[☽ caely ☾]

 

Through the tree tops the chilled autumn air ruffled the yellow, orange, and red leaves that remained attached to trees’ branches. The gentle, soothing whooshing sounds were peaceful. The sun shined brightly, warming all that the sun rays touched, however the shade remained noticeably colder. If one were to step from the sun and into the shade, it would likely bring a chill to their skin. Below the small cluster of trees, which stood proudly amid the golden grasses of the meadow, a sleeping painted mare could be found. Her coat a rich, golden color with chocolatey low lights strewn within the golden coloration, giving her coat depth outside the stark white jagged markings that covered her body. Her sides rose and lowered rhythmically as she peacefully slumbered. From the treetops, a few leaves released themselves from the branch that held them. Quietly, they circled one another and flitted this way and that until they landed over the side of the mare. She still did not stir, until the last falling leaf landed on her muzzle. Her whiskers buzzed her nerves which sent an electric jolt to her brain to awaken.

Milliseconds later, her lavender and teal gazers fluttered open. Auds twitched as she inhaled deeply and stretched her legs. She emitted a groan as the tightness in her muscles were suddenly released. She rolled up on her side. Long, thick black and white tresses fell about her neck and face, sticks and dead grass clung to the fairy knots that had formed overnight.. She blinked the remaining sleep from her eyes as she took a look at her surroundings. She could not see very far over the tall grass, which had become golden as the season had progressed. Her gaze moved to the treetops above her, and she watched for a moment as they swayed with the breeze. The buckskin painted mare lowered her head and blinked. She felt so tired still, strange, because it seemed as though she had slept way past the rising of the sun and beyond the morning. No dew clung to the world. Everything was dry. How long had she been asleep? Calliope questioned herself as her gaze fell to the ground beneath her. It appeared unnaturally moist. There was a mark where her dome and neck had been. Her brows furrowed in puzzlement. She felt so groggy and everything felt… slow. Her thought process even felt slow, as if there were a thick veil of fog that had rolled in over her brain. It was strange that she could not shake this fatigue. Normally, Calliope was up with the sun and had brilliant energy. But today, she felt heavy and slow. She inhaled, which turned into a yawn. Her eyelids closed as her jaws opened wide as she sucked air into her windpipe. When she felt something tear. She finished out her yawn when she noticed the corner of her mouth stung and burned, as if she had a cut. Calliope’s look of puzzlement intensified as she opened her lips just wide enough that her tongue could gently assess the damage. She ran her tongue over the edges of her lips until she reached the corner and her saliva stung the cut. She gentled touched it with her tongue, and sure enough, the corner of her mouth had ripped slightly. As she palpated it gently, she felt another sharp pain jolt to her brain from the same area. She paused moving her tongue again, and just barely opened her jaw again… her tongue slid up the edges of her lips to the cut. Calliope felt it burn and sting more than it had before. She closed her mouth, as her furrowed brows shifted into the shape of being concerned. She dared not move her lips again, but something was not right.

The mare shifted her body to get ready to rise. She outstretched her legs in front of her and pushed off the earth with her hind legs. As she settled herself upon her stocky legs, she noted how her body felt so discombobulated. Although Calliope was not the most graceful creature, she was usually quite steady. Her body was thick, with rounded curves. Her neck was large, with a natural baroque curvature. Her legs were strong and had medium sized hooves, which matched with her body. She might not have been the most feminine creature, but she was sturdy. She rarely had issues with balance, aside from her regular trips or fumbles when she lost her footing. This was something different. She almost felt… brand new, like she had not stood on her legs for a long, long while. She swatted her thick ivory tassels against her legs as she turned to leave. Before leaving, she noticed the damp earth which formed a perfect shape of herself on the ground. As she inspected, she noticed how the edges of the dirt seemed to be brown or even.. yellowish. It was strange, but she did not give it another thought for she needed to find water. She turned and began to make her way through the grass towards a creek that she knew was nearby. As she moved through the grass, she attempted to think despite the heavy brain fog as she analyzed what had transpired since she had awakened. That strange brownish, yellow ring about the shape of herself on the ground… her unusual brain fog… this fatigue… and the way her mouth ripped in the edge from something as simple as a morning yawn. It was puzzling. She attempted to think about what had happened last night or yesterday. But her brain began to ache from her cognitive demands with this tiredness. She reasoned to ease her thoughts but would return later to it. It did not take long for her to find the creek. The icy water bubbled and moved slowly downstream, so it would be a perfect spot to look at this cut that had formed at the edge of her smile. She approached the stream and halted at the edge. The water rippled and obscured her clear view as she leaned over the water. As it evened out, the creature she saw in the reflection caused her to grow wide eyed and gasp. She lifted her head, and her body stiffened. Inhaled deeply, reasoning that it must be a trick of the reflection and light. That was logical. She leaned back over the stream and was greeted by the same, horrifying face.

