Transparent Color's

The large metal door closes behind me. In front of me is a grand staircase. The gold suited guard leads us left down a wide hall. The walls on either side of us are gray with dark purple swirls going down them. I look down at the glossy floor and I can see my reflection surrounded with dark purple around me.

The guard stops in front of a double door, also made of metal. The purple swirls that are on the walls decorate the doors as well. The door knobs are dazzled with tiny purple jewels. They sparkle off the floor when the light hits them. The gold man opens the door and the bright florescent light from inside the room hits my face. I look slightly away and lift my right hand to block the blinding light. Moments when it fades away I slowly lower my hand and see about a hundred faces staring at me. Frozen in place, I suddenly hear a man’s voice from across the room.

“Magolin Collins!” a voice says in a delightful tone. My eyes search the room for the voice, and then the crowd of people part down the middle and I can now see a young looking man, wearing a black suit with a gold shirt underneath. He smiles and starts to walk down the parted people towards me. His walk is too smooth and confident, he must be the Majestic.

When he is now in front of me, I’m taken aback by his dashing looks. He has soft blue eyes and short dark blond hair. He has broad shoulders and seems extremely strong. His smile is catching, because I am now smiling.

“Magolin Collins, it is so nice to meet you.” The beautiful man speaks to me, I feel in a trance. He sticks his hand out for me to put my hand in. When I do, he bends down and brings it to his lips to kiss.

I unintentionally give a little giggle. Then notice Toby and Maliki looking at me, so I control myself.

The man stands tall, giving me a soft smile, “Forgive me; I guess I must be overcome with excitement. I am Joshua Rams but you can call me Majestic.” When he says his name he puts his right hand to his chest and does a slight bow.

“No need to apologize Sir. I…we are honored to be invited to your home.” I nod my head, “If I’m not being to bold Sir, why were we invited to your home?”

He smiles big, “No, boldness is good, I would be wondering the same thing. Jeffery please go get my guests something to drink, I bet the boy would like a chocolate milk shake.” He looks down at Toby.

Toby’s eyes get big and so does his smile, “Very much so, Sir.”

“Great! Everyone this is Magolin Collins, her cousin Toby, and her friend Maliki,” he says, now facing the crowd of people. The people clap and welcome us.

The Majestic then turns back towards me, “Please follow me and you will get your drinks.” He links my arm in his and starts walking back to the other side of the room.

As I move through the crowd, all the people staring at me grin and nod their heads. Everyone is dressed in gold and black. The women have heavily made up faces with all different colors, accented with gold. The men have slick back wet looking hair, and weighing down their wrists, large gold watches. I don’t know how they are able to lift their arms up.

The room sparkles with gold. It is wide and circular, with a high ceiling that looks in a dome shape. There is the purple swirl again, from the hall walls and doors, now decorating the ceiling. In the very middle is a magnificent chandelier hanging down. The gold floor is shiny and glossy; it reflects the purple swirls from the ceiling. Glass tables circle the room, lining the walls.

Straight ahead of me is a large gold rectangular glass table, with purple and black glass chairs. On the wall behind the table is a huge fireplace. The fire is gleaming, and from its light hitting the gold surrounding the opening, it makes an illusion of gold glitter sparkling on the table.

“Ms. Magolin you may sit here.” A man in a gold suit pulls out the chair for me to sit. He must be a server.

I walk to the chair and sit down with my back facing the fireplace. I can feel the heat on my shoulders. It feels good in the cold room. The man pushes my chair in and walks away. As soon as he leaves another server approaches me, he places a light purple and gold embroidered glass on the table in front on me.

I reach my hand across the cool table touching the gold designs on the glass. With no hesitation, my thirst takes over and I take a sip. What I taste is a fruity, herbal liquid, lubricating my tongue. It is the most delightful thing I have ever tasted. I put the glass back on the table and look around. The Majestic is next to me at the end of the table, to my right. To my left is some older lady with white hair up in a ball on her head. Across from me is Toby and next to him, Maliki. Maliki’s eyes look cautiously at me.

“So Ms. Collins, how do you like the grand City?” The Majestic says leaning in close to me.

I look at Toby devouring his milk shake, and then turn to his blue eyes.

“It’s very different. I mean from what I’m use to.” I give a little grin. I feel nervous. I’m not sure how I should properly answer his questions. I hope he doesn’t just talk to me.

“Different yes, but do you like it?” He takes a sip of his drink.

“Yes, it’s very nice.”

He gives a smile, “I’m glad to hear.”

After he says this, the whole room goes silent. Servers then start to flood out of this one room in the corner, to the left of me, holding gold covered trays. One by one, a server for a person. As soon as each person has a server next to them, they all instantly put down their tray and uncover it at the same time.

“Enjoy madam; if you need anything please ring the bell.” My server points to a tiny bell on my tray, then bows and quickly leaves.

