A Burning Illusion

Crash Landing

A face that came out of the flowers revealed what I would only see in my fantasies. It was a young man with a cautious expression. He seemed to be about my age, if not a little younger. He was the most captivating man I'd ever seen. My assistant, Morgan, had become a Raggedy Andy doll in comparison. Poor fellow. 

This enigma of a man approaching was both youthful and mature. He had brown eyes and a button nose. His dark hair peeked underneath a maroon hat that matched his extravagant, simplistic designed coat. Oh-my-crystal ball. As if he couldn't have appeared more interesting, there was a hawk-like feather poking out the side of his hat. His physique being what made me question how old he really was. Along with how eloquent he dressed, a white shirt was tucked into leather black pants and what followed were polished boots. 

His hands were down but held each other. I noticed the shine coming off one of his knuckles. It was a sizable ring with a brilliant gold band. Handsome and loaded! I almost shook my entire body like a wet dog. What was wrong with me? I never have reacted such a way to men. Especially ones I thought who were pleasant to the eye...unless I was drunk. If all of this was because of the whiskey from earlier than I would have to treasure it the rest of my life.

 The teeter totter of my brain balanced my phobias and alcohol. It was blending into nothing more than a dream unless I was losing it. I would be mad as a hatter. All I knew was that I might as well go along with whatever was happening. A break of the chaos-despite that fact I had no clue where I was. Could he be my guardian angel taking me to paradise? Did I deserve such a thing? There I was, standing and wet with mascara running down my eyes and hair a mess. My nerves were stuck as if this man and I were drawing ourselves in somehow. 

Or...perhaps it was me falling for the siren taking more steps closer. Yet, the intensity in his eyes suggested that he was thinking the same. I was probably quite the spectacle. A mythical character in a child's tale as his confusion only increased.  After all, I should be enjoying it since I perform for a living and crave the attention. He stopped right at the edge, inclining his head to me.

                                                          "I thought I was dead!" I exclaimed, checking back at the torn apart balloon behind me. The fabric floating up the surface. At least the water was warm and pleasant to be in. Facing him again to see he was observing the scene before him. I couldn't help wondering, 

                                                           "Unless I am? You wouldn't happen to be an angel, would you? Am I in heaven?" He shook his head causing me to laugh and look up, 

                                                           "There's still hope for me!" 

Then the mystery man finally spoke, "I saw you fall from the sky." 

I blinked a few times catching on how his voice sounded low yet soft like silk. My grin faded when I felt something nick the back of leg, "Oh, uh yes it was very traumatic. My balloon got hit as I was um...taking it on a short flight. And now I am here-" 

                                                       "I would get out of the water if I were you." 

My eyebrows rose at his sudden warning, "It's actually quite nice!"

                                                      "That is why I would be concerned with the river fairies" 

Did he say what I thought he did? Would that be the previous creature I saw with a horse face and wings?

                                                      "River fairies?" 

 He grimaced, "While their teeth are small, they are sharp"