Mind Experiment : I - Knock Knock ?

What could my Mind Palace possibly look like ? I asked myself. And as simple as that, in my mind, I found myself standing in front of a building.
It didn't feel like it was mine. It definitely looked huge and "Mind Palacy" but it felt like a place I didn't belong in. I hesitated and stood still in front of the porch. "It's okay." I told myself. The article mentioned that the place might look dusty or abandoned, like it hadn't been visited for awhile. 

It also said that since it was MY Mind Palace, I could do whatever I wanted with it. Change it so it would suit me better. I gazed up the big old English looking House, its white walls and glass windows. I'm an asian girl who lives in Paris, why would my Mind Palace look like that ? I wondered. But nothing changed.

Finally, I walked up the four small stairs leading up the front porch. On both sides were big white marble columns. I looked at them and frowned. I really don't know where I've been getting this from. I stared at them for a while but once again, nothing changed. 
Do I need more practice or is this really how I picture my Mind Palace ? Come to think of it, I can't really imagine another building. This one does have some class to it.

I face its big wooden double doors and I can't help but feel intimidated. Is it really my place ? Is it really mine ? I keep asking myself. Should I knock ? I hold my fist against the wooden surface but stop myself. Slowly, I reach for the door knob. With a simple push, it opens and lets me in.

_

One thing is for sure. The inside looks as familiar as the outside. The old and luxurious English house style remains. The Entry is quite big and I feel soft carpet under my feet. But what is most impressive is the big staircase that leads to the second floor. I look at it in awe. I'm not sure it is really "me" but I know I like it.
I see different doors and corridor but I don't move from my spot. I am a bit lost, and also a bit scared. How can a place inside my own head, my own Mind Palace feel so distant ?
And as if my silent fears were loud cries for help, a familiar face appeared to help.

Saïd Seth Wilkes wouldn't be my first choice as a helping hand in any situation. Of my original characters, he is the most violent, vulgar and annoying. He is a cruel and sadistic clown, but somehow he also makes me laugh.
"Well, that's fancy." He mocks while observing his surroundings as if he was discovering it for the first time like me. But I know it's not true. He stands on the stairs like he just got down from the second floor.

I haven't left the Entry but somehow I know that somewhere in my Mind Palace there is a room. I picture it as a round room with a round table and chairs around it. The space is strangely infinite and indefinite. In each chair sits one of the many characters I invented or imagined in my mind. The ones closest to the doors are those I have the most in mind. The ones furthest are those I can't remember clearly. It's very crowded and yet calm, quiet and organized. I know they nicely wait for the time I'll call them, like nice and patient children.

"So ? Should we go upstairs ?" He asks a bit impatiently.
Obviously that's where all the fun is, but I don't feel very inspired. I look up, but don't move.
"Some other time, hey ?" He understands and get down the stairs to stand next to me.

I feel a bit silly standing here, so I finally sit down in a corner, next to a wooden piece of furniture un the entry. My small chair magically appeared but it didn't surprise me. It did however when a fancy leather seat appeared for Saïd to sit comfortably.

"Should we go outside then ?" He asks.
Of course not, I just got here.
"Why can't we go outside ? I remember one time where we could just show up where you were and not be locked up in this house."
That was true. Before that, I sometimes liked to imagine characters following me in my daily life. If I had a really boring time, I'd just choose a companion and picture him sitting next to me and casually start a conversation. They'd sometime accompany me in the metro, when waiting for a consultation or while doing my errands.
"You're not locked up. This is our home."
"We didn't have that before."
"Don't you like it ? I like to think we're not homeless anymore."

"Well, you don't want to go upstairs, you don't want to go outside, what should we do ?"
Really ? I don't know. I don't know where this is going. I don't know what else to imagine. I don't know what this is supposed to look like or do exactly. But hopefully, someone is here to guide me.
"Is everything okay ?" Someone else asks.
This one everyone might know. Gary Oldman as Sirius Black walks down the stairs. Long curly hair, mustache and wizard robe and a reassuring smile on his face. He doesn't make me laugh much, but he sure reassures me. He is a good guy, a caring person and a wise old and brave man.
I look at Saïd and he understands that he must leave. He pouts like a child but gets up and goes back upstairs without a word.

Old Sirius smiles softly and comes next to me. Gently, he asks me to stand up and I join him in the middle of the Entry.
"I'm lost."
"Have you been in any of those rooms yet ?"
"No."
"How can you be lost then ? Why don't you choose one ?"
I look around, not really knowing what I'm looking for. In front of me is a short but large corridor next to the stairs and I can see a room at its end. There are windows and heavy red velour curtains.
"Strait forward."
"A better room to have a conversation I'm sure."
He smiles again and leads me just there.

The light is warmer in this room, so is the temperature. I can see the daylight outside the tall windows but inside is lit up like its night time. The lights are orange like fire or candles. The ground is red moquette and the walls are covered with books like an old library. There are larger comfy leather chairs and sofas and a bar in the corner. I know this place. It's a cafe or a hotel to which my mother brought me one evening. It's simplified but I can easily recognize it.
"It is your Mind Palace. You are not in the cafe."
"All these books and I don't even like to read."
"These might not contain authors' stories. Maybe they're all filled with yours. Stories or memories, I'm sure you have plenty."
"So I just have to open up one of those and I'll remember something ?"
"Do you want to try it ?"
I hesitate.
"Some other time maybe. Let's sit. What will you call this room ?"
"Do I have to give it a name ? I'll be easier to remember. I'll call it the comfy room."
I sit in one of the comfy sofas.

"Tea. Nice touch." He says.
I look down and only notice the tea set on the table between us.
"What kind if tea ?"
"Which ever you like, you create it. Earl Grey with a bit of sugar ?"
"I have to avoid sugar. Mint tea."
The teapot which was originally a classic english teapot then becomes a metallic and long shaped one. And the cups are now made of glass and are cylindrical. Mint tea is served.
"Try to picture the smell, the heat, the taste."

"I'm scared."
"Why ?"
"I'm scared I like it so much here that I might never want to leave."
"Why don't we make a deal then. Whenever we feel like spending too much time here, I'll tell you to leave."
"Why if I don't listen ? Why if I never leave ?"
"You can at least try."
He snaps his finger and I open my eyes. Back to reality.