[☽ caely ☾]

I felt my eye lids flutter as I stirred from my deep slumber. My legs shifted, and I could feel the dewy, thick blades of grass buckle or snap back up to their upright possible as I came to. My pink lips twitched and pursed together, my lids shutting forcefully, causing my face to wrinkle and warp as I avoided the call to awaken. I did love to sleep. But what woman didn’t? I could have sworn I heard someone say that we needed our beauty sleep. That was probably mother. Alright there was no avoiding this I guess.

I let my eye lids crack open as my light-colored eyes adjusted to the light around me. I shifted up onto my belly, folding my long legs beneath me as I licked and chewed, trying to shake off the sleepy fog that still had a hold on me. The sleep faded from my visionaries as I groaned softly, gazing at the canopy above me, looking at the light trickling through like beacons in the night sky. The birds chirping came to me next, as my senses began to awaken fully, and I caught a mother robin fluttering from branch to branch, until it came to a nest. I watched curiously, noticing the wriggling worms in the mother’s mouth, as she ducked and I could hear shrill peeps as her babies gobbled down the worms. ”Ah, my darling girl, you’re finally awake.” I blinked at the voice. I knew it well and it had been so long since I heard it. My heart ached at the thought. This suddenly felt.. odd. Something was off. I felt drawn to move, like a puppet on strings, and my small, finely chiseled dome turned to see none other than my mother. The archetype of which I was copied and pasted like a little stamp. Her face ducked in close to mine and her beautiful lavender eyes wrinkled in the corners from the soft, beautiful smile on her face. She chuckled and kissed my forehead, nibbling at the thick, wavy locks that were coming in, just like hers. I realized my eyes were closed and I opened them, gazing up at her fondly, cherishing this moment because my mother… my mother was an angel on this earth. Her name was Cassiopeia. She was renowned for her timeless, exquisite beauty. Not just outside, but inside, she was all one might wish to be one day. She was my hero.. I loved her so much. I felt my chest ache. It was that moment that I realized I had been here before. This was a reverie. And it was the last day I ever saw her. I felt hot liquid accumulating in my eyes, glazing them over, until they filled to the brims of my eyes. I felt the liquid, hot and then cold as they ran down my cheeks. ”Oh sweet child, do not cry.” I heard her say and wipe away the tears from my cheeks as they streamed down. I looked up at her, with glassy doe-like eyes, sniffling. I tried to open my lips and speak, just to tell her all the things I wish I could now. Beg her and father not to leave me. Don’t make me go. But I only squeaked pitifully. I sniffled, pulling the tears back, and forcing them to stop. ”Alright, that’s my girl. Come, we are getting ready to head out, you better get up and eat something before we leave.” I felt like I was not controlling my own body, rising as I was commanded. Just as I had done so many years ago. I shuffled into the sunlight, blinded momentarily by the brightness. I clenched my eyes shut, and ducked down my head, allowing the gobs of wavy tresses to fall before them. I shuffled towards the crystal-clear creek nearby, as I reached the edge, I swallowed as I craned forward and looked into the reflection. I shuddered as I saw my youthful features staring back at me. It was that fateful day. But why this memory… of all the things I could relive… why this one?

I lowered my head, trying to make sense of it all, as I sipped up the cool liquid. Did my brain just want to pain my heart intentionally? I couldn’t make sense of that thought. I turned from the creek and gazed out over the meadow. Familiar faces moving to and fro, grazing, or getting those notified of the band moving. But it all seemed strange… the edges of the meadow were a warped blur and everyone seemed to have a fast blur behind them, but move in slow motion. My eyes scanned the grass, which seemed to bounce with the breeze like it normally would. Magenta and off-white honey suckles, violet-colored bluebonnets, blood orange Indian paintbrushes, and yellow black-eyed susan flower’s seemed to bob and dance, saturated brightly in the green grass, which seemed overly saturated. I blinked, mesmerized by their whimsical ebb and flow.

