Upon the morning, the black stone of the crystal palace turned grey by the light. A few streaks of sunlight touched a bed chamber that belonged to a seventeen-trine Gelfling. Her white hair wispy and long. Her white skin turning gold in the morning sun. Her breathing almost in rhythm to the unsung melody of Thra's creatures.
A small spider-like creature crawled out of the cracks of the stone walls and began climbing up the bedpost. It was only a few inches close to her face. It watched her for a moment. Its three legs resemble a flower sitting on a soft pillow. One step closer, and it would be on her face. "Boo!" It jumped back in surprised. It nearly fell off until the Gelfling caught it.
A now grown Ghost laughed. "Didn't think I would know you would come, did you Orchid?"
Aww! You had to ruin my fun! The little Threader huffed. The two had become good friends ever since they first met. Ghost was only five trines old when it happened. She was helping the Podlings in the kitchen. Sweeping away happily until she saw a strange flower-like creature crawl out of the crack in the wall and began to head toward her. Before it could get far, a Podling's broom smacked the Threader into the air and splashed into a barrel of water. Worried, Ghost ran over to the barrel. She looked in each direction to see if no one was watching and quickly pulled out the unconscious creature. Ghost pulled a small cloth out and rubbed the small back. She heard a small coughing and hid the Threader in her pocket. Once she did her chores, she went to her room and laid the creature, who still didn't wake up from its adventure in the water. When Orchid woke up, Ghost mended the Threader's wound and secretly sent her back home. Not before she learned that Orchid was actually a small Arranthim, an enemy to the Gelfling.
The being known as The Ascendancy was not happy seeing a little Gelfling in their catacombs. However, they did appreciate Ghost willing to bring back one of their own. She listened to their story. Touched by their loss and a bit confused on why the Skeksis would banish them from their home simply because they chose not to have the Emperor rule over them, she offered her hand in friendship such as reading stories to them and anything they wanted to eat from the kitchen. The Arrathim knew that little Ghost was still loyal when she explained her story and what the Skeksis and Gelfling meant to her. Since then, they would let her meet them and allowed her to give the name Orchid because of the Threader's flower-like appearance and a Silk Spitter that she called Shield. In time, they began to enjoy her company and even love her impressions of SkekSil. They also began to teach her some Arranthim so she can speak the language properly without having a Threader being in her head.
"Come on." Ghost said. "I'll give you a free ride through the castle. Got a lot of things to do before I meet up with Rian, Mira and Gurjen." The young Gelfling changed out of her nightgown. She changed into her servant outfit and brushed her long, white hair. She does have other dresses from SkekEt, but she didn't want to get them dirty. Ghost extended her hand and allowed Orchid to climb on. She placed the tiny spider creature in her pocket. She arrived at the first area she needed to clean. Armed with sponges that she tied to her feet, rags and a bucket, Ghost was now ready to clean the halls as fast as she could. "Ready?"
Orchid nodded. She peeked over the pocket to be sure she wasn't seen. She knew it was dangerous, but she does find it fun to be around Ghost. Ready!
"Here we go!" Ghost used every power of her wings to push herself forward. She moved with ease. She began gliding over the floor and getting everything dry. Everything sparkling as she zipped by. She waved to some Podlings that were making their way to the kitchen. "Good morning, Brun! Good morning, Zuzu! I'll see you in the kitchen." She smiled as the Podling servants eagerly waved at her.
If you were to hear rumors that Ghost gets along with nearly everyone in the Crystal Palace, you would be right. During her time, Ghost was one of the few Gelflings that treated Podlings with respect and dignity. She loved them as they loved her. The palace guards grew fond of her despite her heritage and her tendencies to vanish. She would make them smile with her generous nature.
As she was about to reach the stairs, she stopped before SkekLach. "Morning SkekLach. How are you feeling?"
SkekLach was miserable as usual. He didn't get much sleep due to the ooze out of his pustules. "Same as yesterday...and the day before that." He didn't mind Ghost being around him. When she is in his company, her smile seems to brighten his mood a little. She was always filled with surprises. Never a dull moment in the castle. Right now, he was tired from having to do the ritual with the Dark Crystal again. The only time Ghost would annoy him is when she reprimands him for taking something that wasn't his.
Ghost fiddled with her pockets and managed to find what she was looking for. "Well, I just got this cleaned up for you. It should make it comfortable." She pulled out a white handkerchief. The little Gelfling handed it to the Collector and skated away.
"Wait! I forgot to tell-" SkekLach tried to finish his sentence but Ghost left in a hurry. "Oh drat! I forgot to mention that Ghost would be joining Scroll Keeper and me for the latest tithing ceremony." He simply shrugged and made his way down to the dining halls for breakfast.
Ghost hummed a tune as she glided over the stairs. Her heart follows to the sound of Thra's creature that crawls within the walls. As she finished, she was zooming toward the throne room to finish when she nearly crashed into the General and some Gelflings that were walking behind him. Ghost flared her wings and jumped over him. "Sorry, General!"
