Sickly Sweet

Paradox Alley

Sophie stared in awe at the dazzling homes. Her personal favorite so far was a sparkling amber tower completed with a moat of shimmery pink dusk. She leaned down to touch the mist and felt a heavy hand on her shoulder.

"Best not to touch that," Martek stated,"It's very poisonous."

Sophie quickly yanked back her extended hand and stood. Cheeks reddening of embarrassment, she set a fast pace next to the large black man and stared down at the pink flooring.

Now when Sophie said black, she didn't mean your typical African skin color. This bulking man was pitch black, and his eyes matched perfectly. She traced the gold patterns of stars and knives on his back. They dazzled her in the brilliant sunlight. Soon they reached an emerald castle with a moat of red.

Martek took her hand in his and pressed a button to lower the drawbridge. A ruby bridge landed on their side and Sophie cautiously stepped on it. Briskly making her way across, she stopped suddenly just outside the emerald door.

"Wait a second. How do I know you aren't going to take me in and mutilate me?" Sophie asked suspiciously.

Martek let out a loud laugh.

"Well, for the record, I definitely could have killed you in that fight. I decided not to though, so does that count for nice points?"

Sophie pondered the thought.

"Why didn't you? Fight me, I mean. You definitely could have."

He smiled at her.

"Because. I only fight so I can show people how they should be treating themselves. There are some really nasty demons in there. But you, you're just an innocent kid. How'd you end up here, anyway?"

Sophie shrugged.

"I don't know. I was just putting on a play, about to sing, when everything changed and I was in a nightmare."

She looked down, her good mood ruined. It was just so horrible in there... Now the innocent little girl had scars on her mind no medicine could fix.

"Can we just go inside?" She muttered.

Martek nodded and opened the door for her. She looked up and couldn't help smiling. This place was just so beautiful! Dazzling emerald pillars lined the ruby walls and an amber staircase led to a balcony that overlooked the city. Sparkling chandeliers of diamond clustered on the alabaster ceiling. The turquoise flooring was embroidered with opal flowers. The whole house was a rainbow!

Sophie ran to the nearest room and looked inside. This room, the kitchen, was a soft dusty rose with crystal shelves and ovens. The gleaming fridge smiled at her, and a light pink dining table twinkled. Was this whole house made of gems?

She voiced her thoughts and Martek shook his head, grinning.

"Nah, I still have a little man cave to relax in. Sometimes all the bright colors give me a headache."

Sophie looked at him in awe. This house was just so wonderful! It was like a castle... Was Martek a prince? Could he be? Sophie decided not to ask him, and chided herself for thinking so. After all, why would a prince be cage fighting?

~*~

About an hour later, at the Para-Docks, Sophie looked over the Sapphire Sea. That was it's actual name - the Sapphire Sea! She gazed out at the horizon, a soft pink and amber sunset. The time, Martek told her, was 7:00, and she wondered if it was the same back home.

On the topic of home - how would she get back? Through a magic portal or something. Since she had no idea how she got here, it would be nearly impossible to find her way back. She sighed and slipped her hand into Martek's. At least she had him. He was like a father to her - so caring and sweet, despite his menacing appearance.

They wandered downtown and Sophie fawned over the gorgeous homes. They were like something out of a fairytale - she could hardly believe that they were really there.

The duo soon reached the centre palace - home to the king of Sickly Sweet. Martek had to explain to her that no, he wasn't a prince after all, and that the King had only a daughter.

The palace was even more dazzling than Martek's home. From far away, it seemed to be crystal, but up close the light glinted in such a way that the entire palace glittered like a rainbow. A plush red carpet had been rolled down the alabaster stairs of the palace for royal visitors. Sophie and Martek watched as a parade of kings and queens flounced down the carpet, off for a meeting with King Sweete.

Despite his name, Martek told Sophie that he was anything but Sweet. He controlled the kingdom like a tyrant - if something forced him into a bad mood, he made sure everyone else shared his depression. Though the King was cold hearted, his daughter was said to be an angel. Martek had seen pictures of her before and he described them to Sophie.

Princess Lana Dey Sweet had flowing lavender hair with soft golden highlights. Her skin was a gold to match her hair, and lavender patterns of perfume bottles were etched into her skin. Lana's eyes were large pools of lavender, sweeter than the summer breeze. Her outfits were normally soft pink silky gowns, that hugged her frame and flowed to her feet. She had the softest touch and the sweetest smile - and almost every man in Paradox Alley wanted her.

There had been many declarations of love at her feet, hundreds of roses and chocolates delivered to her door, and countless proposals. But Princess Lana sweetly told them that she was holding out for an extra-special man to make her life a dream.

Sophie sighed as she traced her reflection in the clear blue water of a royal fountain. She couldn't even begin to express how much she felt like Princess Lana. True, no one really declared their love or sent chocolates and roses, but if they did, Sophie knew she would say no. She hoped for a special someone as well.

Martek placed a strong hand on her back and whispered,

"Sophie, it's time to go."

She sighed and stood, careful not to let the water drip on her borrowed lavender dress. It turns out that Martek had a little sister once, and so he lent Sophie some of her clothes.

They slowly made their way back to Martek's home. Sophie went up to the guest room and prepared for dinner. It was weird though. She just couldn't get that princess out of her mind.

(A/N)

Mwah!

I love you all. Merry Christmas, happy break, hope ya had a good Hannukah,

Bye!

Rock that Chocolate,

Me