Smokey Dreams

Melancholy rain drifted down from the heavens in a soft, cold sheen, blanketing the earth in its presence. A hollow wind raced through the streets with a 'ohh' sound. People of all sorts jogged home, not liking how dark and desolate it was becoming. One person, with brilliant red hair and sparkling green eyes walked amongst the dark, enjoying the change of weather. He walked to the tavern on 5th and Maple and opened the big brown wooden doors. Upon opening the doors he was greeted with the warm kiss of heat and Jazz Music. The doors behind him slammed shut as he took of his black trench coat and his hat, which he then hung them neatly on the coat hanger to the side, exposing what he had opted to wear for the night, simple black dress shoes, black slacks and a red button down shirt that complimented him as a whole. Not to simple not to complicated.

Almost immediately, Adair could feel his body warming up to the drastic climate change, he wove his way between the scarce amount of people before sitting down at his usual spot. The soft light playing on his fair skin. He ordered a nice calming cup of warm chai tea, sipping it slowly, letting it warm him from within. The gentle Hiroshima music floated throughout the air, followed by the accompaning smells of smoke and liquor. He closed his eyes and let everything flow into him at once, his reverie was shattered by his name being mentioned.

"Adair, Are you there? Your tea is getting cold. " Someone said to his right. He opened his eyes and turned, being locked with an emerald hue. He almost fell of his chair, but quickly pivoted so he wouldn't fall.

"Yes, I am here, and how would y-" He was cut off, when he noticed that Emerald was drinking the cold tea Emerald, one of his best friends since he was little had striking long green hair that fell like rain to his waist. He had emerald orbs that told of gentle ways. The red head wondered why Emerald stuck to whites and soft greens to wear, even though it complimented his pale skin. Tonight, he wore a white Chinese style garment with green vines and roses being woven all over it, some green jelly-o bracelets and white shoes. Stunning in his own way. He turned his attention back to the oriental tea pot and poured a fresh cup of steaming goodness. He wrapped his long, thin fingers around the cup and brought it too his lips.

Emerald watched, snickering. " Say, you should stop drowning your lonely sorrows in tea, alcohol is much better you know." His green eyes alive and filled with laughter

Said red head turned his eyes to his friend " I don't drink alcohol in excess." He heard a gasp and then more laughter.

"Sounds like Animal Farm to me, but being all educated and such, I'm pretty sure. How about you get a nice woman to console you? If not for one night then maybe to keep you company? The tea trees will highly appreciate it." He joked soothingly, although behind his words lay truth. Adair worked too hard, training and still trying to up hold his strong traditions, but everyone needs a break, and if he couldn't do it then some one else would have to try.

Adair watched the play of emotions on his friends face, from joking to down right serious then sadness. He let out a sigh, knowing the petit boy was right. He's been under a lot of stress, he'd hate to admit it, especially to his all knowing friend, and it made matters worse was that there was a three years difference between them. He was eighteen and was just spreading his wings into the way of the world while his friend, rests comfortably in the sheltered nest at fifteen, but in actuality the smaller boy had wisdom way beyond his years, like an earth spirit. He sheltered himself by closing his eyes from the world, and letting his thoughts run free.

A soft gentle subconscious call wove it's way into it his thoughts. It was a dieing whisper, but could be heard strongly. The whisper of undying love...for him. Gentle chants and nothings coming a mile a minute, but before the spell ended he could feel a gentle aura calling him, not physically, but mentally and in the soul where his most private thoughts resided. It died away, slowly, but before it did it made sure it ended with "Please take your time, and relax, your stress eats away at me. " And with that, the voice died like a candle getting its flame snuffed.

Emerald watched the posture of his friend change of the course of minutes, it seemed that the air was thicker and more tense. "Adi?'' He asked a bit worriedly.

His eyes snapped open a bit dazed, his breath was off and not in its usual slow rhythm. " I'm fine, Really I am." But the way he said it gave away otherwise. Emerald decided not to push it. Not now, it wasn't the time. The green haired boy dropped it and went back to stealing little sips of Adair's savory tea. He had very good tastes..hmm I will steal the pot later.

What just happened? Why does he feel so dizzy that he could just lose control on everything? The whispers were still clouding his mind and plagued him constantly. He tried to steady his hands as he reached for the tea cup one more, but they were fidgety. And the more he thought to steady them, the worse it became. The cup dropped to the floor and shattered into an ungraceful heap. It took him a minute to realize that he had did that, and that a few people were staring at him.

When he did come to, he got off the stool gracefully and picked up the little shards, before placing them neatly on the saucer. Emerald watched amazed that Adair actually dropped something, such an attitude change in such a short time. He ordered a fresh pot of Chai tea and poured a bit of a relaxing potion in it. He slid the tea over and Adair drank it with difficult ease. The green haired boy noticed the instant effect, Adair returned back to his calm, collected, and not to mention polite self.

