the (day)dream

my footsteps echoed as i walked over the hardwood floor, across this expansive hall. though i don't recall having ever been here before, the place did not feel foreign to me. strangely even, i felt rather comfortable.

the floorboards were polished impeccably, reflecting the unlit brass chandelier overhead, framed by a spectacularly ornate ceiling that strangely, grew more and more ornate the longer i looked at it. gods and demigods dwelling on lofty hand-painted clouds glanced up at me, obscured by the glare of the flooding moonlight, their images competing with the floor's equally breath-taking marquetry. mythical creatures and flowers and vines intertwined underfoot, swimming in a convolution of colors and forms. they skimmed under the sheen of the floor, moving away to avoid my step, hiding behind veneered trees and retreating between the wood joints. i smiled at the thought of their behavior for surely, how could i cause harm to such enchanting (enchanted) work. i stopped and stood there for a moment and marveled at the details of my surrounds, these, the creations of a great, maniacal master.

a chair stood proudly on the far end of the room, facing the lone dormer window, overlooking into the sea. the night was clear; the moon hung low over the far horizon and its silvery light streaked the room with long, deformed shadows, like a rake dragged across its decorated floor. indeed, it felt like the room was screaming in agony. i walked over to this curious, lonely fixture, the sound of my footsteps again resounding in the cavernous hall. a cold breeze began to blow from the open window, followed by the sound of the crashing waves from the sea below. as i approached, i noticed that the chair was occupied. the man in a dark robe did not stir to look, nor even showed intentions of greeting me. i rested my hand on his shoulder, gave him a gentle pat and breathe a soft sigh.

"you always had a penchant for theatrics, and i have to say, i love your style..."

"i know you'd appreciate it. i thought this would be a nice distraction for you, you being bored with all that accounting that is."

"thank you. this will do. i hope you don't mind, i'll stay here with you for a while longer."

"no, not at all. take all the time in the world. this is all yours as much as it is mine anyways."