The reflection staring back at the normally very fit, thick mare was that of an equine looking as if they had been close to death… or perhaps dead and rotting away. The lines in her face were sharp, her hide clinging to sunken valleys that gaze her face a very skeletal appearance. Her eyes protruded disgustingly, as if she was an eon old. She swallowed the growing lump of anxiety in her throat. She leaned closer and opened her mouth while she turned her head to get a better look. The rip on her face was inches long, her flesh already rotting away from the wound. Her skin around the area looked paper thin like it could just peel away. She blinked several times, not knowing what to think, and just standing there in disbelief. Until something plopped into the water and disappeared under the water for a second before popping back up. As it floated back to the surface and bobbed until it turned on its side. It swirled in a circle as it got caught in a current. Calliope stared at it in utter horror and fear. There bobbing and beginning to float downstream.. WAS HER EAR! She watched as it entered a patch of reeds. She inhaled and exhaled rapid, shakey breaths. Out of pure instinct, she dashed down the bank of the stream to the next open area. She stepped into the water, the water chilled her ankles, to what felt like her bones as she waited for her ear to float out of the reed. She waited there trying to maintain herself so as not to panic. Why did she look like that… why did her ear fall off?! Soon the white and golden ear bobbed towards her. She lowered her head and opened her jaws to grab the dismembered ear. As she opened her jaws, she could feel the tear in her smile rip more, as well as the other side of her mouth tear with stinging pain. She grabbed the ear and turned towards a still area of the stream beside her and inspected her face again. This time she had rips in each edge of her mouth, and her skin had begun to peel back and twist into ribbons as it separated from her muscle or what remained. Calliope felt like her stomach was going to flip. She turned away and exited the water. She stood on the bank, rocking herself to calm down as she attempted to remember what happened. Why was she like this?

Suddenly, in a moment of clarity the memory slid forth. She had been walking in a forest. A rather pretty one. The colors of fall all around, and the wild berry bushes lined the path. Calliope was just wandering as she always did. But as she continued, the trees began to thin. The scent of warmth, roots, and herbs wafted in the air. It was cozy smelling, and calming at the same time. Her eyes closed as her muzzle lifted to enjoy the scent, before lowering her head and opening her eyes. Before her, was a small opening in the forest where a dwelling stood… she did not remember seeing that moments ago. Perhaps it was because she was enjoying the smell that she did not notice. She approached slowly, and halted as she inspected the hut. It was an old stone and wooden structure, with ivy growing on the sides. At the top, a structure stuck up and smoke billowed from it. Calliope was trying to make sense of it all when she saw movement in her peripheral vision. She turned her head and was met with a pair of wild pink eyes, that seemed to glow beneath the deep green cloak. Suddenly, strange words were spoken and Calliope remembered her vision going dark before falling to the ground. The stranger in the cloak stepped forward. Calliope’s vision blurred, but before going completely black, she could see the muzzle and legs of an equine approaching her.

