Assembly Of Planets
Castle In A Red Storm
A Novelette
The light is red.
The vibrant color seeps through thick curtains that hang over several towering windows. There's a Victorian theme in this castle, as though it were plucked right out of England. But it wasn't.
Outside there lays a red fog. The color swirls through thick gasses, making it impossible to see anything but the planet's atmosphere.
Jupiter. This is the castle of Jupiter. The heart of the planet.
Curled up on a chair beside the dark curtains is a young woman. Her eyes and hair match the deep red of the planet's surface, as though she were a representation of the planet, itself.
This woman has tucked herself in the corner of the spacious room, her red ballgown of a dress wrinkled from her balled up position within the golden armchair.
There's a knock at the door.
“Come in...” She whispers.
The door falls open with a heavy creak.
In steps a man, poised and punctual. He's dressed in a tailed coat and tie.
A servant.
A butler.
Callisto. A moon of Jupiter.
His hair is chalk white and eyes light gray. All moons share these characteristics. Colorless. Inferior.
He frowns, as though put out by something.
“Miss Jupiter... Is now really the time to be sulking about?”
Jupiter doesn't respond. Instead, she pulls lightly at the curtain to get a better look at her planet's surface. The red light from beyond the window captures the side of Jupiter's face. This leaves the other side shadowed.
“I believe this to be the perfect occasion for sulking, Callisto...” She mutters to the window.
Callisto sighs and dares an eye roll.
“You pain me, Miss Jupiter.” He declares whilst stepping forward.
Callisto walks directly up to the window Jupiter has perched beside and pulls back the curtains. The room becomes illuminated by the red light of the planet. Outside, a strike of lightning clashes against the fog.
Jupiter winces.
“You know you have an assembly to attend, Miss Jupiter.” Callisto declares with a walk up to Jupiter's made bed. Upon the covers lay two packed bags. The smaller is neatly placed upon the larger.
“Tell them I can't make it.” Jupiter says in a voice just loud enough to be heard by her servant.
Callisto gives Jupiter a disapproving look. She catches this, then looks back outside.
“There's a storm...” She tries.
“And who's fault is that?” Callisto scoffs. He's smiling as he picks up Jupiter's bags from off of her bed. “Miss Jupiter..”
Jupiter looks to Callisto through the corner of her eye.
Callisto tilts his head and pinches his smile.
“I promise... You will be back before you know it.”
Jupiter's gaze falls downward, then darts back up through the window.
“Please don't pretend you can promise me that...”
---
Far from the galaxy we've claimed as our own rests Kaliph, a small spiral galaxy not yet discovered by man.
Within this galaxy exists the dwarf star, Zephyr.
The star is small, it's matter compact just enough to create a gravitational pull for the Assembly that's chosen to orbit it.
This Assembly is known as The Assembly Of Planets.
Planets and moons have been personified by the creator to uphold the original plan of the universe. They station themselves is this metallic fortress so that when a problem arises, they may take immediate action.
These Assembly members identify themselves with dark red jackets and silver, circular badges. Those lucky enough to be given a form of the creator's most prized creation, human beings, are invited to join the Assembly. Rarely to they decline.
However, among these members of the Assembly, are the council. Only the planets of the solar system of the original human race are given seats at council.
They separate themselves with navy blue jackets and golden broaches. Only they have the power to direct the Assembly. Only they have the power to decide what is to be done about pieces that don't match the puzzle. They control the Assembly. And they control the direction of the universe. It is the Council's sworn duty to make sure the creator's plans are fulfilled.
Ten golden chairs sit at the ground level of the Assembly's court room. However, due to recent events, only seven are actually being used. And so, the Assembly begins to wonder... Perhaps the perfect solar system wasn't destined to rule the council, after all...
“I must have you all know that I stand by what I've done. Regardless of the consequences.” Mother Earth declares from within the privacy of her own office chamber. She's sitting at a large metal desk with a wall of glass at her back. From behind her, one can see Zephyr, the bright blue star they orbit.
Draped across the room's furniture are the six other remaining members of council. They wear their navy blue jackets and gold, circular Assembly broaches with pride.
From a dull, almost purplish blue armchair, Mars begins to rub at his broach. He's quirking his brow when he says, “Well I don't. Not if it's going to cost me my rank in this council.” There's a moments pause. He releases his hold on his broach. “Or worse...”
Sitting beside Mars on an identical armchair, scowls Venus. She crosses her arms, leans back, and pops out her jaw in frustration. “We all chose to exile those two.” She glares. “Don't forget that, Mars.”
Saturn stands beside the office doorway. He stares at the floor and fusses with the hem of his jacket. Saturn hides his unusual sand colored eyes by dark bangs and thick framed glasses. When he does glance upward, he catches Mother Earth's gaze and startles. “It was the...” He pushes up his glasses with the middle finger of his right hand. “Logical... decision. After all, they did not meet the requirements necessary to qualify as a planet...” Saturn's voice is weak, timid.
“So now we all have to pay the price for their inadequacy?” Mars scoffs. His messy blonde hair sways with the abrupt kickback. “That hardly seems fair!” He barks.
Saturn twitches at the raise in Mars' voice.
Neptune stands beside Saturn. Her raven colored hair twists with messy curls and uneven bangs. If it weren't for their eyes, the two could almost look like twins. That said, Neptune's bold blue eyesight is perfectly fine as she watches her brother curl with discomfort.
