Let the stars shine on us

“It was a particularly good evening to begin a book.”― Tove Jansson, The Summer Book

[vilmublue]

Screw the haters, this is very sweet and cute!

[that-edm-life]

[olive2004]

i can’t stop thinking about this

[nyreem]

SaltQuest- Afoot

Wane continued to watch Ebb row the boat. He did this while sitting within the boat, a spare paddle by his side. Still, he had not laid even a hand or offered assistance to help. Ebb continued to row, making big strong strokes with her paddles.

“I would ask if you would assist me, but the conversation always ends up the same way.’ Ebb commented in between strokes.

Wane flashed her a grin, before floating alongside the smoothly moving vessel, which left a neat impression in the water behind it.

“Yep. It always ends up like that.” She shrugged slightly. “So, why do you need to see the cunning woman alongside me?”

“Well, I believe it is for the same reason as you. Why else would we, wish to see the Wych?”

“The Wych, the Wych, she fishes wishes for salt!” Ebb finished the rhyme, Wane singing alongside her joyfully.

“So, is there a certain spirit you’re trying to get rid of with more salt?” Ebb asked.

Wane turned onto his side, bobbing slowly alongside the moving boat. “Kiddo won’t stop dripping water everywhere. It’s ruining my porch.”

“Bushy hair, ears, has a striking resemblance to you?”

“Yeah. How’d you know?” Now Wane’s attention really was on Ebb.

“They’re one of the two who I keep seeing. The others some grumpy looking elf.”

The sound of the paddles was constant.

“Well, I’d like to stop the Kiddo. And make them less miserable looking.”

Ebb nodded. “Maybe Fauna can help us there then. Now give me some help. Sooner I’m there, sooner you get the salt.”

Wane would have rolled his eyes. If they were visible. He gave a toothy grin, settling into the space in the boat, and taking up the spare paddle. Soon the boat was smoothly gliding against the water again, as Ebb guided their direction towards a looming outcrop in the distance.

The water around them was a clear blue, making the reflection of the island stand out even more. The island was big, that is to say it fit a small oddly shaped wooden house, and an evergreen tree underneath of which was a hanging chair. By the standard of the islands Wane or Ebb called home, it was enormous.

A small pier jutted out of the island, another boat tied alongside it. Ebb guided her boat to stop alongside the Pier, tying a sturdy rope to the pier. While she climbed out, Wane floated gracefully to stand on the island. As soon as Ebb stepped foot on the pier, the door of the wooden house opened, revealing a short dumpy figure. Fauna’s large floral sunhat covered her head, obscuring her crop of curling brown hair, but calling attention to her pointed horns and dropping ears. Her cardigan was large and loose over her flared dress, and her hooves made a clopping sound as she tapped them once, twice on the wooden door frame. Her arms were currently salt granules.

“While I know you want salt, I have the favour I want in return for this lot.” She said matter-of-factly.

“You have a favour picked out?” Ebb questioned, dismay creeping into her voice. Wane turned to her and shrugged.

Fauna merely nodded in response. “Yes. Come in. There is much afoot.”

[nyreem]

Sky Rhythm

Hasen and Har! Har and Hasen! Two of the best hot air balloonists in the business, at your service. Forget the fact they were the only hot air balloonists in sleepscape, both were determined to keep offering the best services money could provide, and continue wowing people with magnificent views.

Despite being the only hot air balloonists, Har and Hasen were still the best. They managed to work in a perfect rhythm with each other, Har having an almost innate sense of how the air currents would be for the day each morning, and Hasen always managing to land the balloon smoothly, whatever the weather might be like.

The peculiar duo attracted a lot of attention regardless of being balloonists, with Har’s bright white fur, yellow nose and webbed wings, and Hasen’s patchwork mish-mash of blue, green and turquoise stitched fur, and red woollen hair. Honduran White Bat’s were rare enough, but an alive magically animated Large-Eared Pika soft toy was hard to miss when it walked towards you, as the urge to walk up to Hasen and hug him was often unavoidable. Har took advantage of her best-friend and co-pilot status to ensure maximum hugging was always completed.

Hasen and Har’s rhythm was as easy as breathing, as easy as blinking, as easy as getting up each morning and brushing their fur. They had known each other for so many years, they knew the nuances of how they spoke, how a minute tilt of the head meant another cord had to be pulled, or a new direction needed to be taken in the balloon. Their dynamic was always in tandem, moving as swiftly and as easily as the piloted their own balloon.

Their very own balloon which had decided on whim that very day, to be difficult.

“How easy do you reckon this’ll be to land then?” Asked Har, as she stuck a wing out of the basket to feel the air.

Hasen looked down from checking the air balloons flame, and said, “It shouldn’t be too bad. We’ve had worse. Remember the time the Storm Siblings decided to have a tantrum? That was much worse conditions.”

“Yes,” Har said, “but the balloon was being co-operative that day. I told you, you shouldn’t have insulted the state of her basket this morning! Always make sure you start a journey with a compliment! She’s much better behaved that way. Also feels like a better current north east.”

“Okay. North east. Flame’s still looking strong, so that shouldn’t be much of an issue. And I know you’ll give us a good landing, just like you always do old girl,” Hasen said, giving the ridge of the basket an affectionate pat. “Everything else ready to go for a landing?”

Har nodded. The landscape around them was wet and dreary, everything painted an unflattering gray with clouds speeding on past like traffic at rush hour.

“It’s as good as it’ll get.” Har said, taking it all in. “Everything’s secured, just give me the word and I’ll loosen anything that’s needed.”

Hasen nodded, closing his eyes and taking a deep, calming breath. Opening his eyes, he set to work, tightening, pulling and tugging on rope, cords and levers, guiding the balloon while Har kept a look out for a clear path through the windy debris.

“Left down, look out for that bird!” Har said, with other similar comments being said, as she guided and steered Hasen to a landing point. It was when they finally felt something solid beneath the basket, they both let out the huge breaths they had been keeping in, gulping in air greedily as they leant against the basket’s wall.

“Well, we made it!” Har said grinning, holding out a wing for a fist bump, with Hasen readily gave.

He grinned back. “And we got there in the end, despite a troublesome balloon!”

“Will you apologise to her now then?” Har asked, putting a wing around his shoulders and giving him a hug.

“Alright, alright. Balloon, you did a wonderful job and we are thankful you got us back on the ground in one, if not slightly bruised, piece!” Hasen said, giving Har a squeeze back.

