Kristiana Sfirlea - Legend of the Rainbow Eater

Entry 1

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM WITH ME

I t was teatime.

The gazebo floated on the foamy gray sea, bobbing serenely. Waves spilled over the sides and across the toes of the angels gathered around the table. Fat raindrops fell from the bleak sky, spattering the gazebos roof, and thunder rumbled in the distance.

Perfect weather for a tea party.

This is nice, isnt it? Rose said to the group. All of us together. Having tea. Every guest was in their place, save for the empty chair beside her. Isnt it nice?

There was a round of noncommittal shrugs and dispassionate slurps.

Being together like thiswe shouldnt take it for granted. Right?

Mumbles around the table. Sephone squeezed a sphere of jellied rainbow candy, goo oozing between thumb and forefinger as she stared absently into the distance. Dipping his pinky in his tea, Aiden was writing something on the tablecloth, and his spiky-haired mother, Elektra, fiddled with the mini umbrella peeking over the side of her drink. Cade inspected her appearance in the back of a teaspoon like she wanted nothing more than to use her soul signia to jump through the reflective surface and escape into the mirror world, while Malachy scratched his abnormally long beard in observable boredom. Elderly twins Zephyr and Miss Cassie took twin drinks of their tea cups, draining the dregs in sync.

Zephyr eyed the bottom of his cup in relief. It looks like weve finished!

Miss Cassie pushed back her chair. I suppose that means we should be going.

Wait! Rose scrambled up, seizing the teapot. Ill pour you more.

Ignoring their protests, she tipped the spout over their teacups. Brown liquid gushed, but the cups wouldnt fill. She poured and poured, but they were like bottomless pits, gulping down tea till there was nothing left in the pot. She rattled it in disbelief. How could cups be so thirsty?

Miss Cassie touched her arm. Its been a lovely tea party, Rose, but we really have to go.

No! I can make more! But Miss Cassie and Zephyr were already shaking out their ivory wings. They took flight from the gazebo and into the rainstorm.

Elektra frowned at her cup. My teas gone cold. And since theres nothing left to replace it with She stretched her wings and leaped over the gazebo railing before Rose could even object.

Sephone scowled at her cup and pushed it away. This tea isnt strong enough. Weak tea is for the weak. I refuse to drink your insults.

Seph! But she was gone, too.

Rose looked helplessly at Aiden. He took a sip of his tea, winced, and tossed the rest over his shoulder. Its not you. Me and tea just dont rhyme. And he followed the others flying across the endless stormy sea.

It was only Cade and Malachy now. Cade, Malachy, and the empty chair at Roses side. Tears pooled in her eyes, and she bit her wobbling lip. Please dont leave. I can fix it. Whatevers wrong with your tea, Ill fix it. Just please dont leave.

They both heaved heavy sighs like the obligation to her tea party weighed painfully on their chests. Malachys beard had grown so long that Cade was braiding the ends of it in her lap. She propped a spoon against an abandoned mug and continued admiring her reflection.