"Welcome to the Flowery Tower!"
Ode proclaimed to Thames as the mighty tower doors swung open, a floral scent spreading from within the tower while Ode twisted around towards it.
"These're your first steps into magic!"
He marched into the tower while Thames continued to look around outside, his mouth agape at the sight of the ginormous flowers making up the surroundings.
"…Ah...! Yes! Coming Ode!"
He quickly jogged with his suitcase in tow.
Entering the tower, Thames was instantly greeted with inner walls covered in overgrown vines sprouting strange flowers.
Catching up to Ode, who had come to a halt, he noticed a collection of levitating marble staircases, all leading to different places, but between them stood a woman.
"Evenin' Rubes!"
Ode nodded towards the woman dressed in a long black dress, sequins flowing down either side of her dress. Her tight, black curls fell down to just above her shoulders, as the soft blue light of the tower pulsated off her dark skin. Rubes' purplish green eyes twinkled as she glanced at Thames then back at Ode.
"Good evening, Magician Ode."
She nods back at him then focuses on Thames.
"Who have you brought with you?"
She asks with a certain authority dripping from her deeper tone.
"Thames! He's a painter."
Ode cheerfully responded as Thames' focus continued to switch between the two.
"So are magicians permitted to just bring anyone to a tower?"
"Errr... No...! But he's one of my people now!"
"Oh? Is he now? Why is Thames accompanying you now? Does he even know what that means?"
"What does it-" Thames went to ask but was quickly cut off.
"'Course he knows what it means! Told him the whole business."
"Hm. Then he will be your responsibility, Ode."
Rubes turned towards the staircase and began climbing up.
"How long will you be staying, Ode and Thames?"
Thames watched Ode follow after Rubes, then shortly joined them.
"Is a day fine with ya?"
Ode asks after a few moments of thinking.
"It will work. As you know, you are always welcome to settle down at a tower."
"Mhmmm... Two separate rooms for us though."
Thames just nodded along as they reached the end of the stairs, noticing the marble floor of this level being covered in paintings.
It depicted various pretty flowers from brilliant purples to nearly blinding yellows, he found himself entranced, but the other two continued down the corridor.
The path was illuminated by glowing orbs imbedded in the viny walls.
Eventually, the two mages leading Thames stopped in front of a white wooden door with a crescent moon etched onto it.
"You will stay here, Ode."
"Mmm... Alright."
Ode opened the door and walked into his room and closed the door behind him softly, leaving Rubes and Thames in the corridor.
"So how much did he really tell you?"
Rubes asked while turning sharply towards Thames, pointing a collapsed fan at him.
"Er... He has told me that I could see the sea if I followed him... And that I would see pretty skies made from magic. Though I suppose I've seen the latter now."
He added, recalling the scenery outside the tower.
"So, he has told you nothing!"
Rubes turned back around and continued to walk down the corridor.
"How much do you know about magic, Thames?"
"…Nothing..."
He said with a sigh.
"Then it will be best if Ode allows you to experience it yourself, I suppose. At your age mere words would do nothing."
She said dryly as she stopped in front of a door painted with purple and black swirls, similar to the void he had been swallowed by in his dreams or the skies he frequently drew. At the top of the door was an etched-on vortex symbol.
"This is your room. Do your best to not grow too attached."
She said sternly. He nodded and headed to open the door.
"Thank you, Miss Rubes."
He said with a faint smile before opening the door and entering his room.
Rubes simply nodded while watching him enter the room. He closed the door promptly.
The room itself was quite large, much larger than his room at his workshop at least.
There was a full-sized bed at the center draped in silk sheets, and to either side of the bed was a nightstand with a lamp on top. Immediately to the right of the door was a desk with a leather chair, similar to the one he had at home, but this one lacked a mirror on top.
The desk had an inkwell and quill on it already and had two drawers on the right side. Thames slid his finger over the wooden desk and blew the dust from it. This room clearly hasn't been used recently.
On the right wall there was a silver mirror propped up with a violet gem embedded at the top.
Fancy…
He went to examine his appearance in the mirror.
Thames untucked his off-white collared shirt and fully unbuttoned it, revealing the white undershirt. Taking off the dress shirt, he carefully put it around the leather desk chair.
Mages sure live well...
He notes to himself while feeling the silk bedsheets. They were a fine quality, similar to the ones he felt back in Prolton when he would dream of living the high life. They were also a royal purple color.
Unbuttoning his pants, he quickly hung it on top of his dress shirt and got into bed. He felt the march of sleep call for him instantly as his head hit the silk pillows.
What a long day…