/David
I stood watching changes outside the window: skyscrapers, smog, people, cars, noises – forever running engine. In the reflection of the window - seeing self with my hair white, eyes brown-green, figure slim, wearing jeans and holding a glass of whiskey. In the background - the sound of shower turning down, then a person walks into the room.
"Are you sure Niko won't damage them badly? Because I am definite that her indulging in sweet temptations shall pull that girl at risk."- I turned to face my lover. - "Erick, are you listening?"
"Ehh… So? She does what she feels like. As long as it doesn't cause any problems for me - I am not getting involved in what she does. She has her way of sorting problems." – Erick breathed out as he was getting dressed. – "And why would she concern you now, huh, David?"
Erick gave me a jealous glance. I kept my cool, as I downed my whiskey.
"Cat, you're not the only one having a relationship with Niko. I shall remind you that there is more than just the story between you two." - I walked to the coffee table behind me, putting empty glass down.
Piles of mixed up manuscripts produced by Erick were stacked on top of the table.
"Bloody rabbit," - mumbled Erick, - "anything else, other than mocking me is about to be said by you or am I delirious?"
Having Erick frustrated and outright jealous was amusing. I picked up a few pages of his manuscript from the pile.
"Here the story misses out something. Perhaps a bit of what is going on. You should add one more episode here, preferably more details. Part where: 'Strands of life were pouring into him, as his dead body rejuvenated from sudden love and compassion. Life wasn't as he dreamed it. Perhaps alike, but different. Eyes showed life now. All surroundings and all events before - became some twisted shallow metaphor. For the first time in his life he knew he's loved, although lover has left him. He knew – he finally loved like never before.' - This misses a bit of continuation to the picture." - I waved the pages that I held.
Erick eyed me, then let out a mad growl.
"You're a hell of an annoying accomplice."
"Yet as annoying as I am, you love me." – I smirked at Eric's anger. – "And lately - you seem more agitated by something. Keeping that anger all to yourself?"
"That's none of your business." – Hissed Erick, coming over and sitting at the table, grabbing a notebook in hands, - "Let's get on with work."
Dealing with angered and frustrated Erick was a lot of work. I rolled my eyes, as I sat down to help with the manuscript. There were around seven piles of printed works – all to be edited. So without further ado - we got on with it.
My phone rang. I took it and went to chat in another room. My own work never lets me have it easy.
As I left Erick to work, I spent quite some time on the phone with my manager.
Out of habit I walked to the window to observe the scenery below. Other skyscrapers varying from offices to apartments. On the streets - swarms of creatures below.
For me it was always amazing to observe them.
Most are short sighted, delusional, obsessed with their idea of being the one with the right answer. Being sure that they're the one that's always right, mocking others without realising how much they actually are alike.
Having everything in their heads stereotyped. Their ideals – stereotypical farce, being hollow. And they're being so vicious to show how much stupid stuff they possess. Just as most are empty meat bags, some rare tend to be with dignity and knowledge.
Devastating reality: integrity is close to extinction. Right now the world is full with cold blooded liars, two faced creatures, theatrical divas, lazy twats and the list goes on.
My own list of upcoming work had been stated and verified. A tired voice of an overworked manager thanked me and finished the call.
The sound of boiling kettle came from the kitchen. Everyday life is right next to you all the time. Crazy to know that there are still some mundane things left in life. Unless you are the sort of person seeking a lot of adventures for yourself - just to make life more complicated. Most adventures are full of risk - regretful at times. Life at its finest - always.
"Plain green tea as usual?" – Ericks voice came from the kitchen.
I let out a short sigh, then walked to the kitchen.
"Indeed." – I said, taking a seat at the kitchen bar.
Expensive teaware, silver spoons, gold plated rims – I also got this taste for riches from our common friend. We've pieced this lifestyle from our made-up stories with Niko. We have our secret life we share.
"We sure are missing her for this tea party. Lunch with her is always interesting. Her observations are worthwhile. This makes me miss her." – I smiled, as I watched Erick pour tea into cups.
