TW: I’m pretty sure nothing in this is a trigger, comment if I’m wrong – I know triggers are subjective and I’m just doing my best to give people a head’s up. (Like, for instance, the movie Bring it On is a trigger for me for reasons I will not discuss so I don’t give myself a panic attack, but I know nobody’s ever going to TW that, so it’s whatever. But I try to be considerate. Thank you for attending my Ted Talk.)

……………………….

Nausea.

The smell of sweet lavender and quiet voices in a dim room.

“I know, but humans like it,” someone said. “It’s supposed to be calming.”

“I don’t think I can take it much longer,” a squeaky voice responded.

“You don’t have to stay, I can come get you when she’s awake.”

“He said at all times.”

“I’ll stay.”

“Just turn it off!”

The two voices bickered for a while as Rosie groggily came to her senses. She tuned them out as she took stock of her situation. She was in a cloud-soft canopy bed done up in red and gold brocade with gold tassels dripping from the edges of the draped cloth. She wiggled her fingers and toes and found everything to be in order, so she sat up and looked around. Elegant, polished, dark wood furniture filled out the room – a large wardrobe, a side table with curved legs, a desk up against a curtained window. The voices were coming from just outside the bedroom, out of sight. Rosie scooted out of the tall bed, noticing with relief that she was still fully clothed, and finding her shoes neatly placed at the foot of the bed.

Her memories were a little jumbled, but she did know that she ought to be in Hell. It looked like a luxury hotel, though. There was a small silver box on the table next to the bed that was spurting steam and seemed to be the source of the lavender smell. She poked buttons until it turned off, then put on her shoes and took a few timid steps toward the door.

“Hello?” she said softly.

The people were still arguing and did not seem to have heard her. She went all the way to the door, which was open halfway. It was thick and wooden and matched the furniture nicely.

She caught sight of the source of the voices. The larger one was about her height, and human-shaped, but with dark, slate gray skin. He had a shaggy mass of black hair on his head, and 2 short turquoise horns just below his hairline on his forehead. He had no wings, but did have a long, flexible tail that was currently lashing back and forth in annoyance. He was dressed in a black tunic that was tied at the waist with a pale blue belt, and baggy black pants. No shoes; just gray, clawed feet. His eyes were solid turquoise, glossy and flecked with silver.

The other voice came from what looked like a sparkling green doll that was hovering in the air a foot from the gray man’s face. Their wings buzzed lightly in the air, a blur of iridescence. They couldn’t have been more than 8 inches tall, and Rosie couldn’t make out any details of their appearance from where she stood.

“Hello,” she said again, louder. The two stopped bickering mid-sentence, the gray one jumping slightly in surprise, and the green one dropping in altitude about a few inches before recovering and zipping back up to eye level.

“Miss Everley!” the big one said with a wide smile. His teeth were bright white and wickedly sharp. “You are awake!”

The little one zipped closer to her, and she could make out long yellow hair, tied back in a braid.

“How are you feeling?” they asked her.

“Um…” Rosie felt as if she was staring rudely, but didn’t know what else to do. She fell back on her usual strategy and smiled brightly at the odd pair. “I’m fine, thank you! I’m so sorry to be a bother.”

“No bother at all, Miss Everley,” the gray man said, his deep voice silky smooth. “We are so sorry the portal was difficult for you, that was quite unusual. Would you like to sit? Can I get you something to drink?”

“Ah, maybe,” Rosie said, “but I do have some questions.”

“Of course you do – we haven’t even introduced ourselves,” the little one said. They fluttered just a bit closer, to where Rosie could make out dark green eyes that stood out from pale sage skin. “My name is Zete Binnelle Thette, and I am your personal assistant while you are in Brulla.”

The gray man swept forward with a few liquid steps, his tail curling and undulating behind him as if it had a mind of its own. “I am Droya Kirnah Ataskielle Shomme,” he said with a deep purr, “I am your driver and bodyguard.”

Oh, Rosie thought. They must have been at the portal to pick me up, and then… She felt her face getting warm as she realized that she must have passed out right in front of them. So embarrassing. Not a good impression at all.

“Ah,” Rosie stammered out, “um, I’m going to be completely honest, I’m bad with names, so please don’t be offended if I ask you to repeat that later. And please, just call me Rosie.” She finished with a mostly convincing smile as her face got redder and redder.

The gray one laughed a low chuckle. “It’s no offense,” he said. “Please call me Droya.” He took a step closer to Rosie, brushing past his green co-worker, and tilted his head at her. Rosie’s breath caught in her throat at how close he was. His presence felt obtrusive somehow. He was strange looking, but she couldn’t help but think he was handsome, too. The silver flecks in his turquoise eyes seemed to flash as he peered at her.

“I did not know humans changed colors,” he said. “How interesting.”

Rosie swallowed and averted her eyes, looking at her… personal assistant? Was this normal for a job interview? To have a bodyguard and a personal assistant?

“How long was I, uh…?” she tried to ask.

“Oh, you’ve been sleeping for three years,” Droya said, still watching her face with curiosity.

Rosie’s smile fell and her eyes flew open wide.

“Hours, Droya. Hours,” said the small one, zipping over to him and swatting his pointed ear.

“Oh, yes, hours,” Droya said, frowning and rubbing his ear. “I am still learning English,” he explained with a toothy grin.

Rosie sighed in relief. “Thank you, uh…”

“Zete,” said the green one. “Please call me Zete. If you are comfortable being on a first-name basis, I am as well.”

