BELLRAM V01 - Ambivalence of Light and Shadow I

BP001-P39 - Red Wine 6

Meia had nothing more to do but wait. After a while, her wandering eyes fell on a cluster of people at the edge of the dance floor. She only noticed them because a whole group had just joined them. With the crowd pushing, she could make out between their heads what they were there for.

~Mr. Monet!~

He was the centre of all the people. He was talking to them, or rather, he was talking and they were listening to him. But why had he not come to her, as he had said? Had he not had the time yet? Were people not letting him through? Or was he ignoring her as well? If he did not come to her, should she go to him?Meia took a few steps on the spot.

Meia took a few steps on the spot. Again and again she looked at him, but he simply did not notice her. He was only concerned with the guests and made no effort to find out where she was. Had he already forgotten her? Did he no longer care about her?

Meia took several deep breaths.

One last time she looked at him, but even now nothing had changed.

So she started walking before she could change her mind.

The people she passed were talking about all sorts of things.

"... This wine is also rather ..."

"... so good that I bought all the rolls ..."

"... later you'll tell me ..."

"...wasn't the right one either..."

"... Arvis ..."

On hearing her surname, Meia immediately turned her head towards the voice.

The person could not be made out. There were too many people here.

Had it perhaps been the clingy woman who had spoken? While Meia was thinking this, she felt a jolt to her upper body. All at once she lurched forward.

Her foot had stepped on the hemline of her dress. Due to the distraction, she had no longer paid attention to the fact that it was too long.

She quickly jerked her arms up to break the fall, but dropped the plate. She hit the hard stone with her forearms. The heel of her hand and her sleeves scraped open.

The plate shattered with a clang on impact. The shards slid up to the guests' shoes.

Meia was on all fours on the floor.

Everything went silent.

The stares stabbed her in the back.

The giggling and whispering began.

Meia no longer had the courage to look up. At least she was hidden from view behind her hair. It was too much. She could no longer manage to pull herself together. Why were people like this? No one bothered to catch her. Someone had even decided to give way to her fall. Was it so the others could laugh at her better? Blurred, Meia saw her tears seep into the stone.

Suddenly the giggling died away, as if it had stuck in people's throats. From one second to the next, it was silent. Not even the normal conversations could be heard any more. Only the music continued to play softly. Sure footsteps lay beneath the strings. The tempo was normal. The person was in no hurry.

The footsteps came right to her and only stopped in front of her head. Two black shoes came into her view.

A hand rested on her shoulder. The touch was gentle but not intrusive. It was not an invitation. It was a declaration.

"Miss Arvis?"

Meia recognised the voice immediately.

When she looked up, she saw Mr Monet.