Chapter 6
Family Affair
"Here we are!" Pip swept her skinny arm to the town, "Welcome to The City of Roses."
The houses were all constructed from wood and had thatch roofs. As we walked on the cobblestone streets there were merchants and people of all shapes and sizes fumbling about. I saw a stand on the road where you could buy live opossums. I bet Chris would get a kick out of that. Some of the people looked simply human, while others pushed by with red skin, gills, or even talons. "Hey, Pip?" I asked.
"Hmm?" She looked over her dainty shoulder at me.
"Are these people… okay?" I inquired glancing at a blue man with a forked tail.
"Oh, of course they are." She said, "This province is the only one in the kingdom that is at peace with the demons. That's why its original name was The Province of Olive Branch. Ya know, like, because it's always neutral, but it wouldn't do what with all the roses popin up outta the ground. So, we named it The City of Roses. It's my favorite city in the entire kingdom!" Pip put out her arms and twirled in a circle to prove her point.
The City of Roses certainly did live up to its name, for the houses and streets were clad with either murals of the beautiful flower or the actual plant.
The two of us went on with the tour as Pip stopped, turning here and there to watch certain things. One time there was a messenger hawk building where all of the tawny birds would swoop in and place the parasols in the proper box. Another time a fire breather created flaming sculptures in the air, earning a well-deserved amount of applause erupting from the bystanders.
For a moment it seemed as though time were reversed. I was the child, and Pip was my mother. Clinging to Pip's side I carried onward, fearing the loss of her small white head in the deluge of people.
All of a sudden I remembered why I came here in the first place. "Pip!" I called her from a stand where she was buying pastries with frosting roses delicately designed on the flakey dessert, "I need to get a new dress."
"Oh so that's what you came here for." She said.
"Yeah, so, uh, could you show me where that is?"
"Sure thing, Scarlet!" Pip answered with a bright smile. She took my hand and dragged me into one of the many buildings.
The inside was overflowing with graceful dresses that must take at least a year to make.
A small woman with her hair up and bobby pins in her mouth came striding out into the room. "Ah, Pip, so good to see you again darling."
"Hello Mrs. Silster," Pip curtsied, and I copied her motions, "My friend here would like to be fitted."
I piped up, "Oh that really isn't necessary. I'm just look- ''
Mrs. Silster silenced me with a wave of her hand, "Child that dress is far too small on you and constricts your figure. Wait here. I have just the thing." She jogged off to the back of the store.
Pip sat in a seat near a rack of colorful fabric. After standing awkwardly for a few minutes I sat next to her, listening as she hummed a peppy tune.
"Uh, ya know, Pip," I started, "I don't have any money. I just came here to look."
"That's okay. I'll buy the dress for you." She said smiling.
"Are you sure? These dresses must cost a lot. You don't owe me anything." Actually it's me who owes her I thought.
"I'm quite sure. Money is no object, I have the most money in the kingdom."
I stared at her, and then said slowly, "Pip? What do you mean you have the most money?"
"Well," Pip looked at me as though I had suggested she were a farm animal, "I have money 'cause I'm the princess. I thought you knew that."
Damon waited in the back hall of the tavern. The lights were dim, and he could hear the drunken laughter of demons coming from the bar at the front of the building.
He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, allowing himself to be consumed by the shadows that slithered into the hidden room. What's taking so long? Damon wondered, annoyed that he was being ignored yet again. No, annoyed was long before, this was frustration, the craving desire to be seen, to be heard, to no longer wallow in the darkness of secret rooms.
Damon wished deeply to run out into the bar and scream at the demons "Can you see me? Someone tell me I've not faded away!" Of course, this was not allowed. He had learned to control his emotions, become hard, become invisible. No matter how lustfully he ached for something, it was never possible. Having everyone see me, not having to hide, and… Scarlet. All of it is beyond grasp, beyond hope. I never stood a chance.
The creaking of the door interrupted his thoughts. A figure strode in, dressed in all white, a royal uniform with red crosses on the snowy overcoat.
"Took ya long enough," Damon grumbled.
"It's very hard to escape notice, when walking into a place such as this." He gestured to the dank room.
Damon snorted, "Maybe if you would stop strutting around in that frilly uniform you're so proud
of, you'd draw less attention, Ethan."
Ethan got an amused smirk on his face, "Or maybe you're jealous."
Damon's dark blue eyes flared. He tensed himself, preparing for a fight. Their similar features were changed as one was angry and the other entertained.
"Now now, Damon, this is a peaceful meeting. Remember?" Ethan held up his hands in a you-got-me motion, his blue eyes signaling a warning.
"Get to the point," Damon snarled, "What do you want?"
Ethan walked around, examining the meager trinkets that had been scattered around the room, "I want you gone."
Damon's eyes widened to the size of saucers, "W-what?"
"Don't look so startled, brother. I only meant I want you away from Scarlet."
He regained his composure, "This is my foretelling. I can't leave Scarlet even if I wanted to."
"I know that, but… I watched you last night."
"I don't appreciate being spied on."
"Listen, I just saw that you were getting relaxed with Scarlet around. That's not appropriate considering the circumstances." Ethan narrowed his eyes accusingly at his twin.
"Her actions and the choices she makes when I'm around are not to my fault." Damon stated.
Ethan headed for the door, "We could have let you died, you know. Now I'm placing an awful lot of trust in you. Don't screw it up."
Then he left, leaving Damon standing there with his fists shaking.