End Of Man (COMPELTIONG ESTIMATION 6/9/2019

CHAPTER 18 - THE SPONSORS 1660

I heard the sound of many people clapping as I came back into the great hall. Is this serenade of applause for me? Or for someone or something else. A statement by the Baroness maybe? Oh, I just dont know anymore. Do I want to know? My heart is beating so much faster than before. I know It's a mixture of emotions, predominantly fear. Fear is creeping all over my body, it stalks each pore. I could not keep myself from trembling. I felt unnaturally cold despite the heating being on. One or two ladies had an electric fan out. One or two more looked hot and bothered. With one step forward I felt like taking a hundred back. Still, I ploughed on - with feigned confidence.

 Everyone was still seated at there tables, all the crockery had been cleared I noted. My eyes scanned the expansive room to see if I could spot, Chole, Michonne, Hinata or Kimmie. They were no where to be seen. All I saw were were attendees of this order still with there masks on. It creeped me out something rotten. Some of the masks were somewhat jovial, I suppose, but the majority were scary and perhaps meant to deliberately intimidate new initiates? Like me and the other girls. Who knows. 

The Baroness, with class, clapped her closed fingers onto her palm into the microphone. Slowly but surly the symphony of applause and chatting ceased until all you could hear were my heels clicking across the floor. With a red guard to my left and my right I was led to the stage. It was only half as big as before for the crimson curtain with golden tassels had been closed to potentially hide something. I was unsure what was going on behid the curtain, but I swear I could hear a muffled moan as if someone had been gagged. Maybe I am just over thinking about the worst case scenario. 

Then my eyes gazed upon an apparatus. I knew what it was. I had seen it before. "The true test," I mumbled barely decipherable. Now, I understood what the Baroness meant when she subtly hinted about the true test. I was going to take a polygraph test, surly. Why else would it be here? Then I remembered what Hinata had said, our loveable young hacker. The cabal might begin asking deviant, promiscuous, highly private questions. If I am hooked up to this apparaaruts and am asked personal questions I will have no alternative but to speak the truth, surly? If I opt to take a polygraph test that is. Who knows what will happen. Can I refuse? Or would I be gently put my neck on the block?   

The red guards stopped short of the first step that led up toward the stage. I cautiously, in these damnable heals, walked up each step, one foot at a time. I heard something behind the curtain, for sure, it did sound like a person who had been gagged. I tried my best to ignore it. 

The Baroness then spoke. "Ladies. Ladies. This is our last initiate of the night. may you give a round of applause for Ella Ann Nijinsky." Duly, the great halled filled with raucous of clapping and a hundred mini conversations could be heard.

"Its her," was the two words she heard more than any other that and her name, "Ella." 

The Baroness also joined in on the applause. Elegantly clapping. I was staning sideways as I was exceedingly nervous to look at everyone gawking up at me in those creepy masks. The Baroness had her mouth closed. Then, like a ventriloquist she began talking. Although I could just about make what she is saying. "Smile dear." I found myself smiling all be it weirdly. "Face your audience. Keep you back straight. Offer them a wave."

I so wish all this had been told to me prior to coming out. I felt like the dummy. 

I did what the Baroness asked. my back was straight, my shouldsers sleek. I smiled although I might have looked like a weirdo for I do so loath to smile unless I am with Leon. I turn, as confidently as I can and face the audience.

"Thats it," the Baroness continued to coax me to show myself off. "Dont be afraid to wave, child." Tentatively I raise my hand and waved. "Good woman," the Baroness then said. "They love, we all do."