Lord Liverchester

Chapter 16

A new chapter was beginning. Another start to adventures to come rose with the sunrise. Whether the last chapter had ended or not was up for debate, but all those before it had closed, making my life into something new. It wasn't off to a great start. The night was rough, long and full of strange dreams. I woke up in a strange new place, strange visions of a pink floral bed flashing into my brain. I couldn't tell if that was my imagination or the room I was in for real. Was it really morning already? I was in a continuous sleep-wake pattern, sleeping and dreaming for a short time, waking up again to wonder where I was. In my delirium, I really had no idea. Dorian was still underneath me, I knew that much. There was another warmth nearby, a new smell too. I didn't feel unsafe there, just unsure of my surroundings. Dorian's hand was between my shoulders, firm and protective. I was nestled against his side, nuzzling the uninjured side of his neck. Once, I knew it was morning. The bright sun flooded in through the window, making the white room glow intensely. I avoided it, trying to get a few extra hours of sleep. It came, a relatively deep sleep. My dreams were still strange, with no rhyme or reason. They weren't dreams I would remember. Things happened without any cause, and very little effect. I was awoken by something disturbing. I thought I could hear Dorian yelling my name, a panicked far away sound. I jolted awake, searching for him beneath me. He was still there, waking up with concern as I pawed at his stomach. I relaxed, placing my hand on his chest to feel his heart. There were noises though, lots of them. The street outside was loud with voices and banging. I didn't want to leave my warm happy spot, so I allowed things to progress slowly. If Dorian moved, I would too. He wriggled to sit up, squinting at the light. Just ahead of us, out the window, the street was alive with crowds of people. And just below the window, curled up on the bed, sleeping through everything, there lay Abilene and Yvette. They held each other so tenderly, a loving embrace. Yvette was holding onto Abilene the same way I held Dorian, a comfortable and safe position. Abilene was a big intimidating woman, and even as she slept, she looked like she could fight anybody who shook her. She held Yvette like her life depended on it, like if she let go, something bad would happen. I knew that feeling well as I still gripped Dorian for dear life. He was so tired, breathing slowly and closing his eyes to avoid the sun. I was excited for the new day but so reluctant to move. Kingstingham was such a busy place and I wasn't prepared to venture out into its bustling city streets. From what I saw out the window though, people exchanged pleasant greetings and sang songs. It was a whole world of complete strangers living in harmony together. Maybe going out there and exploring wouldn't be so bad after all.

It took a while, but soon all of us were awake. Hours passed, or what felt like hours. Dorian told me after looking at his pocket watch that it was still morning. I'd gotten tired of waiting for the day to start and I had been lying with my head on Dorian's stomach for a long time, listening to its loud hungry growls. We talked quietly, he stroked my hair. All he wanted was a good breakfast, something big and exciting. I wasn't the type that liked to eat in the morning. He could eat if he wanted to, but I really wasn't hungry. Abilene mentioned a cafe just down the street, and she would take him there if he wanted. He thought about it for just a few seconds before jumping up, careful not to drop me. It really didn't take much to get Dorian excited for food. I sat and watched as everybody was a frenzy, preparing to leave for the day. I felt as prepared as I would ever be, and in all honesty, that wasn't much preparedness. Yvette grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door, following behind Dorian and Abilene. It was official, Yvette would be my buddy, guiding me out into the world. We walked at our own pace, the warmth of those that protected us a thousand miles away. I looked around at the town, with its people, horses, alley cats, and long brick buildings. The air was thick with fog, smoke, and a million smells. The whole experience was overwhelming. Yvette understood my racing heart, tightening her grip on my hand. She spoke so quietly, eyes wide and staring with amazement. I was seeing it for the first time, but she lived there. This was her home and yet she appeared like a newborn seeing the world for the first time. Sometimes she would point out buildings and tell me what they were, or the various tents set up. Kingstingham was the hub for performers. Somewhere across the street was the concert hall we'd be playing in that night. I couldn't tell which building it would be, but I supposed it was the big one with a thousand golden lights on, even during the day. I didn't get a good look at it because we arrived at the cafe. Yvette didn't follow Abilene anymore, dragging me further away. I turned to watch Dorian disappear, whining like a hurt puppy when the door shut behind his familiar shape. There was no time for feelings as I was pulled along, almost against my will. Yvette knew where she was going, but I wondered what our destination was. There was a pink building with a gold sign that read FLORIST and my memory sparked. Yvette pulled out a key and unlocked the blue door which was surrounded by windows that acted as a display case. They were full of floral arrangements for every occasion, particularly funerals and weddings. I admired them, how all the flowers were arranged by color, not particularly what type of flower they were. We went inside and every wall was stacked with fake flowers. All the real ones were sitting on counters all along the perimeter of the room in vases of water. Yvette ignored all of it, leading me to the back. All the way, she was talking about a cat. I stopped walking to watch her put out food and water. She called for the cat, and in no time, a black and white tuxedo cat jumped down from a shelf, landing on the counter before leaping onto the floor. Yvette petted him, tucking her hair behind her ear.