Pink Candy Addiction 7 - TG Caption

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6 

"Has everyone arrived?"

"Yes, High Priestess, the building is filled to capacity."

"And the sacraments are prepared?"

"They are."

"And the goddess?"

"Still in contemplation.  Seriously Layla, stop worrying. Everyone and everything is in place."

"Sorry, sorry. Thank you, Cindy. We'll begin as soon as Riley’s ready."

+++

"Hey, watch it!"

"Sorry about that," Stephen responded after accidently bumping the man on the crowded bench beside him before turning to his girlfriend. "Becky, I know it was your turn to pick our date, but this isn’t exactly what I imagined. Is this a church? You haven’t dragged me to some cult meeting, have you?" 

"No! At least, I don’t think so. I heard about it when I got some samples of the most amazing pink candy from a woman in the mall. You've got to try it! Come on, learn to live a little, Stephen!"

"…So we were lured into this strange meeting after you literally received candy from a stranger? And you ate it?"  "

"Hehehe...yeah... It sounds kind of bad when you say it like that. Really though, you should try this candy. It will change your lif- oh hey, they're starting!"

+++

Riley emerged from the shadows, a light appearing from the darkness. She surveyed the crowd, seeing more than what lay on the surface. The power of the goddess filled her, and she knew them. They would know her too, but only a fraction, only a sliver of the truth.  In time they would come to understand completely, if that was what they wished. Riley smiled at them all. She was ready. It was time to share what she had learned with the world. The former man opened her mouth and began.

"Welcome, everyone! Thank you! Thank you for being here with me, with all of us."

"We are all connected, even if, at times, it is hard to see, hard to believe. Our strengths shared are multiplied. Our burdens shared are eased..."

+++

"Isn't she amazing?" Becky whispered to her boyfriend.

"I think she's a hippy," answered Stephen. "She sounds like one, anyway. I saw it on a documentary."

Becky could only roll her eyes in response, eyes that lit up when a volunteer carrying a plate of free candy approached. Smiling her thanks, she took one each for her and her boyfriend, determined to help him a have a good time. Immediately placing it in her mouth, Becky moaned and offered him the other. 

Stephen examined it closely. The candy was pink and round and perfect. Hearing Becky make more sounds of satisfaction he looked up and noticed others in a similar state, like they held the answer to all life's questions in their mouths, if only they sucked hard enough. 'Screw it,' he thought, and placed the candy on his tongue where it liquified and seeped into the skin. Stephen swallowed, and the feeling spread. There was a sweet ozone smell to the air. How had he not noticed that before? His skin felt electric and hot to the touch.  A similar heat seemed to radiate from his girlfriend, and he moved his arm closer, watching as tiny arcs of pink lightning began to dance between them.

He turned to his girlfriend, a feeling of intimacy and serene curiosity welling up from inside. They looked at each other, each wearing the same dreamy expression. He could hear her, her thoughts and wants laid bare. More than that, he could feel her strengths, her fears. Those were simplistic terms that barely scratched the surface, but it was the best he could articulate with his limited understanding. He knew he was just as exposed to her, but instead of exposed he felt open and unencumbered, free. He turned to look out at the crowd and…

Arcs of pink energy flash from person to person. They were all connected. He feels them. He knows them…

Flash He is his girlfriend Becky, open minded, willing to try anything.

Flash He is the young woman right in front of him, searching for meaning, wondering if she's found it at last.

Flash He is a pregnant woman in the crowd cradling her extended belly, almost ready to pop and filled with happy thoughts of motherhood.

Flash He is that woman’s nearly born child, warm and safe and loved, eager to start a new life. 

There are connections everywhere.

Flash He is a high priestess named Layla, dedicated to her lover and goddess.

Flash He is a soon to be Priestess named Cindy, ready and willing to spread her happiness with everyone she meets.

Flash He is a goddess, sheltering her flock, sharing her gift freely with the world. 

Stephen's eyes and the goddesses connect through the crowd, through his body, through his soul. A song sings in the space between them. He catches a glimpse before the connection breaks, but part of it lingers, part of him remembers and always will.

The candy finally dissipates, and Stephen comes back to himself, buzzed and happy. He holds hands with his girlfriend, closer than ever. He again bumps into his neighbor, the grumpy man from before, who smiles at him, and they each apologize.

"See, I told you the candy's amazing!" Becky gloats.

"Yes, it is. Though I'm almost positive now this a cult."

"Yeah, you might be right."

They lean in to kiss, and Stephen notices a tiny flake of pink on her cheek, detouring slightly to lick it off, while chuckling. "Hey, you have some sparkles on your face. I kind of like it," he tells her, not aware of the small spot of addictive pink candy forming on his own skin. 

"So… Want to come back tomorrow?" Stephen asks.

"Yes!" Becky answers happily, sounding relieved. "You do too?"

"Definitely. I want more of that candy!"

The End?