Beauty in the Dark

As always it is incredibly difficult to make decisions in a situation that has you so uprooted. A single idiotic choice can lead to a severely unwanted result. Take my most recent decision for example. Keep in mind we don’t have movies back home in the village, we had storytelling. Based on those stories I figured the horror films wouldn’t be so bad. Horrible choice really. How on Earth can one imagine causing such unnecessary harm to another purely for entertainment? How is it entertaining? I’ll never understand, I guess. Let me explain.

Back home the worst horror you could get would be getting eaten by a pack of wolves or the village burnt down from an attack. However, movies are apparently so much worse. Never would I imagine even my worst enemy to be forced to endure torture to a degree of causing insanity. Who can remain stable after having all their nails pulled out whilst count backwards from 1000 in multiples of seven? No one, that’s who. Why do people watch these things and find enjoyment in it? Regardless of that I am currently hiding my face by curling up into Peter. I guess that is one good thing about this. I get a comfy pillow and a personal heater. Who knew that spirit-shifters ran at a higher temperature to others? Not me at least.

Many will question as to why I curl up against Peter in fear if I don’t have reason to trust him. Problem one is that it isn’t out of fear but disgust that I cover my face in order to not see what is being shown. Secondly, I am within neutral ground in my stance about Peter. I have no more reason to not trust him as I do to trust him. It is simply a case of making the best out of what I have while I observe my surroundings to find out who here, if anyone, is trustworthy. Something done in his favour is the agreement of me meeting everyone else the day after tomorrow. For now, I settle in and adjust to my new home. However temporary that may be.

“You doing okay there?”

Peter’s question throws me away from my thoughts and back to reality. Reminding me of the current situation I'm in. At least he seems to care about me. The dude has not only paused, but completely switched the movie off. Ensuring no screams or loud noises interrupt his little check-in or disturb me further.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just didn’t expect it to be so horrifying. We don’t have movies back in my village. We relied on story telling and none of the apparent horror stories were as mentally disturbed as this guy seems to be. Thank you for turning it off by the way.”

“No trouble at all. Did you wish to watch something more comedic? What do you want me to call you as well? Is it just Felicity or is there a preference I am unaware of?”

“If alright I'd rather get some fresh air actually. And I don’t mind if you call me Felicity or not. Come up with your own nickname if you want. It can he anything but Flick. Only my most trusted call me that.”

“Understandable. Also, why wouldn’t I let you go outside? For as long as you’re here thus is your home just as it is mine. I’ll let you know when I come up with a nickname but I’ll stick to Felicity for now. I'm going to find out about the story behind Flick just so you know.”

He really seems determined to know why Flick is so special to me. Eh, he shall have to earn my trust first. Either way I’m getting outside for a bit so I can’t complain.

“That’s alright. The reason I asked was because I was unsure if you have a curfew here or not.”

I swear to all above the laugh he just let out was a giggle. He giggled and no one can change my mind. It was adorable to be completely honest. The way it made the light reflect off his eyes differently, almost serenely if you get what I mean. He looks so at peace that tranquillity practically floods from his pores.

“Curfew only applies to the orphan children and those parents who wish for their children to have one. Adults and teens don’t have a specific curfew but an adult has to be informed of a teens whereabouts after 11pm.”

So, either way I’m fine. Not only am I with the Head of House, I am an adult as well so I needn’t worry about such things. Now to enjoy my freedom. Both of us grab our coats and shoes before heading downstairs back the way we came. Excited cannot even begin to explain how I feel at this very moment. Free movement to explore how I please is all I’ve ever wanted. Yeah sure, I have an escort but that has never bothered me much in the grand scheme of things. One day I may even come to enjoy having evening walks with Peter who knows? However, let us not get ahead of ourselves. Only once have I made such a mistake as to think too far ahead; never in a million years will such a regret be repeated.

The forest looks even better at night then it did when we arrived during the day. Grass glistening as crystals due to freshly fallen rain. Pure rays of moonlight highlighting the trees as thought they were a billion-dollar portrait. Even miniscule details such as the shadows flowed in sync with the gentle breeze that finished off the scenery in front of me. Perfection could not even hold a candle to the grandeur here tonight.

Gleefully I grasp Peter’s hand tight within my own and begin moving. To believe such a reality to he but a dream is no understatement. Everything fibre of my being hums with undiluted bliss in a way that almost makes me believe the forest is where I belong. Like something deeper below the surface is finally at home right in this very moment. Right now, all I can do is embrace this with a smile gracing my features delicately. Nothing could interfere with this. Whatever this is anyway.