[ WP ] A man that is socially awkward goes to a party full of mind readers .

To most, the bright lights and muffled hubbub typical of a house party would be an inviting memory. For Stan however, it was only foreboding. 
 
 eerily he approached the driveway. Feeling his familiar internal voice losing touch as it drifted out in a sea of other voices. Most of which were far more sinister. They filled his mind with dread. What if he had gotten the wrong house? The embarrassment he would suffer from arriving to a party of strangers, he could never live it down. Or maybe they would reject him, as many had done before them. He knew by now his inclinations to be silent, and his odd stature often invited prejudice to befall him. Like many other socially awkward people, Stan had only been able to ever open up to one or two people throughout his years. For a heart as skittish and uncertain as his took patience and warmth to reveal the man hidden inside. 
 
 Deciding that to turn back now would be even more pathetic he forced himself to knock on the door. 
 
 A few seconds went by, which seemed to echo through time in beat to the pumping music inside. Then suddenly the door swung open and there stood his co-worker, Fabian. 
 
 `` Welcome Stan!'' he boomed. Illuminated from the light of the party he stood confident and tall, like a magnificent bird, displaying it's plumage. 
 `` Well come in, come in!'' he began to usher Stan through the door. 
 
 Stan could n't tell if he was imagining things or if the room really did suddenly fall silent. Was he tired or had the music stopped? And why was everybody looking at him? 
 
 `` Stanley Moltova!'' A voice sliced through the atmosphere. It was Fabian. 
 `` I invited you to party with us tonight, and you shall! But first the time has come for you to make a choice.'' 
 
 Was he dreaming? This all seemed so surreal. Surely it was abnormal to address somebody in such a direct manner. The thought of having all eyes on him made Stan want to squirm. 
 
 This time however Fabian's tone was soothing, almost gentle. 
 `` We will be straight with you Stanley. Everybody in this party is a mentem lectoris. That's mind reader to you Stan. We are a secluded company, but our powers have made our society concise and clear in it's social etiquette. We can practically taste your chagrin Stan. Your nervous disposition and darting eyes paint vivid memories of the mockery and rejection you have endured. Your lack of the necessary social qualities considered essential by today's generation have racked you with self loathing. 
 
 Stan was stunned. Where was this leading? Why would Fabian be so cruel? 
 
 `` But Stan, tonight you have a choice.'' Fabians words were mesmerising. 
 `` Tonight you can cast of the shackles of social oppression. You can be liberated from the turmoil of the cliques you endured. But you must make the choice Stan, you are welcome to leave right now, however I wish to extend to you the invitation of the party Stan. For you see we mind readers are incredibly self aware. We are all united in our shortcomings, nobody is perfect Stan, many however have learned to hide their faults in the eye of the public. Your media `` platforms'' are an ideal example or the perfection people are so desperate to portray. But real freedom Stan, real freedom comes from being able to know one another's defects. But choosing Stan, choosing, to look beyond those and see the goodness in people. To see the beauty and complexity in one another's lives. In valuing each individual as a master piece, a product of generations of human relations sealed in the beings you see every day. So what do you say Stan?! 
 `` Cast aside the hurt of the past and join us in a celebration of true friendship'' Fabian was roaring at this point. 
 
 Stan paused for a moment, before realising he had made the choice years ago, but here was a community where it could finally be manifest. Without further hesitation he laughed. `` I accept your offer Fabian''. 
 
 And so the party began. 

