I looked around the room, a bit irritated that the god had left so suddenly without even telling me his name. I mean, he hadn't even finished briefing me on my situation before he so swiftly fucked off.
No matter. There was no use complaining now. He was gone and I was on my own… with this freaky mask, but no stress. I figured shit out—that's what I did best. I'd figure this shit out too. Dwelling on all the things I didn't know was the best way to drive myself crazy, and I knew that well, so I didn't dwell.
Took all my anxious feelings and stuffed them in a little box for later, or never… preferably never.
At least I had a few crumbs of info to work with. I knew my new name was now Magnolia. I repeated the name in my head till its bitter taste wore off. It wasn't like it was a bad name. I couldn't explain my distaste for it even if I tried. It just sounded uncomfortable in my mind, as if my subconscious knew it wasn't mine, and so I rejected it.
'Magnolia,' I thought. My new name.
I wasn't worried though. I was very good at pretending, and it's not like I had some sort of attachment to my old name. I could easily disregard it if I wanted, and I did. Sofia who?
Maybe I could've called the god by that name since he likes taking my form so much.
"Magnolia."
It rolled off the tongue, my voice surprisingly pitched. It had a ring to it, sounding effortless, but I could feel my new vocal cords fit into a practiced shape, like a phonatory posture.
I was seventeen… again. Some might say the worst age to be, and that "some" was me. Because it was. All the emotions and expectations plotting for my downfall, adulthood and freedom within reach but never yours. I had barely escaped that time of my life before my oh-so-gruesome death, and now I was in its wicked clutches again.
And on top of that, I was expected to get married soon, at seventeen. It was like the universe was giving me the middle finger. But I wasn't gonna freak out. Sure, I was frustrated, a little angry, and a little panicked, but there was room for them in that anxiety box, so I stuffed them right in and pushed it aside again.
'Okay,' I processed, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the carvings etched into the wooden mask. 'Magnolia, seventeen, and a debut in a week.' Perfect.
I didn't know what a debut was exactly, but I had heard of it somewhere before. In fact, when I thought about it, I remembered I had seen it in some period drama before.
How did it go again? A bunch of girls getting judged by the queen, who shook her head at them if they weren't flawless? It sounded like a real nightmare. I could feel my little heart begin to thump against the cage of my chest at the prospect of it all, but I caught myself before panic overtook me.
Sure, I wasn't looking forward to being a part of it, but I wasn't even sure what happened on that show was what would really happen. Logically speaking, the tradition was probably dramatized for TV. This one would probably be tame… hopefully. The thought, at least, eased my racing heart.
The great thing was, I had a whole week to prepare and scheme for my escape, because I was gonna escape. No question about it. You couldn't tell me that this setup was not fucked, because it was.
Plus, if the debut was my introduction to society, I only had my new family to worry about for this week, and at worst maybe even close family friends. But I could deal with no worries. Ideally, I'd escape before the debut.
That was about all I knew: Magnolia, seventeen, debut in a week—and oh… this body was poisoned to death. I groaned at the thought. Another thing to worry about. But if I escaped this place, I wouldn't have to worry about whoever poisoned me.
This mask the god had given me would do me wonders. I could be a thief, a roadside bandit, a shady businesswoman using threats to make sure my business was booming. Anything, as long as I had freedom.
I had stuff to learn, magic to figure out, at least according to the god, and an escape plan to cook up, but first things first—
This room was freaking gorgeous.
I couldn't help but smile as I took in the luxury. High ceilings with intricate iridescent patterns of flowers, all glowing like aurora borealis, acting like the room's lights. I was blown away. I had never seen such a thing.
I would've thought it was some sort of high-tech projection if I didn't feel the pulsing energy. When I looked closer, it was like my eyes peered into the patterns on the wall. I could see the energy rushing like blood through veins of the patterns, sparkling like little stars or glitter caught in the wind. The magic of this world. Aether, I think that's what god called it.
It was fabulous.
Leaving the mask on my pillow, I hopped off the bed, staring up at the patterns that covered almost every inch of the ceiling, casting a soft golden glow with a mix of other colors that faded too soon.
Peeling my eyes away from the hypnotic ceiling, I checked out the rest of the room. The walls were covered in intricate patterned wallpaper. Those featuring flowers as well. It seemed to be a theme with this room. Though these ones didn't glow.
I scoffed as I realized that the flowers were magnolias in bloom.
Ivory petals with deep green leaves woven into an elaborate, gilded pattern. The soft muted background allowed the flowers to stand out, arranged in a way that framed the tall arched windows dressed in heavy velvet drapes. Tassel-tied cords held them open, letting natural light stream in.
At the center of the room was, of course, the bed I had awakened on. It was big—the biggest I had ever seen.
A fancy four-poster bed with a carved wooden frame painted in ivory, obviously, dressed in layers of silk and lace that were now a mess. It may have had something to do with the fact that I was convulsing in pain just moments ago on that bed, but who's to say for sure.
The room spelled opulence, and this meant only one thing. Magnolia, or her family more likely, was fucking loaded. And I wouldn't mind stealing a few things during my escape.
The tengu mask sat menacingly on the embroidered pillows. Laying eyes on it, I felt drawn to it. A pull that was probably just in my head, but it felt so real, like a chain around my neck—though not as jarring. I shook off the feeling before realizing I didn't have a place to hide that creepy thing. Another inconvenient problem.
Walking over to the bed, I picked up the mask. The cool, smooth carved surface with slight grooves sent a chill running down my spine. It smelled of damp earth and wet wood. A distinct earthly scent, like rain falling on dry soil.
