Crystal walks a few paces in front of me. She knows where we're supposed to be going, and I find her relatively trust worthy, so I let her lead the way. I figure if we're gonna be bunk buddies or whatever we're going to have to build up some sort of trust and possibly reliance if we're gonna not throw one another out the window. Defenestration isn't exactly the best team building exercise. Especially when you live in a giant building that stands hundreds of deadly feet over an equally deadly and quite possibly bottomless sea. I shudder at the thought of ever daring to swim in that again. After quiet a few incidents of almost drowning, I'd given up on learning how to swim. None of us bronze had the chance to learn in a safe way, and with nobody to help me learn, or save me if I were to drown, I'd quickly moved on to more useful things, things that would pay, such as figuring out how to pick locks, or squeeze into small places and evesdrop on important people. Maybe that could change, with my new status, I could probably even hire someone to teach me in the comfort of Aitmil, in a pool or something. Somewhere where the water wasn't so deep. Somewhere where my feet could touch the seabed. After a while of walking, we find outselves outside of two towering doors. Actual physical doors. Crystal grabs a round thing potruding out of the wood and twists it. The doors spring open, and I gasp. It's a huge ballroom. Diamonds and Sapphires are everywhere, and the maze of twinkling stones and glass bombard my vision. My eyes dart across the room, and I can't seem to think straight. Crystal grabs my hand, pulling me forward.
"Don't worry. You'll get used to it." She smiles kindly, and I smile back, thankful. "Just focus on me and you'll be fine." I nod, and she continues leading me through the crowd. The Diamonds and Sapphires part for us, and we assend the stairs up to a long table in the center of the room. Once we're at the top, I realize that the table is circular with no middle. Crystal pomptly finds our name card and sits us down. I gaze down at the people dancing and having a good time. I grow nervous, knowing that in just a little bit, these people will be staring at Crystal and I, probably judging us with everything they've got. I should have stayed in the nice heels and not put on the jacket. I envy the mirror sitting back in my room on that soft bed. What I wouldn't give to trade places with it right now. Alone. Comfy. Without a care in the world. Alone. Yah okay fine I'm a bit antisocial but I swear it's not because I dislike people, per say, I just really don't like how they act.
"Hey. You okay? You're looking a bit flushed." Crystal nudges me, a worried look marring her delicate features. "You know we don't have to actually do anything, right?"
"Ya. I know. I just really don't like being stared at." She gives me a sympathetic pat on the back. I just sit there glowering and wishing I was that stupid hand held mirror.
"So do you like it here so far? Other than all the people staring that is. I mean do you like your rooms? Am I being annoying? I'm sorry I just don't really get the chance to talk to people all that often. Pun totally intended. Sorry. I don't know why I said that." Crystal grimaces and I snort.
"It's fine, and I really haven't quite decided on what I think of this place yet. I'm kind of prejudice against it. I haven't told you what my old class was, right?"
"No. I guess you never did mention that, but I don't see why that would have anything to do with you liking or disliking this place. No matter where you come from there's no way it could have been better than this." I frown.
"No. It's not that it was better. I just, well, Diamonds, they've treated-"
"Silence please, if you will." The music and chattering stops and I turn my attention to the person now speaking, regretfully. I hate cutting this conversation short. It needs to be had before she figures it out on her own. I mean the poor girl is mute and she's stuck with an ex-bronzer as her Sapphire? I mean even I wouldn't want to be living like that. The amount of shit she's probably gonna get over my sorry ass isn't even funny, and I can laugh at almost anything. If only Aunt Mary could see me now. I bet one of the only reasons I'm even here is because I can sign. I was probably a last resort, since they couldn't have a Diamond and Sapphire with literal simple communication issues.
"As you all have probably guessed, we have called you here today to welcome a new pair into our community." The woman now speaking is a Sapphire. The Diamond who called attention to their speech is a 20 something year old man. "I'm extremely excited to introduce you to the newest addition to our rather large family, and now, without further ado, I give you Crystal and Emmy!" Crystal yanks me to my feet and I grab at the table to keep my balance. The crowd aplauds, and the sea of sparkling white and blue assault my eyes once again. I struggle to resist glaring at them. Why couldn't they just wear a matte color or something? Why? Is it really all that hard to not look like a fucking walking light show?
"Smile more." Crystal signs subtly. "You look like you're gonna kill someone."
"That's because I just might." I mutter, and she giggles. I smile a little and the woman continues.
"Okay, now that I've introduced them to you, everyone can just mingle and maybe meet them if you want, but please keep greetings to a minimum, we all know how overwhelming it can be at first."
"Especially when everyone looks like a walking lightbulb." I whisper over to Crystal and she covers her mouth, her eyes crinkling up in laughter. The woman claps, and the music continues as does the activity. A few people come up to welcome us. I bet part of the reason more people don't come up is all those damn stairs. Or the fact that I glared at everyone who came up. Probably the first one.
"Stop looking at everyone like you want to burn a hole into their forehead." Crystal scowls at me.
"Well then why don't you tell them to stop drilling holes into my corneas and wear something less... Shiny." I bite out. Crystal face palms and I laugh under my breath.
"I'll make sure to make the next invitation remind everyone that this isn't a galery of bulbs but rather a gathering of souls." The woman from earlier smiles at me and I turn red, shrinking.
"I'm so sorry I just-"
"No it's totally fine. You're just giving voice to the very complaint I've been grouching about for years. My name is Nia. Welcome to the Sapphires."
ns 15.158.61.23da2