Calliope felt as though she was going to hyperventilate. She looked at the ground to maintain that she was in fact here. Her eyes landed on her hooves, and then up her leg. She looked with terror on her face as her lower leg was missing skin and flesh, some parts exposed with bone. She had felt like her legs had gotten quite cold in the stream.. but this? Had the water washed away her skin. She swallowed and inhaled and exhaled repeatedly, controlling her breaths until she was as calm as she could be to think. ”Okay, Calliope,” The painted mare said to herself, ”We are gonna find that hut.” She said and began to try to dig through her memories for anything.. something that would remind her of what she was looking for… She closed her eyes tight as she sifted through the memories. That was when she remembered the berry bushes that had made a distinct archway into the thicket at the edge of the forest. Calliope turned as she remembered the entry way and trotted off.

She could see the entrance to the thicket, and she slowed. Her joints ached and her body felt like it might fall apart at any given moment. The skin on her sides had begun to peel back and hang from her as her body decayed around her. She traveled down the path, until the hut came into view. She approached it with haste and approached the door of the dwelling. Fear made her heart tremble with the uncertainty of what lie beyond the door. Just as she had lifted a hoof to pound on the door, it swung inward. Calliope shirked away from the surprise, taking a step back. Her eyes found the form. There in the doorway, was an equine with a startled expression. The equine’s expression turned to surprise and confusion. ”What are you doing here…? You’re supposed to be dead? And my god.. you smell…” Calliope raised a brow at the equine, whose back barely made it to the middle of Calliope’s shoulder. The golden splashed mare blinked, and responded, ”Dead?” Her question was partially from disbelief and also demanding to know why she was supposed to be dead..? The pony in the doorway stomped a white leg. Face was white, with those pink eyes, and chestnut ears which told Calliope she was likely a pinto beneath that emerald cloak. ”Well yes, you were trespassing. There are signs posted warning those who trespass, they get to boot.” Calliope looked at her confused. A sign? Noting Calliope’s confusion, the pony sighed heavily and marched past the decaying mare to a wooden plaque with crude form of lines.. and a very poorly drawn picture of what calliope could only assume was a dead equine based on the splashed of red on the placard. ”See.” The pony lifted a hoof and seemed to read the wooden sign, which left Calliope beyond confused. Perhaps dumbfounded. ”It says, no trespassing. Trespassing is punishable by death.” The short equine turned to Calliope who was staring at the sign which stood no more than a few feet off the ground. If there had been more posted, and they were that height, she never would have seen it. ”Pardon me for trespassing. But I never saw those signs.. they are a bit too close to the ground.” Calliope apologized, as she gave the pony her perspective. The pony, which was a mare judging by her voice, looked at the sign and then the large, not-dead mare before her, then the sign. The chestnut pinto pressed her lips together, and sighed with visible annoyance in her sigh. ”Perhaps you are right.” She begrudgingly said, and moved back towards the hut and took her place in the doorway. Calliope turned towards her and spoke again, ”What do you mean I’m supposed to be dead? Why am I standing here with my body falling apart..?” She questioned through muffled tones, still holding her ear in her mouth. ”Well… you were supposed to be dead. Maybe I didn’t say the spell right.. was is Muerte or muerto?” Calliope looked around confused, ”I don’t know..?” The pony shook her head, ”I have just ended my apprenticeship. I am a witch. My name is Daphne.” Calliope looked at her with confusion, her jaw hung open slightly and her eyes wide with utter confusion. ”Oh.. okay. Uhm, congrats on ended your apprenticeship, Daphne.” Calliope responded, merely copying the words that Calliope had no idea about. ” I am Calliope. And I really did not mean to trespass. I sometimes get lost in thought and I guess I encroached on your home.. I really mean no harm.” Calliope’s words were detached, but sincere. Daphne raised a brow and looked the larger mare with a scrutinizing gaze. ”Hmm, the birds tell me you are genuine. And a kind soul. I am guessing you want it reversed?” Calliope looked around the outside of the hut, finding no birds in sight, she looked back at the small mare, ”Yes… and.. uhh.. what birds?” Calliope looked at her nervously. She was some kind of “witch”, but one that tried to kill her but got the “spell” wrong, and now was talking about some birds without there being any birds?! Calliope’s head spun with disbelief. This Daphne had to be having a psychotic break. The little mare toddled off into the hut, ignoring Calliope. ”Well come in, I don’t have all day you know!”

