Sapphire

3 - Doors

I towel dry my hair, walking over to the wardrobe to change into a dry everything. Once I toss the towel onto the floor, I open the drawer to find an array of tops in different styles, same with the pants. I get dressed in a purple camisole, lilac shorts and soft purple ankle socks. As I sit on the bed, gazing out the window, I realize there will be a benefit in heading to the Sapphire Court. I remember, so long ago now, Ben telling me that the Sapphire Court is the one who has the talented tailors and clothing dyers, how they make their money through fishing. It'll give me a chance to get some new clothes. I wonder what styles I'll find there, the designs in the clothing that I'll be seeing-

Yet the train of thought is immediately stopped. It's then I realize that I don't have any money. In fact, that's something Ben never explained to me in my basement back home. Just exactly what is the currency here? how do people make money to buy things? maybe it's just the generic copper, silver and gold coins that I've read during book assignments for school. I'll probably have to get a job, which I don't mind.

As I ponder what kind of job I might get in the Amethyst Court to pay for things while I'm here, the door opens. Ben walks in, Onyx beside him. Today he wears a simple mauve coloured shirt, black cargo pants and is barefoot. His curly, neck length light purple hair seems to glow a little in the late afternoon sun that shines through my window. Ever since he and I made up, me still shocked at how quickly it was, Nyko has been avoiding me like the plague, disappearing into shadow anytime I get near Ben. I don't blame her. At least she's protective of him, that much is true. Onyx was a bit more forgiving though. That makes him my favourite of the two. Ben closes the door behind him and begins to walk over to the bed, a cerulean coloured envelope in his hand. There's a silver ribbon tied across the front of it, keeping the contents closed for now. It's absolutely beautiful. That's when I see him just standing there, looking at me. His eyes are on the shorts that don't even reach my thighs for all of a second before they quickly move to looking out my window. my damp purple hair falling down around me in a dark purple curtain as I watch him. He just stands there in a silent daze.

I lean across the bed and wave my hand in the air, in front of his face.

"Hello...? earth to Ben? you there?" he shakes himself out of wherever he was just now, walking towards me and sitting on the bed. He sits on it, legs crossed, looking at Onxy and stroking the wolf's head. Onxy's tongue falls out the side of his mouth, his expression one of a happy go lucky dog. I chuckle as I look at him, seconds later saying,

"So what was that just now?" Ben knows what I mean when he says, "Sorry. I was just thinking of something."

"Like which girl you're going to date next? just make sure she's no Elodie."

"Oh, Ha, ha. No, nothing like that. Anyways, this arrived today." He hands me the beautiful envelope. I take it from him, untie the bow and begin to read a beautifully handwritten sentence: 'King Linnaeus and Queen Aoki, rulers of the Sapphire Court, invite you to stay in their Court to prepare for the trial that awaits you. Should you choose to accept their offer, you will be allowed to stay in a guesthouse on the side of their property. Please send your answer within a week of this letters arrival. The King and Queen eagerly await your response.'

I finish reading the letter, for the second time, incidentally, and say to Ben, "Well, that's...wow. That's very generous of them." are the words that come out of my mouth, ultimately not sure what else to say. Ben nods in agreement.

"I know. Obviously the King and Queen also got a letter, letting them know that you might want to go there."

"Well, it's where the second trial will be, won't it? I think it would be a good decision. Did anyone else get a letter?"