THE MOMENT
Curiosity glimmered in Kwaku's peripheral vision. He was on his way home from a good day at the market and the sun was low in the sky. Following the stream wasn't the quickest way home; but, it was the most peaceful. The sound of flowing water under an endless evening sky was wonderfully relaxing when he didn't have a cart loaded with unsold garments. And, as he strolled along, something sparkled. He froze immediately to determine what it was.
He spotted a shine in the stream. Whatever it was, it had to be at just the right angle to reflect sunlight when the rest of the water did not; suspicion was his first instinct. He was well-known, if not famous in the surrounding villages, and he only ventured to the market once a month. The last few trips were as fruitful as this latest one, and it wouldn't be unreasonable to imagine it as a trap of some sort. But, as he debated his next action, the unknown object continued to call him with its light.
"It could prove valuable... or at least useful...," Kwaku convinced himself. The glittering item might not have had any inherent value; but, if it sparkled that much it would be a worthy decoration for one of his next designs. He glanced at the cart and emptied it fully by grabbing his coin pouch. If it were a plot, they would only steal the cart and he could afford to replace that. Then, he waded into the stream.
As his shadow covered the spot, the glinting light changed color rather than disappeared. It became a brilliant blue and excited is curiosity further. He reached in and moved some sediment aside to grab the whole thing, and discovered something entirely unexpected. It wasn't a lost piece of jewelry, nor anything he'd seen before. It was glass. Thin as paper and clean, translucent blue. It was tinted; but, glass that clear was very beautiful and valuable indeed.
"Amazing...," it was sturdy. He applied light pressure and it bowed without breaking. "...what shall I do with you?" he held it up to the fading sunlight again to admire the clarity as he waded back to his cart.
[Join me. - Io] Text appeared on the display. Kwaku was stunned silent as he stared. The text faded and after another moment, more words appeared.
[You are invited, Kwaku. - Io] To where? By whom? Those and other relevant questions formed a queue in his mind; but, he knew which one to ask first.
"Why me?" he assumed whatever it was could hear him.
[You are Anansi. - Io] This time, the text came with a female voice; but that voice sounded nearby and not in his hand. He looked up and was astounded yet again. A black ball hovered in front of him glowing with blue energy. Kwaku was a talented weaver, and it was a skill that took patient focus. He'd been surprised so much already in the past few minutes that it was easy to adapt to new developments. If the thing meant him harm, it had opportunity.
"Is that an insult?" He asked as he shook his head. "I'm not familiar with that word."
"I am Io," she said. The blue glow pulsed brighter with each syllable. "You are Mythical incarnate, Anansi. I require you."
"I am a Myth?" he asked. "What is this Anansi? What do they do? What can I do?"
"Anansi. Weaver. Storyteller. Trickster. More," Io answered tersely. She had a pleasant voice; but, she spoke in an unnatural cadence that kept Kwaku on his guard. She wasn't human, that much was obvious. He wasn't known for telling stories exactly; but, he put careful thought into each garment he wove; each one told a different tale. And, he was certainly mischievous in his youth. He felt like she described him accurately; along with dozens of other craftsmen that he met regularly at the market.
"And you require me?" he smiled. "My time is valuable, I need to start creating the items for my next trip to market; what is your offer?"
"Knowledge," Io answered. A large, tall black hole opened in the air before Kwaku as she spoke. "This Earth is not the only one. I will share the multiverse with you. I will provide you with new stories. New materials to work with. Your service is temporary; the benefits will persist."
"You've sufficiently explained why I have been chosen... but what do you need from me?" he asked.
"Knowledge," Io answered again. "I am conducting research. You will meet alternate versions. Other incarnations of Anansi from the multiverse. You will exchange knowledge with them. I will learn something from all of you."
"Temporary? For how long?"
"Approximation: six weeks," Io replied.
"I accept," Kwaku nodded and put the blue glass into his pouch with his coins. He didn't see how he could not. He smiled and walked forward into the portal. "Though, they'll be expecting me at market before then; they'll miss me..," he chuckled as he stepped through.
"Yes. They will," Io followed him.