Chosen One

by Katie Holland

  After lunch it was time for their manicures. The hardest part about that was deciding on French tips or a full color. Alix decided to go with one that was clear with just a hint of silver glitter in it. Shay went with the French tips. Both turned out great.

  Then it was on to hair and makeup. Alix sat in the salon chair and let the stylist do whatever she wanted. The stylist kept her turned around from the mirror, so she couldn’t see until it was done. When she finally turned around a huge grin broke out on her face. Her hair was amazing. Part of it was up with little silver flowers in it. The rest was left down in big wavy curls. It was beautiful. Shay squealed when she saw it and that just made Alix laugh. Shay’s stylist had taken her short blond hair that was usually funky and turned it into a sleek stylish look. It made Shay look older. Alix loved it.

  Lastly was makeup. Again, the makeup girl didn’t let her see until she was done. When the girl turned her around to face the mirror Alix was shocked. She barely recognized herself. She looked beautiful. The makeup was natural looking, but you knew it was there. Nothing over the top but it was still amazing. Alix couldn’t wait to put her dress on and see what she looked like all dressed up. When she was done she went over to Shay’s station. She was just as amazed by Shay as she was herself. The makeup lady had given Shay a smoky look that emphasized her eyes. She was gorgeous. Alix then looked around at the rest of the ladies. She almost didn’t recognize her mom. They all looked fantastic. She couldn’t wait for her dad to see her mom.

  They were all given care packages of everything that was used on them during their day as well as a beverage of their choice to go. Alix had had a fabulous time. It was definitely something she wanted to repeat.

  “Oh my God Alix,” Shay said as the bus pulled away from the salon, “so far this has been one of the best days ever. And look at us. Have there ever been two more stunningly beautiful seventeen-year olds? I don’t think so.”

  Alix had to laugh. “I think I agree with you. That was so much fun and soooo relaxing. I really want to do that again someday. I bet that cost a fortune though. You and I are going to have to get well-paying jobs, so we can afford to do this on a regular basis.”

  Shay grinned at her. “Sounds like a plan to me. I’m going to be a world-famous fashion designer and you’re just going to be world famous.”

  “Ha ha, very funny,” but Alix was laughing with her.

  It was a nice ride back to Fox Hollow. When they arrived, the men were just getting back from their day of golfing.

  Ben stopped in his tracks when he saw Alix and Shay. “Wow, you girls look amazing.”

  “Of course, we do Ben, but then again we always look amazing," Shay told him.

  “I definitely have to agree with that. But you look extra good right now," he said.

  “You just wait until we get dressed for the party. You won’t even know it’s us.”

  It wasn’t going to take the girls a ton of time to get ready since their hair and makeup was already done so they decided to find the rooms where the events for the evening were going to take place. The itinerary said cocktails in the Receiving room and dinner in the Banquet Hall. They figured the Banquet Hall was the room with the huge dining room table, but they had no idea where the Receiving room might be. They wandered around for a few minutes when they finally found Gordon.

  “Can I help you ladies with something?” he asked them.

  “Yes Gordon, actually you can,” Alix said. “We’re looking for the Receiving room. We have no clue what that even means, and we really don’t want to be looking for it later after we’re all dressed up.”

  “Let me show you Miss Alix. Please follow me.”

  It turned out that the Receiving room was a room that appeared to be a very elegant lounge. Of course, the girls had never been in anything like a lounge, but they’d seen them on TV. It still looked like it belonged in the castle but there were lots of modern touches as well. There were a few high tables with no chairs in the center of the room and around the outside there were comfortable looking couches and chairs clustered around coffee tables. On one wall there was a bar with a colorful display of bottles behind it. Overall it seemed like a nice room to spend some time in.

  “Thanks Gordon,” Alix said as they left the Receiving room.

  “You are most welcome Miss Alix. See you ladies in a while.”