She gave him a lop-sided smile, and then laughed when the deflated fell on top of them, making it go dark.

[nyreem]

Metal Tree

Eir pod stayed floating a foot above the earth of the planet. Risc knew it would stay safe there. After all, this planet was uninhabitable. While visits for a short period were possible, it was impossible for anything nutritious to be found, or to grow.

Ey heard a high pitched laughter. But ey ignored it. It was probably just the wind. Being alone, in a place like this could make you imagine strange, odd things. Ey moved forwards, their small ears, like the ears of a snake, picking up the sound of silence. Risc did not rely on sound mostly, eir main sense was eir tongue, which helped pick up heat signitures. There would be none found on this planet.

Ey heard another sound. Ey still ignored it. Ey needed to go somewhere. Walking through the planet, only the clip-clops of hooves breaking the atmosphere, ey headed towards a tree. The only tree on the entire planet. It was not a living tree though. Or, merely, it was not living in a sense. A metal tree, planted before by someone, had always been here, from the first time Risc had visited the planet.

It was tall, and shining, the only colour different from the dirt red of the planet. Risc settled down under it, tucking eir legs away as best they could, and curling eir tail around emself. Ey waited. Ey were good at waiting.

More sound, a soft giggling could be heard. Looking up, Risc saw Als emerging.

‘It took you long enough. Why bother following me? You know I can only see you from under here.’

Als giggled. ‘Well, I wanted to see if I could scare you!’ She turned, the fabric of her ghostly dress staying around her.

‘Hmph.  So, I’m here as a promised. So, what are your plans for today?’ Ey asked finally.

‘Well, what I really wanted, was to just hear you talk about things. Life. About life.’

‘About life? Specify.’

‘Well, tell me more about your life! What have you been doing lately?’ She looked down, and Risc would see through her more, as her outline paled. ‘What is your life like. I miss life.’

‘My life? It isn’t that exciting. I am still a station worked. I just make sure to follow orders, make sure equipment is all working, and carry out menial trivial tasks.’

‘Tell me more though. Please. Tell me the small, silly things. Anything. Anything is fascinating.’ She pleaded with em.

‘Well. I have a few friends. Sometimes we go to the main gallery when its midnight, and everyone is sleeping. We often just gaze at the stars. And just talk. About what we’d like to do. One guy, Isa, wants to become a bioscavenger. We’ve talked about the universe before. How we think it got here- did you know some people actually believe we’re part of a big frog? That just lives, somehow, and we make up just a tiny cell of its existence?’ Ey looked up, through the metal leaves of the tree, and stared, at the glorious, vast expense of universe before em.

‘It sounds wonderful…’ Als breathed, putting a pale hand just where Risc’s shoulder would be, if she could grasp it.

[nyreem]

Quick sand

The water was steaming, a wave of almost smoke wafting up from it, and he could see the tell-tell signs the bottom of the metal may be getting close to melting. Emmy had told him off numerous times before for breaking kettles.

He picked up a towel, and clasped the kettles handle with it, making a steaming cup of tea. At least he could make a cup of tea. It was one of the few things he could do right.

Settling himself into a chair, he did notice when Marq slipped into the kitchen, grabbing herself a cup, and pouring another cup of tea.

‘So, what’s been eating you up this time?’ She said, slipping down into the chair next to him.

‘’snot much,’ he said, looking down into his cup of tea.

Marq took a sip from her cup, making a face when she burnt her tongue. ‘Uh huh. Well, if you want to talk about it, I’ll listen. I’m better to talk to than Duke, or King. Emmy’s good in a pinch.’

‘I’ll keep that in mind..’

‘Anyway, how’d you manage to make this tea so quick? It usually take me at least five minutes, especially with having to get a decent fire going.’

Raja shrugged, letting his shoulders raise, then fall loose.

‘You’re not really helping me much here. I know you have something that’s bothering you. And I know you always have things that are bothering you. But we’re trying to help. Keeping it in, letting it squirm around inside you, your thoughts, your feelings, it ain’t good. It won’t help you.’ She took another sip of her tea.

‘s’always there though. Never goes away. I don’t even know if I want it to go away. What’s it like not feeling like this, having this always there?’ Raja said, looking so lost and dejected, Marq resisted the urge to pick him up and cuddle him.

‘Whats it feel like? Try and describe it for me.’

‘Like, like, I’m always doubting myself. I’m always unsure, I don’t know if what I do is right. Or if I’m right. Like, I look funny. My hairs too curly, and my nose is too long. And I sound weird. I don’t like my voice. I always feel like I’m always in quick sand, I’m always pulled down. And as soon as I find something to hold onto, to pull me out, it breaks. Or my grip slips. And I’m going back down.’ Raja said, staring blankly at his tea.

‘I get that sometimes.’ Marq confessed. ‘And, it ain’t easy to get out of it. Like, I don’t like my voice either- it doesn’t sound right, not how I want it to sound. And I’m too skinny, and there’s lots of other stuff. But letting it swallow you up, letting it pull you down, it don’t help. It don’t help at all. Getting out of it’s the hard part though.’

‘How’ve you gotten rid of it then?’ Raja asked, looking up slightly, glancing at Marq through partly closed eyelashes.

‘Time. It’s about trying to think positively, letting those good comments stick to you, not letting them go. Trying to stop and ignore the bad thoughts. They’ll still be there, but don’t let them fill your head. Try and fill your head with other stuff. Stuff you want to do, nice stuff people have said, feeling good about yourself. I get times, or moments when I can look at myself, and think, yeah, I’m pretty damn good.’ She shrugged nonchalantly. ‘I know that probably doesn’t help that much. But it’s slowly working for me. Everyone does it different though. Talk to Emmy, Duke, King, they’ll all have different answers. You need to find what works for you Raj.’

‘Yeah… I-it’s something to think about. Work on.’ He sipped his tea slowly, looking ahead at the knots in the tables wood. Marq noted his face did not look as lost, he did not look so hopeless.

‘Well, if you ever need advice, or someone to listen, you know where to find me,’ Marq said, giving his shoulder a squeeze, and walked out of the room, the door swinging as she left.

[nyreem]

False Shrine Cushion.

Harvey; Shrine.

He prayed. When he remembered. And he would visit Sanctuaries. When he could. And while he may have not seemed as steadfast in his faith as Esme, Harvey still believed, and followed the teachings. The sisters were very much alive, and Harvey thanked them every day for what he had, for his training, for his journey, for his friends.

