Umbra is the darkest part of the shadow

Hey all,

And by all, I mean the less than 10 people who read this.

These isn't a new piece, but ons that I quick posted on Facebook.

I didn't want to lose it again so here goes!

Untitled

It's three am and all is well.
The fan whispers in the silence,
with a hiss tick hum, hiss tick hum.
Drowning out a cacophony of silence
with a hiss tick hum, hiss tick hum.

It's three am and all is well.
My fingers dance over a quilt of faded red,
patched and stitched, worn and ripped.
I curl beneath it, my stalwart shield,
patched and stitched, worn and ripped.

It's three am and all is well.
Darkness is my canvas, dreams my chalk.
Colors in the umbra, rainbows in the night.
Masterpiece past recognition, immaculate
Colors in the umbra, rainbows in the night.
~~~~

Dragons, rainclouds, and all kinds of stuff.

This was a rather lengthy project, wasn't it?

I turned 29 recently. That happened.

~~~~~

Dirt and dust drank up the cold spring rain, turning the narrow road into a long slick mud path. The misty rain beaded up the Julia’s shawl, glittering silver in the light. The hem of her ankle length dress was caked with the pale mud that stuck to the heels of her boots. Her brothers ran ahead and behind her, jumping in the grass after frogs and bugs. Ever so often, one would hoot, calling the other over to see what he caught. The young woman shook the collecting rain off her hat as the younger boy ran up to her, his hands clenched tight around something.

“Julia, Julia! I caught a salamander! Look, look, and see!” Thomas thrust his cupped hands towards her, mud splashed up to the knees of his pants.

She held out her hands, glaring down at him. “You give me that poor creature this instant and stop playing around.” Gingerly, she picked up the dazed salamander and desposited him into the tall grass by the road. It blinked up at her for a long moment then darted away.

“Look at you, Thomas. You’re covered in mud.” Julia whistled to the other boy as she wiped at the mud on Thomas’ knees. “If you and David ruin the new britches Father bought you, I’m not saving you from a whipping.”

The older brother stood staring the way they had come, past the bend in the road. Mud plastered his back front waist to shoulders and a long wriggling snake hung from his grasp. Julia whistled again, the sound piercing the dull patter of rain. David dropped the snake with a jump and ran to her side.

His eyes were bright as he caught back up to her, smears of light brown mud spread across his cheeks. His arm was pointing back and up, at the thick grey storm clouds. Julia grabbed her handkerchief and attacked the offending smudges. David fought to talk around the cloth as she rubbed and scrubbed.

“Jule, down the-” The handkerchief passed over his mouth, forcing him to remain quiet for a moment. “You gotta-”

“I don’t ‘gotta’ do anything.” Julia grabbed Thomas with one hand and David with the other. “You two are going to walk beside me and behave.”

“But-”

“No.” She pinched his ear. “Children should be seen. Not heard.”

David jammed his free hand into his pocket and stuck out his lip, pouting as he stomped through the mud. Thomas took a cue from his older brother and followed suit. Julia rolled her eyes for a moment before resuming the march home. The family home was still two miles down the road and the sky showed no sign of slowing down.

The dull sound of rain on the road took over the senses, a constant spat pat pat. She kept them towards the middle, avoiding the deeper sucking mud along the sides of the road. Each rain drop rolled off her hat and landed on her shoulders and skirt.

An errant gust of wind tugged at her skirts and buffeted the trees around the road. Julia clapped a hand over her wide brimmed hat and looked up to see a massive form dropping from the sky behind them. Two wide leathery wings chopped at the air as thick scaled legs settled onto the muddy road. The shoulder stood twice as high as a horse. Grey scales glittered and shone with a layer of rain. Above all rose the thick wedge of a snout and two large eyes, set on either side of the massive skull.

Julia scrambled backwards, pulling her brothers with her. She stared hard at the dragon, from the heavy ridges along his eyes, to the long thin tail. From a wide leather and silk harness hung a badge of office, from the royal council. A simple device hung from the chest straps, showing him to be a minor lord in the service of the queen. He glanced in her direction and inclined his head before heading in the same direction as her.

Julia resumed her walk, moving closer to the thick mud along the side of the road. She kept a tight grip on her brother's hands. David kept craning his neck around to look back at the dragon.

She jerked his hand, bringing his attention back to the road. “Don’t stare, it’s impolite.”