The mare called and Calliope suddenly slid across the floor of the hut, propelled by a force that was not her own. She found herself before some sort of stone hearth. Herbs hung from the ceiling beams and bowls with concoctions filled the shelves. Calliope’s eyes looked at the walls, which held strange bones and skulls, before she found several birds nests above the entry door. Each nest had trios of beaks poking over the edge staring at the golden painted mare. Calliope blinked as the little witchy pony returned, ”Drink this.” She put down a large, open face shallow bowl with crushed herbs and a strange brownish liquid. Calliope leaned down, placing the ear on the table behind the bowl. ”Wait… is this actually going to kill me? Did you get it right? Is this even going to help?” Calliope said almost accusingly. The pony mare huffed, ”If you don’t want it, then give it back!” Calliope shook her head, ”no!” She said, and the pony mare grinned. ”Then it helps”. She said with a sweet, but strange little cackle. Calliope began to sip the brown liquid and chew the herbs in the bowl. The taste was bitter and salty, with something that tasted the way a swamp smelled. Calliope made a nauseous face, but continued. She stepped back and Daphne spoke. ”You should be unzombified before morning.” She said as Calliope desperately tried to look pleasant and not give away the fact that that was the foulest thing she had ever consumed. The cloaked pony mare’s eyes suddenly found the disconnected ear on the table. She looked at Calliope, then back at the ear, then back to Calliope. Calliope followed her gaze and looked at the mare with a slight smile in the awkward silence. Daphne looked at Calliope, ”Do you want that ear?” Calliope’s brows furrowed and her lips turned down. ”If not I would very much like to keep it. Zombie parts are so hard to come by.” She looked at the pony mare with a disturbed expression. ”Uhmm no, I would like to have myself whole.. ” She said trying to remain polite. The pony mare grumbled, ”Ugh, fine. How about some spit? It’s the least you could do for me curing you after all.” Calliope eyed the door, ”okay.. sure.” The pony mare erupted into a pleased giggle as she disappeared into the depths of the hut. As it sounded like she was looking through items, Calliope grabbed her ear, and then turned and proceeded to creep out of the hut. The moment her hooves had hit the earth, she broke out into a gallop. She tore down the path and out of the forest. She continued to gallop with her ear in her mouth and a disturbed expression on her face. Unsure of what really just happened, she continued to put as much distance between her and that weird little mare as possible.

Notes;; Prompt 1
character;; Calliope

word count;; 3173

Bonuses;; Season of the Witch && Keep it PG!

talk

☽☾

[☽ caely ☾]

[attr="class", calliopeContainer]

[attr="class", calliopeChild]
Calliope stood on the bank of a babbling stream while gazing out over a scenic meadow view. Through her lavender and teal orbs, she watched as the yellowed grasses swayed with the breeze and the picturesque trees with red, golden, and orange leaves moved beyond. She inhaled the cool, crisp air and lavished in the warmth on her skin by the sun. The babbling stream provided a calming rhythm to the chirps of birds in the distance. Calliope exhaled as she cognitively remarked on how lovely this day was. She could not imagine how anything might be able to ruin it. A challenge to karma and the fates is how her remark must have sounded, for it was not long until her peace would soon be interrupted.

The well-built mare shifted her weight lazily, back and forth onto each leg, until she found the one that was comfortable enough. It did not take her long to decide, for she suddenly lifted her right hind and rested her weight on the tip of a multicolored hoof. Her blocky, baroque skull lowered to rest at the level of her topline. She inhaled and exhaled as a low rumble of relaxation escaped her. Her multicolored eyes grew droopy, closing more with every subsequent blink. Her white tassels flicked at her hocks on last time as she began to peacefully drift off in the warm sunshine. The cool breeze caressed her with care as it rolled over her body. It created the perfect equation for a mid day slumber. Her back was warm from the sun, and the cool breeze did just enough to keep her from growing too warm. And, just like that, her lower lip drooped from her jaw, signaling she had met the sandman and he had obliged her with a peaceful, serene sleep.

