Thalia
Alter of the Light Chamber,
Created November twenty-eighth,
Two thousand and two
Chapter One
I remember I was given my identification slip and quickly led through the entrance doors to my chamber, the Light Chamber, a world of endless summer, ever shining days of sunlight and warm nights with gentle breezes and a sweet lullaby performed by unseen crickets. To humans it could easily be mistaken as a slice of heaven; however, an alter will know better – beyond those titanium entrance doors leads to the Alter Realm, swarming with horrible beasts that make nightmares seem lovely.
Speaking of humans, I then took a peek at my identification slip, gripping the thin receipt-like paper between both thumbs and index fingers. Not yet assigned. That means I would be staying here, in my chamber of Light with all the other unassigned alters until I am given a human. I was eager to be assigned. The Human Realm seems fantastical with its wonders, diversities, dangers, and, of course, the humans. At that time I could only wonder how long it will take – I hoped not too long…
I paused a moment to look around. All beings of the Light Chamber seem similar: fair skin tones, eyes of either blue or green and hair ranging from light brown to bleach blonde. I myself have hair of very light brown and my eyes the color of the sky. Before finding myself among my own, I stood in the Room of Creation marveling at the flaming red locks of a Fire alter and then the silver eyes of a Dark. To me, we Light alters seem quite dull.
Oh, but Lillith... hair of gold that tumbled in gentle waves to her hip bones, high cheeks and a slightly upturned nose with eyes of jade, her skin of an olive tan. I swooned at the sight of this sun goddess and her voice of honeyed melody left me tongue-tied. All thoughts of being assigned had immediately left my mind, for if there was a woman as radiant as Lillith in my world, there was no reason for me to leave.
She was surrounded by a small cluster of different Light alters – I can understand why – sharing secrets, stories and silliness. Their laughter was noisy, however I could hear her above all the others like a beautiful song. Upon discovering me with my unbroken gaze, she silenced her laughter immediately and it seemed like ages passed that her smile gradually faded.
Naturally, all heads turned in my direction and suddenly a dozen eyes were now staring exclusively at me. I felt my cheeks become hot with embarrassment and acted as if I was reading over my identification slip for the first time. Their eyes persisted and so I read over a few lines continuously, hoping they would lose interest. I remember her scent clearly as it washed over me… she smelled of fresh peonies in wonderful bloom. I inhaled deeply, lifting my eyes to realize she was standing right there in front of me. My heart leapt in a pleasurably painful jolt within my chest as adrenaline kicked in, and I swear I could feel my pupils expand.
“Hello there… I’m Lillith.” She crooned, lifting a hand towards me with a gentle smile. With the best of my abilities, I tried to make it discreet when I wiped the sweat off my palm to my thigh before lifting my own shaky hand to take hers. Lillith’s skin was warm and soft and very smooth to the touch, her hands marvelously feminine with long, slender fingers and very neat, very cared-for fingernails.
“And you are?” Her voice snapped me back to reality and I blushed once again, pulling my hand away abruptly.
“I…” I started, my voice was raw, I suppose it would have been as I had never used it being that I was newly created not an hour previous to this moment. “I’m Thalia. It’s a pleasure…” Lillith’s eyes immediately sparkled with glee.
“The pleasure is all mine, Thalia! Welcome.”
Without more ado, I was introduced to Lillith’s crowd. Each alter I met then was cheerful and friendly, however I only remember their salutations because I was focused on Lillith in every respect.
Chapter Two
From that point on I made it so each day was spent with Lillith. Like a lost puppy I followed her, offering chivalrous gestures to her when the time was appropriate. It was rather strange living in the Light Chamber; there was nothing ever to do. When Lillith was not on the move, I found myself painting the scenery around me – items of the Human Realm were constantly imported into the Alter Realm, though none before had ever piqued my interest. The memory of discovering paint or beginning my first painting escapes me, however I do remember my frustration in the strange medium. Though as time progressed, and much time did during my stay in the Light Chamber, I became quite skilled. Lillith even gave me encouraging comments and never-ending compliments, each time my chest would swell with pride and I worked with care to make each painting magnificent for her to see.
There were days when Lillith wished to spend her time with another alter, alone. This made me green with such envy that I became nauseous at the thought of her giving precious time to someone else. The other alter, Balder, I remember him in all his beauty with a body like Adonis, was within the crowd on the first day of my arrival. He was a kind man, but I disliked him only for the reason that Lillith caught interest in him.
When Lillith would leave, I would paint. For hours I would capture the essence of the atmosphere, the gorgeous rays of the sun, the blue of the sky, the white of the clouds and then I would destroy it. The skies were grey and the vigorous landscape would become wilted. Trees resembled monsters, the sky seemed to drip with blackness and even the most beautiful butterfly transformed into something so hideous words could not describe. Before Lillith would return, I destroyed any traces of these nightmarish paintings and begin a new one, one full of sunshine and happiness. She never knew of my dark feelings…
Upon scrutiny of the behavioral trademarks of different alters in the Light Chamber, I concluded that my dark episodes were far from normal, however I was not able to understand why they rose within me. It became my deepest secret and all I could do was give in to the vicious jealousy and anger that boiled my blood anytime Lillith and Balder were together.
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