The Formal

First Three Chapters. Novel to be published soon!

The Formal

MT Hart

Chapter One

The Host

"What's so special about this formal?"

"It's in Poland," said Timur.

"Okay. You have had formals in Europe before."

"It is at a very remote hotel AND convention center."

"Convention center? Since when do we need a convention center? For a formal? How many guests could you be expecting? Wait. How many contestants?"

"Fifty," replied Timur.

"Fifty?" Alexander shook his head in disbelief. "Fifty? Really? Well, that is a formal. No that is THE FORMAL of all formals."

"Timur?" Asked Liliana who had been politely sitting and listening to the two. "May I ask what a formal is? I mean besides a dance or dinner, but I have a feeling this is something else."

Liliana loved when she was allowed to sit with Timur and his occasional visitors. She also loved her life here in North Dakota in the big home near the river. She had learned so much recently from Timur, his visitors, and the other two women in the home.

Timur put his hand to his chin rubbing the smoothness as if rubbing a beard that did not exist. He looked at Liliana. She was such a lovely human specimen. She was tall and buxom with fiery red hair and pale skin. He had admired her from the first time he laid eyes on her. And she was ever so curious! He adored her curiosity! Today she wore a dark green velvet dress. She had on a beautiful gold necklace that Timur had given to her. Timur treated all of his servants very well. They were never with want or need.

"Yes, but better than this, I think you will see what a formal is. You will see how the incredibly rich like to spend their money on vile and pathetic entertainment. I think you shall accompany me. Yes, I like that idea." He said smiling. "And Elizabeth as well. Will you be a dear and tell her for me? You two have not left the house in quite some time. I think you would enjoy a trip to Poland. Don't you think?"

Liliana could barely contain her excitement. Her plump red lips widened into a smile showing her white teeth. It was a beautiful contrast to her red hair. She jumped up off of the stone bench she had been sitting on. She almost rushed too quickly nearly knocking a fine vase off of it's pedestal on the large wrap around porch.

"Yes, Oh yes! I am sure Elizabeth will be excited as well. I will tell her immediately."

Liliana slowed her gait a bit so as to not bump into anything else. The art work decorated the entirety of the large riverside home, and it was all extremely valuable. An art thief would become extremely rich if he were lucky enough to leave the premises with any amount of stolen items. Of course making it off the premises would be extremely unlikely as well.

Liliana left the lavishly decorated front porch area quickly and then ran into the main entrance and up the grand staircase to find Elizabeth. Timur could hear her shouting Elizabeth's name as she bounded up the stairs.

"Are you sure that is a good idea? Bringing them along?" Asked Alexander.

"And why not? It is normal for guests to bring a friend or a consort is it not?"

"Yes but not many guests are like us." Alexander scratched his head in thought. "Why do you do this Timur? Why do you hold these formals?"

"Really? You need to ask? Why would I care? They are not like us. To us they are food. Nothing more."