Even though his body was at it's most relaxed his mind reeled with questions. Many of which going unanswered. He felt a cold hand grab his shoulder comfortably, a gentle airy voice reached his ears in a wonderful melody.

"Are you alright, sir? You seem a bit out of it." She smiled softly, her blue-silver eyes gently locking with his.

He answered a bit startled " I am fine, did I really seem that off to you?" Emerald crept off stealing the pot of tea, maybe this one would be the right one.

She sat in the once occupied seat to the right. " Yes you did, no one's dropped a tea cup in a long long time you know. "

He felt a light blush strain his cheeks. " I suppose that makes me a first in a sense eh?" He watched her nod, her silvery hair spilling over her. It seemed to be the focus point of the whole woman, the soft tan skin, like cream tainted with just a touch of cinnamon to change its hue, she had a bizarre gem, suspended from a frail silver chain that swirled a hazy gray mist and a white tube top dress that hung low to her ankles. On her feet see through high heels with straps that probably wove around the legs. Elegant but simple.

Softly tanned hands moved the silvery mess out of her eyes. " I guess that does. " She held out her hand. " My name is Celestial, nice to meet you."

He shook it, her gasp was firm, yet gentle, and very cold to the touch, it was like, making a pact with the dead. " Likewise, I'm Adair Ambercombie." A gentle feeling of nostalgia swept over him as her aura was strong, and yet in a feminine sense, calming. The more he thought about it the more the aura felt familiar and yet disturbingly so.

She watched the flicker of emotions in Adair's eyes, he was becoming very close to figuring out the dieing whispers. She hopped off the counter her heels coming in contact with a sharp click.

"Say, would you like to dance?" He nodded his answer and led her to the dance floor where a few couples were all ready dancing. The soft mysterious music of Yoko Kanno's Real Folk Blues started to play rather boldly in back ground. The mysterious pair fell into the substational position for slow dancing, still at a polite distance. As they danced in slow circles the distance between then closed, as they were now pressed against each other. Adair shivered softly, he wasn't used to dancing with a person who felt like death, but had polite air about her. He didn't complain as when the song just about ended he broke the distance and gave her a twirl and a soft dip before bringing her back up, a huge grin and laughter filling the air.

Emerald watched from afar, very pleased. It seemed that this may work, hope is all he could rely on. He drowned his doubts and insecurities for his friend in his tea, drowning out any sound.

Bright silvery blue orbs were alive and alert as they gazed into the tranquil green ones. She realized she

could drown in those rich, velvety eyes. Another soft jazz song wafted through the air and again the

couple danced, rocking in tune to the music. She broke the gaze, and gently rested her head against his

shoulder, closing her eyes she could smell his freshly rained earth scent. Alluring.

He lead her in small circles around the tavern, swaying in tune to the music. Sadly, the song ended and the other couple disbanded. He felt a tug against his hand, he was being led to somewhere. After a few minutes of walking and weaving through the people and tables they found their destination. In a secluded area in the far right corner sat a row of booths. The entire wall was made of glass and one could see the extravagant ocean and the still raining skies. The table had fresh lit candles and two mugs of fresh warm tea. He watched in amazement, he's never been here before, he didn't even know it existed. Celestial sat down first and he sat on the opposite end.

From there, they began to talk, telling each other about them selves and their heritages. They learned a many things, that would hopefully come useful in the future? Would there be a future? They hoped so.

Adair slid out the booth and held out his hand to the maiden, she took the offer and they headed toward the exit. The red head grabbed his coat and hat and put it back on. All she did was flash a pretty smile. The two of them walked outside, where it was raining lightly. They hugged one final time, before they departed, the silvery haired woman said in a gentle, soothing, but haunting tone, "Rain on me. Speak the language of silence. Let the dead whispers sing strong." And with that, the gentle ebbing of the familiar aura came flared up a bit before dieing down. She kissed his cheek and said goodbye before disappearing around the corner.

He stood speechless as the words starting to make sense. He stood there in absolute disbelief before it sunk it. She left just like that. Maybe fate would be kind to let him see her again. But if he didn't...he didn't want to think about it. In the short night that he had spent with her, it felt right, connected and very justified. Even if she did know him before he met her. He sighed as his sorrows were drowned with the heavening of the rain. Maybe the heavens disagreed? Was this the begotten sorrows of love at first sight?

On the ground lay the gray bizarre jewel and a deep red rose. The jewel sparkled innocently into the night, not reflecting all the inner anguish he felt. He bent down and picked it up, it felt icy cool to the touch. He then eyes the rose that was still on the ground, being kissed by the rain. Again, he picked it up and held it gently not wanting to crush it, and with that, he walked off, lost to ponder the messages he missed.

Love can sometimes be magic...But magic can sometimes be just an illusion. Things are never what they seem, are they?