12-12-2020, 11:03 AM
And what's the worst you take from every heart you break? And like
the blade you stain, well, I've been holding on tonight.
Michaelis had come to a conclusion over his careful observations throughout the years – people would always be drawn to the darkness despite themselves.
For some it may be not unlike himself, comfortable and eager to blindly step into night’s fickle embrace. But most others stepped into the shadows hesitantly, guardedly. The shadow child found that many approached him because of a burning curiosity. He did not inspire trepidation in others so he remained approachable for those whom wished to gain a better understanding of the shadow tendrils that remained flickering about his face and body.
His observation would come into fruition even on this stormy, dark night.
A mare crosses his path and his long strides quickly break and subside to a quiet halt before her. The shadows thickly gather for but a moment and then spread back out once more whenever she appears to be friendly, settling down to graze along the sides of his neck in anticipation of their conversation.
Although the tendrils appeared aggressive at times, the shadow child did not possess the ability to manipulate them fully. He could only use them as a sort of camouflage, concealing him from sight but even this was rendered useless during the full power of sunlight. His abilities when it came to controlling shadows were relatively harmless to those around him, but he remained content in the relationship he continued to have with them regardless.
The stranger’s form blended into the darkness well, mirroring that of the night sky on a clear winter’s night. Her dark eyes were keen and intelligent, dare he even say hungry. He would have likened her to a viper, ever so patiently waiting to ambush its next unsuspecting prey. Michaelis quite enjoyed his tenuous dances with predators; he always eagerly waited for the surprises they held in store for him. He especially enjoyed watching them make their own impacts upon this easily impressionable land of theirs.
He is not surprised that she does not introduce herself first – merely starts in with questions about the tendrils that continued to writhe about his body calmly. But before a word can even leave his lips, his very sensitive eyes catch the approaching movement of another for she glowed brilliantly through both the shadows and the torrential downpour. The tendrils instinctively recoiled away from her, gathering closely once again to hide him away.
But she came to a standstill just outside of their circle – a slight hesitancy radiated from her.
He hummed soothingly and they settled down once more, no longer threatened by the one whom seemed to emit light from her body. She reminded him of the days he once spent living in the Tundra, where he fastidiously avoided the daylight for it seemed to bounce off of everything at once when there was heavy snowfall upon the ground and his eyes could not bare that extra strain upon them.
He laughs softly to himself when the newcomer also foregoes introductions in light of her inquisitiveness. But the shadow child couldn’t fault them for it, he frequently suffered from the same infliction. He even attempts to indulge them a little and coaxes the tendrils to drift further away from him and towards the two mares. They cling stubbornly at first but little by little spread further outwards stopping just short of the night-sky mare’s frame. The shadow child wouldn’t force them upon others, but instead would leave an opening for those who chose to step forward of their own free will.
“I wouldn’t say that it’s a matter of who’s the leader nor who’s the follower. It’s a mutual relationship. Sometimes I can’t even predict what they’re going to do next.”
For the night could swallow one whole if they feared it enough. It could be frighteningly still yet monsters could be lurking within its shadowy depths and one would never until it was too late. But it could reward those who were bold and fearless; Michaelis had happily accepted his fate and the shadows had become fond company.
He smiles at the strangers in invitation and decides to start the introductions for he enjoys learning about others, especially those who expressed interest in his shadows.
“I’m Michaelis.”
( The Shadow Child )
@[Desire] @[Beyza]