10 Chapter Ten

What Carina had given me for garments could hardly be considered clothes in my opinion. I had no other option but to wear the scandalous articles of clothing, practically doing a walk of shame down the stairs. The skin tight black dress reached mid thigh and has strips of transparent cloth around the waist and above my breasts to expose more flesh than I would like. The straps were two fingers thick, and the back was a keyhole. I wore black panyhose with it and black boots I had found waiting for me that wrapped around my knee and made me four inches taller. I had pulled Michael's jacket on for comfort and to cover the tattoo that scared the bejeezus out of me and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. I made it to the lounge to see Michael and Gabriel wrestling on the ground. I tugged the dress down, my face spotted with red blotches that forced my freckles to stand out more. The boys were rolling around, growling menacingly and throwing punches. Eclair stood at the other doorway and shaking her head while Carina bounced giddily beside her.

"Right hook! Come on Michael, kick the albino's ass!" She squealed in delight. The boys shirts had ridden up in the tussle, to the point where I was suddenly blinded by a cotton rag. I pulled the beige long sleeve off of my face, to see that Gabriel was missing his top, and striking Michael in the abdomen.

"What the hell is going on?" I screamed, clutching the shirt in anger as Michael started to cough and gasp violently.

"Don't bother. They always do this." Eclair called, her glare intense of her son. Michael was pinned under Gabriel, who had his arms pinned behind him and his neck restrained with his foot. He saw my horrified figure standing in the doorway, perplexed by the volatile situation. He kicked his legs up, kicking Gabriel in the small of the back. Gabriel's hold on him loosened and he used the momentum to flip them to the side and wrap his arm around Gabriel's throat.

"Dead." Michael murmured against his skin and let Gabriel go.

"Yay!" Carina squealed in delight. Michael sauntered over to me, wobbling slightly.

"The two of them like to play a game called Assassin, where one tries to 'kill' the other. They play it as a training exercise." Eclair's voice floated over Michael who stood before me. I shook my head in disbelief at his victorious grin. Gabriel, much to his chagrin, collected his shirt from Carina.

"Good job albino," She chuckled, patting his shoulder. Gabriel's breathing was heavy and rough, and he rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Thanks," He sighed, tugging lightly at her hair. I was still glaring daggers at Michael who became jittery and nervous under it. Like Gabriel, his breath was ragged and broken. His warm breath kept fanning my face as he tried to catch his breath.

"Peanut, don't be mad." He frowned, fixing his torn shirt and reaching out for me. He retracted his hand from my icy glare.

"Okay, you're really mad." He bowed his head in despair and noticed my attire. He grabbed the edge of his jacket like a child trying to not lose his mother in a crowd.

"Mad as the wind and sea when both compete to see which is the mightier." I growled lowly.

"You're quoting Othello so you're pissed." He tugged on the jacket a little so I stepped closer.

"Hamlet." I obliged to step forward but my voice was filled with acid.

"You look nice today. I mean you always look nice but-- I mean--" I silenced his babbling with a wave of my hand.

"Thank you. Now, what do you have to say to Gabriel?" I growled, putting my hands on my hips. I tried to be intimidating, but I knew from the glow in Michael's eyes it was not working.

"I'm sorry for kicking your ass Gabriel." Michael sighed a half-assed apology, but I knew that was the best I was going to get. Gabriel grunted in apology as well before grabbing Carina by the collar and dragging her out. Eclair stood there flabbergasted.

"Michael Cain Black, did you just apologize?" Eclair stumbled over her words slightly and Michael ducked behind me.

"How did you get him to do that?" Eclair blurted, grabbing my jacket desperately. I began to trip over my words, trying to find a reasonable explanation but coming up with nothing. Eclair shared a look with Michael before backing off.

"You need to stick around Salayria," Eclair winked at me before dashing away.

"Okay, so everyone is acting really odd!" I complained, racking my brain to see how any of the past events corresponded with each other. No logical explanation was available, except for the reasoning that Michael himself was not logical. Michael stepped out from his hiding spot and spun around before grabbing his stomach.

"Gabriel hits harder than I remember." Michael winced, rubbing his belly for comfort. I began to grow anxious as Michael stood in front of me, bent over in pain. Gressil came bounding down the stairs and launched himself at my feet. I shrieked as I was thrown backwards into the air, and my rear landed painfully of the concrete. Michael had attempted to catch me, but ended up grabbing my elbows and making sure my skull did not crack of the ground. He burst into a fit of giggles at my pout, holding his knees for support. I rubbed my elbows in embarrassment and saw Gressil running giddily around the room.

