Seth's Mess 8- Sigismund Hospitality

Day 81


I awoke to a pitch black room. There was silence all around except for the tick of the clock. I gently sat up, careful not to stir the bed too much and uncovered my legs only to feel the cool air rush upon them. The floor itself was not as chill as I had expected as I moved across the room. My hands were laid out in front of me to keep myself from running into anything until I made it to the doorway of the kitchen.2

Once on the tile, I headed straight forward remembering the stove light. It glowed just enough to let me read the clock without shining in on the bedroom. 5:46pm. 3

The meeting would start in just over an hour. 4

"Seth." I kneeled back onto the bed to jostle his shoulder. "The meeting is going to start in an hour." I waited for a response before heading into the bathroom.5

While preparing for a shower I contemplated the time that we had slept. Supposing the the combination of the draining nature of the night before and the early hour that I had gotten up at, it figured in for good catch-up sleep.6

After I was done showering I started to dry off. In hopes that there might be any extra clothes in the room, I wrapped myself in a towel and opened the door. 7

Seth was right outside and greated me whole heartedly with his eyes. A step closer and he pushed me back into the door frame. His mouth on mine overthrew every fraction of a thought that that moment held. It was just as his hand began to sweep up the edge of the towel that a knock echoed off of the door.8

We parted simultaneously. I had thrown my body back into the bathroom while Seth headed for the door. I could hear him check the identity of the messenger before opening up.9

"Just a reminder that you have a meeting with Dem in one hour."10

"Thank you." I could hear Seth dreading the words as he spoke them. 11

The door closed with near silence and Seth appeared back at the doorway. I smiled and pushed passed him. "Is there any spare clothes in here?"12

Seth walked over to the bedside table. "These were brought in just after you got in." He was holding a change of clothes for me that I recognized from my own closet. Yeah, my deadbolt isn't doing much good. 13

I returned to the bathroom to dress, flushing a little as I relized that someone had rumaged through my underwear drawer as well; though I was greatful.14

When I walked back into the main room Seth was pulling a clean shirt over his head. After getting a moments oogling in, I worked to clear my head by searching the kitchen. Settling on coffee and an apple, I checked the clock to reassure that we would have enough time to make a prompt arrival.15

"There is a little something in the fridge for you too." I told Seth as he eyed my coffee.16

"Thanks." The door was open before I had even finished.17

The walk down to the confrence room was much different from the night before. The halls were scattered with small crowds or the occasional passerby whom I guessed were more than likely of nonhuman nature. The eyes of the strangers grazed over Seth and me without hesitation causing Seth's grip on me to tighten every so often. It wasn't long before we were just outside the doors. A different man had replaced Todd to stand at the doors beside Jason just where they had the previous night.18

"Go ahead on in." The other man gestured to the door as he spoke. I let Seth lead as usual during these situations.19

Upon entering, Dem stood. "Welcome back. Please, sit." My seat from the night before was still available along with the chair beside it. Someone’s been bumped across the table. In fact, I recognized my neighbor from the night before, a tall blonde man, sitting just across from me. He didn’t seem too pleased to be in a new seat.20

Seth sat between Dem and I, once again placing me next to the stranger; this time a middle aged woman with black hair. Seth gave a nod to Dem before sitting next to me and taking my hand beneath the table.21

“Now that everyone has arrived, we may begin with a recap of last night’s events.” Dem gestured to Seth and I. “Mr. Riphe and Miss DeLane have accepted our hospitality and are going to be staying with us while we help them adjust to their new lives.” Rustling of papers. “Tonight we will start by discussing our agendas and see where we go from there.”22

At this, Cor stood at Dem’s side to take a stack of papers and start distributing them around the long table. Some part of me could not be satisfied with her role as the Head Honcho’s secretary. As she passed the pages forward to Seth and I though, a change in her from the last time I had seen her was all but hidden. There was something about her presence that had me baffled.23

“Thank you.”24

“You’re welcome.”25

Dem took his seat after Cor had finished her rounds and pulled up a sheet for himself. He turned to Seth and I before speaking. “Because our organization is a very trusting one, we like to all help each other out and know where everyone is. Not to say that we don’t have levels of authority and such, but to a degree, we are all equals here. We all take the same responsibilities.26