From an outside perspective, she probably looked crazed. Who could fall asleep… amidst a war? But there she was. Not that she was conscious to think the thought, but this would be one of those moments that gigantic white drum horse with the red facial marking and burn mark, would chastise her for her poor choices. This is why you need a stallion to protect you! Echoed in her dreamscape. Perhaps foreshadowing? Her dome bobbed slightly, perhaps getting snarky back at the voice of that beast. She didn’t need protecting! She was fully capable and aware enough to – ”Calliope.” Her name run out in the real world and her droopy lip was sucked up as she began to come to. "Hmm?" She said while making a scrunched face, similar to that of a child being woken up early. ”Calliope of.. Calliope the wanderer?” The voice said again. Well, that was most definitely not in her dreams. "mMmhmmm." was the sound she made in gentle protest. ”You are summoned forth to The Howling Keep to make your betrothal, official.” Calliope’s eyes blinked tiredly. "Huh…?" She said, turning her head to gaze upon two forms. As her eyes focused, the sharpened images of two extremely large stallions stood in positions that it would be difficult for her to escape. "What now?" She asked clearly still groggy. ”You are being summoned to fulfill your agreed upon statute of marriage.” "I beg your pardon!" Suddenly, the sooty buckskin painted mare seemed to come alive. She turned on her haunches and faced the brutes. "I am not betrothed! You have the wrong Calliope, surely!" She examined in both bewilderment and utter confusion. ”No, you fit the description.” Calliope’s brows wiggled as her brain finally began to start working. Who..? Who. That’s what she needed to know. If she could get out of one arranged marriage, she could get out of another. "To whom am I betrothed?" She asked quizzically, raising a single brow in disbelief. ”Arcadius.” Calliope’s brows both raised and she looked back and forth between the two stallions. With each passing glance, a grin began to form on her kissers, until she began to erupt into laughter. "You have to be joking. Great prank, fellas. Good one." She said, reasoning that this was a joke of some sort. There was no way in Hell she was to be married to Arcadius. She was the bane of his existence. She was the sliver beneath his nail. She was the sound that made him cringe, like nails on a chalkboard.

Her laughter slowed until she was gasping for air. Between breathes she spoke, "Thanks for the laugh, but I’m going to head out." She said and stepped forward. The stallion’s moved into her way and she stepped to another side, they followed her. "Ooops, looks like we’re all discombobled! You go left and I’m going to go left. Ready? Go!" She said and moved left, and they moved into her way. "Uhm, do you mind?" She said, frustration growing in her voice. ”We will not return without you in custody.” Her eyes grew wide with horror and a frown formed on her lips. "Custody? Like I’m a criminal? No thanks." She said and tried to squeeze and muscle her way around the stallions. ”We were told you would put up a fight.” Calliope’s brows furrowed and her frown deepened. Her gaze wild with fire as her fury grew while looking back and forth between the stallions. "Let me go and there won’t be one." Both the stallions looked at one another, and then back at Calliope. The painted mare laid her auds back and suddenly the world went black.

The dull ache panged in her head as her body began to stir. She came to on the stoney floor. Her eyes opened slowly as the rest of her senses began to grow sharper. She could hear the drip, drip, drip of water dripping from some place deeper in these stoney walls. She breathed quietly, attempting to understand how she got here. Not literally got here, that was obvious by the dull ache in her dome. One of those brutes had walloped her over her cranium and knocked her out. However, she was curious how they managed to get her here, exactly. Besides the point, her brain racked itself, turning over every memory, every word, and every audio byte she could remember. She blinked and her lips frowned slightly. Nothing was coming to mind. Either way this had to be a mistake. Arcadius would never agree to this. Perhaps they were both being forced into this ass backwards union. That had to be it. She rocked herself up onto her belly before hoisting herself up. Her hooves clattered against the stone, causing the sounds to echo through these… what even was this? A cave? A prison? A dungeon? As she gained back her bearings, one of the stallions from before appeared, seemingly, from thin air. ”You are awake. Ready yourself.” Calliope turned to look upon the heavy weight, looming beyond. She glared his direction and walked towards him with attitude, and confidence. He merely turned and led her out from the… stone abode. As she walked out of the door, Calliope noticed the darkness of the sky. It was night. But torches lit a path, casting a fiery hot glow on all that passed nearby. She was led up the path until she got to the top. Where she was greeted by many individuals, moving and conversing. Who were these equines? She was puzzled. She stood there observing for some time, before the stallion cleared his throat in a obvious manner. Calliope turned her head back over her shoulder with pinned ears and a look of irritation on her, usually, pleasant façade. She moved forward. She was lead past a long platform with meats, which had been roasted or maybe just through into a fire, placed in a way that they were the center piece. Around the meats were vegetables, roots, and other delectable morsels. Some looked sweet, others savory. Calliope felt her mouth begin to water as the sights began to tantalize her stomach into stirring within her belly. However, The painted mare was then herded and prodded away.

