It is not what it looks like

Confucian

As the car moves along the drives, an unknown terror grips me. It feels like a heavy cloud pressing on my soul and I feel a strange sensation of suspension in my stomach. Perhaps it's the effect of long distance traveling. Maybe it's the anxiety of meeting unfamiliar faces.
Voices become a distant buzz as we head deeper into the woods. I can see a labyrinth of thorn and bush on either side of the road and also creeping plants. Ancient trees form a thick line along the road, acting as it's guardian of holiness.
As we go deeper, I notice herds of cattle and it's shepherds on either side of the fields. Unlike the sea-salt incrested within the wind back in forth Worth, im wrapped up in fresh mountain breeze. I can smell a whole magnitude of different things from where I am. The damp soil beneath the tyres, sweetness of flowers and trees and an earthly scent.

I squint, momentarily blinded by the evening sunlight and even as our car comes to a halt, the small reassurance does little to sooth my overall trepidation. The sound of approaching footsteps snaps me from my thoughts. The sun burns with a brilliant gleam against white stone streets and buildings cloaked in banners of rich azure. White roses and ancient trees line every street. It's a breathtaking view indeed.
But as I look at the new city ahead, and it's black people, I wonder what dangers await me. Thinking about it alone is a mind-numbling experience.

I'm relieved to see Lankaya living up to it's standards though. From what I've heard, it's reputed as the most diverse country with it's cultures. Skin ornaments ranging from ebony to pearl, women dressed in leather tights, long woolen kimonos flowing down to their knees and on their waistes, leather belts.
I dont stand out too much in my practical attire of a stripped shirt and black pants.
It does not escape my attention however that the men here are larger. I mean, more muscular, not to mention more poised than some police vogabonds back in Forth Worth. Their curved daggers sheathed across their lower back.

"Welcome home." Antonio says before heading to the back of the car to fetch our lagguage.

I keep my expression smooth as glass, though i can't help but betray some unease in my reluctant gait and the constant darting of my eyes as they pick over every detail of my new sorroundings.

The building is tall and white is predominant. It's glittering facade is hidden beneath layers of gold and white paint, spanning every hue in the scorching sunset. A lion symbol is drawn conspicuously at the entrance of the house. Actually, it's more of a palace than just a house. It's like a piece of art drawn straight out of medieval times but in a more advanced and peculiar way. An acute sense of wonder and amusement overcomes me as I admire the sassy green leaves of young oak trees lining the cobbled walkways on either side.

"Madison?" My mother's voice snaps me from my trance and I realise a small crowd before us.
"Meet your father and your siblings."
His eyes are hazel, which reminds me exactly of mine. Besides him is a young and poised black man, resting one hand on the hilt of his sword. Who I later come to learn that he is my step brother, Manuh.

There are five ladies wearing black tunics over leather pants, leather armour around their stomach and sabre strapped to their belts.

"Madison, sorry for the long journey. You must be exhausted. Your room is ready. You can go rest while your mum and I catch up. We'll introduce again when you are ready. Otherwise, feel at home." My father drawls then gives a shooing gesture to one of the ladies.

With that said, the lady, whose sudden glare parches any questions from my throat, beckons me to follow her.
I glance at my mother and a moment of reluctant consideration before I oblige and follow her to my new room. Behind me follows a tumultuous applause and ululations. Despite my curiosity to know what happens around here due to the swords and daggers, I still don't trust anyone in this unfamiliar place to risk asking a delicate question.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I lay down on my bed, I feel as if something, a presentment, is moving towards me with all speed and I am powerless to prevent it. Whats life going to be like for me in this place. Quick waves of motion flash through my flesh as the darkness engulfs every hue of the room, it's shadows reaching out to me. Images, scary ones form in my head in quick succession. Shadows that have no concrete form; that come and go, sometimes merging, forming nothing then life becomes a blur. I remember my mother's words, to always embrace each day as it comes. So whatever life's spoils have given me, I'll let fate run its course on me.

Even as I close my eyes and embrace the cool atmosphere and sounds of nature, I still define myself with the Confucians. Being a very firm believer in the wisdom of Confucius, that it doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't give up and such things, I still belief that despite the fact that Forth Worth has been left behind and unfamiliar country consumes the horizon, perhaps being nervous is the best I can ask for at this moment. Maybe later on I'll slowly learn the ways of the black man and embrace his culture.