Larry; Cushion.

Constance looked out for everybody. She was the closest they all had to a mother figure. Even Larry would listen to her.

‘Now, I really think you should sit down for a minute.’ She said, after Larry had spent the majority of the morning outside, surveying the sky.

At first, at such a suggestion, he would have put up a fight. But months of trust had built up, and he agreed with her judgement. Pulling himself down from the hill he was standing on, he walked past her to head to his room. Falling down into his huge, ancient armchair, he felt his weariness hit him, but the wave of comfort from the chair enveloped that. He breathed out a sigh of relief. If he paid Connie, she’d be receiving a raise right now.

Lee; False.

Where they had ended up, it made it hard to decipher what was real, and what was imaginary. Death became unpermanent, and people could be changed.

People changed not only because others did things to them though, they changed because of what happened around them. And Lee was having to try her hardest to pick up those pieces. She was used to helping fix people, it was her job, but fixing the people that had become her new family was much harder. She would try though, to keep them together and whole, as much as she could.

[nyreem]

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

See no evil.

Today the sky was a lovely grey colour. The grass was looking rather grey as well, Laurius could not tell if it was dying slightly, or was vibrant because it had rained the previous night.

It had taken Laurius many years to realise he was colour blind. At the age of sixteen he received the set of paints he had been secretly dreaming of for years. It was full of vibrant blues, yellows, browns, greys and oranges. Laurie started painting with it at once, and was happy to present his first coloured picture to his brother.

‘Laurie, why’s the grass red?’ His brother sneered, and left it at that.

When Laurius presented the picture to his parents, their comments were similar.

‘Laurie, it is lovely. But why is the grass red? And why is that flower green?’

‘But those are the colours of grass and that flower, aren’t they? I tried my hardest to pick the right colour.’ He managed to say.

His parents whispered between themselves, till his mother pointed to one of his paints. ‘What colour is this then Laurie?’

‘Green. Isn’t it?’

She pointed to another colour. ‘And what colour is this?’

‘Red? Definitely red.’

‘Laurie, the first colour was red. And the second colour was purple. I think you may be colour blind.’

Laurius felt his heart speed up. ‘W-what do you mean.’

‘Colour Blind. My uncle had it. It is a condition where they way you perceive colours, is different to everyone else. In your case, you are like my uncle. You find it hard to see the different between green and red hues. Do they appear a grey colour to you?’ His mother asked, putting a soothing hand on his shoulder.

‘Yes. They do. But I thought that was normal!’

‘It is normal. For you. But the way I perceive colours is very different from you darling.’

‘B-but what does this mean. Does it mean I cannot paint?’

His mother squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. ‘No. You can paint. You just need to be more careful about picking the right colours. I can label them for you. And you can always ask me, or your father what the right colour for something is.’

‘Okay. As long as I can still paint.’ Lauris said, nodding.

‘As if I could stop you Laurie!’

Hear no evil.

‘Benett, make sure to clean the shrines today!’ Laurius shouted.

‘Pardon?’ Benett shouted back, turning in the direction the faint sound was coming from.

‘MAKE SURE TO CLEAN THE SHRINES TODAY.’ Laurius bellowed back.

‘Clean shrines? OKAY.’

Mostly, Benetts bad hearing had never been a problem. Laurius had learnt about it fairly soon after his father as introduced him to his younger, half sibling. Laurius made sure to look after his brother, especially when he joined as a brother for the Botieg Sanctuary. Benett was a hard work, and always had a smile on his face, even if it unnerved some people. He never let their whisperings about him annoy him though. That was, if he could hear the whispers behind his back.

Unlike Laurius’s older brother, and unlike Laurius himself, Benett was a talented. Benetts talent was sensing vibrations, and while his sense of hearing was poor, he had an uncanny knack of knowing where people where, or who was trying to talk to him. On the odd times when the island the sanctuary was on, would start shaking, Benett always seemed the most affected, and he would always be sound somewhere high up, off the ground. His favourite spot was a hammock high up in the branches of a tree. He felt safer up there, where the odd sensation his stomach usually got from such vibrations, would go, and be replaced with the calmness of rocking backwards and forwards in the hammock.

Speak no evil.

Montague paid for his crimes. They made sure of that.

‘Montague Capulet, will you please come forward. For crimes of theft, embezzlement, improper use of magic, murder, and treason to the law, you will have your magic removed.’

Having his magic removed. Montague had never thought it would really come to that. He’d been cocky, he’d admit that. But he hadn’t thought he’d be caught so easily. Over something as petty as using forged coins. And now they would take his magic away. The only thing that gave him any worth.  His brother had been born with no magic, but he had made something of his life; the last time Montague had been in contact with him, he was still living a happy, but simple life as a monk.

That kind of life had never interested Montague though.

But still, the phrase ‘magic removed’ still filled him with dread, with fear. The one thing he felt proud of, would be taken away. He felt himself be moved forwards, someone pushing his back, and he stopped himself from stumbling forwards. Show no fear. His pride, or what was left of it, was the one thing they would not take. He took another step forwards. The court room looked onwards.

The judge looked onwards, nodding. Montague was led onwards, two trained Mages either side of him. Another reminder, another mockery, of what he may have become. They still had their magic. And they could weld it better than he ever had, though he had tried hard.

He was led into a small room. A stone knife was being sharpened, and he was sat down, his head resting on a stone shelf. He was instructed to open his mouth wide. He knew what would come next. He had heard the story plenty of times before. And now it would happen to him. The worst thing that could happen to a Caster. Removal of magic. Removal of tongue. His hands felt clammy, and the back of his dress stuck to the back of his neck.

One of the Mages nodded to the other, who prepared themselves. One Mage picked up the knife. Holding his tongue out, in one smooth motion, they cut. It seared. Pain bloomed from his mouth, until the cool, numbing affect of magic kicked in. The stump, of what was left of his tongue, was healed almost immediately by the other Mage. Montague tried touching the root of his mouth. But he could feel nothing. He could still see the bloody, wet lump of what was left of his tongue, taunting him on a table at the edge of the room. He wanted to vomit.

The Mage’s pushed him out of the room, and Montague then thought to himself. What next?

[nyreem]

Reassurance

‘How is he?’ Aria asked, her voice soft, and the palms of her hands out, as a peace gesture.

