James took a sip from the goblet in his hand, but little did he know what that drink contained. He didn’t know much about anyone or anything at this party. The only reason he’d come was to see the ballroom of the historic Maribelle Hotel.
James had always loved the Maribelle’s grand exterior and dreamed of going inside, but the doormen were quite good at keeping out non-guests, and why pay for a hotel room in your own town? Seeing the sign posted on a streetlight for an open party in the Maribelle Hotel’s ballroom was like a gift. He could make his dream come true and enjoy a party at the same time.
The drink felt funny in his mouth and tasted awful. James quickly ditched the goblet and decided to try the food instead. A long table held dozens of different finger foods, but none were recognizable. After that nasty drink, James decided not to risk trying anything else.
He turned his attention back to the ballroom, which was as stunning as he’d hoped it would be. It looked very different than it had in his imagination - darker, with more red and black velvet than the cream and gold he’d predicted. He also hadn’t dreamed of the mezzanine that wrapped around the room, accessible by a grand staircase at the back of the room.
Almost all of the main floor was set up as a dance floor. Although James was far too shy to ask a stranger to dance and too self-conscious to dance alone, he still enjoyed watching. Even before coming, he’d known he would spend most of this party right on the edge of the action, just like at every other party. He took a spot beside the dance floor where he was close enough to pretend he was dancing with everyone else.
The other party-goers were not exactly what James had expected. Given that this was a flier-advertised party, he thought it would be full of young, loud, wild people, and it was. Everyone was gorgeous and exciting. These people, however, looked like they were dressed for a fantasy ball. He saw quite a few girls in short skirts with wings on their shoulders or back - definitely trying to look like fairies. A few others had flowy medieval gowns that must have cost a fortune at the costume shop. Some men had tall boots, others low-cut loose white shirts (the kind pirates always wear), and at least one guy had a bow and arrows.
This made James feel more out of place, not only because he looked different, but because it meant there had been some code on the flier that he hadn’t been able to understand indicating dress code. That wasn’t a surprise since he’d never really been in-the-know socially. It was probably intentionally cryptic to keep out people like himself who didn’t belong. But he would have felt like more of a loser if he’d walked out right away than he did staying and trying to enjoy himself for a bit.
As he danced James began to feel a bit funny, almost tingly. He’d only had one sip to drink so he couldn’t be buzzed, but it felt slightly like he wasn’t in full control of his body. He stopped dancing and took the grand staircase to the mezzanine for more air.
Up there only a few people were milling about. A couple of shadowy nooks gave a bit of privacy to entwined couples, and even though it was open to the dance floor, it was much quieter.
James leaned over the railing and watched the crowd below. ‘So many beautiful women down there,’ he thought dreamily. After a while he realized that his arms had gone numb and he couldn’t feel his hands anymore. He assumed they’d gone to sleep because he was leaning on them, but when he looked at them he couldn’t see his hands either. The rest of him appeared foggy and insubstantial. What was happening?
“I see a mortal has shared our meal,” said a deep voice from behind.
James whirled around. A tall, dark, regal woman stared at him. “What was that in the drink? What’s happening to me?” he asked her.
“When one who isn’t Fairy eats or drinks our nourishment there is no way to know what will happen.”
“What are you talking about? Who are you?”
“I am Regona. We are the Fairies of the Forest. Sometimes we tire of the forest, however, and when we do this is our home.”
James had trouble understanding this. It didn’t just look like he was an outsider in a room of magic people, he was an outsider in a room of magical people. Plus, something magical was happening to him.
“I believe I can confidently tell you that what is happening to you is that you are becoming invisible,” Regona told James. He looked down at his body again. this time there was no fogginess. There was nothing to see at all.
James turned and ran down the stairs, pushed his way across the dance floor, and slammed into the heavy doors that led out of the ballroom. They wouldn’t budge for him, however, even with all his strength. He’d stumbled upon a fairy realm and he remains there, invisible, caught.
