All Around Me - Long Cold Winter

[Dano]

I sit under the tree, staring at the gray skies and charcoal clouds that hang sullenly motionless. The sun has set, and the night swallows what little warmth there is. I had thought of building a fire, but lacked the motivation.

I look out over the plateau that is my home. The grass is covered in dead leaves from the giant oak, those in turn covered in frost, and in patches, snow. The wind whips around, making me thankful for my shaggy hide, giving me some warmth, but not enough.

I cannot remember the last time I smiled, the last time my eyes looked with pure joy at the world about me. The birds left me months ago, the insects have burrowed. I look out to the sea, and the fish are all but gone.

The moon, that cold disc of white fragility, rises as I sit and huddle in my fear and lonliness, my anger and despair. My horns have dulled, turned from ivory to dun. The ring in my nose merely irritates now, no longer the source of pride it once was.

I hear a call, the first in months. The long blast of Fatherbrotherfriend Ocean. I stand in anticipation, and make my way to the path.

* * * * *

I stand on the cliff, overlooking Ocean. Panthalaasa arises before me, out of the cold waves. He ejects seawater from his blowhole, misting the air, dampening my hide. I close my eyes and shudder irritably. He approaches, as close as he can in the shallows.

Hello Friend.
"Whale," I acknowledged curtly.
I bid you hello from Outside. We worry.
"I thank you, but there is no need."
The Island has grown cold and dark again, Friend. There is indeed need.
"It shall pass. Your concern is well-intended but misplaced."

Arising further from the depths, so that he loomed over me, he continued.

Friend, you have isolated yourself from the rest of All There Is. I have been sent to ask why.
"It shall pass. Nothing else concerns you."
The cold extends far, Friend. You are not the only one affected

My eyes narrow, my breath snorts out of my nostrils in thick explosions of steam, glistening on the ring.

"Leave me."
Why do you anger so, Friend?
I laughed contemtuously. "You are mistaken."
Why then the axe?

I looked down at the weapon in my hand. It had been so long, I had forgotten. My grip was tight, so tight my hand shook. I loosened, but maintained my grip.

One eye focused on me, a giant eye larger than myself. A wise creature, Panthalaasa. He saw more than was apparent, but I was a stubborn creature, well suited to my reputation. I turned.

"Leave me, Whale. It shall pass."
You sadden me, Friend, but I shall do as you ask.

I climbed back up the path to my tree, and could sense him noiselessly slip back into himself, the great Ocean. He left, and once more I was alone.

* * * * *

This one's a little different, but bear with me, it'll make sense when it's done.

[tyledras]

good good
want the rest...
*fidget fidget*

[Dano]

I stood my ground before the tree. It stubbornly refused, mutely mocking me.

"I asked you a question, can you not answer?"

Tearing my eyes away from the roots onward up to the topmost branches, tendrils of breath escaped the corners of my open mouth.

"Come then, tell me!"

Not surprisingly, the tree stood silent. I backed up a pace and collapsed, my knees buckling me to the ground. Hot tears exploded from my eyes, and I shut them to quell the flood.

Reopening them, I saw red. Standing quickly, I began to shout and curse at the formerly oracular tree.

"You too have left me then? Like all the others, you have abandoned me! I curse you! I spite your silence, your mute absence. I was entrusted to you, told to watch and be watched. To learn and to teach, and you have gone! Where are your pretty leaves now, eh? Fallen to the ground, crushed beneath my hooves."

I was overcome, my throat becoming hoarse, choking on bile and phlegm and rage. My vision receded to just the tree, the mute gray edifice before me, my reason for being, the source of my dystopia.

Without thinking, I threw my axe down and screamed incoherently, trying to blast the tree with my voice. The sun peeked at me through a hole in the clouds, passing through the branches far above my head.

Reaching down for my axe, I flung it at the tree. End over end it tumbled, striking the tree with the handle, not the head, falling lifelessly to the ground. Beyond control now, I stalked to it, taking it up and swinging with all my strength. It bit into the wood deeply, tearing away bark and exposing the hard pith.

Again and again I swung, faster and faster, harder and harder, until the handle snapped and the blade flew off. Not missing a beat, I balled my fists and punched. Pummelling the source of my anger and hatred, my protector and protectorate, the source of wisdom and love.

All There Is faded around me, to black.

[Dano]

BTW Oz, it does go with the rest of it. Patience is a virtue, my friend.

[Oz]

Thanks for the note Danoman. I like the second one even more, I think its cuz Im slowly getting used to it. The end was sad... I almost cried...

Patience is one of those things that I havent learned yet..

------------------
"What about him? What are you doing with him?"
"What you should be doing with me..."

Proud family member of Jelymo, gollum, Kelly, Dano, Jaxom27, Fenix and others.

I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned

"Om Namaha Shivaya." ~ Dano

www.andysworld.itgo.com

[Oz]

Very different indeed... I dunno about the title, that seems to imply that it goes along with the rest of your stuff.. That only makes sense to me one way. I hope to get to talk to you about it.

Dont get me wrong, you know I loved it!

[WiloeLeigh]

Ooooooo....I like this new twist in the story. I think I understand where this is going, but I'm not going to say anything.

