100 TC #15 - Flower

Here is number 15 of the 100 Themes Challenge. This one is the sequel to #12 - Whatever Happened To Ruby. It is the second part of that story and is to be continued in a further post. This part is based on theme number 15 which is 'Flower'. Enjoy and let me know what you think :)

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- FLOWER - 

Whatever Happened To Ruby - Part II

A Call For Existence

“The court is back in session for the trial of Rebecca Forester. Before the recess, the defendant had started testifying on the events that led to her being arrested for multiple charges to which she claimed complete innocence. However, we noticed several inconsistencies in her testimony, which is still very incomplete. And so we will ask for the rest of the story and ask the defendant to refrain from presenting a flawed testimony to this court.”

The Judge sounded a bit angry and rather bored while she was speaking those words. The trial had already been ongoing for several hours and no progress seemed to have been made. 

“We shall now continue where we had left before the recess asked for by the defence. We ask the defendant Ms. Forester to take the bar and proceed with her recalling of the events that led her to the accusations she is under. We ask the defendant to renew her oath before she starts.”

As the Judge finished, the defendant did as asked. She swore her oath anew and was ready to speak.

“Your honour, distinguished members of this court,” said Rebecca, “I have been informed there were some inconsistencies in my first testimony. I claim I have been telling the truth and it is not my intention to mislead this court at all. I might have made some mistake and I swear on my oath it shall not happen again.

- We would also like to remind this court that the so-called inconsistencies were very few and did not affect the whole point of our client’s testimony” claimed the defence attorney. 

“- Yeah right,” replied the prosecutor, “minor inconsistencies you say. Let me point out to the court a major one I noted during Ms. Forester’s testimony, if her honour would let me. When the defendant introduced Prince Obsidian, when he looks at Emerald, Topaz and Garnet for the first time, he says, I believe, «It’s nice to see the three of you again». Yet, later on, when he has a private conversation with his old time friend, the way he talks about his story and how long he had been away after his adventures with Ruby and Emerald, he could never have met Topaz and Garnet. Furthermore, the age of the characters do not make any sense. The defendant did not state it clearly, but we gathered Emerald would be about 18 years old and his friend somewhere between 8 and 15, yet the way the defendant spoke of the time span, it is as if the characters never aged... I could go on like this for a while and I think you will all agree the inconsistencies in Ms. Forester’s testimony are everything but minor.

- We agree,” said the judge, “and we will keep it in mind. This testimony has more issues than the prosecution showed, yet we still need to hear Ms Forester’s full testimony before we can cross-examine the defendant. And so Ms Forester will go on and will not be interrupted by the lawyers before I say so. Defendant, you are free to speak now.

- Very well your honour,” said Rebecca, “I shall now proceed with my testimony.”

***

The sun rose on the Sable Rose, marking the new group of adventurer’s first day at sea. After a good night’s sleep, the four friends reunited on deck. 

“- Good morning darlings.” Spoke the prince. “I do hope you slept well and found the Sable Rose to your taste.

- This ship is amazing your majesty,” said Garnet, stars shining in her eyes. “I must confess I am not used to such luxury.

- Are we close to Sal-Tea island yet?” asked Topaz, a subtle annoyed tone present in his voice. “Sure we enjoy the luxury but it’s not what we are here for. I don’t care about rich people, what I want is adventure!” 

Prince Obsidian could not help but laugh at this. “- We will be there soon enough my young friend. Your friend Emerald and I spent last night planning our visit to Sal-Tea Island. You three are new to this, but I have been there before. This place is nothing like anywhere you have been before.

- It is full of people made of salt isn’t it?” Asked Topaz, very seriously. “And they smell funny and eat humans don’t they?

- Yes, I am afraid so.” Replied the prince. 

At this, Garnet could not help but laugh. It took her a few seconds to realise she was the only one laughing. 

"- Wait," said Garnet, "that... wasn't a joke?

I'm afraid not, young girl", replied Obsidian. "See, young Topaz here is right. Inhabitants of Sal-Tea really are made of salt. And they do smell foul, and yes, they eat people. That is why we, the crown, declared this island off-limits. It is a very dangerous place and we don't want unnecessary casualties on our hands. But the island has been left on its own for far too long and I grew worried at what might be going on on it, so it is necessary to go on it and have a look at things. This place is no ordinary place, it is calling for existence, screaming for it. It wants to be known and for this end it could do terrible things...

I'm not sure I follow" replied Garnet, a bewildered look in her eyes.

"- It matters not," reprised Obsidian, "all you need to know is that our visit there is not gonna be all fun and games. It is a real adventure, complete with the dangers that come with it. So you have to be ready. My guards and I will be looking out for all of you but I cannot guarantee your safety. You will have to be careful out there.

His higness is right," said Emerald, "he filed me in on the details and it could really be a dangerous experience out there. You will have to be careful... remember Ruby, I could not bear anything like it happening again, if one of you were to...