”Calliope.” The voice jolted me out of my dissociative state, and I gaze up at the looming shadow beside me. The tall, black stallion gaze down at me with a serious gaze. I stared back at the face of my father, who was a great leader and an equally wonderful father, and his face shifted slowly into a smile. But his familiar dark turquoise eyes… I wonder if I had noticed the sadness in them before? I had always loved my father’s eyes. Perhaps it was because every part of me was a perfect picture copy of my mother, except for my left eye, which was a teal, just like his. I would not know for many more years after this, but I was built quite a bit differently than my mother. I had inherited much of my father’s baroque physique, and was much thicker built than my mother. But here and now, I was just a child. I was just shy of my second birthday, and I still looked like a gangly gosling. ”Hello, father.” I said, I could feel my voice get caught in my throat as my chest ached, knowing this would be the last time I was in his presence too. I felt him press his sloped, roman nose into my shoulder and felt him breathe in my scent. I wonder if I hadn’t noticed that before too? Perhaps I had overlooked it. In hindsight, I had not known what lay ahead of me on this day. But he did. And so did mother. I couldn’t help but want to ask him why… but when I opened my mouth again, nothing came out. I knew what came next…

I looked up at the arching trees that had grown together into a gate of sorts. I had been silent the entire way. Feeling the same fear of the unknown, but this time I did not wear the questioning fear on my face when my mother would look back at me quickly. This time I noticed how glassy her pretty lavender eyes were. Had mother cried that day too and I just not noticed? I watched as a thick blood-bay equine darted through a thicket on the path before disappearing into the forest we were starting to enter. I had not noticed that before, but I suppose that was how they were there to greet us. We entered the shade of the forest, and marched into a civilization of equines. Primitive structures and all. Just as I had remembered from before. Welcome to Sippe. I inhaled and sighed heavily. I stepped forward this time. Last time, I had lingered back and been delivered the side eye from Mother. This time I was present when my father introduced us. ”It is good to see you, thank you for having us. This is my mate, Cassiopeia, and my daughter, Calliope.” I felt the gazes fall on me, and I looked up at the black colt across from me. His golden gaze burning into my eyes, who only stared back, sad and defeated. Before I remember I had looked at him with confusion, but this time only sadness. The voices of my mother, father, and his father and mother, echoed like the adults in the peanuts. “wah wah wah wah.. wah-wah wah wah waaaah”, and they moved off just as I remember. He came forth, eyeing me carefully, and he spoke. “Welcome to Sippe. I take it, this is your first time in this region?” I nod, as I knew what came after this. He had been so polite, and he was handsome, I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. ”Yes. Why don’t you show me around, Vegvisir?” I say, trying to move this along, as I knew what would happen later on. He nods as a black raven lands on his neck. Munin. I remembered him. He introduces his avian companion and I nod. Some gift or whatever from his mother. It all felt so irrelevant now. I know before I had found some comfort in this conversation. But now… Now not so much.

It was not long before we were traveling down the path to the forest. I had been so focused on the situation later, that I had not even begun to notice the clouds above us had shifted to block out the cerulean sky and become gray. The sky rumbled, and I slowed my steps. I gaze up and felt a heavy drop hit me right between my eyes. I shuddered and heard the black colt laugh. I flicked my ears back and snorted at him, ”You better not laugh or I’ll make you stop!” My face contorted and I hid my face by looking away. I had not been that spunky before. That was more of who I was now. Regardless, the black colt chuckled as the rain began to sprinkle down on the both of us. I turned to look at him as he stepped ahead of us and stamped into a puddle, spraying water up at me, calling out to me, ”That so, princess? I’d like to see you try.” His thick Scandinavian accent hanging on every word. I took a step back, only missing the largest of the splash, but still getting splashed regardless. I stared at him in disbelief. He chuckled at me, until I jumped forward into the same puddle he stood over. I slammed my front hooves into the puddle, allowing the muddled muck to cover him. He looked back at me wide eyed, and I matched his expression, until he laughed. And I erupted back. It felt nice to laugh. He danced away and I chased after, bouncing from puddle to puddle, splashing each other with muddy water until we were both filthy and winded from laughing. We stopped to catch our breath, and he managed between chuckles, ”Lets go clean off in the springs. I know we’ll be summoned soon. We can’t show up like this.” The smile on my face fell as I was reminded of the moment that changed my life. ”Yeah.” I responded softly, and followed him further into the forest. Down a path we traveled, until we arrived at a cluster of pools. He slipped in and I followed. We sat in silence as I mulled over the looming event. I was so caught up in the fact I was to be given away like a gift to this boy before me, that I forgot about the wolves. Shit. The wolves.

