Memoirs of a mourning Luna

The Tearman

As I'm yanked through and stumble to the other side of the portal and silently curse Molly, I am in awe of my surroundings. This has to be the literal garden of eden. The foliage is so green and luscious, it could be confused for emeralds. There is moss and flowers everywhere, it's almost like carpet it's so thick underfoot, and this is just the mouth of the cave!

We step out into the blinding light and as my eyes adjust, I notice there is a cobblestone walkway directly in front of us. Molly is way ahead at this point so I jog to catch up. I realize we are actually in a garden behind a house, Victorian style with a wrap around porch. It is painted a beautiful shade of indigo with white shutters and trim. There's even some rocking chairs and porch swings. The house itself is quite large, I would almost liken it to a mansion but more plantation style. Molly is bouncing up the stairs to what I believe is a rear door with a screen door in front of an ornate oak door when she suddenly turns to me," Now before we go in I have to teach you some etiquette among....our kind. First and foremost, Do Not Stare, as much as I know you'll be compelled to fight the urge. Second, this is The Tearman, also known as sanctuary. This is my pride and joy. Creatures come from all over to stay here and enjoy the luxuries I provide. Third, there is no tolerance for violence or trickery amongst one another. Example if a fairy offers you a gift you may take it with no consequences inside this building. Outside of here I don't recommend it."

"Why not?"

"If you accept gifts from the Fay you are agreeing to owing them...something. What that something is you don't really know til it's too late. Could be your first born, could be 5 cents."

I nod making a mental note to avoid Fay folk outside of Molly at all costs at this point.

"Fourth and finally, don't show fear. No matter what happens. If you show fear to anyone or anything while here, word will spread quickly and others will use that to their advantage outside of here. Best to be as emotionless as possible really."

"Ok don't stare, but don't back down, no trickery and no violence. Piece of cake." I clap my hands together and rub them as if I'm about to get to work on a long project. Molly looks at me doubtfully and sarcastically says,"Yeeeeeaaaa. Ok let's do this."

As we step inside, I am greeted with an abundance of wonderful (and not so wonderful smells). If I thought this place was big from the outside that was a massive understatement. Ironically enough we left through the kitchen of Molly's Place and are entering The Tearman through the kitchen as well. "Molly, the kitchen looks like it could serve Wrigley's Stadium at full capacity with 5 courses! How many rooms are in this place?" Molly is again, quite literally grinning from ear to ear," Actually that's another little charm I created. Depending upon how many people walk through the front door, things kind of expand and contrast. Therefore I always have vacancies and I am always making money."

"I'm starting to think you can charm anything."

"Oh no, this took me almost 200 years to master this charm. At Least with no casualties."

I stop in my tracks, processing what I just heard from her mouth. That can't be possible.

"Two Hundreee...No Casualtiii... I feel like I'm gonna faint."

"Oh calm down. I'm actually quite young for a fairy. Also young to be so accomplished might I add." She winks at me as she tosses a cool wash cloth from a nearby sink my way.

As I wipe my pale face to try and calm my nerves, we exit the kitchen through a set of double wooden doors into what appears to be a dining room. Silver and crystal chandeliers hang from a vaulted ceiling complete with a beautiful fresco of every type of magical creature I've ever heard of before. Also some I couldn't even comprehend to describe. The art style mimicked that of a stained glass window. The rest of the room was painted a light purple, almost lilac, with white and silver accents. Off to the right was another room that appeared to be a ballroom in the same theme. Aside from the decor, I notice there doesn't seem to be anyone in sight in these rooms. "Molly, where are all the people?"

"I'll assume you are using the term people loosely, but the patrons? probably in their rooms or the main hall. This is just for overflow. I felt it best to acclimate you slowly. We are about to go into the lobby though, so remember what I told you." She looks at me pointedly and I nod my head. We come to another ornate wooden door and as Molly cracks it open you can hear quite a bit of chatter. Upon walking through, there must be hundreds of...creatures in this lobby. Just at a glance I see several centaurs, minotaurs, and fawns talking animatedly amongst each other. There are two cyclops at the very ornately carved front desk arguing about something with the bellhop of whom I think is another Fay. I'm almost positive I saw a band of leprechauns scurry through the crowd. The list goes on and on, not to mention the lobby itself is immense. Still with a silver and white trim theme. Also a crystal chandelier, marble columns at the entrance and at the front of a wide staircase leading to what appears to be the rooms. The walls in here are a floral wallpaper with irises and lilies. Above the chandelier there seems to be a large glass dome revealing the outside world, and a flock of.... gryphons?