Rosie nodded. “Thank you, Zete. Um, if the offer still stands, I’d love a glass of water.”

“Water coming!” Droya said, springing into action and sauntering away with his tail swishing after him.

Rosie was still standing in the doorway awkwardly, she realized. She walked into the other room, aiming for a plush red velvet sofa. She looked around the decadent living room with awe. She’d never seen anything fancier. Was she even allowed to sit on the sofa? It looked brand new! Everything looked new. The low coffee table didn’t have a scratch on it, nor a speck of dust. The upholstery on the sofa was spotless, the heavy drapes on the picture window were pristine. The carpet even seemed too good to walk on. She felt so entirely out of place.

Droya returned with a glass of cold water, and Rosie accepted it gratefully, perching uncertainly on the edge of the sofa.

“I’m supposed to check into my hotel, I think it’s the Cainella?” she said, and took a sip.

“Oh,” Droya said, plopping down and lounging on an oversized chair across from the sofa. “No, you’re already here. This is your suite.”

“We took the liberty of checking you in after the medical team at the gate cleared you,” Zete said, landing gracefully on the sofa’s arm next to Rosie. Their wings stilled, and she couldn’t help but stare at the lacy iridescent gauze they became when not in frenetic motion. This really was a fairy!

“Wait, what?” Rosie said, almost dropping her glass, realizing what they had said.

“This is the Cainella House,” Droya repeated. “We will all be staying here while you are in Brulla.” He grinned, leaning forward. “Separate beds, of course; unless you would prefer otherwise.”

Zete took off and rocketed at Droya’s head, bouncing off him in one quick motion and returning to their perch on the sofa.

“Inappropriate,” they chided as Droya rubbed his head and glared at the fairy.

“I apologize,” Droya said to Rosie, losing the glare and frowning contritely. “As Zete said earlier, I am still learning, English and human practices. I hope I have not offended you.”

Rosie froze up for a moment, then slapped on her customer service smile and chirped, “No worries, I’m sure I’ll need help learning how to behave properly here, too. Maybe we can help each other?”

A sparkle lit Droya’s eyes and his frown softened to a smile.

“I am at your service,” Droya said. “Any questions, I will answer.”

Rosie nodded sweetly. “And same to you; I’d be glad to help you learn more about humans.”

“Miss Rosie,” Zete started to speak.

“Just Rosie,” she interrupted.

“Rosie,” they started again, nodding, “Are you hungry? I can have something delivered.”

Rosie hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and then only a banana and a glass of juice because she was so nervous.

“Yes,” she said, “I’m starving.”

Droya hissed quietly and Zete’s wings beat a few times in a nervous gesture.

“Have you read the pamphlet they gave you at the gates?” Zete asked.

Rosie stared at him in confusion. What had happened? Had she said something wrong?

“How about this,” Droya said, hopping up. “We will give you some privacy to settle in and read the information, and food will arrive shortly, then we talk more.”

“That may be for the best,” Zete said reluctantly.

“Ah, okay,” Rosie said. They both flinched again. Rosie felt her embarrassed blush returning rapidly.

Zete fluttered up close to her face, and she could see a slim, graceful figure wearing a pale cream blazer over a light blue button-down shirt and khaki slacks. Even with this professional outfit, though, just like Droya, they wore no shoes. Except for the wings, size, and green skin, they seemed fairly human shaped. Rosie couldn’t quite make out the details of their eyes, but she was curious.

“Is the color change a response to distress?” Zete asked softly.

Rosie just nodded.

Zete nodded back, their face solemn. “I thought as much. There is no need to be distressed, I assure you” they said. “We are here only to help you. Please let me know immediately if Droya steps out of line, I will not accept ignorance as an excuse for rude behavior.”

Rosie nodded again. “Thanks,” she said.

Zete nodded once, more like a small bow, and said “I will order food, please feel free to shower or bathe if you would like, we will give you some privacy now that you are safe and awake. If you need assistance, just call out, we will be nearby. And please read the pamphlet.”

Droya opened a door and stepped into another room, and Zete zipped to the top of the high ceiling, disappearing through a round opening in the crown molding.

Rosie sat still in the quiet room for a moment, trying to process everything. It was a logjam. Her brain did not want to successfully brain.

She shook her head and stood up from the sofa. Maybe a shower was a good idea. After a quick glance in the bedroom, she found her bag, and a door to the bathroom. It was as decadent as she expected, and as big as her apartment back home. The soaps were high-end brand names that she recognized, which meant they were even more expensive because they had been imported from Earth.

A growing sense of dread was creeping up on her. Who exactly did they think she was? This was a job interview, and so far it was the most she’d ever been pampered in her life. Wasn’t she supposed to be the one trying to impress them? And while she could imagine that it would be helpful to have someone to take her from Place A to Place B and guide her in a strange new land… A bodyguard and a personal assistant? Wasn’t that all a bit… much? Wasn’t this all a bit much?

She turned on the shower, and the rainfall shower head lit up with a soft blue light as the water emerged already hot, and the sounds of a gentle thunderstorm came from hidden speakers.

She sighed in irritation. They are going to be pretty disappointed with me, she thought. Whatever they’re expecting… I can’t possibly be it.

She begrudgingly took the best shower of her life, then lounged in a plush towel on the softest bed in the world while she dug through her backpack for the pamphlet.

Let’s see what the fuss is about.