“But I want to see.” David turned and side skipped over a rock. “I tried to tell you he was close but you didn’t want to listen.”

She bit her lip and groaned. “Just keep your eyes forward.”

The dragon’s longer strides brought him right behind her small group in a few minutes. Julia skirted further to the side of the road, struggling in the thicker mud and stones.

The distant rumble of thunder gave a few minute warning as the rain grew heavier, the drops splashing down on her skirts and bodice. Thomas started to whimper. Julia bowed her head and continued to trudge on through the mud.

A shadow sprang up over Julia and her brothers. The rain stopped. With a gasp, Julia looked up to see a large leathery wing above them, blocking the rain. The dragon look ahead steadily as he walked, slowing to keep pace with her. His massive claws left deep prints in the mud which quickly filled with rainwater. Julia could feel the heat coming off his scales from several feet away, a heavy warmth that smelled like burnt paper and spices.

For minutes they walked in silence, the young woman, the boys and the dragon. When she finally worked up the nerve to speak, Julia’s voice came out in a squeak.

“Thank you, good sir. You’re too kind, giving us shelter from the rain. Our home isn’t too far, just a bit down this road.”

Keeping his snout pointed ahead, the dragon’s great green eye looked onto her. “It’s no trouble, young lady.” The sound was deep, a rumbling closer to an earthquake than a voice. “Might I have the pleasure of knowing your name?”

Julia dropped a quick curtsey. “Julia Woodson, my lord.” She bit her lip. “If you’ll forgive me, I don’t know your title, my lord.”

“Dunmoore. Lord Draelach of Dunmoore. Liason between the dragon council of Elders and Her Royal Highness, Queen Victoria.” He inclined his head in an abbreviated bow.

They lapsed into silence again. The boys were staring in shock, drinking in every detail of the enormous creature beside and above them. Julia ventured another attempt at converstation. “Quite a messy day with all the rain about, isn’t it?”

The dragon’s chuckle was a deep rumble. “In my life, I have never thought a day with rain was

anything less than a blessing.” He lifted his face to the rain, small rivers flowing down his scales. “I never feel so clear minded as when it’s raining.”

Rain splashed off the wing stretched over her as Julia looked the dragon over. From nose to tail, he was longer than a horse and carriage team. His other wing remained tucked firmly to his side. Two thick bands of pale blue silk crisscrossed the widest part of his chest, forming an ornate harness. From this dangled medals and ribbons of commedation. In the center hung a asymetrical chuck of shining black material, shot with veins of silver. Water darkened the silk on one side of the harness, spotting the pale blue.

“Oh, my lord! Your harness is getting wet, sir. I don’t want your silks to get ruined on account of us.” Julia pushed the loose hair back into her bun.

“Little human, the dragons existed long before the concept of clothing.” The deep chuckle changed into a full on laugh. “I only wear this as a concession to your queen, so she can hang the medals on something. I rarely fully understand what is going on in her court but I do try to humor her.”

David looked up at Lord Draelach and blurted out a question. “What do you do at the Court? Do you just dance and look fancy?”

Julia clapped her hand over his mouth and bowed her head. “Your lordship, please forgive him! He’s not very well behaved on my account. I don’t discipline him like I should.”

The dragon stopped for a moment, the thick scale ridges along his eyes making him look severe. “The young man would be wise to learn to control his tongue.” He resumed the slow pace that allowed the smaller human legs to keep up with him. “In answer to your question though, I do not merely dance and ‘look fancy’ at court. I act as a go between between the Council of Elders and Her Royal Highness the Queen.”

At the blank look on David’s face, Lord Draelach continued. “It means I settle matters that involve my people and yours. I am also a constant reminder of the peace brokered between humans and dragons. When Her Highness sees me, she knows she has the force of our nation supporting her in her efforts at home and abroad.”

“Pardon my question, my lord, but what are you doing way out here? Our little town is miles from the capital and there’s not even a lord in attendence of the manor.” Julia crossed herself quickly. “Bless his soul, Lord Hector passed on two years ago of a weak heart.”

“That would be the business I am about.” He looked down at her. “The late Lord Hector left no close heirs. The estate has been in the care of the staff in the mean time. The Queen decided that the estate has remained empty too long and has appointed me the new lord of the manor.”

