38 Dinner? (1/2)

Michael only kept smiling as they stumbled down the creaking stairs. It was lit up by some candles which were hung on the descending wall. Altough it was not much, it still helped ease ones worries. Allowing some mild comfort to be generated when traversed towards the bottom.

Firnell didn't even seem to look where she stepped. Only accelerating further the nearer the end they came. Her tripping foot steps became louder and louder as she continued without stop. This girl really knew each step like the inside of her pocket.

As they both took their last steps onto the aged wooden floor, barely lit by the candles, Michael once more found himself pulled away. While being dragged, he tried looking around in the new environment. Slowly finding himself in a sort of passage illuminated by the same kind of light previously found. However, luckily, the deeper in you went, the more visible it would get. Thanks to this, the outlining of the room would be easier to absorb, alongside a bunch of paintings.

Although he saw all the paintings hanging there, only a few were properly seen before Firnell put more force into pulling him along. She probably didn't want him to see them.

There were two of these paintings that were able to catch his attention. The first one was an image of some sort of giant black cat eating a bowl of sand. The lines making up its face were drawn weirdly, making it look like the cat was smiling. The other thing was....It's blue eyes, who always seem to follow his movement. After walking further away from it, Michael noticed that since their eyes could not link, the head began to bend in his direction. Not wanting to let his figure go.

The last painting he was able to properly register before Firnell stretched her small hand towards the door knob, was an an image of some young woman being sacrified to a humanoid cow. The woman was tied to a alter of sorts, smiling at the cow who held a fork and knife in each hoof. However, the cow did not look down at her, instead intently following the last steps of Michael before he exited the corridor.

Firnell finally dragged him through the door, and they were now standing in a fancy dining hall.

There was a long and beautiful table, only ever seen used in a fancy banquet which stretched itself infinitely outwards. The well carved wood shone slightly as the lanters hanging from the roof locked every inch of it in place. Several white plates were lined up for every available seat. A long line of empty chairs and white plates stretched like a sort of road on each side. Were they having a dinner party of sorts?

He walked alongside Firnell towards the end, watching all the empty seats pass by, until finally finding three people on the other end.

The first was a tall bald man. He wore a black robe with some dark brown stripes vertically crossing over it. A heartfelt smile was resting beneath his glittering blue eyes and heavy wrinkles. This guy must be quite old, yet he still held a youthful aura.

Next to him was a blond haired lady. First thing you would notice would be her tight dark blue dress, displaying the subtle curves undernath. Working their magic onto any who passed. Easily enticing any man foolish enough to not remove his gaze in due time. A light set of make-up covered her exquisite facial features, helping to line out her green eyes with two black circles.

The last one was a girl looking a little like an older version of Firnell. They shared many of the same traits, only, she gave of a more womanly charm.

They both closed more and more in, making all three look in their direction. Noticing their daughter dragging poor Michael alongside her, the first one who chose to speak was the mother.

”My god, you sure are forceful when finding something you like, my dear.”

Changing her gaze from her daughter to Michael, a seductive smile bloomed on her face.

”And you must be sir Marss. My daughter tells me you have an affinity towards the element of gold. Is this right?”

Michael gave her a warm smile back. A sincere energy was emitted from it, successfully masking his thoughts.

'First thing she asks me about is the gold affinity?'

”Ah, yes. That is true. Well, I also have some other's, but they don't really matter that much.”

She graced the palm of her hand against her smooth white cheeks, appearing much more interested in him. Following every move he made.

However, before she had the opportunity to continue, the husband merely laughed at the scene. Waving his big hands towards them.

”You sure are in a hurry, dear. Let the children sit down first!”

Hearing her father speak made Firnell blush more. Silently sitting down on the opposite side of her parents and sister. Michael just follow suit, dragging out the chair next to her.

”I...I turned eighteen last month, father! P..Please stop calling me a child!”

Although shy, she looked back at the bald man with some resentment and unfairness.

He only smiled softly at her, quickly moving over to Michael, who his wife and eldest daughter were currently eyeing down.

His voice was deep, but held a hint of welcoming within. It helped ease his mind a little.

”Sir Marss. It is an honor to finally meet you.”

Michael nodded at him, tucking his fingers togheter while leaning both elbows on each side of the white plate before him.

”Likewise, sir....?”

”Haha, you may call me Branson. Or of course, father if you wish.”

Trying not to break the iron smile he currently had carved out, Michael let two different sets of thoughts run separately through his mind and mouth.

'What the hell?'