My eyes looked up at Vegvisir and his golden eyes were locked on something. I swallowed, feeling the hairs on my neck rising in slow motion. Before he had to tell me not to look, but this time I turned. On the hill, three wolves stood, and as my gaze met the one in the center, it’s lips curled up into a snarl. It growled, it’s growl echoing over and over, and the other two jumped from the hill. I heard the water behind me rush and turn into a commotion. Just as he had done before, he jumped to protect me. But this time… I wouldn’t stand there like some terrified little girl. I pulled myself out of the water, as a wolf leap up at Vegvisir. He reeled back onto his haunches, and the wolf caught him my a front leg. It swung around in slow motion as he came back to earth. I leapt forward to try to rush to his aid, but was cut off by the other wolf. It shrunk low and I pressed my ears back to my skull. I let me lips peel back from my teeth and my head snaked low. We were in a stale mate. It stared at me, and I stared at it. It’s eyes burning into mine. This was where it changed. My timeline would be my own. I reared and charged the wolf. It turned and leapt onto my back, sinking it’s teeth into my withers. I lowered my head and let out a mighty buck, dislodging the wolf from it’s grip on my withers. I spun and bucked again, sending the wolf down to earth. It wimpered as it hit the earth and I turned and charged it again. Ready to end it’s life, but our eyes met again. It were as if the chaos around us slowed down. I stood staring, and it stared it me. The anger and fear left me. It stood and looked at me with a even, wise gaze. I blinked and looked at it confused. It stepped forward and tilted its head at me. I raised my head, cocking it slightly. But it were as if I knew. It nodded, and a smile formed on it’s lips. It turned on it’s heels and seemed to disappear into thin air. I was brought back from this pause in time by Vegvisir trumpeting and chasing off the last of the wolves. He turned to me, ”Are you hurt?” He said through bloody teeth. I don’t know if it was his or the wolf’s. I started to say yes, but I turned my head back to my shoulder and there was no bite mark. No blood. And no ache. Just a searing, icy pain. I blinked and turned back. ”No.. but you are. Can you walk? We should get back…” He smirked and nodded. Despite a wolf bite on the leg, he marched back to the village and I had to nearly trot to keep up.

We arrived to our herds congregated in the center of the village, before a large primitive, open built structure. Burning red cloth hung from the ceiling beams, and fire lit the place from lit pieces of wood. In the center, a large fire was burning. My mother rushed to me when she saw me. Vegvisir moved to his own mother and father. He explained what happened, and my mother embraced me tightly. Like she had before. This time, I slid my head up over her shoulder and wrapped my head over her withers. I pulled myself into her, hiding my face in her thick, curly tresses. I knew the moment was imminent. I felt my mother’s body shudder as she sobbed, I know it was at the thought of losing me to a predator, but I wonder if she was also preparing to give me away. I felt my heart flutter as I inhaled her scent, and my eyes weld up with tears again. I found myself wishing I could restart this day again. Just to feel her kiss my head and feel like everything was okay. She pulled away and I spoke, ”I’m okay, Mother.” She sniffled and smiled, ”I know, Baby. My sweet, brave girl.” She said softly. She stepped back and my father took the place beside her. I stood in solidarity there, looking up at Toivo, Asa, Saga, and Vegvisir. This was the moment I was to find out I was betrothed and they would be my new family. Toivo began to speak, and announce that we would be merging our wealth and I would be Vegvisir’s bride. The herds cheered and silence fell upon them. I stared up at the four of them, and I looked at my Mother and Father. Sadness and pride in their eyes. I smiled. I knew it was not longer after that they would leave, and I would be devastated. The world slowed again, and everyone seemed to pause. I looked around at everyone, some stuck in excited expressions and cheers, other’s looking on with contempt and other expressions. Things I never noticed before. I looked in front of me and there was that wolf. It seemed to materialize from thin air and it stared at me. Lowering it’s snout, and gazing at me with powerful golden eyes. I felt power surge through me. I felt powerful. The last time I have been here, I had been a crumbling little girl, struck with fear, with nothing to say. Too cowardly to refuse. Too afraid to say no. Two moons from this moment, I would leave under the cover of darkness and never stop wandering… hoping I might find a route my parents traveled… until I found my own adventures. And became the woman I was today. I looked at my mother. Frozen in time. Smiling, sadly. My father, grinning with pride, but sadness in those gem-like eyes of his. This was one of the last moments I ever saw them.

But what if I stayed? What if I never ran in the night? What if I flat out refused? What would become of me if I changed my fate. My gaze fell back to the wolf, watching as it began to fade away. First it’s feet… then it’s legs, and body. But it’s head remained, staring at me. Before it was completely gone… it nodded. I nodded back. It closed it’s eyes and faded to nothing. I closed my eyes, and the world erupted into cheers and loud excitement. I looked to my parents and then to Vegvisir, and the rest of the clan royalty. In this moment, I ran to my mother and my father and begged them not to do this. I think I broke my mother’s heart. But this time. It was my choice. I had a choice. I cleared my throat and raised my head. I closed my eyes for a moment. Thick black tresses dancing around my face and down my golden and white neck. The world grew silent, and I opened my eyes. A ferocious, defiant look danced in my eyes as the flames reflected in my once innocent, doe-like eyes. I stepped forward and spoke, ”No.” I said confidently.


