Castle on a Cloud Willow Trilogy book 2

When I went to sleep, I was in my room. When I woke up, I was still in my room- my other room - the one that had been in my head since I was eight.
‘No, no, no not today!' I thought, panicked 'I'm taking my driver's test today!'
"Good morning Willow," said a voice with the same tones as Julie Andrews- and the same English accent. A tall elf with slender pointed ears, corn silk blonde hair and grey blue eyes dressed in an immaculate white gown was sitting primly on the foot of my inside-my-head bed.
"Ladybird let me out! I have my test in like an hour!" I roared.
"Indeed! You have a big, big, big day! I suggest we hop to it darling- you need a nutritious breakfast before you go take your test." said the ethereal woman in white.
"Hey, keep both eyes on the road today, okay?" said a male voice- a man with long black hair and crimson eyes, dressed in loose breeches and boots- he was shirtless to accommodate the two powerful red dragon wings protruding from his shoulders. He wore a sword on his hip.
"I will Solar," I said with a smile, giving him a high five.  
The woman began going through my inside-my-head closet. "Hmm, what to wear ..." she said softly to herself.
"Birdie you moose! We're going to take a driver's test, not a Renaissance Faire! I will be picking out her outfit" said a voice. The speaker was a Japanese man, with shoulder- length black hair tucked back in a bandana; he was dressed in a vest and yellow tee shirt, neon yellow Chuck Taylors, and jeans with beading on the hip pockets. His chocolate brown almond eyes were meticulously outlined with eyeliner.
"I dress very tastefully, thank you, Master Chi," retorted Ladybird, puckering her pastel pink lips. The Japanese man stuck his tongue out in a childlike manner, revealing a piercing.
"Guys," said a voice shyly "She has a driver's test in an hour! We've got to pipe down," said a man with sunset orange hair and silver eyes. He was dressed simply in a tee shirt and jeans.  Ladybird gave everyone reproachful looks.
"Zach is quite right," Ladybird said. I was back in my room again- the normal one. I hurriedly picked out a tee shirt and jeans and ran downstairs for breakfast. My adoptive father, Jerry, greeted me.
"Morning kid," he said with a smile, and tied his heavy boot. My dad's a police officer and he was in full uniform.
"Morning dad," I said and gave him a quick hug. I went to the refrigerator.
"Still hungry, Willow? You were in here eating a PBJ and stuff when I woke up," said my dad. That's when I realized- I wasn't hungry.  
"I made sure you had all the basic food groups dear," came Ladybird's voice from somewhere in my mind's ear. Outside in the tangible world, my dad was analyzing me.
"It was someone else, wasn't it?" he asked. I nodded.
"No big deal right? We'll let the therapist know someone made you breakfast," said my dad, ruffling my hair. He checked his watch. “Looks like it’s time- let's head out." The keys to my dad's squad car jingled in his hand.
"Car ride. Car ride you mooses! I am totally gonna hang my head out the window!" came Chi's voice in my mind.
"You're a werewolf, not a Golden Retriever," I muttered under my breath. As if on cue, inside my mind, I felt a cold, wet nose in my palm. A black wolf was balancing on his hind legs, begging.
"No," I whispered. The wolf whined and trotted off. As I sat down in the squad car and buckled my seatbelt, Chi reappeared in his human form, with a man with snow-white hair and mint green eyes. He was dressed in green scrubs.
"Pardon me Miss Willow," he said (his accent was strange- I had never been able to place it) "But since we may be driving soon I would like to discuss becoming an organ donor with you. I think it would be a kind gesture- so many people wait for transplants you know ..." he said. I nodded once to indicate it was okay.
"Okay everybody pipe down- she needs to get her head in the game," said Solar. The people in my brain all made themselves at home- Ladybird lounged primly on a couch, absorbed in a book. Solar sat next to her, thumbing his blade and stealing the occasional glance at Ladybird. Nori and Chi occupied a chair; Chi busied himself with braiding the healer's long white hair and whispering things in his ear that made him chuckle quietly;  Chi planet the occasional kiss on Nori's lips. Zach wandered off to another part of the castle.
My dad dropped me off at the Department of the Interior where I would be taking my test. A highway patrolman greeted me.
"Willow Merryship?" he asked.
"That's me," I said, smiling and shaking his hand. He smiled and ushered me to a car. I sat down in the drivers' seat and exhaled deeply and tried to center my mind. I put on my seatbelt.
"Don't crash, little fool," said a hollow, resonant voice in my mind's ear.
"Copper, get back down in the basement," Boomed Solar. Chi was in his wolf form whining and growling softly, with his tail between his legs. Nori's fists were clenched. Ladybird quickly stood between me and the threat. I could still see him over her shoulder: the tall apparition in the tuxedo with the two copper eyes I had seen in all my nightmares, behind a white mask revealing nothing but his mouth.
"Willow? Are you alright?" asked the highway patrolman, distracting me momentarily.
"Yes," I answered quickly, "Just a little nervous I guess." I managed a smile, and put the keys in the ignition.