Alys stopped. And stared. Her eyes wide and plate like, doing the perfect impression of a rabbit caught out in the open.  ‘W-what do you mean. Who. I-if you wish to hurt anyone in my team, believe me, I will stop you. S-somehow.’

‘Magpie. The guy with the voice powers. How is he? I haven’t seen him for a while.’

‘Why would you want to know about him?’ Alys asked in disgust. Her nose wrinkled.

Aria sighed, a flat, hollow sound. ‘I just want to know he’s okay. That’s it.’

‘Why though. What is so important about him.’

‘H-he’s important to me. Look I’ll leave you alone, if you won’t tell me anything.’ She motioned to turn around. Alys felt her heart break a tiny bit. She knew the feeling of wanting to know about someone, but not being able to find the information she sought.

‘H-he is fine.’ She blurted out, ‘He was injured recently, b-but he is healing. That is all I will tell you though. I cannot promise I will tell you more in the future.’

‘Thank you. That’s all I needed to know.’ Aria bowed her head slightly, and turned away. ‘Also,’ she said, turning her head towards Alys, ‘if all is the same to you, I’d rather we both forget this event happened.’

Alys nodded. ‘W-what event are you talking about?’ she felt the immature urge to stick her tongue out. Which she did. She was rewarded with a grin from Aria, as she walked away.

[nyreem]

Destroy all unicorns!!

The door opened slowly, Simba looking at her through heavy-lidded eyes.

‘Minti, I heard you the first time. And the second. And the third. I just needed to pause the game, I don’t want Ri’ beating me.’

‘Ri? Rion’s here?’ Minti queried, tilting her head and bobbing up and down. She sped past Simba, and was about to go through the door when he grabbed her tail.

‘Since when was my boyfriend more important than me Minti? Anyway, you gotta chill, Rion kinda stressed at the moment, you climbing all over him isn’t going to help.’ The flick of his tail, and ruffling of his wings told Minti all she needed to know. Simba must be worried, and yep, the twitching ear was there too. Time to be extra good today!

‘Okay Simba. I’ll be extra good today!’

‘Atta girl,’ he said fondly, ruffling her ears with an oversized paw. Swatting away his paw, she flew off into the lounge. Marrion was taking up most of the cushions, a game pad controller in front of him. The other controller was free, and Minti made a beeline for it.

‘Oh, hey pinkie!’ Marrion said cheerily, ‘I only just noticed you. Simba didn’t mention you’d be coming. How’s fahree stuff doing?’

‘It’s good!’ She said with a flourish, making sparkles appear from her antennae. Simba had slinked into the room, and made himself comfortable behind Marrion.

‘Good to know! So, do you want to see if you can do a better job at this game then Simba?’ Simba head butted Marrion on the shoulder, and Marrion turned to give him a kiss on the cheek. ‘Sorry dude, it’s true. You’re crap at My Tiny Unicorn.’

‘I’ll do it, I’ll do it! I’ll beat ‘em all!’ Minti said fiercely, putting the controller on her lap and looking very serious.

Marrion pressed start, and they were off. He was playing a Twinkle Sprinkles, a unicorn learning about the power of hatred. Minti was MonocromeRush, a unicorn who, despite her name, was in fact the slowest character. However, they also were one of the most powerful, and Minti used as many heart bombs on Twinkle Sprinkles as possible. The fact they were playing multiplayer to defeat a game chapter meant nothing.

When they had finally defeated the chapter, Marrion was asleep, and Simba had taken his place.

‘You know, I think this is probably the quickest time we’ve beaten a chapter’ Simba said, slowly leaning over Marrion and putting the controller down.

‘It’s because you and Rion are slow! Super slow! The slowest. Fahree snails are faster than you!’ Minti answered, dancing around in the air.

‘fahree snails are f-freaking fast. Nyooom. They’re already gone past you, you only hear the sound of them flying fast.’

‘Soo, why do they even exist? What’s the point of fast snails.’ Minti asked, now floating upside down.

Simba looked pensive for a moment. He stroked Marrion’s head absentmindedly. ‘No clue actually. They don’t make sense. Why fahree Lant? Why a fahree caracal? Why anything?’

‘Why not a fahree red panda? I bet Marrion would be the prettiest fahree!’

‘Yeah, he would look pretty. What kind of wings then? Feathery ones like me?’

‘Naah. Maybe dragonfly? Or butterfly! I’ve never seen butterfly. I bet butterfly! He’d look super pretty! Marrion would be the butterfly queen!’

‘Butterfly queen?’ Marrion asked sleepily, as he rolled onto his side, and stretched out his front paws. ‘What’s this about me being a butterfly queen?’

‘Minit’s decided if you’d turn fahree, you’d be a butterfly queen.’ Simba explained.

‘You’d also be the prettiest!’ Minti added in, flitting up and down.

Marrion nodded. ‘That sounds nice. I’d be prettier than Simba then?’

‘Yess. You already are prettier than him!’

‘Awesome. I’m still prettier than my boyfriend.’

‘I’m kind of jealous. At least my boyfriend is pretty though. I know everyone’s jealous of that.’ Simba said, consoling himself, and nuzzling Marrion’s shoulder.

‘You’re lucky you’ve got me! Pretty people like me are in high demand!’ Marrion said, nuzzling Simba back. Minti made a face, and reached out for the controller.

[nyreem]

Such a shame.

‘Just a second, I’ll be ready!’ she shouted at the door, fastening the last pin. Done.

‘Now now, is that honestly the way to treat your Gran, Elsa?’ a voice called out through the door, as it opened slightly.

‘Graaan,’ Elsa moaned, but ran up to her and hugged her anyway. Sanjana hugged her granddaughter back.

‘Now, how’ve things been going then dear?’ Sanjana asked, sitting down on the bed with Elsa.

‘Schools been okay,’ Elsa nodded, ‘and stuff’s been so-so as usual at home. Nothing that exciting’s really happened.’ Except I’ve been a werewolf for almost half a year now. Only mum really knows about that.

‘Ah, sounds about normal.’

‘What about you then Gran, Aunt Ollie been up to anything strange lately?’

Sanjana laughed. ‘Oh, you know Ollie! She’s always up to something. Why, just this week she demanded Jim come and take me and her off to a park! Something about an interesting story involving a statue. It was funny. The park was nice though.’ Shame I can’t really tell you what we found out. If you could see our book Elsa, why, you’d be surprised!

‘Uncle Jim! I forgot to ask about him. He’s still got Nellie running good I hope?’