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I threw myself up out of the sandy loam soil. My skin was cold from night sweats. The sandy soil clung to my body as I caught my breath. My mismatched eyes darted back and forth. I could hear the crashing of the waves of Femiet Beach. I shivered and lowered my head into the sand as I stared out into the darkness of the forest around me. I felt my chest ache and tears form in my eyes. I closed my eyes and hot tears ran down my cheeks as I thought about the dream. Wishing I could go back and do things differently, and questioning my life and how I might be different.. or where I might be now if I had stayed and done my duty. Or if I had said no. Either way, my heart ached for my mother. What I would do for one more forehead kiss and to see her smile at me again…


words;; 3297
timeline;; Back in time
character;; Calliope
tag;; ☽ caely ☾

notes;;

Back in Time - Calliope goes back to when she was betrothed and given away. She decides to do things differently.

Bonuses:

- April Showers

- A splash of color

- A special guest - Calliope's mother, father, and ✵P Λ G Λ П✵ Vegvisir (used with permission)

- A new point of view (I usually write in third person.. I haven't written in first in a very long time)

- It was only just a dream (she relives the memory during a dream. She wakes up at the end)

- 2000+ words (3297)

talk

☽☾

[☽ caely ☾]

I bit the inside of my cheek as I stared out of the windshield. My neurodivergent, overthinking brain simultaneously thinking of every possible situation and racking the file cabinets of my memories for every piece of information I had on restarting a horse. I had done in several times over, but every time the opportunity presented itself and I agreed, I still felt that anxious feeling. I knew all to well that horses were unpredictable and each one was different. This time, I had been called my Granger, a friend within the Arabian world, who asked me to come out and see about this mare a client bought for their child. She told me the parents did not consult her first and bought the mare sight unseen because “she was pretty”. The seller said she was great with kids and could be show ready with a tune up. But the horse that got off the trailer was not the horse in the pictures. She was covered in scars and an expression that emulated the phrase “if looks could kill”. It was very evident very quick that this horse had had a past and was no where near a child’s horse. Granger’s voice was tainted with annoyance and anger while describing the mare to me, and I could only imagine her face. She told me she had had her on site trainers all try to work with her and they did all in their power to work with her, but she was shut down and too reactive. Granger could have done it if she had not been going through chemotherapy, which left her physically weak and tired, which I knew frustrated her. She had tried to talk to the parents and suggested selling the mare, but they were adamant about keeping her because their daughter loved her already and they could simply “grow and learn together”. As the thought crossed my mind, my lips turned into a slightly frown and I shook my head. I never understood why parents did that sort of thing. It rarely worked out. Not only that, but buying a horse sight unseen. I had grown up having to go “try” horses and I always went with a trainer or someone more knowledgeable than myself. Nonetheless, I was the last ditch effort before they sent her out to a cowboy. Granger knew I had a great deal of experience with reactive horses, spooky horses, and horses with fight in them, and I knew arabians. I was hesitant, as it had been so long since I did this and I had been so busy with school I had rarely ridden in the two years I had been in graduate school, but I had longed to get back in with training and riding. So, I agreed.

I inhaled as I turned down the drive of the ranch. The grassy fields on each side were alive with color from deep violet Texas blue bonnets, vivid coral-colored Indian paint brushes, and the Indian blankets with had a fiery red center and a yellow rim, they reminded me of little suns. There were patches of baby pink evening primroses, which were a sweet dainty flower, mixed in with crimson wild phlox flowers. It was truly a beautiful sight. I loved the springtime in Texas because of the wildflowers. Granger had two pieces of property, one in the inner city of Houston and one out in the country where she kept her breeding mares and what not. They had decided to bring the mare here due to her reactivity, evidently. I slowed and pulled into a parking spot. I put my truck into park and stepped out. I opened the back door and grabbed my tall English boots. I slid out of my vans and into the English boots, zipping up the zipper in the back. They felt like home. I smiled at the thought as I turned on my heels and headed into the massive, white barn with crimson colored trim.

