Chapter 4

Soundless laughter rumbled in greeting. Ann spun around to a shaded face. Hadn’t the figure begun speaking, she would have ended this in contour in regret. “Oh dear, why are you wearing socks with those hills?” Ann blinked into focus, she was looking at an ebony spotted coat, balanced with a plain shirt, and a glum tie. However, her vision snagged at the pink and pineapple shoes. She didn’t have a response to the socks.

“An interesting fashion statement I suppose,” the figure continued, his face exploding with color as he stepped towards her, moving into light. Ann blinked, she knew this man. “What, say, are you doing this far from the party?” she asked.

“You’re not one for small talk, I forget. Alas, I was waiting for someone,” he remained still.

“Sorry to disappoint but I do not believe anyone else is planning to appear out here,” she said.

He only laughed, “You did.”

Ann frowned, before blandly responding “Enjoy the party.” She left without looking back, passing tree lined lanes. She was thinking about how that man could have left the clearing with a rather festive scarlet mark strawn across his face, maybe the size of her hill’s flat, had she acted in defense rather than confusion.

His name was Alec Vonstone I recall. He’s the same person from the alley, with the apples, and the mess. He’d also passed through the Gesbanosh office once or twice, for that coat I would never forget. I think he worked for the government, or with them, or completely apart from them, I’m uncertain, but I heard about it a few months ago. I’m sure I could ask around the office though, his name was always jumping around…

The thought was lost once I reached the first spawn plane heading towards the ball. Instantly I was swamped by the noise, and the exotic fashion sense. Even in the dark, Chateau Miranda was a beauty of its own galaxy, its size a bewilderment and design one of which any royal golden spaniel could dream for their personal hall of chewed up tennis balls. One of which a springer spaniel could trample in one bounded sprint.

There had to be at least a thousand guests here waiting to enter the grand fiesta, I didn’t even know where to begin. Was Sakria here? Bram was certainly here, he wouldn't miss this evening even for a promotion to ‘his royal highness’, a position granting its owner the power to a private bathroom… with a bath and cinnamon soaps… at work. The tradition was a strange one, it was cherished though, for its position emerged because of an American article about ‘Trade Unions’ and increase in productivity after the installation of showers in the work space gym. ‘There's luxury bathrooms in the upper office building’, thought the boss, and it certainly paid off.

The thought of just walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation did cross my mind, how would I introduce myself though? Certainly not as Ann Stromun. ‘Ann’ doesn’t leave much context, as much as it didn’t leave much imprint on who I really am like.

“Hey! You didn’t happen to see Alec did you? Tall guy, blue hair, amber eyes, unbelievably rhythmic gait?” the voice sprung on me just as the girl did. Oh right, Alec. “I saw him,” I responded carefully, I didn’t know who this was, who she worked for and if she knew Alec… I barely have any indication of a clear picture of his role out here. This, it would have to play out mildly.

“Is he still out there? Goodness I shouldn’t have left him alone. Did he seem stressed, or hurt, or angry?” The words were polished in such stress it was quite possible this girl would babble on much longer than she would dare searching for Alec in the woods.

I responded, ”He seemed alright, calm even.”

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This triggered another spasm of stress, “What is he doing?”

“Smoking starlight?” I shrugged.

“He's smoking! That-” So much for being mild, I really owed to keep my mouth shut.

“No, he’s not smoking although he seemed a bit… tipsy,” luckily I was saved by Alec’s reappearance.

I nodded my head in his direction before turning around to head back into the crowd. Alec wasn’t someone I was hoping to speak to again, I couldn’t get a single read off of his character and that unnerved me, even scared me. In most cases I could at least sense a person's intention towards me, during a conversation, in that given moment, he was just… a blank.

In not too much time I was herded into the castle, if I thought outside was breathtaking then I was now sorely mistaken. The first room had dooms of diamonds etched in navy and gold. Peonies and lavenders that longed towards the roof leaving soft, cushion petals in their wake. Beams and arches freshly painted, displaying a silver road of stairs heading to rooms I could only wish to explore. The ball took place in a room of similar enchantment, although its roof bloomed like roses under the horizon.

Like paid actors the stage was set alight, with clothes of flames, and movements like a tiger's descendant into the grass stalks of the plains. The dancing, so natural to the guests, an introduction unnecessary, it was lifeful and loud and increasingly difficult to navigate. Unless I joined the dance, like a water drop heading towards a stream, but I would describe this next encounter as the opposite. Like water being uprooted from the earth, into the clouds to be moved where I was needed more, for this meeting would change the course of my future and not by choice.

“Hi there, you seem lost.” The speaker was a lime haired boy with icy orange slush eyes. His suit caught my eyes though, it was definitely expensive. Startled, I looked up, he was Orion Lamrox, the mayor’s son. My eyes met with a different pumpkin splashed eye palette, not Orion’s, it could only be his father’s Felix. The mayor, “Is this the young lady you were speaking of?” he asked, it wasn’t quite prejudice, though his voice was stained in confusion. “No, of course not, we just met,” responded Orion, he seemed just as confused as his father. “What’s your name?” this question was directed at me, though it was a wonder I could hear his hushed voice amongst the anguish. Even if one might argue that fairy music healed the soul.

“My name? It’s Ann,” I was desperately trying to avoid my surname, especially now with the mayor and his son as witnesses.

“Ann who?” the mayor threaded.

“Ann the clerk! For the logistics sector,” I could already feel my argument sway.

“I want to know your family name,” he said with a demand I couldn’t ignore.

“Stromun,” I said quietly, hoping to pass as a mutter of sound to their ears. I was unsuccessful because the mayor's eyes widened just a fraction, but such history was in the past, it couldn’t affect me now. Could it?

“Nice to meet,” nodded Orion, he was unfazed by the name drop, he didn’t recognize it.

“We’ll be off,” the mayor nodded before guiding Orion away. They believed I was out of ear shot, but I didn’t miss the mayor's hidden agenda in his words to Orion, ‘Befriend that girl.’ This was bound to be one of the more interesting attempts of ‘peaceful’ spectators to see whether I had a hidden agenda of my own.

One of the onlookers that had been watching the mayor turned to look in my direction, a grin plastering his face. He must have overheard the same words I did. Precisely, he was wading his way towards me, the grin widening as my frown deepened. “So you’ve met Orion,” he stated smugly, “Do you…like him?”

Sighing, I said, “Am I supposed to? Wait, sorry, forget I said that. What I mean is, I don’t know him so I can’t tell you that yet.” Luckily he wasn’t upset, no, he looked like he was trying his best not to start laughing.

“Yet?” he ventured.

“You heard what I did,” I cleared.

“Correct, but I want to know why the mayor would want his son hanging out with you,” he responded gingerly.

“Jealousy doesn’t suit you,” it was my turn to grin, “What’s your status then?”

“Is that your coy way to ask for my name and landline number?” he asked, my expression didn’t budge, “I’m Bayley Floren. You might know my apartment building, ‘Floure Quality’ or my infuriating sister’s building-” he was saying before I cut him off.

“Ohhh! The brick wall crisis siblings! You know, the wall in the middle of the path that blocks the way to the best bakery- Never mind you guys are great,” I said, Bayley looked more revolved by my act to cut in then he did about my statement.

“Right. Enjoy your evening I’m heading back into the party, I’m sure we’ll meet again soon,” he said before sinking like butter back into the crowd. Fishing a drink off a passing tray, I took it slowly before heading into the dance myself, thinking could wait. It felt like I’d been handed a new sheet of music notes that I’d be expected to perform within the next month. A lot was happening, too fast and it didn’t feel like any coincidence.

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