“Since it is Sunday, a schedule has been drawn up with the following weeks events, duties and announcements, along with any advertisements for help on any given project.” Dem smiled to the table. “After all, this is a community.” A small laughter resonated from down the table. “Go ahead and take a look.”27

With the given opportunity, I skimmed the sheet filled with pleas for shift swaps, postings of community meetings, help wanted listings for in house jobs, group sessions, and so on. For the most part, everything here seemed almost eerily normal.28

“Now,” Dem broke the silence with a more serious tone. “These sheets will be placed in numerous wall boxes for the public to obtain within about an hour if we are content with its contents and we have nothing to add ourselves. We have welcomed you here to this section of our meeting to introduce you to the concept and opportunities presented with these sheets for they will soon be very informational to you yourselves.” Dem looked down the table to all of those sitting in his presence. “This is also a great opportunity for you two to see our working methods. After this meeting tonight this room will be for the most part off limits to you for it is reserved for high official meetings. Those you see here tonight are considered the only people with access.” I took another long glance at each face of the officials as they studied me back. “Now,” A new lightness was present in Dem’s voice. “Let us get through this business so that we can move on.”29

For the first time, I heard from most the officials within the room as an abundant chatter was voiced in reference to what was posted on the informational sheets that lay before us.30

During the commotion, I took Seth’s hand slightly tighter and met his gaze. He had been listening intently to the meeting, but I had felt the need for him to recognize me once again from within that room.31

He smiled shyly before returning to the conversation at hand.32

Soon enough, the community sheet was flushed out and Cor circled once again to collect the unwanted papers. I kept mine.33

“Finally,” Dem signed. “Miss DeLane, I can only hope that that was not too boring for you.”34

“Oh, of course not. And please, call me Kailey.” I smiled embracing the chance to become more and more acquainted with the man that would be holding a lot of power over Seth’s life and mine.35

Dem looked from me to Seth and back. “Very well. I do see that we should press on though to finalize our plans with your stays.”36

I hadn’t thought of it before then, but the fact that school had crept back upon me was quite unsettling. “Yes, I would agree that we have a bit to smooth out.” Seth and I exchanged a glance that I could have done without. It made every new minute reek of ‘Goodbye.’ 37

“I sense that you will indeed be leaving us very soon.”38

“Yes, I will need to either late tonight or early in the morning.”39

Dem smiled grandly. “As you might have guessed, it would have to be quite early in the morning.”40

“Yes, I suppose so. Whatever is more convenient for my ride will be fine with me.” I prayed that I wouldn’t have to leave Seth until the latest possible moment though I knew it was going to wreck my body once I reached school.41

Dem looked down at a list and then up to the doorway. “Jason, because of your previous involvement with Miss DeLane, excuse me, Kailey,” Dem glanced at me before continuing. “Would you mind terribly giving her a ride when she pleases?”42

Seth stirred at the suggestion until I gripped his hand. He gave a glance down to my fingers trying to calm his as Jason confirmed that he would escort me. I could feel Seth’s strain in holding back as he looked up towards my chauffeur. Don’t kill anyone while I’m gone please.43

“Thank you very much.” I waited to hear what other scheduling Dem might want to make with me.44

He seemed to be contemplating the same as he looked back through his files. “Would you be able to make it back to this residence tomorrow night at eight o’clock?”45

“Yes, with a ride that would be fine with me.”46

“I would like you to see what kind of progress Seth will be making while you are gone. That is assuming that you will not be staying here as often as either of us would prefer.” Dem collected all of his files together before shifting in his chair. “Now, Seth. Let us schedule what sessions you will be attending tomorrow.” 47

Seth straightened up and nodded for Dem to continue. “I would like you to begin Introductory Movement, Dietry, and a therapeutic session.”48

“I’m sorry, are these like classes?” I guess Seth might graduate after all.49

Dem laughed. “In a way yes. The only reason we as a society have been able to survive for so many centuries is our knowledge of our own bodies and limits just as the hume world has knowledge of theirs.” Dem shifted once again. “We require that all those newly converted familiarize themselves with certain knowledge before they are allowed to leave the premises. This is what the second sheet that you had to read last night was referring to.”50

“Right.” Seth agreed to the times he would show to certain rooms in the House for his sessions. I was to show at the end of Seth’s Movement Intro and have a short session with Seth’s therapist. Then we could be free for an hour visit where I would leave at the end. Though an hour seemed like nothing compared to the time I had been spending with Seth, I was thankful.51

