The party of the gallery

 Roxanne woke up when she felt the bright light on her skin; she got up and looked around her. She was lying on the same bench her family had left her right in front of Jack Sparrow’s pirate ship attraction inside Eurodisney. She left a deep sob and tears overflowed.

“I am back…” she whispered and suddenly she looked on her chest, lifting carefully her T-shirt.

And it was there; the small sign of the Rose was there and it became warmer when she touched it.

“It wasn’t a dream…” she murmured with happiness.

“Roxanne!” Mitsi shouted at her as she was walking to her side carrying her shopping bags.

“Mitsi…Mom…Dad!” she screamed from joy and ran with speed on their arms.

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6 years later

 “Roxanne…you burnt it!” Mitsi shouted with anger and Roxanne flinched.

“I am sorry Mitsi! I am not good at this.” She admitted with a sad, baby crying face, and looked at the burnt pan.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Since you’ve moved out, you became hopeless on cooking!”

“But I am a “fairy” on cleaning right?” she admitted playfully and hugged her sister tightly, laughing together.

Mitsi placed the omelet into the plate and started cutting the tomatoes for the salad. Roxanne started making the table and she placed the water glasses on it.

When her family and the doctors discovered that her heart disease had seized to exist a huge number of emotions consumed them; her father was even capable of suing both the doctors in America and France. But most of all Roxanne had felt that she had awakened from a long nightmare.

Upon their return back home and her reunion with her friends, Roxanne devoted her school studies to the main purpose of gaining a scholarship. And she did it; after her studies in California’s Institute of Arts, Roxanne had begun creating her work and present it in various galleries. 

She quickly became known for the variety of the themes she painted, the techniques she used on her works and above all, the messages she passed on her audience. Roxanne soon became able to move out from her home and rent an apartment in New York, where also her atelier was.

“But I am still surprised, even after six years; how full of life you were when we saw you that day.”

“I know Mitsi, I believe that too.” And her hand moved on her chest.

Her “rose” hadn’t disappeared after all this time but it would become warmer from time to time when she would touch it. Roxanne was confident that she would be able to meet everyone again, and this thought was giving her amazing inspiration.

“So what will you do?” Mitsi asked as they were putting the dished in the dish-washer.

“About what Mitsi?”

“The next presentation is going to be help in the villa of one of your benefactors. It is strictly said that a formal dress is needed.”

“I haven’t decided anything yet, but I will come up with something. But now, I want you to stay tonight. How about that? We can go tomorrow and search for designs!”

Mitsi gladly accepted and they retired for the night. When Roxanne closed the door of her room, she took off her clothes and stood before the mirror of her room. Her curls were falling to her shoulders, since she had cut them, and her blue eyes were reflecting her power; she has been using the gift Sapphire had bestowed upon her in order to keep up with her promise.

She wore her pajamas and feel asleep, hoping to have the same dream as 6 years ago.

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The gallery was already prepared and Roxanne’s paintings had already been displayed on their right positions, when Roxanne entered the main gallery. When she finished the check, Roxanne walked outside to the garden, where the party was going to be held; the grass was well groomed and white long tables were being placed in order by the catering workers.

The day was warm for May and Roxanne smiled at the result. She believed that the presentation was going smoothly and she went down the marble stairs and walked to the garden for a while.

The villa, where the gallery was going to be held belonged to her benefactor, the Stones Company. The Corporation was working in the field of entertainment as also sponsoring young and talented artists. She was lucky to be noticed by them and since last year, their work had increased and Roxanne had found a good way to send her message across the globe.

Her self phone rang; her mother and Mitsy had come to get her and Roxanne walked back to the villa, feeling the soft breeze on her face.

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The night of the presentation was full of people and Roxanne couldn’t get to the idea that so many reporters were asking so many embarrassing questions. She sighed with relief when the last of them was finally gone, and she started to walk around the exhibits, together with all the other people who had come to admire her work.

Her lilac dress was decorated with a pink sash which was tied in the back of her waist in the form of a ribbon. Her hair were straight and tied up with a flower hairpin, while her “rose” could be clearly seen on her chest; to human eyes it looked more like a tattoo than a burning. Roxanne lifted her dress a little and started to walk upwards to the next floor, where the exhibits with the theme “Landscape” were. 

