THE SECOND REALM: ORANGE

Skyblue spent some time exploring the enchanted lands. She flew, stopped wherever something intrigued her, and continued when she felt the urge. Helio accompanied her without the slightest hurry.

She thought about all she had learned in the Red Realm. What would the enchanted regions be like if the other creatures lived that way? She struggled to imagine dragons sharing their treasures, but it no longer seemed impossible.

Sometimes a memory of school was enough to bring her classmates’ taunts back to her. Then she would land, set her paws on the earth, and walk for a while. She breathed, felt the weight of her body, and sought the red wheel at the base of her spine. When she sensed it turning, she felt the planet’s heartbeat again.

It did not always happen at once. Some memories persisted; Skyblue was learning to give herself time.

Yet after several days of exploring, the old suspicion returned: she was doing nothing useful. She looked impatiently at Helio, who was circling overhead. Before she could complain, the eagle changed course.

“We’ll continue our ascent.”

Skyblue spread her wings and followed.

She did not know how long they flew. In those lands, distances did not seem to agree with clocks. At last, they reached a border marked by a large sign:

“Welcome to the Orange Realm.”

Below it, in smaller letters, someone had added:

“We love having you here.”

Skyblue smiled. She remembered the sign that greeted visitors to her own village: “You have reached the land of the dragons. You should know that you are NOT welcome.” She had never noticed what a strange welcome that was.