“I’m glad that our talk has gone so well, but unfortunately, we now need to hold a slightly more confidential meeting, so I will ask you to feel free to familiarize yourselves with the premises and have a good night.”52

Saying our goodbyes, Seth and I passed Jason and an unfamiliar face out to the halls. 53

That went well.54

The hall back from the conference room was for the most part deserted while the rest of the building had still maintained its residential clutter.55

“So,” I tried to walk as casually as I could knowing that I was encased by a surrounding of intimidation. “Should we check out the rest of the house?” 56

“I could give you a tour, if you like.” A voice from behind me interrupted before Seth could respond.57

I turned to face a girl who appeared slightly older than me, though I was most likely wrong in my estimate. She had long blonde hair and dark blue eyes much similar to mine. Surprisingly, her playful smile seemed much more genuine than any of the others that had graced me so far during my stay.58

Suddenly, her hand was outstretched towards me. “My name is Ashe.” 59

Surprised that she was both so forward and that she had approached me before Seth I fumbled to introduce myself. “Kailey.” I shook her hand doing my best to ignore the chill she sent through me.60

Ashe turned to Seth. “I’m Seth.” He spoke hesitantly though she seemed trustworthy to me. 61

Appearing to have taken out introductions as a ‘Yes’ to the tour, Ashe began to steer us down the next corridor. “This section of the building contains the offices and board rooms as well as the therapeutic offices and the library. This is it here.” It was extravagant to a new extreme with self upon shelf and a large abundance of desktop computers.62

“Upstairs are the living quarters as you may have already noticed.” We were back in the halls when Ashe turned to us. “Is this your first night here?”63

“No, we stayed last night.” I had spoken for us and in that found myself blushing at the implication between Seth’s and my relationship I had made.64

Ashe ignored the notion and moved forward. “There is also a level below this one that contains all of our practice and classrooms.” Ashe stepped in front of Seth. “You will be spending quite a bit of your next few days underground my friend.” A smile was planted on her face as Ashe spoke, but there was something incredibly mocking about what she was implying.65

“That pretty much concludes the inside considering that there is nothing interesting upstairs and the lower level is off limits without a session.” Ashe looked longingly outside. “I would show you the pool house, but it’s raining, so you guys can go on ahead if you’ve never seen a pool before.”66

“Thanks a lot.” I shook Ashe’s hand in goodbye.67

She smiled at the gesture. “You need help around here, you just call me okay?” And then she took off back the way that we had come.68

Standing in the main entrance, I looked up at Seth. He was already meeting my gaze and in one slow, fluid movement he took my hand in his to pull me closer. “I’m going to be scared without you.”69

I closed my eyes breathing his scent in as I suppressed the urge to cry out. Be strong for me. You are strong.70

“It’s nice to have you in my sight for once.” Jason sped up as the car reached the main road.71

“Don’t let Seth hear you say that.” I chuckled as the guilt of spreading the distance between us only strengthened. Luckily, there was no awkwardness between Jason and I from the look he had given me the previous night. 72

Jason turned a road closer and chanced a glance at me. “Are you guys real serious?” 73

Okay, maybe there was a little uneasiness. But I wasn’t about to lie about my relationship. “Honestly, I’m not sure.”74

“Really?” Jason dragged the word out suggesting that this thought was far from spoken.75

“Like I said, be careful what you say around Seth.”76

Jason scoffed. And I left it at that. I really wasn’t sure what Seth and I had, and the truth was I needed to.77

“So, are you going to get out… or are you coming back with me?” I shut the door probably a little harder than I should have, but the fact the car didn’t pull away until I was inside was what I assumed to be a good sign.78

My house seemed almost unfamiliar to me as flipped on the lights. With three hours until I would have to get up I decided that checking the answering machine was all that I had time for tonight. As soon as I heard my mother’s voice though, I regretted my decision. 79

“Kailey, it’s Mom. You never called me. Call me when you can. Love you.”80

“Kailey, it’s Mom again. Call me.”81

The rest I took down for my mom and then erased them.82

In my room, I contemplated getting my bag together before sleeping as I set my alarm clock, but it could wait until morning. Everything could wait.