Granger had been waiting and greeted me from down the aisle. I walked in her direction, “Hey Granger.” I said and she hugged me. I noted how frail she felt. We caught up briefly, before she asked if I wanted to see the mare. I nodded and we headed towards the back of the barn. We arrived at a foaling stall and I peered in. The shadows from the barn and direction of the sun shaded the back side of the stall, but I could see her only from the white on her chest, belly, and legs. She stood with her face in the corner of the stall and body pressed against the back wall. ”She’s always like that.” Granger remarked. ”She’s okay to catch, but you can just tell that she’s been through things. You can see it in her eyes. Like she’s seen war or something.” I raised my eyebrows at the thought. ”She doesn’t look reactive or aggressive.” I said looking back at Granger. She chuckled, ”You’ll see. Take her to the round pen. I had the guys take some tack out there for you, if you get her that far.” I smiled, chuckled. ”Thanks.” I turned to grab the brand new, bright neon blue halter from the hook on her door as Granger started to walk off. I started to unlock the stall door and paused, I quickly turned my head towards Granger and asked, ” What’s her name, again?” Granger turned back towards me and walked backwards, ”It’s Boudicca. Good luck.” She turned and continued down the aisle and entered the office. Boudicca. Like the warrior queen. I wonder if that was telling of something…

I turned back towards the stall door, unlocking it, which created a sharp clang of metal. I slid the door open and entered. The mare’s ears flicked in my direction as I clicked my tongue to her to let her know I was there. She turned her head and dazzling turquoise eyes greeted me, and her ears pinned back. She swung her head back to the corner and stamped a hoof in warning, and I smiled, ”Hello Boudicca.” I remained standing there for several minutes before I watched her eye turn towards me, curiously. She turned her body to face me, craning her head up high and staring down at me with an intense, scrutinizing gaze. I stared back with a soft look. I saw what Granger meant by her eyes. They were untrusting, cold, and looked as if she had seen horrors. I reached my hand out and she remained still, unwilling to reach out to me. I inched forward and I could see her grow tense, but allowed me to slip the halter over her head. I led her from the stall, out to the round pen outside. As we reached the gait, I removed the chain and it fell with a loud clang against the panel gate. I heard Boudicca inhale sharply and the lead rope tightened as she stepped back. She took several steps back in the bright green grasses around us, and I followed calmly. She stopped ten feet back, staring at me, trembling with anticipation for a reaction. But none was given. I just turned and began to lead her back to the gate, which she willing followed me too. Suspiciously, calm. I opened the gate and walked her through, to which she surged forward and stopped. I watched her as I put the chain back around the gate and locked it. I inhaled and tilted my head at the mare, who was watching me back, just as intently. ”You know, I’d say those were some mighty dramatic reactions for something you didn’t get upset about earlier.” I approached her again and she stiffened, standing stone still. I put my hand on her tall, sloped shoulder and her muscles turned to rock under my hand. I ran my hand up her neck, which felt like a stone statue covered in horse hide. I reached for the halter and undid the buckle. Before I could slip it off her head, she raised her head out of it and tore off. I walked towards the center of the ring and watched her gallop in circles. In the sunshine, I could see the scars that littered her body. Her roached mane bouncing on her neck with each tumultuous stride. She was a pretty mare. Her coloring was so uniquely painted from head to toe and her coat gleamed in the sun. Beneath the crisp white, was beautiful cool-toned mahogany color with golden highlights near where the white met the color on her body. I noted how her eye never left me. Watching and waiting.

I just watched her run, until she slowed and stopped on the rail. She stood there watching me. I smiled and called, ”You ready now?” In that moment her ears pinned back and she turned in a second, charging towards me with ferocious eyes and sharp features. My brow furrowed and eyes widened. I watched her coming straight at me and as she neared I started to step back when she turned sharply to the left. I watched her return to the rail, trotting around, watching me. Interesting. Was she trying to scare me, or intimidate me? I couldn’t help but wonder, but before I could make a thought I heard her grunt and turn in towards me to charge at me once again. I frowned, sharpening my own features, my eyes were wide and piercing as she neared me. I started running towards her and I growled, ”I wish you fucking would.”, which caused her to go into a sliding stop. I continued toward her and She stepped back and I rounded to her left, leaning my shoulders forward, pushing my energy toward her, and she turned and headed towards the rail at a very fast trot. Her ears flicked toward me, and eyes on me as I followed after her with a long stride. ”So that’s it? You wanna scare people away? You wanna intimidate them, huh?” I called as I pursued her. ”You don’t scare me, Boudicca.” I kept following. The air was thick with humidity and warmer than usual today, and an indication summer would be upon us shortly. I panted as sweat started to form on my skin. Little gray clouds had begun to float above us, but they were not large enough to block out the sun. And in true Texas fashion, even with the sun still shining, rain began to fall. It did not deter me though, but what did deter me was that I was out of breath. That’s what I get for being out of shape. I stopped abruptly and took a step back towards the rail. As I caught my breath, I could see Boudicca realize I was no longer pushing her and stopped opposite of me in the round pen. She turned towards me, her nostrils flaring as she stared. She tilted her head curiously, and for the first time looked at me with curiosity and interest. Her ears pricked forward as she took several strides toward the middle. I tilted my head, and furrowed my brows. Was she doing what I thought she was doing? Understandably, I was hesitant to step forward, but I did it anyways. She matched me by taking a step forward as well. I tilted my head the other way and felt a half open mouth grin form on my face. Surely not? I took another step forward. She did the same. I raised my brow in disbelief and took three strides forward. She mimicked me. I smiled and put my hands on my hips as we stood there in the rain. I took several more strides until I was nearly at the center, and just as before, she matched me. We were a few feet away from one another. I tilted my head at her, and I could see the unease in her eyes, but curiosity and interest remained. I inhaled heavily and exhaled deeply, letting my shoulders relax and imagined all the energy in my body going down and exiting through the bottom of my feet. It was a way I taught myself to regulate my excitement, nervousness, and to manage my body language. I found it helped with horses as they tended to feel that energy release. I inhaled slowly and extended my hand to her. The mare began to reach out, but pulled back, and turned her head. I remained still. She turned back and reached out but pulled back again. I could see she was trying, but so untrusting. Afraid of something. I could not imagine what this mare had gone through in her past. I spoke softly, ”It’s okay. You’re okay.” She blinked and I watched her inhale and let a heavy sigh out.