  Alix and Shay went upstairs to Shay’s room. They gathered everything they needed so that Shay could get ready in Alix’s room with her. When Alix walked into her room she saw a small box sitting on the desk. There was a note sitting beside it. She picked up the note and read it.

  Alix,

  You are going to be great tonight, and everyone will love you. We are so proud of you and the young woman you’ve become. Wear this tonight with your dress.

  Love, Mom & Dad

  Alix opened the box. Inside was a stunning necklace. It had a fine silver chain with a pale pink jewelled pendant that would match her dress perfectly.

  “Look, Shay, isn’t it beautiful.”

  “Yes, it is. Here, these are from me," Shay said handing Alix another small box.

  Alix opened it. It was a pair of earrings to match the necklace. “Oh Shay, these are gorgeous. Thank you. You guys are going to make me cry.”

  “Nope, no crying, don’t want to ruin your makeup,” Shay said sternly but with a smile.

  “Okay, okay, fine, but it’s not going to be easy. I guess we should get dressed.”

  The girls put on their gowns, shoes and jewelry then looked in the mirror.

  “Wow,” Alix said. “We look so grown up.”

  “I think the word you're looking for Alix is hot, we look so hot.”

  Alix could only grin at Shay and giggle. “Do you think Ben will even recognize us?”

  “Oh, he’ll know it’s us alright and I bet he won’t be able to stop staring at you all night.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Alix said blushing a little.

  “Sure, he will and if he doesn’t he’s an idiot. Let’s go rock this place!” Shay exclaimed.

  As they were leaving Alix’s room they ran into her mom and dad.

  “Oh mom, you look fantastic and dad you’re very handsome tonight. Thank you guys so much for the necklace. It’s beautiful.” Alix gave each of her parents a hug.

  “And you Alix, my little baby is all grown up now,” her mom said. “You look simply stunning honey. I’m not sure I have enough words to tell you how beautiful you are. And Shay, you are gorgeous as well. The young men here tonight better look out for you.”

  Shay just laughed at that. “You’re right Mrs. D, they’d better watch out.”

  Alix’s dad took her mom by the arm and they started down the hallway to the grand staircase. The four of them were just about there when Ben yelled for them to wait for him. He caught up with them quickly. Alix and Shay turned around to greet him. When they did his mouth fell open.

  “Uh … wow Alix, you look … wow.”

  “Is that the best you’ve got?” Shay said to Ben giving him a hard time. “Wow?”

  “Well wow pretty much sums it up,” he said. “I mean Alix you’re beautiful everyday but tonight you bring that beauty to a whole new level.”

  Now it was Alix’s turn to be speechless. “Thank you, Ben,” she said very quietly. She knew she was blushing, but she couldn’t stop it. “You look very nice yourself.”

  “I know,” he said with a grin.

  “You’re impossible Ben,” Shay said smacking him on the arm.

  “Heather and Shay, you both look fabulous as well tonight. Shall we head to the party? You ready Alix?”

  “As ready as I’m going to be,” she answered.

  Chapter 16

  Her dad took her mom’s arm and started down the stairs. Ben had each of the girls take his arms as they followed Heather and Rick down the grand staircase. Alix was silently laughing. She wasn’t sure exactly what she
thought was funny, but she couldn’t help the internal giggle. She thought it might be stress. She was very nervous about the rest of the evening.

  “Now,” Ben said when they got to the bottom of the stairs, “I have no idea where to go.”

  That made Alix giggle out loud. “Go left Ben,” Alix told him.

  “How do you know?” he asked.

  “We asked Gordon earlier where the Receiving room was,” she replied.

  “Well that was smart,” he said grinning.

  Ben followed her directions and as a group they entered the room. The five Council members they already knew were there mingling with several people they didn’t know. Ruth made her way over to their little group.

  “Alix, you are simply stunning this evening,” Ruth told her. “Allow me to introduce you to some other Council members.”

  Alix went with Ruth. Ben and Shay followed them. Ruth moved from person to person faster than Alix could remember their names.

