Alchemy : The Parallel Beyond

Meeting the council

“ Hey Xave, wake up already”, said a familiar voice nudging me out of my safe harbor slumber.

“ Is it morning already”, I said sitting up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. It felt like it had been only two minutes since I  went to sleep.

When I finally saw who exactly, I was surprised to find Emily, standing in front of me carrying  my breakfast in her hand.

“ Awake already, sleepyhead”.

“Yeah , what are you doing here so early. I don’t think you are quite a morning person”.

“ Hey can’t I come out here to  wish my best friend  good luck.”, she said pouting. “ You have a heavy day out I front of you”, she said gesturing with her hands “ and I have come out here to help you by giving you a friendly pat on the head and a hug”

“Where’s that hug now”, I said.

“Oh here it is”, said engulfing me in a bear hug. She smelled like Pears and flowers. Girls smell so good after shower. She stepped back giving me some space and I noticed how good she was looking that day. She had a heart shaped face and a translucent face. And now her high cheeks were folded in a lovely dimple. Her ocean blue eyes. In total she looked beautiful.

Hey wait a minute. Backtrack. Did I just check out my best friend? Weird.

Well I guess weirder things were going to happen to me once I met the Council today.

                                                 ****************

“ Xavier are you ready to go”, said Uncle Smith.

“ Yeah I said fidgeting   in my two size smaller  navy blue suit. The robe would be worn , once inside the castle.

“ Ok lets go”.

“ Be careful, Xavier”, said Aunt Claire softly, enveloping me in her warm motherly hug.

“ Don’t worry”, I know what exactly do once inside the Main Room.

1 Open the shoes and socks.

2. Keep the robe cap on the stand table.

3 Shake the Council Members hands.

4 Greet politely in a not too small not too loud voice.

5. Shake hands before going out.

6. Answering every question they put before.

“ Yes that’s good you have got it all memorized”, said Emily.

One by one I hugged all my family members except Ben , who only acknowledged me with a curt nod.

When I came to Emily, I said the only thing I could think of  “You are so lucky you are not born in a magical family”. When I said those words I saw a flash of something through her eyes. But before I could comprehend  on  it  was gone.

“ Look at me , I am born of it but not having any powers of my own”, I said moving on to Aunt Judy, realizing the finality of the place where I was going now. Aunt Judy was crying softly, perhaps remembering the feelings she faced sixteen years ago. Today when I come out of the castle I shall have been deemed as a Para for all my life.

As soon as we were inside the car Uncle started telling me everything I shall have to do and everything I shouldn’t.

Dawn was breaking as we made our way from our  farm   to  London Main. It would take more than two hours to reach the Palace  still. The Council were very punctual with these meetings. We sure didn’t want to cross them even. Even so they were  till prejudiced to us Paras.