Dreams Don't Turn to Dust

Castle in the Sky

   My boyfriend's party starts today at six, so I took my dog on a sturdy leash with me and walked all the way there. I reached his apartment complex and was overwhelmed by these towering apartments with stairs that reached up to the sky, but when I saw his face in a window I was beckoned in. In the sea of unfamiliar people, I shrunk back and curled in on myself. 

Feeling wholly uncomfortable, I tried to stay close to him. He wanted to spend time with me but constantly got pulled away by others, so I sat on the couch alone and stuffed sweet sugar cookies into my mouth. Monty fell asleep at my feet, but he got hungry and I decided to pop by a grocery store (or any other place, really, since this party had definitely been a bad idea for someone so shy and quiet).

  I strolled through the aisles, looking for some dog food. A stranger approached me, a friendly  kid who promptly chatted me up. I told him I liked country music, and all seemed to be going innocently enough, until he took my right hand into his and wouldn't let go. I lashed out with my left hand to push him away, but let go of Monty's leash. Apparently some of my friends were here and saw the commotion, for Delilah and Naomi caught sight of me and rushed to my aid, scaring him away. 

Too late we realized that Monty had also left, and without any hesitation we followed him. The more we ran the less anything made sense, the scenery blurred until it felt like we were running in a midair kaleidoscope of washed-out colors. Once we stopped to catch our breath, we found ourselves in front of an enormous castle, with a stairway made of smooth granite that led up into wide open twin doors. 

"He went in here," I said with sudden clarity, even though I could not have known this. Naomi spotted a jewel encrusted gazebo with handsome columns and a small shed in the center. She rushed towards it and pocketed the keys that had been left in the shed's lock. "These might come in handy," she said. Once we stepped through those breathtaking doors and into the main hall, nobody noticed us except for a bellhop dressed in a nicely pressed navy uniform, who, from behind a smooth wooden desk, bowed his head in deference to us. 

Every step we took seemed to sink into the velvety carpet, trying to keep us rooted to one place, but we did not stop running. We ran through a myriad of spacious rooms, each one more opulent than the next, until we came across a curious room with only a sky high glass case containing three dresses and a beautifully carved marble door. I pressed my palm to the door and felt it hum under my touch, tracing the carved patterns with my fingertips. Instinctively I knew he had gone in here, despite the lack of evidence. Naomi felt drawn to the glass case and unlocked it with her key.

Each dress appeared to be specifically tailored to each of us, and we put them on as if mesmerized. Naomi's dress was mint green, very long, with frilly shoulder straps. Delilah wore a strapless sky blue satin dress, indulgent and yet innocent, with a short fluffy white cape draped over her shoulders. My own dress was a rich black, knee length with shorts under it, a beautiful halter-neck with amethysts tracing the neckline. The door began to open by itself, and as soon as we ran through the doorway, our shoes and hair transformed to match our dresses. But there wasn't any time to wonder about what had just happened...

What was before us was a curious scene indeed: a ballroom with a multitude of people in strange, twisted masks wearing fanciful, garish clothes. They twirled in time to the music played by a live band who wore impeccable black suits and crow's heads over their faces. Their golden instruments played waltz after waltz. In the very center stood an intimidating and regal woman. Her face was painted pale white with shockingly Ruby red lips and a wavy white powdered wig that stopped just before her knees. The dress she wore outshone all else. By her side, sitting gracefully, was Monty. His gaze was glazed over, as if under a spell, and he seemed to be looking off into space at something far off.

Immediately the crowd stood still and directed their heated eyes towards us. Weighed down by the weight of their gazes, every step towards the Queen (for I knew that she could be no one else) felt like wading through quicksand. Once near her, I stood my ground and squared my shoulders. Delilah followed suit, but Naomi shied away and slid behind me.

"My dog, Madame," I said, gritting my teeth so as not to let them chatter.

The Queen removed her small satin mask and leveled her icy eyes on me. With a voice like thunder, she said, "You, weak-willed little girl, dare to presume ownership over this noble creature? Any one of my subjects are more deserving of this honor than you," and as she spoke she scanned the crowd of frozen dancers with a cool visage.

My voice faltered at first, but I placed all my strength behind it when I declared, "I have left behind all I know to follow my beast to your castle, Madame, and I intend to take him back!"

Delilah placed her hand on the small of my back, and her solid presence brought me great confidence. "Kelrin has led us all the way here, and never once has she stepped down or doubted."

Her words encouraged me even more, and so I challenged, "If there is anyone who believes themselves to be woman enough to face me, let them step forward! I am willing to duel for the honor of receiving my companion!" I put my fists up and narrowed my eyes at the crowd, basking in pure determination, until to my surprise the crowd melted away like ice sculptures under the sun.

The Queen's ruby lips curled, and somehow I felt that she was quite pleased despite her stiff manner. "Let the honored beast decide for himself if you are worthy of his friendship," she said, and suddenly Monty awoke. There was a gleam of human-like intelligence that I had never before seen in his eyes, and he wagged his tail quickly before striding purposefully towards me. He took his place regally at my side as though he had always belonged there. He gave me a mischievous grin before the intelligence smoothed away and he once again became a simple dog in mind and body.

Now the Queen addressed us each individually, starting with myself, "May you find happiness with him by your side, Strongheart. You have proven yourself deserving once and for all." 

To Delilah, she said, "And you, Dearheart, have been a supportive and brave friend, lending your strength to those that require it. May your days of caring be long."

Finally, to Naomi, who trembled with wide eyes at my side, "Alas, Softheart, do not be discouraged. You have not yet begun your own journey. There is still time to rewrite yourself."

A great surge of happiness, pride, and confidence ran through my veins; without thinking, I picked Delilah up and twirled her around like a princess in the air. We both laughed carelessly while Naomi held Monty close and he licked her face all over. From my heart sprung forth an unwritten song, and as Delilah and I waltzed together in the center of the ballroom, the band sprung back to live and performed the tune to the song I began to sing...

And everything was beyond magnificent.