She was led to a very well decorated placement where she could see Arcadius standing. Looking like his usual grumpy, unpleasant self. She was already in a horrible mood at this point and just seeing his face fed fuel to a hate fire in her belly. Without the assistance of the guard, she bee lined straight for the red and white behemoth. As she neared him, her face grew sharp with clear agitation. "What is this about, Arcadius?" She said in an accusing way. The beast turned and responded with an equally irritated expression, ”Do you not remember?” Calliope narrowed her eyes. "Remember what?" She spat, her anger growing. Arcadius rolled his eyes before responding, You agreed to this. Just nights before. It would seem you feel as though you need protection after all. Calliope snorted and just as she was about to unleash a fury of words upon the brute, everything went black.

Again, her head throbbed upon waking. She blinked her eyes as daylight brought on a sensitive sting. Day time? What now? Was this a dream? Again her session came to, and she found herself tucked up below a large, barren tree. All of the leaves had been released and scattered upon the floor. Calliope wasted no time in arising. She practically leapt up. She swayed with slight dizziness from the pangs of pain in her head. She closed her eyes tightly until the pain subsided. The pain subsided. She thought suddenly. It was not a dream.. it could not be. If it was her head wouldn’t hurt and wouldn’t she have awoken upon the bank of the stream?? Did that mean… she was wedded to the pale and maroon behemoth. She frown. Her nares twitched with scents she did not recognize.. but one she did. The familiar scent of Arcadius. She turned and followed the faint scent. She followed along a perimeter and partially through the ruins of a castle, which was all very unfamiliar. Where was she? She wondered as she continued to follow his scent until she came upon him. However, instead of marching up to him like she had some sort of bone to pick with the brute, she skittered towards him. He turned suddenly, and she nearly collided with him. He looked bewildered to see her. Calliope?! What are you doing here? He demanded in gruff tones. She peered around before looking back at him with a slightly panicked expression. "Were… were.. Uhmm.." She felt a lump growing in her through as she peered up at the confused, and (permanently) annoyed looking stallion. Well? He said impatiently. "We were wed last night." She said in hushed tones. The stallion blinked his emerald eyes, What are you talking about? Calliope titled her head in confusion. She was here last night. Why would she have woken up here if she was not here last night? She furrowed her brows. "We were arranged to be wed.. into a.. union." She said slowly, thinking about the words, and how preposterous she sounded. But it happened. Why else would she have an ache in her head. The beast looked at her as though she had eaten a psychedelic mushroom. Uhm.. no. She shook her head in frustration, "What do you mean?! There was a feast of vegetables and roots and meats! You were there!" She exclaimed exasperatedly. He stared at her with a scrutinizing tone. "If it didn’t happen, then why did I wake up here?" She asked the beast. He shrugged and looked at the mare with annoyance. I don’t know, but this is EXACTLY why you need to be in a herd and protected by a stallion. Go sleep whatever the hell this is off. Calliope shook her head with disbelief… how could he not believe her? Was she going crazy? Had she accidently eaten some moldy grass and it cause her to have delusions? Would this be another witch hunt? She opened her mouth to speak and just shook her head. She turned to walk away. Defeated that she was not believe, but slightly relieved. She could not imagine being Arcadius’ mate. But this entire situation was mind boggling. Perhaps she did need protection… at least until the end of this war.

