kept looking at her and muttering, "That is real, right? That really happened?"
When he finally settled down, Ally attempted to explain. "I seem to be able to use some magic even in your world. It is less easy to control as there is so much unused energy around everything here. And heat is the easiest because there are so many people and things making heat in this loud and flashing gray town."
Ben looked at her inquisitively, "You can do other things from your world? Another type of magic? Do you call it magic?"
"I know what you mean when you use the word 'magic,' Friend Ben. And yes, I am able to do some other things." She paused to consider how to say it to someone who didn't know what it was. "What you call 'magic' is an outward expression of an energy already in the body. That energy combines with the similar type of energy that was outside the body around us."
'The people where I live mostly specialize in combining body energies with things that grow from the ground. But I have also studied other energies from other places. The flame, for example, is manipulated by shifting the balance of internal energy and external energy… The energies themselves cannot move or do anything else. But by increasing and decreasing the internal and external energies' balance, I can adjust the strength and direction of the combined energy.
'Does this make sense, Friend Ben?"
"I think so. It's like changing the ratio of the same chemicals to form different things." Ben paused in thought. "This is exactly the type of thing Viv would love to learn about."
Ally tilted her head. "Should I write down instructions for her to try?"
"I mean… yes! But also…. That could just be the thing someone is looking for in her journal. It's possible that if you can do it in Viv's body, then maybe anyone can with the proper instruction."
"It is plausible. And though I can use some magic here, it does feel different," Ally agreed.
"In what way?" Ben asked with eager curiosity.
Ally considered Ben's question. "It is… softer? No. Further away?… The internal energy for the flame is there, but it is dull and has to be stimulated more."
"Maybe because Viv doesn't know about it, to learn to use it in that body, the ability has atrophied? Or maybe it needs a catalyst—a third component—to get started?"
Ally nodded. "I will have to think about it. I will try to break it into steps to understand what is happening with her body when magic is activated." Then Ally had another thought. "Friend Ben? Would you tell me more about what this world calls 'magic?' Maybe that could lead us."
"I most definitely can, Friend Ally," Ben responded with a smile and a glint in his eyes as he readied his MMORPG-fantasy-world-gamer knowledge by firing up his console. Afterward, they watched some popular movies that were centered around magic and heavy with Tolkien references.
After hours of sharing notes on the supposed magic of Ben's world and the energy balancing of Ally's world, the two had downed some snacks and beer while deep in discussion.
"That is just ridiculous, Friend Ben. There is no way what you call 'magic' just happens because you say some words and wave a stick. It has to come from somewhere and go somewhere."
"Like the Law of Conservation of Energy," Ben added.
"There is a law? Is it a criminal act here?" Ally asked seriously.
"Pffft!" Ben tried to suppress his laughter, but it still escaped his lips. "No… no. You're too much. Sometimes, a 'law' is a statement that has been proven over and over again, such that it becomes accepted as a universal truth. The Law of Conservation of Energy—in the simplest explanation—states that energy can't be created nor destroyed in an isolated system; it can only be transformed."
"Yes. Like your law. All energies must come from somewhere and go to somewhere. And the words to activate… I guess there are magics that use sound. Maybe it is based on that?" Ally put a chip in her mouth and washed it down with some canned beer as she contemplated something. Eventually, she asked, "But what is the tiny stick supposed to do?"
Ben burst out laughing, and Ally joined in with a soft chuckle.
The conversation began to wind down as Ally yawned, making Ben yawn, making Ally yawn… until they both decided it was probably time to try and sleep. Ben wanted to clean up before texting the firm that he would be working remotely for the rest of the week, citing an unexpected personal reason. Ben added that his place had flooded, and that he could be found. His law firm partner was also a big supporter of Team Ben-Vian and assumed that "personal reason" was a euphemism for special time with Vivian. Ben had considered correcting that assumption. Yet, it conveniently worked on many levels for Ben.
After his nighttime routine, Ben got into his bed with a book. When he opened it, he pulled out a picture he used as a bookmark. It was a picture of Ben and Vivian in Halloween costumes when they were in the third grade. Ben was dressed as Sherlock Holmes, and Vivian was his Watson. It always brought a smile to his face because her British accent was so bad that no one knew what she was saying. Vivian eventually explained that "her Watson" had a war injury that altered the accent. It was rare that he got to tease her about anything, which he did every year after.
Ben held the picture in his hand like it was both fragile and precious. "You would've been surprised, Viv. Ally and I had our longest conversation ever. And you would have loved the topics. There was magic and chemistry and even physics. I also got to explain our concept of magic based on movies and online gaming. Her reaction was hysterical. She can actually be really funny after a couple of beers."
"And, Viv? You'll never guess it: she can use magic here in your body. That means you might be able to use it, too. Wouldn't that be amazing? Then again, maybe I shouldn't tell you. You already jump into risky things without hesitation. I can't even imagine what you'd do if you found out that you had superpowers. I'd probably keel over from worry."
"Maybe I should look into laws about vigilantism before you get back."
"I hope you come back soon, Viv, or just… come back at all. Ally said the Switch was different this time? Like it was somehow forced? We'd always had theories over the years on what made you two Switch to begin with. The thought that someone has been doing it to you… controlling you… And if it's anyone from our world, I swear I will hunt them down."
"I know you'd tell me you can defend yourself. And I know how tough and strong you can be. But I also know when you put on that everything-is-fine-Ben smile that really means you would be crying if you were alone."
"Ugh. It's bad enough that I have to worry about some super hot fairytale prince hanging around you, but engineered Switches, too?"
Ben sighed and wrapped up his monologue meant only for Vivian's (and Marmalade's) ears as the orange fluff-ball settled down against Ben's ribs. "Please come back safely."
Ben thought for a moment and added, "And when you do, you and I are going to have a serious talk about this Alex-person you're spending time with, regardless if it is for work or not. He was looking at Ally—thinking she was you—like tasty prey. I really wanted to punch him."
"And… and…you should show me how to properly punch someone when you get back. I only know defensive arts. I'd ask Ally, but… You know… princesses just have someone else do it for them, right? I bet Prince Callum does. I should make a note to ask Ally later."
"I'll just keep imagining him as some deformed monster from years of royal inbreeding that you take pity on because he's so hideous… and you're way too nice to people, Viv. You give them the wrong impression…"
Ben sighed again, now stroking Marmalade's fur as the cat purred. "Just come back to us, Viv. Nothing is right when you're not here."