Hey, cut it Emerald!" Shouted Topaz. "This is exactly what we were looking for. A real adventure! And it sounds like it is gonna be the best adventure we'll be going on! After all, there is no real adventure without the danger that comes with it!

Yeah I could not agree more with Topaz!" Said Garnet. "You don't have to be worrying for us all the time Emerald, we can very well take care of ourselves. And you need to stop feeling guilty for what happened to Ruby. It wasn't the fault of anyone here. We always wanted to go on a real adventure and this is our chance! We have been trained for this, we'll be safe! All of us together, we can conquer any smelly island out there!"

Prince Obsidian laughed heartily at the younglings enthusiasm. "- Alright then, just keep in mind the danger is real. But I have no doubts you are well suited for the task. I would trust Emerald with my life, and so I do with you two."

And on this the Sable Rose kept on sailing towards its destination, which it reached on the next day. The route to the island went rather well, with nothing unexpected occuring. From the ship, the island looked just like any regular island, nothing out of the ordinary, apart from it being rather large. The Sable Rose set anchor near the island and Obsidian's guards disembarked, followed by the prince and the three young friends. A part of the crew stayed on the ship to make sure everything would be in order during the prince's absence. 

"- So, we're finally here," said Garnet, "but what are we to do now?

Well," replied the prince, "the island has changed a lot since I have last been there. In fact, it is not the same... at all. As I said this is no ordinary place. Its existence doesn't follow the laws of physics. It exists as it intends to and it feeds on how we imagine it to be, and that is why it is dangerous. What we need to do is find its source, find out why it is reacting that way and what is causing it. We need to find the heart of the island, what is calling out to us in order to exist. Right now, I'm afraid we cannot do aught more than just  move forward..."

And so they wandered the island for a while. It did not look much different from the Diamond Forest; all they had seen so far were trees, as they were following a trail in the middle of a thick woods. No sign of those mysterious salt-drinkers, or anything living for that matter. They kept walking the path until they reached a flowery meadow. It was full of bright, radiant flowers unlike any they had seen before.

"- Wow..." said Topaz in awe. "These are so beautiful... I've never seen anything of the sort...

Neither have I," said Garnet in a mellow tone, as if she was completely hypnotised. 

"- Such beauty..." added Emerald in the same tone of voice. It was as if the three of them, and the guards as well, were all mesmerised and overwhelmed by these flowers. They all started moving towards them, except for Obsidian, who started shouting.

"- STOP!" he said. "Do not touch those flowers!"

He barely had time to complete his sentence that something started moving amidst the flowers. At first, they could not make out the shape that emerged from the flowers and that was moving towards them, but it slowly started to take the form of a woman. A beautiful woman, wearing a dress of flowers, almost looking like a flower herself. Everyone was still hypnotised, apart from Obsidian who didn't seem the least affected by the enchantment or whatever it was. 

"- Welcome, my children" said the woman to the group, in an ethereal, almost surreal voice. "Welcome to paradise. Would you like to sit amidst my gardens and relish in the scent of my heavenly flowers? Come with me, come taste the nectar of the gods and live the life of perfection."

And as she said, everyone apart from the prince started moving towards the flowers. The strange woman turned to Obsidian.

"What is the matter my child? You do not want to get your taste of heaven? Follow your friends, for they know what is right to do.

I won't fall for it!" Replied Obsidian. "I know what you are up to, witch! I know what this island can do to the mind. I have lost a friend to its power, and I won't be fooled that easily. You witch will pay for what you did and what you are attempting to do to my friends. Let them go or you will feel my wrath!

Let them go? Why would I do such a thing? I am not even holding them, they moved to my garden of their own will. They are free to go if such is their desire. I know naught of what you are talking about, my child, but I bear no ill will towards any of you. Now follow your friends and taste the fruit of heaven. 

I will not, I stand by my claim!

Fair enough my child, but know you would be safe in here. The rest of the world is a dangerous place. This paradise here is where you should stay, forever. If it is what your heart desires, then go back to the outside world, full of dangers and of death; I shall not stop you. But I think not your friends will follow you; have a glance at them."

As Obsidian looked towards the meadow, he saw everyone from the company lying in the flower beds, empty looks and gigantic smiles on their faces. They were completely hypnotised, it was easy to see. He realised he was the only one still having control of his senses. 

***

"- Oh cut it with the fairy tale already!", shouted the prosecutor in an angry tone. "We are all wasting our time here!

I said no one was to interrupt the defendant until she was done stating her testimony." Said the judge, obviously annoyed.

Yes your honour, I remember you saying, but please hear reason, this trial is a travesty!It's an utter waste of time, nothing more. This fairy tale is irrelevant to the case and won't change anything about the defendant's obvious guilt. I demand that this preposterous testimony be ended now!

- We will consider it but for now, we need to hear the rest. Ms Forester, please go on."

TO BE CONTINUED...

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(C) Copyright 2015 Hope Alexander aka David Giroux for the text