Artwork by Utakata-Creations

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Notes;; Prompt 2; Unlikely Arrangements
character;; Calliope
word count;; 2075
Bonuses;; Harvest Upon Us && Suspend your Disbelief!

[☽ caely ☾]

Zeitgeist

Oderint dum metuant

Nares quivered delicately as the beast paced the first layer of Hell. His mind and body growing restless. The war was well under way but he had yet to sink his teeth into anything or anyone. Particularly one of those utopians. They blindly followed the Queen of the Heavens, supposedly. Her new or old king, as he had learned recently, was out and about. The pale hellion had yet to see this.. Cadence, as he was called. Zeitgeist frowned deeply and with disgust. Who would ever willing stand beside that irresponsible, unhinged woman. Zeitgeist shook his head slightly in refusal. He would rather, and willingly, stick his head in a hornet’s nest. His deep frown turned up slightly in amusement. The Lustful Whore began to slow as he watched the fire dance across the large rock face that bordered his layer. The flames dancing there had always been calming for him for whatever reason. Suddenly, a gutteral scream of agony echoed up through the layers below. Zeitgeist’s colorless orbs rolled in his eye sockets. Why did everyone else get victims, but not he? It seemed unfair. Because it was. Zeitgeist lifted his heavy dome, narrowing his gaze towards the hole that lead to the lower levels of hell. Zeitgeist sneered. ”Fuck Ouija.” He thought before turning his gaze back to the wall. He always got plenty of victims in his circle. The flames dancing against the wall, only interrupted by the shape of his shadow. His massive antlers casting a tall shadow, crawling up the rock face. He inhaled when he heard a yell. He frowned with irritation. More fodder for the lower levels. When there was a sudden CRASH behind him. Upon the rock wall he had seen a blob interrupt the flames and cast another dark shadow. Zeitgeist continued to stare at the rock face, puzzled and wondering what that was. That is until a moan of pain erupted from behind him. Zeitgeist’s eyes grew wide and he turned his head to look behind him. A poor unfortunate soul lay there, looking confused and in pain. Zeitgeist’s eyes lit up with glee as a twisted grin formed on his face. The pale, red decorated beast turned and zoomed over the bay equine that lay a few yards from his feet. "Hello. Welcome to the first layer of Hell. We celebrate the first sin… Lust." He recited, but definitely not because he practiced or anything in his spare time… Zeitgeist’s brows rose twice when he spoke the word lust. He leaned in, standing above the crumpled mess of an equine on the rocky floor, his expression was one of curiosity. Almost like a school girl ready to hear the latest drama, he leaned in and asked, "So what did you do?" His deep Irish brogue heavy on his words. The equine’s eyes rolled towards him and just has his mouth opened to speak, Zeitgeist began to dissolve and his form turned into a misty vapor.

Zeitgeist’s hollow orbs blinked as he began to materialize in the darkness. A full moon hung in the sky, lighting up the world around him, allowing him to see what was around him. Headstones, mausoleums, and crypts scattered around the ghostly figure. "What the fuck…?" He asked, raising a brow. His massively antlered dome turned and looked over the landscape. His eyes fell upon the shape of a large bird perched upon a mausoleum. Zeitgeist’s gaze narrowed as he felt the bird’s gaze upon his hide, and he glared in its direction. It took flight quite suddenly, flying straight for him. Zeitgeist’s brows furrowed as he tilted his head forward, exposing the bird to his antlers. However, the bird landed on a elaborate, 3D cross headstone. Zeitgeist studied the bird, noting is absolutely massive form. In the moonlight, it seemed to be a crow, sharing the inky black feathers of crows. Such as the feathers that hung around his neck upon his necklace. The bird turned his head expectingly, letting out a cawing sound. Similar to a crow, but deeper. It bounced over the top of the headstone and hoped to another. Zeitgeist felt drawn to move suddenly. His fully formed figure began to follow a path. The raven followed, until it perched upon one of the tines in his antlers.

