The Five Realms

The night sky was devoid of stars but the brilliance of the multicolored lights and glittering costumes of the participants in the parade more than made up for it. The streets were full of spectators young and old who were waving and shouting their encouragement at the performers. It was a spectacular sight to behold.

Thom, who was squeezed between Mel and Sav as they marched with the other participants, was having a blast. They had all arrived in time to join the tail end of the parade's line-up. Thom had worn the court dress. Outfitted all in black with his cloak hanging loosely and adorn with his charmed jewelry, he looked liked someone from another era, or realm. They all looked fantastically good and many a participant had complimented their group for being original, not knowing that their costumes were not costumes at all since they had put way their glamours for the evening. The 3-stooges had come as themselves, dressed in work clothes and bringing shovel and an axe as accessories. Savyn on the other hand came as an elven princess. She didn't have much to prepare since she was in fact an elf, and so was he. Her dress was her late mother's, and like Thom's costume was a court dress. Thom had been a little curious why she had been so excited for him to wear the costume Mel and she had provided him. He couldn't help but finally see that it was due to their costumes being a pair. His sister had always paid too much attention to the little details when it comes to partying and such, so he shouldn't be surprised now.

Speaking of surprises, it seems he had been given a lot of them today. The last one had been the most shocking. He sneaked a glance at his sister's pointed ears, a thing that still gives him wonderment. He unconsciously reached for his own ears, which were still humanly round since he still didn't know how to use illusion magic and could not cast his glamour aside like they did.

Thom had been astonished when he saw that his ears were pointed when he had looked in the mirror to check his appearance after dressing up. He had come running to Savyn's room really really freaked out until Sav calmed him down with an explanation and apology for having overlooked that matter. According to his sister, any minor citizen from the Realm of Mystic who has plans to live outside the mystic realm must be given a semi-permanent glamour by a council elder through a short but complicated ritual. This was so a rule decided by the Council of Mystic to prevent the child from being ostracised and discriminated because of his appearance, race and unique abilities, since not all people were privy of the existence of realms other than theirs. The glamour could only be cast aside or changed when the child himself does it with his own magic.

Thom was dumbfounded by this news. Never in his life would he have thought that he was actually an elf, one of the mystical creatures he was so fond of reading. He had chastised himself for not noticing how his sister's ears looked when he had gotten the necklace from Jake, although he couldn't really blame himself because he was at that time focused on other things and people.

Thom was pulled out of his thoughts as he felt a hand nudge him. Thom turned to the person who did it. It was Mel and he was pointing at a group of participants just a few meters away from them who were dressed as fairies. Thom gave a quick glance at them. They did looked good but not that good. Mel looked better.. In fact, Mel looked marvelous dressed only in a blue toga that fades into black at the hem line. He had a great physique and the shimmering silver body make up he had on made him look like a sculpted piece of art. Thom had actually gotten his wish to see fairy Mel in human size. His blue butterfly wings were magnificent. It appeared soft but it was actually made up of thousands of tiny scales which refracted light that created colors and patterns. It was a shame that Mel kept it tucked in for the most part, but it was grabbing too much attention when spread out so he had to.

“...Thom!” Mel was saying. “Have you spotted him yet?” Mel was referring to Nathan who did not go with them but but had promised to join them much later because there was some business he had to take care off first. Thom scanned the crowd. He saw Lyle, Sven and Jake talking to 3 other real looking dwarfs, a lot of humans in vampire, witch, alien and ghost costumes but no Nathan. He shook his head at Mel.

“Neither have I.” Sav added.

“O well, I'm sure we'll see each other at the masked ball.” Mel sighed and started pointing out people again and commenting on their apparel. A few moments later he perked up, looking quite excited.

“Is it Nathan?” Sav asked.

“No, but I think I saw a very good friend of mine.” Mel replied while pointing at an authentic looking angel in white coat tail wearing a top hat and cane. Mel's excitement caused him to open and flutter his multicolored butterfly wings, making quite a show and delighting the onlookers. His eyes widened even more when said man started walking toward them when he saw who was entertaining the crowd.

“Lemuel my dear, it's so nice to see you again.” The angel in coat tails cooed while lifting Mel from the ground in a rib crunching hug.

Thom and Sav's eyes bulged for a few seconds in surprise as they looked at each other and silently mouthed 'Lemuel,' a grimace mirrored on both their faces. This was the first time they have heard someone call Mel that, or anyone for that matter. The name was so old fashioned it should have been banned!

“Ouch!...mind my wings and ribs, you old bird.” Mel was reprimanding the newcomer, trying to get out of his arms but with no success.

“Don't be like that dear Lemuel, or else I'll tell your darling Cinnead what a bad boy you have been.” The man was enjoying getting Mel riled up, his handsome face was split by a grin that showed strong white teeth contrasting with his tanned skin.

Thom took a second glance at the man. Something told him that he had seen this man before but he cannot remember where and when. The man stopped his antics when he realized he had an audience.

“What have we here?” Mel's tormentor said when he saw Mel's other companions. His blue-gray eyes blinked a few times when it rested finally on Thom. After a few seconds it widened in recognition.

“If it isn't Mr. Erickson. You've changed boy. I hardly recognized you.”

Thom gave the angel a puzzled look. He still cannot remember where he saw the winged man before although now it was confirmed that they have indeed met in the past. They both quietly eyed each other for a moment until Mel broke the silence.

“We need to talk.” Mel said to the stranger, his eyes piercing him with meaning. After giving hasty introductions he grabbed Samandiriel's hand (for that was the angel's name) and dragged him to the sidelines.

“Sorry about this, but I really need to have a chat with Sam here.” Mel was shouting. “Meet us at the Bar Shee after the parade! Sav, you know the way.” He gave one last wave as they faded into the crowd.