Color Me Color Me

When I performed the ritual to come here, I never expected it to actually work.

Mainly because it seemed too simple to be real.

All it took was a few words and an apple. 

I only got through one bite before I fell unconscious.

When I woke up, I was lying on the ground before the most extraordinary manor I had ever seen in my entire life.

When I stood up, I headed to the steps, taking in as much of the view as humanly possible.

It was so massive I couldn’t see all of it, but I knew the parts hidden were just as splendid as the rest. 

It was everything the stories said it would be. Everything and more.

I was a bit nervous as I approached the door, but I wasn’t scared. Far from it.

Something about the place put me at ease in a way I don’t think I’ve ever experienced before.

Nothing would or could hurt me here. Nothing would dare try.

As I raised my hand to knock on the door, it swung open on its own, inviting me inside. 

Taking a curious step inside, I was on the lookout for-

“Oh! And who might you be?”

Standing in front of me was the most ethereal being I had ever seen before in my life.

“I-I. I’m-”

I was completely speechless. But she waited patiently for me to reply.

And she’d be waiting for a while because I couldn’t get my mouth to work.

“Gaia. Let the woman breathe.”

All that I laid eyes on was beautiful.

So it shouldn’t have been a surprise when the keepers of such a place also shared its splendor.

“Welcome. I’m Calida,” the one with black hair greeted. “Pleased to make your acquaintance…?”

“Vivian!” 

Alright. I need to calm down. I’m sure I spooked the tranquility of the place.

“My name is Vivian.”

Calida smiled brightly as she walked towards me.

“Nice to meet you Vivian,” she stated. 

“What brings you here?” one of the others asked.

I didn’t really know how to answer her question. Not well at least.

Telling them that curiosity brought me here didn’t seem like a good enough reason. But I couldn’t think of anything else.

“Dima please. She’s a guest,” Calida chided. “Let us treat her like one.”

I didn’t know what that meant before I was swept up by the women and being taken around.

I was shown so many wondrous things by the women, each one better than the last. 

The sun shone brightly through the rows of floor-to-ceiling windows in the grand hallway. The library was covered in books of all kinds. Gorgeous artwork filled the walls of the parlor.

It’s seeing all of this and more when I also learned all of their names.

Calida, Gaia, Dima, and Aria, the youngest.

They all had their particular way of being and their own way of interacting with me as we toured the manor.

Gaia was playful in her approach, always flitting around with an energy only an otherworldly being could possess.

Balancing her out was Calida, with her calm and relaxed aura.

Dima was free-spirited, with vivid analogies and metaphors coating her words.

Then there was Aria. Mysterious Aria. The one who didn’t speak much during our tour.

The one I was most curious about because of how much of herself she didn’t reveal. At first I thought she didn’t care much for strangers (really me in particular) but she was just more reserved. Her actions spoke volumes where her talking didn’t.

I had tripped and when I expected to hit the floor, she was there holding me up, big brown eyes staring at me with concern. 

“Please be careful.”

I nodded slowly as she helped me steady myself before we continued on. 

Soon the tour was over and our final spot was a simple sitting room.

After everything, I was giddy. I twirled around, arms spread wide. My laughter echoed against the walls, carrying my glee and excitement. 

When I caught my reflection in a mirror, it made me pause.

My hair was frizzy, and my clothes were wrinkly and slightly dirty.

But I felt beautiful.

Radiance beamed from every pore.

It was a magical feeling to be so carefree and at ease.

To feel so at peace.

A feeling that washed over me and I never wanted it to end.

“Glad to know you’re enjoying yourself,” Dima said, a grin on her face.

I was as I plopped down on a couch next to Aria. She didn’t say anything but looked at me with a bemused expression, tucking a stray hair behind my ear.

God she was so extraordinary. 

It would be enviable-she was literally the most radiant woman I had ever seen (I hoped none of the others could read minds) but she didn’t make me feel less than. None of them did. Through all of this, I was treated like one of them. My words mattered. My opinions mattered. Myself mattered.

“This might be a bit forward but I wonder if you had thoughts of staying,” Calida stated from her place.

I did. But I thought it was too forward. Not my place to ask.

I was sure that if I told them my wish, they were going to laugh or worse, mock me.

Call me foolish or naive for thinking such a thing could happen.

“Please say you want to stay! We would love to have you here!” Gaia exclaimed, clinging to my side.

But no. No mocking or demeaning things were said.

Instead, they embraced me—all of them.

“We would love for you to join us,” Dima added, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing it.

Music to my ears.

“But you cannot stay here as you are right now.”

My attention went to Calida.

“You need to be reborn.”

Reborn? Something about it made sense. I wasn’t quite ready to be in a place like this as I was.

I just wondered what being reborn entailed.

“What do I have to do?”

“First we have to prepare you.”

With care, I let them lead me to an exquisite all-marble bathroom.

Gaia left my side to prepare a bath for me, while the others carefully stripped me of my clothes.

Normally I would be highly embarrassed to be nude in front of others, wanting to cover up every flaw and imperfection on my body. But with them, I only felt mildly shy. 

Aria held my hand as she helped me into the steaming water, letting the scent of lavender, lemon, and frankincense carry me in.

They all washed me, from head to toe, not missing a spot.

I melted in Dima’s grasp as she washed my hair, and the massage she gave felt heavenly.

It seemed like hours that they spent cleansing me until I felt like I was covered in fresh, new skin.

Aria again helped me out and with just as much care as they cleaned me, I was dressed in a simple white dress and slippers. It was soft to the touch and draped nicely.

Then I let them brush my hair until it shined as bright as the sun outside. Joined them in singing songs I didn’t realize I knew the words to.

If it weren’t for the fact that I didn’t feel a drop of fear, I would’ve thought I was a sacrifice.

But in a way, I am. 

Only I’m giving up myself to myself.

It was an odd feeling I wasn’t really sure how to express. I wasn’t scared but I wasn’t completely confident either. I had no idea what to expect out of this. All I knew was that I would embrace everything that came with the process.

“Alright. You’re done.”

I didn’t bother looking at myself in the mirror because I could only imagine my appearance. A rare gem polished to perfection. I’m sure my nerves would take over if I took a peek so I pulled myself away from the vanity and stood up.

“What’s next?”

Calida took my hand, taking me out of the room. We, along with the others, walked in silence. It was comfortable, allowing me to gather my thoughts.

However, it wasn’t long before we were in another room.

This one was empty save for a long table consisting of a sparkling silver scale and an apple with a singular bite out of it.

The fruit that got me here in the first place.

Calida went over to the table. She placed the apple on the scale, tipping the balance off.

“This needs to be aligned before you’ll be able to stay,” she explained. “How to balance and if you balance it will be entirely up to you."

Not much more elaboration was given because every realization was different. I knew that would be the case.

But it was okay. I was going to be alright.

I was ready to take the plunge.

They all bid me farewells and good luck before they left me at the manor doors. They all strolled away except for Aria.

“When you’re out there, just let go of everything,” the woman told me, grasping my hands. “Don’t bask in the light too long and don’t be scared of the darkness.”

I nodded slowly, committing her radiant face to memory. Just in case I didn’t make it back.

I couldn’t think like that. I had to make it back.

Steeling my resolve, I opened the door. And as I ran out, I felt the beginnings of my new life open up in front of me. 

Part One End.