‘Oh yes! The old girl’s running as good as ever. You know what Jim’s like about his Bootbook.’

‘Good old Jim. Oh, mum mentioned we’d be going on a walk Gran.’ Elsa mentioned as she started putting things in a handbag, lipgloss, phone, dog collar, purse. The usual stuff.

‘Oh. Could I burrow one of your scarves then Elsa? I tend to get cold easily, and the weathers gone a bit nippy lately.’

‘Sure Gran. They’re in the usual drawer, you know where to go.’

‘Thank you dear!’ She knelt down next to the drawer, opening it to reveal all of Elsa’s lovely scarves.  She picked out a pink and purple one that caught her attention. ‘Could I burrow this one? It matches my top.’

‘Of course Gran!’

Sanjana opened up the scarf, to put it around her neck. ‘Oh, dear! It’s got two holes in it. Maybe the washing machine caused that?’

‘Oh, it has? Sh-shoot. I don’t know how that happened.’ She quickly took the scarf from her gran, folding it up quickly. ‘How about this pink and blue scarf? It still matches your top.’ Snap. I really need to move those scarves to a different drawer, Elsa thought.

‘Thank you Elsa, it’s perfect.’

‘Okay then, we’d better go downstairs then.’ Elsa shut her bedroom door behind them.

‘So, are you two ready?’ Elsa’s mum asked as they walked down the stairs.

‘Yes, we are. Elsa has holes in one of her lovely scarves though.’ Sanjana mentioned.

‘She has, has she? That is a shame.’ Her mum replied, giving Elsa a look. Elsa gave her mum a look back. ‘Well, let’s set off then, shall we?’

[nyreem]

Summer Bites.

Picking himself slowly up, he tried to remember past events, anything. He felt sticky, and looking down at his shirt, he saw blood, dried blood. He tried to stop himself from screaming. He seemed to have been lying in blood- and, and- he was in an alleyway. What had happened?

He felt himself panicking; he took in deep, quick breaths. He realised he could hear people from far away. Looking down the alley, he could see two girls walking past, and he could hear every word of their conversation. They were talking about the summer, how good the weather was, and the pool party Ahab was doing. He did not really pay attention to that though. He saw their necks.

If he bit just there, at the base, where neck met chest, warm, rich blood would be readily available. His thirst would be quenched. He took in a sharp breath again. Why was he thinking this? Where was he? Why was he like this? What had happened?

Wait.

He remembered walking home, late, dark streets, lampposts lighting the way. Cutting through the alley way, even though Mum had told him a million times before not to do it, it was dangerous- and out of nowhere, being collided into, strong arms grabbing his chest, pushing him down, he felt something like the prick of a needle, somehow, and felt blood; and the pain, it hurt, fire, fire in his body, his neck, felt like a knife was plunged into it, and- and then ice cold relief seemed to flood through him, rush over him. But he felt something draining out of him. He remembered feeling something draining from him, energy, blood, he did not know. He felt weaker though, dizzy, and only remembered a suffocating darkness, feeling like something was weighing on his chest, remembered being fed something and- and almost chocking on it, and it was being forced down and---

He remembered all of this. It blurred through his mind in a matter of seconds. What was that man? (Logically, deep deep down, he knew it was not a man. No man could do that, with or without cluthenika ability.) What had happened to him? Why was the idea of blood so good- it was weird and wrong, and he wanted his mum. Hari wanted his mum so badly.

He hadn’t even got his phone with him, and managing to roll over onto his back, even with the sharp rush of pain, revealed no phone when he felt through his pockets. Maybe he could get some help—he didn’t know. Hari did not want to stay there anymore though, it still smelt like the smell of sour blood, and wrinkling his nose, he realised how unappetising that was. Like gone off milk.

He managed to lift himself up, sitting cross legged. How absurd was this, he was sitting cross legged in a pool of his own blood. Mum wouldn’t believe it. And where even was he? Was he still in the alley way? It didn’t feel or look like that- and wouldn’t mum have found him if it was?

Pulling himself up, and finally standing up, Hari felt himself leaning, trying to find something to hang onto. His legs felt weak, and he felt too light, he felt like he might fall over. Trying to flick his fringe out of his eyes, Hari reached for it, tucking a piece behind his ears- his hair was getting long again- and. His ears. Ignoring the lightness, and the pain, his ears were freaking long. Fuck. How had that happened. The better hearing made sense- and the craving for blood. And his limbs felt light. And having a look. A good look at his hand, his skin definitely looked greyer.

Oh shit. He must have turned vampire. He’d turned into a fucking vampire. Mum was going to kill him. W-what had happened then? Some guy had killed him. A-and what now. Was that it. Was he a vampire forever? W-would he die. H-how would he eat?

Hari felt warm tears rolling down his face, and he didn’t even care. Fuck it all. His life was now crap. Nothing would be the same. And this felt even worse than the time dad had announced he was tired of everything, and was leaving them.

H-how would he tell mum about it. Was she even worrying about him? He managed to walk a few steps, tears still falling down his face. Walking out the alleyway, into the bright light, he had to stop himself recoiling a bit. At least his hoodie was mostly okay. He zipped it up, the front still stained with blood, but at least this way he could cover his ears.

He felt like everyone was staring at him though. They probably were. He was walking down the street covered in blood. And all the buildings seemed tall, intimidating. He felt too exposed. A-and where was he? He didn’t remember this part of the city. He was lost. A-and who would listen to a gibberish thirteen year old?

Hari found a wall of a building to lean against, and curled up. He didn’t know where he was. And he wanted to find his mum- and- and. He was still crying.

He didn’t feel the hand on his shoulder at first. Pulling his head up from his lap, he looked up. There was a vampire looking at him. Another vampire, he corrected himself.

‘Hey, dude, you okay? You look down.’ The guy asked, genuine concern flooding his voice. Peering behind him was a tiny girl, her arms buried in her hoodie’s pocket. She looked like a vampire as well, small pointy ears also sticking out of the sides of her head.

Hari wanted to lie, tell the guy to go away. But he was so tired, and at least this person was trying to help. ‘No. No, I’m not okay.’ He said, his words coming out and sounding hot and angry.

‘Wooah. Dude, what happened? You don’t look good at all.’ The guy took his arm off Hari’s shoulders, and sat himself down next to him. The girl followed, sitting next to the guy.

