Autumnal Ball Pt 2 - Orenda

We exit the house and make our way onto the grass, my heels sinking into the dirt with each step I take. I focus on feeling the power within me take hold, and as a burst of electricity shoots through my body my human form is quickly replaced with my raitruum form along with my brother. I stretch out my thirty-foot-long wings, feeling the breeze between my feathers as I bring myself to my full fifteen-foot height. I feel my power and strength coursing through me like a livewire. In this form, everything is heightened. I hear beyond what I could in human form, smell scents I was completely unaware of and see up to five miles away.

I look over at my brother as he flaps his wings, the bright gold of his feathers that fade into electric blue glowing majestically like they were being lit from within. In bird form, we are identical in every way but scent, so only certain beings can tell us apart. But since we tend to handle our duties solo to keep us spread out, that issue doesn’t come up much.

Before I have a chance to blink, Ayawamat is taking off into the sky, shooting up like a rocket and quickly darting out of sight.

“Wait for me!” I shout through our mind link, taking off into the sky, rising high above the clouds and jetting off after him in an attempt to catch up.

'You snooze, you lose,' he teases.

'Just for that, I hope you inhale several bugs.'

'Ew, Orenda! Don’t even joke, you know I hate when that happens,' he grumbles.

Unfortunately coping a bug to the mouth or face when you’re flying around the world is a nasty casualty of the job, but you learn to live with it – or at least I do.

When flying, we are faster than any jet could ever hope to be, so flying from Michigan to Turkey, won’t take us long at all and honestly, I love any chance I get to fly. To be up in the sky, looking down at the wonder of the world below and getting to see how vast the ocean truly is, is an experience like no other. To fly among the clouds as the wind blows through my feathers making me feel weightless; to feel utterly and blissfully free; it’s beyond words.

In no time at all, we can see Iç Ada fast approaching. During the Autumnal Ball, the barrier that normally shields the Kartheca from outsiders is altered to allow all invited guests inside while still maintaining its cloak of invisibility. We know we’ve passed the barrier when suddenly the uninhabited islet is no longer uninhabited, but the home of a grand and majestic castle. It takes my breath away whenever I see it. Zarseti truly outdid herself regarding the architecture. The monolithic castle blends Turkish, Persian and even Romanian architectural styles, which is fascinating because this place was created thousands of years before any kind of architecture existed, let alone those specific styles. Really goes to show the level of influence the Gods have had over humankind.

Ayawamat and I slow down, circling overhead and observing the masses of people arriving and entering the castle all dressed to the nines. As we look for a place to land, I feel this familiar energy emanating from the castle, bringing with it an intense feeling of peace and warmth.

'Do you feel that?' Ayawamat asks curiously.

I nod in reply, 'Zarseti never attends these.'

'Exactly, so what the hell is she doing here?'

We spot one of the large balconies of the ballroom and descend towards it. I land first and pull on that power within me once again, feeling a surge of electricity spread through me as I return to my human form, quickly followed by my brother. Another difference between us and other beings who can shift into an animal is that when we shift between the two, we don't lose our clothes. I'll forever be grateful to Jartre for that.

With a smile, Ayawamat offers me his arm and I happily take it as we enter the ballroom. Our jaws practically detach when we take in the breathtaking décor surrounding guests from all around the globe. The ballroom is always decorated for this occasion, but this is next level.

“Now this is something else,” Ayawamat praises.

Electric blue lights beam down amidst exquisite icicles made of crystals, cascading down from the ceiling like thousands upon thousands of rows of dripping icicle-like garlands. Long rows of glass tables are spread across the room, lined with white chairs, each table laid out with the most expensive-looking white China and glassware. Vases filled with white calla lilies, white roses, white tulips, white camellias and wisteria, adorn every table, along with much larger versions scattered around the room. The once marble floor has been made to look like ice, perfectly reflecting the room around it and bouncing the light making everything twinkle like an otherworldly glacier ice cave.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my whole life, and that’s saying something,” I utter in complete awe.

“I’m thrilled you both approve of the décor,” I hear a serene voice say.

We look over as Zarseti approaches us, her magenta hair in a beautiful half updo that forms two Dutch braids that join into a fishtail braid. Her silver eyes are complimented by soft shimmering pink eyeshadow that perfectly matches her glittering pink lips with a soft blue sheen to them. Her dress is something not of this world and as a Goddess, I would expect nothing less. A gorgeous gold, embroidered bodice clings to her hips and frame, coming in at the chest and going around the neck as a pink chiffon-like material that looks like water, flows from under the bodice and floats across the ground behind her. With every step she takes towards us the gaps within the bodice seem to glitter and glow as if she has found a way to capture a moving galaxy within it. I find myself mesmerised by the Goddess before us, thought I can’t help feeling a bit puzzled when I notice the high heels that peek out from beneath the dress as she walks. Six-inch, pointed-toe, glass-like slippers with twinkling pink gemstones scattered around them and pink flowers adorned over the toes. While they are beautiful, they seem unnecessary. Zarseti is 7’1” she really doesn’t need extra height, but I admire her going all out on a head-to-toe outfit.

“You’ve outdone yourself, Zarseti,” Ayawamat praises with a respectful nod of his head. “Have to admit we’re both surprised to find you here.”

“After recent events, I decided I wanted to truly experience being part of a night I began. I love getting to see the animais I make find each other,” she says sighing happily, “I so rarely get to witness the very moment a bond clicks into place. One can’t blame me for wanting to be a part of this,” she explains with a radiant smile.

'Are you buying this?' I silently ask my brother.

'Not even a little bit.'

I’m sure there’s a lot of truth to what she’s saying, but I have a hard time believing this is why she’s here.

“I’m so glad the two of you could attend,” she says graciously, as if we’re the ones doing her the favour.

“Well, Lunara and Fatma were quite insistent, but it was Aya who ultimately talked me into attending.”

“Whatever swayed you, I’m glad you did,” she says warmly. “I won’t take up much more of your time, but I’m sure we will speak more later.” With those final words, she wanders off, mingling with the crowd and conversing with her daughters.

I look to Ayawamat to see if he has any thoughts on Zarseti’s appearance only to notice his eyes keenly following a beautiful Chinese woman walking by while indulging in some hors d'oeuvres with her companions.

“If you will excuse me, dear sister, I have some mingling to do.”

Barely acknowledging my existence, Ayawamat tugs at his lapels and begins walking in the direction of the young woman, but I’m quick to grab him by the elbow. He looks down at my hand, then back up at me with a perplexed expression.

“Don’t you dare use this as an occasion to hook up. These people are here to find their soulmates, not be a notch on your bedpost. You might not care about having or finding your animai, but these people do. That’s why they came here. Please, don’t disgrace this event with your philandering,” I beseech him.

“That stung, Orenda. Do you really think so little of me?” he says looking hurt and offended.

“I don’t think little of you, I love you. I accept you as you are and have never stopped you from expressing yourself sexually, I just beg you not to do it here. Please,” I urge.

He sighs and looks at me carefully, “For you, I’ll be on my best behaviour.” He leans in and kisses my cheek, instantly flooding me with relief. “No funny business, just friendly chit-chat.”

I smile appreciatively, “Thank you, that’s all I ask.”