I look at the tiny bell and wonder how he would be able to hear such a small ding. The lady next to me must be watching my expression, because she gives a little chuckle which causes me to look up at her.

“Dear child they cannot possible hear that small noise. Watch.”

The lady then picks up her bell, slightly dings it, and her server in moments is by her side. She points to a tiny bell on the man’s collar, then says to the server, “Young man I need some salt on my potatoes.” The server pushes a bottom on a gadget around his wrist and a little bottle of salt appears. He sprinkles it on.

“Amazing!” is all I can think to say and add to the list in my mind:

5. Magical bells that ring correspondently

6. Some kind of gadget that pops out condiments

I look at Toby and he’s not noticing anything around him but his food. Maliki on the other hand is poking at his and smelling it. I wonder why he feels the need to be so cautious. Should I? I then look at my plate and my mouth instantly waters. My plate consists of a chicken breast with a cheese sauce smothering it, with diced tomatoes, onions and mushrooms on top; potatoes with chives, and steamed broccoli. On its own plate a fresh baked roll, still warm. A combination of my favorite foods, okay done thinking, time to gorge myself just like Toby, unaware of anything else around me but the taste of food. Mmm, haven’t had tasty food like this at one time before. My stomach sure is happy!

When finished with the dinner, my server comes out and removes the empty plate. He goes through the door next to the one they all flooded out of bringing the meals, and in a quick motion back out through the first door with a new smaller gold tray. On this tray is a double layer chocolate mousse cake, with drizzled fudge across the plate and three strawberries laying decoratively next to the cake. A little gold cup of hot tea is brought out as well.

During this part of the meal, conversations begin again.

“So how was your dinner, Ms. Collins?”

Oh I forgot about him, and well anybody for that matter, “It was quite delicious, thank you.” I give a little smile, and look back down at my cake.

“I’m glad. You know it wouldn’t be right if my celebrated guest did not enjoy her food,” He leans in and touches my hand.

I look at him and give a little smile, I should feel uncomfortable with him touching me, but for some reason it feels normal. Strange, my mind feels a little fuzzy. When he moves his hand, I look at Maliki and he’s looking at the Majestic coldly. I wonder if the expression on his face is because he wants to be the one touching my hand or if he just doesn’t trust the Majestic. Or both, Oooh do I feel a little loopy, maybe it’s because I haven’t eaten my cake. So I start eating it. It’s delicious!

When I am finished with my cake I notice the Majestic looking at me, his mouth opens, “How’s the cake?” I say good.

“You’re a talkative one are you not?” he gives a little laugh.

He goes on, “I bet you are still wondering why you were invited to my home?”

I have forgotten all about that question yet to be answered, I nod yes. My ears are filled now with soft music playing in the background. I look past Toby and there is an orchestra that has popped out of the wall.

“Ah. The music’s here. Would you be so kind to honor me with a dance?” He stands up from his chair and holds out his hand.

I do not think I’m allowed to decline; besides my feet are already moving to the music. So I give him my hand and he helps me out of the chair. My eyes slightly glance at Maliki and his face is enraged now. I don’t know why the music is so pretty.

The Majestic leads me to the middle of the floor, where the chandelier is now above us. He bows and waits for me to do something but I’m not sure what, I have never danced before to this type of music. He says to me in a quiet voice “curtsy”. I awkwardly do what I think is a curtsy. He straightens back up, gives a little laugh, and takes one of my hands and places his other hand at the middle of my back. He draws me in and tells me to put my loose hand on his shoulder. We start gliding around the floor.

No one else is dancing but us. They all look upon us with smiles and whispers at their chairs. Which they should, there is no room for anyone else but us on this cloud. I feel like I’m floating. We move slowly across the dance floor. The lights dim and the roof becomes glass and all you can see is millions and millions of stars. It takes my breath away. More beautiful than that night in the field. Oh that field, and Toby. Oh, yes, Toby was in that field as well. Hmm and so was that animal … what was I thinking about? Oh yes the stars and how beautiful they are in this room, with this man. Something is pressing on my brain. But who cares, I am here in this grand house, with this grand man. The pressing becomes stronger now and my high becomes wonder. Why am I here in this grand house, with this grand man? The question that was left unanswered.

“So you were going to tell me why we were invited to your home?”

He gives a smile, “Yes I was, good memory.”

He spins me twice, I feel a little dizzy and wobbly. So he brings me closer. “I’m sure Maliki told you about Trevor and his mission, right?” I say yes and he continues, “Well who do you think gave them permission to go? I’ve been waiting for your arrival, I figured anyone Trevor will go rescue, must be important.” He swings me out, and then brings me back in even closer.

“Well I’m not that important, that man Trevor was friends with my father. You knew Maliki?” curiosity is now coming over me.