‘I-I woke up in a pool of my own blood. And I still don’t know what happened, except I’m not anywhere near home, I don’t know if I’m still in Brightill, and now I’m a f-fucking vampire.’ Hari spat out, in between floods of tears.

The guys pat his shoulder. ‘That’s rough dude. And turning vamp’s never easy. My turning was just as bad. Woke up, didn’t know where I was. I managed to get home after wandering around for a few hours.’ The girl next to him nodded.

‘Alright. What’s your name dude? I’m Alan, and this here is Milly.’

‘Hari’, he managed to say.

‘Okay Hari. You got somewhere safe we can take you?’

‘Home. I wanna go home. I’m by the Bloodwood park area. But I d-don’t know where that is…’

‘Alright. Bloodwood park. I know kinda where that is from there. You be able to lead us where to go from there once we get there?’ Alan asked, pulling himself up, and lifting Millie up by the elbow. He offered Hari a hand, which he accepted, finding himself being lifted up as easily as a doll.

‘Onwards we go then!’ Alan declared, Milly smiling at him. Hari faintly wondered if they were related. They looked different though. But the way they cared for each other was like how he’d always hoped siblings would.

He set off, putting his hand out, and Milly shot out her tongue, holding onto his hand with it. Was she a frog tamali? Alan kept pace with Hari though, and chatted away as the walked. Hari felt himself smiling for the first time, in a long time.

[nyreem]

I kissed your soul dude. No homo.

‘What exactly d’you mean?’ Sish asked, slowing down his pace a tad to match Jai’s.

‘Well, you could’ve easily let me die. Why go through the effort of turning me vamp?’ Jai asked again nervously, eyes darting as he looked all around him.

‘I wasn’t gonna let you die. I’d promised you guys I’d get you back to the elevator. That means you need to be alive.’

‘Still doesn’t exactly answer my question. You could’ve left me, nothing was stopping you. And none of us knew about the vamp option.’

‘I guess I’d have felt bad, Letting you die. The vampire option was kind of a gamble.’

‘What do  you mean it was ‘a gamble?’ Jai stated, his voice filled with disbelief.

Sish eyed him. ‘Well, you aren’t exactly native to here. There’s never been a human vampire from what I know.’

‘So how’d you even make me vamp then? If I shouldn’t even be one.’

Sish kind of shrugged, moving his shoulders minutely and staring blankly at the others ahead. ‘I know the rough process of doing it. You have to pray to Kinju the vampire mother about it, before you turn someone. If she approves, she’ll allow you to kiss the soul of that person. She’d have probably preferred it if you’d prayed to her yourself, but I kind of had to take actions into my own hands.’

‘K-kiss the soul. Dude, you kissed my soul?’ Jai put his hands up defensively, his voice raising an octave as he said that.

‘Yeah. You do the same to turn someone Fae. Be happy you don’t have wings. You got the kinda weird ears instead.’ Sish shrugged again, kissing someone’s soul wasn’t odd. That or die. He’d made a choice.

‘Y-yeah,’ Jai said, a wobble in this voice. ‘I’it’s not the kissing part that’s weird, is the kissing my soul. My soul. Like, how do you even kiss a soul? What’d mine even look like?’

‘Pretty. Very pretty. A rich dark purple, the kind of deep down dark in the ocean, where no light reaches, and the water can take on a dark hue. And then you see the tiny dots of light, the fluorescent plankton that make up the life of the ocean, that start the life and end the life. It was pretty.’

‘Wow. That sounds really cool…’ he said, sounding amazed. Jai gazed up at the sky around him, lost in thought for a few moments. ‘So, what other vamp stuff don’t I know then?’

‘Your name’s different now.’ Sish said flatly.

‘Different? Dude, how? You are so bad at explaining stuff. Why’s it suddenly change?’

‘It’s how vampire names work. Take the first and last letters of your name and surname. That’s your new name.’

‘So I’m expected to keep the name ‘Jay-eye Tee-ar’? It sounds lame. Why can’t I stick with Jai?’ Jai dragged his feet along the ground, letting his arms lie limp at this side.

‘It is part of the deal for becoming what you now are my child.’ a voice said, the owner nowhere to be found. It sounded far away and distant, a low deep humming, like the sound a million stars all in unison could produce, or the sound of a great towering bell being rung for the first time. ‘Wear it with pride. You are Jayir Teeyar now, and now you are my child. I will look after you as much as you need it, and I love you so, so much.’

The voice left, but the sound of it still rung in the air.

‘W-what was that?’ Jai questioned, looking at Sish.

‘That’s your new mum. Enjoy, she’s cooler than my parent.’

[nyreem]

Precious Moment

If she wished to, Pheos could draw something, and draw that something well. She still carried around a small battered bound book, and flicking through it would show sketches and drawings done in charcoal and chalk. Few people had seen it, and she would work on it in secret. She had willingly shown it to Cedric, but before that, no one had any idea that the book existed. Harvey was shown next, one cold night when they were curled up next to each other, waiting for Cedric and Ezme to retrieve firewood.

It took much longer for Ezme to see the book, and even when she did catch a glimpse of it, it was during one of the rare moments when Pheos was drawing in it, curled over a delicate flower with hues of pale pinks and purples. Ezme had gone to search for Pheos, telling her how it would be time for them to leave their camp to travel for the day. Pheos was leaning over the plant, her tongue flicking in and out of her mouth, her eyes darting back and forth between her open page and the flower. Her hair was kept out of her eyes by a strip of material, her fringe pulled back to stop it obscuring her eyes. She looked almost endearing then.

‘Pheos, we need to leave now..’ Ezme said softly, after taking in the sight of Pheos drawing for just a moment longer. The spell was broken as soon as she said those words, Pheos quickly closing her book, and stashing it away in her bag. She shot Ezme a glance, but Ezme had already turned her back, walking back towards the others.

Later that evening, when their camp was set, and they crowded around the sparse cold meal Harvey laid out for them, Pheos noticed Ezme giving her sideways glances as she ate her bread. When Cedric and Harvey declared they would go on a walk, and scout out the path they would take in the morning, Pheos opted to stay behind. Usually she would walk on ahead with Cedric.

When they left, Ezme cleared her throat, finally giving Pheos eye contact. ‘I-it was beautiful. I mean, yer drawing. It was amazin’. Better than I’d imagined, from what the boys’d told me.’

Pheos looked up at Ezme, cocking her head slightly.

