A Proclamation of Ruin

A Sermon at a Party?

I feel like Edriane and I will be good friends. Throughout the whole journey through her huge palace she told me stories of her childhood and her mother. I won't put it past me the sinking feeling of jealousy that internally murdered me. She had such a happy time in the world and I... had a satisfactory time. Sure, I would've preferred not to be an orphan and raised by an aunt that was only 10 years older than me. Although not technically being an orphan because I only had a deadbeat literally dead father and a clinically insane mother, but still having a family... a complete one would've been fun.

I never had many friends growing up. I was avoided by most children because I seemed to have a certain smell that no matter how much Aunt Amettie scrubbed it wouldn't come off. Most of my memories are of Aunt Amettie trying to figure out what to do with me and herself, the neighbour always cursing Saint Anthony out and the creepy suited neighbour with the dead garden. I liked that neighbour though. He was my only friend in childhood. But he always went for business trips at weird times in the night. I could hear him leave and come back even in my sleep. I remember always barging into his house and Aunt Amettie had to drag me out to not invade his space. She was always apologetic to him and practically whisper-yelled in my ear to not stay close with that creep. I never listened. He always let me stay for as long as I wanted until one day he urged me out. That day held significance because it became the day I made friends in the neighbourhood and in school. Since then my playmates and I referred to him as the creepy suit guy because he only let certain people in. I was one of those people aside from a guy that always looks severely sleep deprived and bored of the world.

Now that I think about it he is creepy. Why was I his favourite? And what happened to the other kid?

"Are you ready?" she suddenly spoke.

No. "Yes. I am as ready as can ever be." That's a lie. No I'm not.

The doors opened and a strong voice announced her arrival. Before they shut, she gives me a small smile of encouragement. I appreciate it. Although I'd much prefer her standing here and holding my hand for emotional support. I don't know why I'm so nervous. It's not like I'm standing for trial or performing in my 8th grade talent show again. I am never showcasing magic tricks again. The bunny bit me. It got stewed.

".....WHO WILL SAVE US ALL!" OH SHIT I'M UP.

The doors are wide open and light poured into the noticeably dimmer hallway, a crowded room with endless clapping and cheering and expectant gazes.

...

Why are they looking at me?

I want to leave. Maybe I'm not for this. Too many things are happening all at once. And I am not adaptable at the moment.

My feet do the opposite and I force a smile on my face, feeling my muscles expand and close around my eyes, as my heart replicates the antics of a drum. I feel the weight of my entire outfit, regardless of how much it hugged my body. It felt heavy, its weight unbearable for my mid sized frame.

I keep walking and walking and Uma who stands at the far side of the crowd is the one to stop me from making my way to a wall. I never noticed that she left me and Edriane's side. I never noticed her coming in here. I'm not even entirely sure that it's her. But she sports the signature teardrop earrings and she's helping me. So it must be her.

I am stationed in front of a table where the 4 other apparent heroes sat and Priest Dottir Hassen Rubaine stands. I like her name. Dottir. I like her eyes better. Green like life, green like grass, green like jades.

"Welcome to Gemmas, Sir Hero. It is nice to see you again." Dottir smiles, her soft and comforting voice making me want to sit by myself.

"Thank you for welcoming me into your humble land." Humble land? I don't think I've seen a speck of land since I got here but it felt appropriate to say so what am I to do about it?