It did not take long before the orangey glow of fire began to alight the area. As he continued to approach, he could see figures standing around a massive bonfire. Skulls adorned their faces. Different ones at that. Some were narrow like a deer, with antlers, others with tusks, and teeth. Strange. However, Zeitgeist felt pulled to continue. As the light of the fire began to touch him, he raised his dome high on his shoulders and tucked his chin down. The moonlight reflecting on the silvery white of his eyes, giving the appearance of his eyes glowing, as he approached. His necklace jingled around his neck as he walked powerfully toward. He slowed at the edge of the firelight so that his front might be fully aglow. In that moment, the figures began to turn and stare at him, as if he was wrong for being here? He emitted a low hum from his chest, resembling a growl, which did not seem to bother these figures. He stared down his nose at the figures as the raven called out into the night. Zeitgeist’s gaze began to look at each figure in their dark robes and skull masks. He had felt pulled to this. But why? And why the hell was he pulled away from his most recent victim of the circle of lust? Annoyance fell over him, and clearly shown on his features, which grew sharp in the light. Zeitgeist stepped forward and the figures stepped back. His eyes moved over the scene, looking at the fire, when he noticed it. A white deer lay at the feet of two members. He approached and the figures parted in his presence. The fire gave him the appearance of having been orange, and his red markings taking on a deep red in the firelight. The ghoul halted and inspected the white stag. It’s neck had been cut, and it did not seem too freshly dead. Interestingly, he noticed its antlers were painted black. Red markings similar to his own painted into its white hair. Zeitgeist’s head launched up as his eyes traveled amongst the figures, until they narrowed. His gaze falling upon one in particular as his lips parted. "Why did you summon me?" He asked. He could think of no other reason as to why there was a white stag looked this way. The silence was almost painful and the tension palpable. His auds flicked back and his lips quivered, giving a peek-a-boo moment to his canine-like stallion teeth. Suddenly, a figure spoke ”Lord Zeitgeist. Second in Command. The Lustful Warden.” They started, which did little to stop Zeitgeist’s agitation and growing fury. Quickly another spoke, ”We wish to honor you!” The bone hued stags lips lowered and an aud flicked forward. "Honor me?" He echoed into the crisp, evening air. ”Yes, we believe you should be revered and worshipped.” Zeitgeist’s expressed turned to that of surprise and charm. "Well. Why didn’t you say so sooner?" He said, annoyance still on his tongue but his tones were lighter. He stepped toward the fire. Basking in it’s light. The crowd of figures parted and revealed a sort of shrine. Laid out on a table, over the top of animal hides and other fabrics, lay artifacts that seemed to relate to the ghastly brute. There were several deer sheds that were painted black with crudely drawn red markings. Undoubtedly, to mimic the crown of horns upon his dome. There were black feathers and predator skulls strewn about. This was absolutely without a doubt a summoning, and the thought of the victim that lay in a crumpled heap on the ground in Hell all but forgotten. Zeitgeist turned towards the group and grinned a strange, off putting grin. The kind that would make your stomach crawl. "Let your ritual commence." He said, his Irish brogue echoing through the graveyard. Zeitgeist settled down into a comfortable spot as he watched the figures with strange markings and the skulls flit and dance around the fire. His gaze lifted as he watched the smoke from the fire billow up into the air and wafting in graceful billows. He inhaled the scent of fire, brimstone, and blood in the cool autumn air. His eyes lowered as he thought of this group. What were they? A club? An organization? A cult? The thought made Zeitgeist’s grin fade and a slight smirk replace it. He did enjoy being revered. He liked being admired. And he loved being feared. As the alabaster steed watched the group continue their ritual, which seemed to involve drinking deer blood at this point, he felt a sudden feeling of pride. He had a cult?! He started to think about all the ways in which he would gloat about how people WORSHIPPED HIM. But for now, he would relish in their admiration and devotion.

let them hate, so long as they fear

Artwork by DetatchedAgressor

Notes;; Prompt 5;
character;; Zeitgeist
word count;; 1457
Bonuses;; The Bell Tolls && Nevermore