I take a deep breath and start to cough up.
Yep, this is the dusty study room. Have I ever felt this nostalgia in my entire life? Definitely not. Even if I did, the feeling couldn't hold even a candle to this one.
My hand bag is lying on the ground, just the way I left it. I quickly pick it up and open in search of my phone. It doesn't take too long because there wasn't much to begin with. Perks of being poor, easier to find your stuff.
I press the power button. The screen glows and I see the fox patterned wallpaper come to my view. Oh my God, it has been a day already? There are tons of phone calls and messages. I should probably reply them.
But first...
I look behind. The reflective portion of the mirror is showing the scenery of the other room. I cannot see anyone. They must be still in the dining area.
I go out and bring back a sheet. The folded sheet has a thick layer of dust on the outside. But when unfolded, it is as clean as new. I gently lift the sheet over the rim and cover the mirror. Some door it is. But for now, I think it will do the trick.
I made a contact with them. They didn't tell me what will happen if I break any of them. Suddenly, I am thankful that they offered me lunch. I don't have any crumb of food in my kitchen.
I once again take the diary and my phone and head towards my room. Last time, I read the contents like it was some fantasy literature. Now I am going to read it like it is some holy book of my messed up life.
***
"Knock knock, Juniper here, to remind Lord Luveille that I am still alive and well." I sit in the rim of the mirror, my half body here and half there, and say my daily check-in quote.
"You should knock three times, or say since you don't have a door to knock. Two knocks mean bad news." The Lord doesn't even spare me a glance. His super fast scribbling goes from pages to pages.
"It's just a superstition." I move my dangling legs from side by side. The mirror is touching the ground when in grandma's study, but in here, it is strongly hanging at least 30 inches above the ground.
"Not really. It's a custom. We take mental preparation to hear the bad news." He explains. After a few days of meeting, I discovered that the Lord is not as bad as the first impression. He is rather considerate and soft. Sometimes uninterested, but very caring for his family which is rather big.
The Lord's work seem very frustrating. I can clearly see dark rings under his beautiful eyes from lack of sleep. When was the last time he brushed his hair? They are standing out in every possible direction.
This room is his study. It doesn't need any explanation. All the shelves are filled with work files and records. I wonder how old he is. He looks rather young for this type of serious work. I mean, running a province is definitely not easy.
"You should not stay in between a connection for too long. Who knows what will happen if it suddenly gets cut off."
Wow. I hop off and sit on the chair before his desk. "Did it happen before?" I ask out of curiosity.
"Not really. Not all connectors are as dumb as you." he says nonchalantly and flips his page.
"You say I am a connector."
"Mmhm. Connectors are on high demand here. You can easily fish out a job."
I lean on the chair and look at the shelves. There probably isn't any story book or novel. Till now, I only come here for the check-ins. I leave as fast as possible. I met his other siblings. Out of the 5, the Lord is the youngest. The serial is brother, sister, brother, sister and lastly brother.
"Don't you wanna to outside this mansion?"
"I thought you told me to keep a low profile." I turn to him, "Sometimes I do want to but then, I am just afraid or something."
Rosemary tried to convince me a lot of times. But I straight cut refused. I am afraid of watching to much of a dream that is not mine. What will happen to me if I am not someone from here?
"There is a festival today,"
I perk up.
"A festival?" Oh boy, here goes my temptation.
"Yeah. It is just a typical monthly festival though. So it is you wish if you want to go... or not."
I straighten up, "I'm in."
I see a smirk. "Sure."
If they decide to execute me, at least I can die without major regrets.
***
"Wow..."
Rosemary leans to my ear, "Welcome to the Monthly Falska Festival!"
I couldn't answer. Even dreams will look dull after this.
Magical items, plays, even magic tricks. Beautiful and mysterious ornaments and clothes. Witches are flying in flyers, the length of a broomstick but without the end part and more modified. Since I cannot use it yet, the three of us came by carriage. And three means, Lord Luveille too.
The siblings are talking about something but my attention is stolen by a street performer.
"Rosemary, can we go there?" I ask her not wanting to get lost and start another drama. Rosemary stops her talk to look at me.
"Yes. Silvaris, you don't have to worry. Now go," she comes to me, "Let's go."
I watch a man standing in the middle of a pool of water. The crowd is desperate but I somehow manage to get a good view.
The man Takes a dumbell like stick and throws it up in the air. The water that was lying on the ground, follows it up. His hand moves and the water flow suddenly splits into this lines and create beautiful patters surrounding him like a cylinder.
The stick falls back onto his outstretched hand. As if the water has it's own liberty to move, it stretches into finer and finer ropes. They twist, turn, bend until they all form into something that isn't very visible.
I squint my eyes, trying to make it out.
I hear a clap and crackling sound reaches my ear. I gasp. The water turned into thin ice. they formed into a beautiful bush of flowers above the head of the audiences. The artwork stretched as far as the crowd gathered.
I look directly above. The ice is reflecting the daylight. The petals of the flower looks awfully familiar. The end of the petals start to glow in a pink light and that is when it clicks.
It is the Azaleas.
How cool is that?
This marvelous performance just poured fuel to my excitement. I look at Rosemary and she laughs.
"I am gonna show you how marvelous magic is, kid."