There was less people here since the theme was responding to the presence of scenes and landscapes and not to figures. She walked to the one painting she loved the most and stood before it; the painting was hanged on the white wall and the dim light was making it glimmer.

On the canvas it was painted a wide, round lake with blue roses, covering the ground around the blue water. Behind the lake, trees were painted lively green and the sky had the colors of the early morning. But what many people wouldn’t notice was the shadow in the surface of the water. 

Roxanne smiled when her eyes met with the formless figure she had painted; it could look like a human but at the same time it wasn’t a human form. She resisted the need to touch the painting and slowly stepped back.

“Roxy…” Mitsi said behind her.

She turned and Mitsi saw her eyes; her blue was shining, just like the sea waters were glimmering under the moon’s light.

“They want you downstairs; you have a speech to make.”

“Thank you Mitsi.”

Mitsi took her sister’s hand and Roxanne smiled.

“You look like crying. Did anything happen?”

“No, little one; I am fine.” and she forced a smile.

Mitsi looked at her sister for a moment and wondered; since their return from France, Roxanne was at times touching her chest, when she was painting. She could hear her tell stories about “Lost Star”, a world where many miracles could happen and where a dragon with sapphire eyes was living. Although she would deny her words as something made of her dreams, Roxanne would smile and murmur “I wish Max was here…”.

Together they went down the stairs to the ground floor, where most of the guests had already head to the outdoor garden. The tables into the floor had most of the glasses, where the refreshments had been offered.

When Roxanne was ready to walk outside a giggle was heard behind her; puzzled she turned around, leaving Mitsi walk outside on her own. A small monkey was jumping on the table, grabbing anything it could find. It was small and brownish with a vest around its small body.

It stopped when it sensed Roxanne’s steps and turned at her. It squealed and moved its right hand on its head; a small fess appeared and the monkey took it off in front of her.

“Abu? Abu, is that you?” Roxanne’s voice was a whisper, afraid that the monkey was an illusion.

Abu jumped from the table and started running from the open veranda doors to the wide garden. Roxanne ran behind him and suddenly screams of frightened women and soars were heard.

The garden, where the tables had been settled for the gala, had been removed and replaced with big round tables. Around the tables and upon them, was made a kiosk consisted of ivies with colorful flowers and shining butterflies, which were lighting the place. The guests were moving awkwardly around the changed garden and that’s when Roxanne noticed them.

The pirates were singing out loud, holding bottles of rum, humming and singing pirate songs; on the other side a pack of lions was resting together with a baboon, which was also squealing. Between the guests many waiters were running with speed carrying foods and drinks while the melody of Arabian music could be heard.

“No way…” Roxanne was startled as she slowly walked down the stairs to the garden.

When her feet touched the grass, warmth was spread around her, as if she was seeing a long forgotten family. A woman with long black hair and redskin walked to her side; she looked at her for a moment and Roxanne rushed to her side hugging her tightly.

“Pocahontas!”

“Roxanne…sorry it took so long…” she whispered.

“It’s all right but how?”

“We came to see you of course!” one of the waiters gave her a glass of cola and blinked his eye on her with tease.

“Genie?”

“And not only me! Look above you!”

Roxanne lifted her head to the ceiling the branches of the ivies had created; she saw the red haired boy, sitting on them, playing with his flute; a small ball of light was flying around him. The boy stopped playing when he realized that someone was looking at him and looked down; Roxanne was a grown up to his eyes but that didn’t stop him from flying down at her and bow before her.

“Peter…” and she hugged him tightly.

He laughed and took her from the hand, making his way through the crowd. Most of the guests had thought that this was also a part of the party and they were now enjoying themselves, less afraid of the lions, the pirate with the hook on his hand, as also the dark dressed woman with the crow on her shoulder.

“You should go there.” Peter pointed to the center of the garden, “they are all gathered there.” And he flew to the sky, away from Roxanne.

