I greet the receptionist with a nervous smile. I clutch the rose behind my back, and jab my thumb into one of it's many thorns, to keep my mind off of the heavy task of socializing.
"Hello," I say, approaching the desk she stands behind. Not until now have I noticed what stunning eyes she has. They're causing some feeling inside of me... I don't know if I like it. It's foreign.
"Hi," she greets, a smile popping onto her face. It's the same, fake expression as the last time we met. I don't see why she needs to hide anything. She thumbs over the lip of an envelope as we stand in silence. The dry, yellowing paper must hold something important, he hands can't seem to stay still when it's nearby.
"Might I ask what time it is?" I ask, suddenly aware that I might need to return to the clock tower soon.
"Oh, yes sir," she dashes off down the hall, her red hair trailing behind her. The receptionist takes the letter with her, probably to read it while she's "checking the time".
She returns," half past midnight." A smile, a real smile, has worked it's way onto her face. It's dazzling. I swallow nervously as the unnatural feeling reoccurs.
"Thank you dear, and might I ask your name?" I flash a smile, and she flinches. Goddesses, is that sweat I feel dripping down my back?
"Anju. My name's Anju," she repeats, giving a curt nod after. I calm my mouth into a firm line, and purse my lips.
"Wonderful to meet you." I spin on my heel, and flee to my room, not bothering to properly dismiss myself. As I fumble through my pockets for the key, my nerves begin to calm themselves. Perhaps there's more to socializing than I originally thought.
The translucent, mucus-colored window is the first thing my eyes meet when I enter the room. It's the only object that provides a substantial amount of light for the room, and is, oddly, comforting. The blurry rays filtering through the filth are slightly reminiscent of the clock tower, holding a small amount of what might be called "home".
I push the door closed, and slink over to the poor excuse for a bed. The stains and mold are still as I left them, showing that no one has thought to clean my room, thankfully. Nothing of importance is in here, of mine, but knowing that it's kept private relieves a bit of my tension. I collapse face first onto the disgusting sheets, having enough sense of mind to hold my breath until I roll to my back. Wouldn't want to get a disease. No telling how many different vermin have come in contact with this piece of trash.
The masks on my back creak and moan softly as I ease my weight onto the bag. Nayru, if one were to snap I think I'd lose my mind over it. But then again, I-
"Hello?" A knock sounds from my door. A breath escapes my mouth and I trudge over to the door, already tensing up at the thought of interaction with another. With a quick motion I pull the door open, and smile.
"Hello, is there something you need?" I ask, holding back a laugh.
"Oh, excuse me," the woman says, something fearful growing in her eyes. She pulls her brown-red hair over her shoulders, and adjusts the small ponytail atop it.
"I was looking for a man-"
"Oh yes, I'be seen such a man," who would want to see Guru-guru, with his sewer-esque resemblance? "We walked back to his home just minutes ago."
"Great, well me and my sister-"
"Ah, he lives by the laundry pool, dear."
She blinks, her golden irises shining," Thank you s-"
"My pleasure." And I slam the door in her face.
That was an aggravating exchange of words. Asking me questions. Expecting me to help. Yes, seeing others in a better state than me after seeking my aid, is nice, but she was already better than me. Her clothes, hair, the way she smelled.
My eyes shift to the clock as I return to my bed. A quarter past midnight. Great. With luck it's only the second day. I wouldn't want to be stuck in this disgusting cycle of time, like these other citizens. It must be horrendous having to repeat everything you do, every word you say, day after day, not even realizing it's happening. I'm glad I get to avoid it.
Morning comes with great haste. By the time I manage to force my eyes open, a storm has already gotten well underway. Less than two days until I'm caught in this mess.
I swing my feet off of the bed, and drop them to the floor. I stand with a slight spring, a sudden energy filling me. Today I could investigate that feeling that rises around Anju, and maybe revisit the boy with the cat mask. My mouth waters at the thought of it. I need it.
The now-familiar and usual scent of roses and cinnamon reach m nose as I enter the lobby. No one has made a sound since I exited my room this morning. Strange.
As I pass the reception desk, memories from the night before hit me in the face. I blush as I recall the short conversation had with the red-headed receptionist, and returning from my walk with Guru-guru just moments before. That man was a wreck, I'll admit that I was beginning to feel a small amount of pity towards him. Or perhaps that was just the mask calling my name.
Placing a hand on the brass doorknob of Stockpot Inn's entrance, I suck in another breath of the heavily scented air. Why they chose roses combined with cinnamon, I'm not sure. I begin to pull open the door when I remember the rose in my bag.
Without thinking, I extend an arm back and into the brown sack, feeling around for the petals, or perhaps a thorn, of the rose. I successfully retrieve it, and slide over to the desk. Just leave the rose and exit. Just leave it, she'll never know it was you. What? Why am I doing this? I retract my hand, the rose still entangled in my fingers. Why would I leave a rose for the receptionist? I ponder this for a moment longer, and drop the rose on the desk. It's dying, anyways. No need for something that's going to whither away in a few hours.
A/N
This chapter was just a bunch of filler junk, in case you didn't notice. Maybe I'll have the Rosa sisters reappear later, perhaps Guru-guru will meet back up with our happy little merchant friend. Who knows what I'll do, but whatever it is, it'll be definitely more interesting than anything that happened in this chapter. He's confusing, the happy mask salesman. So conflicted about that rose that it almost didn't make sense. Well, anywho, thanks for reading, and have a great day!
-Twilit Lady of Majesty