"Amazing, isn't it?" I jump nearly a foot as I hear Molly directly behind me chuckling at my awestruck face. "Now let's go see if we can find someone to give us some answers about your...predicament." With that, Molly starts to stroll towards the front desk to talk to the concierge. Myself in tow right behind her so as not to get separated. She starts to speak to the concierge in the same language from earlier that I'm not familiar with, I'll have to ask her about that later. While I'm waiting for her, I smell the honey dew and lemongrass scent yet again. Except this time it's much stronger, almost on an intoxicating level. Before I can turn around to see where the aroma is coming from, I'm lifted off the floor by something(or someone) in a bear hug from behind. Whoever or whatever that has me, must be incredibly large because I'm at least a foot off the ground and I'm being held against a very firm.... chest? What I can see are the very large forearms of I think a person, but where our skin meets is erupting into tingles all over my arms and upper body. Then there is a warm breath on the back of my neck. Are they...smelling me? That's not creepy at all. As I finally come back to my senses, I start to thrash around a bit trying to break free. "Who the hell do you think you are creep?! Get off of me!"

At this point, there are several onlookers watching to see what's going on. Whoever or whatever that's holding me has stiffened up at my words, but hasn't let me go just yet. Molly turns around and has a confused look on her face and almost seems not quite sure what to do. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

"I said put me down...please."

I'm slowly being lowered to the ground and set back up right on my feet. As I'm turning around (mad as a hornet I may add) I say, " Look I don't know who you think you...." and then I'm facing him. I wasn't wrong when I thought to myself whoever picked me up was huge. This guy had to be 6 feet tall and very broad chested. He definitely was built like a quarterback, and I would be shocked if he said he'd never played football a day in his life. He's very easy on the eyes too, wonderful dark bronze complexion, shoulder length dark brown hair with a few light brown highlights. Brilliant green eyes that I swear were glowing and a perfectly chiseled jaw. At this point, I sense the close proximity we are to one another and take an involuntary step back. I don't want to feel this, it's too soon and I'm not ready. I can't and I won't. This is weird and I don't like it one bit.

He starts to reach out to me and take a step in my direction and reflexively I put my hands up to stop him. "Look, I don't know who you are or what that was but this is all just too much at the moment. Please stay back." The look on his face was as if I had wounded him and I immediately regretted it and felt a deep sadness that I hadn't felt in a long time. His face went from wounded to confused and finally almost angry in a blink of an eye. That's when I noticed his entourage behind him. Three other men, one of which could pass as this one's shorter brother, another with long blonde hair and blue eyes with the same bronze complexion, but calmer demeanor than that of the other two. Finally the last member of his posse looked like someone from men in black, earpiece, sunglasses, black suit the whole bit and was constantly looking all around us.

I heard the one who had picked me up clear his throat and I focused my attention back to him. He seemed to have calmed down a bit at this point, his features much softer. "May I please introduce myself...and my associates of course?" He had a very strong deep voice with a Spanish accent, I was so enthralled with the sound I almost didn't hear what he said. Molly elbowed me in the ribs, "Ooow, what was that for?" She just looked at him and me and raised her eyebrows. Oh I didn't respond,"Um...yea, please." He had a royal purple button up on with the sleeves rolled up and the first few buttons at the neck undone, with black slacks and black dress shoes. All of which were very form fitting and must have been tailored to him. No way anyone could find anything that fits that well off a rack. He also seemed to have a sheen of sweat on his face, arms and chest, all of them seemed a bit disheveled. Almost like they had been racing to get here, but why?

"....miss? Are you listening?" I then realized apparently he had been speaking and I was so lost in thought I had heard none of it. He seemed amused as I got flustered and I know my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I do apologize, I've been a bit out of sorts lately and got lost in thought. Would you please repeat your name?" I said as I cast my gaze at the ground, ashamed and embarrassed. This is not a good impression. I notice from the corner of my eye that he wants to reach out but must have thought better of it. "Miss, please hold your head high like the beautiful Diosa you are. There is no reason to be embarrassed, it happens to the best of us." Now I know I am bright red at this statement, but I do raise my head to meet his gaze. His words had me even straighten my posture a bit, Goddess eh? I mean I'm not interested, but compliments are still nice. Ok focus Sam, you don't want him to have to say it a third time. Before he can start again Molly interrupts us, "As amusing as this is, Sammie, we really have somewhere to be. Could you atleast talk as we walk? I think I've found who can help in your...predicament."

"Right, I almost forgot, sorry Molly." I turn back to the man of whom I hope I can learn his name on the way and ask," Would you like to join us? If you aren't in a hurry?"

The one who looks like he could be the brother of the man in front of me starts, "Well we do have busi...." he also has a Spanish accent but not as nice as the one in purple, but he's cut off by him. "Nonsense, it can wait. Please lead the way hermosa." I blush yet again, what has got into me? We all follow Molly to the grand staircase towards the rooms of the hotel, which I assume is where we are going to find the person with answers. Hopefully all the right ones.