  “I wish they were wearing name tags,” Alix whispered to Shay. “That would make this so much easier for me.”

  “I think those sticky name tags would ruin the look of all these fancy clothes,” Shay whispered back smiling.

  Alix had to hold back a laugh. “I guess you’re right, but how am I supposed to remember everybody?”

  “I don’t think you’ll remember them all right away so don’t stress about it. If you don’t remember someone’s name just ask them. You’re going to meet a ton of people tonight and the rest of the time here so just do your best," Shay told her.

  “Fine, but I was hoping you might have had a magical solution that I hadn’t thought of,"

  Shay just shrugged her shoulders. “Not this time. Sorry.”

  Ruth kept taking them around the room meeting more and more new people. By the time Alix made it back to her parents she was sure she’d met a hundred new people, even though it was more like thirty.

  “You look a little frazzled honey,” her mom said. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m okay. I’ve just met so many people and I have so many more to meet my brain can’t process it all.”

  “That’s natural, try not to let it get to you. You need to be enjoying yourself. Why don’t you kids go get something to drink.”

  “Thanks mom, that sounds like a good idea.”

  The three of them went over to the bar and asked for something to drink. The man behind the counter gave them something he called Party Punch.

  “Mmm, this is really good,” Shay said as she sipped her drink.

  “I agree,” Alix said.

  “Even though it looks a little girly I have to agree as well,” Ben told them.

  “Just because it’s pink doesn’t make it girly,” Shay said shaking her finger at him. “And besides it’s almost more orange than pink.”

  “Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” he said with a grin and put his hands up in surrender.

  They continued to mingle, well Alix’s version of mingling anyway. They stood in one spot and people came over and talked to her. She was really glad that Ben and Shay were there with her. They answered a lot of the questions and talked to people as they approached. Alix was extremely grateful for them.

  At precisely 6:30 they were called to dinner. Alix was glad it was time for dinner, she needed a rest from talking to people for a bit and hoped that she was sitting by people she knew and not at the head of the table or something. Luck was on her side this time, she was seated between her dad and Shay.

  Dinner was served by what looked like and army of waiters in crisp black and white uniforms. Alix looked around the table while everyone was eating. A small laugh escaped her mouth.

  “What’s got you laughing?” Shay leaned over and whispered.

  “I was just looking at everyone here and it looks like a gathering of the United Nations," Alix whispered back.

  Shay took a moment to look at the people they were sitting with. “You’re right. But I guess it makes sense that they would have Council members from all over the world, right?”

  “I know, but it was just one of those things that struck me as funny. I think I’m stressed out about later and you know I think of strange things when I’m stressing.”

  “That’s for sure. But I know you’re going to be just fine tonight. You have more confidence in you than you realize. And so far, everyone we’ve gotten to know seem like nice normal people. So just try to enjoy this delicious meal and worry about things as they happen.”

  “Thanks Shay, I needed to hear that.”

  When everyone had finished their meal, dessert was brought out. It was the fanciest dessert Alix had ever seen. It was lemon mousse in a white chocolate cup with fresh raspberries and whipped cream. And the entire thing was sprinkled with gold flakes.

  “It’s almost too pretty to eat,” Alix said to Shay.

  “Almost, but not quite,” Shay replied as she took a spoonful of the mousse. “Oh my God Alix, you have to try it. It tastes even better than it looks.”

  Alix had her first taste and had to agree. She was going to ask to talk to the pastry chef if she could. She had to know how to make it.

  After dessert they were offered coffee or tea and people started chatting with those closest to them. Alix looked at the clock, it was 7:20. The closer it got to 7:30 the more nervous she was getting. As Alix was thinking about what might be coming next Ruth stood up to talk to everyone.

  “I want to thank you all for coming tonight and a special thank you to Alix and guests. The Induction Ceremony will begin in a few minutes. Fellow Council members please make your way to the Ballroom. Everyone else please step out in the hall with me.”

