Care to Join?

Rite of Initiation

I stood in the candlelight illuminating the dark dark dark DARK room, only slightly piercing the thick black carpet of nothingness that engulfed my surroundings. Outside in the other room, it had been pink and bright and filled with that awfully strong sunlight. In here, the floors were a dull grey, and the walls black. There were windows, but they were covered with dark black curtains that prevented any light from getting in. Everything was just... dark. And the room was so cool, the air being protected from the heat of the sun. It felt pretty good.

I had decided to join the club, even though he didn't tell me the rules and times and stuff. This was just the club for me. I could feel it. Thinking about the magic that maybe I would be able to do, the interesting history it has, how unknown and undiscovered it is... It's just like a science! So even after his rude kidnapping me into darkness, unnatural manner of introductions and whatnot... But past that it sounds pretty good. I hope.

The small, high table came up to about my stomach, with the single candle and the black book. It was open to somewhere in the back, the pages faded and torn. Nekozawa said he was going to get the materials for my rite of initiation. My instruments were still in the next room.

The sound of a door closing somewhere told me that he had returned. And then that bone chilling, deep chuckle again. I shifted nervously back and forth, unable to see the student. But he soon entered the light's circle, and I finally got a good look at him. His black hair hung low over his pale, pale, cloud-white face, but I could make out his eyes. They were bright blue, glittering happily. The grin spread wide across his face under that hood as he came closer, holding a black bundle in his hands. "This is for the new member," he said with that deep voice of his. I shivered as he approached, and suddenly the candle light disappeared.

"What the-" But it lit up once again. Nekozawa had shoved the black cloak over my head, and was now smiling that evil smile at me. I could just barely make out the light blue eyes as they stared into my own.

"This is your cloak," he said, still grinning. "You will wear it as often as possible. When you wear it, you represent everything magic represents. You represent this club. Now that you have taken an interest in magic and acknowledge its existence, you are obliged to realize that in all that you do." He went on to explain the club activities, listing things like magic potions and spells, as well as magical items and spirits. All I could think was that this was probably the best club to join. Ever.

And then he stopped talking. The silence lowered like a heavy cloud on the room. I stood there uncomfortably, not exactly sure what I was supposed to do... But he muttered something in some super old Japanese that I could definitely NOT understand... Is that a whole other language? Nothing like I'd heard before.

He stopped again, waiting for a moment before reaching behind my shoulders to grab my hood. I blushed at the closeness and tried not to breath. His smile had left, leaving him with a solemn frown. I think. It was hard to tell because of his hair and hood. He pulled the hood over my head slowly, muttering something under his breath the whole time. When he finished, he kissed my lips softly and backed away-

Wait, WHAT?

I blushed furiously, but his grin was back now. "What was that for?" I asked, reaching up to touch my lips. They were still cold from his own. There wasn't any warmth in it... yet it felt kind of... nice. It felt meant. It felt meaningful.

He only smiled at me. "Part of the initiation," he rasped out, walking to the other side of the table to close the book. "I apologize for scaring you."

I hoped the hood hid my face as much as it hid his, because the blush was taking over. "No... no that's ok," I stuttered. Whatever. It's fine. Just initiation.

There was silence for a minute that stretched like hours. I breathed hard, trying not to think about it...

"I'm going to like having another member," he whispered.