Call For a Sandstorm

Chapter One

The sky was blue. Everything around me was crisp and clear and warm. The winds were turning spring into summer, and the clouds in the sky held impending rain. The promises of those monsoons brought along a coolness that was always unusual for summertime... but I never minded. I loved the rain. I loved its softness. I loved the way the little droplets would splatter across my cheeks and hands when I opened them wide to welcome the water. Summer break had started a week early, and school wouldn't begin again until August. The stresses of being at University were harsh during the school year, and finding my major was proving to be harder than anticipated. But for now, the May air was fresh in my lungs, and stark on my skin. And I was happy.

I still lived on campus, though. My roommate was a huge party-goer, and I did not see him often. In fact, I barely saw him at all. His name was Alois Trancy. He was born in London, like me, but didn't at all have the priorities a proper Englishman should have. But I suppose we were only eighteen... and I should loosen up a bit.

I was walking down the paved streets along Kingston, admiring the was those previously mentioned clouds glided along invisible breezes high up into the atmosphere. They were moving swiftly along their paths; covering the sun for minutes on end before leaving it to shine in their wake. More and more clouds started to roll in after them, and soon the sky was completely grey. The wind began to kick up, and I soon realized that the possibility of a storm was quite high indeed... and so I took refuge in my regular coffee shop.

As soon as I stepped inside, the sounds of that threatening storm and wind chimes ceased, leaving me to the smells of freshly brewed coffee and the floating dust in the air. There were no more than about three or four people seated, and there was no line. Bardroy, one of the only three baristas, noticed me right away and shot me a welcoming smile.

"The regular, then?"

I nodded, smiling warmly back at him.

I took a seat in the corner after paying, finally setting down my heavy book-bag. I let my gaze fall to the fogging window, the winds outside now bustling the trees in great breathes. I saw my reflection in that pane; my chin resting upon my fist, and my eyes staring back at me with merit. And my eyes did hold that merit: My one blue iris, as colorful as the raging sea... and the other, a strange, mooring violet. It was a birth defect I'd had since birth... a result of my Mother's drinking problem, I suppose. But it served as an ice breaker, even though I could see perfectly fine out of both of my eyes.

"Grande black coffee, no sweetener, hot!"

I was stricken from my daydreaming by Bard's call from across the cafe. I stood, walking across the squeaky wooden flooring over to the counter, taking my warm drink up into my cooling hands. I thanked him politely before retiring back to my seat by the window.

Then it started to rain slowly. First it was just a few drops splattering across the glass. But then came the thunder. And soon the storm was pelting onto the clear surface like an army going into battle. The sky was near black, though it was only three o'clock.

"Looks like we'll be stuck here for awhile."

I heard someone mutter. Though I didn't mind. I had nothing better to do. But as soon as the monsoon really hit hard, people began flooding into the shop seeking shelter from that storm. The tables filled up completely, and the shop was suddenly abuzz with conversation and laughter. I sipped my coffee slowly, taking in all the noise. A few extra lights were turned on, and almost everything outside of the shop melted away into the glow. He thunder continued, and lighting flared.

I'd always loved the rain. The way it danced upon the streets and ran down everything in sight. I loved the way it blocked out the relenting sun and replaced it with falling diamonds and sparkling droplets of freezing water. And I might've loved the thunder even more. I loved the way it sounded as if it were more powerful than any good and evil. Its deafening cracks were the biggest thing in the universe to me, then. And it reminded me of how small I really was. It reminded me that whatever pecuniary trifle I was enduring would soon be over... would soon mean nothing in the greater scheme of things. The door burst open again, then. And every head turned and every conversation stopped to see the new visitor.

He was tall. And pale. And soaking wet. The water ran off him and pooled at his feet like the rainclouds themselves... and as he pushed his sopping hair out of his face I saw the scuffle behind the counter to get the poor man a towel. Bard, Meyrin and Finny rushed to him through the silence with rag in hand, and he took them gratefully, muttering something inaudible to me. And seeing that he was being taken care of, anyone whom had turned to pay mind to him turned back around and resumed their conversions. But I continued to stare. And when his crimson eyes locked with mine, I felt my breath leave my lungs in a rush of something I didn't quite understand.

The look upon his face was priceless... was one of pure recognition. I could've sworn I'd never seen the man before. But his eyes looked like coming home. My heart sped up. There was an acute ringing in my ears and everything melted away except for him. I could nearly feel my soul thrumming in the pit of my stomach. The feeling overwhelmed me... and it wasn't necessarily a good one. It was as if he could suck up all light, darkness, heat, cold and emotion from the room. But I was inexplicably drawn to him. I wanted... needed to know him. But something told me I already did.

So I stood, then... rushing over to help with his clean-up.

"Here, let me take your jacket."

I said to him, holding out my hand. He shrugged his black hoodie off, handing it to me. I rushed to the bathroom, being careful as to not let too much water drip onto the floor. I pushed open the door with my foot, slipping into the dark room. I flipped the light on with my shoulder, and held the garment over the sink. I wrung out as much moisture as possible, working the sleeves and the body separately. I made sure it was nothing more than slightly damp before walking back out.

By the time I had returned, the floor was wiped up, and the stranger was waiting outside the bathroom.

"Your jacket's dry. Let me help you with the rest."

I held the door open for him, and he stepped inside. I laid his jacket on the railing attached the the back wall. When I turned back around, he had taken off his shirt. My mouth hang open for a moment before I recovered myself enough to hope he wouldn't take his trousers off as well. I'd never seen a body so lean yet muscular. Every muscle was defined. Every sinew and bone complemented the rest of him. It was almost as if he wasn't quite human.

I'd never been attracted to a man before now... and I wasn't sure it was attraction I was feeling. But those eyes... those eyes were something else altogether.

"Any particular reason you were out in all that rubbish?"

I asked quietly, referring to the rain as I took his shirt to wring it out as well.

"Yes, actually... I was trying to-"

His eyes locked with mine a second time, making my stomach turn. His speech paused, as well. I heard the catch of his breath before he continued speaking.

"I was trying to get to an appointment. I suppose I was a bit reckless. Though I do appreciate everyone's kindness."

He spoke properly; every word enunciated perfectly.

"I see."

I finished drying his shirt and handed both that cloth and his hoodie back to him as he took his soaked socks off to wring them out as well.

"I'm Ciel, by the way."

I said as he finished and put his slightly soiled clothing back on. He gave me an odd look when I introduced myself, as if he were marveled... or hiding something.

"Sebastian Michaelis."

He replied, holding out a hand to me. His name sounded awfully familiar.

I took it with an amused smile, and shook his hand sheepishly. He shot me a strange smile, his eyes boring into mine with a sort of hellfire. They were swimming with something extraordinary. They pulled me in.

"Would you like to sit with me until the storm passes?"

"I don't see why not."

I led him to the table I had been sitting at. Finny sent over a warm cup of tea for the ebony-haired man. Sebastian thanked him... insisting that he pay for the drink. But Finny refused him graciously with a smile and wave.

"Are they always so nice?"

Sebastian asked once he scurried away, referring to the three.

"Always."

I replied.