‘It’s just they’ve both gone on about how good yer drawings are, and I kept on thinking when would you show them to me. I guess I felt left out. B-but if you’d like to show them to me at some point, in the future, I’d really like to see ‘em.’

Pheos smiled. She gave Ezme a long sloppy lick-kiss.

[nyreem]

Fish again tonight Ma!

Making nets was methodical, but boring work, and by now Arwyn could make them from muscle memory alone, leaving her mind plenty of time to wonder. Heahwafian was a small village that mostly thrived off its fishing trade. Centred around 4 tall rock outcrops that jutted out from the shallow sandy scrubland, the village was a cluster of wooden houses built on stilts, to keep out the sea water that ebbed in and out with the rise and fall of the ocean. The majority of deomann who lived there were Naturals, although a few Talented and Casters also lived there. At the beginning of every new season, scouts would be sent forwards to find Casters of age, who could be recruited to learn by trained Mage’s in Schirbaye. Located Casters could agree to be trained, and would be taken back to Schirbaye. Casters could also refuse the training if they wished, and often scouts would leave them with books filled with information about common casting spells. A few of the younger casters of her village had opted to train for a few years, to learn the basics of their powers, but returned before receiving the title of a trained Mage.

Arwyn herself was a natural. When she was little she had always seen it as being boring. Compared to Talented, or Mages, she felt quite mediocre. Getting older though, she saw it as less of a curse, and more as a blessing. Casters lost their soul, and eyesight to their magic, and had poorer life spans. While Arwyn did not have any magical ability, she had always been blessed with especially good health, even for a Natural. She knew she would outlive the other casters in her village.

Tightening the ropes of the net, Arwyn made sure they were secure. She pulled on opposite ends of the rope, making sure it did not break. So far it felt sturdy. It was still early evening, the weather was cooler, and the sky was starting to turn paler at its edges. Arwyn had finished earlier than she thought, and if she was quick, she could have enough time to check the net she had set up earlier that afternoon. She tried to hide her grin, as she quickly stowed the net on one of the many hooks underneath the house. Flexing her webbed fingers, she shed her outer tunic, stripping down to her tied shorts and vest. She would need to go wading, and swimming in some places, and there was no point in ruining more of her clothes in the muddy salty water.

She unhooked a small netted bag from under the house, and slipped it over her shoulder, where it stayed resting on the small of her back. She climbed down the rope bridge, landing in the water. So far, the water only came up to the back of her knees, but that could mean it would come up to her waist in places.

‘Ma, I’ll be back in time for tea!’ Arwyn shouted over her shoulder, as she waded out. Getting to the fishing net should not take too long, but that was dependent upon the tides. While Arwyn could swim well, swimming through a strong current was another matter. Most of her journey was spend trudging through salty marshland, where the mud was thick and black, and odd scrubby grass would stick out at odd interludes.

The marshland soon started being less muddy, and more sandy, as the mud turned into thick sand, and seawater replaced muddy saltwater. Arwyn was wading now, and the water was starting to edge up towards her waist. She headed on purposefully though, still sticking mostly to the edge of the estuary. Arwyn could follow the path of the estuary, as it was in the direction of her net.

The fishing net was at the mouth of the estuary, where the tide ebbed and flowed out of it, and small fish would swim back and forth. Arwyn grinned as she neared the place where the net was, pulling her netted bag off her back, and pulling her small knife out from where it was tied to her leg. Approaching the net slowly, she pulled it out of the water methodically, revealing several small fish, and one large fish trapped within it. Trying not to dislodge them with her excitement, Arwyn picked up one of the fish firmly by its body and untangled it from the net, and cut along the bottom of it’s body, gutting it quickly. She put the fish in her bag, and went through, killing and gutting the rest of them. She slung the bag back around her shoulder, and gathered up the fishing net, securing it around her shoulders to make her way back home.

The journey back home took Arwyn longer than it had to get there. The net and fish combined where heavy, especially as the net was heavy from being drenched with seawater. Arwyn put a strut in her step as she waded through the village though, and climbed up the rope ladder to her house, depositing the largest fish on the dinner table for supper.

‘We’ve got a good meal for dinner tonight Ma!’ she said confidently, pulling the other fish out of her bag to salt them so they would be preserved.

‘What, fish again? It’s the fifth time this week we’ll be eating it. You couldn’t have tried harder to get something different?’

[nyreem]

Dreamers and Destruction and why are we here?

Living in a world without her mother, without Auntie Rahab. All of that. The world she lived in now was something she imagined when she was younger, but living in it was a different matter. It was harsh, no matter how good of it everyone tried to make. Some days they only ate one meal if Phantom was unable to find them enough food. There had been days when Luke and Albus had come home with broken bones. Ripley would shoo Nemo away, locking the three of them in a room while she tended to them.

So no matter how hard they all tried to pretend that everything was perfect, and fine, and we’re all doing good. It wasn’t. Nemo knew it wasn’t. There were times she had seen Ripley come out of her room, her face stained red, but she walk past, refusing to give Nemo eye contact. Or how Albus and Luke would sometimes grasp each other’s hands and hold on tightly. Phantom had sought her out before, walking into her room softly and sitting in the corner. Sometimes they would not mind if Nemo hugged them, other times they wanted to know there was another person there. Alive.

Today, Nemo was thinking about what it might like to be an air sylph. Floating around in the wind, maybe it would be like being a kite. Being a kite could be fun, but what if you got caught up with other kites tails? Being an air sylph would be better. Letting the breeze decide where you would go seemed freeing.

The Alexandria Zimmerman Troupe’s defences  needed sorting out again, and Nemo was preparing her equipment. She had her scarf bundled around her waist; the weather was starting to heat up, and wearing it around her neck was getting riskier. Maybe Phantom would join her today. Having them their made her feel safer.

She checked her equipment again, and checked the main lobby to see if there were any messages left for her. Phantom had another list of items they needed. Maybe if Phantom needed help she could try helping them?

Walking up to Phantom’s room always left Nemo a little dizzy and out of breath. She took a minute to compose herself and slow down her breathing. Knocking aside the curtains, Phantom was curled up on a swath of brightly coloured fabrics. They looked up when Nemo entered their room, expectantly.

‘I need ta sort out some of the defences again,’ she explained, ‘ could ya maybe come with me?’ she asked shyly.

Phantom nodded, and picked up their jumper, tying it around their neck. Time for Phantom and Nemo adventures!

