The Clockwork Witch, chapter one

Chapter One

Everett Monet's eyes widened in wonder at the festival before him. He almost wished that he wasn't late getting there just so he could enjoy the festivities going on in the square in front of his friends gated house. He sighed forlornly before grabbing his briefcase and sprinting through the crowd. He avoided elves selling their finest flatbreads, weaved around children playing with enchanted marionettes, jumped back at the sparks created by a dwarven craftsman hitting an anvil, pushed past a gaggle of giggling young witches clearly on their spring break, apologized to a heavily cloaked vampire for bumping into him, before finally arriving at the heavy metal gates of the rather imposing house before him.

He took out the letter that had been sent to him earlier that week and watched as it became a key right before his very eyes. He used said key to unlock the gates which swung open with a long weary creak. Everett swallowed thickly, examining the darkness that surrounded the mansion as opposed to the bright laughter still behind him. He glanced back at the colorful stalls he had left behind, closing his eyes as he breathed in the scent of freshly baked sweet breads and woodsmoke.

The sight of that vampire he had bumped into earlier when he opened his eyes again made him think twice about retreating as he hurried up the cracked marble steps and knocked on the large wooden door. He waited for a little while before it flung open with a startling bang. The woman that stood before him was tall, taller then him by at least a few inches, and her dark eyes studied him as he admired the long dark blue dress that seemed to cling to her every curve.

"Viola." He said when he realized who it was.

His old friends mouth quirked into a slight smile as she slowly crossed her arms over her chest. Her dark curly hair was falling into her face and she blew it away from her eyes before speaking "Everett Monet. I was wondering when you would arrive."

He couldn't meet her gaze so he focused on her hair instead, when had she dyed the ends blue? "I had some complications on the way here." He admitted quietly.

"You did? How interesting. You can tell me about them over dinner!" Before he could even protest he was being swept into the main hall and the smell of what was clearly expensive perfume assaulted his senses. He tried his best not to sneeze while his host grabbed a large blue witches hat that seemed to match her dress, placing it on her head. "What do you think?" She asked as she gestured all around them.

Everett blinked and took a quick look around. The room they were in was in a circular sort of shape, the floor had a checkered pattern, the staircase leading up to other parts of the house seemed to swirl upwards so far he couldn't see it anymore, and the bits of the ceiling that he could see were clearly glamoured to look like the night sky. "It's very...big."

Viola chuckled lightly "It's not exactly your small home in France my friend."

He could feel his cheeks flush as he tried desperately to hide his face in his collar. His family was somewhat prominent in the magic community but his mother had insisted on a small intimate home that his father had never approved of. He remembered when she had visited not long after their graduation, she had looked different then.

"Aw don't look at me in that way. I'm only teasing." She shook her head and rang a small silver bell "Cecil! Come here darling and take Everett's coat please."

Before he could even ask who this Cecil person was, he was distracted by a short man with short blonde hair walking in with his hands behind his back. He was dressed in a blue servants uniform and he held his hands out for his coat. As he was taking it off he couldn't help but notice that one of his hands was metallic. Viola must have caught him staring because she smiled gently "Cecil here is one of my...creations. He got into an accident in the reanimation process I'm afraid, it damaged his arm and vocal cords the poor thing."

"That's unfortunate." He said while still staring at this being. Reanimation was one of two skills his friend possessed but when he had seen her last she could barely bring back a mouse. Clearly that had changed.

"Cecil will take you to your room. I'll see you later." She turned on her heel before nearly gliding out of the room and slipping through a side door.

Everett looked awkwardly at his companion who only gestured for him to follow while he headed up the stairs. They walked in silence for the most part until they reached the door that clearly lead to his room. "Is this one mine?" He asked.

Cecil nodded silently before pushing the door open. The smell of summer sun overwhelmed him as he stepped into an exact replica of his room from childhood. It was incredibly well done, from the blue and gold wallpaper to the soft white blanket that he had always kicked to the creaky wooden floor. "How is this possible?" He breathed as he examined the small mirror on the wall. There was even a crack in it from where his brother had thrown him against it a little harder then he had meant to.

The man before him opened his mouth then closed it, taking out a small notepad and scribbling for a little while before showing him what he had written. "It's this way for everyone, to make you feel more at home."

Everett wondered for a minute why he couldn't just tell him that but then he remembered that this mans vocal cords were damaged. Clearly he couldn't speak even if he wanted to. "Right!" He glanced around "Thank you, I'll see you at dinner?"

Cecil's eyebrows raised but he still nodded slowly, looking away from him as he headed back out the door. That was when the rooms only occupant groaned and flopped back on the bed with his arms out. He had just asked a servant if he would see him again. How embarrassing.

"What have I gotten myself into.." He whispered out loud. As he expected, he got no answer.