Julia’s eyes went wide. “You’re to be the new lord?” Her words tumbled out in a rush. “Not that it’s a bad thing, my lord.” She stared up at him, word failing.

“Fear not, I won’t be capturing you or any of the other fair maidens in the village. Nor will I be hoarding any gold in the manor. In fact, I’ll spend most of my time at court still.” The lord’s eyes were bright with laughter. “But I will be requiring the services of several good men skilled in husbandry. My larders are far from stocked and if I am to entertain foreign dignitaries, I’d best get started now.”

Thomas peeked from behind Julia’s skirts. “Pa, Julia, tell him about Pa.”

Lord Draelach tilted his head, a chuckle rumbling in his throat. “Do tell, Ms Julia.”

For a moment, she chewed on her lip. “No, I’d hate to bother my lord with such a trivial thing. We’ve already imposed enough on your time. Our home is right at the bottom of the hill and it’s barely raining anymore.”

“Well then, we best talk quickly. So you can finish telling me before we reach your door.” His large green eye winked at her.

“Grandfather was the late lord’s woodsman. Before Father was born, Grandfather met a woman in the woods of Lord Hector’s estate. I never met Grandmother Liev but there are still things said about town of her. Some of them don't make any sense, like fairy tales or something. Lots of people say she was part Elven.” She shook her head. “That’s not the point, I beg your pardon. Father learned everything he could from Grandfather and Grandmother. No one knows the woods here better. He’s got a way with deer and birds, can make them do whatever he wants, if you’re looking for a good man.”

She looked ahead, the house looming on the left. The rain was a mere drizzle by now, beading up on the grass by the road. Beam of sunlight poked through the clouds here and there, turning the droplets into glittering crystals. Julia turned to the boys. “Say your goodbyes to Lord Draelach and go on ahead to the house.”

She watched as the boys bowed to the dragon and ran down the hill. After they had disappeared inside, she gave a low curtsey. “I’m very grateful to you sir. Without your assistance, that would have been a very unpleasant end to our trip.”

“You’re very welcome.” He lowered his head to her level, his massive green eyes peering into hers. “Hm… Very interesting. Very.” With a snort, he lifted his head.

“I have something for you.” The dragon pulled a thick green disc from a pouch on his harness. He carefully placed it in her hands.

She turned it over and over, studying the disc. It was as big as her hand, with rough edges. The color was a deep green, same as the dragon’s body. “My lord, is this one of your scales?” The edges of it made her fingers tingle.

“Indeed. I use them in place of a signet or seal. Give that to your father and tell him to report to the manor in the morning. There is a lot of work to be done and my steward will provide a starting point.” Again he looked directly into Julia’s eyes. “So very curious.”

Julia took a step back. “Sir?”

Lord Draelach backed up, stretching out both his wings with short flaps. “Do come with your father when he reports for assignment. I think you will be very helpful.” He chuckled. “It’s been too long since a Kindred was born.”

