Rainbow connection

RCT

I must of dozed off because the next thing I knew someone was knocking on the door. Todd disentangled himself and answered it, a little disheveled with his hair sticking up slightly on the side he was laying down on, his eyes half lidded and full of reluctance and annoyance.

“Is Joy Strud here? We were told this is her room,” A male voice met Todd’s open door, the voice gruff and serious.

“Yes, this is her room, and yes she’s here. May I ask who you are?” Todd’s voice barely contained his displeasure.

“We are The RCT. Here to collect the Rainbow.” Another voice, female this time, drifted into the room, hers more patient and peaceful, though no less serious.

I pulled myself from Cal’s embrace and straightened my clothes. I walked to the door and put my hand on Todd’s shoulder. Gasps echoed in the hall and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“It’s OK Todd,” I told him as he stepped back. “I am the Rainbow, apparently, though I have no idea what that really means. Have you heard my request?”

“Yes, Rainbow Joy, we have heard your request to bring a Blue and Green with you.” The man answered again. I looked at him, he was older, maybe early 40’s, his red hair starting to gray. He was wearing a black uniform that looked almost like a suit and had a red sash that connected to the same color cape, the length of it down to his knees. He looked like he had a hard time with his opposing traits working him. He was trying for Patience, but Wrath was leaking through the longer we talked.

“Not just any Blue or Green,” I began knowing I might be pushing a little, my hair shining both red and blue, my voice authoritative and a bit defensive, “My best friends.”

“Actually, Rainbow Joy, It is very good that you have found two out of seven so early and already formed a bond. You won’t have to leave them behind, they will come with you to Rainbow Island, where you will learn more about your destiny.” The female spoke this time, she also had Red hair and the same uniform, but was obviously better at Patience than her companion.

I looked back over my shoulder and motioned for Cal to hurry up out of bed, “Come on Cal. Time to go.”

Cal groaned as he got up and came to stand behind me, wrapping his arms around me and leaning his head on my shoulder.

“Wait, you were all together?” A Purple haired girl, who seemed to be about our age, wearing a white blouse with a tan button jacket and a deep plum pencil skirt asked. “Such a strong bond already. Have you been intimate?”

I nearly choked on my spit, my eyes widening slightly in surprise from her sudden question, “I’m sorry, What?! Why would you ask such a thing out of thin air like that?”

“Sorry, I’m Grace, Researcher and Historian, youngest in my field. I am to document everything about the newest Rainbow for future generations.” Her Pride showed brightly with that statement.

“Oh,” I deflated, “No, We have made out but not taken it much further.” I didn’t know if I wanted my everything documented but it looked as though I had little choice right now. I stepped into the hall with Todd and Cal right behind me. Besides the two Reds and Grace there were one more Red woman and an Orange man as part of our detail, both wearing the same uniform as the other two Reds, but the Orange’s uniform had an orange sash and cape.

The two Reds that had spoken took the lead. Cal, Todd, myself, and Grace where in the middle, and the others took the rear. Grace began firing off questions one after the other with barely time to answer between, her expression full of excitement and interest, her eyes sparkling with each new thing she learned about us. Cal and Todd did their best to keep up with her rapid fire. Cal and Todd knew everything about me, so I didn’t need to answer. By the time we made it to the airstrip located walking distance from the school, Grace had already learned everything about us up to that day. 19 years is not that long, especially when most of it is in boarding school. As we were settling in our seats she asked, “What happened to change your hair? We know from the Dean that you did not have to wait the traditional time period for Whites to change.”

“3 days early, Whoo.” I twirl my finger in the air with the sarcastic statement.

Todd looked at me, then Cal, “We made a promise to each other, to always be together.”

Grace awed and quickly wrote it down.

“That’s sounds like it came out of a romance novel.” The Orange muttered.

“Then a big wind came and swirled around us.” Cal mentioned.

“By the time I had pulled my hair from my face, theirs had turned.” I interjected.

“So had yours, Joy.” Todd finished.

“Grace.” The Red male in charge said, “It is a 10 hour flight to Rainbow Island. Let them get some rest.” he proceeded to lean his chair back and put an eye mask on.

“Besides,” I said, “I think you are all caught up. There isn’t much you haven’t asked about already.” I gave her a small smile. “Maybe we can ask you some questions?”

Before Grace could answer Red 1 chimed in, “If you are going to do that take it to the stateroom in the back.” and jerked his thumb in the direction of the back of the plane.

I got up and walked to the door in the back, opened it to find a room with a couch bolted to the side, a table in front of it and a bed at the back. I let Grace have the couch and table, I jumped on the bed. Todd and Cal had followed and came to sit with me on the bed.

Todd scooted all the way back until his back hit the headboard.

“So, Grace, how much do you know about The Rainbow?” I asked as I settled in between Todd’s legs, my back to his chest.

Grace looked at us and smiled as Cal laid his head on my lap, getting comfy almost instantly and letting out a small sigh of contentment. “Well, I know you will need to find 7 companions. One from each color.”

“Companions? Could you clarify?” I pointed out.

“Well, some past Rainbows had all lovers, some had one as a lover, you can guess which color that one was, and some had lovers, friends, fighters and everything in between. It is up to the Rainbow, I think, no one has been super clear on that point.” Grace dived into her passion and gave us details on past Rainbows and their companions. “It comes down to compatibility. You have to find people you will be comfortable with for a long time. Build your own family, I guess. The RCT will have more info at Rainbow Island, I think.” She looked at her watch, “It is the middle of the night, you should get some rest, and I should shut up.” Grace rose and before anyone could respond left.

I am the Rainbow Connection. My responsibility is to bring the personifications of the colors of the rainbow together and balance the two opposing forces within them. How in the world am I going to do that?