WINDOWS TO THE SOUL

Challenge Part 10 the party

Today I have staged the perfect transition of power. All of the executives of my fathers company will be coming to my home. They were likely waiting for me to contact them more formally, but I imagine they decided to give me time to grieve. I plan to reward their faithful patience.

My father built an empire and ruled it with precision and power. The product he sold was a sure victory. In our great country we are subject to "The Law of Challenge '' which in summary states that if two parties agree to a duel of wits, games, or logic; They may make terms of victory and enforce them legally. This law was made to settle grievances between people, but in practice it is used to bet possessions in order to win someone else's. Therefore The Valcove victory cooperation was founded by my grandfather and perfected by my father to win. Victory above all else.

I wonder if any of them remember me or if they are all new replacements for those who retired. Either way I would have to win them over to my camp if I am going to lead them. Doing so has been a challenge and as I said before I never refuse a challenge.

The bulk of the guests who arrived had the same pale ghastly souls devoid of color. The human soul is fragile, and can have all it's color drained by the world. Their soul's also had the texture of dry clay drained of the will to be anything.

"Welcome everyone, to my home I hope you make yourselves comfortable." I had been rehearsing the greeting all morning yet it feels wrong somehow. As I stared into the crowd their souls looked like a barren wasteland void of any life or potential. My words seemed to at least achieve their purpose, as the congregation filled the room and began to mingle with each other.

I was about to set off to get violet when I was rushed by older men who surrounded me. "William It's so good to see you again." The one who spoke first was a chubby lump of clay named Baxter goldmen that to rally the others around himself. I made the mistake of raising his ego by using him as a way to convey my wishes to the rest of the board. Now I am afraid that he may think he has a place as second in command. I could tell from the cracks and flakiness of his soul that he was the furthest from reliable, but ultimately harmless.

"Likewise however, I must attend to something." I made an attempt to retreat, but before I could turn the lump spoke up.

"Please just wait a moment Mr Valcov. I need to talk to you about something very important. "

I found myself with no escape that allowed me to save face. Is he so vain and goddy that he claims my time for his ploys? Baxter's soul has a similar vapor of deviancy to my uncle When he was gambling. In fact his true self reflected the most pervasive and corrupting sides of the human condition. Yet despite his ugly qualities he was still like clay grey and dull.

"What would you like to tell me?" I hope that he makes this quick.

"Well you see, your father never finalized a verdict on a particular issue. "

"Let me hear it, I will help if I can." If it's so important that you are unable to wait, it better be important.

"Well you have never actually told any of us what your company does."

His question put me on high alert so I paid more attention to him.

"The last time we spoke you informed me that you would soon be ready to head the company, but collectively we don't know if your...well "

"Qualified" I cut him off because his stammering was sickening.

"Well at risk of sounding blunt."

The cracks in him were becoming holes that revealed the creature within. I could tell from everyone's souls that this topic was disclosed for a reason. Someone had discussed the topic of my fathers last Challenge with them, and they were scanning me for weakness.

"Alright then, I will explain.I have my own consultancy Firm, we specialize in domestic challenges. "

"Domestic?" The confusion was expected for something that sounded odd to most.

"The majority of my clients have an issue with a direct family member like a spouse or sibling. I will then mediate an official challenge to resolve the issue. "

"So you're a family counselor" the room filled with quiet snickers that quickly hushed as their muddy heads realized I was unamused.

"In one since, but I believe it is a public service. My work helps people who are not well versed on the terms of law, so with my help they can solve their internal struggle before it becomes too severe."

His clay began to sweat or maybe that's his skin. I was prepared for an interrogation of this level, after I left his control; I don't think my father mentioned me much to anyone. Still I would have liked to have taken control of the situation instead of being blindsided by this ashtray.

"That sounds very admirable, but how is something like that done?"

I know what he wanted to ask me, ''How is that supposed to make a profit?" but he lacked the courage to speak plainly. His kind are only concerned about what they can see in front of them and have no understanding of meaningful work. It wouldn't matter what I tell him, they would find a way to poke a hole right through it. I think I have had enough of this, I should tell them too go...

Just as I was about to finish my thought I heard the piano playing.

The sound reminds me of a warm day, as if the light in the room became more colorful. The melody brought me along on a calm journey with no clear end in sight. In that moment once again I was shown something extraordinary. In that small window of time I witnessed life rejuvenate throughout the dry room, and from the wet clay came beautiful colors. The sound was so disarming that I lost track of where I was. I was calmed by the melody long enough to regain my conviction. The conviction to get the respect I deserve, but I felt that if I just listened a little lounger I would feel all of my frustrations drift away. So I did, I just listened to her song watching violet and the crowd as she brought us back to life. Baxter seemed very stupefied by the interruption, yet he did not dare to speak up.

The song came to an end slowly yet left feeling empty after, like the air had left the room or the roof was gone. The feeling was mutual aoung the revitalized pots who were now sporting flowers. The beautiful silence was broken by an uproar of applause from the garden of guests. I was too distracted to notice, but at that moment she sounded like...

"Ashley?"

I felt a deep chill run down my spine as I looked back I saw her, THAT DAMNED ARACHNID.