Julia stared in confusion as he took to the air, calling down to her. “Never dismiss the old stories, girl. There is something a little more than human about you, I think.”

~~~

I've fifteen seconds from incoherent giggling. I've got to get some sleep. 

I spent the day as a hipster in training and liked it.

I shouldn’t have postponed the story I was working on the other night. I lost track of my transition idea, so it will be put off until I can figure out a new one.

I should be taking this week off of posting on the blog, because the last week of each month is supposed to be dedicated to storyboarding the NaNoWriMo project. I feel bad though, not posting regularly last week, so I’ll make up for it this week.

I spent yesterday with my bestie nakamarama, KC. I met her at an anime event at our local mall years ago and I couldn’t wish for a better friend. She calls me out when I am being to negative for any reason and I can trust her to be truthful, even if it might not be what I want to hear. I completely adore her and everything about her. My day with her was exactly what I needed to feel recharged.

After I battled my way down the Turnpike and I-4, I arrived at KC’s parents’ house in the second twistiest housing development I’ve ever been in. To anyone who has ever lived in Ocala, The Silver Springs Shores still holds the first place. When I got inside, the first hug of the day was stolen by her parents’ big white boxer, Casper. This big old puppy was amazing. I spent a solid 10% of my time there just petting him.

Yes, I’m that person. I’m the pet greeter. To be honest, I love it when a dog is so excited that they jump up on me to say hi. I will forever call any dog around me puppy. Might even have that written on my tombstone, after I die of a great dane or mastiff suffocating me.

First place we hit up was this amazing Brazillian place called Giraffas. Really unique experiance in Florida, plus the lead waiter liked Pokemon. Next time I get a chance to go down, I’m bringing a Staryu and Starmie for KC to give to him.

After lunch, we went to Artegon Mall. This mall is like no other you have ever seen. With only a few big name stores inside, the rest of the mall is dedicated to small business owners and their wares. Predominantly artisinal creators, there was everything from handmade moroccan fashions to sustainably farmed honey. Art installations covered the walls, as well some buried away deep in the aisles of the shops. This is place that warrants several return trips, and time to spare. Not to mention money, as there is a massive comic and gaming shop called Gods & Monsters.

The day got really hot around this time, so we headed back to KC’s to avoid melting and rest. I dozed off during Space Dandy at some point. I was also introduced to Aggressive Retsuko, a new Sanrio property. Please go check it out.

When the day finally cooled down some, we hit up the Old Town car show and shops along the road. I took home some seriously cute swag, as well as having the greatest breadsticks I have ever eating.

So rambling and disjointed tonight. I have dozed off twice typing this, so I am calling it a night, lovelies.

Talk to ya later!

Excuses, excuses, you hear them every day!

My schedule at work has been kind of loopy for the past few days, but I hope to get back on track by this weekend. I'm not going to be totally derailed by this!

Forgive me for being unprofessional about this but sadly, my day job calls. I have to be back at work in less than 7 hours and I just got off work 2 hours ago.

I'll make it up, I promise!


Sleep well and sweet dreams, lovelies!

Rattle and bumbling in my head lately.

LE GASP, LOVELIES!!!

You’re getting a two parter today! I’ve got some errands to run with Jaya, so have part 1 now an part 2 before I go to bed.

~~~~~~~~~~

Over the hum of the street below, Kavi could still hear the whistle of the wind on the other side of the window. Her fingers tingled with cold as she traced circles on the glass. The windows glowed with the setting sun. In the room behind her, Ayanna fussed with her computer, muttering about bad wifi.

Kavi glanced back at her cousin, fingers pausing on the pane of glass. Ayanna was elbow deep in coding, surrounded by a thicket of empty soda cans and snack bags. The way to the hotel room door was clear, save for a few empty wrappers. Kavi stood up straight and walked to the mirrored closet, tugging on a thick winter coat.

“Whoa, whoa, what are you doing?” Ayanna snapped her laptop shut, her eyes trained on Kavi. “Popaw said to stay in the room matter what.”

Kavi took a deep breath, praying her voice wouldn’t shake. “I know. But he won’t be back til after midnight, he said so.” She zipped up the thick coat and pulled her two black braids out from under the collar. “That’s enough time for me to go see the City Gardens.”

Ayanna hopped off the bed to stand over her smaller cousin. “Kavixi Starfell, what do you see in that mirror?”

Kavi stared up into her cousin’s eyes. “What’s that gonna prove, Aya?”

“Just humor me.” Ayanna crossed her arms.

Rolling her eyes, Kavi turned to face the mirror. Large brown eyes watched her from the reflection. Her broad dark face sloped into a blunt muzzle, with a thick black nose at the tip. Two short tusks curved up from either side of her bottom jaw. Shaggy black hair fell down her shoulders in two thick braids, thinning into a long blaze of fur down her spine to the tip of her tail. Thick set shoulders and hips gave her a wide frame and bulky shape. Her eyes traced over the same face she had stared at for years, with the same thoughts crowding the back of her mind as always.

“I see a Starfell clan female.” She would not look Ayanna in the face.

“I see a young one who doesn’t want to believe the dangers of going out among humans.” Ayanna turned Kavi to face her. “Why are you trying to disobey Popaw?”

Kavi kept her eyes glued to the floor. “If I go out with my jacket and a scarf, no one will see me. I’ll just be another human bundled up against the cold.” She raised her eye to Ayanna’s. “I just want to go the Gardens. It would only be for an hour or two. Please.”

The taller female stepped back, crossing her thick arms again. “Tell me.”

“Please, I begged Popaw to take me along so I could go to the Gardens tonight.” Everything rushed out at once, in a long breathless, half crying plea. “It’s only tonight, Warlike Masquerade is playing there tonight, tomorrow they go on a year long worldwide tour! If I don’t see them now, I never will!”

