[M] The Darkness Down Below

[Violet]

A half hour and an empty box of cocoa puffs later, Nathaniel led his new charge to her room. It was nothing like her old accommodations, where she barely had a piece of cloth to throw over her to stave off a chilly draft; it was very much like every other fancy hotel room she couldn’t afford.
 
A large, plush bed was situated on one wall, piled high with royal blue satin pillows and matching comforter. Smaller white cotton accent pillows were thrown on for effect. Light spilled in from a set of French doors adjacent from the bed. Silky red curtains flanked the sides, with a layer of fine white lace underneath. She had her own bathroom, and everything was covered in rich black carpet.
 
Violet, for the first time since she was banished, smiled genuinely at Nathaniel. It was difficult for her to accept that this could all be real, and his intentions for her sincere, especially after all he had put her through up to this point. Decades of abuse from someone can really be a pain in the ass to shake, even if they’re trying their best to repent. Unsurprisingly, she remained guarded. “All of this is mine?”
 
Nathaniel nodded. “I can’t take back everything I’ve done to you, Violet, but I want to at least try to apologize for being such a shit,” he said solemnly. “The best I can do is make you comfortable for however long you’re here.”
 
“Thanks, I guess.” Her eyes darted around the room, trying to take in everything. It was nice, but accepting it felt like it gave her captivity permanency. It was fancy as hell, but a prison was still a prison regardless of how tastefully it was decorated. The goal was to get the fuck out of here, not sit back sipping margaritas with her ultimate arch nemesis. It felt a little too “dining with the devil” for her.
 
“Come down for dinner in about an hour, I’ll let Cecilah know to put something on the stove.” Nathaniel turned to leave, but Violet reached out to stop him.
 
“Wait,” she tugged at his arm. “Teach me to use Omnilium.”
 
Nathaniel quirked a dark brow at her abruptness. “You don’t know how to use Omnilium?”
 
She shook her head. “Unless it’s just something we can just will into existence by thinking about it, no.”
 
“That’s pretty much what it is. It takes a little more concentration, but that’s the idea.”
 
“So, we can make anything?” Nathaniel nodded. “How about changing these clothes, because damn.” Violet puffed her arms dramatically. “I feel like I’m wearing a potato sack.”
 
Nathaniel threw his head back in laughter, the spill of raven hair cascading across his shoulders, catching glimmers of the recessed lighting on their tinsel-like strands. “Well, alright, we can do that. Although, I’m sure I have clothes that would fit you somewhere in this house.”
 
“I’d rather have something more my own style, if that’s fine,” she replied.
 
“So, jeans, a wife beater and boots?”
 
“All black, please.”
 
“Some things never change,” he chuckled. “Alright, all you have to do is hold out your palms, like this;” he cupped his palms together, like he was getting ready to dip them in water for a drink. A subtle white glow began to pulse from those cupped hands, and he then flattened them as the energy began to take a more definite form. The white light wasn’t entirely white: within its glowing shell, she could see other colors, very bright, very warm. His face settled into a concentrated blankness as minutes passed.
 
She watched in earnest as the shape of a pair of boots came into form. The white light began to recede, and what was revealed was the most perfect black leather boots she’d ever seen. She’d never owned something so well-crafted in her life.
 
“And just like that, new boots!” Nathaniel handed them to her, and she happily accepted.
 
“Great, now for some actual clothes that fit me.”
 
“How about you try this time?” Nathaniel suggested. “Make yourself some jeans.”
 
She blinked nervously at him, but nodded. “Alright, here goes.” Cupping her hands in front of her like Nathaniel did, she waited for the white light to appear, but nothing happened. “It’s not working. What am I doing wrong?”
 
“Are you visualizing what kind of jeans you want?”
 
“No.”
 
“It might help.”
 
Violet tried again, this time, something happened, although she wasn’t sure if it was the right thing that was supposed to happen. The energy that pooled within her hands wasn’t really white, it was more pinkish in color. Her aura, she knew, could take on a reddish tint, so perhaps her method of calling whatever it was that made Omnilium came from the part of her that harnessed ki.
 
Using this knowledge, she projected it into her palms, visualizing her favorite pair of jeans and watching in anticipation as the white light began spilling over her palms like some kind of liquidy fabric. It didn’t quite touch the ground, but it did seem to halt its flow just short of her knees. She held her concentration for several long moments before the light began to fade, and the rough black fabric materialized. Nathaniel plucked the material from her hands and held it out in front of him.
 
“Not terrible, but I think there’s an extra leg. Unless you’re packing something I don’t know about down there, I think you may want to try again.”
 
Violet’s face scrunched in annoyance. “Damn it, alright.” Repeating the procedure, Violet thought of the same jeans, this time, envisioning herself unfolding the fabric, concentrating on the waistline, how the button and zipper as well as all the rivets were painted black so as not to catch light that would give her away in stealth situations. Her gaze travelled down one leg, then the other, taking note of the subtle flair of the legs and all the tactical pockets that ran down the sides. Several minutes later, she unfolded the product of her concentration, and revealed a perfectly fitted pair of jeans.

“Those look great, Violet,” Nathaniel complimented with a soft smile. “Now, just get the shirt and whatever else you need and meet me downstairs when you’re finished.”
 
Violet returned his smile, and proceeded onto the next piece of clothing. She had to admit, creating something from this new resource was exciting, but she could feel it drained her energy just a little. It might not be a terrible idea to grab a nap later, or an early bedtime. After all, she had a big date with Ramses tomorrow night, and she had to be bright and sunshiny for him.
 
Oh, joy.