"Karma's a bitch isn't it?" He cried, wiping tears from his eyes. I scrambled up and lightly punched his arm.

"Jerk." I growled before storming to the ground.

"I'm sorry! I tried to catch you," Michael laughed, standing up straight, "But you have to admit it. You yell at me for a game, and then get knocked over. It's poetic justice."

"I yelled at you because you scared the crap out of me!" I barked, spinning around in anger. Seeing Michael being pummeled by Gabriel had made me feel helpless, and caused my stomach to churn. Michael stopped laughing, and stared at me thoughtfully.

"Awe, little Peanut cares about me!" He squealed, launching himself at me and wrapping me in a hug. Still infuriated by him I struggled in his grip.

"No I don't!"

"Awe, you love me!"

"I hate you!"

"No you don't!" He squeezed me and shook me around like a ragdoll making my world turn into a gold and burgundy haze.

"I'm getting dizzy!" I cried, pounding my fists against his chest.

"M-Michael. Put her down." A voice broke through the squeals and cries coming from us. Michael stopped shaking me, and I gripped onto him for support.

"Mitch? What are you doing here?" Michael went stiff, and his voice was electric and laced with excitement. I cocked my head, remembering that Mitch was Michael's older brother.

"Mom said that you found a new friend, so I came to see for myself." Mitch had the same ink black hair as Michael, but it was pulled into a bun and his scraggly beard as untamed. He looked very much like what people would call a 'hipster'. His arms were full of intricate and feathery tattoos and he sported a grin that exceeded Michael's in length but lacked Michael's dimples. He paced his hand on Michael's shoulder.

"By the way, when a girl is wearing a dress do not spin her around." Mitch's voice was grave and my face paled. Michael's face went a startling red and he pulled away from me.

"Sorry Peanut." I grabbed my dress and pulled it down, squeaking in despair.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" I shrieked, hiding behind Michael in shame and yanking at my dress. He just laughed in amusement and shook his head.

"So, you must be Salayria? Mitch Abel Black, lovely to meet you." Mitch grinned, reaching out to me for a handshake. I grasped it and shook it gently before pulling it away and hiding. Michael reached behind him and grabbed my shoulders.

"I'm guessing you wanted to talk in private." It was a statement, not a question. Mitch nodded, and smiled sweetly at me.

"Salayria, why don't you and Gressil walk around town? I'll catch up with you later." My blood ran cold. Not once since I had met Michael has he called me by my real name. He always called me Peanut. I knew that something bad was going to happen.

"Come on Gressil," I cooed, giving Michael one last look before rushing out the door.

Michael watched as Salayria ran out the door, and Mitch shifted and stood straight.

"Little Mikey is all grown up, eh?" Mitch snickered, cracking his neck while he eyed Michael suspiciously. Michael had missed his brother, but the thought of Mitch arriving just to delve into Michael's personal life seemed a little far fetched.

"I guess," He refused to look at Mitch, afraid his brother would delve deep into his darkest secrets that Michael kept locked away in the abysmal crumbs of his pathetic soul. That was, if Michael even had one.

"Ever since we grew up, you have never felt a thing. It's like you live in a glass container. You can feel things physically, but you cannot feel the most beautiful emotions; happiness, joy, grief, guilt, intimacy--"

"Love." Michael cut him off, his eyes dark and empty. Pasting on a face of childlike wonder was hard, and the candor he displayed in it was even harder to fabricate.

"Yet, you feel everything everyone does not wish to feel; anger, rage, disgust, coldness, cruelty."

"I'm empty. It's not my fault," Michael's reflected his insides, as if they were rotten away from the sweetness he exuded. His brother poked him in the chest.

"Not anymore," His finger resided over the mark branded into his skin by her. His heart twisted painfully in its cavity, and he cringed at the foreign feeling. Ever since he met her, he had been feeling things. His fingers would get tingly, his palms sweaty and his heart racing a mile a minute. Gabriel-- and archangel like himself-- brushed it off as an illness, for he too felt nothing. Carina had reached the conclusion of Michael's sudden change, as did his own mother before Michael conceded to their idea. He confided in her, wanted to protect her-- hell he had even given her his favourite jacket. The last person who wore it as a joke ended up in with one foot in the grave. The only time he felt any humanity was three situations-- in the middle of a battle, during intimate moments of 'the beast with two backs' he had experienced with several partners, and when he was around his Peanut. The archangel Michael had fallen. Not Lucifer fallen, but in a romantic way- and he had fallen hard. So hard that it had jostled out the shreds of humanity and emotions residing in him and brought them bubbling to the surface. Anything an archangel should not have felt he did. For that was the curse of the archangels-- relentless, and unlimited power at the price for one's soul. Throughout his past lives, Michael had never fallen in love. He reproduced as he was expected to do with a suitable partner, and battled monsters which almost always lead to his inevitable demise. Now, he faced a new monster. One with sparkling eyes and a melodic laugh, whose name danced on his tongue like an intoxicating chant. He kept his mouth shut before his brother. Mitch retracted his hand, giving Michael a curt and knowing nod.