At this point, the rain turned to a drizzle as it began to dissipate and trickle off. The world around us erupted into color. The green grass saturated by the rain, and the wildflowers almost seemed to all suddenly bloom. Bright red wild phlox, white and pink evening primroses, and neon coral Indian paintbrushes breaking up the sea of green. Their spring-time scents heavy in the, now, cool air.She reached forward and touched her lips to my fingers. She pulled back and began to lick and chew as she began to lower her head until her neck was even with her topline, and her body appeared to shrink slightly. I stepped forward and laid my hand on her forehead and I could feel her freeze under my touch. What felt like eons, but was probably only seconds, I felt her push her head into my hand. It felt like a very profound moment, not necessarily for me as I did not know this mare well, but it felt profound for her. As if she had fought a battle within herself, and decided to be brave. I stepped forward and rubbed up and down the mares head, and slowly her eyes closed. Something in me, call it intuition maybe, drove me to reach my other hand up and cupped her cheek in my hand. I stepped forward and she took a small step forward, pressing her head into my torso. I felt a release of energy and emotion from her as she sought my comfort. I moved my other hand from her forehead and rubbed her other cheek and neck in a slow circular motion. In almost a whisper, softly I said, ”You can rest easy now, warrior queen.”



words;; 2440
timeline;;
character;; Boudicca
tag;;
notes;;

Prompt:
WE Turns Real: You are yourself, living in your real world. You get to meet one of your characters in real life. Whether this be in the wild, whether this be at a barn you are visiting, however you'd like. Knowing your character is how they are... How would you react? How would the encounter go?

Bonuses:
•April Showers: Spring has brought rain, but this is a mere sprinkle of the most pleasant sort! Talk about how your character is enjoying it, and possibly doing some puddle jumping.
•A Splash of Colour: With the monochrome feel that is winter fading away, the colours of every variety have come out to play. Mention these vivid hues in your post.
•A New Point of View: Write your post from a different perspective than you usually write your posts (first vs third person).
•Challenge accepted: Collect 3 bonuses in one prompt.

- 2000+ words (2440)

talk

☽☾

[☽ caely ☾]

I exhaled as my eye lids opened ever so slowly. I blinked slowly, the world slowly coming into view, as I allowed my body to materialize within the mortal realm. The lush terrain was vivid with different hues of green, saturated and bright, which made me squint my eyes. Although I had near perfect vision, bright lights and colors were something that caused discomfort. As I squinted, the place I had materialized into appeared to be a forest thicket. A well worn one at that. Below my feet was a narrow dirt path, and on each side was patches of new grass and the sprouts of flowers. Most not quite ready to open, save one or two, which were a neon yellow color. ”Hideous.” I thought as my gaze shifted onward. The path before me was shaded, with beams of light where the canopy opened. As I continued to wait for my fleshy mortal vessel to put itself together, I gazed at these sunbeams which seemed to blur and shine.. even.. sparkle? I grimaced. It was a beautiful day. And it made me fucking sick.

