Universe Twister - Keith Laumer [197]
O'Leary clung to a cluster of leaves he had grabbed for support; Sisli pulled him back.
"For heaven's sake, Tazlo—stop behaving as if you weren't one of Thallathlone's top athletes. You're embarrassing me."
"Sure; just give me time to get my sky-legs." He closed his eyes and concentrated. "It's funny, Sisli," he said, "but if I just relax and sort of clear my mind—fit myself into the Tazlo bag—I start remembering things. Little bits and pieces, like, oh, sailing through the air on a sunny day—and doing power dives over Yawning Abyss—and even walking branches . . ."
"Well, of course, Tazlo; you've done them often enough."
"And . . . even with my eyes closed, I can feel you, standing there, six feet away. I can sense Vugli, he's about thirty feet away now, talking to someone. And I think Hinky has gone back . . . in that direction." He pointed.
"Well, of course we can sense each other." Sisli sounded puzzled. "How else would we manage to find our way back to the eyrie after a long flight?"
"I guess it figures. And all I have to do to walk these branches is just hold my mind right, right?"
"Right." Sisli giggled. "You look so solemn and determined, as if you were going to have to do something terribly brave and terribly important—all just to take a stroll down the front walk."
"All things are relative, I guess," Lafayette, and stepped boldly out behind her toward the sounds of music.
2
Life in Thallathlone was pretty nice, all things considered, O'Leary reflected hazily, relaxing at the nightly fete. If it wasn't one occasion for joy, it was another. Tonight's ball, for example, had been in celebration of the second week's anniversary of his vindication. The fermented booljuice had flowed freely; the air dancers had been skilled and graceful in their wispy scarves and veils, the toasted birdseed had tasted better than broiled steak—and Sisli, at his side every minute, had been as loving and attentive a prospective bride as a man could want.
That was the only thought that dampened his enthusiasm momentarily.
"But actually, everything will turn out fine," he reminded himself for the tenth time. "As soon as I figure out how to get back into my own body, Tazlo Haz will be back in his. He may have a pretty wild story to tell, but it can all be blamed on the bump on my head. And he and Sisli will live happily ever after."
Swell, he answered himself. Just as long as you don't get carried away and spend the wedding night with the bride.
"Which reminds me—that feathered four-flusher is probably romancing Daphne right now!"
Not any more than you're romancing Sisli.
"You mean he's kissed her?"
Wouldn't you?
"Certainly—but that's different. When I kiss Sisli, it's just . . . just friendly."
So is he. You can count on that.
"I'll break his other wing, that bird in wolf's clothing!"
Not until he's back inside the birdskin, I hope.
"Tazlo—who are you talking to?" Sisli inquired.
"Ah—just a fellow named O'Leary. A sort of figment of my imagination. Or maybe I'm a figment of his. It's a question for the philosophers."
"Isn't that who you said you were when you were still delirious?"
"I may have mentioned the name. But I'm much better now, right?" He blinked away the double images and focused a smile on the girl's inquiring face. "After all—I did merge—and I walked the branches—and ate birdseed—and—"
"Tazlo—you frighten me when you talk like this. It's as though—as though you were playing a role instead of just being yourself."
"Think nothing of it, m'dear," Lafayette said solemnly. "You're letting what old Wizzy said bug you. Lot of nonsense. Mind-grabbers indeed. Probably just some poor Central agent with a short circuit in his probability wiring, meaning no harm at all."
"Harmless, eh?" an unfriendly voice snapped from near at hand. Wizner Hiz glowered from his perch a few feet above and to one side of the tiny table where Lafayette sat with Sisli. "I've been watching you, Haz—or whoever you are. You don't behave normally. You don't