RE: Open Story - Pouredale

Chapter 1

'... And the current social -- economic climate, ensures that population centres have adequate social care in most first world countries...'


But Alain was not listening, he had far more important things on his mind, such as whether or not to get a Chinese take away, or pizza, or maybe even try to cook something himself. The final thought brought a lump to the back of his throat, as he remembered the very embarrassing and potentially lethal incident that had occurred last time he put his culinary skills to the test.

That was four weeks ago and yet he was still constantly reminded of the mishap, which he still viewed as a simple mistake, one that could have happened to anyone. It was merely bad luck that caused him to knock the kettle over, spilling water into the microwave causing it to overload and turn his chicken curry into pure carbon and release a gas so noxious that his entire halls of residence had to evacuate whilst the environment agency measured the levels of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide present in the building. A little melodramatic or so he thought, although he was assured it was necessary.

BRRIIING...

'... And for next lesson your thesis on pure Marxist principles.'

As Alain packed his books away, the dinner problem still unsolved, his gaze set upon Michelle. Possibly the only good thing to have emerged from the kitchen episode was the fact that he had met Michelle. -- they happened to be huddling under the same blanket --.

Michelle was tall, about 5'8". She was slightly tanned and as most women that age seem to be; freshly beautiful, with that uncanny ability to be both innocent yet alluring. Well that was how Alain viewed it anyway, and in his mind she was the pinnacle of feminine beauty. Today she was wearing a white skinny rib top, buttoned down the front and skin-tight blue jeans with a black belt and black platform shoes. In fact she looked very similar to all her friends yet with that uncanny female ability to look exactly the same as their friends yet totally different.

The thing that Alain really liked about Michelle was her hair, it was long, long enough so that when she sat down she had to be careful not to sit on it. It was also a deep brown colour that reflected the light with chestnut highlights... And Alain loved it, he could stare at it for hours, just dreaming about running his fingers through it, yet he had never had the chance, and although Michelle was always amicable towards him he feared that that was all it would ever be.

But that didn't stop him dreaming. In fact that was all he seemed to ever do, apart from when he was dabbling of course. Well that was what his mom called it, he preferred the phrase "Occultist Ritualism" this was his attempt at mysticism, very few people actually saw what happened during one of his rituals as he only ever performed them when he was alone in his room, but if anybody were to see them they would merely think that he was getting stoned, whilst wearing funny brown robes and murmuring in a strange language. This was what Alain thought he looked like to, but he had faith in the magical powers that he was channeling through his mind and body.

Tonight was going to be another visualisation night, he had a new ritual to try tonight, one that he had made up the other day. It was a portal spell that he hoped would allow him to retrieve information and insight into worldly matters and also increase his psychic powers.

In fact none of his spells or rituals had ever had any effect so far, but Alain knew that it was only a matter of time before one of his rituals actually worked.