Finally, my form materialized from a spectral form into solid flesh and bone and I travel down the thicket. As I moved on, the sights of butterflies and bees frolicked among the opening blossoms alone the trails edge. As I passed, I could have sworn I heard them humming, but I rationalized it down to just a flapping of a wing or a buzzing of a bee. I continued down the path, as I had a job to do in the mortal realm. War was upon us and I was needed to protect lands and to gain intel on Utopia. It was rare that I even found a soul wandering these days. I think the mortals were leerier than ever of wandering about these days for you never know who was on what side, unless it was obvious, like in my case. The massive black antlers sitting at the top of my skull surely didn’t have anything to do with it. Surely not. Though, the thought made my lips turn up slightly into an unsettling smile. I had never been one for smiles. I never had a reason to. So I’m sure I looked half deranged (which I was but that’s beside the point) whenever I did so. My auds flicked back, turning in ever so slightly to give the appearance of pointed horns as I lumbered through the thicket. I walked on only to hear that strange humming again. I paused my strides, my brows furrowing and a frown finding its way on my mouth as I looked left and right for any one else. I did not see, nor smell, another being, but the humming was getting louder. ”Hey!” I craned my head back, standing upright as I looked intently for someone, ”Down here!” Immediately my gaze went down to the earth where I saw a dragon fly flitting about. I eyed it suspiciously, until it flew up close to my face. I pushed my head back as it got closer. I nearly went cross-eyed trying to track the weird bug when it suddenly stopped and hung mid-air. I stared at it and it stared at me with it’s bright golden body that seemed irredescent green and blue as the different lights hit it. It suddenly chuckled and I looked at it with both disgust and confusion, ”You got one ugly mug. Hehehehehe!” It said with a mischievous little laugh. My auds flicked back and opened my jaws going in to snap it between my teeth. However, my attempt was unsuccessful and it flitted away, laughing even harder. I looked in the direction it had disappeared to wondering, ”When did bugs start talking?” I shook my head. I had to have been hallucinating. My feet began to move again, and this time, my pace was quickened. Something was amiss and very odd about this place… Just then the sound of rain sprinkling on the canopy above began to sound. Between the places where the sunbeams at reached down to the forest floor, the rain fell in. It was oddly warm, and I could not deny that it felt good on my skin.

I continued along until I came to a open area within the middle of the forest. It was a patch of area covered in tall golden yellow, fuchsia pink, and off-white tulip flowers, along with patch of stark white daisies that clung close to the forest floor. I looked at the flowers and frowned. Spring time was full of new life and pretty flowers. I hated it all. I much preferred Hell or dark dreary places, even Asphodel over this revolting crap. As I scanned the area, I could see the path of the thicket on the other side and where the flowers had begun getting pushed in different directions, depending upon what way someone was moving. It wouldn’t kill me to walk through the flowers, but I wasn’t going to like it. I began to move through the glade, when the flowers began to move which caught my eye. I stopped and watched the flowers dance from beneath as something below moved about. Normally I would move along, but I couldn’t help but be curious… which I couldn’t quite put my finger on as to why.. but I was. I could see the flowers dancing this way and that, while whatever underneath them traveled in a unrecognizable pattern. Where the tall multi-colored tulips ended and the short daisies grew, out popped a strange little creature. It was fuzzy, mostly grayish, with dark legs and face, and little stripe up its face. It’s body was wide and flat to the ground. It looked up at me and I looked at it. It looked like some sort of badger possibly, although where I hailed from we had nearly all black ones, this looked like it but differently colored and a bit more stout. Just as I was about to move on, it spun in a little circle and hopped towards me. I twisted my auds into a reverse position and I raised a brow at it. What the devil was it doing? I stamped a hoof in its direction. I expected it to run back but it only spun in a circle, and this time came barreling towards me. I don’t move because what was it going to do? Nothing. It barely looked a few days old. It ran in circles around my dinner plate sized hooves, making little shrieks. I inhaled and began walking forward. Stupid little creature, I remarked as I continued toward the thicket. Once passed the flowers, the brushing of flowers on my legs stopped and all that could be heard was buzzing bees, my hooves hitting the dirt, and.. little grumbles? I paused and looked back behind me, to see this little badger sailing across the ground behind me. I turned and snorted. My face twisting terrifyingly. It stopped and took a step back. ”Begone.” I growled and stamped my front hooves in unison at it. The ground rumbling beneath my feet would have sent any normal creature running back, but much to my dismay, and surprise, it spun in a circle and hopped towards me. Running around my feet once more, chattering and shrieking away. ”I’m not your mother.” I snarled, attempting to stomp it to death every time it came close to one of my feet, but for some reason I was unnaturally slow. My leg would rise and fall at the speed of a very elderly sloth, and I began to grow more and more frustrated as it felt like I was playing wack a mole and not winning. I also probably looked ridiculous, raising my feet and stomping about in place like some kind of trick horse. With each failed stomp, my frustration grew until I would have it no more, ”Enough!” I hollered and stamped a front hoof, which it happened to be near. It looked up at me sadly, which big cute beady eyes, and I stared at it with contempt. I had ruined it’s game. Then something in me sent a wave over my body… what the hell was that? Why did I feel hot and like my heart fell into the bottom of my chest? Why did I feel… bad? I let out a sigh and rolled my eyes in my skull. I turned and continued down the path.

