Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters here, except for Mari and Klitus.
"Here they come," Klitus said as he stood and took a step forward. They were standing in front of the entrance to the botanic gardens waiting for professor Silvertongue and Pan.
"Are you feeling all right professor?"
"Fine Mari," The professor sighed. "We're always a little blue on this day. All these years and we're still sad."
"Well, if my idea works, it may be that you get to see him today."
"I'm just glad you have an idea," She sighed once more and lead the way in. "Let's go, it's almost time."
Mari and Klitus followed in silence behind their teachers. They weren't exactly sure what to say since they had never had anyone to care about as professor Silvertongue and Pantalaimon had. They stood as the Professor sat down on the bench.
"He's here," Professor Silvertongue said as a smile grew on her face and tears filled her eyes. "He's here next to me,"
Mari nodded. "Pantalaimon, sit in professor-"
"Just call me Lyra,"
"All right, Lyra's lap."
He quickly obeyed.
"Now both of you, close your eyes and focus on the person, or daemon, you want to see. If your bond with them is strong enough then you should be able to at least see them."
They listened to their students and closed their eyes. Silence fell over the small group for a few moments, until Mari gasped at what was happening before her. Something that looked like a window slowly appeared in the space next to Lyra, showing a world like theirs, only with a man sitting on the bench where, in their world, was empty.
"Professor!"
She opened her eyes and looked at the window next to her, as she gasped. "Will!" She whispered.
Will hadn't seem to notice the window next to him, he was just staring out across the pond, petting a cat that was on his lap.
Lyra's tears ran down her face as she reached out. She touched the window, but no matter how she tried she couldn't go through the opening. It seemed that there was a pane of glass blocking the two worlds. She tapped on the glass like substance, causing Will to look over and gasp. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, and the daemons walked up to the window and set one of their paws against each other, trying to get through.
Mari smiled down at Klitus. "It seems our plan worked, but not totally. At least this is a start."
"Is there anyway to get through?" Lyra asked.
"Not that I know of. Sorry professor,"
"It's fine, really,"
"I'll keep thinking though."
"Thank you Mari,"
"No problem professor,"
"Will? Can you hear me?" Lyra asked.
His lips moved, but there was no sound.
"Oh Will..." she sighed. "Just seeing you is enough,"
"Let's go Klitus," Mari said. "Let them have their time alone. We'll see you later professor,"
Lyra never answered. She was to distracted by the window, smiling and crying at the same time, trying to get through.
"Any ideas my friend?"
He shook his furry head. "The only idea I have is possibly going to the north and learning more about the aurora."
Mari nodded. "That's a very slim chance though. At least of that happening soon,"
Klitus looked up at her. "Are you doing all right?"
She tried to smile. "I'm fine,"
"You know you can't lie to me, you just can't lie. It's impossible for you,"
"I know that, but I am fine. I'm happy for Professor Silvertongue and Pan. They have someone to love."
"We will one day. Remember the Alethiometer?"
"That's true I suppose. How did we get into this whole mess Kli? I mean I've dreamed of travel and adventure, you know I have, but this? This is just crazy!"
"We can back out if you'd like. I mean-"
"I couldn't do that to Professor Silvertongue! I could never do that to her! She's like a big sister to me!"
Klitus chuckled and licked Marianne's hand. "I know that. I am your daemon, remember? I should know most things about you."
Mari smiled and scratched his head again. "Oh I know. And I want what's best for you,"
"Which I feel the same, I want you to be happy."
"I am happy,"
"Not as happy as you could be,"
Mari sighed and looked away. "True, I could be happier, but for now I'm happy with where we are."
"One day we'll travel the world and be as happy as ever. Then we'll find the ones we truly love and be happier then before."
"Yes, but first we have to help the professor." Mari sat down in the grass and Klitus curled up in her lap.
"I just can't think of anything that might help," She sighed finally after an hour of thinking. "What about you?"
Klitus shook his head once more and sat up. "Nothing. We're usually the first to come up with ideas. What's wrong with us?"
"Maybe we're just losing our touch,"
"Or maybe you need to know more about the Aurora." A new voice said.
Mari turned around to see professor Silvertongue standing behind her, wiping her eyes. "How are you feeling professor?"
"So much better now that I have seen Will. It looks like he hasn't been married yet either. I guess we just can't stand the thought of being with someone other than each other."
Mari smiled. "It must be nice to have someone like that."
"Yes," The professor sighed. "Well, let's get going. The window closed itself. I'm sure you have some work you want to work on,"
"Most definitely. I want to figure out why that glass type stuff was there..."
"Don't work too hard. You have finals soon, don't you? Because of that strange weather back in the winter?"
Mari nodded. "Yes professor I do, but I think I'm prepared. I have a few ideas about how to make that glass disappear and how you can see Will whenever either of you want to see each other, without getting sick from being away from your worlds for too long."
"Work on you finals first, then worry about me."
"I'll be fine professor-"
"Outside of class just call me Lyra. I've never like the whole 'professor' business. Besides you are a friend. You are trying to help me and Will, when you should really be worrying about yourself and your classes."
"All right, Lyra, but I'm fine. I'm well prepared for my finals, there is no need to worry."
