Lucky took Lilly’s hand, pulled her into his arms and danced her around the courtyard. His eyes locked with hers. She looked away and looked back. Butterflies filled her stomach and she had trouble catching her breath. She had the feeling they had met before, or maybe he reminded her of someone. Dimples creased his cheeks as he smiled at her. His deep set gray eyes exuded intensity, interest and mischief. Lilly smiled back trying not to stare as his eyes continued to hold her in a steady gaze. She had to admit he was beautiful. His strong jawline, black curly hair, slightly hooked nose combined to form a strong handsome face with a touch of vulnerability. He pulled Lilly slightly closer, his fingers slipping between hers as he danced her over the cobblestoned courtyard.
When the music stopped, Jolene was ringing her little bell announcing the red beans and rice were ready. Lilly stepped out of Lucky’s embrace, smiled and headed for Jolene’s kitchen.
Sitting next to Madeline on the floor of Jolene’s spacious living room, Lilly whispered, “For heaven’s sake, why didn’t you tell me a Marlon Brando look alike lived here?”
Madeline looked puzzled, “Who are you talking about?”
Lilly let her eyes wander to the couch where Lucky was talking to James. She gently nodded her head in his direction and looked at Madeline.
“Oh, Lucky, yea he is something. He is a bit too intense for me but, now that you mention it, he does look like Marlon Brando.”
“Yea,” Lilly said nodding her head slowly.
“He comes and goes, travels for his work,” Madeline said, cutting her eyes in his direction. “I haven’t gotten to know him.”
When the dishes had been collected and the last beer was gone, the group wandered back out into the courtyard. Forest placed more wood on the fire and Lucky picked up his guitar. Lilly stayed for a few minutes listening to the music, drinking in the magic of the night. The fire burned to ash and the moon silvered the faces of her friends. Lilly smiled, waved goodnight and headed upstairs to her bed
Chapter 24
The Bliss of Kosmic Debris
“Keep still, don’t move your face,” Madeline instructed as she applied the face paint.
“It tickles,” Lilly said while trying not to move her mouth.
Madeline stood back and examined her art work. “Check it out,” she said handing Lilly a mirror.
“Oh, wow, I can’t believe it. You did a great job Madeline. I look like some otherworldly magical Faery being.”
“Exactly my intention,” Madeline said smugly.
“Thank you, I could have never done anything like this myself,” Lilly hugged her, careful to keep her newly painted face clear of Madeline’s blond hair. “Can you help me get into this costume? I’m going to need some assistance with the wings.”
At 11AM a beautiful, sparkling and unique creature opened the gate from Panthea’s Apartments and walked out into the Mardi Gras milieu. Her bright red hair glittered with golden bits and tiny flowers. Her face was a swirling mask of mystery, eyes up tilted with fine lines of golden paint, tiny dots and swirls declaring her affinity with the Faery tribes. Two breasts peaked out from a lacy golden bodice atop a shimmering Faery skirt floating around her thighs. Soft leather boots embraced her feet and calves to her knees. Faery wings of finest filament stirred slightly as she walked. A small velvet pouch was wound about her waist with a golden cord.
The Inanna Jewel was stored safely in its velvet bag on top of the altar in her bedroom. The crystal she was gifting Roland dangled between her breasts.
Lilly made her way through the crowd in Jackson Square to Decatur Street. She was stopped several times along the way for photos. She smiled and curtsied for the cameras and continued her journey to Frenchman Street.
She hadn’t worn a costume since she was a kid at Halloween and didn’t remember it being so exciting. Today every fiber of her being thrummed with new life. Lilly LaCouer was reborn as she embraced and displayed the truth of her magickal self.
The walk towards Frenchman Street was slow as the Carnival revelry was building. Some of the masked faces delighted and some frightened her. Pushing gently through the crowd, she thought she saw Alex’s face. Fear paralyzed her for a moment. She quickly lost herself in a group of pink pigs with glittering wings. She walked with them for a little while laughing at their nonsensical conversation as they ate beignets and drank beer.
Leaving the flying pigs behind, her heart grew heavy as she thought of Alex and the mask he had worn before they were married. She had believed his mask of sincerity, love and caring. Overtime, she came to see he was an impostor, an unkind, wicked and cruel man hiding behind a handsome smile. She shook her head slightly, opened her eyes to the sunny morning and banished thoughts of Alex.
Making her way through the colorful crowd, her thoughts turned to her new relationships, her friends at Panthea’s; Roland, The Green Man Band and the dozens of artists and vendors in the Square. She admitted to herself she, as well as everyone else, wore masks. They put on a personality mask hiding their deepest selves. Not everyone had a monster hiding behind the mask of their personality. Lilly saw the brave, wild, colorful beings full of love, hiding behind the masks her friends wore. The marvelous and beautiful powers hidden in many of her friends at Panthea’s were unmasked during the rituals they performed together and the sharing of their lives as friends. As their shadow selves and greatest powers were unmasked, they stood in awe of one another, filled with compassion, acceptance and love.
‘Possibly,’ Lilly mused, ‘the true purpose of life is to unmask oneself and become an authentic being. Those who shed their mask, also shed self deception and live their lives fearlessly with open hearts. They