"This is your first time brother. Make the most out of it. I'll be there to guide you for once," Mitch turned around and began to leave, "But if you don't want another man scooping her up, I would do something about that pronto."

"And how do I manage that?" Mitch laughed at his brothers inexperience. The angel had eons of experience in reproduction, but not romance. Mitch's soul brushed by Zophiel's who resided deep in his heart. As a cherubim, Zophiel had never had any issue leading Mitch in romantic affairs. An archangel would have no idea where to start in Michael's case.

"What do girls love?" Mitch chimed, pausing at the door. Michael shrugged, growing impatient at his brother's antics. Mitch turned and winked at his bemused brother.

"Spontaneity." And with that, Michael was left alone in the depths of his dark nearly non-existent soul.

And for the first time in eons, a light was shining within it.

The town was even livelier in the day if that was even a possibility. The vendors cheered, and loud electronic music pounded throughout the city. Everyone had brightly coloured hair and a joyful smile on their faces. It was an extraordinary twist from the prim and straight people I had passed to get here. All dolled up in suits and elegant dresses, and every single one looking disinterested in their daily lives. I had passed the strange man with Michael yesterday, who stopped to chat. I found out that his name was Red, and he seemed strangely attached to Carina. He kept asking if I had seen her, or where to find her. When I asked him why he was so interested, he turned flushed and sped away in a huff. A tuff of elegant blonde hair came into view, along with a olive green skin tight dress down to her knees and a black vest.

"Lyon!" I grinned, striding towards her. She craned her head and smiled at me. She was with a beautiful girl with short golden hair pulled into a bun, and a handsome gangly young man with matching brown eyes and hair.

"Sweetie! Allow me to introduce you to my friends Chris and Gold!" I was taken aback by meeting another boy with a colour for a name but I shook their hands. Chris had a huge grin pasted on her face, while Gold seemed a little bit more shy. Gressil hopped up in excitement, and bounced onto Chris, licking her face lovingly.

"Gressil no! I'm so sorry!" I squeaked, trying to pry the dragon off the laughing girl.

"He's so cute!" She chuckled, stroking his neck. Behind her, a head popped out from the fountain she was sitting on. It had the face of and upper body of a lion, with bat wings sprouting out its back and a large scorpion tail. It's hind legs were like large scorpion legs as well, but only two of them. The thing was massive, about as tall as Michael and as big as a pickup truck. I realized that I had mistaken the beast to be a part of the fountain, because when it shook its fur its marble skin melted to colours of red, gold and black.

"Don't mind the drama queen over here. Manticore's are known to be overdramatic." Chris sighed, continuing to pet Gressil. The Manticore growled and bared its teeth at Gressil. Gressil snapped back before jumping over to me. In response to that, the Manticore placed it's large head on Chris's lap and started to whine until Chris pet it.

"Sorry about that, Phineas gets a little jealous sometimes." Chris shot me a wink before a cold nose placed itself on my thigh. I looked down to see a Hellhound, similar to the one Michael had showed me at the pet shop.

"James, stop that." Gold muttered and the hound obediently trotted over to its master. Lyon giggled at my quizzical expression.

"We all have familiars honey," I had known this, but I had never seen anyone else's familiars. I had not laid eyes on Michael's familiar.

"I guess I'm still trying to get use to it here." I croaked, reaching down and scooping up Gressil like a cat. The trio nodded in sympathy before sharing a guilty look.

"We have to get moving to a meeting," Chris winced. She looked apologetic for needed to get somewhere.

"How about you go visit a friend of mine? Her name is Anne, she'd be happy to show you around." Lyon grabbed my arm as if she was making sure I was still there. I nodded in agreement, grateful to meet new people. She listed off a list of directions I tried my best to take in before the trio left. My head spun as I tried to follow Lyon's confusing directions, coming to my first landmark. A large black and white marble built like a gothic cathedral. Lyon had called this place the Seven Sins and Seven Saints Judgement Chamber, and told me to take a right here. I trotted down the twisted street, taking in the magnificent twisted and neo gothic buildings. The farther I got into the heart of the city, the older it got. I continued to follow the directions; turning left at the cemetery, right at the observatory, and right at a confusing gingerbread house. I stood there gawking at it for a little bit, draping myself over the sticky railing. I retracted my hands quickly and stared at the stickiness. A mint smell radiated from my hands before I processed what the railing was made of.