‘First we need to head towards the opening bit,’ Nemo said, following Phantom down the stairs. As they neared the bottom, Phantom phased through the stairs, dropping down onto the floor. ‘Show off!’

Nemo’s previous trap had involved her burying pressure activated paint bombs. Because the Fifth Street gang had recently attacked them, most of them had been activated. She needed to set up some new traps that would hopefully catch them out. That was why bringing Phantom was useful, it was possible for them to simply phase items underground, so it was not possible to see where they had been buried.

Nemo was already prepared, this time she had pepper smoke bombs, a she called them. Once activated, they would release a mist of pepper spray, usually making it much harder for people to navigate. It might seem mean, but Nemo thought that protecting her new family was more important than being peaceful.

Phantom knew the area she meant, and was already fishing around for the previous paintbombs. Some of them hadn’t been set off, and Nemo showed Phantom where to bury them. She kept the old containers, putting them in her back; she would reuse them another time.

‘Do you need help with food?’ Nemo asked, slowly putting away the last of the old containers. She had her scarf wrapped around her lower face, incase the containers had gone off, and Phantom’s jumper also covered their lower face.

Phantom shrugged, Nemo could join them if she wanted to.

‘So would you be okay if I came? If we drop back at base first, I can drop off my stuff, and we can both bring bags with us.’

It seemed like an okay plan to Phantom. The walk back would be quick and easy.

‘Phantom?’ Nemo asked, as she trudged on behind them, ‘do you think I dream too much sometimes?’

Maybe, Phantom replied with a flick of their shoulders. How is that bad though. It’s better than the alternative.

‘Yeah… that’s why I dream. It’s better than this is, even though I love everyone. It’s still far from what life was before all this.’

They sighed, a silent gesture as their shoulders drooped. Anything is better than this is. I wonder why I stick around sometimes. But this is a better option than many of the other teams.

‘And we haven’t got Trip on our team. He’s stupid and silly and I don’t like the stuff he says!’ Nemo huffed. Trip was stupid. One day she was going to give him a piece of her mind!

We got Julie, Phantom grinned. But she’s not as bad as she was.

‘We’re all changing a lil bit, ain’t we? It’s nice. Makes it worth staying a bit longer.’

Yeah, it kind of does. Phantom gave Nemo a small smile. She smiled back.

[nyreem]

Plod. Plod.

Clawfoot liked to take it slow. He liked to take it steady. Life should be savoured, enjoyed. Clawfoot was good at that. Like a long soak in the bath, life was something you shouldn’t rush.

Plod. Plod.

Clawfoot was well known for being chilled. Being an animated bathtub allowed you to stay relaxed. He never had anywhere particularly to go in a rush. So he enjoyed ambling. Clawfoot enjoyed walking places, taking his time. Not aiming to be anywhere at any time. Just to get there. Enjoy the journey.

Plod. Plod.

Today Clawfoot would walk to Astrill Bluff. Maybe he’d be able to see stars from it. Or the sunrise. Or sunset. Or maybe admire the view. Clawfoot didn’t mind what. The journey would be peaceful enough, walking along the well-worn path which wound and trailed endlessly to the lonely bluff. Once before, Clawfoot had seen others there. Two dragons, one long and blue, the other small and slender purple. They had seem engrossed in something, and even Clawfoot’s heavy feet dragging along did not distract them.

Plod. Plod.

The trail was long, but either side was filled with wild flowers in bloom, vibrant poppies, pale blue cornflowers, flowers of all different colours littered the edge of the path. Clawfoot enjoyed looking at them all, appreciating the carpet of them dipping town where the edge of the valley met, and then gliding back up the other side to meet the path on the other mountain opposite. There were times on the trail where the drop down became what could be considered dangerous. But it never worried Clawfoot.

Plod. Plod.

Maybe Clawfoot could meet Kim there. Kim preferred Aurater lake. Aurater lake was a big salt water lake located in a crater at the top of one of the mountains in DuskLeigh Valley. He liked to swim in the lake when he could. Being a mercat, Kim was a species of semi-aquatic feline. He had gills, as well as lungs, but his species were specially adapted for living in the ocean, especially near the tranquos archipelago.

Plod. Plod.

Clawfoot and Kim enjoyed a mutual friendship based upon relaxing. Kim could stay out of water for periods of time, but like all mercats, was liable to drying up. Clawfoot enjoyed carrying him, especially when Clawfoot’s tub was filled with water. Kim was just as happy as Clawfoot to soak up the scenery around him, and could travel in silence easily.

Plod. Plod.

 Ish, Kim’s sister also enjoyed journeys in Clawfoot. On her days off, she would often seek him out, spending the day hiking or travelling with him. While she enjoyed Aurater Lake, she also enjoyed walking alongside Relasol River. Relasol river ran through the middle of DuskLeigh Valley, joining with the Lunast sea when it reached the edge of the valley. Relasol river was a river that swept from long and narrow to vast and wide; in some areas it resembled a stream, in others it would show how it had earned its title as a river. It had many hidden inlets, and melting ice from the tops of the various mountains would join it, resulting in the famous mouth where the river joined the Lunast sea, nicknamed the Eclipsing Opening.

Plod. Plod.

Ish was as calm as her brother, although less likely to make jokes and more likely to make quips or comments on things. She could travel in silence just as easily though, and did not mind if Clawfoot wanted to follow, or walk off the trail. They would vary, sometimes she would led, other times Clawfoot could led their walk. The company was nice though, Clawfoot could appreciate it.

Plod. Plod.

It was still quiet for him today, but it was a calm day, the sky blue and vast and spread out, clouds lazily moving along, and everything from flowers, to Clawfoot himself catching the glow of the sunshine. The journey was slow but enjoyable, and once Clawfoot had caught glimpse of others walking on the trail on the mountain opposite, the lanky griffon he often saw, still growing into his wings. Clawfoot never paid attention to learning the names of the others he saw. Sometimes others would introduce themselves to him though, and he would try his best to memorise their name. If not, he would think of them in other terms, using descriptions to identify them.

Plod. Plod.

He was nearing Astrill Bluff, and the edges of the sky were a soft purple, fading into peach, then yellow, then the pale blue of the beginning dusk. The colours reminded Clawfoot of fairy colours, the pale pastel colours fairies tended to favour. They reminded him of the brightly coloured sweets Cora would sometimes sell, or the cheery flowers on display outside of Posie’s shop. Soon he would be at the peak, and he would watch the sun dip down, being replaced by the rising moon.