She moved quickly and headed to the spot Peter had showed her; when she arrived the sound of music came to her ears; the center of the garden had transformed into a wide dance floor, where tiny fireflies were illuminating the band and the figures, which were dancing gracefully. 

Roxanne noticed the blond woman with the blue dress, the pink ball gown of the smiling young woman with the shiny golden hair who was dancing with a brown-haired man. She saw the girl with the snowy skin and the red lips laughing happily and finally the golden ball room dress swinging gracefully as the brunette girl with the almond eyes made a turn as she danced.

There was no need to think who they were; she had realized already who they were. Her laugh was loud and she clapped her hands with enthusiasm, just like she did back on Lost Star, when she would see them dance. A hand was suddenly wrapped around her shoulder and she looked up; the bearded pirate with the hat and the shining teasing eyes was looking at her.

“Hey Missy, long time no see!”

“Captain!” Roxanne shouted as she hugged him.

“Whoa what’s with the title now! I still haven’t taken “Black Pearl” back!” Jack complained and Roxanne smiled at him.

“As always you are totally hopeless!”

“At least I am not showing off, like Hercules on the back. Mulan is also showing her skills to your guests too!”

“How did you find me?”

“Well, we followed the light in the hearts of the humans. And I thought that those seas have treasures too…” and he pulled from his jacket the round piece of map.

“Thank you Jack…” Roxanne replied, touching his shoulder.

“Yeah, yeah…since I am in good mood I’ll tell you a secret; he is here too.”

“You don’t mean…” Roxanne only managed to whisper before Jack disappears in the crowd. 

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“What is this? What happened to everyone?” Mitsi was almost screaming when she realized how the party and the organization had changed.

She was moving between the dancing people and the guests, who were enjoying this new to their eyes entertainment, when the edge of her dress was caught into the crowd and Mitsi lost her balance. 

She felt the atmosphere change and just before she falls someone wrapped an arm around her waist and touched her back. Mitsi felt the crowd pass near her with speed and before he realizes it, she was standing near the stairs; she took a deep breath and looked back at the ongoing gala.

“Are you all right?” someone spoke behind her.

The man was dressed in a black costume with a cloak falling to his shoulders; his hair was black and his eyes had a dark color of brown. But he was looking at her worried and with a playful expression.

“I am all right…what happened here?” she asked puzzled and pointed at the party.

The man relaxed and took off his cloak, revealing his costume and Mitsi stood back in awe; he was looking like someone suspicious but his movements and behavior were the ones of a child.

“They are partying for the success of Roxanne; and I am glad I managed to come too!”

“Do you know my sister?” Mitsi asked puzzled.

The man looked at her for a moment and he grabbed her from the waist, spinning her around with joy. Mitsi shouted to put her down but the man wasn’t listening to her pleads.

“You are Mitsi! I found you!”

“How do you know me? Who are you?” she continued shouting and the man put her down.

“My name is Max; your sister’s loyal warrior and friend.”

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Roxanne’s dress was moving like a sea wave as she passed the crowd and walked away from the party; Jack’s words had struck her and she had poured her senses into action. When she finally put some distance between her and the people behind her, she walked into the garden listening to the sounds of the night.

She touched the “rose” on her chest and it started glimmering responding to her thoughts. Her feet began following the constant sound of the air; her keen senses hadn’t changed at all since the time she used the Rose and her ears were concentrated on the air.

The whistle was soft and the melody made her heart skip a beat; to her mind came the images of flapping wings and soft clouds as she hopped on them with joy. She ran following the sound of the whistling until she reached a concealed part of the garden, where walls, made of tall bushes, were creating a closing part in the garden.

Roxanne walked slowly into the closed garden and a glow rushed through the bushes; the glow transformed the leaves of the green walls into roses with slight blue color. As Roxanne walked into the center of the garden, the roses bloomed and shiny blue, crystal shards flew from the flowers to her and covered her body.

She saw with amazement her dress transforming into a ball gown with long opera slevees on her hands at the color of silver. The dress was falling on her feet and it was decorated with blue waves of fabric and white, mixed with silver thread, which was making it glimmer. Roxanne’s tied hair was undone and began falling on her back, curly as they used to be 6 years ago. On her neck the Rose appeared again, shining beautifully and Roxanne grasped it with her hands.

