"Welcome to the Flowery Tower!"
Ode proclaims to Thames as the mighty tower doors swing open. A floral scent spreads from within the tower and Ode twists around towards it.
"These're your first steps into magic!"
Ode marches into the tower while Thames continues to look around outside. His mouth agape at the sight of the ginormous flowers making the surroundings.
"…Ah..! Yes! Coming Ode!"
Thames quickly jogs with his suitcase in tow.
Entering the tower, Thames instantly sees that the inner walls are dotted in overgrown vines sprouting strange flowers. Thames finally catches up to Ode who had come to a halt.
In front of the duo lies a levitating marble staircase, but between them stands a woman.
"Evenin' Rubes!"
Ode nods towards the woman dressed in a long black dress, sequins flowing down either side of her dress. Her tight, black curls fall down to just above her shoulders. The soft blue light of the tower pulsates off her dark skin. Rubes' purplish green eyes twinkle as she glances at Thames then back at Ode.
"Good evening, Magician Ode."
She nods back at him then focuses on Thames.
"Who have you brought with you?"
She asks with a certain authority dripping from her deeper tone.
"Thames! He's a painter."
Ode cheerfully bounces back with, Thames' focus switching between the two.
"So are magicians permitted to just bring anyone to a tower?"
"Errr.. No..! But he's one of my people now!"
"Oh? Is he now? Why is Thames accompanying you now? Does he even know what that means?"
"What does it-" Thames goes to ask, but is quickly cut off.
"'Course he knows what it means! Told him the whole business."
"Hm. Then he will be your responsibility, Ode."
Rubes turns towards the staircase and begins climbing up.
"How long will you be staying, Ode and Thames?"
Thames watches Ode follow after Rubes, then shortly joins them.
"Is a day fine with ya?"
Ode asks after a few moments of thinking.
"It will work. As you know, you are always welcome to settle down at a tower."
"Mhmmm.. Two seperate rooms for us though."
Thames just nods as they reach the end of the stairs. The walls are still covered in flowery vines, but the marble floor of this level has paintings.
It depicts various pretty flowers from brilliant purples to nearly blinding yellows. Thames seems to focus greatly on this, but Ode and Rubes continue down the corridor.
The path is illuminated by glowing orbs imbedded in the viney walls. The two mages leading Thames stop in front of a white wooden door with a crescent moon etched onto it.
"You will stay here, Ode."
"Mmm.. Alright."
Ode opens the door and walks into his room, closing the door behind him softly, and leaving Rubes and Thames in the corridor.
"So how much did he really tell you?"
Rubes asks while turning sharply at Thames, pointing a collapsed fan at him.
"Er.. He has told me that I could see the sea if I followed him.. And that I would see pretty skies made from magic. Though I suppose I've seen the latter now."
He adds recalling the scenery outside the tower.
"So he has told you nothing !"
Rubes turns back around and continues walking down the corridor.
"How much do you know about magic, Thames?"
"…Nothing.."
He says with a sigh.
"Then it will be best if Ode allows you to experience it yourself I suppose. At your age mere words would do nothing."
She says dryly as she stops in front of a door. It's painted with purple and black swirls, similar to the void he had been swallowed by in his dreams. At the top of the door is an etched on vortex symbol.
"This is your room. Do your best to not grow too attached."
She says sternly. Thames nods and heads to open the door.
"Thank you, Miss Rubes."
He says with a faint smile before opening the door and entering his room.
Rubes just nods while watching him enter the room. He closes the door promptly.
The room itself is quite large, much larger than his room at his workshop at least.
There's a full sized bed at the center draped in silk sheets. To either side of the bed is a nightstand. Immediately to the right of the door is a desk with a leather chair, similar to the one he had at home, but this one lacks a mirror on top.
The desk has an inkwell and quill on it already, and has two drawers on the right side. Thames slides his finger over the wooden desk, and blows the dust from it. This room clearly hasn't been used recently.
On the right wall there's a silver mirror propped up, at the top is a small violet gem.
Fancy…
He goes to examine his appearance in the mirror.
Thames untucks his off white collared shirt and fully unbuttons it, revealing the white undershirt. He takes off the dress shirt and puts it around the leather desk chair.
Mages sure live well..
He notes to himself while feeling the silk bedsheets. They're a fine quality, similar to the ones he felt back in Prolton. They're a royal purple color.
Unbuttoning his pants, he quickly hangs it on top of his dress shirt, and gets into bed. He feels the march of sleep call for him as his head hits the silk pillows.
What a long day…