“The band? That one you’re always on about?” Ayanna dropped her arms. “All this for a show?”

Kavi sucked on her lip, staring at her cousin. “Please.”

“Fine!” Ayanna threw her hands up. “But you have to be back in 2 hours. And don’t turn off your cell. If Popaw calls me, I’m calling your butt back here.”

With a whoop, Kavi hugged her cousin. The younger female grabbed a thick woven scarf and doubled it around the lower half of her face, hiding the tusks and protruding muzzle. Over her stubby horns she pulled on a knit cap and the deep fur lined hood over that, obscuring the top of her face in shadow. When she looked back into the mirror, all Kavi could see were her own brown eyes.

She had the door open and was halfway out the door before Ayanna’s voice called her back again. “Tuck in your tail, you mooncalf, it’s waving like an idiot’s battle flag!”

~~~~~

Be back later, Lovelies!!!!

In which I write something sappy.

I’ve begun to realize that my opening statements on this blog rarely match the main content. I can only explain this by saying I don’t proofread.

I’m going to go a bit more realistic tonight. I usually write very fantastical stories, full of magic. Part of this project is to come out of my comfort zone, so lets do just that.

~~~

I can’t remember if Mom or Dad ever read any normal bedtime stories to us. I know they probably did, but to my sister and me, there will only be one bedtime book.

Every night before bed, Dad would get a small book of poetry off the shelf. It was battered and tattered at the edges, with the pages yellowed and brittle. Green canvas covered the cardboard covers, making it rough to the touch. There was no cover slip, and the writing on the spine had faded to the palest hint of gold. To my mind as a child, it had no title and needed none. It simply called the Treasure.

Our father would carefully thumb through the pages, skimming past literary greats. With a voice soft and sad, he would read the words of Walt Whitman, lamenting the death of his Captain. He would bring to lyrical life Edward Lear’s Owl and the Pussycat, taking a set of twins in the boat with those sweet lovers. On darker nights, he would bring fear, creeping with Raven as it screamed “Nevermore” to an insane man. We could not and would not tolerate Goosebumps, but Edgar Allen Poe was allowed to scare us, warm and snug in our beds.

The poem I remember as a true bedtime poem though, is one my mom would read to us as well. By Lord Tennyson, Sweet and Low is slow and gentle. When read aloud, the speaker immediately falls into the perfect cadence, a swaying way of speaking, reminiscant of waves. I remember Mom reading it to us one night, when Dad was working the night shift at Emergency One. We were sitting in the living room, just before bedtime. Amber pulled the book off the shelf and begged Mom to read something out of it. By the light of the lamp on the end table, she read the short poem, of a woman telling her children their father will be home soon.

It’s been many years since we moved past that time in our lives. Somehow, in the moves and all the shuffling that occured over the years, I managed to end up with that little green book. The little bit of gold scrollwork is completely gone from the cover but for the moment, it’s mine. I say it that way because eventually, it won’t be. I made a promise to my sister; when she has children, I will gladly give her the book, so the tradition can continue.

~~~~

I can never thank my parents enough for introducing us to literature at such an early age.

I think the piece is a bit weak tonight but it gives a bit of insight into who I am and why. If it were not for that little green book, I would be very different. I really believe that.

Sleep well, lovelies. 

Creepypasta

No joke, I have been staring at this page for 20 minutes already, unable to create anything. I have, instead, eaten a butterscotch frosted donut and ingested sweet tea. At 2 am, when I have to be at work at 10 am. I do not adult well. I keep saying it because it’s true.

~~~~~~

I write my songs on the walls of broken hearts

with teardrop ink and promises whispered.

I travel past your shuttered eyes, careless

of your nightmares, awakened and hungry.

I devour dreams and spill forth terror,

wrenching from sleep your peace and calm.

I creep down walls of paint and plaster, claws

leave no scratch but rasp your heightened senses.

You scrunch eyes tighter, praying I am nothing

more than trees, a sleight of light, distraction.

You hunker down, blankets close and shielding

from my eyes glowing, gleaming in the corner.

You speak aloud, to yourself confirming, sycophantic

in your attempts to gather tranquil and soft serenity.

You balance precarious between sanity and impossible,

fighting, the urge of panic and survival rising in your throat.

~~~~~~

Yep, kind of creeped myself out with that one. I don’t really know where that came from.