"Make your last utterance, stupid girl- I fully intend to wreck this automobile and smear your brains all o'er the pavement" threatened the masked man with the copper colored eyes.
Solar didn't say a word- he leapt at the intruder and let his sword do the talking. I pursed my lips and began the task of driving and avoiding the fist fight raging inside. By the time we got to the first stop light, Solar had the upper hand.
"Give up Copper?" he asked. The masked man glared up at him, and tapped the point of Solar's blade, which was an inch from the white mask.
"This is not over," he said in his hollow voice. He stood up, righted his elegant clothing, cast a final deadly glare in Solar's direction, and was gone. The light turned green and I flipped on my turn signal. I made the left turn.
"Everyone okay?" asked Solar. All the residents of my invisible world affirmed.
"God- Copper's such a bitch," said Chi, and pulled Nori into his arms.
"Yeah- he has been causing trouble around here for as long as any of us can remember," said Solar.  
"I expect a larger social circle would improve his behavior, but when one behaves the way he does, there's nothing for it is there?" said Ladybird.
"We should tell our therapist he came out of the basement," said Nori, resting his head on Chi's shoulder. Solar nodded in agreement. I kept driving.
"Let's see you park," instructed the Highway patrolman. I pulled into a parking lot and carefully pulled into a spot. The patrolman had been scribbling notes- I was fairly certain I flunked the driver’s exam.
“Don’t worry darling,” came Ladybird’s voice from inside my head. “Very few people pass the first time- you can always retake it…” I didn’t respond. For one thing, I didn’t want the patrolman to think I was crazier than he already did. For another … I couldn’t bring myself to. Chi and Nori looked uncomfortable; Chi busied himself with Ladybird’s flaxen hair. Nori scurried to another part of my castle.  Solar sat forlornly next to Ladybird.
“This bites hard,” he mumbled mournfully.  Zach drifted in and joined the little group as I sat waiting for the Highway Patrolman to write his final notes.
“What are we going to do?” asked Zach, wringing his hands.
“I don’t know,” said Solar, “But it’s going to require everyone working together- and I mean everyone. Ladybird, can I see you alone for a minute?”
The patrolman clicked his pen.
“Not bad, for your first try,” he said “I’m going to pass you. Try not to space out on us, okay?” I nodded and smiled. I could barely contain my excitement as I drove back to the DMV- I was finally getting my license! I may be bat-crap crazy according to some people, but I was still as ecstatic as every other 16 year old about getting my license. I contemplated what kind of car I should start saving up for.  I absently wondered where everyone in the castle had disappeared to.  
Meanwhile Solar was in close conversation with Ladybird.  
“I’m going to the basement to talk with Copper. He can either be a productive part of this community, or he’ll have me to deal with,” said Solar.
“I pity him,” said Ladybird, “All alone in that fell darkness with no friends. But sometimes I despise him for all the fear he has caused.”
“Well, love him or hate him, I am ending his douchebaggery once and for all- either way,” said Solar firmly. “Anyway … I wasn’t telling you this to brag or anything.”
“Oh?” asked Ladybird.
“Yeah,” said Solar with a nervous twitch of his wings. “Here it is: I’ve had a crush on you since the day you walked in here- and I wanted you to know in case I don’t come back.” Ladybird hid her laugh behind the back of her hand.
“My good sir … I’ve felt the same way about you,” said Ladybird.
“Then give me a kiss for good luck,” said Solar, and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her and gently curled his fingers in her hair.
I smiled for the camera, and walked over and received my driver’s license. I was distinctly pleased with myself, and I could hardly wait to tell my dad; I texted him with the good news.
‘Awesum that’s gr8’ was the reply I received. I grinned at my dad’s complete inability to text. He came to pick me up shortly thereafter, and we stopped at Sonic for a bite to eat. As expected, Chi came bounding up.
“Order me a hot dog you moose,” he demanded and flopped down on the couch.  I glared at him.
“Please?” he said tilting his head and giving me his most winning smile.
“No,” I muttered.
“I’ll chew up your shoes- and that is an unforgivable crime with this man,” threatened Chi, narrowing his eyes.  I crossed my hands primly so dad wouldn’t see and flipped Chi the bird. Chi dropped his jaw.
“Ha, not even on your birthday girlfriend,” Chi responded in his sassiest manner. Then he was contrite. “Listen … I’m sorry Copper screwed up your test.”  I let him have control of my functions with my license in my hand so he could see it. He admired it a moment and released me back into the world.
“You passed!” he squealed “And that is such a cute photo- props for that- people’s drivers’ license pics always look so crappy. Okay so we are celebrating. And you have to buy us a sexy Jag to cruise around in or something,” said Chi. He strutted away to spread the good news to the rest of the castle. I ordered a cheeseburger just to spite him.
