THE MOMENT
Kwame enjoyed the moment. It was easy to appreciate his position. He stood in a group, alone, in the middle of the day. The sun was out and shone through the skylights in the museum and he smiled at the 'quiet busy' atmosphere. His tour group was the last of dozens shuffling through and admiring the displays. The scroll was one minor aspect of a much larger find that renewed interest in the museum. And even then, it was only notable for not being translated. This particular display was near the entrance and the guide led the group deeper inside while Kwame lingered behind. He hoped for a moment alone with his secret knowledge. He knew he could read the scroll and he wanted more time to explore his curiosity. But, he was surprised to see he wasn't the only one. A young woman with a purple fauxhawk and black leather duster also hung around the display. Kwame almost decided to ignore her and move on; but, he noticed her tattoo. She had a large spider tattooed on her neck and he felt a kinship as he decided to approach her.
"Hello, my name is Kwame Boateng," he introduced himself with a smile and she looked up at him.
"Hey, I'm J.J.," she replied. She studied him, then glanced to the scroll before meeting his eyes again.
"Are you here for the scroll too? Because I wasn't paid for a fight," she said. Kwame laughed and shook his head.
"I only wished to admire it longer than a minute," he replied. "But, please, continue with your duty," he stepped back and gestured at the glass case. There was a time when he wouldn't have helped a thief so willingly. But, he'd developed a new perspective on the universe over the past several weeks. That did not mean he could not question her though.
"It is quite interesting, are you able to read it too?" Kwame asked.
"Not my business to," J.J. shook her head as she remained in place with her eyes on him. In his peripheral vision, Kwame noticed a swarm of spiders infiltrating the glass case. It surprised him enough to draw his full attention and he turned to confirm what he saw.
"Are you an Arana?" he asked. J.J. nodded.
"You know about Uniques?" she asked with a friendlier smile.
"I do," he answered. He did not distrust J.J.; but, he did not feel compelled to elaborate on what he knew or who he was.
"What about you? What's your favorite number?" J.J. asked.
"Anansi counts on stories, not numbers," Kwame replied. J.J. nodded and he changed the subject quickly to distract her. "Forgive the curiosity; but, are you on a quest?" he asked.
"It's a job," J.J. shrugged. "This scroll they found doesn't belong in this universe, so I'm just taking it back to where it belongs." The scroll was gone now and the spiders were leaving the glass case.
"Is that so? How interesting," Kwame nodded as his mind processed the new information.
"Eh, it's the multiverse. This kind of thing happens a lot," J.J. shrugged.
"I am sure. However, it was an honor to meet such a professional," he smiled as he offered her his hand. "Until we cross paths again," he said. J.J. shook his hand and nodded. But, she pulled him close before he let go.
"Now you made me curious," she whispered. "It's against the rules if I read it; but, if I happen to overhear you saying what it is you read on it...," she shrugged with a smile and let go of his hand.
"It was interesting to me on a personal level," Kwame nodded. "It is a myth of Anansi."
"Oh, just a story?" J.J. shrugged with a chuckle. "I already got plenty of those. See ya around, Kwame," she waved at him as she turned to walk away.
"Not just any story...," Kwame sighed to himself as he wondered whether it meant anything or not. He placed a hand on the now-empty glass case to say goodbye, then he moved on. "The tale of Anansi is one this Earth does not know....," he smiled as he caught up to the tour group. "Perhaps I should share it with them."