I didn't know if it was just my imagination, but it almost felt like there was a light pulse, a humming energy right against my fingertips. Like it was alive or breathing or something… ugh.
'The mask will speak to you,' he had said. 'It will tempt and taunt you. Do not listen to its whispers.'
I chuckled to myself at the thought. No way in hell was I going to try and use its full power when its basic perks were probably useful enough. So the mask could shove its whispers and temptation right up its nose.
No stupid thing will possess me… now where to hide it.
Glancing around "my" room again, a carved armoire caught my eye. It looked like a good hiding place. Sauntering over with all the grace of the lady I was, I pulled its polished doors open and my heart skipped a beat. Inside, a collection of dazzlingly fine gowns and accessories stared back at me…
All of these are… mine?
Snapping myself out of it, I sighed, the mask writhing in my hand.
'I can't hide this creepy thing here,' I thought. And you might think my reasoning was foolish, but I still stand by it. The mask, you see, simply had atrocious vibes that would've messed with my darling collection if I stuck it in there. So I didn't.
To the side was a door. I was sure it wasn't the exit because the bigger door on the wall opposite the window seemed to be the door to the room. So what was this one for?
Tiptoeing over for no reason at all, I carefully opened it and peeked inside. I forgot to breathe as more luxury wafted in my plebeian face. Well, I suppose Magnolia was a noble, so it wasn't exactly a plebeian face, but you get what I mean.
A deep claw-footed bathtub stood beneath a small stained-glass window, casting colored light over the white marble tiles. Immediately, I began daydreaming. Late-night bubble baths with wine. What a blessing death was. It was a shame I planned to escape… but what if I didn't? Would marriage really be that bad?
Fuck, luxury was more tempting than I imagined, already making me reconsider my plans. The brass towel rack held thick, embroidered linens, and an elegant wash basin and pitcher sat nearby. The scent of scented oils and soap wafted in my direction. I clutched the mask as if clutching my pearls and quickly closed the door before the luxury killed me.
Resting my back against the door, I held the mask to my chest and finally caught my breath.
Across the room on the wall opposite, I spotted a vanity table. The giggle I let out was involuntary. Sensing there was more to discover, I skipped over, snickering to myself as I did.
The vanity was ornate, delicate carvings framing a large elegant mirror. I froze, catching a glimpse of my new appearance in the reflection. My lips fell open, but not a word came out.
Was this really me now?
Placing the mask atop the vanity, I leaned closer to get a better look. No longer was I the blue-eyed blonde Sofia, the appearance the god had chosen to wear. Now, large brown eyes that matched my dark hair stared back at me. A button nose. Rosy lips, naturally plump. The delicate features of a noble lady stared back at me.
Standing straight, I examined more of my reflection. I looked over my body, dressed in a silk nightgown. Then cupped my chest with a measured grip… and then turned back to the mirror, checking out my ass-ets.
'Damn you, Magnolia,' I sighed in disappointment. 'Can't have it all, I guess.' I plopped down on the stool in front of the vanity. 'At least now my posture will be better.'
It was obvious my previous body and Magnolia's were very, very different. I didn't know how to feel. It's not like she wasn't pretty. In fact, she was absolutely stunning, which was odd since I had just presumably woken up. Anyways.
She was skinny and petite, and I must admit I had imagined being this skinny and petite before. Who hasn't? But going from my previous more curvy body to this was jarring. It created a disconnect in my mind which was hard to ignore, and staring at my new self in the mirror made my skin crawl just the tiniest bit.
But that wasn't important, was it? No, it wasn't.
Focusing back on what was important, I opened the top drawer of the vanity. Inside I found hairpins, delicate perfume bottles, and—'oh my, gloves?!'
Yes, gloves.
Feeling rather fancy, I sifted through them before moving on to the larger side drawers. Brushes, formal-looking letters I had zero interest in reading, and pressed flowers? Okay.
With a shrug, I moved on to the final drawer, the one in the center. As soon as I pulled it open, my breath caught again. Nestled inside, snug against the wood, was a jewelry box. A stunning one. It gleamed with intricate carvings, its brass fittings polished to perfection. When I lifted the lid, my eyes nearly popped out of my skull.
Jewels. Rings. Necklaces. More riches than I had ever seen in my entire previous life. I reached in just to brush my finger against the shimmering gems, but something stopped me.
A gut feeling, or this body's instinct, who knows.
Tilting my head, I frowned. The jewelry box fitted perfectly, but too perfectly. Like it was meant to take up all the space in the drawer, making it seem completely full. But when I looked closer, the depth of the drawer didn't quite match the height of the box.
My curiosity burned.
Biting my lip in concentration, my nimble fingers carefully lifted the jewelry box out, like I'd done it a thousand times before, setting it on the vanity beside the ever-so-ominous mask. And there it was… a hidden compartment.
Well, not exactly hidden. It was just the back space that the jewelry box didn't take up, but one wouldn't know it was there with how the jewelry box slipped in and pulled to the front instead of being pushed to the back of the drawer.
My fingers hesitated before reaching inside, brushing against something smooth. Leather. A book. I knew what it was immediately.
My hands trembled as I pulled it out. The cover was worn but well cared for, the leather soft beneath my fingertips. Magnolia's diary.
For a long moment, I simply stared at it, feeling the weight of what was in my hands.
Then, swallowing hard, I slowly flipped it open.
My eyes scanned the first sentence on the first page.
And I read.