"Be careful!" SkekVar roared. "Just don't make the floor slippery like you did last time!" Despite his harsh voice, he does get concerned when she gets very determined with her chores. He nearly had a heart attack when she got a fever after rescuing a Podling that slipped into a crack in the ice. It was so bad, he was sure Ghost would die. However, she would prove him wrong once again. Her heart was so fragile but she had the will to go on. He couldn't help but find her as a true marvel of all Gelflings.
"Will do!" Ghost giggled. She kept singing a song that tumbled in her head and into her heart. Her love of music came from SkekEt and SkekSo. They would let her listen to the instruments of the Podlings. When she was in the company of Rian or Gurjin, Ghost would listen to the unspoken words of Thra and write it down in her special diary. As she was nearing a hallway that led to the kitchen, she soon saw the Emperor, the Ornamentalist, the Ritual Master, the Scrollkeeper and the Chamberlain. Her body grew tight around Chamberlain. Nothing good ever came from that Skeksis. He had some good advice she follows, but she knows that he's mostly selfish and would mess with her when possible. "Good morning everyone."
"Good morning, Ghost." SkekSo said. "I see your doing your chores. Did you-"
"Yes." Ghost said.
"What about-"
"Don't worry, I got the clothes done yesterday. I just handed the Collector a fresh handkerchief."
"Could you please stop interrupting the Emperor?" The Ritual Master huffed.
Ghost bowed. "I beg your pardon. I've done the chores so many times, I guess your questions would come naturally in my head."
"Perhaps we should stop giving her jobs that would remove the Podlings, yesss?" Chamberlain asked. He smirked at Ghost. He knew her fondness of the Podlings and just said that to make her feel terrible. "Might make them lazy."
"Nonsense." SkekSo spoke. "She's been doing well with her job and makes the Podlings move faster." He turned to Ghost. "Continue on to the kitchen. Gourmand will be there soon."
Ghost nodded. She was about to leave then turned and stuck her tongue out at SkekSil. She ran before she could see the scowl on his face. In her pocket, she could hear Orchid laughing. As the two made their way to the kitchen, Ghost caught a glimpse of Rian and Mira sharing a small kiss before smiling at her. Ghost merely smiled. She was happy that Rian found someone. Mira was a very nice Vapra despite her taunting the Podlings. She was like a sister to Ghost. If only there was someone for me, Ghost thought sadly.
Upon entering the kitchen, Ghost took Orchid out to her apron pocket and set the little Threader against the wall. She found a small piece of food. "Here you go. You best head back from here before someone sees Shield I'll see him later." She handed Orchid a piece of meat and watched her eat it and leave. Ghost immediately got to work on one of the pots that contained the latest morning stew. She stirred until she heard the heavy footsteps of the Gourmand. One cue, Ghost pulled out a spoon and held it up in front of the plump Skeksis. "Don't get any ideas, SkekAyuk! This is for breakfast and I've hidden the other ingredients."
SkekAyuk groaned. "Why do you torture me, Ghost? I'll only have a snack before breakfast." He stroked his stomach to prove a point.
Ghost merely shook her head. "You can leave without it for a few more minutes. However…" A sly smile spread across her face. She raised her spoon again. "I can give you one of the jars if you beat me in a spoon duel." It was a special game that she and Gourmand had bonded over. She usually wins that game.
SkekAyuk rolled his eyes. "You're almost as bad as Chamberlain." He pulled out a spoon. "En guard!"
Once the two had their duel, Ghost got everything done and finally rushed over to the telescope to have breakfast with Rian, Mira and Gurjin. All the suns are just above the horizon just as Ghost arrived to see her friends. "Sorry I'm late!" She huffed. Her heart pounding hard. "Had to keep Gourmand from eating the food for the Podlings."
Rian shook his head. He walked over to her and had a look at her hands. They were covered in bruises. "You've got to take better care of yourself. Sister." It was his way of being affectionate to Ghost. The two had become close to siblings despite their work on the castle. Ever since they were children, Rian would look out for her whenever he can.
Ghost laughed. "Only if you would stop taking food from the Podlings and making googly eyes at Mira."
"Aww." Mira said. "Don't worry Ghost. I'm not hogging Rian." The Vapran hugged her. "However, I do hope that you find someone soon. You're a very special girl. Boys would have to be crazy not to want you."
"Hey!" Gurjin shouted. "Come on! The food's going to get cold!" He was already sitting down with a warm bowl of broth on his lap. He took a spoonful into his mouth.
"Ok." Ghost began to take a seat and was momentarily dizzy. A brief vision of SkekTek screaming at the Crystal as it was draining a weird goo off his body. She shook her head. This had been her third vision since her incident in the frozen water. She looked up to see her friends looking on in concern. "I'm alright, just tired. I'm done for the chores for today so I'll take a rest in my room before helping with dinner for the lords." She never told anyone her visions, but what she said was enough to ease everyone's concern. It was soon forgotten as she began to have her breakfast with her friends.
In case anyone asks, she doesn't have visions like Mother Aughra. They only happen when something bad happens to those she's close to. Will explain it later on. Review!
