A Silver Lucifer Tampers with Time [Part 3]

We entered our room at the new hostelry. I barely looked at the room; the only thing I knew about the room was that we were on the third floor and that Valaquendë had to get one room with two beds, because two rooms at this hostelry was a little too much money. Without any other thoughts to consider, I placed my things on the bed and wanted to go straight to the window, that way I could look at the hostelry we were going to stay at that wasn’t far from this one. That feeling and my random excuse to move was all based on the place Valaquendë had planned to stay at, yet for some reason I had a bad sensation about that hostelry.

“Damn it… Whatever.”

I didn’t mean to say that out loud, fortunately, Valaquendë was in the restroom so I’m pretty sure she didn’t hear it. I was also quite sure I ignored her again, I think she said something about the room and a bath. But I clearly was preoccupied with my need for speculation. I then sat on my bed to get my comb out. Sometimes brushing my hair helps me think, but what was supposed to be calming, became frustrating. All because I’ve been neglecting a major impossible possibility.

I was transported here, just like that one anime I watched when I was younger, InuYasha; it was an action fantasy. I like the characters, especially Kagome and Sango. Anyway, I’m getting side tracked. I’ve been treating everything as if it was similar to my own reality, when there is a chance that there could be some unexpected variables that I can’t even begin to predict.

I can just feel my face twisting into a disgruntled expression. I changed it back into a more neutral expression, so Valaquendë wouldn’t see it when she’s finished in the restroom. I wonder if Valaquendë has noticed that I have a thinking face. My friends always told me that I have an intimidating face when I'm in deep thought…

“Oh… Rosalind. Anne. Barbara. Jocelyn… My friends…” That thought quietly echoed in my head as my arms fell limp into my lap.

“Ryosuke? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Valaquendë? No, nothing is wrong. I’m just a little tired, is all.” Ugh, that didn’t sound convincing at all.

“Yeah, I’m pretty tired too. We sure had a long day!”

She was pretty close to my face, so close that all I could smell was warm, soapy water. The scent lingered around my head. Her hair was damp as well, she must have taken a bath or shower. I didn't even hear any water running. She then sat on her bed now wearing a fairly cute night gown, velvet, one that flowed all the way to her feet. I was also impressed that she was able to notice that my mood was a bit gloomy. Well, now that I think about it, I shouldn’t be surprised actually. I was probably slouched over, aimlessly combing my hair, and in a static position.

“Okay Ryosuke, I’m going to blow out the candles.”

“Um. Sounds good.”

“Great, hope you have some good dreams.”

“Thanks, you too.”

She blew out the candles and we both got into our own beds. I obviously didn't have a change of clothes to sleep in, so I removed my clothes under the sheets to sleep in just my underwear. Unsurprisingly, I soon realized that sleeping in a bra was going to be uncomfortable, so I took that off too.

Even though my eyes felt heavy, I still had several thoughts and ideas I wanted to ponder. They have baths or showers, so that means indoor plumbing. But no light bulbs? When was that invented? I’m pretty sure… Those two inventions are roughly a hundred years apart... I suppose it's not that much of an impossibility for them to be made at separate times… The thought started to fade, as my eyes couldn’t stay open. They soon closed slowly. Peacefully falling asleep, with the last prominent thought that I have completed my first day in a new world…

⧫⧫⧫

That slumber didn’t last long though. My eyes randomly opened. I saw the moon and guessed I had been asleep for a few hours. Although it must have not been that late, the murmurs of the passersby with the lamp lights of the streets were still creeping through the window. I could hear Valaquendë snore ever so lightly, so I figured she was asleep. I could only see the back of her head. I closed my eyes and tried to match Valaquendë's breathing…

⧫⧫⧫

I awoke again. This time I had a dream. I lied on my back to stare at the ceiling, while I recalled the dream. It wasn’t a bad one… It was sad though, but only because of my current circumstances. I dreamt that my friends and I were getting ready for something. Not sure what… Probably the small dinner party we planned.

What an unbearable feeling deep within my belly, I can hear them talk to one another in worry:

‘Ryo is never late.’

‘Royo would have told one of us if she wasn't going to be here.’

‘It’s just not like Ryōsuke.’

I am genuinely sorry. Trying to relive this internal pain; grabbing onto my chest. It hurts my body to think of them with worry caused by my unintentional disappearance… And yet, I know they'll be fine. They are much more resilient than I.

The slow realization that I won't be seeing them anytime soon grew faster and faster in my already congested mind.

How sad… Whatever… I have a… new… distraction...

⧫⧫⧫

I kept waking up and falling back asleep as the night went on, drifting in and out of my REM cycles. I had no idea what time it was. Although the moon was in a different position, that meant that the night was at least continuing. It was a big, beautiful full moon; it felt like it was watching me fall asleep.

Her Bonnet is the Firmament –
            The Universe – Her Shoe –
The Stars – the Trinkets at Her Belt –
            Her Dimities – of Blue.

An excerpt from The Moon was but a Chin of Gold by Emily Dickinson. I like her poetry…

⧫⧫⧫

Deep in my slumber. Each and every nerve in my body shocked themselves to life.

With one forceful motion, Valaquendë and I wrenched upright, our bodies twisting atop the beds as a deafening blast destroying the peace of the night. The windows quaked violently in their frames, the glass trembling like it might shatter. Valaquendë let out a fast scream of uncertainty. At that moment, all we could do was stare into the darkness turning into a hellish red glow.

Still wrapped in the tangled warmth of our sheets, as if it were a shield, we crept toward the window. Outside, the world burned in an uncontrollable inferno, the glow of a fire fixed to the glass with a devilish intensity.

“What happened?!” She gasped, her voice tight with fear.

“I have no idea. It looks like some type of explosion occurred in one of the rooms at the other hostelries or something.” I said, my mind struggling to catch up with what my eyes were seeing.

“What?!” Her voice cracked, shocked by my reasoning.

“Wow… That is where we were going to stay the night.” Her voice lessened significantly.

Valaquendë’s breath caught, she went pale, her face reflecting the soulless, dark smoke of the fire. The heat pressed through the glass, and the ashen scent of smoke was unmistakable. Across the street, at the other hostelry. The very same one we nearly stayed at. Was in ruins. Flames clawed through its shattered windows. My stomach churned.

Valaquendë clutched her sheet tightly around her, trembling. She looked ready to collapse. In contrast with my own, I stood frozen, my posture slack, my mind blank. That’s when the full weight of it hit me… How numb I’d become. The strange sensations lately, the blood, the chaos…

This World… Will not be a merciful one.