cosmic

The gossamer blue doe of the Ruins stepped quietly. Her hooves were trimmed with gold, and her eyes were the most beautiful amethyst—like the violets before her. She had always had a fondness for those flowers, always so overlooked by the violently red poppies, always carried by the quiet, poetic stags or the melancholy wanderers. Sometimes she would sit, very still, in a circle of the purple blossoms, and simply watch the others go by, on business of their own, the stags with their great necks and antlers and the does with their slender legs and beautiful eyes. Occasionally, one would pause near her, entranced by her eerie beauty, and she would smile fleetingly, her magpie mask obscuring those off-putting irises. She would then turn, listening to the soft rustling of the violets once more, and the deer would curiously step away.

Now, it was nearing twilight. The flowers were a dark, shaded lavender, and she was careful to not break a petal. She was heading somewhere—where, she had no clue. But she was going somewhere, across this Forest, and she was going to find something there... The Ruins had become a shadowy mass, far behind the little doe, and as she walked her legs tired and her eyelids fell. Those unnerving orbs were covered for now. It was dimming, dimming; the only light, far as the eye could see, shone from the clear marble of the Twin God’s statues. It was an odd light—shining and smooth—and radiated in a stark circle upon the hill.

With a withering sigh, she climbed the hill and rested upon it primly, tucking her yellow legs neatly against her side. Slumber did not come yet, but weariness came. She focused her gaze on several deer scattered throughout her vision, watching the rise and fall of their chests and the twitches of their ears. Their gentle breathing was enough to make her rest her head along the lines of the pedestal that the Gods sat upon—just touching it brought a sudden warmth, and she shivered in surprise. It had been a while since she had strayed from the Ruins or the birch to sleep, and it was a welcome change. Sometimes, in this revolving Forest, things were too beautiful.

Sleep brought a dark world of sporadic stars and navy hues. There was nothing else, aside from a tall blue stag standing before her. His body blended perfectly with the expanse of sky around him, and it almost seemed as if his antlers and golden hooves were a part of nothing. He stepped towards her without hesitation, and she stood, shaky-legged, her heart thrumming—his cold black gaze was the most welcome greeting. Red streaks below his eyes were a sign of his painful transformation, and she did not flinch away. When they touched, there was no feeling; as if she were brushing along the fabric of this universe…

“Hello,” greeted the peacock doe, and touched her nose to his, her magpie mask having been discarded. The starred stag smiled, and golden lettering appeared before her eyes. It was beautiful wording, with large, cursive looping and sparks that flew when a breath hit them.

It’s been a while. Have you been having nightmares?

The Dreamwatcher stared anxiously at his mate as she finished reading, and Xylia gave a small smile. She turned, and he followed, walking alongside her as she stared ahead, eyes an unreadable violet. “I’ve just been worried,” she answered after a few steps, hanging her head. Her voice held an obvious Spanish twinge—an exotic and bemusing voice. “Chanse misses you, but he’s—he’s better than I thought he would be. I’ve hardly had any sleep, and I know how many dreams you need to walk through to find mine. Ah…” Her ears swiveled and her eyes rounded, great purple orbs. “I don’t know how you stand it. I don’t know how it’s even possible—hundreds of dreams…”

Your own has a very strong presence. It smells of violets and sounds like running water; since you are who I have given my heart to, it is very easy to single out your mind. Mmhh…I’ve missed you. The lettering swirled and faded as he touched his head to the nape of her neck—the touch of a starred, otherworldly being. There was no warmth when he felt here, only a great swirl of blue mist, but it comforted him nonetheless. I’m so sorry. Chanse and Ketan…

“Ketan is well, then?” She smiled that fleeting smile as the Dreamwatcher stopped, folding his ears back. The antlers he possessed—pure black bug antlers, smooth and sharp—shivered as he moved, and he attempted a quiet smile.

How can he be well when his lovely mother is not with him? The words broke before her eyes.

“He has you—he must be fine.” She nudged him playfully, wincing at the strange sensation of wind winding through her fur. The blue dust covered her shoulder for a fraction of a second and vanished in to thin air.

A fawn always needs a mother.

“He is a young boy, you know. And you are the most wonderful father.”

A mute father?

“Shh,” cooed the peacock doe, seating herself as he followed suit. He draped his neck over her back, settling in to the nap of her neck; it felt almost as if a strong, warm breeze was covering her shoulders. The blood falling from his eyes did not deter her in the slightest; instead, she rested her cheek against his own, smiling that beseeching smile. It was nice to just rest with him in this expanse of stars, in the hems of the world…she enjoyed looking at him, his fur the beginning of the universe, his eyes their black holes…

Hm. It seems you’ve fallen in love with a nebula.

“And it is most beautiful.”

give it a listen.

Xylia and Vessel. &hearts Raku, Vessel's player, was forced to quit TEF. I have no doubt in my mind that she will return some day, and that these two will finally be able to see each other in a world with sunlight and beauty. but, for now, they're content in a world of dreams and stars.