"Is the railing made from… candy canes?" I wondered aloud before taking an experimental lick on my palm. The mint flooded my tastebuds as I grinned in delight.

"The world around here is crazy, eh?" An unfamiliar voice said right next to me. I jumped almost ten feet in the air as I stared at the person in abject horror.

"Who are you?"I shuddered as the figure standing next to me. They were leaning over the candy railing and garbed in all black. They were female from the figure they displayed-- athletic and slender. Their face was covered by their dark hood from the sable cowl neck hoodie. A silver pair of scissors were sown on the left breast of the sweater. She seemed unaware of the sticky railing and grinned peacefully at the house.

"The name is Atropos." She pushed back the hoodie and her colourful hair cascaded like water out. The left side of her hair was shaved, exposing her dark roots. Her hair then swung to the side and started as a ebony before fading into a mint. At the corner of her eyes it slowly faded from mint green to sky blue and stopped at violet shortly after the girl's jaw. Her ears were covered in silver and gold piercings as was her nose. Her sterling silver eyes sliced into me as she smiled.

"That name sounds familiar…" The girl's smile wavered slightly.

"What's your name? I've never seen you before."

"Salayria."

"That's a nice name." Silence took over the area after the awkward encounter. I felt the urge to leave but the rest of my directions flew out of my head. I rested my elbows on the railing and rested my forehead on my palm.

"You okay there?" Atropos asked, turning to me fully. I noticed a iridescent shimmering pattern down her throat. They were in a straight line down her throat and disappearing into her sweater in the shape of neat 'x's.

"I just forgot something important." I groaned in annoyance and scratched my head as if trying to dig it back out.

"Where are you trying to go?"

"To a girl named Anne's house. Lyon is sending me there," Atropos lit up at the mention of Anne.

"You're going to see Anne?"

"Do you know her?" She nodded, her piercings clicking together.

"Yeah. Just follow down that alley and you'll reach Crystal Forest. Stick to the path and you'll reach there in no time." Her grin was intoxicating and I looked towards the alley she was pointing to.

"Thanks Atropos! I hope to see you soon!" I waved and began to practically skip to the entrance. She waved back and I saw a flicker of silver from her pocket as she did so. At that right, my world was turned upside down. Lyon referred to this part of town as Crystal Forest, and I gaped at the wildlife before me. The trees were glowing iridescent colours of blue, purple and green and several weeping willows had their hanging leaves encrusted in jewels. The grass was soft and tickled my legs, and birds chirped merrily in the trees. Apparently this was the edge of town, and Anne lived with her boyfriend Godrich at the lake in the heart of the forest. Gressil sniffed a glowing orchid and inhaled some of the pollen. He sneezed and scared himself, jumping straight into the air. I laughed at his antics, before walking down the narrow dirt road. The crystals refracted the sunlight to make brilliant lights dance around us, but the foliage was also so thick that the refracted light and glow from the trees were our only source of light. It was dark and mystical; rabbits with antlers and foxes with nine tails dancing around us. My legs seemed to move by themselves through the rich woods, my eyes taking in the glistening beauty before me.

"Gressil, this is amazing." I gasped in admiration as Gressil rubbed against my leg. He seemed to agree with me and nipped at the jewel leaves lightly before bouncing ahead.

"You never walk, do you?" I chuckled and started to jog to catch up with my familiar. Bulbs that looked like golden fireflies floated around me as I ran. My hand brushed through one to reveal that it was warm, and electric. It sent a lovely shock up my arm that was more comforting rather than painful.

Most likely magic, I deduced before I saw a clearing up ahead. A glittering pond with another large weeping willow covered the cottage. It was dainty and old, and looked very inviting.

"That must be it," Gressil chirped at my statement. More of those balls hung in the air, and the sunlight streamed through this part of the woods. A sweet scent tinged the air, and I sighed in content. Almost skipping the entrance, Gressil and I raced around the clearing. I was out of breath when I approached the door and was grinning like a madman. Gressil could not slow down in time and ended up body checking the door.

"Gressil!" I laughed, kneeling down to see if the poor thing was alright. He shook his head comically and his tail started to wag again. I leaned against the cedar door, laughing so hard I had to clutch my sides. The door swung open which threw me off balance as I fell onto my side and into the home.

"Jesus Christ!" The girl said, clutching her large chest. I scrambled up, my face flushed from embarrassment.

"I am so sorry!" I squeaked, bowing my head. The girl-- Anne as it was-- just started to giggle.