The whistle became stronger and Roxanne looked in front of her; the man with the blazing golden hair and eyes green like sapphires, stepped too into the garden. His jeans and T-shirt were slightly glimmering white and his steps made Roxanne’s eyes lock on his.

“Sapphire…”

“Hello Roxanne.” And he smiled at her as if they were meeting every day.

She opened her arms and ran at him, hugging at him from the neck. She hid her face on his jaw and Sapphire closed her in his arms, touching the locks of her hair.

“I am sorry it took so long.”

“Don’t apologize, you are here now.” And she broke from his hug and looked at him again; printing in her mind his features.

He had changed a little; he looked more…human and Roxanne lifted her hand, touching his hair, making sure if they were real.

“Do you remember that offer of yours?” he asked as he left her touch him even more.

She nodded and smiled at him, looking at his eyes.

“I decided to take it, since I became your benefactor after all.”

Roxanne looked puzzled but when she started to understand she felt her voice rising.

“Stones? That’s you? You are my benefactor?”

“It took me some time to become accustomed in the human ways as also to control my form, but it wasn’t hard to achieve what I wanted. You gave me the power after all.” And he kissed her forehead.

Roxanne was amazed; the Guardian had decided to live as a human. She couldn’t help but grin and step on her toes as she placed a soft his on his lips. Sapphire cupped her face and deepened their kiss as the Rose on Roxanne’s neck was burning from their raged emotions.

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“But jeans?” Roxanne asked when they had started to walk back to the party and Sapphire frowned.

“You have no idea how cozy this type of clothing is! Much better than scales and armor!” he tried to defend himself and Roxanne burst into laughter.

“But you… curly fits you better.” And he caressed her hair taking her hand on his.

“Were you the one who gathered everyone here?”

“It was hard but I believe it was their wish too to visit your world. Especially Max; I think he is roaming somewhere around here.”

“You brought a Shadow here?” Roxanne asked worried and Sapphire smiled.

“You will see.”

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They both walked in the kiosk and the music stopped. The man in jeans and the well dressed Roxanne had captured their gazes. 

“I feel like disappearing.” She murmured and held his hand.

“Why humans always stare?” Sapphire replied with a question.

“Roxanne!” a voice was heard and Max ran to her, hugging her tightly.

She was surprised at first but when she looked at the dark haired man and the flash of red in his eyes she smiled and hugged Max like a mother her lost child.

A confused Mitsi made her way through the crowd and stood beside Max. Roxanne looked at her and stretched her hand to touch her sister’s face.

“It’s all right Mitsi, you will understand in time.” She whispered and her sister looked at Sapphire.

“Is that the dragon?” she whispered but her words were heard by him.

He smiled at her and took her hand kissing it softly.

“I would gladly take you on a flight if you want.”

“No you won’t!” Roxanne and Max said with a voice and Mitsi laughed.

The sound of music filled the air and quickly the dance floor was filled with pairs; the slow waltz was enchanting but what enchanted most everyone was the movements of the princesses as they were becoming one with the music.

Roxanne looked at them and grinned; Sapphire placed his hand on her back and slowly he guided her in the dance floor.

“Sapphire…I can’t dance.”

“Six years and you still can’t?” he asked as he placed her hand on his shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

The music was slow and their feet were moving as Sapphire was guiding her, making their bodies move into the dancing pairs. Roxanne saw Belle and Beast, Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora and Philip. Ariel’s red hair was obvious as she and Eric were making a turn.

Roxanne looked at her dragon and Sapphire looked at her; their eyes, rare like the stars, shined and she started to move with more grace as the music became stronger.

“Have I made it Sapphire?” she asked as they were still dancing and placed her forehead on his chest.

He touched her back and slid his fingers in her hair. He kissed the top of her head and raised her chin with his finger making her look at him.

“You have made it; the stars are still shining and so does your heart.”

“Thank you, my love.”

And the music filled the night as the stories became one with reality and the heart of the girl echoed the voices of the worlds.