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Honorary Member |
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Posts: 7445 Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 9:10 am Location: Frankfort, NY USA (set by Nikita) Gender:
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((Dawn, I've Rped here, but not much. I even had my own RP Thread once, but that was right before NQII started and my interest shifted and the thread got deleted before I could get back to it. I'm a born writer, though. I've been in countless rps over the years and run my own fantasy writing list. Thanks a lot for the excellent compliment! ))
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Alexa rummaged through her room, trying to decide what to take. Clothes poured out of her drawers and were strewn about in a haphazard manner. A big, orange tabby affectionately rubbed against her legs.
"Hey, Boris." Alexa picked him up, kissed him lightly on the forehead and placed him back on the floor. "I wish I had more of an idea what this was all about. I don't have a clue as to what I'm supposed to bring. The letter just says I will stay over night and then things will be explained further, but I'm not sure if that means I am expected to stay longer or not." She walked over to her closet and opened the door. "Hmm, maybe I will need something fancy? This is a manor after all." She searched through her dresses and pulled out one of her favorites. It was a simple deep red dress, short but not too much, tight but still comfortable. She reached down and grabbed a pair of her black pumps. "This should be fine, what do you think? Maybe there will be a handsome man there and we can dance." She held the dress up to her and twirled around her room, then laughed and fell backwards onto her bad.
Saphira jumped onto the bed and gave Alexa a quick feline kiss on the nose before moving to a more comfortable spot. "I see I've chosen well. Do you agree?" She smiled and looked over at Boris, who was giving her a very reproachful look. "Oh, don't give me that," she said and sat up frustrated. "I can't be with Brad all the time. What's wrong with a girl wanting to have a little fun?"
Alexa sighed and neatly folded the dress. She walked over to her suitcase, which turned out to be the comfortable spot Saphira had been looking for. Alexa could have sworn the female cat was smiling at her. She shooed the grey tabby off her suitcase and placed the clothes she picked inside. She added anything else she needed (toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, shampoo, etc.) to her duffle bag. She also tossed her journal into the duffle. She never left home without it incase she got the urge to write.
"Okay. I guess I've got just about all I need." Alexa surveyed her room. A gold locket sat forlorn on her dresser. Alexa crossed the room and picked it up. She gently opened it. A picture of Brad and herself smiled back at her.
"Oh, Brad." Alexa lightly touched the picture. "I do miss you, but this just isn't the right time. I need a break. It's not your fault. I'm sorry you're in the middle of all this." She closed the locket and placed it inside her jewelry box. Just as she was about to close it, she noticed a small velvet container. She opened it and her mother's ring sparkled in the failing daylight. It was a delicate silver ring shaped like a dragon with a small, round sapphire ball in it's claws. Her mother used to wear this ring all the time. It was a family heirloom. Alexa hesitated and thought for a moment. Tears started to form in her eyes, threatening to spill, when she carefully removed the ring from its place and set it on her finger. She held it up to the light and watched the setting sun reflect in the smooth sapphire.
"I miss you mom," Alexa whispered as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
The cats stood up, meowed and trotted into the hall. "I guess you guys are hungry, eh?" Alexa grabbed her suitcase and duffle and brought them into the front hall. Then she fed the fish and made sure the cats had enough food and water to last them until morning. She checked around the house one last time to make sure everything was in order and she didn't forget anything.
As Alexa walked back to the front door and threw her coat on, the cats followed her. "I am going to miss you two so much!" she said as she bent down to snuggle the felines. "The car should be here any minute. Please be good for Sally and watch over the house for me. I'll be back as soon as I can." Alexa gave them each a kiss on the head and scratched behind their ears before standing up.
She heard the sounds of a car approaching down the street. Alexa shouldered her duffle bag and lifted her suitcase. She looked out the window to watch the headlights draw near. As her hand reached for the doorknob, the phone rang again. "Oh, bother. Who could be calling me now?" The answering machine picked up and a male voice spoke.
"Hi, Alexa. I know you don't want to talk to me right now, but I really miss you. I can't stand this. I know you are going through a hard time and I just want to be with you, to help you through it. I'm sorry if I pressured you too much. If there's anything I can do to change your mind, . . . to have you take me back, . . . please let me know."
"Not now, Brad," Alexa whispered as she watched a big black car pull into her driveway.
"I love you, Alexa. Please pick up. I just want to talk."
Alexa felt her heart clench and flicked off the lights as she opened her door and stepped out. She took one last look at the picture of her mother, the two cats curled up on the couch contentedly watching her, then the whole house in general. Lastly she looked at the answering machine. "I can't, Brad. Not now. Please understand," she whispered, her voice trembling.
A tall man stepped out of the car and walked around to open the door for her. As she had almost closed the door all the way, she heard the voice from the answering machine continue.
"I hope things will be better for you, for us. Regardless, you know I will always be here for you."
Alexa heard the phone hang up and closed the front door with a silent thump. She heaved a heavy sigh, then attempted to swallow her emotions and turn around.
She was surprised by how big the car was. As the man patiently stood, waiting for her to step inside, she walked towards the car. He placed her luggage in the trunk and made sure she was seated before closing the door. She was amazed by the luxury in this car. The seats were extremely soft and comfortable and there was a lot of room in the back. The car's motor gently rumbled and she rested her head back. She closed her eyes and settled down to enjoy her trip.
* * * * *
After a long while, the car purred to a stop and Alexa opened her eyes. We must be here. I guess I dozed off for a bit. She shook the drowsiness from her, chesnut hair cascading over her shoulders. The door clicked and the same man opened it and held out a hand to help her out.
"Thank you. Is this the Manor of Dragons?" she asked as the man retrieved her luggage and placed it next to her. He nodded and motioned for her to continue up the path. Large metal gates stood before her. "The gates . . . " she started to ask, but as she turned around she saw the car drive off.
"Great. Now what?" Alexa stepped closer to the large bars to inspect them further, when they slowly swung open. "This gets curiouser and curiouser." She watched, amazed, as the gates fully opened. She picked up her luggage and started down the long path towards the Manor. Strangely shaped sculptured bushes lined the way as eerie trees swayed in the cool evening air. The breeze seemed to moan faintly. Alexa shivered and quickened her step, continuing on her way.
Finally reaching the Manor, she was surprised to see all the other people there. She stepped onto the porch and placed her luggage neatly next to her. Alexa rested against a large pillar to catch her breath from the long walk and observed everyone around her. Well, this is certainly a unique medly of people. I wonder if everyone else received the same letter and, if so, why we were all asked to come here. I'm sure this is going to be interesting. The wind howled again and the trees swayed in the breeze. What a night for a mystery.
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