12-31-2018, 09:26 PM
Jinn
I had a dream that we were dead,
and we pretended that we still lived
and we pretended that we still lived
He hadn’t known he would come until he had taken his first step across the border into the coastal land. He hadn’t truly thought about coming here. Not really. The thought terrified him, truth be told. He wasn’t entirely certain her remembers right. Why would she have invited him here? The first time they’d met, she had fled with no explanation. The second time, she’d stayed only long enough to offer an apology. He still wasn’t entirely certain why she had apologized.
She’s the first who had ever done so.
Perhaps that is why he’s here now. Perhaps that is what had made him come. Why he’s seeking her out when he has always taken such great pains to remain hidden and unnoticed. Nothing good has ever come from those that have noticed him.
For a long time he lingers on the borders of the kingdom, peering through the small copse of trees he had taken shelter in. Several times he nearly turns and leaves, but loneliness always stays his feet. It’s foolish, he thinks. Foolish to believe that this time might be different. But at heart he has always been a fool.
He doesn’t know how much time has passed before he finally gathers the courage to continue forward. To make his way beyond the trees, clinging to the foothills bordering the mountains that bar the beach from his sight. He sees no one, and though a part of him is grateful, another part wonders how he might find her. He’s never tried to seek anyone out before. Does not even know where to begin.
He slows when he reaches another copse of trees, sorely tempted to halt entirely. But when he makes his way to the other side, he is released onto the banks of a small lake, the waters calm and crystalline beneath the vibrant reds and golds of a sun that even now hangs low over the horizon. He pauses for a moment, staring at the water, remembering how she had risen from the river to find him that very first time. Stepping forward hesitantly, he peers into the still liquid when he reaches the earthy shore, finding only his reflection staring back at him. Gaunt, dusty black tipped by gold. A boldly crooked stripe down the bridge of his nose. What should have been lovely made grotesque by death.
He flinches back from his reflection, eyes closing as he inhales shakily. He doesn’t know why he thought he’d find her there. It is only a small lake, clearly unattached to any other body of water. But he’s always been so foolishly hopeful, hasn’t he?
She’s the first who had ever done so.
Perhaps that is why he’s here now. Perhaps that is what had made him come. Why he’s seeking her out when he has always taken such great pains to remain hidden and unnoticed. Nothing good has ever come from those that have noticed him.
For a long time he lingers on the borders of the kingdom, peering through the small copse of trees he had taken shelter in. Several times he nearly turns and leaves, but loneliness always stays his feet. It’s foolish, he thinks. Foolish to believe that this time might be different. But at heart he has always been a fool.
He doesn’t know how much time has passed before he finally gathers the courage to continue forward. To make his way beyond the trees, clinging to the foothills bordering the mountains that bar the beach from his sight. He sees no one, and though a part of him is grateful, another part wonders how he might find her. He’s never tried to seek anyone out before. Does not even know where to begin.
He slows when he reaches another copse of trees, sorely tempted to halt entirely. But when he makes his way to the other side, he is released onto the banks of a small lake, the waters calm and crystalline beneath the vibrant reds and golds of a sun that even now hangs low over the horizon. He pauses for a moment, staring at the water, remembering how she had risen from the river to find him that very first time. Stepping forward hesitantly, he peers into the still liquid when he reaches the earthy shore, finding only his reflection staring back at him. Gaunt, dusty black tipped by gold. A boldly crooked stripe down the bridge of his nose. What should have been lovely made grotesque by death.
He flinches back from his reflection, eyes closing as he inhales shakily. He doesn’t know why he thought he’d find her there. It is only a small lake, clearly unattached to any other body of water. But he’s always been so foolishly hopeful, hasn’t he?
@[Adria]