  The “everyone else” turned out to be Alix and her friends and family. Ruth started putting everyone in pairs to form a line. At the head of the line were Karin and Mike, then Shay and Kris, Natalie and Rick, Heather and Ted and finally Alix and Ben at the back.

  “Gentlemen,” Ruth said, “please take your ladies by the arm. You’ll be escorting them into the Ballroom to be presented to the Council. Each of your names will be called. When you hear your name please enter the Ballroom and walk to the front of the room. That’s where the Council will be seated. When you reach the Council stop and perform a small bow like this.” Ruth bent slightly forward at the waist for a couple of seconds and then stood straight again. “The Council will acknowledge you and then you’ll be shown to your seat. Any questions?”

  “What happens after that?” Alix asked.

  “After that there will be a short speech to make you a full Council member. Then each of the Council members will formally welcome you to the Council," Ruth told her.

  “So, I don’t have to make a speech or anything?”

  “Not unless you want to. It’s quite a short ceremony but still important to the Nykara. It’s a celebration and this one is very special. As you may know we normally have a changing of the Council every five years, but that was done two years ago. As well, there have always been fifteen members of the Council but with the emergence of the Kaelneth certain changes had to be made. This is the first time in our recorded history that we’ll be adding a sixteenth member to the Council and out of sync with the normal routine. This night is all about you Alix. You bring hope to our people and it’s important we celebrate that.” Ruth smiled at Alix then entered the Ballroom.

  Before Alix had a chance to think about what Ruth said the double doors opened and Gordon was talking.

  “May I present Miss Karin Fay and Mr. Mike Rollins,” he said in a very loud voice. Karin and Mike walked arm in arm down an aisle to the front of the room. They did the little bow thing in front of the Council, the Council members all nodded, and they were then shown to seats just to the right of the Council.

  “May I present Miss Shay Stevens, Lossat to the Kaelneth, and Mr. Kris Temple,” Gordon announced. A murmur went through the crowd when Shay was introduced as a Lossat. They bowed and were seated.


  “May I present Mrs. Natalie Travers and Mr. Rick Travers, teachers of the Kaelneth.” The crowd seemed very interested in them as well. After taking their seats it was Alix’s parents turn.

  “May I present Mrs. Heather Dracon and Mr. Ted Dracon, parents of the Kaelneth.” There were even more whispered sounds coming from the announcement of her parents.

  All too soon it was Alix’s turn.

  “And it gives me great pleasure to present Miss Alix Dracon, the Kaelneth and savior of our people and her Protector Mr. Ben Travers,” Gordon said with a smile.

  This time the crowd clapped and cheered. It was all a little surreal for Alix. It’s a good thing Ben had her by the arm because she wasn’t sure she would have moved from her spot by the door. As she walked toward the Council she looked straight ahead. She didn’t want to look at the sea of faces, she knew that would make her more nervous. When they reached the spot where the others had bowed Gordon was there.

  “Miss Alix, please wait here for a moment so the Council can address you,” he whispered to her.

  She felt empty when Ben let her arm go. She hadn’t realized how much support he’d given her both physically and emotionally. Ben bowed to the Council and was shown to his seat. Alix wasn’t exactly sure what to do so she took a couple of steps forward and bowed to the Council. When she stood up she expected the Council to nod in acknowledgement as they had for everyone else but instead they stood up and bowed back to her. They all sat back down with the exception of one man. Alix knew she had been introduced to him earlier, but she couldn’t remember his name.

  “Welcome everyone to this historic event. And greetings Kaelneth, it is an extreme honor to be in your presence. My name is James Long, and I would like to officially induct you as a full-fledged member of the Almati Council of the Nykara people. Please accept this gift from the Council," he said holding up a bracelet for her to see. “By wearing this you accept the responsibilities of being a member of the Almati Council as well as agreeing to protect the Nykara people and all of humankind.”