Posted 12 December 2009 - 08:33 PM
"What a boring day."
Things had been far less interesting ever since his visit to Xanth's Grotto in the previous week. He had kept up with his journal entries though, regardless of the lack of eye-catching happenings or thought provoking words. That was fine, as such was to be expected during the holiday season. It was always the same. People would run around from one part of the city to another, acting as if life itself was in the balance, trying to find gifts for their loved ones. He had never begrudged anyone their frantic actions, though. He simply found it amusing. "I'm happy that my family is easy to buy gifts for," he thought as he wandered aimlessly through the streets of New Alexandria.
A very familiar set of flapping wings had caught his attention as he made his way along an unfamiliar street. They were attached to a woman that he had seen within the grotto, a woman that he had found fascinating and strikingly beautiful. It hadn't taken more than that to make him follow her, though at a reasonable distance. He didn't even have to pick up his pace to more than a jog, as the woman had already neared her destination. She seemed to be in a big hurry, darting through the open gate of what resembled half of a huge brass cage affixed to what appeared to be a two story building of red brick. Now that was something one didn't see every day. Had he even been down that way in recent years? Not remembering, and therefore not knowing just how long the place had been in existence, he advanced, intent on finding answers.
Once he got closer to where the winged woman had so swiftly gone, Dante slowed his pace to a casual walk, gathered himself, and made a quick entry in his journal while crossing the gate and heading for the doors beyond. After notating the sighting of the woman he had hoped to meet again and the brief 'chase', he lowered the journal to his side. His thumb stroked over the wonderful covering that he had received as a gift during his first visit to the grotto, and it was the feel of the embroidered dragon on that fine leather that inspired the faint smile stealing over his face as he entered what a colorful mural framed by the majestic brass bars proclaimed to be "The Birdcage".
As Dante found his way toward a small table located near the back of the main room, he made sure to stop a woman that had the look of a server and request a small drink. Seating himself, Dante took the time to look around. He then placed his journal on the table and made another note.
The Birdcage has a brass gate, one that's very unusual in shape, presumably fashioned to resemble half a birdcage. Once a visitor gets past that obstacle, to get into the building they must enter a pair of brass framed wooden double doors, and past those is a hallway no less than twenty feet long and ten feet wide. Once I had traveled the length of the hall, I was politely ushered through swinging wood lattice doors and into a wide circular chamber with what looks to be a stage at the far end. Not far from the entrance to this room are clusters of small round tables surrounded by comfortable chairs, or so it has been my experience with the latter. Now that I'm in the "Birdcage Proper", as it were, all of the furniture appears to be carved or shaped from wood. It's of a red hue, possibly cherry, and buffed till it shines. The floor is a type of stone. Many stones, actually. Polished river rock, if I'm not mistaken. If I'm reading the atmosphere right, this place is a combination of restaurant and entertainment, and that curtained off stage area is for dancers or musicians. Perhaps even both. Admittedly, I had hoped to see the winged woman again upon entry, but I believe that she may work here as a dancer. I can only hope that I am correct in my assumption. I will wait patiently for her performance, however long it may take.
Closing his journal, Dante smiled as the server brought him his drink.
... then he almost dropped the glass of juice that he had only just paid for when a loud "Squawk!" sounded off right by his elbow. Turning in his seat, Dante stared at a feature of The Birdcage he couldn't believe he'd missed before. Somehow he'd thought that the rocks, trees, bushes, and other forms of greenery that surrounded the room were just another mural. Sure, the birds that were included in the painting were very lifelike, but no one would keep living specimens in an enclosed place like that when there were refreshments being served, right? Feeling riveted to his chair, Dante watched as the parrot that had announced its opinion of his ignorance hopped from one tree branch to another. They were alive, all of them! But it didn't make sense.
Only then did he make out the clear glass separating the birds' enclosure from the rest of the chamber. Ah, so guests could watch the birds and vice versa, but neither could directly interact with the other. He looked around the room again, just to confirm his suspicion. Yes, the enclosure went all the way around, with only a few notable interruptions, such as the stage area and the way into the place. Interesting.
Flipping open his journal, Dante set to recording this new development, chuckling as the parrot from before made a repeated noise that sounded remarkably like a laugh. He had a feeling that he wasn't the only guest that the bird had surprised.
(( The partial description of The Birdcage was provided by Euphenia, and she is the one who requested it be included in Dante's observations. ))