Groovy.

[Dano]

Waking slowly, head pounding, eyes refusing to focus. I lie on my back, near the edge of the plateau. I hear the waves crashing to my right at below me. Indistinct shapes pass before my eyes. I feel a light warmth on my left side, indicating the sun either rising or setting.

My eyes slowly focus, and I see the shapes above. Slowly they recede to mere clouds, drifting sadly along in the sky. I lift my hands, and see the caked and matted blood on my hands. No broken bones, no permanant damage.

I immediately felt remorse for my actions. I am not a creature of anger, much less wrath. Most often, I try to look upon my world with tempered happiness, a contented satisfaction. The last few months, however, had been frustration built upon frustration. I shook my head, dizzying myself for a moment and almost faltering. I no longer wished to think about it. My concern was to retain equilibrium until things righted themselves.

The air during the day was calm, still. Dead. In the evening, when the winds came, I huddled within myself and cursed. Now, however, I longed for movement of any kind.

The tree loomed before me, more than a mile away yet clearly visible. From this distance, I couldn't see the damage I had caused, but was glad to see it still standing. I had no illusions of ever permanantly damaging the tree, but still I was glad I hadn't.

Another call behind me, this one shreiking and mischievious. I turned, facing towards the distant, cold sun. A dark spot covered it, and steadily grew. Blurred edges became more distinct, the shape becoming clear.

A giant red dragon approached, silently winging down from the sun. Fire, coming to either warm or burn. Perhaps to illuminate. The truth would become apparent soon.

Flames leakes absentmindedly from the nostrils, metallic red scales the brightest color I'd seen in a good long time. Slowly, it began to morph, becoming sleek, soft, and contracting. It magicked itself before me, until it resembled a man. Tall and thin, wiry and agitated. Hairless with blood-red eyes, a faint halo of flame surrounding his head and shoulders. He smiled mischieviously.

"Kompara, you grace me with your visit. Be welcome."
Thank you, Bull. I accept your hospitality.

He bowed low, a gesture I could not decide whether genuine or mocking. I nodded in return. Turning, I continued walking, the Flame falling in step beside me.

"To what do I owe the honor, Trickster?"
You wound me, Friend. But, you have always been such as this, blunt and tactless. I expected no less, really.

Snorting sharply, indicating what I thought of that, I focused on reaching the tree swiftly.

But really, was it so horrible talking to my brother last night? Admittedly, he can be a bit of a bore, but his heart is in the right place. And after all, Mothersisterlover sent him.
"My mood was dark last night, and has improved little. Say your piece."

I was pulled down by my horns, hard. Hitting the ground, flames engulfed my body. I did not burn however, merely heated up. Two angry eyes took up most of my field of vision.

Is this what it takes to get your attention? Is this what it takes to make you stop and listen? We are your world, we are All That Is. You are our precious child, our protector and protectorate. And your childish tantrums and sullen moods are darkening things beyond what you see here!

The heat rose, I could feel the hairs of my hide singeing, the ring in my nose burning me. My eyes dried out and I could not take in breath. Struggling against Kompara, I clawed at the ground. Then, just as the panic was about to completely overtake me, he was gone.

I lay there, catching my breath. Above me, I could see his feet and legs, presumably attatched to an angry and frustrated face and set of eyes.

I rose, and faced him, humbled and more than a little frightened.

Tend to your tree. Think on what I said.

With that, Flame leapt into the air, transforming again into the Dragon, making his way back to his kingdom in the now-warmer and larger sun.

[This message has been edited by Dano (edited December 09, 2000).]

[Oz]

Getting better and better. Of course, I should have, but I didnt, catch that he was a bull before now. I like it.

[Dano]

The winds had died down and the sky was clear. The night sky opened before me, showing me it's majesty.

I had done as Kompara had ordered, and thought on his words, tending to the tree. It had required little, thankfully. Already it had healed itself well, easing a great weight from my mind.

As for my thoughts, I had meditated all day and evening, looking out among All That Is, looking for answers. I had begun with placing blame, but that stalled when I realized no blame was possible, it was simply a cycle. And, the root lay within me, after all. Not the physical decay of my world, that was due to the cycle of seasons. But my mood, my emotions and such, were my own making. I felt betrayed, abandonded, but that's all they were, feelings. Surely, the pain would linger further, but it would lessen in time, and eventually fade.

My eyes drifted along the star's paths, enjoying a cosmic view I had sorely missed in my zeal to self-immolate. I landed on Orion, Father of All There Is. So many times I had looked up upon the Sky Hunter and asked a boon. "Bring me a mate," I had asked, more than a little selfishly.

Laughing at myself for such presumption, I asked myself questions. Am I not on an island? Am I not isolated? Am I not very protective and jealous of my space the time I am given? Was I not chosen for this outpost? Did I not accept it gladly when it was offered?

I offered a nonchalant salute and silent prayer of thanks to the Hunter, for providing me a model of solitude with honor and dignity, an example I hoped I could uphold better in the future.

But, as with all things, the blade cut both ways, and I found the new knowledge turn to ash in my mouth. A bitter pill indeed.