Erick also seemed to smile, as if recalling memories of moments together.
"She does come across as a muse. I suppose she is an inspiration for both of us." – Erick spoke, voice sounding softer than usual.
Oh, we do have a soft spot for that beastly creature. Though I know that the secrets we share with her are not shared between us. Quite the lovers we are.
"Do you remember the story about the living tree?" – Erick asked as he looked over the contents of the coffee table - the same piles of paperwork.
I turned around in my chair to give some attention to papers, then turned back to face Erick.
"Not sure I do." - I said plainly.
"The Tree that's a sort of descendant to mighty Yggdrasil. It grew in the midst of a forest next to the greatest mountain. Close to the tree was a village - a small village. Villagers called the tree their Mighty Mother. They prayed to it. Believing that the Tree protected them. There was a legend: atop this Mother Tree was chalice filled with water that gave you immortality. Villagers treasured and protected the tree, looked after it. They had Mighty Mother protecting them from cold winds and from horror that existed behind the mountain. Because the tree was as high as a mountain and wide in look - most travellers didn't really notice the village." - Erick began to tell the tale.
Whenever he reminisced about old tales that he happened to retrieve from somewhere in his head - there'd be no way of stopping him. Just have to let him go on and tell the story. He calms down after that.
I watched him go on, as he stared into his cup of tea.
"But as time passed - the village grew into town, it had a lot of travellers stopping by. Still, as time passed - the custom of taking care of Mother Tree was kept.
One day, far merchants came by asking about the Tree and why it had such strange authority in town. Merchants went from tavern to tavern - hearing eventually the legend of chalice. That's where curiosity kicked in. They asked more about chalice - whether it is still there, why no one took it and why people are not in the slightest interested to acquire such chalice."
"The merchants were amazed that people never wished to get the immortality chalice.
Holding the information acquired - they went to a nearby kingdom and sold information to the king. But it didn't stop there. They sold information to wealthy merchants as well. Words spread far and wide about the chalice of immortality atop Mighty Tree. From then on - Town next to Mother Tree was raided by armies of people. By merchants, by bandits, by knights and kings men, making people flee to live on the mountain nearby. Many tried to climb the The Tree - others shot them down, people fought each other over chalice. They tried to cut down tree - but failed.``
"The bloodshed kept on going for years next to the roots of Mother Tree. The trunk became red, leaves became orange with hues of maroon.. Bark excreted small red drops, looking like blood tears – tree cried.
One day, a little boy managed to sneak past guards. Even though they were on posts all around. He sneakily climbed to the top of the tree. Covered in sticky red tree sap, he stood atop the tree - amazed."
"There, in depths of leaves and tree branches, sat an old lady. She guarded the chalice, that was in the middle of a tree-grown fountain. Above - where branches spread out, it truly looked mesmerising. Boy took a few steps towards the old lady. She turned to look at the youngster."
"'Are you here for the chalice? Are you here for it?' – she grunted in a squeaky voice, sounding frustrated.
'Um, granny, I am not really here for it.' - Boy was really amazed by what he saw. His eyes twinkled and sparkled.
'Why are you here?' - Granny grumbled annoyed.
'I was told by my mother that this chalice gives immortality. Is it true?' - Boy walked over, then sat next to granny. Her eyes squinted - as she looked at him.
'Yes. That is true in a way. You are one curious boy. I see.' – She squinted her eyes even more.
Boy shifted his position, getting closer to granny."
"'Granny, tell me, what is immortality? I don't understand why everybody is trying to get it?' – Boy was so greatly amazed - he never really thought he'd find the chalice or even someone atop Tree. Even a fountain? Whole occurrence was magical.
Granny relaxed a bit.
'Immortality is the ability to keep living forever - in memories of others, in their hearts. People are interpreting immortality in a way to let their body live forever - maintaining youth. It is all a fakery, such never happens. These fools just don't know what they are fighting for.' - Granny spoke.