He now looks curiously at me with a grin, “Maliki? All the questions my mind would be asking me, and you ask me about Maliki?”

“Oh, well I…” he interrupts me by giving a little laugh

“No need to explain, so you’re sweet on him, I don’t see why you wouldn’t after travelling so far together.” His eyes are locked in on mine, he leans his head down a little bit. “I just hope he feels the same about you Ms. Collins, but if not I wouldn’t fret. There is another.” The music stops, the lights lit up and we just stand there looking into each other’s eyes. I’m frozen in place again.

He straightens his head back with a smile and disconnects our gaze and me along with it. He turns to the gouging people at their seats and says with a loud voice, “I know you all must be tired of sitting, come and dance. Maestro!” he waves his hand at the orchestra. Music begins to play again.

“Ahem. May I cut in?” Maliki is standing next to us with his hand out for me to take.

The Majestic grins at him, “That was quick, why of course.” He looks back at me, bows and kisses my right hand. He moves my hand to Maliki’s and walks away.

“Are you allowed to do that? Do you think he’s mad?” I watch him as he leaves, I still feel a bit dizzy and him leaving is making me feel even dizzier.

Maliki puts his hand on the side of my chin and turns my head to him. “I really don’t care if he is or not. What did he say to you Maggie? How do you feel?” He brings me close and we start dancing.

“Just that he was the one to order the mission and that he was waiting for my arrival. How come you never mentioned him?”

“I told you there was a new leader, but I’ve never met him before; and he didn’t order Trevor’s mission. At least I don’t think he did. That’s beside the point now. Maggie I don’t trust him. I believe he is up to something big, and you are part of it. Why else would he be waiting for you?” I shrug for my answer.

“Why do I see doubt about me in your eyes?” he says to me with frustration in his voice.

“I don’t doubt you! I’m just trying to figure this all out, he seems perfectly fine to me.” my voice is more quiet than usual.

“Right. Well just remember people like that are only nice when they want something. Don’t let him in your head Maggie.” His eyes then catch something, and he stops dancing. I turn my head to look but he lets go of my hand and turns my head to his again, “remember I will always protect what is mine.” He gently kisses me on the lips and in doing so, the high I once had from the Majestic disappears. He then turns and walks away leaving me alone on the floor.

Why couldn’t we have danced under the stars?

Random men instantly approach me and I am now occupied with old men. They all smile, tell me how lovely I look, and how absolutely grand this night has been. I smile, agree and talk sparingly. My eyes go to the table, and Maliki leaning against the back wall, he seems to be talking with some man not from our table. As I am dancing with the third man I see him now talking to the Majestic himself. I wish I was over there, instead of dancing with these men who smell of old spice. After the fifth dance I look at the table and he is no longer there. I look around the dance floor, he’s not here, and then look around the room. He is gone.

I excuse myself and go back to the table. Toby has the whole table laughing out loud with his stories of our City and the travels here. They look at me with laughter and I smile back, not knowing really what is so funny, and then I kindly excuse Toby.

“Toby, where’s Maliki?”

He looks at me confusedly not understanding the concern in my voice, “He went to his new home.”

“New home? Oh, so I guess we should go to ours as well, it’s getting late,” I feel some relief to be leaving here, I feel all wobbly and not myself.

“The Majestic says we can stay here for the night, he has our rooms set up already. He says in the morning we can go to our new home.”

“What? But Maliki went to his new home, why can’t we tonight?” Just then the Majestic’s voice cuts in.

“The supply store is closed at this time. The only reason Maliki left is because he said he knew someone from our City. He’s staying with them.” He gives me a smile and continues, “When you are tired Jo-Shana will show you to your rooms.” A man moves next to him, it’s that same man who seemed to be talking to Maliki.

“Oh, okay, um…thank you for allowing us to stay at your home that is very kind of you.” I give a smile, turn my head towards Toby, then back to the Majestic again, “We are feeling very tired, and would like to resign to the rooms, if that’s okay?”

“Well of course, Jo-Shana please escort Ms. Collins and her cousin to their rooms.” Jo-Shana nods and asks us to follow him. Toby and I bow our heads with gratitude to the Majestic, say goodnight, and follow the large man.

He brought us back to the grand staircase and we go up. We walk down the hall to the end and go up more stairs to another hall. In this hall are doors to rooms, he shows Toby’s his room first.

“Good-night freckles.” I lean in to kiss him on the head, and with a whisper say, “Come to my room when you are done changing I will feel more comfortable knowing you were with me in this strange place.”

He nods, “Good-night.”

I follow the large man down the hall to my room. He opens the door and waits for me to go inside. I walk in, and then turn around to thank him. He stands there looking at me.

“Sleep well Ms. Collins.” His eyes lock with mine, and I know now he holds a secret in them.