"It's no big deal. And you are?" She asked, making way for me to enter. I was very shy but stepped into the abode. The familiar smell of skunk filled the air and my face fell slightly. Anne seemed to notice my distress and shook her head.

"I'm a druid. My idiot boyfriend hurt himself when climbing a tree as part of his 'training regiment'. I use magic on different herbs to make medine and the THC in marijuana mixes perfectly with my muscle ointment." I deflated slightly, although my muscles were still tense with anxiety. The girl pushed back her short blood red hair, and lightly touched the industrial in her right ear.

"My name is Salayria, Lyon sent me here." I squeaked, rubbing Michael's jacket that devoured my arms in nerves. Anne nodded and gave me a wolfish smile.

"Salayria would you be able to do me a favour?" Anne asked, walking over the the leather couch. Although the outside of the house was old and coy, the inside was very much modernized. She reached and grabbed a woven basket from the coffee table and held it out for me.

"You see, a while ago a Leshy moved into our forest. Godrich and I befriended him and have been helping him out lately. He's been so busy guarding the forest he barely has time to get food. While I check on my idiot, would you just leave this out by the willow?" I was curious as to what a 'Leshy' was, but took the basket nonetheless.

"Sure, I guess." I began to head the the door and felt a sense of calm washed over me as I left the house. Whatever a Leshy was it certainly was not threatening. I had ran through the forest with no feelings of insecurity or fear, just a overwhelming feeling of amazement and joy. Gressil darted to the tree while growling playfully. I heard a deep grunt and that's when I started to panic.

"Gressil no! I'm sorry Mr. Leshy!" I cried, speeding over to the tree. This baby was a handful and I already felt like a mother watching after a toddler. I ducked under the brush and saw Gressil dancing around the mythical creature. He looked like a large man made of wood, with a bushy beard made of leaves and a pork belly. He had a large axe next to him and his large legs ended with tree stumps. His warm emerald eyes met mine as he adjusted his wooden cap.

"Evening, you must be the girl I saw in my woods." His voice was gravelly and deep and he courteously tipped his hat to me. At this point no creature was surprising me so I nodded to be polite.

"Were you the one who set up those glowing lights?" I asked, walking close with the basket. He laughed in joy and reached out for Gressil.

"I did indeed. You seemed to enjoy them." My eyes sparkled in amazement as I held out the basket for him.

"This is from Anne." A rumble of gratitude vibrated from his chest.

"Those two are so sweet. A little wild, but very kind to this forest. I enjoy their company." I smiled at his proud words as he gently took a loaf of bread. He took a small bite and grumbled in delight before taking another.

"They do seem like kind people." My voice was soft, and my mind trailed away. Everyone I had met here seemed so kind-- excluding Mary-Anne. Anne, Lyon, Carina, Gabriel, Eclair; even the people I had only met for a handful of seconds like Chris, Gold, Red and Anne were kind. This mythical creature before me reminded me much of myself. He is aware of the strange world around him but is still amazed by the people and creatures within it. He is shocked by the kindness they show a stranger, whether it be bringing them bread or giving them directions to another person so they are not alone. Their endless kindness and humble exterior had no bounds. I had felt more attuned and welcome to this magical world of stories and irrationality than I had in my logical and rational world of bland grey.

"Small one, you seem lost in thought. Tell this old Leshy what's troubling you," That was when I started to cry. I was not sad, I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the feeling of security and safety I felt surrounded by this impossible realm. I felt cared for and loved; to emotions I had craved since I could remember. My life had been an endless series of train-wrecks with only brief, commercial-like breaks of serenity. When my mother was sober and doted on me like a mother should, when I first met my eccentric friend Penny and when Scrat had stopped to see if I was okay were my commercial breaks. Now, I was on the biggest break of my life and I could not handle it. I half expected for Michael to finally snap at my pathetic character and strike me. So far he had exceeded my expectation. He had been nothing but loving and caring towards my mistakes. Instead of meeting my face with slap he met it with a gentle stroke. I had no idea how I felt towards him, but I knew my feelings were strong. I poured my troubles to the Leshy, telling him about my trouble in life to the joy I felt now. He stayed quiet and listened to me rant and babble about my pathetic existence. After I was finished Gressil had curled up on my lap and the Leshy stayed quite.

"It seems that you've been through many a hardship, small one." I sniffed and nodded. "You seem to suffer from trust issues. It's understandable, but listen to me youngling." The Leshy walked over to be and knelt in front of me and brushed my tears away with his rough wooden fingers.

"Those who have been through the worst hardships, shall be gifted with the greatest fortune. You��re hardships are finally over, and your fortune is just beginning."