'Then why are they willing to get chalice? It won't give them what they want.' – Boy was confused.
'Chalice holds the immortality of a tree. Trees life. Without this water - held in chalice - Mother Tree will die.' - Granny looked around, as if admiring Tree once more."
"Boy sat confused. He did not know what to do. He climbed the tree to see with his eyes if chalice was real - it was. But immortality was not the kind of one people down there were looking for. Why can't someone tell them that it was not the "immortality" they're seeking? Such as him could not possibly. Nobody would believe him. And how and when did this granny get here? The endless questions were reflected in his eyes."
"'Dear boy, you think that the truth will make these thieves and beggars leave? You are wrong. They will keep on trying to get this chalice - even if it won't give what they want. They still will try to achieve it. Just for the sake of it. Their greed is driving them to insanity. Making them conquer more, get more. They don't care about anything or anyone but themselves. And all they want is to fulfil their greed, needs, wishes. Even if it destroys everyone and everything around them. Telling the truth to them is useless. They won't listen. They are deaf to sense. They are blinded by money, by treasures, by power. Don't worry too much, boy, I'll protect the tree from whoever with a dark heart tries to reach up here.' - Granny smiled."
"'By the way, granny…' - Boy tried to ask another question, but the old hag cut him off.
'You boy go back. Your mother seeks for you. Shoo!' - She threw leaves in his face, chasing him away.
He got up, walked to the edge, then turned around to take one last look. Once he turned around - no granny was there, no chalice, no fountain. Dumbfounded, he climbed down."
"Years later he was the last to protect the Mother Tree. Everyone else left. Roots of Mother Tree took back to earth bodies of dead men. The oblivious to reason, that fought for non-existent "immortality".
Old man left a manuscript telling a story about a tree and his encounter with an old lady atop the tree. He left the truth before he passed away. By then - the story about tree became a legend.
New inhabitants of town did not pay attention to old customs, nor did they care about the tree.
One day in a library - young girl found a manuscript which spoke so much about the tree, about people and the life of one man. It was enough to spark something inside her - making her start taking care of the tree. A wave of new life - before history repeats its gruesome self."
After Erick finished his story, he drank the tea he made. I watched him, seeing that he is definitely reminiscing about something.
From then on - we went back to editing.
For hours on - diligently doing work.
Once my eyes were up from the manuscript - I saw sunset. Orange hues and purple tones.
I looked over at Erick. He's deeply asleep, while sitting with papers in hand.
"You're cute when you're silent." - I smirked.
After taking Erick to bed and putting a blanket over him, I felt like I crave for something.
Mischief.
Got some clothes, changed, got out of the bedroom and closed the door behind. I pulled my phone out and dialled her number.
"You free?" - I spoke once I heard her pick up.
"Oh, so you decided to show some courtesy? If you're coming over - leave a note to your lover." - Nikos' sarcastic tone. Missed it.
"I'll be there in an hour." - I said with a smile stretching on my lips, as I hung up.
The way my excitement was brewing, as I left Erick to sleep behind - like I'm cheating about something. Going behind his back. Ha!
I grabbed a manuscript from the table that we finished editing.
"A decent conversation starter" - I thought to myself, heading out of the apartment.
Something was moving towards unravelling the past, or maybe something deeply forgotten…
Someone's voice in the dark spoke to the sleeping Cat, giving a token.
...
Lazy Cat dreaming wonderland and of high garden,
Led by White Hare towards goal - the great gates of marble,
Just as Cat was about to walk through –
He saw Flower aside - that was new...
"Lonely Orchid" – he thought, as he left a path to follow.
There, ahead - a big tree. Branches spreading all over,
Under sat old time muse – once the Great of Mad power.
Due to time that then flew - he forgot by the morrow,
But important once was, just before it was over
King was madder with lust,
Witch was drowning in sorrow.
Once a Light of the Heart - later dying from an arrow.
…