Blind To Reality

5- Masquerade

Angel P.O.V (Aeon above)

I woke up to the car slowing, but it was odd. Usually, there would be more movement in a car; more bumping, but this one reminded me more of... Gliding maybe? I wondered briefly if it was because of how long it seemed to be or if this car was more advanced than some of the others more commonly used.

Still slowing, it felt like the car was actually rolling up an incline before leveling off and easing to a stop. There were a couple very muffled sounds that I couldn't really put my finger on, though. Was it hissing or ticking of the engine? I can't remember hearing the purr of it or when it started, as I had fallen asleep even before Mom and Dad had entered. In the close quarters, it was easy to gain a sense for who was where.

"Are you children ready?" Mom's voice was pleasant and cool, but held a caring lilt to it. "Aeon, help your little brother while your father and I notify our presence so they may cue us."

I wasn't sure what that meant, but Aeri started grumbling about being overlooked or not trusted with assisting me while Aeon released the smallest breath of a chuckle, "Put your hand here at the lip of the entrance, Angel, and I'll get out first then help you get out."

I nodded, but clung to Aeon the moment we exited, my senses totally confused until dizziness overwhelmed me, "A-Aeon, I'm gonna be sick. The. The sounds-"

Everything was echoing and the wind was blowing and there was so much of the same coming at me from all different direction overlapping the old. I couldn't understand this. What is this? I felt like I was moving around even though my feet were on the ground.

I couldn't understand what they were saying, but suddenly something covered my ears, drowning out the worst of the noise, before suddenly the headphones, from the feel, started to emit its own sounds that further drowned out those around me with soothing tones and noises.

"I thought this would happen, but I didn't expect a reaction just from being out here, though it actually makes a kind of sense," Mom sounded curious, obviously unaware that I could hear her. "It's a good thing we did our research and found this for him, or who knows what would happen when we finally reach the other guests?"

"Daddy did warn them to keep the sound to a minimum," I could hear Aeri's smile and utter adoration for our father. "They were so curious that even those that don't come said they would. Luck-ey!"

I was still holding on tightly to Aeon, slowly releasing my grasp when I realized so. He gently slipped an arm around my shoulders and guided me a couple stairs and through some automated doors. Down a hall, another set of automated doors opened and closed behind us. Then, there was some buzzing, a ding, and we entered another set of doors that felt like an elevator. As we rose, Aeon removed the headphones before brushing at my hair which had likely become messy from the wind that had greeted us before.

The sound of several people doing much the same filtered in, along with some grumbling. Even Father was annoyed, "Should have a docking area and some protection when exiting. Ridiculous. "

"I'll make a formal statement to have it taken care of. I'm sorry; I should have physically done a thorough check myself," Mom was very quiet and sounded disappointed in herself, but I wasn't sure what to say. I had no idea what they were even talking about.

"I want the documentation and information of the people that were sent out on my desk when we return," I could hear father briskly fixing himself. "Aeri, have your mother help you. Aeon is too busy helping your brother."

"No fair. I wanted brother's help."

"Aeri," Father didn't need to say more. The statement alone had me standing more upright. I could only imagine what it did to Aeri.

"There, perfect," Aeon rubbed his thumb over my cheek. "We have only a few more seconds before we reach the area."

"Aeon, what about yourself? I didn't hear you fix your hair or anything," I felt a little guilty at taking up all his time. "Do you need help?"

I could hear a smile in Aeon's voice, "Actually, the wind did me a favor. It looks great how it is."

I frowned in confusion but nodded my head. The elevator felt weird. It felt like we weren't just going up or down, but to the sides too. I couldn't even guess where we were now. The ding of the elevator startled me from my thoughts, the doors opening soon after and letting in the light sounds in the distance.

"Greetings and welcome to the Paragon. We have already notified the other guests of your arrival and logged your verification into our system. Here are the bands proving your identities and proof of ownership. Will you be buying or selling anything this evening? If so, we will require-"

"I already know all this," I heard Father move some cloth before it sounded like his arm went out. The other side gasped in response, but was quickly cut off by Father. "I may consider purchasing tonight. If so, please deliver any and all to my holding zone. No one but me and mine may enter otherwise, understood?"

"Y-yes, sir," The man sounded young and scared out of his wits now. Was Father such an important business man? I knew he was well able to care for all of us from how big our home was, but I had no idea that he was so imposing.

I heard Mom slip through and ushered us to the side, "Here children, I'll help you put these on. They're to make sure that you don't get lost. This building is quite large with many people of all kinds, especially business rivals of your father's. He wants you to be safe, so stay still while I put them on."

Mom put something thin- like a small cord necklace with a hard bead on it that also was attached to a metal disk that had something etched into it. I frowned, curious about what it was and what it said, but Father came up to us just then, telling us that we were expected and that it was only proper to be punctual.

I was nervous. The sounds became clearer that there were numerous beings past the doors we neared. Two people by the doors greeted us before opening them, allowing the many sounds to filter out to us. I was shocked by the vastness of the area and the great number of people and other beings that seemed to be present. There weren't just people talking, but also the sounds of various animals, the slosh of water and sounds unlike those of people walking. Some sounds made me think of something sliding along the floor.

I tilted my head in confusion at the differentness around me, tilting my head this way and that curiously. There was 'a lot' here; almost overwhelming, but Aeon and Aeri were there with me, thankfully.

We stepped carefully down the carpeted stairs, Father and Mom ahead of us until we reached the bottom and my siblings stopped us in between and slightly ahead of our parents. 

I listened as someone stepped forward, "Sir Moriluna (More-ill-ooh-nah), thank you for the invitation. I see you're doing well? Ah, and it's lovely to see the twins and such as usual. Oh! Is this the child you mentioned before? Darling. Congratulations are really in order for such a-"

"Sir Norwin, I hope we do not have to remind you of the rules regarding this soiree?"

Mom did not sound happy, and I could hear Sir Norwin audibly gulp, "No... I apologize for overstepping in my excitement. It's lovely to see you, and I hope you'll visit my family  sometime during the night."

The man quickly excused himself, only to be quickly replaced by several more well-wishers.