Solar had made it to the corridor leading to the basement by this time. The air was cool and damp. He followed the corridor, lit by multicolored torches. At the end of the corridor was a lake. Solar had no idea what sort of monstrosities Copper might have put in it, so Solar opened his wings and began to fly. He could see a light on the far end of the lake. He flew with no more noise than a bat across the lake to the landing on the other side.  A small boat was moored in the water at the landing, and the area was dimly lit with torches. The rest of the area was walled off, and there were steps leading up to a door. Solar could faintly make out the sound of a piano from beyond the door. He walked up the steps, and knocked. The music stopped. At long last, the door opened, and Copper was standing in the doorway.
“How dare you intrude into my domain, Blood Dragon? We have an agreement,” said Copper, his eyes blazing.
“That’s what I come to talk to you about. I need your help,” said Solar. “You owe me your help after what you did to Willow this afternoon. Not to mention the way you’ve been terrorizing her and the rest of us.”  Copper laughed.  
“Go fuck yourself. I’ll ne’re help you and your band of idiots,” said Copper.
“Okay so you’re going to stay down here in the dark forever,” asked Solar.
“Verily so, Solar; Go back upstairs while I still allow it,” said Copper.
“Copper if we have another fight like we did today then I assume Willow’s going to talk to her therapist about integrating. She’s already going to mention that you came out of the basement. You want us all to die?” asked Solar. Copper’s thin, pale lips spread into a smile.
“Why not,” Copper mused.  Solar swatted at Copper with the flat of his blade.
“If you want to have a piss-poor attitude about life fine,” Solar said, “But I don’t.  I have an unbelievably hot, amazing woman waiting for me upstairs- and my friends- I have a lot to lose and if you think I will lose all that without a fight you’re wrong.”
“Enjoy yourself while you can then, you pig,” said Copper dismissively, turning in the doorway. Solar followed him in. The parlor was clean and tastefully furnished, but dark. Copper pressed a button on a stereo and Panic! At the Disco began playing. The tall, ghostly figure settled lazily in a chair.
“What’s your angle? What do you want? Whatever it is, within reason I’ll make it happen,” shouted Solar over the music. Copper eyed him curiously, and rose and turned down the music to an appropriate level.
“You really are that desperate. Very well- I shall consider your offer, sir. But I have conditions of mine own,” said Copper.
“Name your terms,” said Solar.  
“Of course I shall be privy to all the same rights you and the others enjoy. Also, my mask is not to be tampered with. I also reserve at least an hour of time in control of the body,” said Copper.
“So far all that sounds okay,” said Solar. Copper raised a thin finger.
“And- if I should find someone to love … Willow is not to stand in my way,” finished Copper.
“That may be a little more difficult to negotiate. Willow’s had a crush on that guy in her class for a while now …” said Solar.
“The boy is of no consequence!” snarled Copper. “Those are my terms.” Solar inhaled.
“I’ll split the difference with you. I can guarantee you all the stuff I personally get to do, plus the on time. Dating is something you have to ask Willow about,” said Solar. Copper gave a nod.
“Well then we are wasting time. Come along- I shall convey you across the lake,” said Copper. The two men walked out and got into the boat at the landing. Copper began to guide the boat through the dark water.
“So you like Panic, huh?” asked Solar.
“Music is my only love, sir,” replied Copper.
“I tend to like hard rock, but Panic’s interesting,” said Solar. The rest of the boat ride was spent in silence. Solar tied the boat up, and followed the corridor up to the common room of the castle.
I was surprised to see Copper. He never came out of the basement unless he felt like causing trouble.  I got out of the car and started for my room, never taking my inner eye off him.
“Greetings, child,” he said in his hollow voice.  “I have agreed to a truce with you and the rest of your compatriots- under certain conditions.” I listened to the apparition’s demands.
“The dating isn’t happening- this is my body- I let you guys have a lot of free reign, but that’s where I draw the line,” I said. Copper snarled.
“Cry me a river,” I said shakily “It’s not happening.”  He narrowed his eyes.
“Very well,” said Copper sourly. “You accept the rest of my terms?”
“Yeah, everything else is okay,” I said. Copper nodded.
“Very well then,” Copper said, “Let me out.”  He took control, and examined me critically- my long black hair, my brown eyes, my ebony skin and my slight figure- he stretched. He’s taller than I am and I can sense he doesn’t like piloting my short frame. He walks to the stereo and turns on some music and lounges on my bed. Inside, Chi and Nori stroll into the common room to hear the music. Solar and Ladybird disappear entirely, and not long after that I think I can hear love-sounds coming from Solar’s room. Zach sits at the opposite end of the couch I’ve occupied.
“Want to dance?” I ask pleasantly.
“No thanks,” says Zach, and he seems to retreat into himself. I shrug and throw a pillow at Chi, who is failing in his ability to twerk.  Nori laughs. Outside, Copper smiles the only pleasant smile of his life.
It’s then that I realize how tired I am. I get control of my body back, and ready myself for bed. As I curl up in bed, I hear Zach and Copper in soft conversation. Solar’s room is quiet. Ladybird’s room is vacant. Nori and Chi are quiet also. My eyelids flutter, and both worlds go black.