| Chapter Three A golden cascade began to flood over the land. The native inhabitants of the forest began to bestir themselves out of slumber. The morning inhaled and exhaled with dewy floral scents, wafting around in the fickle currents. Like a stealthy ninja, the sunlight silently crept into the shadows, banishing them. It crept into windows and around various nooks and crannies. Finally, it began to creep over edge of a plush couch, deftly illuminating a being, reclining on it. The saffron hue turned the dark skin of the man into a glowing phantom. Black talons glinted in the early morning light. The clothes, rumpled from being held in one position for the whole night, whispered as the figure began to rouse itself. Long, sinewy arms stretched out above his head. Long, lean and toned legs stretched and the toes pointed, to lengthen the muscle and get the kinks out. Finally the back arched and the neck curved back, popping various bones back into alignment. Emerald lids slid back to reveal slightly dazed garnets. A pair of thin, curving lips retreated, baring vulpine teeth in a yawn. Finally, with fluid feline grace the figure slid off the couch and stood upright, waking up.Piccolo stood in the middle of his living room, surveying the mess. He sighed. It was only on theanniversary of the day when his beloved left him, did he get this down. Normally he tried to ignore it orpush it down into the depths of his heart to forget it. But, like a persistent weed, it continues to growand cause cracks in his heart. Shaking his head, he glided to the kitchen to pick up the broom and dustpan. He deftly ridded the floor of the slivers of glass.Then he returned the tools to their proper place after disposing of the glass. He surveyed himself and walked to the bathroom to take a shower. He turned on the hot water tap, getting the water warm enough. Stripping efficiently and quickly, he dove into the shower stall, trying to escape the chill morning air, for the heater had not clicked on yet. He sighed in pleasure, as the warm water caressed his skin. He lathered up the bath sponge and leisurely soaped himself up. Piccolo was an extremely clean person; he preferred neatness over chaos. He was beginning to rinse himself off, when his doorbell rang. Cussing, he turned off the hot water, quickly drying his lower torso off and putting on a pair of worn denim jeans that emphasized the curve of his hips and toned legs. "What in the seven circles of hell, would anyone be doing out this time in the morning?" he growled. He flew to the door, intending on giving the offending party a piece of his mind. He yanked open the door and... There was no one there. The morning sun reflected off the remaining water droplets on his back, arms and face, causing his skin to appear to be studded with millions of minute diamonds. He swiveled his head back and forth in confusion. Suddenly on a whim, he looked down. A bouquet of a dozen crimson roses with baby's breath and carnations sat innocently on the cold doorstep. He quirked his head to the side and picked up the vase. A rose petal drifted out of the tangle. A slender green hand caught it, the color contrasting beautifully against each other. He placed it back with its fellows and ruffled through the greenery. Finally he found his goal. The card was held erect by a plastic stand. There was no name on the envelope. //It is probably to some one else and the deliveryman got the wrong address. No one ever sends me anything. // he mused, confusion plain. Still, he was curious. So he opened the envelope and pulled out he cream colored card. Ebony writing claimed one side. He flipped it over and began to read. "To My emerald sylph. Your presence causes the sun to rise and the stars to shine in my soul. You are my only beloved. Sincerely, your admirer..." The script was typed calligraphy, and not unique. The fact that someone was watching him unnerved him somewhat. He scanned the surrounding environment. He saw nothing out of the ordinary. Tucking the vase in the crook of one lean arm and re-reading the card tomake sure he got it right, he re-entered the house, kicking the door shut. Meanwhile� The young man smiled as the bait was taken and now prepared to spring the trap. Back Next |