The door opened on its cast iron hinges with a loud creek. A finger of light cast itself on my shoes. The heavy door swung further open, Arkis' face shadowed by the back-lighting. I could tell even through shadows he was happy to see me. A large crescent smile filled his face and reached his azure eyes. Thud, went my heart. The ever persistent ally cat pushed his way passed the door frame. Arkis scooted aside and watched him enter a massive marble foyer.
"Hello, Bones, glad you could, join us." His sweet voice like honey in my ears. I felt for a moment, this must be what living in a romance novel is like. Still interstellar travel was surreal, yet all I needed to do was look up. The half eaten moon above me would confirm that I was, in fact no longer on Earth. Uneasiness filled me again for just a moment, but dissipated when Arkis placed his hand on my back to usher me in. There was something about his touch that calmed my fears.
We stood in a large foyer basked in sparkling marble. It was mostly white with smoky black wisps ingrained on its surfaces. Black crown molding and baseboards sprawled along the top and bottom of each wall. To my right a large carpentered staircase spiraled to a second floor loft. The loft appeared to have office furniture and a small sitting area with a piano. Several rooms broke from the office area. At my left a great arch with black trim opened into a large modern stainless steel kitchen. It was the most extravagant building I ever laid eyes on.
Arkis took my hand and lead me forward through another even larger arch. I walked slowly, taking in every sight. The archway opened to a large living room with a L shaped couch to my right. Behind it a black subway tile wet bar glimmered. I could see a variety of food and drink surrounding the glass shelves. I handed him the bag of snack I was carrying which he placed on the bar. It was definitely a bachelor pad, though beautiful, sparsely decorated. I looked around the room for a television but saw none. Arkis saw my confusion and smiled his soft knowing smirk.
"Its hidden away, I don't usually make time for movies but today is a special occasion." Smiling he pressed something on his watch. The wall in front of the couch pixelated for a fraction of a second. The title screen for "Its A Wonderful Life" appeared. I was quite fond of the Christmas classic because I spent countless times watching it with my gran. It was her favorite. How Arkis managed to get ahold of a copy was beyond me. Based on the screen it didn't seem that our technology was compatible. I didn't neccesarily want to watch a movie though, I wanted answers. Honestly, I was afraid to ask. It bothered me that Nova felt and looked so much like Earth and that our cultures seemed extremely similar.
"I prepared some questions for you." I spoke loud enough to be heard over the soundtrack. Arkis absently placed his phone on the coffee table.
"What questions," he asked loudly. He extended his hand for my small bag, I handed it to him. It was placed next to his phone.
"Mostly about Odin's council. I'm not sure I understand why they care. There's also this whole cult thing happening on my planet." His head snapped up. Eyes wide and the casual smile faded away. He placed a finger to his lips.
"Odin's council cares about all planets. They want to save all of us from ourselves. As far as cult, I'm not sure what you mean. We need Odin's council." His whole demeanor changed. I caught on quickly and decided to play along.
"It's comforting to know that. Thank you for answering my questions." I nodded as he pointed toward the foyer. We went to the office where I sat in the small sitting area near the piano. Arkis took his place on the bench. He began playing softly.
"The council listens to our dates though Portal," he said calmly, "As part of my job I am required to brainwash you into following the council."
"Why target me?" I whispered. The phones were far away, I knew I didn't need to whisper but something about this situation made me.
"Well, at first it was not you specifically but all Terrans. My original job was to evaluate your potential to the council and pass you off to another. However, when you mentioned your line of work, they felt you were an asset. Your company could push propaganda subliminally. I wasn't expecting you to be so aware." He played vigorously while he spoke.
"What do you mean by that? If you don't believe in the councils' doctrine, why do you push it on others?" My heart beat rapidly as he played and my hands shook.
"You researched and saw through their lies within just a few days. As for your other question, its more complicated. I am Novian born, I followed their plan, I believed their rhetoric. Unfortunately, they found me to be of use and now I have no choice." Sadness filled his eyes as he keyed a bittersweet melody of soft longing notes.
"So, the council is what exactly? Why tell me this?" I quaked more noticeably. I could hear the end credits playing loudly below. We didn't have much time left together.
"The council is to complicated to explain. However, its best you don't know. You should just go home, delete the app, and forget this place. You may be contacted by someone about the Odin's Council but ignore it or run away. If they can exploit you, they will." He slammed his hands into the piano as if to signify the end. The sudden jolt startled me and I jumped to my feet. His hands lingered on the keys ringing a long manic note into the atmosphere. This unhinged Arkis worried me as I followed him to retrieve my phone. Bones appeared next to my feet as we crossed that magnificent archway.
"Have a nice chat?" He said snarkily, his head held high. Arkis handed my bags over. I retrieved my phone meekly and pressed the return home button. Was any of it real?
"I had a wonderful time. I hope you'll consider my home yours in the future." He hugged me tightly. I knew his words were empty. This was the first and last hug. This time, my fears were not ebbed by his embrace, instead they magnified. The urge to leave was like turning off the lights in your basement as a child. Arkis ran his thick hands down my arm to my hand, carefully placing a small envelope in my hand.
That mirror image of myself looked somber. I could barely bring myself to place my had through its reflection. I still had so many questions. Honestly, I wasn't sure leaving him hear alone was the best thing for him. Suddenly I stood at my door again. Bones pawed silently at its hinges.