"Ryan, I got the strangest invitation in the mail today," Rita informed her older brother when he answered the phone.
"Well, how strange?" Ryan asked his 26-year-old sister, 12 years younger than him.
"It's an invitation to the Sibling Ball," she replied. "You can only get in with an invitation and you must be a brother and sister."
"Wow, that is a bit strange, isn't it?" Ryan replied, his attention now caught. "Who sent it to you?"
"My old roommate from college," she replied.
"Sara?" he asked.
"Yes," Rita answered.
"Sara was pretty crazy," Ryan observed. "Lots of fun, but definitely had a crazy streak."
"She was a great roommate," Rita said. "I've never had so much fun as I did with her."
"Well, why don't you call her and ask her about it?" Ryan suggested.
"I already did," Rita replied. "She wouldn't really tell me anything, just that it was the best party on the planet and that it would be a life-changing event for me. She said that she and her brother have been going to it for years. It only happens once a year, apparently."
"But why did she suddenly send you an invitation?" Ryan asked. "Have you stayed in regular contact with her?"
"That's another part of what's so weird," Rita said. "I haven't had any contact with her for a few years. I actually asked her why she was sending me an invitation to world's best party after not hearing from her for so long."
"What did she say?" Ryan asked.
"She said that I was smart and that she figured that I could probably handle it," Rita replied.
"That's it?" Ryan asked.
"That's it," Rita said.
"And?" Ryan asked, dragging the word out.
"It's happening at Cray's Castle," she said.
"Damn!" Ryan exclaimed. "I've always wondered what that place was like. It's fantastically huge, right up on the side of the mountain overlooking the hills and the ocean. Supposedly some really eccentric people bought it a few years ago."
"I knew you'd react like that," Rita said with a laugh. "I can remember scouting the place with you more times than I can count when we were kids. The place fascinated you even back then."
"And?" Ryan asked, again dragging the word out.
"Well, a part of me is curious about the party," Rita admitted. "Like I said, I never had a bad time with Sara, only really good ones, and I know that she wouldn't do anything that would hurt me. I thought that maybe you could go with me and you'd finally get to see the inside of Cray's Castle."
"Well, even without throwing in Cray's Castle, I admit you had my curiosity piqued," Ryan admitted. "I'm sure it would be interesting if nothing else."
"The invitation says to reply to an email address with our names and contact information, as well as proof that we're brother and sister if we'd like to attend," Rita said. "Then we'll receive further information and instructions. Should we do it?"
"I can't see any reason not to," Ryan replied, "but the whole thing has a strange feel to it."
"I know," Rita said. "No matter how good it seems, there's always this nagging feeling that we're not seeing the whole picture. That's another reason I want you to go with me, I guess. I'll feel safer."
"Well, reply to them and we'll see what they send," Ryan said.
"You don't think Emily and the kids will mind?" Rita asked, referring to Ryan's wife and 2 young daughters.
"I can't imagine why?" Ryan replied.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"This is definitely strange," Ryan said to Rita an hour later after he had received an email relating to The Sibling Party.
"I don't even know what to say," Rita said into the phone as she looked at the same email on her computer.
"Everyone to wear an eye mask and outfit which will be provided at the door," he read.
"It looks almost unworldly," Ryan said as he scrolled down through the email, looking at the few photos provided of previous parties.
"There isn't much to those outfits," Rita noticed.
"Each sibling couple will be given a numbered bracelet upon entry," Ryan read. "That number will also be your name for the evening. This is an evening of games and each sibling couple will participate in the games as a pair. These will be adventuresome, stimulating adult games. If you have any doubts about being comfortable in such a situation, please do not reply for the final explanation and instructions," Rita read. "Whew!"
"Opposite sex siblings only, adventuresome, stimulating adult games. Eye masks for anonymity. Everyone to wear the same skimpy-looking outfit," Ryan said. "Are you still curious? It's sounding like it might be a bit more than just drinks and hors d'oeuvres."
"God, I don't know," Rita replied, laughing nervously. "I mean, I'm not a virgin. I'm sure we've both seen a porno film in our lives and I've seen some hanky-panky at parties before."
"You want to go," Ryan said, a statement, not a question.
"Does it bother you?" Rita asked.
"What, going to the party or you wanting to go to the party?" Ryan asked.
"Well, both, I guess," Rita said.
"No, it doesn't bother me," Ryan replied, "but I do admit I'm sort of surprised that you want to go."
"I'm a big girl," Rita said with a laugh.
The further instructions turned out to be fairly basic with one exception; not to bring or wear any jewelry, no cameras or recording devices of any kind allowed, and a date and time. The exception was that everyone was to be au natural under the provided robe.
"Well, that's pretty blatant, isn't it?" Ryan asked his sister when he called her after receiving his email. "You're sure you want to do this?"
"The robes seem to come down to the upper thigh," Rita said. "I've worn mini-skirts shorter than that. I know how to deal with it, how to sit down."
"But no underwear," Ryan said.
"Ryan, I don't know how to tell you this other than directly," Rita said, "but I stopped wearing underwear a few years ago. I'd have had to go out and buy some for this party," she said as she laughed.
"Damn!" Ryan exclaimed, truly surprised. "I had no idea."
"Of course you didn't, silly," Rita said. "It's just a lot more comfortable, that's all."
"Yeah," Ryan said, clearing his throat. "Well, I'll pick you up then."
"Emily's okay with it?" she asked. "How much have you told her?"
"She's okay with it," Ryan replied. "I haven't told her about the whole clothing issue yet."
"Uh, I'm only your sister and haven't been married or anything, but I don't think you should share that part with her unless you really want to," Rita said. "Just a thought," added before hanging up.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Last chance," Ryan said as they pulled up under the portico at Cray's Castle a week later. "You sure you want to do this?"
"Come on, silly, you'll be fine," Rita said as she opened the door and got out of the car.
"Good evening," an older, very dignified and handsome man and an older, dignified woman greeted them at the door. "Welcome to Cray's Castle. I am your host, Number 1, and this is my sister, Number 1. You will be Number 13," he said after receiving their invitation. "Enjoy your evening."
"Good evening, 13," Number 1's sister greeted them. "Here are your robes and eye masks," she said, handing each of us a bundle. "Please keep the masks on at all times and au natural beneath the robes. The changing rooms are to the right. Just put your things in a pile wherever you'd like. They won't be disturbed. And enjoy your evening."
"Oh, I have goose bumps," Rita said, shivering as they walked towards the changing rooms. "See you in a minute," she said, disappearing into the changing room with the symbol of a woman on it.
"I feel so strange wearing this robe," Ryan said when they met back in the hall after changing. "Christ, I can see right through yours!" he said, staring at his sister.