Still the rain fell in a soft, steady flow, but strangely… the ground did not appear to be getting wet? It were as if it fell, made the sounds of falling, had the audacity to keep dropping on my skull and body, but did not quite make it to the ground.. So bloody strange. I traveled down the path with this little badger scurrying below me. I sighed to express my annoyance. I was a demon. I knew what Hell was. I liked Hell. I enjoyed Hell. So much so that I lived in Hell. But this? This was something beyond Hell. Even more so… I felt bad. My frown deepened as I began to wonder why I felt like that, disliking the foreign feeling, and feeling annoyed that I felt like I couldn’t just kill the little annoying baby badger. I continued on until I came to another glade, this one green and bright, and in the corner was a mare. Her body voluptuous, golden and painted. I paused and my head turned in her direction. She seemed to notice my presence, she turned, and her teal and lavender gaze met mine. She seemed uneasy looking upon my loom white form with red markings and massive black antlers. ”Hello! I’m Calliope!” She called to me with a friendly smile. I narrowed my gaze and looked at her. She was the nice type. Friendly. Goody two shoes. My auds flicked back and I was gathering myself to tell her to fuck straight off when the little gray badger zoomed past me. His jaws open, wide eyed and snarling ferociously. The mare backed up and turned, disappearing into the forest. At this point my gaze was wide in surprise, ears forward, as the little badger chased her to the edge of the glade. It growled and paced thrice before turning around and looked to me for approval. My brows raised and I felt a chuckle escape my lips. It seemed to be pleased as it spun in circles and darted back towards me. It stopped a few feet away and I lowered my head to the little auspicious creature. ”Perhaps I will have use of you yet, little terror.” It chattered back to me and darted forward, leaping up and grabbing onto the wolf skull that hung at my chest. It growled and wiggled as it grasped at it. Finally gaining grip and crawling up my raven feather necklace and resting upon my withers. I looked back at the little ferocious beast as it smiled back at me with a sharp toothed grin.

With a jerk, my eyes opened and the world around me sharpened. The familiar fiery orange and red colors danced on the sharp rocks and dismal landscape. Hell. It was a dream… a nightmare more like it. I inhaled several times as I shivered at the thought of so much goodness in one. I began to ponder the entire reverie, and blinked. ”What the fuck even was that?” I said to myself as I my eyes wandered around with an expression of confusion on my face. My gaze landed on a small rock that was similarly shaped to the little gray badger. ”Perhaps I need to abduct an infant badger from it’s mother and raise it as my own.” I considered this thoughtfully… until I started to think about how mean a mother badger must be if it’s infant child was mean and ballsy enough to run off a full grown horse. Still though…



words;; 2225
timeline;;

character;; Zeitgeist

voice;; Zeitgeist's voice

tag;; ☽ caely ☾
notes;;

Prompt:

The Best Babysitter: Everyone knows that spring is the time for new babies. Your character is wandering one spring day, and happen upon a baby animal (non-equine) who seems to have lost their way from its mom. This baby now seems to think that your character is the best one to hang out with, and immediately becomes a stage five clinger - a fussy one, at that. What does your character do?

Bonuses:

• April Showers: Spring has brought rain, but this is a mere sprinkle of the most pleasant sort! Talk about how your character is enjoying it, and possibly doing some puddle jumping. (rained but never hit the ground. Only seemed to hit Zeitgeist)
• A Splash of Colour: With the monochrome feel that is winter fading away, the colours of every variety have come out to play. Mention these vivid hues in your post. (saturated greens, flowers, etc)
• Special Guest: Another character has joined the fun! Add in another one of your own characters or another member's (with permission) to create a meaningful interaction in the entry. (Calliope, wasn't particularly meaningful except now Zeitgeist wants to abduct a baby badger xD)
• A New Point of View: Write your post from a different perspective than you usually write your posts (first vs third person). (first person)
• It was Only Just A Dream: Have your prompt be written as a dream. Add some wonky dream-like effects to it. (is a dream. i.e., the rain that never hits the ground, the rude dragonfly, and weird sparkly sunbeams)
• Overachiever: Complete all five prompts!
• 2000+ words (2225)

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