My room was at the top of a flight of stairs. Halfway up the flight,
it split into two, and Usagi's room was on the left, mine the right. When I
entered, I was taken aback. My room at home had a Zen-like simplicity:
clean lines and a reminiscence of Feng Shui. This room was ornate in
comparison. I supposed the magic these people had allowed them to show off
a bit.
It was a round tower room, and it had one large glass southern window, the
panes split by iron filigree. A mahogany vanity table with an ottoman style
seat, sat in front of it, holding a low triple mirror and several bottles
or cases of make-up and other luxuries. I would explore that later.
A wardrobe that stood as tall as the ceiling, the same mahogany as the table, carved with as many curves and sweeps, was opposite the table. I saw my suitcases and various bags all neatly stacked next to it. I opened the doors curiously. One had hooks on the back of it (I hung my jacket there) and the other a full length mirror (I made a face into it). There was plenty of hanger space, but also several drawers. A good thing, as I have more clothes than I knew what to do with. But everyone has to have some kind of weakness, right?
A fireplace was opposite the window, huge, and a large rug of some thick animal fur was in front of it, as well as a little wood and cushion stool. How perfect to study, and more importantly meditate, in front of!
But it was the bed that intrigued me most. It was in the center of the room, and it was circular. Sunk into the floor and piled with jewel- tone pillows in chenille and linen, with the softest of white linen sheets. And hanging from the ceiling were veils and curtains of a most romantic nature in several shades of deep red: ruby, garnet, wine, rose – I would feel as if I were encased in an upside down flower. I saw that by pulling a cord that was wound around a small hook at the bed-edge, I could raise the curtain ends to let more air in, rather like a tent.
I've always had a secret obsession with the ornate. My favorite article of clothing was a kimono, formal, of a dark ruby red thick satin, lined with linen, that had the most intricate embroidery of a phoenix and its fire swirling up one arm, over the back, and down the other. This room, which had the same richness and antiquity, it was like stepping into a private fantasy. It was impractical, probably had no basis whatsoever in true European medieval decoration, and while I felt vaguely uncomfortable without the austere comforts of my room at home, I decided I could most definitely get used to it for my year long 'vacation'.
I heard a rattle of china and a muffled pop behind me. I turned to find a table for one set with a tea tray right in front of the fireplace. I fell to the toasted bread and fragrant liquid without delay.
A wardrobe that stood as tall as the ceiling, the same mahogany as the table, carved with as many curves and sweeps, was opposite the table. I saw my suitcases and various bags all neatly stacked next to it. I opened the doors curiously. One had hooks on the back of it (I hung my jacket there) and the other a full length mirror (I made a face into it). There was plenty of hanger space, but also several drawers. A good thing, as I have more clothes than I knew what to do with. But everyone has to have some kind of weakness, right?
A fireplace was opposite the window, huge, and a large rug of some thick animal fur was in front of it, as well as a little wood and cushion stool. How perfect to study, and more importantly meditate, in front of!
But it was the bed that intrigued me most. It was in the center of the room, and it was circular. Sunk into the floor and piled with jewel- tone pillows in chenille and linen, with the softest of white linen sheets. And hanging from the ceiling were veils and curtains of a most romantic nature in several shades of deep red: ruby, garnet, wine, rose – I would feel as if I were encased in an upside down flower. I saw that by pulling a cord that was wound around a small hook at the bed-edge, I could raise the curtain ends to let more air in, rather like a tent.
I've always had a secret obsession with the ornate. My favorite article of clothing was a kimono, formal, of a dark ruby red thick satin, lined with linen, that had the most intricate embroidery of a phoenix and its fire swirling up one arm, over the back, and down the other. This room, which had the same richness and antiquity, it was like stepping into a private fantasy. It was impractical, probably had no basis whatsoever in true European medieval decoration, and while I felt vaguely uncomfortable without the austere comforts of my room at home, I decided I could most definitely get used to it for my year long 'vacation'.
I heard a rattle of china and a muffled pop behind me. I turned to find a table for one set with a tea tray right in front of the fireplace. I fell to the toasted bread and fragrant liquid without delay.